Chapter 7 – Weasley Family Lunch

It was the perfect summer's day – the kind of day that fills a person with happiness from deep within their core to the very tips of their fingers. Teddy Lupin was no exception to this amazing feeling. As he stood in front of his grandmother's full length mirror, approving his appearance, although he was alone in the house, he felt like he had the support of every single person who had ever been in love. Any minute now he would be apparating to Shell Cottage for their annual family lunch.

Teddy wasn't technically part of the Weasley-Potter family, but he was welcomed as though he were one. Having such a large family meant that it was difficult for the Weasleys to find many times when they were all available, so they agreed to have a Sunday lunch in the summer holidays where everybody would meet up every year. It was held at a different house every year, and this year it was at Bill and Fleur's.

They were all going to be there – Molly, Arthur, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy, Audrey, George, Angelina, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Dominique, Molly, Fred, Lucy, Roxanne, Louis, James, Rose, Albus, Hugo, Lily, and, of course, Victoire. Neville and his wife, Hannah, Luna, her husband, Rolf, and their two sons, Lorcan and Lysander were always invited as well, along with Teddy and Kingsley Shacklebolt, if he didn't have important Ministry business to attend to.

It was great fun hanging out with Harry and his family the day before, but he was slightly nervous about seeing Victoire again. What if she'd made a mistake and she didn't really feel for him the way he was sure he felt for her?

Teddy gritted his teeth firmly. There was a kind of magic between the two of them that no great wizard could recreate. Not even Amortentia could equal the love he felt for Victoire, and the love he hoped she felt for him too.

With that in mind, he apparated to Shell Cottage, and stumbled forward as the bright sunlight dazzled his eyes. He was stood outside the front door, but hearing a chatter of voices from the garden, he strode straight round the back, straightening the shirt he was wearing.

Before he had a chance to take in his surroundings he was ferociously ambushed by the Potter children.

"Teddy!" Lily screamed, leaping onto his back, as James and Albus tackled his legs. With a roar of laughter he came crashing to the ground, ruffling their hair fondly. He could hear Ginny shouting at them distantly. He had to shield his eyes as the sun was shining directly above him, but suddenly a shadow loomed over him and he slowly lowered his hand.

Victoire was peering down at him, with the sun outlining her head like a halo. She looked more angelic than ever, and as Teddy lay there, taking a deep breath, he never wanted that moment to end.

"Hi, Teddy," she said coyly, a smile playing on her lips. He hoisted himself up onto his arms, lost for words. She extended a hand and he took it gratefully. When they touched it was like two puzzle pieces fitting together perfectly.

Once he was stood up, Teddy took her other hand, and the young couple didn't speak a word. He pressed his forehead to hers and they smiled at each other playfully, their eyes twinkling. A light breeze tousled Victoire's hair, enveloping Teddy with her beautiful scent. He had that same urge to kiss her, but just as he was about to get lost in the moment, a confused voice piped up behind him.

"Err, Teddy," James said. Teddy dropped Victoire's hands immediately and turned to find three baffled faces staring up at him. He coughed awkwardly, whilst Victoire smirked by his side.

"I've got to go help out my parents," she apologised. "Bye, Teddy." There was no denying the flirtatious lilt of her voice, especially when she accompanied it with such an obvious wink. Teddy just smiled in a sickeningly love-struck way, watching her as she walked off into the house.

James coughed loudly, snapping Teddy out of his daze. He smiled sheepishly at their confused faces.

As everybody else began to arrive, Teddy had to mingle and catch up with everybody's news, but all he really wanted to do was hang out with Victoire. Although that was practically an impossible task. Fleur had her, Dominique, and Louis running around nonstop, as was the custom for the host family.

After a few hours of having to amuse the hordes of younger children, and talking socially with the adults, Teddy felt a firm hand grasp his arm and yank him into the house. "Victoire," he grinned.

"I'm so sorry, Teddy," she apologised. "I'm all yours now."

Teddy twisted a strand of her golden hair around his finger. "I'm glad to hear it. You look beautiful by the way."

Victoire blushed. Taking his hand, she led him upstairs to her room. All the times he had been in there over the years he had never felt so nervous. The first thing Teddy noticed was a pale blue teddy bear lying on her floor. He picked it up tenderly. "Is this –?" he asked, bemused.

She smiled at him. "It sure is."

"I can't believe you still have it," he said, stroking the soft, faded fur of the bear. This had been his first teddy bear, given to him by his grandmother when he was just a few weeks old. One day Victoire was round their house, as she so frequently was, but she'd kicked up a mighty fuss, refusing to leave because of her connection to Teddy. Although he did so regretfully at first, Teddy offered Victoire his teddy bear so that she could always have her 'Teddy' with her, even if he wasn't there in person. And she'd had it ever since.

"I believe these are yours," she said, handing him the pile of clothes he had leant her, bringing him back to the present. He smiled at her gratefully, reminiscing about that wonderful night, and placing the old teddy on the floor.

"Thanks. I'm glad they fit you."

"I especially like the boxers," she said, leaning in with a mischievous grin. This time it was Teddy's turn to blush. "But if you don't mind, I think I'll keep them," she whispered in his ear. And then she kissed him.

It was a proper, passionate kiss, and the old feelings of fireworks and giddiness returned to Teddy's stomach.

Although he really, really, didn't want to, Teddy pulled away. Victoire stared at him in confusion, looking fairly offended. "Victoire," he said seriously. "What's going on between us? I need to know. I mean, are we just friends messing around, or are we, you know... in love?"

He immediately regretted asking this. Why did he always have to ruin a perfect moment? And wasn't it far too soon to even be thinking the 'L word,' let alone actually saying it? He certainly knew how he felt, but what if voicing this to Victoire just scared her?

Victoire blinked, choosing her words carefully, before answering in an equally serious voice. "I love you, Teddy," She said simply. "I always have and I always will. You've always been my best friend, and you still are, and when we're together everything just seems right – like the world is in perfect harmony. We bring out the best in each other and I don't ever want to lose you."

A single tear slid down from her eye and Teddy embraced her lovingly. "But if you don't want to be with me then I understand. Whatever happens there will always be a place in my heart for you."

"That's not what I want at all," Teddy said softly. "I will love you forever, Victoire Weasley. You're the only person that knows me better than myself. You have to understand that I could never live without you – you're the best thing in my life."

She smiled a watery grin and he stroked her cheek, affectionately wiping away the tear with his thumb. She glanced at the door shiftily before speaking in a low voice. "You know, everybody's kind of busy outside, and nobody ever comes in my room," she said suggestively.

Teddy raised his eyebrows, shocked with the idea of what she was suggesting. "Seriously?" he asked. "Whilst your entire family is sat right outside your house?"

She bit her lip and nodded. Teddy didn't have any time to consider the consequences or responsibilities – she made a fair point. He wanted this, she wanted this, so what did they have to lose? Victoire would be whisked off to Hogwarts next month and they might not get another chance any time soon. "Alright then," he told her. "On one condition."

"Anything," she promised.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked, feeling highly embarrassed. "I mean, well, are we an official couple now, or what?"

She laughed her adorable little giggle. It was like sweet, beautiful music. "I thought you'd never ask. Whatever you want, I'm yours. Forever," she vowed.

Not wasting another moment, the young lovers got to work. Victoire recited the same spell she had the first night they'd admitted their true feelings. Teddy felt that familiar pang of guilt as they lay down on Victoire's bed. Now they were going to violate her innocent childhood room as well.

The nerves seemed to mess with his head, distracting him. He kept hearing unreal noises, like footsteps on the stairs, or someone tapping on the door calling Victoire's name, or the creak as a door was opened...

"TEDDY, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?"