Victoire sat in a stiff backed chair an hour later staring around Professor Longbottom's office. Her eyes randomly fell on several pictures and awards on the wall; many dating as far back as twenty years. She noted—even from her seat several feet away—a photo of Longbottom about the same age she was now with several other familiar faces. Her Uncles Ron and Harry, her Aunts Hermione and Ginny and a few other people she didn't recognize. Everyone in the photo looked happy and proud; she could only assume it was taken around the time that Voldemort had fallen.

She glanced to the other side of the office. Shelves and shelves of books as well as many strange and exotic looking plants covered the wall. Some plants were being contained in a large glass case that was padlocked on the side. She was tempted to get up and have a closer look, but the last thing she wanted to do was have Professor Longbottom walk in and see her being nosy. She was already in enough trouble.

The door to the office opened and she turned; Professor Longbottom walked in with Dominique in tow. He looked preoccupied and annoyed, which was something that Victoire had never thought he could really be. He was usually so jovial and friendly with everyone; he always tended to be the calmest and fairest of the heads of houses.

However, she also happened to know that he enjoyed spending the weekends with his wife down in London. Being called back to Hogwarts to take care of unruly students couldn't have been his idea of fun.

"Have a seat, Miss Weasley," Longbottom said to Dominique as she did what she was told and sat down next to Victoire. They both glanced at each other before focusing back on him once he cleared his throat.

"I'm not going to pretend that when I received an owl from Professor McGonagall telling me I had students fighting in the common room that you two were even in my top names," he said. "Particularly you, Miss Weas—" he glanced at both girls, "Victoire. You've always been very well behaved."

She looked down at the floor.

"Now, Dominique," he continued. "I've had you in here a few times due to some altercations and outbursts, but you've never resorted to using magic on another student."

"I wouldn't have if she hadn't cast first," she muttered.

Longbottom nodded as he read off of a sheet of paper in front of him. "Yes, from what I've been told, both of you and Miss Lynch were arguing and she cast first, correct?"

They both nodded.

"And she didn't hit either of you?"

"Not at first, no, sir," Victoire said. "She missed."

"I see." He put the paper down and looked at the both of them. "Why don't you two tell me what happened next?"

Both girls looked at each other, though Victoire made a motion to speak first. "Then Colleen still had her wand pointed at both Dominique and me, so we pulled out our wands. Then Dominique and Colleen both cast a stunning spell at each other. It missed Colleen and hit Dominique."

"Yes, that is what several witnesses have said," he said as he started to scratch his head. "And then you disarmed her?"

"I did," she said. "Yes, sir."

"Then what happened?"

"Then Colleen said something and I—"

"What did she say?"

"Oh…" Victoire said, taken aback by the question as she looked at Dominique. "Um, she said something like, Dominique needs to learn to shut up. Something like that."

"And so you stunned her as well?" he asked. "Even though you had just disarmed her and knew she posed no real threat?"

Victoire didn't know what to say. She glanced down at her hands and started wringing them anxiously. "I did. Yes, sir."

"I see," he said, picking up his paper once more.

"Professor, you don't understand," Dominique said quickly.

"What don't I understand?" he asked. "Please, make me understand how I can possibly overlook a student stunning another student that they knew was unarmed?"

"She's been harassing my sister all year," Dominique said. "Some of my friends, too." She looked at Victoire. "Show him your notebook."

"Miss Weasley," Longbottom said. "If you were being harassed by another student, why didn't you come to me or any of the staff?"

"I thought I could handle it," she said quietly as she reached into her bag and pulled out her notebook. She held it out to him; he took it reluctantly. The expression on his face seemed unsure of what could possibly be in there to merit this behavior.

"It's in the beginning," Dominique offered as he started flipping through the pages. He stopped once he reached the graffiti in question. His face grew concerned. Then appalled.

"Colleen Lynch did this?"

Victoire and Dominique nodded. "And Penelope Shears."

"May I ask why she had your notebook?" he asked.

"I had been letting Natalie Young borrow it," Victoire said. "She's the one who told us for sure that it was Colleen and Penelope, but I also sort of overheard them doing it."

"I'll take this into account when I speak to Miss Lynch," he said as he shut the notebook and handed it back to Victoire. "If you don't know the charm to get that off, I would suggest seeing Professor Flitwick so that he can save your notes. That being said, as horrible as some of those things are Miss Weasley, you know that's no excuse for stunning an unarmed student...or an armed student for that matter."

"I know, sir."

"You should have come and found someone on staff about your book," he continued. "We would have handled this and only Miss Lynch and Miss Shears would be sitting here instead of the two of you."

"Yes, sir."

"Dominique," he said, turning towards her. "I'm told you're the one who instigated the argument in the first place."

"I did," she said without hesitation. "I read what she wrote about my sister and I was angry."

"Understandable," he said. "Still, there are better ways to handle this—"

"I only used magic in self defense," she interrupted. "After she came after me."

"Again, understandable." He paused. "I can't say I wouldn't have done the exact same thing. However, you're both aware that according to Professor McGonagall's rules that any use of magic in a harmful nature on another student is a punishable offense?"

Victoire nodded as Dominique stared at him apprehensively. "But I never would have used it had I not been attacked first."

"And would Miss Lynch have attacked you if you hadn't confronted her in the first place?" he asked. "Don't get me wrong girls, I do sympathize. I was put in similar positions as a kid, but there is a time and place for this sort of thing, and this isn't it. The headmistress is all too aware of this and expects a punishment doled out. Miss Lynch's may be more severe than your own, but that's for me to decide."

Dominique took a heavy breath as Longbottom turned to address Victoire first.

"Miss Weasley," he said. "You've had a spotless record until now and—given the circumstances surrounding the matter—I can see why this would have boiled to a head."

She nodded slowly, fearful of the words that were going to come out of his mouth next.

"However," he continued. "I cannot excuse you for stunning an unarmed student for a comment. I can't."

She nodded once more as he turned towards Dominique.

"And the other Miss Weasley," he said. "You shouldn't have started this argument. Had you gone to a staff member like you were supposed to, instead of taking matters into your own hands, none of this would have happened."

"Yes, sir," she said meekly.

"That being said," he continued. "Since you both can't seem to find more productive ways to spend your weekends, you'll both be serving detention for the next several Saturdays. Dominique you'll serve three for your actions. Victoire you'll serve four for yours. I'll also be writing to your parents."

Victoire sighed and almost smiled. Four Saturday detentions weren't bad. Writing lines and doing mundane tasks was easy. She had been terrified that she would have been suspended or something that was probably far worse than anything Professor Longbottom had even actually contemplated.

She looked at Dominique, expecting her to be as pleased as she was for just getting away with detention. However, Dominique looked as if she was about to cry.

"Nic, what's the matter…?" Victoire asked.

"Starting next Saturday?" Dominique asked feebly.

"Yes," he said. "The next three Saturdays."

"But Professor," she said as she moved towards the edge of her chair. "Next Saturday is the final Quidditch match for the Quidditch Cup. Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw. If we lose…"

Victoire's mouth dropped as she realized what having detention next Saturday meant for Dominique. It meant no Quidditch. No playing in the final game of the year for something she'd worked so hard on.

"I know, Miss Weasley," he said as his face softened sympathetically. "I can't make an exception though."

"But we don't have a backup Seeker," she said. "And there's no time to train one!"

He frowned as he watched her. "I'm sorry."

"Don't you want Gryffindor to win?!" she asked in a hysterical sort or way that made Victoire's heart sink.

"More than anything," he said. "But this comes straight from Professor McGonagall. I can't give you preferential treatment."

Her eyes filled with tears. Victoire couldn't remember the last time she had seen her sister cry; she knew that when she usually did, it was in complete privacy where no one could see her. She prided herself on not being a crier; rather someone who took everything in stride.

"I really am sorry," said Professor Longbottom. He looked as if he meant it.

"Professor," Victoire said. "Could I serve her detention? An extra one, or perhaps extra work?"

"That's kind of you to say, Miss Weasley. You both obviously care a great deal about each other if you're willing to get into fights and take the other's punishment as a means of sacrifice. But really, my hands are tied. I'm very sorry."

Victoire nodded as she looked back at Dominique who was trying her hardest not to let tears come. She was turning red from holding it all in.

"You're both excused," he said as Dominique suddenly stood and walked all too quickly towards the door. Victoire grabbed her bag and hustled after her. She wanted to talk to her; to say something to her to make her realize this wasn't the end of the world.

"Nic," she said as she almost had to chase her down the corridor. "Nic…"

"I don't want to talk about it," she said through a sniffle as she headed straight for the Entrance Hall.

"I know you don't, but you should," she said as she caught up to her and continued walking with her. "I'm so sorry you're going to miss your match. If I could take it all back I would. You were just sticking up for me."

"You told me not to," she said, pushing the front doors open and continuing to walk out onto the grounds. "I didn't listen. It's my own fault."

Victoire stopped and let her walk a few steps in front of her. "Well, of course it's your own fault."

Dominique also stopped abruptly and turned to glare at her. Victoire caught back up and sighed.

"Everything we do is our fault," she continued. "You're hot headed by nature, so no matter what anyone would have said you were still going to do what you did. For that reason it is your fault. That doesn't mean I wish I couldn't take it all back or take the punishment for you."

Dominique rolled her eyes and kept marching across the grounds. Victoire had to run to keep up. It wasn't until Dominique reached the lake and couldn't walk any further that she stopped. Once Victoire caught up, she was out of breath and thankful for the chance to catch it.

"Thank you for sticking up for me," Victoire finally said.

Dominique said nothing and continued to just stare straight ahead.

"You know," she continued, "for all the shit we've put each other through, I wouldn't trade you. Not for someone who does enjoy the same things I do or does like to wear clothes that actually fit them."

Dominique looked at her and rolled her eyes again. Victoire laughed.

"Days like today show me why when it comes down to it, I'm really happy you're my sister," she continued. "For all the differences, we're a lot alike. We don't like seeing the other in trouble or sad. We want to do everything we can to help them. That counts for Louis, too."

"I guess," she mumbled.

"You know it's true," Victoire said. "Look at how angry you were at Natalie for breaking Louis's heart, or at Colleen for what she's done to me? If someone hurts someone you care about, you're ruthlessly unforgiving. Probably more so than if you'd been hurt."

"But according to you that's not a good thing."

"It might not be," she said. "But it makes those of us you're loyal to know you're really there for us. I mean Nic, I'd hate to have you as an enemy."

She laughed a little.

"It's true," she said, laughing too. "How miserable would that be? Look at poor Natalie, ready to cry every time you look at her."

"You make me sound like such a horrible person."

"To the wrong person, yes," she said, "but to everyone else…" She smiled at her.

Dominique sighed. "I can't believe I'll have to miss that match. The team is going to kill me. Durrin is going to have a fit."

"I know," Victoire said as she began to frown. "And I feel like it's really my fault."

"The things I give up for you to be a good sister."

"I'll make it up to you," she said honestly as she watched her. She couldn't help but suddenly regret all the times she had been hard on her sister for her style, her big mouth, her opinionated nature. When it came down to it, she was a good people.

"Well, you can start by not telling me what to do all the time," Dominique said. "Not telling me how I should act around people, or what I should wear."

"It's just rude sometimes to be so rude to people—" Victoire began before Dominique's expression made her stop. "Alright, you're right. You're your own person. You don't need me harping on you. If you needed advice, you'd ask."

"I would."

"I just can't help it sometimes as your older sister," she said. "I know how nice you look when you're all cleaned up, and how pleasant and charming you can be when you want to be."

"I know that, too," Dominique said seriously. "But you have to remember, I'm not you, or mum for that matter. That stuff doesn't come naturally to me. I'm just me. I don't always want to be charming and I don't care if everybody likes me. The people who do like me, like me for me."

Victoire nodded as she took those words in, almost surprised that Dominique had actually said them. "Fair enough. It's going to take awhile for me to kick the habit completely though, so bear with me."

"I always do."

"I am sorry for being overbearing."

"You get used to it," Dominique said with a smile. "To that, and to you randomly flipping out about post letters, and when you…"

Victoire stopped listening to her after that. She had got caught on the mention of Ted's post letter and that debacle. For some reason, standing here with her sister and feeling almost indebted to her for what she had done, she had the sudden urge to tell her about those letters. If she knew, then maybe she'd understand why she had acted as she had that day. This was the sort of thing that people bonded over; that sisters bonded over…

"About that…" Victoire said, interrupting Dominique. "Can I tell you something? Something you can't tell anyone. Not even Louis."

Dominique stared at her curiously.

"No one," she repeated. "Not yet at least. Not until I'm sure."

"What are you…?"

"Just promise you won't tell anyone if I tell you this!"

"Fine, I promise," Dominique said, sounding confused. "Are you going to pressure me into an Unbreakable Vow or something?"

"No, nothing like that." She took a deep breath. "Alright, well about that letter. The one I freaked out on you for reading. There was a reason I was afraid you would read it."

"I assumed as much."

"It was because…" she said as her heart started to beat faster. "Well, you see I had written two."

"I saw that, too."

"The one you had grabbed was actually harmless," she continued. "Had I known that, I wouldn't have..." she sighed, "done what I did. But I didn't know that. I didn't know which one you had."

She stared at her. "What the hell are you on about?"

"Nic, I'm in love with Ted," she finally blurted out.

Dominique's face went blank for a moment, as if that clearly hadn't proceeded correctly the first time. The gears seemed to be turning though, slowly hashing things out the more she thought about it. She continued to stare at her before she finally said, "Ted Lupin?"

Victoire threw her a look. "Do you know another Ted?"

"Teddy Lupin?"

"Call him what you will, it's all the same person."

"And that other letter?"

"It basically was me telling him how I felt," she said.

Dominique continued to stare at her. Victoire wished she would say something else; something worthwhile, but all she ended up getting from her was...laughter. Apparently, this was very funny.

"Seriously? You're in love with Ted?" She laughed again. "Wow, never in a million years would I have thought you two..." She shook her head. "What does he think? Does he feel the same way? Are you two dating?"

"No. I don't know. I haven't told him."

"But that letter?"

"I never sent it," she said. "I threw it out or buried it in my trunk or something. I don't remember."

"Do you think he does?"

"I don't know," she said. "There are times where I think he might and others I don't."

"And you're in love with him?" Dominique asked. "Actual love?"

She nodded. "It's different this time. I've never felt this way about anyone. I think about him constantly." She hesitated. "I even smelled him in the Amortentia. It's almost as if it's been there for ages, I just didn't realize it."

Dominique started laughing again. "Wow. In the Amortentia? That's…" She looked away, still chuckling a little. "You know we always joked, Louis and me, but neither of us ever really thought…" She trailed off into laughter again. "Have you even thought about what Mum and Dad would say?"

"No," she said quickly. "I haven't because I've been too concerned thinking about what Ted would say. Which brings me back to reminding you that you can't tell anyone. You promised."

Dominique seemed slightly disappointed to hear this repeated. "That's no fun."

"Whit's the only other person who knows," she said, "and she hasn't told anyone yet, so you will be highly suspect if I hear someone talking about it within the next few days."

Dominique smiled. "Teddy and Victoire sitting in a tree…"

"Oh, here we go," she said as she rolled her eyes.

Dominique laughed again before she settled herself and looked out towards the lake. Both she and Victoire were silent as they watched the giant squid bob up and down out towards the center, idly enjoying itself.

"You know," Dominique said after a while. "The water always calms me down. It reminds me of home and that's a comforting thought. It's strange."

"We have that in common."

"You know what we don't have in common?" She giggled as she started humming 'Teddy and Victoire sitting in a tree' again.