The Amazing Thing About: Friendship.

Eliza wouldn't say she was avoiding Victor for the next few days. She was just busy. That's all it was. She definitely didn't duck out of sight if she saw him in the halls or make sure she sat at the Gryffindor table more often. If she did it was only because she wanted to talk with her friends. That wasn't wrong. She may have used Lee as a shield once on their way out of class when she spotted Victor heading her way. That she would admit to.

Hannah and Kelly had agreed to come along on the trip at least so she no longer considered it a date. It would be four people hanging out having fun and any time Fred or George referred to it as a date she would correct them. "Told you she wouldn't give him the chance." George nudged his brother the Friday before the trip during charms. They were only a few seats away and she leaned across her desk slightly to glare at them and whisper "I can hear you."

"We'll see." Fred responded ignoring her.

She honestly expected them to be waiting around to mock her as the girls met up with Victor but they were nowhere in sight. It was a huge relief until she caught sight of Victor. He smiled as he saw her only for his expression to falter as he noticed she wasn't alone. It was only for a split second though before he was all charm again. "Ladies." He greeted. "If I'd have known you were coming I'd have invited my friends." He smiled.

Kelly was all over it and she slid her arm over Eliza's shoulders bringing her against her side. "Well, it's Eliza's first time and we thought it was so unfair for you to try to hog her all to yourself." She said and steered Eliza towards Professor McGonagall who was checking people off on a list in her hand. They passed through and the girls shook her. "This is going to be so much fun!" They said and Eliza glanced back to see that Victor looked perfectly fine with keeping pace just behind them.

Honestly, it was a lot of fun. Hannah and Kelly dragged her around to some of the different shops. While they browsed Victor would take small moments to move in close to her and see what she was looking at. She used her friends as buffers as they looked through windows deciding on where to go. Hannah wanted to stop at a quill shop. Initially, Eliza had been confused because she couldn't imagine there could be that many varieties of quills to have an entire store dedicated to them but boy oh boy was she wrong. Kelly and Hannah were drawn to some of the larger fancier options with bright colors that would add flourish to any assignment they wrote. Eliza however was more interested in the shorter lightweight ones without much to them at all.

"A little bland." Victor commented as he observed the one she held in her hand. She nodded. "Sometimes I make extra copies of my notes so I don't like anything too heavy and the way I grip my quill is a tad odd so something smaller fits best." She purchased a set of them and the shopkeep placed them in a bag for her. As she stepped away from the counter he joined her outside to wait for Hannah and Kelly just on the other side of the window. "You hold your quill like a kid but your handwriting is lovely." He said. The sudden and strange compliment made her snort. "What?" She laughed.

Victor shrugged, hands in his pockets as he watched the other students passing them. "What? I pay attention." He said casting a glance towards her with a shy smile. She arched an eyebrow at him. "To my hands?" It had to be the oddest compliment she'd ever received. He lifted a shoulder in a shrug. "Among other things but yes, you have beautiful hands. Elegant." He was back to watching the crowd move and Eliza was too stunned to speak. Was he being serious? She tried not to be obvious about it as she looked down at one of her hands. It just looked like a hand with fingers to her.

The girls joined them a few moments later and Kelly was in charge of the next stop, a sweets shop, HoneyDukes. Eliza was less interested but was floored by the number of products. She was more of a fan of salty snacks with an occasional craving for sugar but she didn't have much of a sweet tooth. It was still fun to watch her friends go crazy and load up. She was checking out an impressive display of chocolates when she noticed Victor looking at her and then at the samples. But then he would move to another, look back at her, and inspect the sample again. "What are you doing?" She asked.

He moved to the next one and looked between her and then the sample a few times before motioning for her to come over. She did so hesitantly but when he gently guided her next to the one he was eyeballing he smiled. "I was wondering if they had a chocolate that would match your eyes." He tapped on the sign as if proud of his discovery. "Extra dark with a hint of caramel."

She couldn't help it. She busted out laughing. She couldn't tell if it was due to nerves or if it was actually funny to her. It could have been both. "I'm sorry. I thought this was a sweets shop but all I'm getting is cheese." He began to laugh along with her. "That was pretty terrible, huh?" He rubbed at the back of his neck.

"I thought it was rather sweet." Came a familiar voice and Eliza looked over Victor's shoulder to see matching smirks. She hadn't seen hide nor hair of the two so far but she should have known she could expect them to pop up to make things even more awkward. "Wasn't even talking to me and I almost swooned, Freddy." George winked at her and when Victor turned to them she mimed a choking motion with her hands.

"Ah, trouble comes to Hogsmeade." Victor glanced back at her and she dropped her hands back to her side forcing a smile onto her face. "Let me guess. You've already raided Zonko's." He said in a light playful tone. Fred shook his head. "On our way over there now. Just saw Izzy through the window and thought we'd come say hello." There was definitely a glint in his eye that she was coming to know all too well. They were absolutely not there to help her. Hell, they were taking bets. "Just seeing how things are going." George smirked.

"It WAS really good until I got this terrible headache." She put a hand to her head and Victor frowned. "Headache? Since when?" He asked. She shot a look at the twins. "Just popped up." She rubbed at her temple and while Victor was turned her way the twins were making kissing faces at the back of his head. "Do you need to sit down?" Victor asked but she waved off his concern. "I'm sure it'll pass." She said through gritted teeth.

"Hey!" Kelly and Hannah were back and they looked first at Eliza and then the twins before they stepped in. "You guys know your way around the joke shop right?" Hannah took Fred by the arm. "We could really use some help. I've been looking for some stuff for my little brother." Kelly had George by the shoulders and was steering him towards the exit with Hannah and Fred in tow. Eliza watched them go and the girls both gave her a thumbs up. "Catch up with you in a minute!" Hannah called to her.

With the twins gone Eliza perked up. "I feel better."

Victor tilted his head confused but a smile eased onto his face. "Good. I was worried we'd have to cut the trip short." He said. After reassuring him she felt fine he ended up buying some of the chocolates he'd pointed out and they left the shop. Eliza checked up and down the street for a sign of the troublesome twosome but it was all clear and she chose a potion supply store next. Hopefully Hannah and Kelly would catch up to them so she wouldn't be left alone with Victor for too long. Initially, She'd just wanted to look around but she was surprised to find quite a few useful things that she'd been running out of. Better than having Fred or George fetch it. She could contribute a bit.

"Should have known you'd make your way here." Victor chuckled as she perused the shelves plucking up items here and there. "You really love potions don't you?" He asked as he followed behind her. Occasionally he'd stop and look something over as if he'd never seen it before but he always put it back. "I do." She nodded. "Ever since I started school but I didn't have the passion I do now for it until my third year." She said as she looked over a jar of dried nettles."Wish I could see you in action. Bet you'd gave Snape a run for his money."

Eliza felt her cheeks warm at the words. If there was one thing that could make her blush it was someone supporting her love of the art of potions. "Is that what you want to pursue after school?" He asked. That subject made her mood dim a bit and she offered him a small smile as she made her way to the front of the store. "I wish I could and it's possible but only if I work for the Ministry."

She purchased her items and bundled the small bag of quills up and fit inside the bigger bag. "Why the ministry?" Victor asked as she led him to the specialty book shop. "Parents." She answered simply. She ended up with a stack of seven books mostly on potions and herbology but some were biographies. Victor had seemed to pick up on the fact that she wasn't entirely happy with talking about her future. However, he did ask her what her parents did for the ministry as she made her way through the aisles.

Eliza led him towards a section and scanned the shelves for a book she'd seen on many shelves in her lifetime. She pulled it off the shelf and handed it to him. "Page 267." She said and he looked confused but humored her and when he got to the page she glanced over the top to see the same moving photo of a young man posing with nine others all looking very stern and proud. "Read the caption." She pointed to the picture.

"Youngest wizard to be promoted to captain of Hit wizard task force, Reginald Montgomery." Victor slowly closed the book and put it back on the shelf. "Wow." Was all he said. "Yeah. My mom's in that picture too. His second in command. They're the perfect team." She said sarcastically as she made her purchase. "Big shoes to fill." Victor tried to lighten the mood and she gave a half-smile.

"I get it." He took the books and her bag from her, their fingers brushing briefly. Eliza tried not to react to the simple touch but she shoved her hands in her pockets before he could get the idea to try to hold her hand. Eliza glanced around wondering where her friends had gotten up to. They should have been back by now.

Victor walked close to her to keep out of the way of other people until the crowd thinned a bit. "My parents have this dream of me being a professional dualist."

Eliza looked up at him. "Oh yeah? Must be pretty good with a wand." She said and he tapped her elbow and motioned with his head towards another path that was less populated. So far it wasn't as bad as she'd worried it would be. They were just getting to know each other. Aside from the awkward compliments, it was like hanging out with a friend. No pressure. "I'm alright. Won two master duelist badges. One in my second year the other in my fourth."

"Impressive." She bumped him with her shoulder with a smile. "Still compete?" Victor shook his head and kept his eyes on the path ahead of them. "Not often. The club isn't as popular as it once was. I mostly just teach second years that join." The mental image of him trying to help a nervous student with a lousy aim made her chuckle to herself. "I must have chosen the wrong teachers." She said mostly to herself. Not that she'd give up her practice sessions with the twins. They were always fun and a nice way to unwind even if she was failing miserably some days.

"I can give you some pointers if you stop by the dueling club. We meet Saturday afternoons." Victor offered and she thought seriously about it. Having some extra help wouldn't be a terrible idea and if he was as good as he said he was then what could it hurt? "I have to warn you I'm pretty spotty with my wand." She said as they came upon an area with only a handful of people standing around talking and comparing things they'd purchased. "I'll make sure I keep up my guard." He led her to a bench in the wide-open space under a tree whose leaves were already beginning to drop.

They sat quietly admiring the scenery and Eliza was wondering just why she'd gotten herself so worried. It was only because of her last relationship that she was so hell-bent on avoiding anyone who was remotely interested in her romantically. If it hadn't been for Connor, she wondered what might have happened if she had met Victor. Then again if it wasn't for Connor she would never have had to change schools. She wouldn't have met anyone from Hogwarts. It was strange to think she might have something to be grateful for because of him.

"You know I like you, right?" Victor asked and it made Eliza huff a laugh. "Yeah. I know." She said and glanced at him wondering how he always looked like he was in such a positive mood.

"But I'm thinking you don't feel the same way." Victor stretched his arms along the back of the bench. Eliza expected him to try to put one around her shoulders but he didn't. "What gave it away?" She asked. His smile was infectious as he responded "When a girl brings her friends along to a date it's a big indicator."

Eliza cringed at herself. "I should have just been honest with you." She said but he waved her words off. "It's okay. I'm not your type." The words made her stomach do a backflip. She didn't want him to think that she didn't find him worthy or something. "That's not it. You're great. Handsome, funny, smart. Weird compliments. You've got it all." She tilted her head up to look at the sky as she heard him sigh. "Is this the 'its not you its me' speech?" He asked.

She closed her eyes and wrinkled her nose. "Ew. That's what it sounds like doesn't it?" She asked quietly and it got a laugh out of him. "At least the setup for it, yeah."

Eliza shook her head trying to pick the right words to fit the situation without putting her foot in her mouth. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt his feelings. "It's not you. It's timing." Was the only reply she could come up with. "Hmm." Victor was quiet for a few minutes. "That is just vague enough to sort of understand what you're saying yet still give me hope."

She had no idea what to say to that but she tried. "Let's just say that there are certain kinds of pain that ONLY time can heal."

He nodded. "Got it." and they fell into silence once more, but it became uncomfortable for her as it stretched on. "Can I still come to the dueling club?" She asked. Victor nodded. "Of course. I didn't say I was giving up. Did you miss the part where I mentioned hope?"

That made Eliza smile. "So your plan is to just hold out and wear me down as friends?" The banter between them felt easy and natural. "That's how my father convinced my mother to marry him." He said. "It runs in the family." He was turning out to be nothing like she'd assumed. Nothing like the high and mighty heartbreaker people seemed to think.

"The guys told me you've never been rejected by anyone." She said suddenly remembering how excited they'd been at the idea of her shutting him down. Victor sharply turned his head her way and he stared at her before rolling his eyes and running his fingers through his hair. "That's because I've only ever dated one person and when I broke up with her she started a fan club."

Eliza sat up straight. "There's really a fan club? That's not just made up?" She asked. He shook his head. "The fan club is real. It put me off from asking anyone out for a long time. You never know who could be a member." Everything was making so much sense. She couldn't wait to tell the twins how wrong they were. "Wow." She was speechless.

To have his first relationship be with someone who went on to stir up obsessed girls and encourage their behavior had to be awful. "We sure know how to pick 'em." She said and he took a deep breath. "Was yours obsessed?" He asked jokingly to which she slowly nodded and dropped her gaze to the ground. "Almost killed me." The words tumbled out of her mouth and it took her a second to realize she'd said it out loud. That was something she'd never planned on telling her new friends. That secret was supposed to be left back home.

She could see Victor's face turned towards her from the corner of her eye. Eliza wanted to cover it up by making a joke but she was overcome with shock that she'd just told him something so personal like it was nothing. How the hell had that happened? She was hesitant to look at him when he said her name and placed a hand on her back but he wasn't looking at her. He was looking over her shoulder.

Eliza felt her blood run cold. She didn't want to know what he was looking at but she couldn't just sit there forever so she slowly followed his gaze to see her friends standing a few feet away. It was obvious that they'd been spying to see who won the bet or how the rejection would play out, but the looks on their faces told her that they'd heard.

To think just moments ago she couldn't wait to see her friends and tell them how wrong they were about Victor. Now all she wanted was to crawl into a hole. "Best date ever." Her voice cracked.