Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)

Assignment #4 - Study of Magical Objects (Magical and Muggle Charmed Items)
Task #3: Clown Cars - Write about someone with an 'irrational' fear or phobia of something.

Further prompts are at the end.

Word Count: 972

"It's been so long since we've done this!" Dom exclaimed as Victoire turned the lights off and slipped into the bed.

"Shh," Victoire reminded. A habit - it wasn't as though their tendency to stay up late and talk was a secret, though they'd thought it had been, when they were younger.

"Sorry," Dom whispered. "But it has. So what's up, sis?"

"The sky," Victoire said drily. "Or, in this case, the ceiling."

"Haha, very funny. But no, really, what's going on? It's your NEWTs year, you have your internship and your job… I feel like I barely see you anymore! And we do this so rarely - you've got to give me something! For old time's sake?"

Old time's sake. And it, these midnight chats with the lights off and them snuggling together in bed, were a sort of tradition. Victoire and Dom might have fought and teased and mocked each other during the day, but there was always an unofficial truce at night, during the 'sleepovers' in Victoire's room.

It was during their talks that Dom first confided in Victoire about their (or, back then, her) thoughts on their gender identity. It was during their talks that Victoire brainstormed her (crazy) schemes, and, more often than not, roped Dom into them. It was during their talks that Dom had worried about the House they'd be sorted into, and that Victoire had promised to sneak them into the kitchens for snacks from the house elves no matter what color tie they wore. It was during their talks that Victoire first admitted how she'd started noticing boys, and that Dom had listened and offered advice. Whatever secrets they might have kept, they were always told during their talks.

It was that part that (irrationally) terrified Victoire. Because she had one Erumpent-sized secret, and 'old time's sake' meant that she'd have to tell it tonight.

"Actually," she began, glad that it was dark because she could feel her face flushing red, "there is something-"

"Oooh! What? Did Borage finally reply to your letters? Is Belby finally going to let you improve and experiment on the potions? Or… something else? The letters haven't come, so it can't be Head Girl-stuff… a boy?"

Victoire winced, then cursed the fact that the bed had jolted with the movement.

"It is a boy!" Dom exclaimed. "Who? Greengrass? Cohen? Donahue?"

"No, no, no," Victoire replied. "Guess." That would prolong it…

"What? No way! You know so many boys… unless it's a girl?"

"No." Technically. "Didn't we already cover this?"

Dom laughed softly. "Can't blame me for hoping… But who is it? Someone I know?"

"Yes," Victoire said emphatically. Dom definitely knew him… and had some opinions on him. Another reason why she was so scared.

"Hmm… Ravenclaw?"

"No."

"Gryffindor?"

"No."

"Slytherin?"

"No."

"So he has to be a Hufflepuff - unless he's a Muggle?"

Victoire shook her head. "Wizard."

"What year?"

"…Graduated," she admitted.

"Ooh… So you like older men, do you?"

"Stop it! He's only two years older!"

"Thanks for the clue!" Victoire groaned quietly. "Hmm… could it be a certain turquoise-haired, brown-eyed almost-cousin of ours?"

What? Victoire turned to look at her sibling, incredulous, and could make out a wide smirk on Dom's face. "You knew?"

"Everyone knows, Victoire! It's like the worst kept secret ever!"

"How?" Though they hadn't meant to keep their relationship a secret, it had just happened. But how did 'everyone' know about it?

"Magic! Honestly, did you think I wouldn't find out?" Victoire glared at them. "Fi-ne. It was James," Dom told her. "Saw you before school started, at the platform. K-i-s-s-i-n-g."

Victoire sighed. Of course. Once their little cousin knew something, the entire family would know within hours. And Teddy had come to see her off, and they hadn't been paying attention to their surroundings as they'd kissed…

"You're too much," she muttered.

"Love you for enabling me," Dom smirked. "And say it… I dare you."

"Okay, fine." Victoire took a deep breath. "I'm dating Teddy Lupin." And wasn't that a surprise.

Dom was silent for a moment, before they started giggling, shaking the bed in their mirth.

"What?" Victoire scowled.

"I just… you and Teddy… it's like fate or something! A miracle, or something. I never would've imagined…"

Victoire let them laugh for a few more seconds, then asked, "Done yet?"

Dom rolled their eyes, but did calm down. After another long moment, they spoke, their tone genuine for once. "What's it like?"

"What's what like?"

"Being in love?"

Victoire exhaled slowly. "It… It's hard to describe. It… He's… I love being with him, meeting with him. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we're just there. He's there for me. He knows me. He makes me happy. I just feel… complete, with him. It's not perfect, I mean - sometimes we argue, sometimes we fight - but that feeling doesn't go away. I…"

"Love is patient, love is kind, love means slowly losing your mind," Dom said, after a moment.

"What?"

"It's a quote I heard, somewhere. Is it true?"

Victoire thought for a long moment. 'Patient', yes. 'Kind', yes. 'Slowly losing your mind'… yes. The phrase 'crazy in love' came to mind. "Yes."

"And are you happy with him? You don't have to, I don't know, change who you are for him? Or watch out for his temper? Or those other signs of unhealthy relationships?"

"I am happy," Victoire said, "and Teddy would never do that. Have you met him?"

Dom chuckled, before their face grew solemn again. "Good. Then… I'm happy for you."

Victoire smiled at them. She wouldn't have broken up with Teddy for them… but it was nice that Dom approved. "Thank you."

"… Can I be the maid of honor, at your wedding?"

"Dom!"

"Hmm, you're right. 'Maid' doesn't quite work… What do people use instead?"

Summer Seasonal Challenges
Days of the Year & Religious Events: 7th July - Chocolate Day: Write about something sweet.
National Anti-Boredom Month: Play a board game: Write about a 'family' night
Baby Safety Month
National Indoor Plant Month: Rubber Plant: (trait) patient
Flowers: Lady's Mantle: "Did you think I wouldn't find out?"
Locations: Shell Cottage
Build-a-Fairytale: Stage 1: The Opening: We're stuck in an eternal winter: (season) winter

Writing Club: September
Record Collection: Unorthodox Jukebox - Locked Out Of Heaven: (word) Miracle
Time Machine: Plot point: Being blindsided
Lizzy: (genre) Friendship
Scamander's Case: (action) laughing
Film Festival: (word) fate
Lyric Alley: Don't let growing up get between us
The Forecast Says… 16th. Sunny with clouds: Anxious
EnTitled: The One with the Princess Leia Fantasy - Write about someone admitting a desire or fantasy

August Auction: "Love is patient, love is kind, love means slowly losing your mind."

Pick a Wick: Citrus Breezes: (action) laughing

Build a Better Breakfast: White Tea: (trope) Established Relationship

Founder Says: Godric Says: Something Funny - "Love you for enabling me."

In Memoriam: The Dead of the Wizarding Wars: Colin Creevey - Write about an annoying younger (or older) sibling