Another chapter for you lovely people! I am currently in love with this story... Teddy and Victoire are probably my favourite next gen pairing :) There is just something about them that seems to work. Please enjoy :) xx

11 February 2013

Teddy paced around the Common Room in frustration. Tomorrow was the first Hogsmeade weekend after coming back from the Christmas holidays and Teddy was nervous. Over the holidays, he and Victoire had grown closer. They could actually maintain a conversation that didn't involve screaming at each other and calling names and Teddy had realised just how lovely Victoire was becoming. He remembered her sitting out on the porch in her pink Weasley jumper and Gryffindor scarf as he, Dominique and Louis had a snow ball fight. He remembered her radiant smile as she opened her Christmas presents. And he remembered his heart jumping out of his chest when she gave him a fleeting hug before she dashed off to her compartment. So today, seeing as she was now in third year and able to go to Hogsmeade, he was going to ask her out for Valentine's Day.

He already knew what he was going to do. He had asked Harry about it over Christmas...

"Harry?" asked Teddy. He was sitting across the room, admiring his Firebolt he had received from his godfather as a Christmas present. It was more than a mere coincidence for Harry had received a Firebolt from his godfather for Christmas also. Every now and then, his eyes would wander over to Victoire, who flicked her blonde hair as she laughed. It was the prettiest sound he had ever heard – like wind chimes. Her round, blue eyes fell on him for an instant and Teddy swore his heart stopped beating. Then she turned back and began braiding Roxanne's hair.

"Yes, Ted?" asked Harry as he bounced Hugo on his knee.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah," Harry cringed as Hugo pulled off his glasses and began playing with them and making funny sounds.

"You know, outside?"

Harry gave Teddy a strange look but shrugged, handed Hugo to Hermione and followed his godson outside. They sat out on the porch and watched the snow fall over the landscape. The sky was completely clear and the full moon glistened overhead. Teddy thought about his father for a moment.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" asked Harry.

"I wanted to ask your advice," Teddy began.

"Ask away."

Teddy avoided Harry's questioning stare. "Have you ever asked a girl out?"

"Yes," said Harry softly. Teddy looked at him and thought for a second that Harry was blushing. But perhaps it was just from the cold. "Is it that girl you told me about last summer?"

Teddy nodded. "Yeah. Well, she's able to go to Hogsmeade now and I've wanted to ask her for a while. I just don't know how to, you know?"

Harry remained silent for a while, simply regarding his godson. He couldn't believe he was having this conversation. He could still picture the four year old boy with the toothy grin and the bright turquoise hair. Some of that boy was still there, but Teddy was getting older. He was turning fourteen. Harry briefly thought back to when he was fourteen. He had been in the Triwizard Tournament, fighting for his life in dangerous challenges. At least Teddy didn't have that complication in his life, thank Merlin.

"Well," said Harry with a smile. "Asking a girl out is probably the most terrifying experience in the entire universe. Facing a dragon is a lot easier, let me tell you." He chuckled at the memory of trying to find a partner to the Yule Ball. Teddy's face paled.

"But don't worry," Harry assured him. "All you have to do is try not to scream at her, or speak so fast that she can't understand you. Just tell her clearly and plainly. That's all there is too it. Trust me."

Teddy bit his lip. "That's all it takes? Just being clear?"

"Yep."

His eyes widened as relief swept over him. "Oh, phew. Thank Merlin for that. But if it's that simple, why would you rather face a dragon?"

Harry put his hand on his godson's shoulder. "You'll understand, Ted," he said, and then went back inside. Teddy stayed out for a moment, gazing through the window at Victoire. She was dancing along to the music with Dom, that radiant smile still lighting up her face. Teddy smiled and resolved to stay outside for a little while longer...

"Just be clear," Teddy told himself as he took a deep breath and headed downstairs into the common room. Victoire was talking to Rachel, her best friend, while writing her Potion's essay. Teddy swallowed the lump that formed in his throat and released the breath he didn't realise he was holding. You can do this.

"Hey Vic," he said casually as he approached her. Rachel giggled and blushed, but Victoire just smiled pleasantly.

"Hey Teddy," she said, before returning to her homework.

"Uh... I was wondering," he began as he ran a nervous hand through his hair. Hopefully it hadn't turned some embarrassing colour right now. "Are you going to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

"Yeah, I'm going with Jarrod Davies. Why?"

Teddy's heart sank. He felt as though he had just been doused in the Draught of the Living Dead. He felt deflated. She was going with Davies? That Ravenclaw idiot who thought he was a legend because he was the Seeker on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team? Teddy couldn't believe it.

"We should double date!" said Victoire as the idea struck her, and that was when Teddy realised he was still talking to her. "You can go with Rachel!"

Rachel looked utterly thrilled with the idea and blushed as she gave Teddy an embarrassed smile. Teddy scowled at her, but she didn't notice. Rachel was nice, he supposed, but far to giggly for his liking and she wasn't anything like Victoire. But Victoire looked so thrilled with the idea of double dating that Teddy couldn't say no. Not when she practically pleaded at him with those gorgeous blue eyes of hers.

"Okay," said Teddy, trying not to sound defeated.

"Great!" said Victoire happily, giving Teddy a grateful smile. "We'll meet you in the Entrance Hall at nine o'clock."

Teddy gave Victoire a half-hearted smile and trudged back up to his room. Once out of the public eye, he flopped onto his four-poster and stared miserably at the ceiling. He had gone down in the hopes of a date with Victoire and had come back with a double date with Rachel, Victoire and Davies. Teddy didn't know how he was going to handle watching Victoire and Davies lovey-dovey all over each other, with only ditsy Rachel to keep him company. Harry was right. Facing a dragon would be much simpler than dealing with girls.

Poor Teddy :( unrequited love... everyone's felt that before I'm sure. Please review to get me through my torture that is exams :) xx