Author's Note: Okay there's a slightly different format to this; just to start explaining some things to you guys! everything will become clearer as more is revealed (aka the "why is Vic not close to her family or Teddy debacle etc as well as the Bursnell drama which, believe me- escalates. I should know. I made it up heehee!) but back on track- everything in BOLD (bar this obvs) is a flashback. Flashbacks are told in third person cus it was just easier and I'm lazy. That's all for now! enjoy! ;)

A single stream of light had worked it's way through the narrow slit in my emerald curtains; carefully sealed around me but for this one, irksome gap. Opening an eye blearily, I squinted as the sunlight illuminated a small line across my pillow, coming to an end in my direct line of vision; blinding me. Rolling over in a huff; I attempted to get back to sleep; scrunching my eyes shut in determination. My drunken stupor had already worn off; I was feeling more sober and pained by the second. I needed to get back to sleep. Then I would wake feeling rested and fresh, instead of the mountain troll I currently resembled.

But life, it seemed; had other intentions.

The regular hum of motion and conversation from the dormitory steps seemed louder than usual, I noted sleepily. Had I slept in? Was it later than I thought? Unfortunately checking the time would require my leaving this bed; or at least opening the curtains to glance at my watch. Neither of which were particularly appealing options given the fact that none of my roommates even knew I was present. Sneaking in under the shield of the invisibility cloak had seemed much more appealing in my state of drunken disarray. Loathe though I was to face their questions last night; they would have been a dam sight easier to deflect than the stream of queries that would need explanations this morning. Foremost among them; how on earth I had managed to sneak into a dormitory full of nosey girls- unseen and undetected.

Suddenly the noise reached a new heightened level; the commotion coming from right outside the door. I fell still; straining my ears to hear exactly what was going on outside. Despite being exhausted and grumpy; I was first and foremost, nosy as hell. In my sleep deprived state I could make out a boy's voice. And then a girl's.

"I don't give a fuck if you want to see her Cass- this is a girl's dorm! And I can guarantee; if she wanted to see you- you'd know about it!"

"Fine- just tell her I'm out here- I don't want to see your dorm Booth! Go on- go tell-"

"I am not your fucking messenger owl! I don't have to-"

"Well if she's in there- I don't see the problem! The door is right behind you Booth!"

"So we're back to Booth again are we Zabini? I amn't doing shit for you if-"

"I don't care if you open the door for me or not! I am going in though! You can't just hide my girlfriend from me! If she's in there; then I-"

"What do you mean if she's in there? If you don't think she's in there then what is all this about?!"

"All I know is; I waited up all fucking night and she did not come through that common room! And it's not like she has an abundance of friends in other houses-"

"She has family in other houses you dumbass! And she is in fact; of age, and perfectly entitled to move about the castle without reporting it to you."

"So she isn't in there then? Is that what you're saying?"

"Did you hear me say that?"

I wrenched the door open in one angry motion. Standing in the doorway with tousled hair; narrowed, puffy eyes and pyjamas that were slightly askew; I glowered forcefully at the two standing outside my door; both eyeing me in muted shock, frozen mid argument.

"Shut up. People are trying to sleep." I hissed; directing the brunt of my hostility to the boy. His dark hair was falling in loose curls around his face, his expression bewildered as he eyed the door behind me uncertainly; clearly trying to ascertain how on earth I could physically have appeared in front of him.

"Vic… what… You slept- you slept here last night?"

In a past life; maybe one where he hadn't been such a raging asshole to me last night; I would have felt slightly sorry for the lost boy in front of me. Maybe even pitied him. I spared a glance for Lys; who stood in silence beside him; apparently equally flabbergasted, but she at least had the good sense to stay silent. Her almond eyes narrowed in suspicion as my gaze met hers. She was not fooled.

"Of course I slept here. I would still be sleeping here if you weren't determined to ruin my morning as well as my night."

Holding the door slightly further open; I allowed Lys to slink past me into our dorm. She tactfully withdrew to her side of the room; plonking down onto her bed and pretending to read some magazine, leaving me to deal with the pouting sixth year at our door.

"Vic- we need to talk. About last night- I-"

"I don't want to talk to you."

He floundered momentarily. "What- look; don't you think that's a bit childish? We have to talk eventually."

Surveying him stonily; I tilted my head. "Do we? I can't imagine what else you could possibly have to say."

He sighed heavily. "Please Vic. Can we just talk?"

Hesitating for a moment before closing the door; I fixed him with a tired expression. "Fine- lunch. I'll be in Binn's room." The door snapped shut in his face before I'd even waited for a response. I met Lys's eyes as we both listened to the fading of Cass's footsteps down the stairs.

"Where the fuck were you?" She exclaimed.

"Oh my god."

"I know. And I'm going to have to figure out how to give it back too- I mean, how awkward. Everything that was said last night was fine- you know; while we were drunk and it was dark- but in the cold, sober light of day- I mean, Christ- I was crying!"

"Do you though- have to give it back I mean? We could-"

"Lys. I'm not even responding to that."

"Alright. But… Oh my god. I knew he fancied you. Let the record show, that I spotted it first."

"Oh, shut up. This proves nothing except he's not the complete mountain troll we originally thought he was. Nothing more."

She eyed me sceptically from her perch on the end of my bed; lowering her voice as more footsteps passed outside the door, girlish chatter floating in from the staircase. "Come on- Vic. Don't make that face."

"What face?" I glanced innocently down at her; pausing my mindless flicking of her magazine; lying innocuously on my folded legs. Witch Weekly really was a drivelling rag of a magazine. The people in it weren't even that pretty.

She glared at me. "The -this-is-not-up-for-discussion face. It's totally- stop it."

I sighed in frustration. "Look- it's completely irrelevant. I don't think he likes me. I'll admit that he's… not as abominable as I had thought him, but it doesn't make any difference. I at least, don't fancy him- and- we can't be friends."

Lys raised a bored eyebrow in response. "Because he's a Gryffindor? Really Vic? Your whole family-"

I tossed the magazine over at her; done pretending to find it's vapid articles interesting. "No- because of Cass. As well you know. Speaking of- can we please move on to what on earth I'm going to say to him?"

She opened the cover; looking curiously up at me from her foetal position at the end of my bed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ears. "Why does he hate Lupin so much?"

I squirmed uncomfortably; avoiding her gaze. "He… doesn't. He's just- you know what he's like. Bit jealous of everyone. And Lupin is good-looking, I suppose. Now-"

She frowned. "That's not it though. Come on Vic, I can tell when you're lying. Just tell me- you can trust me."

I rolled onto my side; grunting. "Fine. It's not… He hasn't ever said this to me; but I just kind of… guessed. It's… you know about his parent's yeah?"

She frowned; quizzical. "Cass's or Teddy's? Teddy's parents were murdered right? By you-know-who."

I nodded, silent for a moment as I fiddled with my blanket cover. "Yeah. And well… Cass grew up without his parents as well."

She nodded; the ghost of a frown creasing her forehead. "Not really the same thing though is it? Teddy's parents are dead."

I cast my gaze on the sheets; not willing to meet her eyes as my voice softened considerably. "In some ways they're lucky."

Her mouth fell open.

"I don't mean that they're lucky- but that… there are things worse than death. If I had to choose between Teddy's lot and Cass's…"

She chewed her lip, trying to understand. I could tell she was struggling with the notion of sympathy for Cass's lot though. And who could blame her? It wasn't a side of the conflict often considered. "I guess I see your point but… they aren't in there for something they didn't do. You get that right? They were Death Eaters, Vic." Her voice had lowered to just above a whisper; the gravity of this conversation not lost upon her. In our house, you couldn't throw a stone without hitting someone who's family had at least one suspected Death Eater. It wasn't a taboo subject- just not one that pleasant to discuss.

Both of us sat a little stiffer; unable to maintain eye contact for too long.

"I know- God- I mean; Lys- I totally get that. They deserve Azkaban. I'm just… did Cass? I mean- did he deserve to grow up without parents? Does any kid? And… he knows they aren't dead. He knows that they're still… out there. Strangers he never got to meet; in pain; alone. That can't be easy."

When I looked up; Lys's eyes had softened. She reached one hand over to mine; gripping it firmly. I swallowed, continuing.

"I think… I think he blames Lupin. Obviously not directly but… I think he sees Lupin as having everything he could have had. They both grew up without parents; but Lupin has people's sympathy; their admiration. He knows his parents were something to be proud of. I think Cass envies that. And then he feels guilty for being ashamed of his parents; but at the same time, weak for missing them and conflicted about caring for them."

Lys remained silent; impassive as I grew steadily more flustered; anxious to make her understand- I wasn't a Death Eater sympathiser- and I wasn't agreeing with Cass- just… explaining it. Poorly.

"I think he hates Lupin because he sees him as having life pretty easy. At least, much easier than he has it. And the cherry on the cake is that Lupin's parents were aurors, which means that they won. Their kind put Cass's parents in Azkaban; left him orphaned."

Their kind… and mine.

The words hung unspoken as Lys leaned in closer; her tone now dropped to an urgent whisper. "You don't think he actually thinks like that do you? That- them/us divide? It's history, Vic. And it's... dangerous."

I gave her a calculating look. "I don't know. Maybe I'm reading into things. It's just… comments he's made now and then."

And I'm supposed to - what? Be happy and understanding that you've fucked me over to help that asshole get yet another thing he does not deserve!?

The words sprang up in my mind's eye; unbidden and unsolicited.

I shrugged; shaking off my gloom. "Yeah- I definitely am. Forget it okay?"

She squeezed my hand again. "Vic-"

"Forget it." More firmly this time.

"Victoire- mon dieu- how 'ave you already ruined your 'air?" Fleur's hands swept pale, blonde wisps from her daughter's face; artfully placing them back into a simple braid. Leaving one, lingering hand on her soft cheek, she smiled down at her; a mirror image of herself in her youth, with just a trace of Bill in her quick smile and tall, willowy frame. "There."

Her daughter scowled up at her, huffing impatiently. "It was fine to begin with. Come on- we're going to be late. I can't miss the train."

"Victoire- careful or you'll ruin your lovely, new dress too!"

Fleur watched her daughter storm ahead for a moment. Whatever had gotten into her quiet daughter over this summer break showed no signs of dissipating on her return to school. She was as demanding and sarcastic as she had been the day she first returned to Shell Cottage. Only now with one noticeable difference.

She looked much better.

When Victoire had come to her; wanting to visit France, play dress up; go shopping; fix her hair- Fleur had been excited. Over the moon in fact. Bill had laughed for days at the two of them cooing over magazines; flooing to Diagon Alley; planning their trip to France- all of Fleur's dreams come true in one. Not to say Victoire hadn't been a model daughter before- she was. Good grades; clean and neat; polite and modest. But she had never shared Fleur's passion for pretty things.

It had been the one thing mother and daughter had never seen eye to eye on. Fleur would buy Victoire dress after dress; only to see them grow dusty in her wardrobe. She would constantly offer to comb her hair or let her try out her make up- only to be politely declined. The few times Victoire had acquiesced (on her father's insistence, Fleur suspected) she met her mother's enthusiasms with only half-hearted smiles and poorly disguised boredom.

It hadn't been successful.

But now; after a summer in France together- just the two of them and Gabrielle; Fleur finally had the relationship she had dreamed of since the day they knew she was carrying a baby girl. Only she wasn't quite sure who- or what- she had to thank.

Bill had shrugged it off- dismissing it as "women" or, if he was more truthful- "Veela women". At any rate, he was confident it was just the dreaded teenage phase; and said as much to his worried wife. She was less sure though. Call it woman's intuition- but a mother knows. And Fleur knew something was up with her daughter.

When Victoire reached Platform nine and three quarters; her mother and siblings somewhere in tow; she paused for just a moment. She could feel the gazes of her classmates shift almost subconsciously to her and she supressed a smirk. It was everything she hoped it would be. Liberating; finally stepping out from under the shadow of Clemence and being recognised for her own worth.

There's another reason they could be staring at you; a voice whispered maliciously, knots clenching uncomfortably in the depths of her stomach. No, she reassured herself. No one remembers. No one. Catching the gaze of a good looking boy across the platform; he quickly averted his eyes.

They're staring because you're Veela, she whispered to herself. You're Veela- and you better fucking own it. Stepping forward confidently (or at least with all the appearances of it), she flipped back her hair, moving gracefully down the Platform.

It truly seemed in that slow walk down the Platform, that the eyes of the entire student body was watching her. Doubt began to prickle through her veneers of confidence. Somewhere in that crowd of students; Clemence was watching. What would her reaction be? Shock? Laughter? Indifference? Anger? Regret?

Maybe not yet.

Pausing in her musings to lift her trunk on the train; a voice called her back to the present.

"Want some help with that?"

The voice cut through her; shock numbing her system. When she turned to face this newcomer however; no nerves shone through. She smiled graciously at him; her whole countenance almost glowing with gratitude. In that particular moment, Victoire Weasley had never looked or felt more beautiful.

Cassius Zabini never stood a chance.

"You thought about what you're going to say to him?" Lys glanced sideways at me between mouthfuls; hurriedly smashing food into her mouth. Thanks to my meltdown this morning; we were running behind on breakfast. I paused, a familiar sickly feeling pooling in my gut as her words reminded me.

"No. Not exactly. I know the thread I want the discussion to take." I waved a fork absently as I talked, reaching for my pumpkin juice and wishing it was something stronger.

She smirked. "You mean you know how much grovelling he needs to do."

Miming a false laugh; I grimaced in her general direction. She grinned back.

"No- that's not what I mean."

She swallowed heavily; frowning over at me and pausing her hand to mouth rhythm for the first time since we'd sat down. "You say that now, but we both know what will happen. It'll be the same as always. He will just keep apologising until you forgive him."

I frowned at my plate. "I think that he'll try. But honestly I'm just so sick of him placating me, you know? He never listens- or actually learns- he just mindlessly agrees to shut me up. It's infuriating."

Lys nodded; already resuming her aggressive eating. I glanced at her.

"I'm not even so sure he'll apologise though."

She spat her food onto her plate before whirling around on me. "What do you mean? You don't think… You don't think you'll break up?" She dropped her voice to a stage whisper; horror stricken.

I pursed my lips at her. "No- God no. I just mean… when we've argued before; it's mainly me picking fights, him half-heartedly disagreeing and then just agreeing with me to keep the peace- you know- "acting" like I'd changed his mind. It's never been something he actually cared about. But this... I've never seen him so angry before. And definitely not at me."

Her face was weirdly blank as she stared over at me in concern. "So what do you think will happen?"

I quirked a brow, turning back to my food. "Honestly? I haven't a clue."

"Yeah I'll take- hmmn- a chocolate frog and… nah, just the frog actually. Victoire- do you want something?"

The thrill of his voice saying her name never seemed to fade. She grinned over at him; batting her eyelashes for good measure. "No thanks. I'm pretty full."

He looked at her for a beat longer than necessary; his gaze slightly unfocused. But he collected himself and returned her smile; paying the Trolley Lady. Turning back to her, he offered the same quiet smile.

"How is it that we've never met again? We're in the same house for Merlin's sake. And you'd think…" He trailed off; embarrassed, as a flush crept through his cheeks. Victoire could have danced.

"You'd think… what?"

He smiled again; still blushing. "You'd think I'd remember you."

She smiled back, the grin just failing to reach her eyes. Yes. You'd think that, wouldn't you? You'd think that you would remember someone who had been in your year for three years- much less your house. But then, here he was now- smiling at her; laughing with her; complimenting her. Wasn't that enough? What more did she want from the boy? He couldn't make the last three years disappear. What did she expect of him?

She didn't know.

The compartment door slid open; revealing the one face Victoire had dreaded since she arrived home that summer. But she met her gaze head on. She was not the weedy snivelling little girl she had been last year. She was a Weasley. And a Veela, for fucks sake.

"Vic, sweetie. What are you doing in this compartment? We're down the hall." Clemence surveyed the scene in front of her impassively; offering polite smiles to the boys, before piercing Victoire with her gaze. A gaze that reeked of disapproval.

But not because she disapproved of Victoire's companions. Oh, no. But because she disapproved of Victoire being in their company.

Clemence Bursnell was a girl who was rarely enthusiastic about anything. That is to say; anything but Quidditch and Slytherin. Long straight black hair framed her face (at this particular moment it was pulled back into a pony tail), revealing a strong jaw, oval shaped hazel eyes and a rather pointed nose. On the whole she was quite pretty- maybe not stunning; but a pleasant enough looking girl. Unfortunately for Clemence- she lacked the personality to back her looks up. She was the second oldest child in a family of 4 children; all of whom were Slytherin and all of whom were mad about Quidditch. Boys didn't really enter her life. Except when they were an exact embodiment of the two- Quidditch and Slytherin. And for Clemence- that meant only one thing.

Cassius Zabini.

Lunchtime came all too quickly. The day seemed determined to fly past me; anxiously pushing me towards my meeting with Cass, despite all of my attempts to stall. But when the bell for lunch finally tolled; there was no more delaying it. It was time.

Lys offered me a supportive grimace from across the room, gathering her things slowly and filing reluctantly out behind the Hufflepuffs.

"Come find me after." She mouthed as she slipped out the door; shooting me a look over her shoulder. I nodded absently; letting my hands fall on the worn oak desk. Traipsing my fingers over the carvings scraped in it's smooth surface, I wondered vaguely about the people behind the initials engraved under my fingertips. Who they had been? If they were out in the world right now with family; careers; ambitions? Probably.

God I was such a loser.

Sighing I looked up; shifting my gaze out the window to my direct left. From here, I could see all the way to the Quidditch Pitch, the loping green lawns of the Hogwarts grounds stretched out in front of me, flecked intermittently with burnt auburn and gold, splashes of colour where leaves lay discarded on the grass. Autumn was coming on quickly; I noted.

"Not disturbing you, am I?"

I jumped; my gaze shooting to the door. Cass lounged in the door way, watching me carefully. His expression was unreadable. Collecting myself quickly, I shrugged in response; gesturing for him to take a seat. He slipped slowly into a chair in the row across from me- close; but not too close. A cautious choice.

A moment of silence passed as we appraised each other.

"Well? You wanted to talk." I stared at him pointedly.

He frowned. "Vic- let's not okay? I want to talk; but not if it's going to be an interrogation."

I took a moment to digest that. The more mature, reasonable part of me resonated with his words. No progress would be made if I insisted on holding a grudge, on making him squirm. Things would only escalate. But a louder; more childish side of me was not pleased. Why on earth shouldn't he squirm? Why shouldn't he suffer? I had tried to reason with him last night- tried to make him calm down. Had he relented? Had he any right to demand the leniency he hadn't shown me?

I let the silence lengthen this time; unable to make up my mind. I would let him decide what direction to take this in.

"I'm sorry I yelled."

I glanced up at him; still waiting. More. I wanted more. Still staring at me, he sighed again, his expression suddenly serious.

"I know what I said was out of order. I… can't explain why he gets under my skin so much. I- is there any way that you could just accept that he does? And maybe… I dunno, not hang around with him so much?"

I suddenly found my voice. "So much? Or at all? Why don't you just come out and say it."

He frowned uncertainly at me. I wasn't buying it; he knew exactly what I was talking about. He was just clever enough not to be the one to say it.

"You want me to stay away from him. Completely. But you're trying to phrase it like it isn't an order."

Now; since their very first year at Hogwarts; Clemence and Victoire were destined not to get along. The 11 year old Clemence was not a naturally disagreeable person; but having come from a family of driven and competitive people, and a large one at that; Clemence had long viewed Hogwarts, and the separation from her family, as a chance to finally make her own name- prove her own worth.

Chance placed her in the same compartment as an 11 year old Victoire.

The small, delicate blonde- so unlike Clemence in appearance- was virtually her polar opposite. She had a much lighter appearance- her fair hair, golden tan, blue eyes and pixie-like bone structure contrasted with Clemence's strong features; her dark hair, dark eyes, sallow skin and prominent jaw line- as well as her height- made her feel indescribably out of place sharing a compartment with this girl. As strained conversation developed; she discovered that this girl was of Gryfindor stock- a Weasley no less; and her dislike intensified. But Clemence was not so silly as to carelessly throw away the one person she had made friends with, if only tentatively, on her very first day. When they reached the castle and they were sorted separately, she would soon forget all about this "Victoire". But until then; she would remain civil.

The Sorting Hat had other plans.

To Victoire's intense dismay, she became the first Weasley since for decades to be sorted out of Gryffindor. And the first Weasley… ever, to be placed in Slytherin. The tumultuous stream of consoling and reassuring letters sent from her extensive family did nothing to comfort her; nor even the words of her Uncle Harry. She was utterly ashamed; a fact that did not escape her fellow Slytherins; who began to look on Ms Weasley as something of an oddity. Many were cautiously willing to forgive her name and her roots (these were times of progression mark you) but what they could not forgive, was her appalling lack of Slytherin pride. It was almost as if she didn't want to be a Slytherin.

And so Victoire was alienated by her classmates before term even really began. Alienated by all; but one.

Clemence.

"That's not it. I… can't make you stay away from someone. I can't order you. But I would hope that you'd care enough about my feelings to respect this one request. Is it really such a big deal for you to not spend every moment with Lupin? You barely even know him." He raised accusing eyes to me; his tone slightly hurt.

That slimy prick was trying to guilt me into this. How on earth had he managed to flip this so that I was in the wrong? I narrowed my eyes minimally.

"Like you've considered mine?"

His face blanked. "What does that even mean?"

I scoffed; relaxing somewhat in my chair now that I knew where I stood. Now that I knew exactly how this was going to go down.

It wasn't going to be a quiet discussion at least.

"Did you take into consideration my feelings when you tore me apart last night?"

He gritted his teeth. "I know. And I've apologised for that- is it really-"

My glare intensified. "Tell me this, Cass. How many Prefect Patrols have you walked with me this term?"

He floundered. "What- you've never-"

"None. How many times have you come to watch Duelling Club?"

His jaw clenched angrily as realisation dawned on him. He saw where I was headed now. Or at least; he thought he did.

"None. How many times have I attended your Quidditch practises?"

He stared stonily at me; resolutely silent. I pressed again. "How many times? You… You don't even know do you? You are fucking unbelievable."

Throwing my hands up in frustration; I leaned back in my seat, fuming. He inclined forward, lowering his voice as he gazed beseechingly over at me.

"Vic. I see your point okay? I totally get it and- I'll change- I'll do better I promise. I'll come on all your patrols- and I'll try to make Duelling club- and you don't have to come to practise- but can't you see that this is different? Please- please don't just disagree with me on principle or- to punish me for something else. Please."

I almost broke.

Almost.

Clemence had fully planned to ditch Victoire once they were both safely settled into their respective houses. She was as surprised as anyone when the new Weasley girl was sorted into Slytherin, almost the second the battered old hat was slipped onto her silky, golden hair. But her intentions didn't change immediately. She would still dismiss her, she thought.

It wasn't until later, when the feast was over and all of the Slytherin first years were settled in the Common Room, discussing the next day; that Clemence changed her mind. One of the new girls arrived down the stairs from the dormitory, smirking happily.

"Clemence- hey; guess what?" She smiled toothily over at her from a nearby arm chair. Clemence stared at her; trying to remember her name. Nessie or something. The girl was undoubtedly plain, but it sent a shiver up Clemence's back that this girl had deliberately sought her out to share her news. Already; she was a ringleader. Someone of note. She smiled sweetly at Nessie- or was it Nissa?

Grinning conspiratorially; the girl gestured up to their dorms. "That girl- the blonde Weasley one? She's up there now- bawling her eyes out. I think she's disappointed with being put in Slytherin."

She glanced around the group; proud to see that everyone had stopped to listen to her, a few even eyeing the dormitory door in interest. A girl with curly brown hair to her left snorted derisively. "Disappointed? The silly cow is devastated. My whole family were in Ravenclaw myself; don't see what she's so upset about."

A few nods rippled through the group at her words; the brunette seemingly oblivious as she continued flicking through some magazine. Clemence smiled. She liked this girl. She was outspoken. A bit less spineless than… Nessa? Who cared really what her name was.

Now; this would have been the perfect time to reveal all she knew about Victoire- how she had shared a compartment with her on the train to Hogwarts; how she knew the girl preferred Gryffindor; how she seemed already knowledgeable about basic charms and spells; how she seemed to be well off as well as extremely pretty (even at 11- these things mattered). If her looks weren't enough to kill her chances with the girls in her dorm; any hint of the fact that she was rich and thought herself superior to them would definitely do the trick. Clemence was no fool. She knew a few catty words would destroy the blonde's chances of making friends- for a few terms at least.

The idea of taking something like this from the Weasley girl made her feel weirdly strong. There was no denying the girl was prettier than Clemence- and she wasn't stupid either. Even if Victoire wasn't yet aware there was a competition- Clemence would have her beaten from the off. She would win. On top.

The idea was too appealing to resist.

But again, Clemence was no fool. No one gets placed in Slytherin without a certain amount of cunning, and she had more than her fair share. A few catty words would destroy Victoire definitely; but did Clemence really want to be known as a bitch from day one? No; it wouldn't do.

And so she did the smartest thing she could think of. She defended Victoire.

Kind of.

"Oh guys; leave her be. She's obviously upset. I mean, it must be some shock. I know her family think pretty lowly of Slytherins- it's probably the way she was raised. It's not really her fault." She simpered sweetly at the group as they all turned to her.

"I suppose it isn't. Doesn't make her right or any nicer to deal with though." The candid brunette glanced up from her magazine briefly; her gaze flickering over Clemence.

"I know but- if I were raised to think I was better than Slytherins and this happened- I don't think I would react any differently. I mean- I'd like to think I'd be braver and more considerate- but who knows really? And anyways- she's part Veela- that kind of weakness is in their nature."

Gasps echoed around the circle. "She's part Veela?"

Clemence nodded knowledgeably. "It's why she looks so good. They spend all their time preening and grooming and fasting so that they look better than everyone else. Not that it's her fault- you musn't hold it against her. She can't help being vain. I suppose that's another reason why she thinks she's better than us." She mused speculatively.

The brunette glanced up again. "She actually said that? She said she thinks she's better than us?" She clarified brusquely.

Clemence paused.

What was one embellishment? Victoire probably did think she was better than them. And anyways- it's not like anyone in this circle was going to take the time to find out after this conversation.

She nodded sagely. "I'm afraid so."

The competition was over before it even began.

"You're right." I began slowly. "It is different. You know what it's like?"

He paused; for the first time, genuinely confused. "No?"

I stared at him; weighing my options. He was right, really. What was Lupin to me?

Teddy; I mentally corrected.

Whatever.

I could give up Teddy. We would remain civil; I would just stop sticking around when he spoke to me. It would be easy. And now- if I could just get Cass to finally open up about his issues with Lupin (Teddy), then he'd be forced to agree with me. He would finally have to concede that Bursnell had to go. I wanted her out of my life. Bursnell for Lupin.

Teddy.

"It's quite like my issues with Bursnell."

His eyes widened slightly in surprise; the only sign he'd heard my words. He cleared his throat.

"Bursnell? Seriously? This again? I know you don't like her- but it isn't the same-"

I stood my ground; my words firm. "Right again. My dislike of Bursnell is rooted in actual events- I could fill reams of parchment with all the shit she's pulled. Your dislike of Lupin is rooted in… what exactly? As far as I can see- he hasn't really done anything to you."

His eyes flashed furiously. "Hasn't really- are you actually defending him? What about- what about that fight he started? He broke my nose!"

My gaze cooled. "That fight was entirely your fault. If Lupin hadn't broken your nose- I would have. Have you forgotten that you were responsible for bullying my little brother?"

Now fully fuming; he rose from the chair in an angry flurry of motion. "How many fucking times- it wasn't me! I can't control what the team do! Hazing has happened for centuries! I can't forbid it just because you don't like it any more than I can kick Bursnell of the team because of your jealousies!"

I was standing before I even realised it, my voice a deadly hiss in comparison to his noisy yells. "My jealousies? Are you fucking kidding me? Do you have any idea how much I loathe that trash? And please, don't flatter yourself into thinking it's because of her ridiculous infatuation with you- she can humiliate herself all she wants for all I care! She made my life hell- UGH! Why should I bother trying to understand your issues with Lupin- when you've so easily dismissed mine? And that is a pathetic excuse- you could have easily helped Louis!"

As I screeched nonsensically, he advance forward; his motions and words heated.

"I don't give a shit what your issues with Bursnell are! She's on the team and she's staying on!"

I stepped forward; matching his intensity. "I'm not saying drop her! I know you can't! I'm saying- stop sitting with her- stop joking with her- stop forcing me to hang around her!"

"I don't force you-"

"For fuck's sake this whole argument started because I didn't go to a Quidditch practise that you wanted me at- where- lo and behold- Bursnell was there! At breakfast- Bursnell is there- dinner- Bursnell- evening in the common room- Bursnell! Can you please try not spending every waking moment with the team- and her!"

"Oh Merlin's sake Vic- we're a close team! What do you want? You want me to stop including her in team outings? Tell her she can't sit with us at meals? That's fucking ridiculous!"

I snapped.

My feelings were... ridiculous now, were they?

"Fine."

He stopped; mouth half open to say something else; once again lost. "What..? You… you agree?"

I nodded firmly, my voice just slightly too monotonous to be sincere. But Cass didn't appear to notice. "I appreciate it's hard to cut her off the team. She's one of your best players. I wouldn't dream of asking you to hamper the team's chances. It's all about the greater good right?"

He nodded; uncertain and quite unsure of how this had resolved itself. But he seemed relieved enough to roll with it. I turned back to my things, gathering them up and shoving them into my bag. In my poorly controlled anger; I ruthlessly shoved parchments and ink into the bottom, snapping quills as I flung them on top and swung the bag over my shoulder, before facing a bewildered Cass.

"Fine. Well, I have to go. We have a new member of Duelling club. He needs extra training, but… he's really promising."

Cass's hands hung loose by his sides as he stared blankly at me. It seemed he was entirely at a loss of what to do. I could tell he still had pent up rage; but with me not posing any objections, he had nowhere to vent; and no real closure, seeing as he didn't have a clue what was happening.

"Oh… we'll continue this… later then?"

I shrugged. "Not much to discuss. I'd say we're pretty resolved here."

He frowned; needing clarification. "So… Lupin…"

"Is going to make an excellent Dueller; yes. Like I said- he'll need practise, but I don't mind training him."

It took a moment or two to sink in.

He stared at me in open disbelief.

"You're ripping the piss."

I shook my head softly. "Nope. Check the sign in list. He's on it. I offered him a place when I visited him in the hospital wing. Course; he was kind of embarrassed by the whole thing- so he'll need one on one coaching for a while- get his confidence back. But I think he'll be really good for the team."

Cass surveyed me cooly. "So this is it then? This is your response. You're going to throw him in my face over some petty grudge your holding? You know I can't think of one instance where Bursnell was even rude to you."

I laughed bitterly as I sailed past him. "That's because you didn't even know I existed at the time. And though I find it heart-warmingly reassuring that you make so little of the fact that she tried to sleep with you last year- I think you'll find me less forgiving, darling."

Pausing at the door; I smirked back icily. "Don't worry though. I won't "throw him in your face". If it really bothers you; I'll make sure to practise with Lupin somewhere very private and secluded. You wont have to see a thing."

As the door fell shut behind me; I heard the distinct screech of some furniture been smashed to pieces. I forced myself to keep walking.