A/N: Well look at this . . . A new chapter just on time :)
I hope you enjoy! This chapter has some nice insults, some good ol' Vic/Teddy fluff, and a pair of embarrassed Slytherins!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or anything pertaining to it.
Talentless Trolls
"How're you feeling Vic?" Ally asked as she jumped on her cousin's bed, waiting for her to finish with her hair.
Victoire rolled her eyes as she glanced at Ally's form in the mirror in front of her. She loves her cousin dearly, but if one more person asked her those exact words, in that exact order, she was going to scream, "For the last time Ally, I'm fine. I'm a little tired, but that's to be expected, I mean, I did just apparate without a wand."
"Yes, but how are you really feeling Victoire?" Xavier Wood asked as he grinned from his seat on the floor near the foot of Victoire's bed.
Victoire turned around and threw her hairbrush at her fellow Head, knowing that he was only asking her again because he knew that it would get on her nerves.
"Xavier if you don't stop being a pain in the arse, I'm going to have Professor Longbottom revoke your privileges to be able to get into the girls' dormitory," she threatened as she glanced into the mirror once more before deciding to pull her hair back in a messy bun.
Xavier rolled his eyes at her baseless threat. Victoire moved across the room to grab her chapstick from the table beside her bed, and was about to say that they could 'go now', when a knock on the door interrupted her. The knock was followed by the opening of the door Sandra entering the room, dragging Kyle by the hand behind her.
"Are you guys ready for the party yet?" Sandra asked hurriedly.
"I don't even know why we're having a party. It's not like I won today," Victoire grumbled as she sat down next to Ally on the bed. She was so dejected with her scores (mostly Flannery's) that she didn't even bother to question Sandra on how she was able to get Kyle into their dormitory.
Sandra came and sat on the other said of Victoire, "Hey, at least you're alive and in one piece Sweetie."
"Yeah, but I also have an ugly scar on my leg, and what do I have to show for it? Second place!"
Xavier sighed, "It was the First Task Victoire! Get over it; you can't win everything. You're in great standings for the rest of the Tournament, and you're in the lead for special scores, plus you're the only one who picked the right map!"
Victoire stood up and matched Xavier's glare. They stood toe-to-toe, glaring at each, other for an uncomfortable five minutes while, their friends sat by and watched from an awkwardly close distance. Ally was just about to ask them to 'please-stop-trying-to-kill-each-other-with-your-eyes', when they suddenly broke their gazes and Xavier pulled Victoire into a hug.
"Thanks Xav, I'm just so exhausted, I didn't mean to snap," Victoire apologized into his chest.
He chuckled as he pulled lightly on a loose strand of hair that she'd missed putting into her bun, "It's okay Vic; anytime you need me smack some sense into you, I'll be there."
They broke apart and then turned to look at their friends. "Ready to go to this stupid party?" Victoire asked.
Kyle and Sandra nodded; their mouths still open wide, while Ally burst out into a fit of giggles. "I forgot that you guys used to do that a lot," Ally reminisced as she thought back to many circumstances over the years when, either one of them was being an idiot; the only one able to snap them back into shape was each other.
"Yup," Kyle said answering Victoire's question from earlier when he and Sandra remembered how to close their mouths, "If there's one thing Gryffindors' know how to do, it's party!"
Victoire rolled her eyes, but had no evidence to the contrary, mostly because he was right; every Gryffindor she knew definitely did know how to party. They all got up and walked down to the party in the common room in silence. Victoire wasn't exactly sure what to say to her friends just yet. She knew they were all dying to ask her about how she'd felt during the task (even though they already saw it all) and that they also wanted to talk to her about how Noëlle and Konstantin did with their tasks, because they knew she hadn't seen them. But none of them wanted to be the first person to broach the subject, and Victoire didn't want to talk about it until she had the chance to talk to Teddy first, and even though she knew exactly where he'd be right now, she knew she wasn't going to have the chance to talk to him anytime soon.
Victoire was the last to walk down the staircase, and at the bottom of them, she found herself standing in the middle of a round of applause. Great, the centre of attention again, and I thought I had it up to my limit already today, but I guess I still need more.
Victoire ended up spending an hour talking to what seemed like the entirety of Gryffindor House, and many people from other houses, discussing her task. She thought that this part was going to be painful, but it wasn't that bad. The party had started a good half-hour before Victoire and her friends came down, and by then everyone who was planning on drinking alcohol was already slightly buzzed if not more so. Because of this, Victoire's conversations with her fellow Gryffindors' were filled with slightly slurred repetitions of the same lines: "Way to dodge the lava geysers", "I can't believe you actually jumped onto that dragon!", "I definitely thought you were going to be burnt into a crisp", "How did you not splinch yourself?", and "You looked great in those pants". The last phrase wasn't repeated an a lot, but enough to make Victoire feel very uncomfortable and want to leave her present companion as soon as possible, she couldn't do that though, because if she did she'd be giving that person an even better view of her as she walked away from them. After finishing a conversation with a group of fifth-year boys (who spent the majority of the time thinking that Victoire didn't notice them taking turns ogling her), she quickly squeezed through a small gap in the rowdy crowd, as she attempted to get to the other side of the Common Room, where she could see her friends sitting on couches and chairs.
"Good Godric it's official, I'd rather face a Norwegian Ridgeback without a wand, than be the centre of attention of the entire -drunk mind you- population of Gryffindor," Victoire groaned as she squeezed in between Xavier and Ally on the love seat; facing Kyle and Sandra who were wrapped around each other in a single armchair, again.
"And you would know Vic," Kyle said, snickering at her obvious dishevelment.
Victoire shot her best friend's boyfriend a scowl, "It's a good thing that you're cute and that you make Sandy happy, or I'd be pressuring her to dump you right now for being rude to her best mate."
Kyle gasped and placed his hand to his heart in faux-shock, "You wouldn't!"
Sandra giggled and kissed Kyle's cheek. Victoire rolled her eyes and grabbed the red plastic cup that Xavier had been holding.
"Hey!" he exclaimed half-heartedly.
Victoire narrowed her eyes at him before touching her lips to the rim of the cup and taking a sip. She swallowed and then scowled at Xavier while she gave him his cup back.
"We are at a party Wood, and it is a Saturday night, you can drink something other than soda."
Xavier rolled his eyes at her, "Just because I am old enough to legally drink, doesn't mean that I have to at every opportunity."
"Just admit it, you're still feeling the effects of the massive hangover you had at my birthday party in the summer," Victoire shot back smirking.
Xavier's ears turned red and he grumbled something that sounded like 'that's-the-last-time-I'm-ever-drinking-with-a-Weasley'.
Victoire laughed, "Well I hope you're not keeping that resolution, because it's someone's seventeenth birthday at the end of the month . . ."
Ally smiled sweetly from her spot beside her cousin, "Yes it is, but there is no way I'm going to let you get me completely drunk on my birthday Vic."
"Aww," Victoire complained, "C'mon Ally, it is tradition. Sandra did it, Kyle did it, I did it and Xavier . . . well, he didn't get drunk on his birthday, but I did make him get drunk on mine."
"You know what; we're not going to come to an agreement on this Vic, so how about we table this discussion for some other time. For now, just enjoy your party," Ally answered, handing the blonde her half drank bottle of butter beer.
Victoire took the offering from her cousin and took a gulp before giving it back. After Victoire's thirst had been quenched, she and her friends settled into a conversation on one of their safe subjects, mainly they were gossiping about how weird some of their classmates got when they were exposed to alcohol. Victoire was just laughing about how a very drunk looking Pamela Mace was starting to follow Chris around, even though he kept asking her to leave him alone so that he could talk to Belle Wimbley of Ravenclaw, when Rose Weasley and Albus Potter seemed to pop up from nowhere.
Victoire glared at them as she accepted a hug from Rose, "What are you guys doing up?"
"You know that you're too young for this party," Ally added sternly.
"We know we know, we were just up with Fred and James when Rose decided that she wanted to come say goodnight before she went to bed, and she didn't want to come alone," Al explained.
"Well that's very sweet Rosie, but it's time for you to go to bed now. Go."
"Yes Victoire," the two said in unison before leaving to go to their separate dormitories.
"And since they're leaving, I guess it's time for me to go too," Victoire said as she glanced down at her watch.
"What? It's only nine-thirty Vic, you can't be that tired," Sandra complained.
Victoire gave her friend a cursory glance and seriously thought about asking her how much she'd had to drink already that night, before deciding against it, "I am, but I'm not going to bed, I have patrol duty tonight."
"What?" Xavier asked surprised.
"I have patrol duty with Austin Pennington tonight," Victoire repeated through her teeth.
"WHAT!" Ally almost screeched.
"Merlin kids get your hearing checked, I HAVE PATROL DUTY WITH AUSTIN PENNINGTON TONIGHT AND I'M SUPPOSED TO MEET HIM IN FIVE MINUTES OUTSIDE THE PORTRAIT HOLE!" Victoire said loudly but calmly.
"We heard you the first time Vic, what confuses me is why you've known about this for a few days, and you knew that it would be the night after the First Task, and why you didn't ask me to cover for you," Xavier explained sympathetically.
Victoire sighed, "I was going to Xavier, but Professor Linkwell told me specifically that there was no way I'd be allowed to change up the patrolling schedule again, he's still angry about the last time you switched with Austin so I wouldn't have to work with him."
Xavier nodded understandingly, and Victoire said her quick goodbyes to her friends before braving her way through the throng of people partying to make it to the portrait hole, and into the corridor. She only had to stand by herself outside the hole for a minute before she saw Pennington make his way down the corridor, and come to a stop near her side.
He looked bored as he checked her out, thinking that she didn't see him, "Ready to go Weasley?"
Victoire rolled her eyes and took off down the hall, without waiting to see if he was even following her or not.
"Hey Weasley . . ." Austin started as he walked beside Victoire. She had to close her eyes, take a deep breath, and count to ten before she was able to answer him without thinking that she really would punch him in the face. She was really tired, and sore (the pain-killing charm her Aunt Angelina had given her earlier during the day was starting to fade), and she was in no mood to deal with Austin's smart-arse comments or blatant ogling. They only had two hours, twenty-two minutes and eighteen seconds (not that Victoire was counting) left in their patrol, and she'd had hoped that if she ignored him, he would quickly get bored of trying to rile her up. Her plan had been going rather well for the past half-hour or so, but it seemed like Austin was intent on getting a response this time, he'd been saying her name repeatedly for the past five minutes and hadn't even taken a breath.
"Yes, Pennington," Victoire finally asked through her teeth. Don't lose your temper, don't lose your temper, don't lose your temper, she chanted to herself.
"I just thought I should tell you that I really enjoyed watching you in the First Task today."
Victoire eyed him suspiciously, "Really . . . well thank you, I guess."
Pennington smiled at her, "Yes. It was quite a change to see you so vulnerable like that, you know, people would probably like you more if you acted like that more often than the Ice Queen you usually portray."
Victoire stopped where she was. She'd definitely filled her 'talking-to-stupid-people' limit today, "Well thanks Pennington, and may I say that if you act like your true charming self more often it wouldn't justbe me, turning you down left, right, and centre."
Pennington stopped walking and turned to face Victoire, "And do you know what my favourite part of the task today was?"
Victoire folded her arms across her chest, "And what was that?"
"Anytime the cameras were following you from behind. You're arse looked really great in those pants."
Victoire had to hold her fist back with her other hand to stop from punching him, "And that is exactly why I hope you had a good look at it today, because that's as close as you're going to get to it, or any other part of me. That's also why I know you're not in Gryffindor, because you're a sexist, chauvinistic pig!"
"And you're a frigid cow!"
"You're a pathetic pillock!"
"YOU'RE AN ATTENTION SEEKING TART!"
"AND YOU'RE A TALENTLESS TROLL!"
"YOU, WEASLEY ARE A HEARTLESS SLAG AND A-"
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!"
Victoire and Austin's heads whipped around to see Professor Linkwell coming toward them with the oddest assortment of people in his wake. Behind a very angry looking Linkwell was a tired looking Professor Longbottom, two confused looking Aurors: Ted Lupin and Kurt Williamson, and two peculiarly sheepish looking Slytherins: Colton Knott and Anastasia Greengrass. Before Victoire could wonder what those six were doing together, Professor Linkwell glared at Victoire and Pennington again before repeating himself.
"I asked, what is going on, and I expect you to tell me right now."
"Well we were patrolling the corridors together when all of a sudden Weasley just started to yell at me-" Austin spit out before Victoire broke in.
"Oh Hades no. You are not going to try to pin all this blame on me Mr.-I-think-that-telling-a-girl-that-the-only-nice-thing-about-her-is-her-arse-and-that-it's-the-same-thing-as-giving-her-a-compliment," Victoire snarled at Pennington. She may not care about what he thinks about her, but she was really past her quota of stupidness for the day, and Austin Pennington's special brand of stupid was really concentrated, and really getting on her nerves.
Pennington glared at her, "Listen little Miss-always-the-centre-of-attention, just because you're used to always getting your way doesn't mean that you can blame everything on me just when it looks like you're about to get in trouble."
"Actually, this little attention seeker can because you were the one who started it all," Victoire shot back, as she felt a series of pinpricks of pain stabbing her just above her left eye.
Pennington's face turned red, "You are such a-"
"Okay, okay, I can see that we're not getting anywhere," Professor Longbottom broke in. He really wasn't up to seeing Victoire try to attack one of her fellow Head Boys this late in the day. "So, what I got out of your conversation was that you two are patrolling the corridors together and you got into an argument."
Victoire nodded, still scowling at Pennington. "Okay, now I know I should be asking more pressing questions, but I need you to answer this one first, how in the world did you end up on the patrolling schedule for tonight Miss Weasley?"
Victoire moved her eyes in Linkwell's direction as an explanation. Professor Longbottom looked at Linkwell expectantly. He frowned and muttered out, "Just because she was in the Tri-Wizard Tournament doesn't mean she can shirk her responsibilities as a Head Girl."
Professor Longbottom looked like he was even about to yell at Linkwell, "Professor Linkwell, Miss Weasley almost died today, I think we could cut her some slack. And I definitely think that she should be going back to her dormitory right away to get some rest."
"But Mr Pennington can't be expected to patrol for the next two hours by himself," Professor Linkwell argued.
"He won't have to," Professor Longbottom said turning around suddenly to look at Colton Knott.
Colton could see where Professor Longbottom was going, and he didn't like it. There was no way he'd be stuck doing Victoire's patrol for the rest of the night, "But Professor we can't just change the schedule like-"
"And," Professor Longbottom said speaking over Colton's complaints, "If you'll be so kind as to agree to this schedule change, then I'd be willing to overlook the fact that both you and Miss Greengrass should be receiving detentions for your previous indiscretion tonight."
Colton shared a look with Anastasia (which reminded Victoire that she really needed to find out what happened to make them look so embarrassed, especially since Professor Longbottom had just used the word indiscretion), and then nodded, "'Kay, I'll take Weasley's patrol, but she'll have to take one of mine later in the week."
"Fine," Victoire snapped, "Come find me when you figure out which one you want to ditch." She had a very strong feeling, that whatever time the patrol she got would be, she'd be patrolling with Shelly Alexander of Hufflepuff, because Godric forbid a Slytherin be forced to work with a Hufflepuff.
Colton raised an eyebrow at Victoire but didn't say anything. Professor Longbottom smiled when he saw that everyone seemed to agree, more or less, to the arrangement, "Very well, now Mr Pennington and Mr Knott will go and patrol, and I'll ask the Aurors to escort these ladies back to their Common Rooms."
Crap. Teddy's here. And he just saw me snap at both Pennington and Knott, Victoire thought worriedly when she heard Neville mention Aurors. She'd completely forgotten that Teddy and his friend Kurt were standing there during the entire interaction.
Professor Linkwell looked like he wanted to argue, but about what, Victoire didn't know. Professor Longbottom continued, "Mr Lupin can escort Miss Weasley back to Gryffindor Tower, and Mr Williamson can escort Miss Greengrass back to the Slytherin dungeons."
Victoire had to concentrate very hard to stop a grin a kilometre wide from breaking across her face. Professor Longbottom seemed to sense Victoire's happiness and smirked at her before saying, "And you Miss Weasley will be going straight to bed once you get to your dormitory, and not to the party that is going on in the Common Room, that I know nothing about, understood?"
Victoire smiled at Professor Longbottom and nodded.
"Alright then, good night ladies."
Victoire turned around and walked back down the corridor she and Austin Pennington had just checked. She didn't look back, but she could tell that Teddy was following close behind her because she could hear his soft steps echoing off the stone floor. Victoire walked down several corridors before stopping in front of a bare stretch of wall. She finally turned around and looked at Teddy; she had one eyebrow raise questioningly. He understood right away and shot a look down both ends of the hallway before nodding. Victoire closed her eyes and thought of what she wanted, before opening them again and stepping through the door that had just appeared, and into the Room of Requirement.
Victoire made a beeline to the soft looking couch that was in the middle of the medium sized room, and sat on top of a cushion at one end, with her legs crossed underneath her. Teddy smiled slightly as he though back to the many conversations they'd had over the years, with the both of them sitting in the same position on either ends of a couch. It was a position they always assumed whenever they needed to talk about something important, and Teddy knew that there were several important things they needed to talk about. He crossed the room without hesitation and mirrored Victoire's position on the other end of the sofa. It was a small couch, their knees ended up being only a few inches apart from each other's.
They looked at each other wordlessly for a minute before Teddy spoke, "What happened with you and Pennington tonight?"
Victoire looked down at the hands she had folded in her lap, and wrung her fingers nervously, she knew that Teddy would never be upset with her for her actions (in fact he hated Austin even more than she did). But she still didn't want him knowing about how . . . mean she'd been in retaliation; which was weird, because before they were dating, she didn't care if she sounded nice or not when she was around him. Wow, dating Teddy seems to have turned me . . . girly.
"You first," Victoire countered, "How did you end up in the company of Neville, Linkwell, Colton and Anastasia?"
Teddy sighed, he knew she was going to insist that he answer first, "Kurt and I were patrolling when we came across Colton and Anastasia . . . well . . . together."
"Wait!" Victoire said, "Together as in . . . you caught them snogging?"
He pulled a face that looked like he'd eaten an especially sour lemon drop, "Yeah, I didn't know that Slytherin's had it in them for some good ol' fashioned PDA, but hey they seemed to know what they were doing."
"Eww, thanks for putting that image of Colton Knott in my mind Teddy, that's definitely something I'm going to see in my nightmares from now on," she protested jokingly.
"Hey! I'm the one who actually saw it; if anyone's going to have nightmares with Colton Knott in them, it's now going to be me. The only bright side was that Neville came along with Professor Linkwell almost as soon as Kurt and I got there, and we didn't have to do anything in the way of discipline, that would have just been even more awkward."
Victoire nodded, as she tried to imagine the look on Colton's face when he saw that he and Anastasia had been caught and by Teddy no less.
"Now," Teddy said locking eyes with Victoire; dark sapphire to bright ocean-blue, "What was going on with you and Pennington?"
Victoire sighed, "How much did you hear?"
"We came in at 'attention-seeking tart', but you quickly replied with 'talentless troll', nice alliteration by the way," he complimented.
"Thank-you. Well, Austin and I were patrolling, I was doing a good job at ignoring his idiot comments but the Git just kept 'em coming. I was trying not to crack, but then he told me that if I stopped acting like an emotionless Ice Queen everyone would like me better, and that his favourite part of the Tournament today was getting to see my arse in those stupidly tight track pants," she complained.
Teddy's mouth popped open rather comically, before he slid down the couch to Victoire's side, "You know he was just being an arse, right Love? Everything he said was totally wrong, except for the part of about your derrière looking good that is, I may hate Pennington, but he's definitely correct about you having a nice arse."
Victoire's Veela blood betrayed her once more today, and her face turned Weasley red as she blushed at Teddy's attempt at easing the tense atmosphere, "Really? Because some of what he said made sense, I can be very . . . mean and emotionless at times."
He placed his hand comfortingly on her cheek, "Yes, you can be mean sometimes, but everyone has their times, and sometimes people deserve it. Second, you are never emotionless; take this from someone who has known you since you were an hour old. Pennington knows nothing about you, but I do. Trust me Vic, Pennington was the problem today, just as he always is when you get in fights."
"You can't blame him every time though, you were the first one to throw the punch when you got into that fight in seventh-year," Victoire reminded him.
Teddy grinned at the memory, "Yes I was the first to get physical, but he started it when he tried to slip you that love-potion."
She nodded in confirmation, "Fine, but I'm only backing down so easily because I'm so tired."
Teddy's jaw tightened at her words, his thumb still drawing comfortingly soft circles on her cheekbone, "Why?"
Victoire swallowed audibly. His one word question asking for so much more than she thought she was willing to share. She had to remind herself that this was Teddy though, and that no matter the changes they had made to their relationship, he was her best friend first.
"How about we start with something simpler? Nobody's told me yet what Noëlle and Konstantin had to go through today."
Teddy sighed but saw that Victoire wasn't ready to go into details yet. He spent about a half-hour minding to her whims as he summarized how Noëlle had to face an active volcano and some Blast-ended Skrewerts, or how Konstantin had to go up against a fire-breathing Chimera. As Victoire listened to his descriptions she realized, that they had all come very close to death today, and the fact that they were then judged on how they survived, was just ridiculous.
"So . . ." Teddy said as he finished regaling Victoire with Noëlle's and Konstantin's struggles and triumphs.
Victoire knew where he was going and looked down at the couch in between them to where their hands lay. While Teddy had talked to her, their hands had ended up migrating towards each other, until they were intertwined and resting on the plush upholstery.
"Before I went out, I felt so nervous. Your note helped a lot, but the waiting just ended up killing me . . . according to Kurt, I looked like I was about to toss my cookies."
Teddy rolled his eyes, knowing that it would just be so Kurt, to say something childish like that, and at such an inappropriate time.
Victoire smiled and continued, "You saw everything that happened after that . . ."
He raised an eyebrow at her, "Why?" He asked again.
"It was the only thing I could think of. The only way to get past that dragon was to get through the gap he left after he scorched everything. And to get through, I had to stand there while he did it."
"We were debating and trying to figure out . . . but it just happened so fast . . . did you actually- was all of you alight with your Veela fire and powers?" Teddy stuttered out.
Victoire nodded self-consciously, she was trying to read his expression, but she didn't see anything past the concerned looking eyes framed by his messy, currently chocolate-brown, hair.
"I didn't know you could do that," he said quietly.
"Neither did I," she answered honestly; she had no idea if her plan would even work before she tried it.
Teddy's eyes turned fierce, "What? Are you saying you went and stood there while a dragon blew fire at you, and you weren't even sure if your plan to survive would work?"
Victoire closed her eyes tightly and shook her head. There was silence as she sat next to him, eyes still closed. She was afraid of what she'd see in his face when she opened them. The tone of his voice had definitely been angry.
She ended up opening her eyes though, opening them up wide with shock when she felt his lips suddenly pressing against hers. She closed them a second later as one of her hands moved to grab the back of his head so she could press her lips harder to his, and match the passion he was pouring into the kiss. She felt his hands move to the messy bun she'd placed her hair into earlier, easily slip the elastic out, and then run through her long hair. All the while, his lips were attacking hers with enthusiastic zeal. Regrettably, she had to pull away because she was unable to keep kissing him, and breathe at the same time. When they pulled away, Victoire was happy that she wasn't the only one breathing heavily. Teddy's hands moved from her hair to cup her face, both of his thumbs stroking her cheeks tenderly, as if she was something very delicate.
"I'm so glad that you're okay," he whispered. His voice was horse, but she couldn't tell if it was rough from the oxygen draining kisses they shared, or if he was just over-come with emotion.
"I'm sorry I worried you," she whispered back.
Teddy removed his hands from Victoire's face (she immediately missed the warmth his hands had created) to run through his hair, a stressful habit she knew he'd gained from her Uncle Harry.
"I didn't have much time to worry Love, as soon as we realized you were okay, you almost simultaneously jumped onto the back of a crazy dragon."
"I know, I know, it was irresponsible, I'm going back to my previous argument that it was the only choice I had. It's not like I'm going to ever do it again though, one permanent and ugly scar is enough for me thank-you." She grumbled the last part more to herself than to him.
He smiled at her self-consciousness and reached out gently with his hand to touch her legs. He uncrossed them from under her, grabbed her right one, and placed her foot on his left knee. He looked up at her, and waited for her to meet his eyes before he slowly pushed the leg of her trousers up to her knee. One of his hands went to her ankle to gently grip and then twist her leg, so he could have a better look at the back of her calf. Victoire's eyes were following his, and she visibly flinched when she saw the slightly raised yet smooth pink line marring her pale skin. The hand that wasn't gripping her ankle, moved to where her scar was. She audibly inhaled and snapped her eyes shut when she saw that he was about to touch her scar. She felt his finger gently touch the skin of her calf. It stayed in one spot and she slowly opened her eyes. His finger was on a rather large brown freckle near the pink line, instead of on her scar.
"May I?" he asked quietly, searching her face. She bit her lip and nodded hesitantly.
Teddy delicately trailed his index finger along the two-inch long scar. His touch made her shiver, and not just because her scar was still slightly tender to the touch. They locked eyes again ad Teddy continued to lazily trail his finger up and down the line on her calf, only to break apart when he dropped his eyes back to her skin. He moved his head down slowly to her leg and tenderly pressed his lips against the raised line.
He looked up at her seriously, "I love this scar."
"Why?" She didn't doubt his sincerity, more the reasons behind his choice.
"Because this shows that you're brave, and courageous, and impulsive . . . and that you made it through a face-to-face confrontation with a dragon in one-piece . . ."
Victoire felt her eyes starting to tear up. Teddy wasn't telling her this to make her feel guilty; he was just telling her how she felt.
"Your Dad and I were the first ones to get to you after you apparated into the stadium. Harry and Fleur were already there because they were on the platform, but we were there close afterwards, and before Angelina, or any of the emergency Medi-Witches," Teddy explained.
Victoire took in a deep breath; she'd lost consciousness after she left the dragon's lair. She didn't even remember arriving back onto the platform.
"Harry had your legs cradled in his lap when we got there," he continued, "I stopped where I was when I saw the blood. Your blood . . . I was so afraid that you'd splinched yourself. I'd never heard of anyone apparating without a wand before, and it looked like you'd lost so much blood . . ." he trailed off, a thick swallow stopping him from continuing.
Victoire's voice sounded husky when she spoke, "I didn't know if I'd be able to do it . . . but I had to get out of there, and my wand was . . . well you know where it was . . ."
Teddy nodded, "In hindsight, I should have known that if anyone could apparate without a wand it would be you. You've always been amazing with wandless magic, I just didn't think it would work the same way with magical travel . . . thank goodness it did though. I spoke to Hermione, she thinks the reason why you were able to live through the apparation, was the same reason why you're so good with wandless magic, you know those right?"
Victoire nodded, "Her theory on why I'm so proficient with wandless magic is because of the Veela blood. She thinks that I have such a close link to the magic in my blood and that because my Veela temperament brings it out so easily, that it's easier for me to tap into it without a wand, than others can. It's similar to why she hypothesises that you're so good at wandless magic too, because of the Metamorphmagus blood in you, that you're closer connected to your inner magic also."
"We're an interesting pair . . . aren't we?" Teddy asked smilingly.
Victoire grinned back, but it faltered as she saw the emotions that were still bubbling up in his eyes, "Again Teddy . . . I'm so sorry. This Tournament is just going to get more and more dangerous, but there's nothing else I can do. I'm not going to back out, and I can't promise that I won't get hurt again, because I'm definitely going to do my best to win . . ."
"Vic," Teddy said as he cupped her face again, "I'm not asking you to give up, or not to try. I'd not only be a horrible boyfriend to ask that of you, but also a horrible friend. I'm just asking you to think through your actions a bit more before jumping into the thick of things. To remember that myself and the rest of your family is going to be sitting there watching you, and that it would kill us if anything happened to you."
Victoire nodded, "It's hard to remember, when I'm out there by myself, that I'm not alone."
Teddy smiled and his hands moved from her face to the open v of her forest green tee shirt, he found the slim gold chain around her neck and lifted it until the oval locket came out from under her shirt. He held it tightly in his hand before grabbing Victoire's hand and placing it in hers.
"You're never alone Victoire, never. I'm with you everywhere you go, as you're with me everywhere I go. It's because we love each other, you're never alone when you know that you're loved, and there is someone waiting for you to get back."
Victoire smiled, tears starting to brim in her eyes, "I love you so much."
"I love you too Sweetheart," Teddy answered as he pulled her into his side, and pressed his lips against the top of her head.
Awwww! What a nice cute ending! I hope you liked it please review if you have nayhting to say!
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