Author's Note: Alright- back to Teddy's POV because I miss writing from his less moody point of view. I will come back to Vic but I'm too whimsical to decide how just yet; or when. I'm sorry I'm bombarding yous with loads of chapters now and then going weeks without any! But that's life. :)

"What's got you so happy?"

I looked up from my writings; meeting the suspicious glare of my friend. His words cut across the laughter and animated talk that filled our common room. The whole House seemed to be brimming with excitement at the prospect of tomorrow's match. Already Aelius had fended of dozens of well-wishers and spectators wanting to discuss our tactics. Everyone was a spy in his eyes. Everyone was a distraction. His cool grey gaze narrowed on my brightened appearance; my hair (and presumably my eyes) having adopted a sunny golden glow. I smirked at him.

"That would be telling."

Craig jumped over the back of the sofa suddenly; landing nimbly beside Aelius on the couch with minimalist disruption to his notes; which lay haphazardly across the sofa and floor. His antics were still enough to earn him a sullen glare as Aelius huffily rearranged parchments along the arm of the sofa.

"Try to get him to spill on the "new Teddy"? Wasting your time man. He won't budge. I nagged him all of lunch and nothing. Has to be pre-match hype." Craig yawned mid-sentence; thoroughly unfazed by the death-glares Aelius was not so discreetly firing his way.

Barely making any effort to check the dirty grin spreading across my face, I tried to refocus my mind on the essay on my lap. But who was I kidding? I had only been paying half attention to it anyways. There was only one thing occupying my mind, and it had nothing to do with Veritaserum or Quidditch and everything to do with a certain blonde Slytherin.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Aelius lean closer to me; inspecting me thoroughly. "No. He gets gloomy before matches… Agitated… This is different."

I coughed loudly; straightening up to address them. "You know I can hear you right?"

Aelius shrugged. "Hey man; we all know I care very little for your happiness. I just want to know that whatever… "this" is- it isn't going to affect your game." He fixed me with a plaintive stare.

I scoffed. "It won't. Cheers for the concern. "

Raising hands in acceptance and defeat; he returned to his work, no longer interested. That was; until a flurry of red hair and loud words burst into the middle of our secluded corner of the common room, startling us all from our reflections.

"Lupin- Merlin, where have you been? I've been looking for you all day! I have to speak to you- it's about Victoire!"

I sat up a little straighter. "Dom- what's up? Is she okay?"

She nodded, flustered, before quickly shaking her head. She turned confused eyes on me. "I don't know- she just flipped out at me- she said to stay out of her business and to tell you to do the same- I have never seen her so angry. I don't know what you've done but-"

I cut across her with a chuckle as relief washed through me. She was waaaaay far behind.

"It's okay Dom. She found me and we sorted it out. Don't worry about it."

She froze, uncertainty colouring her features. It was an odd expression on her face, normally so cock-sure and confident.

"Are- are you sure? I don't… What did she say?" She tucked a hair behind her ear, awkwardly, probably regretting the scene she had just caused.

I nodded reassuringly, motioning for her to sit. "Yeah- it's fine; honestly. Better than that. She just… explained a few things and… now we're fine. Honestly."

Hesitantly, she lowered herself into the empty armchair by Craig. Both boys watched our exchange in quiet bemusement. They were too used to Dom and Louis just crashing into our lives at this point to question what or who were talking about. Although normally it was just Louis coming over to tell us about some genius (pitiful) idea he'd had to invite us over to theirs over Christmas. Dom just seemed to run along to humour him.

She opened her mouth to speak, before thinking better of it and abruptly closing it. I peered curiously at her. "Dom?"

She cut her gaze to the two boys; eyeing up whether it was worth saying in front of them. "Never mind." She rose to leave.

"Wait- would you two please… give us a moment?"

Craig looked over at me in surprise, before slowly rising from his seat. Aelius turned incredulous eyes on me. "Would you two give me a minute! I am halfway through my essay- at the trickiest phase- and you two are- are derailing my train of thought!"

I shot him a glare. "Move or I'll put James in instead of you tomorrow."

His mouth dropped comically, before setting it firmly. "If you wanna go down as making the worst captaincy decision ever- then by all means. History will validate me." He set to begin writing again, determinedly ignoring Dom and I. She shot me a bewildered gaze.

Craig sighed; snatching Aelius's parchment from his grip. "Come on. It'll still be here in a minute."

Turning away from their bickering as they squabbled their way across the common room; I refocused on Dom. "What's up?"

She glanced downwards. "I just… it's not important really. I just… I may have underestimated you." She finished, coughing slightly.

I raised my eyebrows. "Oh?"

Nodding, she lifted solemn eyes to me. "Look, Vic was really upset today. I think she's having a much rougher time than I'd thought. But if you were able to calm her down, and get through to her… Maybe there's hope for you yet. I couldn't get through to her at all, and I'm her sister."

I stared blankly at her, unsure of how to respond to that. Dom's approval was… final. And… was she giving it to me? I nodded slowly, not knowing the appropriate response to make.

She shrugged, seemingly done. "I guess… good luck tomorrow. Who knows? Maybe she'll even come."

I found my voice. "She is coming. She told me earlier. And… thanks."

She squinted over at me; surprise and a flicker of curiosity alight in her gaze, before breaking into a grin of sorts. "She's coming is she? Well… look at that. I guess you must have done something right. She really hates Quidditch."

I laughed. "It's a short list of things that she actually does like."

She fixed me with an odd stare as she rose to depart. "And an even shorter list of people."

I sighed; bouncing on the balls of my feet as I looked around the pitch. This was it. Breathing in the cool air; I forced myself to focus on the feel of it's chill seeping in to my lungs. Ignore the thrum of expectancy and excitement in the air; drown out the rumble of the crowd just beyond these gates; shut out the thrill of nerves in your hands- just the cool air; in and out, in and out.

I gripped the broom tighter in my hands. We were gonna do this. We were going to annihilate them. Only our first match of the season; but already everyone knew this was the match to shape the outcome of the year. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were only toughing it out for third place.

Turning to head back into the changing rooms to address the team; I found my path was blocked by a very sullen; aggressive looking Slytherin sixth year.

"Lupin."

I grinned, nodding my head in acknowledgement. "Zabini. Nervous?"

He glared coolly at me. "Keep laughing it up Lupin. We'll see who's laughing in the end."

Moving past him; I allowed an amused chuckle. "Um… okay, Zabini. I'll bare that in mind."

Gazing around the muted changing room I took in the array of expressions silently. Craig was the picture of relaxation; calmly reciting plays to himself and Alice; our new beater. She looked slightly nervous; but seemed to be collecting herself slowly as Craig nodded approval at her responses. I would have to thank him later.

In comparison; Aelius had complete game face on. He didn't look nervy or jumpy- far from it. But nor did he have the serene coolness Craig seemed to radiate pre-match. Aelius had an entirely different strategy. He was all focus and determination. He was not playing for fun; he was playing to win. He pulled on his gear quickly; shaking out his limbs and stretching, murmering to himself quietly. Best leave him psyche himself out. A geared up Aelius was what we wanted. Arrogant and conceited though he was; his vanity was not based upon nothing. He was wicked fast and was one of the most agile players in the tournament. But better than that- together- we were unstoppable. Years of playing together as well as being best friends meant that we read each other perfectly; never needing to think about where to pass the ball or to worry about the other's location. We just knew.

Fact was- Zabini was (as much as it pained me to admit it) a genius seeker. Gwen was good, and she'd come a long way; but I had never expected her to match with Zabini. Just maybe surpass the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw seekers. Against Slytherin; our best chance was to just destroy their defence. We had the best chasers in league; hand's down. We just had to score enough that it wouldn't matter if Zabini caught fifty snitches. Tom had to keep their scores low. Craig and Alice had to keep bludgers on Zabini. I had already decided it was useless for Gwen to shadow Zabini. If it came down to a heat; both of them starting at the same position and racing to the snitch- he would win.

She may as well fly loose and hope to be lucky. I was really relying on Craig to not let Zabini so much as think about making a dash for the snitch.

Closing the door noisily behind me; they all turned to face me, slowly assembling into a circle around me. Aelius spoke first.

"What's it like out there?" He inclined his head to the door, and beyond; the stadium, already filling up with students milling down from breakfast.

I smirked lightly. "Exactly what you'd expect. There's a lot of hype; a lot of people. Breeze is light, so everybody aim true- Aelius, Louis feel free to spin the quaffle- just like we practised. The conditions are perfect for it. It's cloudy so Craig, Alice- do not lose Zabini in the clouds. If he races for them- cut him off. Gwen- I don't know how else to say it. Seekers are always targeted and I saw the Slytherin beaters practise last week. They are brutal. Stay alert. Understand? Okay, everybody tell me their game plan once more."

"Tom, you first."

He straightened up; his full lanky frame stretching to an impressive 6.4. "Don't let them gain momentum. Keep shooting them down- however I have to do it.

"Aelius?"

He smirked, swinging his broom over his shoulder. "We play fast. We score as much as possible as fast as possible. Lots of interchanges. Lots of fast interchanges."

I nodded. "Louis?"

He gulped. "The same."

I shook my head. "Say it. I need to know that you'll remember it when you're out there."

He turned fearful blue eyes on me. "Um… fast plays. We have to rack up the points before they can find the snitch. We play… fast."

I nodded reassuringly. "Don't look so worried. You are one hundred per cent ready for this. Aelius and I will be right by your side. Just find us as quickly as you can. Us or the hoops okay? That's it. All you have to remember. The rest will come naturally."

He nodded, looking somewhat more reassured. "And spin the quaffle to our heart's content."

I laughed as Aelius broke into a grin. "Yeah. That's the plan. Okay- Craig and Alice- give it to me."

They grinned at each other before answering in unison. "Cripple Zabini."

The whole team chuckled. I turned to Gwen. "Lastly?"

She smiled in bemusement. "Try and lead Zabini astray as much as possible and not to be killed by their beaters. And if I get bored; maybe happen across the snitch."

I nodded, satisfied. "Okay… We all know what to do. Say your goodbyes to your friends."

They nodded back, as I motioned for them to open the door behind us. It was tradition that best friends and family would come down to say good luck. A sharp knock came on the door; and Craig moved to answer it.

Some brunette I didn't recognise raced to Aelius's side; leaping on top of him in one clean sweep. He caught her rather unsteadily; shooting me a dirty wink. A tap on my shoulder made me whirl around quickly; my heart leaping as I instinctively guessed who was behind me.

I was so wrong.

"I just wanted to say good luck Teddy. I know we haven't been on good terms lately; and I won't pretend to know why but… I know you need my support in things like this and I just wanted you to know that you have it."

Harriet eyed me solemnly, placing a small hand lovingly on my cheek as I gazed on in shock.

"Um… Harriet I-"

Placing a finger against my lips she shushed me gently, before reaching up on her tippy-toes to kiss my cheek. Whispering breathily in my ear she offered a teary "Always." before fleeing the room.

I stared after her in muted horror, dimly aware of Tom chuckling happily to himself in the corner. How many times was I going to regret that? When would it end? Belfour should be thanking me I took that basket case off his hands. He was probably chuckling away to himself somewhere about the whole thing.

So lost in my own musings as I gazed out of the empty doorway; I failed to notice when it filled again. It took a full minute of staring blankly at Victoire for me to even recognise she was present.

She smirked faintly in welcome. I walked over to her quickly; trying to curb my eagerness. "You came after all."

She nodded; looking around the small changing room in distaste, her cherub nose wrinkling slightly. "Yeah. I'd be the shittest sister in the world if I didn't show face at his first match."

I nodded slowly. I always forgot they were related. As if to emphasise the fact that it was not me she'd come for; Louis rushed in between us; enveloping her in a bear hug.

"You came!" He echoed me excitedly.

She grinned down at him. "Of course I did. Who else is gonna give dad the blow by blow account he wants?"

He frowned. "You'll edit it if I'm shit, right?"

Throwing her head back in laughter she shook her head. "Won't happen. Besides Teddy wouldn't let anyone mess up. Right Teddy?"

She held me with her full focus, dark blue eyes swimming with unspoken words. What was she trying to say? Maybe she was literally just trying to comfort her brother… but it felt like something more was being established.

Louis coughed and I realised I'd been stalling. "Sure… yeah. Yeah, of course. I've got you, mate."

The boy nodded; muttering something about shin pads before scampering off to the other side of the locker room. Victoire smiled after him; before looking up at me.

"Nervous?"

I laughed. "No. I don't get nervous really anymore. Or… well, not for me. I know what I'm doing."

Her grin grew. "So you… get nervous for the team?"

Shrugging, I nodded. "Something like that."

I caught her gaze drifting over to where Aelius was busy bragging to that brunette about how he would dedicate his first score to her. When I caught her gaze again; Victoire looked faintly amused, gesturing over to where he stood.

"They seem fine to me. He should be in Slytherin, that one. The ego on him is incredible."

I chuckled. "Yeah… Speaking of- who will you be shouting for Weasley?"

She rolled her eyes; ducking out of the changing rooms slightly and into the hallway. I followed her subtly.
"I'm Switzerland. I support no one; cus no one supports me." She frowned. "Merlin. I sound like an Ent."

A quizzical look flashed across my face. "An Ent?"

She laughed my confusion off; shrugging and grinning coyly. Her hair tumbled slightly in front of her face; ashy blonde whisps that looked so soft and silky. Quirking an eyebrow at my lengthened silence; she giggled again, lips pulled into a smirk that made my mind go even more blank. She was maddening.

My mouth dry; I leaned closer. "Come on. You're killing me. Just tell me who you'll be cheering for?"

Still grinning mischievously; she shook her head. "Nope. I won't be cheering for anyone. I might… passively and silently be wishing one team well… but no one will ever know."

I couldn't stop myself growing hopeful; my grin tugging incessantly at my lips as I struggled to maintain a straight face. I glanced up and down the hallway. Deserted.

"Come on. You can tell me. I won't breathe a word."

Hesitating, she slowly undid the top buttons of her coat; as I literally stopped breathing. What was she… what… was she undressing?

It took so long to shake the mental images from my head that I had a hard time processing what I was actually seeing. There; resting just to the side of her collar, hidden beneath her heavy coat; was a small pin.

It was red and gold.

Smirking as she took in my expression; she too chanced a glance down the hallway, before darting closer and kissing me softly on the lips. Startled; I froze, gazing down in shock at her as she pulled away. Grinning as she walked away, she nibbled her bottom lip; suddenly shy.

"Good luck. Come find me after yeah? Dom and I are going to watch together."

I nodded; dazed. Whatever she wanted.

She paused; facing me again. "And Lupin? Don't let my little brother get killed yeah?"

We filed out in a group, Aelius and Craig flanking me as the rest of the team followed suit. I eyed the Slytherin team, already waiting for us on the pitch. They were just as bulky as they usually were; most of them in our year or the year above; only one fifth year. And from the looks of him he had to be half troll or something. Madame Hooch busied herself fetching the Quidditch Trunk as we seized each other up silently. I noticed a lot of gazes rested on Louis. And then Gwen.

Typical of the Slytherin's to try and intimidate the smaller players. I caught Zabini's eye and he sauntered over; indicating he wanted to speak to me. As I walked forward to meet him; I could practically feel a pair of deep blue eyes following our every move; wondering. Her and every other person in the stands. He slowed to a halt a few metres from his team and I closed the gap.

"Just wanted to say no hard feelings Lupin. No harm in second place."

I grinned at him; rolling my eyes. "Hardly the attitude to take in to the match Zabini. You're not defeated yet."

Ordinarily so quick to rise to a bait; he seemed weirdly calm in this instance, eyeing a sudden movement behind me. The rest of the team had come to investigate. His hulking cronies were quick to follow; soon we were enveloped in a thick circle of players; glaring across at each other.

Gwen slid to my side; eyeing Zabini with thinly veiled hostility. "I know words are difficult for you Zabini; but really. Whatever you wanted to say- spit it out."

Aelius sniggered noisily as Zabini looked down at her in indifference. "A new girlfriend, Lupin? I thought you only liked girls who already had boyfriends. And were… you know. Mildly attractive."

Gwen flushed as Craig pushed her aside; moving to get a good angle on Zabini before being halted by Aelius. Credit to him; although normally the most reckless and short-tempered of all of us- he was dedicated to Quidditch. Nothing came before it.

Gritting my teeth I forced myself to smile at Zabini. "Ignore him Gwen. He's just pissed because his own girlfriend dumped his pathetic ass and couldn't give two shits about him anymore."

He turned those dark eyes on me; glittering with malice. At the mention of Victoire his whole countenance shifted; becoming less argumentative and much colder. "Here we go again. Merlin what is your obsession with that girl Lupin? She doesn't want you. Never has."

I opened my mouth to retaliate only to be cut across by Louis. "Odd how she came to see him off today then isn't it?"

Silence greeted the words. My gaze flickered unwillingly to the stands. She wouldn't have wanted anyone to know that. It was unspoken but not unacknowledged. Whatever we were doing- whatever this was or would become- it was secret. I hadn't even told Aelius. Or Craig.

Zabini's face was weirdly blank as he turned his gaze directly to me. "Why would I give a fuck if she came to see you today? She can visit you all she wants to Lupin. At night? It's me she comes back to."

I felt my stomach roll at his implication. I hoped desperately it didn't show on my face what a kick to the gut that really was. It was a lie. I knew it had to be. She had told me she hadn't spoken to him. She wouldn't do that- wouldn't go crawling back into his bed after how shit he had treated her. Just the idea of them together after all she had told me; the idea of his hands on her; her breathing his name- it wasn't true. There was no way.

But there was a part of me… If she thought it would give her back everything she lost…

No.

He was lying.

Had to be.

"That's a lie!" The outburst came from behind me; as Louis cried out angrily, being actively restrained by both Aelius and Tom. Aelius threw me a cautionary look; checking if he needed to drop Louis for a bigger target. I clenched my jaw in restraint as Zabini chuckled; his team grinning knowingly.

"Believe what you want little Weasley. But you don't know your sister half as well as you think you do. And trust me- as her brother? You don't want to know." His black eyes found me, as Madam Hooch made a hurried reappearance; worry etched across her face as she took in the hostile faces of both teams.

"She can play Gryffindor for a while Lupin; but just remember that's all it is. She's playing you. And one day she'll look back and laugh."

Cautiously, Madam Hooch signalled for both Captains to shake hands. We glared off; both refusing to give an inch. Eventually frustrated; she acquiesced. As she motioned for us all to mount our brooms; I found Craig, pulling him in roughly.

"Bury him, Craig."

He nodded quickly. I tightened my grip.

"No. Bury him- or I will. And I swear Craig; I will walk if I have to. Don't give me the option."

Craig nodded; more solemnly this time. "Ted- I don't think we need worry about Gwen anymore."

I frowned at him; releasing my grip and swinging a leg over my broom. "What? What are you on about?"

He gave me a serious look. "Be careful Ted. I'm pretty sure Zabini just had the exact same conversation with Clayworth."

Nodding brusquely; I gripped my broom. "It was always going to be a rough match. At least now they'll have to change their game plan. Surely they intended on bombarding Gwen. If they focus on me now- she's open. If she has the time to breathe and Zabini doesn't…" I shrugged as Craig nodded.

Aelius marched over. "Ted. Look at me."

Reluctantly I gave him a sullen glare. He smirked.

"Look- I just had a chat with Louis; he's channelling his aggression nicely. For you, I think the objective is clear. We know what Godric would have done."

I raised an eyebrow; already regretting asking.

"Fuck Zabini- then go get the girl. Classic Godric. Isn't that why there's all that hostility between Gryffindor and Slytherin anyways? Gryffindor banged Ravenclaw?"

It was so classically Aelius; and so classically dim; and yet somehow fitting, that I had to laugh. Craig nodded to me from my left as the whistle finally blew and the snitch zoomed off into the sky.

"Bury him."

"Ouch! And that's another stinger from Clayworth! I think it's safe to say that this has quickly descended into one of the most brutal matches Hogwarts has ever witnessed. How Lupin is still on his broom is beyond be after that last bludger. Seemingly Ryan intends to return in kind; aiming a scorcher at Slytherin's Keeper- that's a break for sure. And Lupin has the quaffle; but passes it neatly back to Greenwood; who smacks a clean back hand to Lupin- who allows it to pass through to Weasley who swerves Nott and loops it back to Lupin- and Lupin passes the quaffle to- AND GREENWOOD SCORES! That's Gryffindor 180: Slytherin 60."

Ignoring the drone of the commentator's voice carrying over the roar of the stadium, and the drumming of the wind in my ears, I kept my senses attuned to Aelius; flying at breakneck speed to my left. I knew Louis was above us somewhere- and swerving yet another bludger; I pushed forwards; swooping into the open space where I knew Aelius would curve the quaffle. We moved seamlessly as I plucked the quaffle from the air, never breaking pace as I looped in behind the opposing chasers and sent the ball spinning through the hoops.

"And Gryffindor scores again! That's 190 to 60. At this point one has to wonder if there's anything that can beat the Gryffindor Offence- the spin on that Quaffle was near unstoppable- you can only really feel sorry for Deaton. The Gryffindor Chasers have just been using him for target practise. Louis Weasley seems to have integrated himself perfectly with Greenwood and Lupin- and if the-"

A sudden near whistling drowned out the rest of Goodwin's commentary as bludger came careening into my field of vision.

Fuck.

I had no time to duck- it was so unexpected. I didn't even have the fucking quaffle! The bludger crashed viciously into my arm; knocking me roughly to the side and nearly dismounting me. I gripped the broom only with my legs as my vision blurred in pain. It felt as though it had shattered my bone; literally splintering it. Groaning and blinking in disorientation, I attempted to straighten up; just in time to hear Goodwin come alive again.

"And despite that obvious foul- it seems Zabini has spotted the snitch- Harris is simply to far behind to catch him- distracted by the most blatant case of sporting misconduct I have ever seen, I imagine- Wha-? Oh. Sorry Professor... Anyway, Zabini appears to be closing on the snitch and- OOOOOOH! That looks brutally painful! Some incredible Beater shots in this match but that takes the prize! Craig Ryan take a bow! Right to the back too- painful stuff. Zabini seems to be okay; though his sight on the snitch is lost. Pity that."

Aelius snatched the quaffle from a distracted Nott; flying past me with a questioning glance. Blinking myself back to life, I fell into position just under him; waiting for the drop. Just as it came, I soared upwards to meet the falling quaffle, flicking it quickly to a now open Louis, who found the back of the hoop with ease.

"A relief to all Gryffindor followers to see the Captain uninjured, assisting yet another shot making it 200:60 Gryffindor."

Gwen pulled up beside me in concern. "You okay?" She shouted across in concern.

"Fine- get back in position." If she was offended at my brusqueness she didn't show it; zooming quickly back up into the height of the arena for the birds-eye view.

Aelius and Louis hovered close by as we waited briefly for play to resume. Aelius glanced sidelong at us.

"Ten points. One more and the snitch won't matter."

I breathed out. "One more."

Louis nodded. "Let's do it."