This is the dance for all the lovers
Takin' a chance for one another
Finally it's our time now

-The Plain White T's

The Auction was held on a Saturday afternoon. Miraculously, Eva had convinced everybody to participate. Flitwick had conjured a magnificent stage for her, the house elves had eagerly prepared food, and the students were waiting impatiently behind the closed curtains. Backstage, Eva was clutching her clipboard, shouting orders.

"Nutter, that one," Finn muttered.

Teddy nodded, jumping out of the way as Eva came barging through. "Places everybody!" she shouted. "Five minutes until we begin! FIVE MINUTES!"

Finn and Teddy were one of the last guys in line. Eva figured they were her grand finale, the ones who would make the most money. Luke was standing near the front, holding Grace's hand. She didn't look too happy about giving up her boyfriend to the highest bidder. Victoire was the one who had managed to convince her by reminding her that Chris was, in fact, lying in that hospital at that moment. Begrudgingly, Grace had allowed Luke to participate; although, it looked like she was regretting that decision. In all honesty, Luke didn't look too thrilled about being auctioned off either, but he was doing it for Victoire.

Teddy shot them two thumbs up. Grace grimaced before Luke gave her a reassuring squeeze.

A few feet behind Luke, Michael and Sienna appeared to be talking. Teddy was surprised by how easily Sienna agreed to auctioning off her boyfriend to a bunch of screaming girls. "Hey, it's for charity, right?" she would say, shrugging, whenever Teddy asked her about it.

Eva blew her whistle, making everybody cringe. "Anybody that isn't in the auction, take your seats in the audience. Boys, line up and get ready!"

Grace and Sienna quickly waved goodbye to their boyfriends before being ushered away by Eva.

Victoire and Skylar had saved Grace and Sienna seats at their table in the audience. Eva had secured them a table in the very front. As she spoke on stage, talking about the many boys she had up for auction, the girls turned to whisper to each other.

"This food looks brilliant!" Sienna beamed, reaching over to grab a tart.

Grace made a face. "How can you eat right now?" She looked around the crowded Great Hall, where girls were eagerly awaiting the bachelors. "There's so many of these ruddy girls here!"

Sienna shrugged. "I trust Michael, I guess. He's an angel."

Victoire frowned. "Don't you trust Luke?"

Grace hesitated. "Of course I do."

Skylar looked unconvinced, but she didn't say anything. "I want to bid on someone," she said after a moment. "Are you bidding on anyone, Vic?"

Victoire considered it. "Nah. S already said she'd be my date."

Sienna winked. "Damn straight."

"Who do you want to bid on?" Grace asked Skylar.

"I have to see my options," Skylar said impatiently.

Almost as if she heard Skylar, Eva cleared her throat. "Here they are now!" she cheered as the curtain opened behind her, revealing twelve boys ranging from the ages of fifteen to eighteen. "Our first very handsome bachelor is Logan Steinback! He's..."

"Ugh, no thanks," Skylar said, making a face. "Logan's an arse."

Sienna smiled. "How about Cole? He's cute."

"Or Joey," Victoire volunteered.

"Or you just wait to get asked to the Ball by a gentleman like any other normal girl," Grace said bitterly.

"You're just mad because Luke's up next," Skylar said.

Grace's eyes widened. "What!" she shrieked, turning to face the stage. Sure enough, Luke was striding forward, grinning nervously at the crowd assembled.

"Lucas Bishop is one of our handsome Gryffindor seventh years! Not only is he a Beater for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, but-"

"I wonder who's gonna bid on him," Victoire said curiously, looking around the crowded Hall.

"Alison Bryant looks very interested," Sienna pointed out, motioning to the dark haired girl in the back.

"Let's start with five sickles!" Eva called out. "Oh, make that ten..."

"Twenty!"

"Twenty-five!"

"Thirty!"

"Forty-five!"

Grace looked panicked. She pinched Victoire's arm. "Bid on him!"

"What?"

"Bid on Luke!"

Victoire frowned. "Why can't you?"

"I'm not allowed to!"

"Sixty!" another girl shouted.

Sighing, Victoire stood up. "One hundred sickles," she said loudly. Luke raised his eyebrows at her. She shrugged.

Eva beamed. "One hundred sickles going once...going twice...sold!"

"I'll pay you back," Grace promised her, reaching for her purse. "How many galleons is that again?"

Victoire shook her head. "Don't worry about it. It's for Chris, remember?"

Sienna glared at Victoire. "So much for you going as my date!"

"Hey, don't blame me. Blame Gracie."

Sienna glanced at Grace. "Rhodes, you know this means you're my new date right?"

Grace shrugged. "Sure. I mean, both of our boyfriends are being auctioned off anyway."

"Michael's next," Skylar informed them as Jason Ali got auctioned off to Lauren Philipson.

"Who do you think will bid for him?" Sienna asked as Eva introduced him to the crowd.

"Probably Marisa," Skylar said. "She's always hated you."

"Well, what did I do to her?" Sienna looked shocked.

"You stole her boyfriend two years ago," Grace said, her eyes on Luke. He was standing back now, laughing as Michael awkwardly walked to the center.

"Who?" Sienna looked confused.

"Alfred...remember you snogged him at the Christmas Party?"

Sienna's eyes widened. "I didn't know they were dating!"

"You're the reason they broke up." Skylar rolled her eyes at Sienna's obliviousness.

"It's probably the reason all her friends hate you too," Grace said thoughtfully.

Victoire snorted. "And the reason your only friends are a bunch of fifth years."

Sienna narrowed her eyes at Victoire. "You mean the three of you?"

Skylar grinned. "You sure are lucky to have us."

Sienna rolled her eyes. "I have other friends!"

"Sold!" Eva shouted. The girls all turned their attention back to the stage.

"What do you know," Skylar said darkly. "Michael's been sold to Marisa."

Sienna raised her eyebrows. "Hmm."

"That's it? You don't want us to hex the slag?"

"For what? The money's good...it's for charity...and I trust Michael. I mean, I'm not saying I'm thrilled about this, but I did agree to it."

Michael shot Sienna a quick smirk. She waved to him, a small smile on her lips. Several feet away from Michael, Finn was watching them with an odd expression on his face.

By the end of the night, Luke was going to the Ball with Victoire. Michael was going with Marisa. Sienna and Grace, whose boyfriends had been auctioned off, agreed to be each other's dates. Finn and Teddy were at the end of the line of boys, looking bored, still waiting to be bid on.

"You're out of options," Victoire finally said as Finn was auctioned off to a pretty girl in the back. "Teddy's the only one left."

"I know," Skylar said as Teddy stepped up. Before Eva could even get a word out, Skylar stood up. "Two hundred sickles."

There was a long silence. Teddy stared at her, his mouth hanging open slightly. Eva blinked several times, confused. "Erm...okay...two hundred sickles going once..." she said quickly.

Skylar turned her hard gaze on the rest of the crowd, daring anybody to challenge her. Nobody did. No girl would dare cross Skylar Grey.

Eva cleared her throat. "Sold," she said, gaining her composure back. "For two hundred sickles!"

"Brilliant," Skylar said quietly, sitting back down.

"Skye," Victoire finally said. "What the hell are you up to?"

"You'll see," Skylar said, returning to her meal. Victoire shot her a wary look but didn't say anything.

Teddy stood across from Skylar, his arms crossed. Skylar held his gaze determinedly, her hands on her hips. In between them, Victoire was sitting on the love seat, looking apprehensive. Finn was leaning against the armchair on the opposite side, looking amused.

Finally, Teddy sighed. "Skylar."

"I'm the highest bidder, Teddy." She flipped her hair back furiously.

"Because everybody's too scared of you to bid on me!" he exclaimed, irritated.

"I don't understand why you're so upset. You get a date with an awesome girl."

Teddy glared at her. "You broke up with me!"

Skylar rolled her eyes. "I was talking about Vic, but I do appreciate you thinking I'm awesome."

Victoire blinked. "Skye, what are you playing at?"

"I hate all this tension. Now, I don't care who's in love with who, because I'm getting sick and tired of all the drama. Finn and Teddy, this is your last year here. We need to make it a good one. We won't have a second chance."

"How is this relevant to you bidding on Teddy?" Finn wondered, plopping down on the couch. He suddenly looked tired.

"I did not bid on Teddy for me. I got him for Vic."

"I'm not an object, Skylar!" Teddy grumbled. "I'm a human being. You can't give me to other people."

"The two hundred sickles I no longer have begs to differ," Skylar snapped. "And don't be such a prat!"

Victoire rubbed her temples. "What exactly are you up to, Skye?"

"Vic, you're my best friend and we both messed up. If you want to be with Teddy, then be with him. And Teddy, you're a fucking asshole and I hate you. I honestly fantasize about chopping you up into little pieces and feeding you to the octopus in the lake-"

"Tell me how you really feel," Teddy muttered.

"But I miss you," she sighed. "I know Victoire does too, even though she's too damn stubborn to admit it."

Victoire didn't say anything. She simply looked at her feet, feeling her face turn bright red. Teddy blinked, but Skylar continued.

"I want all of us to be friends again. This is our last year to be together. Next year, you, Finn, Luke, and Sienna will all be gone. It'll just be me, Gracie, and Vic." She fixed her gaze on Teddy. "I am willing to put it all in the past if you are. You and Vic can do whatever you want. I'm not gonna lie and say it won't hurt, but we've all known for years, deep down, that the two of you would eventually get together. We were just kidding ourselves, Teddy."

Victoire looked at her. "We're not," she said. "Getting together, that is." She turned to face Teddy. "I have no interest in being your girlfriend."

Teddy nodded slowly. "I know."

Skylar shrugged. "Fine. You two want to keep dragging this out, whatever. Just promise me you'll make up and try to be friends."

Victoire hesitated. "Of course we're still friends."

"But you're still mad at me?" Teddy asked her.

"Yes," Victoire replied stubbornly, crossing her arms.

"Regardless," Skylar persisted, "you two are going to the Winter Ball together."

"Lucas is my date," Victoire told her. "I paid one hundred sickles for him."

Finn snorted, making Skylar jump. She'd forgotten he was there. "Well, I'm giving you a bloke worth two hundred. You should be grateful, not complaining." Skylar snapped.

Luke and Grace entered the common room, holding hands. Victoire glanced at Luke, relieved. "Luke, tell them you're my date."

"Actually," Luke replied, "I agree with Skylar. You and Teddy can go together and make up. Skylar's my new date."

"You can't do that!" Victoire protested.

"Actually, I can," Luke said, pointing to Grace. "Tell them, baby."

"Victoire," Grace said loudly, "I refuse to allow you to accompany my boyfriend to the Ball."

"So?" Victoire gaped. "What say do you have in any of this?"

"Never anger the girlfriend, Victoire," Skylar said wisely.

Teddy glared at them. "You guys should mind your own business."

"Like you and Finn did with me and Gracie?" Luke said.

Finn raised his eyebrows. "He's got a point, mate."

Teddy glanced at Victoire. "Just agree to it, Vic. It's the only way they'll leave us alone. Besides, you know we'll all end up going as a group anyway."

"Fine," Victoire said shortly. "But I don't like it."

She stalked out of the common room, claiming she had to finish a Transfiguration essay in the library. Grace, perking up at the idea of homework, followed Victoire. Luke and Finn went after them, hoping to convince Gracie to help them finish their Charms essay, even though she was only a fifth year. Whether done purposely or coincidentally, Skylar and Teddy found themselves alone for the first time since their break up.

"So..." Teddy said quietly.

"I'm still very angry with you," Skylar told him.

"But you do miss me," Teddy said, grinning.

She couldn't help but smile as he slowly came forward, wrapping his arms around her. She fell into him easily, her eyes watering as she remembered the last time they'd embraced like that. "I missed you too," he mumbled into her ear.

Skylar clutched him tightly. "How could you?" she squeaked. "You hurt me...so much..."

"I know," he muttered, rubbing her back gently.

"You really love her?" she finally asked, pulling away.

Teddy hung his head. "I really do."

Skylar nodded. "I thought so."

"I do love you, Skye. It's just...it's always been Victoire...since we were kids...since before I even knew any of you..."

"Can I ask you something?" Skylar sat down in the armchair. "Why didn't you ever go for it? I mean, in all honesty, you would still be with me if I hadn't discovered the truth."

"Because I didn't want to." Teddy sighed, sitting across from Skylar. "I never wanted to admit to anyone how I felt about Victoire. She was like my little sister. She never felt the same way about me. Besides, I'm no good at relationships. I would've just ended up hurting her."

"You hurt her anyway by not telling her how you felt," Skylar told him. "Not to mention that it sucked for her to see you with all those other girls for years."

"She doesn't love me, Skylar. Not like I love her, at least. She never has."

Skylar rolled her eyes. "Both of you say the same thing!"

Teddy shook his head. "She just sees me as her friend. She's never felt the same way as I do."

"Yes, she did. She still does, actually. She just would never admit it because you were a moron with a new girlfriend every week."

Teddy didn't look convinced. "Well, if she ever did feel the same way about me, she sure as hell doesn't now. I see the way she looks at me. She's disgusted."

"No kidding." Skylar rolled her eyes. "You really screwed it up with her."

"I'm going to fix it, though," Teddy told her determinedly. "I know what I want now. And that's Victoire."

Skylar smiled. "It only took you fifteen years."

Teddy frowned. "Why are you being so cool about this?"

"I knew how Vic felt about you when we started dating. It was wrong of me to even start things up with you."

"Hey, we had fun, though. Didn't we?"

Skylar smiled. "Yeah, we did."