Author's Note: Updating a bit earlier than usual... It's slightly shorter than normal, but I wanted to get it up for y'all to enjoy. Please feel free to review! Oh- and in case you were wondering the ages of the Weasley-Potter grandchildren, I've compiled a quick list. If you're not already sure which parents have which children or whose siblings with who, its very easy to find online haha. It's all relatively canon, although I have taken some liberties. It all belongs to Rowling!

(The grades are what year they will be in when Hogwarts starts up after summer)

Teddy Lupin-Potter- 16, sixth year

Victoire Weasley- 15, fifth year

Molly Weasley- 13, third year

Dominique Weasley- 13, third year

Louis Weasley- 11, first year

Fred (Freddie) Weasley- 10

James (Jamie) Potter- 10

Lucy Weasley- 9

Roxanne (Roxy) Weasley- turns 9 late August

Albus Potter- 8

Rose Weasley- 8

Hugo Weasley- 6

Lily Potter-6

Chapter 4

"Teddy!" Mum called. "It's time to go!"

I scrambled down the stairs from my room, so glad to be able to escape my jail cell and see Victoire. Unfortunately, I had been slaving over a summer assignment for History of Magic. Binns was ridiculous in the amount of parchment he required-and the topics were always incredibly boring. There was no other way to describe it, although I'd never let Aunt Hermione hear it. The only good thing about my grounding was that it forced me to finally accomplish the things I had been procrastinating all summer. Sunday dinner was my savior. It was not only an excuse to pull my head from the books, but also a chance to talk to Victoire and figure out where she stood. I wanted so badly to be able to tell her how confused I was about my feelings for her, but it was much too risky. She was my life long best friend. I couldn't jeopardize that. Hopefully, spending time with my family would simultaneously allow me to gauge if she felt what I did in anyway.

After reaching the bottom of the staircase, I grabbed Lily's hand and stepped into the chimney. As a rule, my family always Flooed in pairs so none of the littles got lost. Jamie was nearly ten and could probably handle it on his own now, but as Mum says, "Better safe than sorry."

Grabbing a large handful of the Floo powder necessary for the little girl and I to travel, I threw it into the green flames, clearly enunciating, "The Burrow."

The tickling sensation of the fire quickly rose from my toes to hair, which had naturally taken on the typical Weasley color. It was common for my hair to behave on its own, although I was getting better with controlling my Metamorphugus abilities. The heat of the fire crawled into my throat, and as per usual, my lungs collapsed into a coughing mess. Traveling by Floo was the worst. At least it was quick-Lil and I were stepping onto the familiar wooden floor of the Burrow in no time.

I felt the warm arms of my grandmother engulf me in a tight hug. "My loves are here!" She stepped back and assessed Lily and I carefully, as she did every time she saw us. "You lot are getting entirely too big, in my opinion."

Lily giggled. "It's true, Grandmum! Mummy said I'm growing like a weed."

She pat the tiny redhead on the cheek lovingly. "That you are, my dear. And Teddy, you must be a solid six feet! Tall, just like Remus."

Smiling at the comparison to my father, I let my grandma coddle me for a bit longer, until I felt Jamie and my Dad tumble in through the chimney. They instantly became the latest recipients of Grandmum's affection. Lily cheesed at me brightly, then set off to find a cousin to play with.

I glanced around the room. It looked like us Potters were the last ones to show- the rest of the Weasley clan was already here. My mum came in and, of course, immediately found Aunt Hermione and Angelina gabbing on the couch. She quickly joined in on what already looked to be a passionate conversation. Little Roxy and Rose were across the room bouncing up and down, trying to persuade their respective fathers to let them try the latest Wizard Wheezes' products. Uncle Ron, Rose's dad, was formerly an Auror with my father, but switched to working with his brother on the Weasley business years back. The pair were quite genius, really, and luckily had a crew of thirteen kids spanning ages six to sixteen that were all too happy to test new items. I laughed when the two men obliged to their daughters, sneaking them trick candies behind their wives' backs. Albus and Hugo were quickly in tow when they caught eye of the treats. Surprisingly out of character, Jamie ignored the sight of the prank sweets, dodging the group and mischief opportunity. His mysterious declination was quickly explained when I spotted his tell-tale freckled body shoot off outside. I figured his best mate, Freddie, and cousin Louis would be out there. In spite of myself, I speed-greeted the rest of my family and chased after my brother.

"Hey, James!"

The trio of bright red, auburn, and strawberry blond hair had already made it to the broom shed in the backyard. The auburn head popped up. "It's Jamie, Teddy."

"Oh, right." I had called him by his nickname since he was a baby, but he had gotten increasingly insistent about the title in recent years.

"Are you gonna play Quidditch with us? Louis was gonna play Keeper and Jamie and I Chasers, but we still need another Keeper for two-a-side," Freddie asked.

I shook my head. "Sorry, mates, I'm a bit busy right now. You all know I'm strictly seeker, anyway."

Jamie grinned. "Plus he's grounded from his broom."

Leave it to the ten-year-old to make restriction sound like I was on death penalty. "That's really none of your business, James."

The two other boys both snickered at Jamie and I's bickering, until Louis piped up. "It's okay Ted, you shoulda heard all the trouble Victoire got in last night. Dom and I were listening at the top of the stairs until Mum found us, but our parents were both really angry when Uncle Harry Flooed over in the middle of the night."

Yikes. That didn't sound the best for Vic.

Freddie spoke up. "But it's not really a big deal to be grounded. I mean, look at me and Jamie. We practically live in trouble. How are you supposed to have any fun without a little risk?"

"I dunno. The walloping Jamie got for exploding Aunt Angelina's living room with you the other day certainly didn't sound fun, despite all the risk."

James scowled and poked me with his broom. "Hey, way to kill the mood! That day sucked, I got in trouble for messing with fireworks."

I crossed my arms and gave him a look. "Now you know how it feels, prat."

Freddie rolled his eyes and put a brotherly arm over Jamie's shoulders. "It's okay, mate. Mum killed me, too. But they won't be able to do that if we accidentally explode something at Hogwarts, now will they?"

I shrugged. "All I know is Minerva McGonagall might have finally met her match the day you pair get to Hogwarts- even after all our parents put her through."

Jamie smiled. "Only got to wait one more year!" All three boys high fived.

"I get to go this year!" Louis gloated

I smiled at him and ruffled his strawberry blonde hair, which was so much like his older sister's, just with a tinge of classic Weasley red. "Yes. But Louis- you gotta promise me something. You have to help cause trouble with me at Hogwarts, got it?"

He saluted valiantly. "I solemnly swear."

I let out a sigh. "Now speaking of trouble, do you have any idea where your sister is, Lou?"

"Which one?"

Jamie rolled his eyes and gave his cousin a playful punch. "Who do you think, genius?"

"Oh, right. Vic's in the treehouse with Dom and Molly."

There's the ticket I was looking for. I smiled. "Thanks. I'll try to get one of them to come and fill your empty Quidditch spot!"

I jogged off to the treehouse I knew Victoire would be. My uncles helped Grandad to build it a few years back. It was kept on a tall, beautiful Oak tree, but was secretly held up with a bunch of charms. Normally, the older cousins- that was Victoire, Dominique, Molly, and I- used it as a more secluded place to hang out without the hustle and bustle of the rest of our family and little siblings. However, today I was hoping I could somehow persuade Molly and Dom to leave so I could get some private time with just Victoire. Although she and I were clearly best friends, it was typical of us to primarily hang out with bigger groups. It was like that everywhere-no matter if it was our group of friends at school or just the family. We always seemed to be in a larger crowd, I could hardly remember the last time we had alone time, even if it was in a platonic way.

I reached the trunk of the tree house and hoisted myself on the ladder to climb up. I could already hear the girls laughter- why were there so many giggling girls wherever I went? I pulled myself onto the base of the house.

"Ted, you're finally here- what took you so long?" asked Dominique. She looked very similar to her sister in many ways, but sported contrasting bright red hair.

I slid into a spot close to Vic. Was that too obvious? No, of course not. I was overthinking. "Oh, um, I was busy looking for you lot. Jamie, Freddie, and Louis were trying to steal me for a game of two-a-side."

Molly giggled and flipped through one of the dusty Muggle books kept in the treehouse, her feet propped onto the windowsill. "All boys do is play Quidditch. Don't they ever get tired of it?"

Dom rolled her eyes at her best friend. "C'mon, Mols, you sound like Victoire. Besides, that wasn't the proper feminist attitude we live by. Plenty of girls play Quidditch!"

Molly shifted her feet down and sat up. "I certainly hope girls play Quidditch. Have I told you all I'm trying out for Ravenclaw Chaser when school starts in a few weeks? Samantha Beaufort graduated and there's an open spot."

Victoire gasped. "Oh, that's so exciting, Molly! I know you'll make it, I've seen you play."

"Maybe not after you disrespected the wonderful world of Quidditch just now. The Quidditch gods are all offended," huffed Dominique

I laughed. Dom was about as crazy for the game as I was, she was going into her third year at Hogwarts like Molly, but had already made the team as a second year. We played for Gryffindor together- I as seeker and she as Beater. "You'll make it Mols. But it won't change the fact that Gryffindor will absolutely smash Ravenclaw in the House Cup," I promised.

Molly started to roll her eyes, when Vic chimed in. "Oh, you'll all do great, I'm sure. I'm plenty happy to cheer Gryffindor on from the sidelines."

She was so sweet, always wanting the best for everyone. "You'd better. This year we're getting the cup for sure. I don't think I could stand it if that prat captain Jesse Hughes won the cup again," I confessed.

Vic looked at me accusingly. "Why's Jesse a prat? He's always been plenty nice to me."

Molly laughed. "You know I love you Victoire, but he's nice to all the girls he finds pretty. And let's just say you are very pretty."

"Yeah," I agreed.

Dominique met my eyes, her sister huffing next to me. "Well of course he's nice. He's a Hufflepuff, is he not?"

I coughed. "Yes, but he's also a giant git. He's always walking around the halls like he owns the place, it's incredibly annoying."

Victoire smirked at me. "Sounds like someone's a little jealous."

How could I be jealous of Jesse Hughes? The guy was so cocky. He had zero respect for women and treated those he didn't like as if they were crap, Hufflepuff or not. "The dude's just a dick, Vic."

We all burst into laughter at my unintentional poetry. Molly spoke up. "I agree with you, though, Teddy. If I can't bring victory to Ravenclaw, I'll be cheering you on to beat Hufflepuff with the rest of the godforsaken Gryffindors in this family."

I muttered my approval, leaning over to the stack of books and grabbing a Quidditch magazine. "Speaking of Quidditch, Jamie, Freddie, and Louis still need a fourth. Maybe we can join 'em? You know, to get out of this stuffy tree house?"

I was secretly hoping that I would get to stay in here. I was counting on Victoire's disinterest in Quidditch to allow me to hole up with her.

"Oh, yeah!" Dominique agreed. She was already up standing and stretching, the idea of her favorite sport pulling her up.

"I dunno if I feel like it," mumbled Molly, but Dominique rolled her eyes and pulled the girl up.

"You're playing. We've gotta show my little brother who's boss, anyway. He's entirely too obsessed with himself now that he thinks he's going to Hogwarts."

Victoire shook her head. "You pair can play without me. I'm absolute rubbish, you know."

Dominique giggled. "Yes, we do."

I cleared my throat and carefully met Victoire's eyes. "I don't mind staying up here with you if you don't feel like playing."

I hoped it sounded casual. Molly seemed to agree. "Okay, whatever, you two stay, the cool kids will play with the little boys."

Vic grinned. "Have fun!"

Dominique smirked and winked at me. "We will."

What was that supposed to mean? I watched the thirteen-year-olds walk off in search of the match, then turned to Vic. "Hey," I said, blushingly.

She smiled, beautiful, white teeth and all. "Hey, yourself."

I chuckled, scooting over from my spot on her side to one opposite her. How would I go about this? I was so intent on figuring out our relationship, I didn't even plan how I would do so.

"Um, I heard you got in trouble last night."

She nodded, propping herself onto her elbows as she leaned backwards. "Yep. I thought Daddy would be more upset with me, but it was Maman. 'Je suis tellement en colère! Votre comportement était terrible!" Vic was rapping away in her speedy French I had zero understanding of.

"Qué?" I joked.

Vic grinned appreciatively. "Even I had a hard time understanding her crazy French, after all my years of lessons with Grand-mère. Daddy can normally calm her down when she's all pissed at me like that, but he was angry too. So now I'm grounded for life."

"Sounds like our parents had the same idea. I thought Dad wouldn't even let me come to Sunday dinner tonight."

Vic flopped all the way onto the dusty floor, dramatic as ever. "I will die of boredom. I've never been forced away from friends for this long."

I flopped down next to her. "I'll die right there with you."

"The whole idea of it is so stupid! I'm not even allowed to see you starting tomorrow."

I nodded. "All I'm allowed to do is chores, school, and helping my parents."

She turned over to face me, and I was suddenly very aware her face was inches from mine. "We'll have to write to each other, Teddy."

"Of course," I agreed, but I was barely paying attention. Victoire, in all her glory, was lying next to me. A few more inches and we would be kissing.

Stop, I told myself. Don't think that way. But an insistent growl was burning in my lower belly.

It didn't appear to be a problem, though, as Victoire wasn't thinking anything of it. She didn't feel the mysterious way I did sprawled next to her.

She shot up. "Ohmygosh, Teddy, did I tell you? David owled me last night!"

"Really?" I asked, feigning interest and listening closely. Apparently she received a 'completely inappropriate' love letter from the ex-boyfriend of her fourth year.

It was difficult to pay attention, though. I was so determined to learn that she also felt sparks flying when we were together, that I didn't even consider the possibility she wouldn't feel anything at all. Why would she be launching into this story about her exes if she liked me? Vic wouldn't. I knew her. It wasn't her style.

"-so I was like, dude, I broke up with you months ago. I've moved on! Don't send me owls embarassing yourself. And he-"

"Vic," I interrupted. I couldn't stand to hear her talk about love interests any longer.

She paused her tangent, tilting her head quizically. "What?"

Shit. Why did I stop her? Now I was in an awkward situation.

"Uh. I dunno. Keep going."

Flipping her hair, she crossed her arms and sat up straighter. "No, what were you gonna say? I wanna know what's going on."

Effing hell. "Nothing's going on."

"Something is, I can tell. You're my best friend of fifteen years, I'm able to read you. Something is up and I wanna know what it is."

"Vic, I swear, nothing's wrong. I haven't even said anything. Finish the bloody story."

She softened. "I think I know what this is."

"Huh?" Oh no. Did she really know? Was she about to reject me? Did she see I felt some kind of passion for her, but not feel the same? She probably liked that idiotic David bloke, was that who she was talking about a second ago?

"I know what the problem is," Victoire murmured. Crap. "You're mad at me for last night, aren't you?"

I instantly straightened. "What? Ohh, Vic, no-"

"Just listen, Ted. I understand. The whole fiasco was my fault and now you're grounded-"

Is that what she thought this was? "Victoire, if you would listen-"

"Don't interrupt! I want to finish. I'm really sorry. We'll be more careful next time and I'll listen to you. Do you accept what I'm saying?" She looked at me expectantly.

Oh shit. What a miscommunication. At least she didn't think I liked her, though. I wouldn't be able to tell her my true feelings after all of that. "Um, yes. Yes, I understand. I accept your apology."

She smiled at my response, oblivious to the fact it was my cover-up. "Good. I wouldn't want you secretly mad at me."

"I could never be mad at you, Vic."

She leaned forward, wrapping her arms around me. She was so close- I could taste her strawberry perfume. I tentatively returned the hug. It was familiar and warm and quick-and so Victoire. "Love you, Ted," she whispered.

I gulped. "Love you too."

Love. She said she loved me.

Wow. My heart was beating fast. But I sighed, remembering we were, after all, best friends. Not to mention family. The love she had for me didn't have any romantic desire. At least I didn't think so.

Victoire didn't allow me to dwell on it for very long, though. She pulled away from the hug, and before I knew it, reached for my hand. "Now, come on. Let's go eat some dinner with the family!"

Author's Note: I hope you all loved this chapter! If you can, I'd appreciate a review a ton. Any ideas or things you want to see, I'm open to hear and will even try to incorporate into the story. Just let me know! And if you didn't like it, I would absolutely love to hear constructive criticism. Thanks so much for reading!