Second chapter. Just a clean end to this little story (: I don't own anything

Teddy,

My parents didn't kill me for hiding us. It was maddening just sitting there but in the end. They invited you for lunch. Er noon? And dress sort of nice...

Love,
Victoire.

When Esmerelda flew to Teddy's sitting room window he was fast asleep, his drool plastering his cheek to his book page. He had been studying for his first potions exam for auror training when he had merely laid his head down on the book for just a moment. Well that moment was three hours before. The snowy white owl pecked agitatedly on his window, she could tell by Victoire's haste that this letter was very important.

"Mm. Later Tor." He mumbled with a sleepy smile, his eyes still closed. Esmerelda continued to peck the thin sheet of glass and glared at him. The owl circled the small London flat several times before discovering a partly open window leading into his kitchen. She flew directly at him and began to peck at his hand, creating several small gashes. "OUCH!" He leaped up, holding his hand.

"Esmerelda! What the bloody hell are you doing?!" He exclaimed and the owl zoomed at him once more, dropping the small letter on his oak desk. "About time." He mumbled, he was exhausted from training and was more than a little agitated, especially since he hadn't heard from Victoire after he had sent his warning letter.

He read the letter a few times to comprehend what was written, his gaze was still a little fuzzy and finally he dropped it back onto the desk. "Great..." He mumbled. Then he realized the small problem with meeting Mr. and Mrs. Weasley as Victoire's boyfriend.

His potions exam! He groaned and raked his hands through his hair. Great. He thought bitterly. He kicked over his stool and grabbed his book, there was no sense in failing the exam atop everything else.

Tor,

I have my first potions exam in the morning but I'll figure it out. I promise.

I love you,
Teddy

He sent the letter off with Esmerelda in addition to giving the bird an eeylops owl treat. He reread the section on the draught of living death before throwing open his curtains to wake up with the sun that morning. He climbed into bed and closed his eyes, praying for anything but tomorrow to come. It would be a nightmare.

Once the twinkle of the sun fell upon his bed with the tiniest of silences, Teddy threw off the covers and showered seconds later. He dried and grabbed his dark blue robes and materials. He apparated to the Auror training institute that he spent nearly all his time at by 9:08.

"Mr. Lupin. I didn't expect to see you here so early." His hippo-like instructor looked at him over her glasses from where she sat in her office. Madam Marru was nearly as wide (and appeared to have as much common sense) as a hippopotamus but was truly one of the most brilliant potion makers he had ever met.

"Yes Madam Marru I know." He began hesitantly. He knew it would take an outrageous bit of flattery to get her to give him her exam earlier than the other students. "I-I was hoping, that a witch as kind and brilliant as you would take pity on me." He bit his tongue, waiting for her to look at him. She did not do so.

"I was wondering if I could take my exam now." She laughed mirthlessly.

"So you can tell the other students what I have you concoct here? I think not Mr. Lupin." She turned her paper idly.

"Please Madam. Change it for me. Give me a harder potion." He begged.

"You really want this don't you Ted." It wasn't a question really but Teddy held his breath and nodded nonetheless. "Oh fine. But it will be harder. Much harder." She warned him and he nodded ecstatically. "I would like you to brew me a memory potion. He swallowed with a numb nod.

"Here?"

"Here." She repeated and he nodded.

"Anything to get me to the Weasleys..." He breathed and turned a page in the one book they were allowed during the exam, as it was mandatory to carry as an auror anyway. He pulled up his cauldron onto the table and started a flame beneath it. An hour later, Madam Marru heaved herself out of the chair and gazed down at the simmering silver liquid in his cauldron and he couldn't read the expression on her face.

"Six counter clockwise turns, stopping 3/4 of the way there for three seconds." He mumbled to himself, pausing. He continued to stir, then adding in the Jobberknoll feathers. His mind wandered to Victioire at one point as he thought about the last time he had been this nervous brewing a potion for so long. It was his N.E.W.T. potions final of course. That exam had felt like it had taken years, and afterwards he and Victoire had spent the evening downing butterbeers and playing Wizards Chess.

He then wondered what it would be like to see her after four agonizing months, would he be able to stop himself from wrapping her up into his arms the moment their eyes met? He wasn't sure. He looked over at his instructor. He was sure he'd seen a smile on her face.

"I-I'm done ma'am." He held his cauldron carefully and she looked up at him.

"Fill a flask with it please. And leave it on my desk. Yes there you are. Thank you Mr. Lupin." Teddy nodded and wiped his brow. He didn't realize how profusely he had been sweating while making the potion, it had been incredibly difficult and if he hadn't done it perfect or nearly so, his auror career would end before it started.

He checked his watch; it was 11:47 and he cursed. He just had to find a safe apparition point which was difficult to do on a cold street packed with muggles. Six minutes later, he ducked into an alley and turned on the spot, landing at the end of the road where the Weasleys lived. He checked his watch, 11:54. The face of the clock seemed to taunt him as he ran, feeling himself sweat even in the cool winter air.

He performed a cooling charm on his body and swapped out the blue robes he had to wear at the institute. Instead he wore a nicely pressed set of bottle green robes. He could see Shell Cottage growing larger as he ran, staying cool only from the charm.

"Teddy!" Victoire exclaimed, she looked more beautiful than he remembered. He took a deep breath of salty air, he forgot the cottage was right on the water, and his feet crunched in the snow.

"Victoire." He breathed and reached for her hands, dying to kiss her but suddenly the door swung open and he relinquished his hold on her, turning to face her intimidating father.

"Hello Sir." He hoped he didn't sound as exhausted as he felt. A flicker of a smile appeared on Bill's face and Teddy silently breathed a sigh of relief

"Ted. None of this sir business. You've known me since the day you were an infant son, you can call me Mr. Weasley, or even Bill if you please." Victoire's eyes widened behind her father and Teddy did his best not to mimic her.

"Yes Teddy. Come 'ere! It seems like just yesterday you and Victoire were playing Gobstones in this very yard!" Fleur stepped forwards to hug him, wearing stunning robes of a light purple. Teddy smiled and returned the hug rather dazedly. "Come een. It is frigid out 'ere!" Fleur exclaimed and they turned to enter the cozy cottage.

Fleur and Victoire began to set out a delicious looking lunch and Dominique and Louis traipsed down the stairs, talking, until they saw Teddy. "Teddy!" The twleve year old Louis exclaimed and ran over to Teddy, hugging him. "You owe me a game of chess!" He reminded him and Teddy laughed and nodded.

"Sure Louis. After lunch." He promised him and offered to help set up the plates but Fleur would have nothing of it.

"No no Teddy. You are our guest." She smiled gorgeously at him and he grinned stupidly.

"Alright." They were just about ready to eat moments later anyway.

"This looks wonderful Mrs. Weasley." Fleur beamed at him and heaped some potatoes onto his plate.

"So how is auror training going?" Bill asked suddenly and Victoire looked up, awaiting Teddy's response.

"Er it's going great Mr. Weasley." He swallowed his green beans. "I just came from taking my first potions exam actually." He continued conversationally.

"Well, that's exciting. And what did your instructor 'ave you whip up today?"

"A memory potion. Dreadfully difficult you see." He dug into his steak and kidney pie. "This is delicious Mrs. Weasley." He complimented her and she beamed.

"You say you came directly here eh? Victoire, you could have told young Mr. Lupin here that we could have rescheduled lunch so he could have had more time to finish that particularly tricky potion." But before Victoire could speak, Teddy took the heat.

"I didn't need any more time!" He insisted and even Dominique turned to look at him, he hadn't realized he'd raised his voice slightly. "Oh Merlin. I'm sorry. I just meant that, Victoire offered to speak to you two so we could reschedule but I wouldn't hear of it." He smiled charmingly. "Two and a half hours more than enough time to brew it." He promised and Fleur seemed to buy his story.

"Louis, Dominique, please go upstairs before dessert." Bill directed his two youngest children and Dominique looked as though she wanted to stay but her brother dragged her upstairs. "Teddy, would you like some coffee?" Normally Teddy wasn't fond of the bitter drink but accepted a cup anyway.

"Let's sit in here." Fleur suggested and Victoire moved to her boyfriend's side as they sat on the loveseat, Fleur and Bill across from them. "Relax Teddy. You are not on trial." Fleur reminded him with a twinkling laugh. He relaxed slightly so his back touched the back of the seat but was far from slouching.

"So you like Victoire mm?" Bill asked briskly, taking a large gulp of coffee.

"I love her Mr. Weasly." Teddy crossed his fingers and Victoire shifted beside him.

"Love..." Bill seemed to be dissecting the word as he said it. "Seven months and you're in love...Interesting." Teddy's heart thudded against his chest so loudly in his ears he was afraid that everyone else could hear it too.

"Bugger!" A small voice hissed from somewhere above them.

"I have your stock of extendable ears." Bill called up to his children and two scowling faces appeared between the bars to the railing on the landing. "Victoire, you love Teddy." His oldest daughter nodded nervously. "How do you know?" Both Teddy and Victoire looked at each other. Victoire looked a little clammy, as though this small interrogation with her father was making her sick, while Teddy had a look of determination on his face.

"Whenever I see Teddy, it's like my hearts constantly skipping a beat." Victoire spoke up and looked at Teddy, her slight glow beginning to sparkle arond her. "And I always want to be with him. He makes me feel safe, he protects me. And whenever he looks at me, his whole face lights up, he makes me laugh, he's responsible. I just." She faltered. "Papa. I love him!" She exclaimed, her heart racing.

Teddy reached for her hand and squeezed it.

"Bill..." Fleur spoke up, laying a hand on her husband's arm and he looked at her. "She eez in love. Look at your daughter." Victoire was simply radiant by now and Teddy seemed to have shifted even closer to her.

"I know she is." He stood up. "Teddy, I said this to Victoire yesterday but I'll gladly repeat myself. You are intelligent, you have a bright future ahead of you, you're constantly respectful, and I trust you. And that's the kind of man I would want my daughter dating." Bill took another sip of his coffee and Teddy hastily drank some of his own even though it was now cold.

"Thank you..." Teddy looked at Victoire's parents.

"Kids you can come down." Bill called up to Dominique and Louis who stumbled down the stairs for dessert.

Victoire and Teddy stared at eachother for what felt like an eternity. "Come help me outside..." Victoire dazedly reached for Teddy's hand and led him out into the yard.