This story was inspired by the Leaped Moments and Missed Moments challenge on TGS. This counts because I think that we should have seen more of Teddy and Victoire, maybe in the Cursed Child or the epilogue of DH. School and House: Beauxbatons, Barbegazi

Written for Round 5 of the IWSC competition.

StoryTitle/Link: My Best Friend

School and Theme: Durmstrang -Hogsmeade Station - Look at beginnings and goodbyes in the wizarding world.

Incorporate the colour red and the meaning behind it in your story: Passion

Main Prompt: 13. (genre) romance

Additional Prompts: 3. (event) party 7. (song) Hello, Goodbye by The Beatles

Year: 2

Wordcount (google docs): 3848 (10% leeway)

Important stuff to know: In this story, Teddy and Victoire are 2 years apart, making Victoire born on May 2 2000. Victoire was sorted into Ravenclaw as that is a little head-cannon that I've had for her. Juliette and Fleur have a french accent because they were brought up there while Victoire wasn't and Dominique relearned her accent. There are a bunch of time jumps because nothing significant to the story happens in the parts I skip.

Also, this is my first time using first person and present tense for an HP story, hope you like it!

xXx shows a change in perspective and a time skip. xxx shows a time skip but the perspective stays the same. The second one is only used once.

Warning for abuse near the end.

I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I embraced Juliette, my best friend for the past 5 years.

It isn't fair.

I only have vague memories of living in Scotland; my family had moved to France, my mom's homeland when I was only two. Now, they wanted to move back. They said I would like being with all my cousins, most of whom were the same age as Dominique, but I just wanted to stay here!

"Promis' zat you will not forget me?" Juliette asks, her voice wavering as she tries not to cry.

I step back, crying myself and not bothering to hide it. "Promise."

"Vy do you 'ave to leave?"

I twirl my best friend's red hair in my hands, twisting it into little braids. We used to spend hours playing dress-up together. We have always been the best of friends, and I would miss her so much. "I don't know Julie, my maman says that papa wants to be closer to his family, but I don't want to leave you!"

"Come on, Victoire." My dad calls from behind me. He was saying goodbye to Juliette's parents. "We have to go now."

My parents were waiting with my mom carrying Dominique in her arms. Wiping away my tears I move towards my family. We're going to apparate to my parent's old house in Scotland: somewhere called Shell Cottage.

"Vic, wait."

I turn and see that Juliette is holding out a red parcel. "Eet eez a gift for you to remember me by."

The tears start again as I take the delicately wrapped gift. "Thank you."

Now Juliette was crying as well. "Je t'aime, Victoire."

I give my best friend one last hug before backing away slowly. I didn't want to leave. "Je t'aime aussi."

My dad grips my arm. The last thing I see before we apparate away is Juliette's tear-stained face, her red hair waving in the wind.

xXx

"Teddy, come on, we need to get going if we don't want to be late."

I look up from my book and see Harry, my godfather, standing in the doorway of my guest room at the Potters.

"Hi Harry; I'm almost ready, let me just finish this chapter." I wave my book at him when he comes close enough. He chuckles and leans over to ruffle my hair.

"You're the smartest nine-year-old I know, I think you can put off your reading until after the party."

I sigh and put down my book, using a nearby chocolate wrapper as a bookmark.

Harry gets a familiar, far away look in his eyes. "You're a lot like your father, Teddy. He did that thing with the chocolate wrappers as well. He was one of the smartest people I knew." His frown turns into a smile. "Well, except for Hermione, of course. You should be more excited; you get to meet your Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur for the first time in five years. Besides, they have two daughters, one is only two years younger than you. I'm sure you two would get along well."

I smile. Harry knows that I often wish I knew someone around my age instead of a bunch of toddlers. "Okay, let's go."

xXx

I nervously rock back and forth on my feet. I never really liked being around a bunch of people, mostly because people only seem to want to be around me because of my Veela qualities. No one seems to like me for the real me. Well, except my family and Juliette. But my family doesn't count, and Juliette is what seems like forever away.

We were going to my grandparents, my dad's parent's house for the welcoming party. I hoped that I would get to meet someone around my age, I didn't want to be surrounded by little kids.

"Victoire," my mom touches my shoulder when we reach the front door. "You are excited, no?"

"Yes, maman," I mumble, "but I'm a little nervous."

She chuckles. "Do not be nervous. You know, your Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry, zey have a boy a little older than you."

I smile. "Really?"

My dad takes a deep breath before knocking on the door of his childhood house.

"Bill!"

The door flies open to reveal a somewhat elderly looking woman with red hair the same as my dad. She gives him a bone-crushing hug and tears up.

"Oh, Bill," she wipes away her tears hurriedly. "We missed you so much. Hello, Fleur, it's so good to see you." She hugs my mom and starts to coo over Dominique. "This must be little Dominique. What a sweet girl."

"Yes, Molly," my mom says before pointing at me. "And zis eez Victoire. You remember her, no."

"Of course," my grandma hugs me as well and I smile at the gesture.

A balding man with wisps of what I guess is trademark Weasley hair appears in the doorway with a smile. He greets my parents with a grin and turns to me.

"Victoire, it's so nice to see you. How is living in France like?" He gestures for us to follow him into the house. "I want to hear all about it."

I trail behind my parents with a new spark of excitement. I finally get to meet my whole family.

xXx

I look around the living room of the Burrow. It seems like everyone is here to meet our new cousins.

While we wait for Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur to arrive, I entertain James by turning my hair into different colours. he giggles happily when I turn it into his favourite shade of red. In the end, I change it back to my usual turquoise hair.

There's a knock on the door and Grandma Molly shrieks excitedly. The door swings open and I catch a glimpse of a red-haired man and a blonde woman carrying a little girl who looks to be the same age as James. Standing next to who I guess is Aunt Fleur is a young girl in a red dress. She seems to be just a little younger than me so she must be the girl Harry mentioned. She looks very pretty. Harry told me that Aunt Fleur is one-fourth Veela with her daughters being one-eighth Veela but it isn't that. There's just something about her that makes me want to get to know her.

The four of them along with Grandma and Grandpa head inside the house and everyone starts talking and crowding them right away. Uncle Ron and George rush to their brother, talking excitedly. Ginny, who has baby Albus in her arms, grins and gives her brother a huge hug. Aunt Hermione, looking nervous, heads over to Aunt Fleur and her daughters. Harry pulls me along with him to join them.

"Fleur, it's so nice to see you," Hermione says, giving her a small hug.

Fleur grins and catches us walking towards her.

"Oh, 'Arry," she grins, "I am very glad to see you."

Harry smiles. "I'm glad to see you as well. We were all hoping that you guys would come back soon." He turns to me. "This is Teddy."

She hugs me. "Teddy, 'ow are you?"

"I'm good. It's good to meet you."

Her smile is wistful. "You are such a proper young man. Oh, your parents would be so proud."

Harry and I exchange an awkward look. Fleur's daughter looks confused.

"And this is Victoire," Fleur continues, gesturing at her daughter in the red dress.

I wave at Victoire. "Hi Victoire, I'm Teddy."

"Oh," she gives me a shy smile, "It's nice to meet you."

Her mom pulls her away to meet everyone else here. Victoire gives me a little wave and follows her mom, her sparkly red dress swishing around her ankles.

During dinner I catch Victoire looking across the table at me. She has a little smile on her face: like she's intrigued by something. James taps my shoulder.

"James, what is it?" I lower my voice even though the table is so loud that no one else would hear me anyway.

He giggles and points at my hair. "Your hair is red."

I can feel my cheeks heat up, why does my hair always have to change on its own? I change it back to turquoise and wonder why it turned red. Maybe it's because I'm surrounded by so many Weasley's. Or maybe because I'm thinking of one...

When we get back home I still can't stop thinking about Victoire. I want to be able to talk to her but I'm not sure if she wants to. I hope that since they moved here I will be able to see her more often. I would love to make a new friend.

xXx

On the walk home, Dad is glowing with happiness.

"Did you enjoy yourself, Victoire?"

"Yes, your family is so cool. Teddy seemed nice."

Mom grins. "I told you zat you vould like 'im, no?"

For some reason, I feel my cheeks heat up. "I guess."

She gives me a significant look but says nothing.

When we get to Shell Cottage I can't help but marvel at my new house. There's a beach in the back and I even get my own room!

Before I go to sleep I open my gift from Juliette. I grin when I see the red velvet jewelry box with a silver charm bracelet inside. I set it on the nightstand next to my bed and sigh. Although I will never forget my best friend, I hope that I will make some new friends here in Scotland.

xXx

Harry pulls me close and kisses the top of my head. "Promise that you'll write to us?"

I smile and give James and Albus a hug. "Of course, I will. Every week."

The Hogwarts Express is behind me. I can't believe that I'm finally going to Hogwarts.

"Teddy."

I turn around and see Victoire standing in front of me. I'm glad, she promised that she would come and see me off.

"Hey, Vic."

She smiles and gives me a quick hug. "Have fun at Hogwarts."

I frown, remembering her telling me that her mom wanted her to go to Beauxbatons. "I will. It's too bad that you aren't going to Hogwarts too."

She has an oddly determined look on her face. "Don't worry, maman will let me go too. I've been trying to convince her for the past two years."

I can't help but grin at the thought of her joining me in two years. Over the past two years, we've gone from being strangers to close friends. But I know that she could never have a crush on me or anything like that. She is much cooler than me and we are just too different. Yet, for now, I'm happy just being friends.

A few tears fall from her eyes. "I'll miss you, Teddy."

"I'll miss you too. Don't worry, I'll write to you whenever you want. Besides, I'll see you again soon.

As the Hogwarts Express drives away, I wave to my family and Victoire. Saying goodbye to my family and my best friend.

xxx

"Hey, Teddy," Victoire calls, running up to me in the library.

I hug her. "Hey, how was your first week at Hogwarts?"

She grins. "Oh, it was great. I love Charms, it's so much fun!"

"That's good. How's being a Ravenclaw? Did you make any friends?"

Her face falls. "Not really, all of the girls in my dorm think I'm snobby and stuck-up. I wish I was in Hufflepuff with you."

"Me too, but why would they think you're stuck-up?"

"Because I'm one-eighth Veela. Maman said that that happened to her as well and that I should just get used to it. But it's really hard to get used to all the boys drooling like idiots when I get close."

She seems so annoyed that I can't help but laugh. "Seriously? What do they do?"

"They act like they're under some sort of spell! It's so dumb."

I smile reassuringly. "Don't worry, Vic. That's just how some people are, I can't believe that eleven-year-olds do that though."

Victoire huffs. "Enough about me. What's being a third-year like? How do you like your new classes."

"Arithmancy is fun, it's my new favourite, but Divination is sort of a joke."

She laughs. "Remind me not to take it."

A group of Hufflepuff boys pass us. I recognize them as first years. They stop and stare at us, more specifically, at Victoire. She squirms a bit under their glance and I feel a sense of protectiveness.

"Hey," I say to the Hufflepuffs. "Why are you guys staring at us?"

One of them looks at me with annoyance. I guess being two years younger than me doesn't bother him. "Why do you care? We aren't looking at you."

"Well," I stand in front of Victoire and they all are forced to look at me, "she's not some sort of thing you goggle at. She's a person."

The first boy rolls his eyes. "Whatever."

My stomach clenches angrily. "If I catch you guys doing this again, I'll take this up with a Prefect. Trust me, you don't want that."

This works and the group of boys glare at me before leaving us alone.

Victoire hugs me. "Thank you, Teddy."

I smile feeling pleased and trying to fight down the other thing I feel. "Of course, Victoire. What are best friends for?"

For a moment she seems sad but the next she is smiling so widely that I'm sure I imagined it.

"You're the best."

xXx

I search the library, our meeting spot, for Teddy and grin when I find him next to a stack of books. He must be studying for his O. Even though they are months away he seems focused on getting all Es or above. Aunt Hermione probably had some influence on him.

"Teddy," I slide in the seat next to him. "What's up?"

"Hey, Vic. Nothing much, just studying for exams. How was Ancient Runes?"

"Good." I hesitate, deciding whether or not to tell him the next thing. Besides, he may take it the wrong way. But we're friends, nothing more. "Teddy, I made a friend today."

He grins. "Really? Who is it?"

"A boy named Adam Larkin. He's in Ravenclaw today. I think he's in the year between us. He seemed pretty nice."

Teddy pauses and gets a weird look on his face. "Larkin? I always remembered him as a bad kid when we were younger. Oh well, maybe he changed." He looks down. "I'm glad you made a friend in Ravenclaw."

I shift in my seat. "Thanks."

There's silence and I wonder if maybe I made a mistake in telling him. Adam seemed pretty nice but I don't think Teddy likes him. But Adam seemed to want to get to know me and doesn't act as weird around me like the other boys, only a little. I bite my lip hoping Teddy isn't hurt.

But when he looks back at me, he has a normal look on his face. "Want to help me study?"

xXx

I frown down at my steak and kidney pie, trying not to look over at the Ravenclaw table. Larkin seems to be talking to Victoire at every chance he can get. It's really getting on my nerves. It's almost as though they were in a relationship. I tell myself I shouldn't care. Besides if nothing has happened between me and Victoire by now, it won't happen later. She's 15 now and I'm 17, she can be in a relationship if she wants. Who am I to stop her?

After dinner, Victoire catches up to me in the hall. She's grinning but I can tell that it isn't a true smile. Larkin lurks a few steps behind us.

"Teddy, I have to tell you something."

I pause, turning to face her. "What is it? Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, better than alright actually." She looks at me with a smile that I can immediately tell is fake. "Larkin asked me to be his girlfriend! And I said yes."

It's as though my insides have frozen. I can feel jealousy rise inside me but I force a smile, one even more fake as Victoire's, onto my face. "That's wonderful, Vic."

Larkin walks up to us and kisses Victoire's cheek. She grimaces.

"Victoire. Aren't you going to tell him? Remember what I told you about."

She looks at me, biting her lip the way she does when she's nervous. "Teddy," she says softly, "Adam says that I shouldn't talk to you anymore."

I frown, feeling the anger inside me get even bigger. "Why not?"

Larkin smirks and walks away, leaving the two of us alone.

Victoire's lip trembles, as though she wants to cry. "Please, Teddy, you have to understand. I want to talk to you, but-but Adam says I can't. I have to do what he says."

I grab her hand. "Why? Is he threatening you?"

Her eyes widen and she backs up. "No, no of course not! I-I have to go."

She dashes away and I'm left staring at her, wondering what has happened.

xXx

I try to catch Teddy's eye on my way to Arithmancy but he avoids my gaze. It's been three weeks since Adam made me stop talking to him and I miss him so much. But Adam has been treating me much better. He hasn't hit me at all for the past week. If I stop talking to Teddy, maybe he will stop altogether.

But I can't stand it, Teddy is my best friend and I'm so used to talking to him every day. When classes are over for the day I rush up to him.

"Teddy, please look at me." He keeps on looking at the floor and I can feel my heart breaking. "I'm sorry, I just can't talk to you. I'll explain later, I promise."

"It's ok, Victoire, " he says, even though his voice says that it's not. His voice devoid of emotion he says, "I understand."

I feel tears spring at the back of my eyes. "Please, it's not like that." I spot Adam watching us from the corner of the hall and my heart stops. He walks up to us and faces off Teddy.

"Go away," he says nastily. "Can't you tell that Victoire doesn't care for you."

Teddy looks up, his eyes swirling with emotions. Adam pushes him and Teddy stumbles, dropping his books on the floor. Instinctively, I move to pick them up. Adam puts his hand on mine, twisting my hand until I gasp. Teddy, who has crouched down to collect his things, doesn't hear me. Instead, he walks away, not even bothering to meet my eyes.

"Teddy, wait-" I start but Adam clamps his other hand over my mouth. As soon as Teddy leaves the hallway, he slams me against the wall.

He shouts at me, calling me horrible names. I plead and beg but he doesn't let go. He starts to punch me.

"Adam," I cry, "Stop. Please. I'm sorry." I bite on my tongue to keep from crying out as he kicks me in the stomach. I taste blood in my mouth. "Please, stop."

"Never," he snarls. I hate it when he gets like this. It's always bad when he's this mad. "How could you talk to that wretched boy? Didn't I tell you that there would be dire consequences if you did?"

He yanks me up and wraps his fingers around my neck. "I'm sorry, it was an accident!" He squeezes harder and my vision starts to go blurry. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a figure heading towards us. I see a flash of turquoise...

"Larkin!"

It's Teddy, I can tell even though I'm so dizzy I can't see anything but flashes of colour. Suddenly Adam lets go of me and I drop to the ground, gasping and coughing.

I can hear the two of them yelling at each other. By the time I can look up the two have started a fistfight.

Adam is much stronger. He beats down Teddy's slender figure until Teddy is stumbling around.

"That's what you get for touching my girlfriend!" Adam shouts, kicking Teddy in the head. With a cry of pain, he staggers to one knee.

"She's not your girlfriend," he gasps, clutching the floor as he tries to stand. "I saw what you did to her.".

"Adam, stop," I cry, trying to stand but I can't move. My head spins but I know Teddy is far more injured than I am. "Please, you're going to kill him!"

He laughs and I recoil. Before I can do anything, he punches Teddy in the stomach. He drops to the floor, moaning, and starts to cough blood, the red one of the only things I can make out through all the spinning.

"Teddy!"

Adam walks towards me. "He looks pretty beaten up to me. But his injuries aren't too fatal. Yet. I could do better, don't you think?"

"Mr. Larkin!"

The last thing I see before I pass out is a teacher running towards us.

When I wake up, I realize that I'm in the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey is at the bed next to mine. I recognize the occupant immediately.

"Teddy!" I jump up and kneel next to his bed. Madam Pomfrey looks at me in shock.

"Miss Weasley! You aren't fully healed. You still have a sprained wrist. Get back in our bed!"

I look down at the cast on my wrist but at that moment I couldn't care less.

"I don't care! Is Teddy alright?"

She frowns. "He has a mild concussion and some internal bleeding." At my horrified face, she adds, "Don't worry, a week here and he'll be all better."

Madam Pomfrey moves away to help a new patient.

I lean closer to Teddy. This is probably the only time I'll see what he truly looks like. Light brown hair and soft freckles on his nose. He looks so beautiful. Unable to stop myself, I do what I've wanted to do for years. I lean over and kiss him softly on his lips. He groans and blinks, smiling faintly as his eyes register on my face.

"Vic," his voice is so faint I can hardly hear it. "How are you feeling?"

I ignore his question. "Teddy, how could you get into a fight like that?"

"Victoire. I love you. I always have."

Tears splash from my face to his. "I've always loved you too."

xXx

I smile at Victoire, my best friend for nearly my whole life, who has become my wife.

It's only been five years since I graduated but we both agreed that it couldn't wait. We were, are, and will always be completely in love with each other.

She grins as she throws her bouquet in the air, the roses tumbling through the air are the same red as the dress she wore on the day we first met.