The day dawned bright and clear. I lay in my bed for a moment under the covers gazing up at the roof o the four poster. I had a feeling today was going to be a strange one. I sat up and got out of bed and went over to the window. It was cold and I shivered slightly as I got dressed. I dressed warmly in a light grey wool dress and a dark green coat. I went down to breakfast and as it was so early hardly anyone was about so I sat down on my own and ate slowly. I couldn't work out what I was feeling. Half nervous at my date with Francis and half guilty as I knew I was using him for a scheme somehow make Teddy jealous even though I knew in my heart of hearts it wouldn't work. I was also very confused, why had Teddy asked me to meet him in Hogsmeade, is he trying to get over this awkwardness? I sighed over my cornflakes and started reading the Daily Prophet.

I was still reading as I felt someone behind me, I looked up and it was Francis smiling down at me, my heart gave a slight flutter as I smiled back.

"Morning Victoire"

"Oh, hello Francis, have you just come down?"

"No I've been watching you over there, you were so absorbed in your newspaper I didn't want to disturb you but would you like to get moving?"

I glanced at my watch and gave a slight start, it was half past nine I hadn't realised it was that time, I had unconsciously heard the dining room get noisier but hadn't thought anything of it. He helped me off the bench and we went off. As we walked along I felt someone's eyes staring at me, I glanced around and my eyes fell on Teddy, his eyes dropped as soon as our eyes met and I turned around frowning, what was that about?

Benches scraped back as all those who were eligible made their way to the entrance hall to go to Hogsmeade. I was painfully aware of Francis standing beside me as we waited to get checked on the way out. He was smiling at me and then all around, I smiled up at him and then looked down, I wished he would say something, finally we were checked and out in the open, walking down, the air stung my cheeks and I wrapped my coat closer to me,

"Are you cold?" Francis asked me, a look of concern on his face

"A little" I replied

Francis went to his neck and unwound his scarf and held my arm so I turned to face him, looking right into my eyes the whole time he wrapped the scarf around my face and neck. It was soft and warm and I stroked it softly and dropped my eyes, I was suddenly too warm all of a sudden, it was so intense. We finally started walking again and soon reached Hogsmeade. I was suddenly downhearted, I knew what Francis wanted, he didn't really want to know me, and he just wanted to have me that was what the look on his face. I knew what we would be doing all afternoon, probably closeted up in Madame Puddifoots & daughters with the steamy windows and his trying to kiss me over a sugar bowl. I sighed; the vision did not look appealing as it in the last few times it had happened I had to leave as it was so excruciating. However as we got there he surprised me by saying,

"Weasleys?"

I assented quickly and we went in, I smiled as we went in; this shop was so familiar, many times as a child I'd spend the day with Uncle George in the shop in Diagon alley. I looked around for him, he was usually there on Hogsmeade days to try and get a chance to see us.

"Victoire!" I heard a voice say

I turned around and there he was, in a deep purple suit, looking every inch the successful business man, he strode over and gave me a hug that lifted me of my feet.

"Uncle George! Hello, how are you? I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Fine, fine, yes I've been busy..." he trailed off and raised his eyebrows at some point over my left shoulder.

"and who is this?" he enquired politely, a little smirk barely visible.

I realised he meant Francis, I introduced them quickly

"Lovely to meet you Francis" He shook hands very thoroughly with him then turned to me

"I was surprised, normally you're in here with Ted, where is he?" he looked around as if expecting to see him materialise

My heart plunged and I felt my heat rising again,

"He's probably come down with his girlfriend" I managed to mutter

George stopped looking around and looked straight at me and I saw something dawn in his eyes, it flashed and then was gone, he straightened up.

"Never mind, look you too have anything you want, it's on me", with a flourish he produced two vouchers, "just present these at the till and they'll know, have fun" He gave us a hug each and sauntered off.

"He's so cool" said Francis, examining his voucher. "I must say thank you"

I smiled, George didn't want thanks, he wanted laughs.

"Don't worry I'll thank him for you.

We spent hours in there and I found my elf changing my opinion, he was so genuine and he laughed at the same things, we finally left with bags by our sides,

"Three Broomsticks, are you hungry?"

"Yes please!"

We went in and managed to find a table in the corner

"I'll pay for lunch, you got all this" he pointed at our produces from the joke shop

"We got those for free!"

"Yes but it's only because you're related to them so it's your doing, what would you like?"

I ordered a sandwich and looked out the window, a smile forming on my face, I really was beginning to like him. Someone sat opposite me and I said

"Back already?" I looked up, it wasn't Francis. Teddy.

"Hey Vic" he said quietly

"Hello Teddy" said surprised. He was staring at me and I felt confusion.

"This is Cynthia" He said as I felt someone sit next to me. There she was, she smirked at me by way of greeting, I smiled nervously in return, I didn't know what they wanted.

"Hello, have we got friends?" Francis was back, with our drinks, he was frowning slightly.

"Francis! Hey, we say Vic all alone over here and we thought we'd join you, you don't mind do you?"

"Not at all Teddy" He grinned at him and sat down, then he did something which unsettled me, he suddenly looked at Cynthia with a look of deep mistrust and dislike. A barmaid brought our lunch and cane with more drinks and food for our new guests. My insides were a mess, I could hardly eat, I felt so out of place, my date was rapidly being ruined by this awkward atmosphere, Cynthia obviously loved it, she sat there smiling at everyone in turn and sipping her drink. I couldn't speak so watched the conversation being dominated my Teddy and Francis discussing Quidditch, I felt everything was all wrong and I didn't know what I wanted, just not this.

"Francis is handsome, isn't he?" I felt a voice next to me, I turned in shock to Cynthia who was staring at me, eyes glinting, she leaned forward so only I could hear

"I know you want Teddy, everyone knows it, stop being so goddamn desperate and leave us alone"

She leaned back and I felt as though ice was pouring through my body, I stood up; tears in my eyes, Francis and Teddy looked up

"I have to go, I feel a little ill" Looks of concern flashed across both their faces and I smiled wanly

"I'll be fine"

"I'll come with you" said Francis standing up, Teddy's leg gave a sort of spasm as if he too was going to offer to escort me.

I made my way to the edge of the table and laid a hand on Francis's.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine" I kissed him on the cheek and left quickly.

Again, I had a lot to think about on the way up to the castle.