"Teddy! HEY! Teddy!" Footsteps pounded heavily down the steps to the Quidditch pitch behind me.

Turning bemusedly to face some random 4th year, I paused at the entrance to the changing rooms.

"Yeah?" I rooted in my pockets for the keys; staring expectantly at this red faced blonde boy. He puffed dramatically, searching for breath.

"I was just wondering…" He panted loudly. "I was just wondering if you have room for a chaser?"

I grinned benevolently. "Well, all three chasers from last year are still trying out- but if you're better than them- you're on. That's kinda the way it works."

He nodded fervently, flashing me a grin. "I'll see you out there so!"

Shaking my head slightly; I watched him tear off to the pitch, my fingers fumbling at the lock on the changing room door. It swung open with ease.

Tossing the sack of quaffles on the ground; I looked around at the motley crew we had assembled. As per usual there was the standard flock of giggling girls, who had only really come to check out the new team's talent. Beside them was a group of possibly third year boys; all looking determinedly nonchalant, loose hands on their brooms; almost bored. That red faced blonde boy was busy waving up into the stands at whoever had come to support him. The rest of the numbers were made up of nervous looking 2nd years and a few promising looking 6th years. My eyes searched for Aelius and Craig; hoping for familiar faces. Craig smiled encouragingly from the left hoop. My gaze then shot to where Aelius was standing, happily instructing one of the giggling 5th years in how to hold her broom. Christ.

Sighing I faced the group at large. "Okay guys- I'm Teddy, I'm this year's Captain. Just to start off, I want everyone to divide into what position they're trying out for. Chasers to my left, Beaters to my right, Keepers in front and Seekers behind."

Slowly the group disengaged; the swarm of simpering girls following Aelius to the Chaser's corner. I doubted very much if they even knew what a chaser was. Noticing his following; Aelius turned to me, offering a smug wink.

"What position are you trying out for?" One of the girls; a slim brunette sauntered up to me; a hand placed jauntily on her hip. Her friends eyed each other in disbelief at her audacity; erupting into peals of giggles. I did my best to keep a straight face.

"I'm Captain." I clarified, starting to turn away again.

She nodded sagely. "So you don't play? You're more of a manager then?"

Aelius barked with laughter behind her as even Craig cracked a reluctant grin.

I stared at her for a moment; unsure of what to say. "No. I mean I don't have to try out. I'm Chaser."

Her face flamed crimson and I bit the inside of my lip; trying not to laugh as she ran back to the sanctity of her friends, one petite girl with black hair wrapping a comforting arm across her shoulders.

After that, try-outs ran smoothly. It was pretty easy to wheedle out the shit players from the all-right players; and then easier again to wheedle the all-right players from the potential starting team.

Craig pulled a few spectacular shots as beater; nearly knocking Aelius off his broom on a number of occasions. It was peculiar how all of his shots seemed to find Aelius. I could hear the two of them bickering away about sporting misconduct at the opposite end of the pitch; not even bothering to take try-outs that seriously; both having already put in stellar performances.

Aelius had out-scored every other potential chaser and was now lazily watching proceedings, occasionally feeling comfortable enough to take a detour and fly past me to offer his opinions on particular player's shortcomings.

Surprisingly enough, one of the gigglers turned out to be a pretty decent flyer; the small black haired girl. She was lithe and fast; and put in a pretty solid performance as Seeker. The real shock came from the blonde haired boy that had cornered me before practice. Second only to Aelius; and not even that far behind; he had scored the most shots; and seemed to be a natural on a broom; especially for someone who had never even tried out before.

"You're a fourth year right?" I glanced over at him; rechecking the details he had given me. He nodded happily; excited to be taken notice of. I nodded in response, giving him a quick grin. His answering beam was blinding. After his last shot; which was pretty impressive to say the least; he had begun to garner the attention of some of the groupies; now watching try-outs from the stand.

I surreptitiously glanced over at him; watching him remount his broom and re-join try-outs. He was a good-looking kid; now that his face wasn't so flustered. I snickered internally. Aelius was going to freak if I put this kid on the team.

When all things had finally come to a head; I was stood facing my new, hand-picked team. Some of the usual; Aelius, Craig, and I had all made the cut, much to my relief; cutting either one of them would have been painful- as well as the new blonde boy and a small mousey haired girl; who I was slightly reserved about. One bludger to her torso and she was dead. But I had never seen anyone hit with such accuracy before- she was a natural beater. A bit of training, and she could build up the strength. Besides we had Craig for that. The position of Keeper was taken by a lanky welsh boy; Tom Fielding, who had played that position last year after Silverstone graduated. While he wasn't outstanding- he was the best on the pitch. And again- with a bit of training…

"Okay guys- good work! You've all made the team! We'll have our first training tomorrow night; but for now, there's somewhere I need to be!" I flashed them a grin and a thumbs up as I tore back to the locker rooms; pulling clothes off me quickly. Aelius strutted in shortly behind me, followed by the rest of the boys on the team.

Craig glanced over curiously. "Since when are you in such a rush to get to Slug Club? I thought you hated it. Didn't you spend all last year avoiding it? I thought you only went to the Christmas party."

I barely spared him a glance as I threw clothes in a bag. "I don't hate it."

Aelius snorted with laughter. "He means he doesn't hate it since we started to suspect Little Miss Sytherin is in it."

Craig's face cleared in understanding as he grinned over. Tom, our returned keeper glanced up curiously.

"What's this?"

I turned quickly to glare at my two mates; silencing them quickly. "It's nothing. Really Tom, they're just being dicks."

Tom's gaze flickered between my sincere smile and their devious smirks. He grinned. "Riiight. Are you not seeing Harriet Carlisle anymore then?- I thought-"

Aelius and Craig burst into laughter, collapsing on the benches as Tom looked around at them in confusion.

"Christ sakes- I was never seeing Harriet! I don't know why she does this. It was one time- and- shut up you two!" I turned in exasperation to my friends, tears now streaming down their faces.

They just loved whenever Harriet was brought up. It was some weird kind of validation for them. I'd spent most of fifth year running around after the girl; undoubtedly the hottest girl in our house. Unfortunately; she'd been dating Belfour at the time. I wasn't to know she would break up with him if we got together. I couldn't have been clearer about what it was to me- it's not my fault she read the situation wrong.

She didn't see it that way however and after politely explaining the situation to her; I ended up in the hospital wing trying to fix an array of boils across my face that announced to the entire world that I was a man-slut.

Which was rich coming from the girl who had cheated on her boyfriend in a broom cupboard.

Tearing from the room, I flew down the steps to Slughorn's office; down in the dungeons. Flying around corners and skidding down corridors, I had to take a moment or two to catch my breath before knocking smartly on his door.

He opened on the second rap; a big grin across his ruddy face. "Teddy; delighted you could finally make it- come on in, come on in. Let's see where we will fit you…"

Looking around the table I noticed there was a free seat right beside Victoire. I worked to keep the grin from my face- this was too easy. I was too fucking jammy- he was going to go ahead and sit me beside her for the next two hours! I just-

"There you go, right here beside Zabini!"

My gaze shot to the opposite side of the table; where a tanned, dark haired boy was glaring up at me.

Fuck.

"-And then I said- It has to be a blast-ended skrewt!" Slughorn chuckled merrily at his own joke; slapping Aelius heartily on the back; the unfortunate late comer that had to sit right beside Slughorn. Aelius smiled weakly; glancing at the clock once again.

"Can you pass the salt?" I grinned happily at Zabini beside me, watching as his shoulders rose and fell dramatically; trying to keep himself calm. Suddenly he whipped round to face me; leaning in close so only I could hear.

"What the fuck is your deal Lupin? I never liked you- and I know you've never liked me; but at least before, you just kept the fuck away. Why is it that now you're suddenly everywhere?"

I raised wide, innocent eyes to his. "You… didn't like me?"

He growled in annoyance. "Fine; keep it to yourself. I don't care. But I catch you ogling my girlfriend once more; and we're going to have an issue."

I chewed my meat carefully; considering this. "I can't ogle her- got it."

He nodded curtly.

"What if she ogles me? I'm just an innocent party there- can't blame the oglee for the ogler's actions." I took another bite; watching in satisfaction as his jaw worked furiously.

"Just- just- "

"What do you think boys?" Slughorn cut across our private discussion; waving his fork in our direction.

Zabini looked up at him in bafflement as my eyes shot to Aelius; looking for help. He responded with a slow, smug grin, watching me squirm in complete contentment.

Dickhead. Why is it that I never took the time to find better friends? Ones who didn't take personal satisfaction from my displeasure?

"Cass loves them- don't you?" Victoire cut across smoothly, smiling sweetly at Zabini. He stared at her for a beat before nodding meekly. I supressed a flare of annoyance at this. It was discomforting; seeing them like this; like a proper couple. A couple that bails each other out.

Especially when all I had a present was fucking Aelius.

Slughorn smiled at him before switching his gaze to me. "And you Teddy?"

I coughed quickly. "Uh- yeah. They're awesome." I responded vaguely.

Aelius frowned mockingly; taking a thoughtful bite of his chocolate cake. "Really Ted? I thought I heard you say that the Weird Sisters were outdated and only for boring old folks?" He cocked his head questioningly as his eyes gleamed mischievously. All the heads at the table swivelled back to face me. Under their open scrutiny I was momentarily stuck.

Fuck.

I had said that.

"No, uh… I think that was Craig you're mistaking me for- remember, I have that poster in my room- that old record? I love them." I nodded around the table; aiming to appear convincing.

His frown deepened as his eyes glowed with delight. "No, I'm pretty sure it was you. I distinctly remember you saying something about how you'd rather stick a-"

I coughed very loudly, pretending to choke on a carrot- anything to drown out what Aelius was about to say.

Slughorn frowned over at me in concern. "Alright Ted?"

I nodded weakly.

"Just exhausted after try-outs I'd say! How is the new team shaping up?" His eyes twinkled in my direction.

I smiled over at him. "Pretty good- mostly the same as last year; just with a few new spots to fill. We did replace one chaser though."

At the mention of Quidditch trials I noticed Zabini perk his head. And curiously enough- so did Victoire. I hadn't her pegged for a Quidditch groupie- I knew she didn't play- I had learned and hated the faces of the Slytherin team since first year.

Zabini scoffed quietly. "Excellent work- give your friends their spots and let the others scrap for the leftovers."

I glared at him, seeing Aelius's face darken dangerously across the table. "I just said we replaced a chaser. The other people on the team are the best for the team."

Zabini smirked as the rest of the table sat in silent fascination at our tiff, not even pretending to hold private conversations anymore; but openly following ours.

"Yeah real noble- toss some kid a pity place so you look good."

I opened my mouth to quip back; more than irritated by his cheek- more than half the Slytherin team were in his fucking dorm! It was years since anyone below fifth year had seen a sliver of the pitch. But was I cut across quickly.

"He's actually really good. He sank 4/5 of his shots and was above and beyond the fastest chaser- close enough to the seeker in fact."

The whole table fell silent in shock as Victoire calmly continued her meal; eyeing her boyfriend coolly from across the table. Everyone's gaze flickered between them in undisguised curiosity. I frowned lightly; my brows furrowing in thought. Had she just… stood up for me? To Zabini?

Aelius eventually cracked the tension; his tone slightly miffed. I could tell he was seething; but wanted to come across casual. He failed. "I dunno would we say he was the fastest chaser- I think we'll find that contestable." He looked around the table, striving for a conversational tone that fell just short.

Victoire cut her gaze to him now; eyeing him frostily. "He was. Indisputably."

Under her icy gaze Aelius seemed to think better of correcting her. I could tell he still didn't agree though. Awkwardness seeped slowly through the table; reaching such a height that even Slughorn took note; bidding us all a hasty goodnight and shooing us out the door. Once the office door was firmly closed; all the Slytherins attending traipsed back to their common room. Minus Zabini and Victoire. Scanning the Slytherin hoard for their distinctive figures I became more and more sure that they had not headed back to their dorms.

Oblivious to my disinterest; Aelius was now complaining about our new chaser.

"I mean; give it a month- not even- give it till his first match; and I guarantee the world will not be singing Blondie's praises anymore." He scoffed, running a lazy hand through loose hair; not really requiring any response from me.

"Yeah- hey, did you see where Victoire went?"

Aelius rambled on, ignoring my question. "I mean, I got 5/5. No one is ranting on about me! But Blondie gets a 4/5 and suddenly everyone is all-"

"Aelius! Christ! He's good- you're better ok? Leave it at that. And stop calling him Blondie, yeah? He's your team mate. His name is Louis."

Aelius stood speechless for a moment; before staring sulkily at the ground. "Fine. Yeah, whatever. I didn't really care anyways-"

"Good. Now- did you see Victoire?"

He looked up at me incredulously. "Come on, Ted. She probably just ran off with her boyfriend. You do remember her boyfriend right?"

I glared at him. "Yeah- it's just- didn't they seem… off to you? Her sticking up for me in the Quidditch argument?"

He rolled his eyes dramatically. "Or it could just be her disagreeing with him. Not all couples agree on everything. Take you and Harriet for example- she thought you two were forever… and you disagreed."

I shoved his shoulder roughly; jostling him into the wall. A portrait of a fat man in wig shook his fist angrily at the two of us as Aelius scraped himself of the picture frame, smirking broadly.
"My God- shut up about Harriet! Are you ever going to let that go?"

He grinned over. "I'll let it go when the image of you anxiously appearing over my bed in the middle of the night, covered in boils; stops being funny. But I'll warn you- it's very unlikely to happen anytime soon."

Rolling my eyes, we kept up our banter until we reached the Gryffindor common room; clearing first years out of our seats and plonking down beside Craig and Alec. He glanced up at us from over his parchment.

"How was Slug Club? Was she there?"

I nodded glumly. "Left with Zabini though."

Craig eyed me sceptically. "Of course she did- he's her boyfriend Ted? I really feel you're not grasping the concept."

Alec glanced curiously between us. "Zabini? Are- are you talking about Victoire?" He stared at me open mouthed, before erupting in laughter.

"Ted you are fucking priceless! You're gonna pull his girlfriend? That is extreme man, even for you."

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The truth was it had nothing to do with Zabini. In fact this whole thing would be easier if he wasn't in the picture. It had everything to do with her; and how fucking addictive she was. The only thing I didn't understand was how I was the only one who understood how unbelievable she was. I mean, sure I knew they thought she was hot; but they didn't seem to really get it?

"Well if it's to help the Gryffindor cause- let me give you some help. She's in the duelling club. I went last year and she was one of the organiser's for the events." Alec grinned crookedly over at me as I looked over at him in surprise. That was actually quite helpful.

I quirked an eyebrow. "Is Zabini?"

Alec chuckled. "That would require him knowing one end of his wand from the other wouldn't it?"

Grinning appreciatively I wandered over to the notice boards on the other side of the room; quickly scribbling my name under the Duelling Club list.

Aelius watched me in disbelief as I returned. "Christ. You're eager aren't you?"

Alec snorted. "You know just signing up isn't enough right? You have to prove you can duel. They get idiot sign ups every year."

I slouched into my sofa; unconcerned. "Why on earth would anyone willingly sign up for the Duelling Club?" I shuddered mentally. It was waaaaay too much work.

Craig rolled his eyes dramatically, ruffling parchment around as he started a new page on his essay. "For exactly the same reasons you are dumbass. It's mostly boys who apply these days. Just to warn you- I think Harriet is in there too. Between her and Victoire- and that Ravenclaw girl..." He shrugged, his reasoning apparent. We all nodded sagely,

When I thought about it; I guess it made sense.

It explained how Harriet knew that fucking boils curse last year.