"Lupin! Oi LUPIN!"

Recognising the deep voice booming angrily behind me, I decided to ignore him just a little longer. Heavy footsteps pounded down the marble floor behind me. Under normal circumstances they would have been drowned out by the chatter of passing students, milling through the corridor on the way to class. But at this particular moment; conversations had conveniently quietened, students moving at a suspiciously slower pace. Hearing his footsteps draw dangerously close; I turned slowly; unable to ignore him any longer. Alec shot me a furtive look as we both turned into the furious gaze of Zabini.

"Zabini. Can I help you?" I intoned sarcastically, ignoring the slight giggles of the girls behind us. His glare intensified.

"You can tell your team to back the fuck off. Three Slytherins are in the hospital wing because of your cronies- and Clayworth was nearly one of them!"

I raised an uninterested eyebrow, exchanging a baffled glance with Alec, who smirked lightly in response.

"An unfortunate occurrence; what with the match so soon. Really though, I don't see what it has to do with me."

Zabini took a step forward, his tanned face flushed with anger. "You know exactly what it has to do with you. Don't pretend like they're not acting on your orders."

I matched his step, getting my face in his, ignoring Alec's warning glance. "Enlighten me Zabini- what would make me do a thing like that?"

The sound of more footsteps alerted us to the fact that more people were arriving on scene; the entire school seemed to come running at the prospect of a fight.

His eyes flashed furiously. "I don't know Lupin. If I had to guess; I would say it's because your newbie came running crying to you, because he couldn't handle the pressure. And then your God-complex kicked in."

I laughed humourlessly. "My God-complex- HA- that's good. A tad hypocritical from the boy who's just blocked an entire corridor to air out his emotions but still… And didn't you say it was- what- three Slytherins in the hospital wing?- it just doesn't seem to me like we're the ones who can't handle the pressure."

There was an intake of breath around the corridor as my words sunk in; the challenge clear. Everyone present knew now that there was only one way this was going.

I saw his fist coming out of the corner of my vision, and before I had even registered the impulse I was ducking fast, tackling him to the wall behind us, the jeers and chants from the students floating clean over our heads. We never even attempted to reach for our wands; both swinging wildly and hard, connecting with painful, muffled thumps. By the time we were separated, my fists were bloodied and aching, my left cheek throbbing painfully as blood dripped from my lip. Zabini looked worse though; I noted with grim satisfaction. His nose was now pumping hard and definitely broken, and his jaw had turned an ugly deep red in what was sure to bruise.

The crowd parted slightly; still chanting loudly as our respective friends pulled us apart; muttering angrily about Quidditch matches and suspensions. Alec was whispering heatedly in my ear; ordering me to cool it. I just couldn't. I kept attempting to shrug from their grips; only half listening as I watched him struggle similarly; both of us still glowering at the other.

Until through unspoken consent, the crowd parted and she was there, rushing anxiously to his side. I could hear her speaking in low rapid French as he gazed nonplussed up at her; not understanding a word. Suddenly I felt slightly sick. Shit.

I had not thought this through.

She stood up quickly; whirling around to face me; her beautiful blue eyes piercing me with undisguised contempt. I swallowed as she advanced slowly; ignoring Zabini's calls to come back.

"Vic- Vic leave it. Look we'll stop okay? I'm going."

The bell rang for class.

Not a soul moved, all of us equally entranced by her menacing advance, deaf to Zabini's more urgent calls. As she neared me; his friends let him up and he raced to her side, tugging anxiously on her hand to leave.

I watched in silence as he became more and more frantic for her to leave with him; and she more determined to stay.

She doesn't know- I realised slowly. She has no idea that for the past few weeks; he's basically been bullying her little brother. An odd feeling swept through me. Relief? Maybe. Excitement? I don't know. But I knew I had to tell her. Because from his reaction; it could only mean bad news for Zabini. Which meant good news for me.

"What is your deal Lupin?" She spat angrily, her cold eyes narrowing in distaste.

Smirking slightly over at her I did my best to supress a wince as my split lip smarted at the motion. "Why don't you ask Cass here? He knows exactly what's going on. He's just neglected to tell you."

She rolled her eyes, laughing sarcastically. "Yeah, because I'd take your word over his. Besides; everyone knows this is about you, and only you."

"About me?" I stared at her in outraged disbelief.

She smirked. "Yeah. You. Isn't everything? Bad enough that you have your pathetic minions hexing every Slytherin in a mile radius; but now you have to go and assault my boyfriend? "

I opened my mouth in shock, before closing it quickly. She was fucking unbelievable. I was defending her brother. I was the one doing her the favour- and yet I was the one being torn apart in the corridor? Meanwhile, he was the one hexing her family members- and yet he was the one being comforted and defended? She was insane!

My internal rant was interrupted by her sarcastic drawl. "Real cutting reply Lupin. Brains like that; you should be in Hufflepuff." She muttered bitchily, allowing herself be led away by a relieved looking Zabini.

I don't know why I did it.

I really don't.

I heard my voice before I even knew what I was going to say.

"Ask him why the team are jinxing Slytherins."

Their retreating backs froze in unison as Zabini turned and shot me a dirty scowl, placing a soothing hand on her shoulder. She turned to face me as well, her gaze withering, as she mockingly pretended to consider my request, blonde hair swinging softly with the motion. "No."

I laughed, my smirk now fully back in place. "Course not- what's communication in a relationship anyways? Overrated, I know. But if you don't want to ask him- ask Louis."

The crowd's attention swivelled back to Victoire as her face flitted in confusion; her eyes shooting dubiously back to her boyfriend's frozen face.

"ALRIGHT- OFF TO CLASS- GET OUT OF THE-" As Slughorn took in the tense atmosphere at the crowd's core, as well as mine and Zabini's faces, his face fell comically, plump jowls jostling at the movement.

"Teddy, my boy… What, eh… What's going on here?" His eyes glanced at Zabini uncomfortably.

I offered my best smile; heart sinking in my chest. If I didn't wing this- we were out of Quidditch this week. This was a week-long suspension from Quidditch at least; maybe even a month if it was taken into consideration that we were Captains.

"Nothing at all, Sir. Just on my way to class, actually. I'm running kind of late so I'll just-"

"Hold up, my boy. What wrong with your face? You too, Zabini."

Zabini stared blankly at him, motionless with shock. I could see the same panic in his eyes. We both did not want to miss this match.

Victoire stepped forward angelically, smiling innocently up at Slughorn. He blinked rapidly. I had a hard time focusing, myself.

"Oh Sir, isn't it obvious? We just came from Care of Magical Creatures. You know how liberal Hagrid gets with those animals. Don't embarrass them more than they have already been." She gave her tinkling laugh, tossing her head back slightly; her golden hair rippling and shimmering. For a moment the three of us collectively did not breathe- even Zabini. Surely he was used to the Veela trappings by now? Taking in his dumbstruck face; dark eyes enthralled by her face; I could see he wasn't. There was no doubt she was turning on full charm now to get us out of this; leading Slughorn away with a silky arm slinked through his; pretending to laugh at his jokes.

Well; to get Zabini out of this.

We both watched her go in silence; captivated by the sound of her voice; the way she just seemed to glide along the corridor; the-

With a jolt I realised we were alone in the corridor. Zabini seemed to come to this realisation simultaneously.

With one last furtive glare we stalked away in separate directions.

I glanced at my watch one last time, eyes scanning the ever darkening sky quickly. Sighing I turned back to the team. "Okay- that was good guys. I reckon we'll do great against the Slytherins."

The team collectively moaned at my words. "Can't we have five more minutes?"

I shook a rueful head, gesturing to my face. "McGonagall said by nightfall we had to be done and I don't think she believes this is "Care of Magical Creatures" related so, for now, we're gonna toe the line."

As they filed dejectedly away, I called after them one more time. "Anyone seen Louis?"

Gwen cocked her head back to me, calling over her shoulder as she advanced to the girl's locker rooms. "Yeah his sister dragged him from the Great Hall at lunch."

My gaze shot up as I jogged over to her, grabbing her arm lightly. "What did she want?" I questioned.

Her pale face scrunched up in momentary confusion. "How should I know? She was speaking in French. Didn't look happy though."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Louis or Victoire?"

Surprise coloured her face as she looked up at me; cocking her hip slightly. "You know his sister?"

I shook my head quickly, impatient for an answer. "No- we're in the same year is all."

She nodded slowly, her gaze flickering to a point just over my shoulder. Smirking softly, she shook her head. "Really Teddy, you don't have to lie."

Leaning in close she whispered in my ear. "I'll still like you even if you have Slytherin friends."

Watching her go in shocked silence I was now thoroughly convinced she was flirting with me. Aelius was right- I needed to sort it out. But how? I couldn't tell her outright I didn't want to be with her- maybe if I-

"Lupin? A word please?"

I spun around as if electrified.

Victoire slid easily up off the wall she'd be resting against, pulling herself upright. Her willowy frame stood directly under one of the floodlights, casting her in a weird ethereal glow. I swallowed.

"Yeah. I guess." I approached warily, as she waited silently by the wall of the changing room.

"Team is looking good."

I nodded in silent thanks. Glancing behind her to see the entire team pressed to the window in an effort to hear; she narrowed her eyes slightly, motioning for me to walk with her. I obliged.

Once we were far enough away from the Quidditch pitch that she seemed to be satisfied, she turned slowly to me.

"I want to know everything. Louis is being less than forthcoming and Cass… I can't really trust him to tell me the truth right now. And that only leaves you." She raised reluctant eyes to me, her jaw jutting in defiance.

I nodded curtly. "What do you want to know?"

Her eyes opened fractionally in surprise but she kept her composure. "When did it start?"

I ran a tired hand through my hair. "He only came to me a week or two ago. But it had started before that. Pretty much since he made the team."

She nodded, her eyes downcast as she took in the news. "What- What exactly-"

"Trip-jinxes, exploding cauldrons, bag ripping- that's what he reported to me at least. But you know Louis; I doubt it was the actual jinxes that got him down. More probably the embarrassment of it happening in public. And he was too nice to take care of it alone so we-"

She looked up at me with a slight smirk. "-Took care of it for him; I know. Believe me I know."

Silence fell again.

"Thank you."

We both stilled again as she spoke the words, quietly and softly but full of meaning. I looked down at her as she seemed to hesitate for a minute; before reaching up on her tip-toes and placing her soft lips against my cheek. She smiled a little, pulling away.

"Really; thank you."

Speechless, I just nodded in return. Come on Teddy- think of something to say! THINK OF SOMETHING TO SAY!

She began walking again and I eagerly followed suit.

"There is one more thing I want from you."

I smirked. "I'll bet there is."

She laughed openly, her eyes dancing as her slight shoulders shook with the movement. My heart beat leapt erratically.

"No. Actually… I want names."

I quirked an eyebrow; taken aback. "Names? Of the Slytherins? I don't know if that's such a good idea, I mean, we already-"

She raised a hand; holding me silent with her sheer force of will.
"You've handled it in your own way, I know, and I'm grateful. But Louis is my brother- I want to make sure that not only does it stop- but that it never happens again. You can trust me to handle this."

I shook my head reluctantly. Pre- match hazing had happened for years; and yeah maybe not on this level before, or so targeted at a specific player; and maybe not when the chosen player had family in Slytherin house- but… still.

She sighed. "I know you don't understand it and it's not your fault- it's because you're a Gryffindor. You stay up all night braiding each other's hair; swapping secrets and singing songs about loyalty and friendship- but that isn't how it happens in Slytherin."

Ignoring her mocking of Gryffindor, I decided to let her finish. She took a hesitant step forward, nibbling her lip anxiously. Once again her scent was floating all around me; I couldn't breathe but inhale it; suddenly light headed.

"I worry that Louis was only targeted because of me. The only player with a relative in Slytherin is the only one hazed? I know you don't think it's a coincidence either. You're not an idiot."

Pausing for a moment I debated internally. She was right to an extent. I very much doubted that whoever was targeting Louis was oblivious to who his sister was. Which meant that even though they might not have picked on him because of Victoire; the threat of her reaction was not enough to stop them.

She stepped closer again; placing a soft hand on my shoulder; her breathe grazing my cheek.

"Please Teddy."

Numbly; I registered that it was the first time she had used my actual name. Secondly; that she was close; much too close

"It depends on what you're going to do."

She smirked lightly. "I'm going to make sure it stops."

I frowned down at her. "We've already done that."

"No. You haven't. You've postponed it."

Laughing incredulously, I stared down at her in disbelief.

She looked up at me uncomfortably. "You don't get it- why does nobody get it? It's a Slytherin thing, okay? Just- just trust me. You need to tell me."

Sighing internally I knew I was already defeated. I would tell her whatever she wanted to know.

"Okay. Okay. The guys had reservations about hexing one of them…"

She quirked an arched eyebrow, pressing lightly. "Reservations?"

Nodding quickly, I offered her a crooked grin. "She's a girl."

Victoire's face contorted; momentarily clouding over in outrage but then smoothing out calmly.

"A girl? That's fitting then. Do I know her?" She wheedled quietly.

I shrugged. "Bursnell?"

Her face blanked. "Bursnell? As in Clemence- Clemence Bursnell? You're fucking kidding me? You have got to be kidding me!"

She ran a quick hand through her long hair as she scowled furiously back at the castle. Grabbing her hand I pulled her back. "So you do know her?"

Breathing heavily she glared over at me. "Yeah- yeah I do. I have to go. But I'm going to take care of this- trust me."

She turned on her heel; storming back to the castle. I watched her go; slightly bemused. I knew one thing.

I did not want to be Bursnell when she reached the Slytherin dungeons.