Amortentia

Chapter Thirteen –Womans Opinion

"Stop!"

Teddy was taken aback as Victoire pushed hard against his chest, her eyes pooling with tears. Doing as he was told, Teddy stepped back and wiped his mouth, the air that once held such passion and electricity was now awkward. Teddy had never felt awkward around Victoire.

Oh crap, what have I done? Was all Teddy could think about as he watched Victoire who herself, watched the stone floor.

"We're best friends Teddy." She said quietly finally speaking.

"I know."

"That isn't supposed to happen!"

"I know."

"Teddy for the love of Merlin stop saying that!" her shouts bounced off the castle walls and far above them Teddy could hear Peeves making dirty jokes about a 'sticky situation' that they had just gotten themselves into. Victoire blushed hard.

"Victoire what do you want me to say?" It was now Teddy's turn to get angry as his hair started to turn black, Victoire met his glare with one of her own.

"I don't know Teddy, but what I do know is that this-"Victoire gestured between her and Teddy, "Isn't going to happen, ever."

Teddy's heart shattered and he was sure it wasn't silent about it as he felt every stab Victoire's words caused and each of Victoire's falling tears were like poison, seeping through his veins.

"Fine. I didn't want it to happen anyway."

Teddy knew he didn't believe those words, but he couldn't help himself anyway, they just slipped out. He didn't note how long they stood there looking anywhere but each other but Victoire was the one to make the first move.

"I'm going to bed. Goodnight Teddy."

Teddy stayed silent and watched as she walked away from him, slowly at first before she developed into a run; when she was finally out of sight Teddy fell against the wall, exhausted.

Why did I have to do that? I've lost her…forever.

/ - /

Teddy was running late. Not surprising how late he was up last night, and even when he'd finally managed to get back to his dorm he couldn't sleep. All he could think about was how he'd mucked things up with Victoire, and he had a lot of work to do to dig himself out of this hole he was in.

But breakfast came first so he plodded into the Great Hall in desperate need of a cup of coffee, slice of toast and a chocolate muffin. However, he didn't quite make it to the Gryffindor table…

"What the hell happened last night?"

Teddy groaned as Amy stood before, hands perched lightly on her hips her mood as feisty as her hair. Teddy shook his head.

"Not now Amy, I'm not in the mood."

He went to walk around her but she mimicked his movements getting closer to him each time.

"Eat first then we'll go for a bit of a walk." She offered to him and he shook his head again.

"I've got a lesson-"

"Me too." She said firmly. "But there are some things you need to know."

Teddy was confused as he watched the pleading in Amy's eyes, he nodded slowly and sat down at the bench watching Amy walk away. Sat at the Ravenclaw table Teddy couldn't spot Victoire, but he did see several of her friends all laughing and joking.

"Out late last night eh?" Bronx teased with a mouthful of bacon. Cody shook his head in a disapproving manner and gave Teddy a small smile.

"Could say that." Teddy muttered buttering his toast. He went heavy on the jam today, that was his comfort food.

"What did Cody's girlfriend want?" Bronx continued and Cody's ears turned red.

So he knew everything. Of course he would! Amy was a good friend but she told Cody everything, even when they were just friends. Cody flashes Teddy another small smile and Teddy zeroed in on him, suddenly Cody's breakfast looked very interesting…

"Nothing. Just a chat." Teddy replied nonchalantly.

"Ooo, Cody watch out! Teddy's trying to steal 'ya girl." Bronx elbowed Cody in the side and then stroke up a conversation with a very pretty blonde girl who Teddy didn't know.

Cody's ears turned more red and he excused himself muttering something about leaving homework in his dorm before hurrying away suspiciously quickly. Teddy turned back to his toast.

"Teddy, this is Arianna." Bronx said introducing him to the blonde girl who now blushed lightly. Her hair contrasted to her tanned skin and her large eyes were very familiar to Teddy. He'd seen that striking green before but couldn't place it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Teddy." She held her dainty hand out and he shook it smiling.

"You too Arianna."

He quickly excused himself and left the Gryffindor table, walking quickly to find out what Amy so desperately wanted to tell him.

"You're late." Amy muttered leaning against the front doors. Her arms were crossed defensively over her chest.

"Sorry, Bronx held me up."

Amy's eyes flashed just at the mention of his name and Teddy couldn't help but give a smile.

"Come on let's walk."

They walked slowly around the grounds to the back of the Quidditch stands where they could chat quietly. Neither spoke as they both settled into a stall, Teddy started to fiddle with his hair.

"So…" he started.

"What happened last night?" she questioned straight away.

"What do you mean?" Teddy said innocently, he assumed Victoire would like to act like nothing had happened.

"Victoire came back awfully upset, she wouldn't say what happened, but she cried all freaking night Teddy."

Teddy took a deep breath and made a snap decision, why shouldn't Amy know? She was his friend too.

"I kissed Victoire." He rushed out.

Amy's mouth fell open.

"And she was upset about that?" Amy's voice was amused.

"Amy it was a mistake." Teddy groaned.

"Come on Teddy, you love her and she loves you. Why did you think I left you two alone? Cody and I have been planning this forever."

"Is that what you were going to tell me?" he asked acting like he'd never heard a word of Amy's confession.

"No. What I was going to say is that Armand is the new Slytherin chaser and I've heard that you don't like him either." Amy relaxed back and put her hands behind her head. "I couldn't really say that with his sister sat next to that buffoon you call a friend."

"Arianna is Armand's sister?" Teddy asked finally realizing why he recognized those striking eyes. His mouth dropped open.

"Twin actually, but please Teddy get your hormones in check and focus!" Amy said clicking her fingers impatiently in front of Teddy's dazed expression, he blinked several times before looking back to Amy.

Amy sat close to him and took his hand in hers, she was warm and her touch was friendly.

"Teddy," she sighed. "I know you love each other, and don't you roll you eyes like that! One day you'll both notice and it'll be too late. Once it too late, nothing can be changed."

Teddy still rolled his eyes despite Amy's warning and she punched his arm hard.

"I'm dead serious!" she said firmly staring hard at Teddy, he flinched away from her gaze uncomfortable with how she could read him so well. She moved closer and wrapped a friendly arm over his shoulders when Teddy didn't speak.

"Do you want me to have a word?" she whispered softly and Teddy shook his head. His head was a mess as it was, he was a mess. He was confused, he knew he loved Victoire but there were many different types of love and he wasn't quite sure which covered his feeling for her.

"Anyway." Amy said clearing her throat and standing up. "We better get back to the castle and find some excuses for us skipping lessons." She laughed which made Teddy smile. Amy was one of the only girls who was capable of making him laugh and capable of making Bronx fearful. He couldn't imagine a better friend.

"Er, ok but before we go can I have a girls opinion?" Teddy asked nervously, running a hand through his hair.

"Ok…" Amy said hesitantly pulling her bag over her shoulders.

"Am I attractive?" Teddy asked suddenly fearing that Victoire found him unattractive.

Amy blinked before cracking up. Teddy frowned as he watched her clutch at her side and throw her head back like a demented lioness.

"Amy, please." He said crossly.

"I'm – sorry. Hahahaaa, are you seriously asking me this?" she said wiping a tear from her eyes. When she saw his single nod she struggled to just smile before nodding.

"Come on Teddy, you know you are! You're captain of the Quidditch squad, tall, muscular, kind, caring. What's not to like."

He opened his mouth to say thank you before Amy added quickly.

"But not as good as my Cody."

Teddy punched her arm friendly before they walked slowly back to the castle, ready to face the trouble they were more than likely to be in.