A sea of colour tore onto the pitch. As soon as our feet touched down on the cropped green turf, we were enveloped in thousands of hugs, congratulations, claps on the backs and handshakes. It was crazy. We'd done it. We'd actually done it! It had only been one match; but the reaction from the crowd and the elation seeping through made me feel it was so much more. Aelius reached me; pushing through all the Gryffindors circling me and clawing his way through tittering girls hovering around us like some sort of shield.

He beamed across at me; yelling words I couldn't hear in the roar of the students around us. I leaned in closer. "What did you say, mate?"

He cupped my ear; shouting into it with such force that I could feel the vibration of his voice in my eardrum.

"I said- Let's go get fucking wasted!"

He looked away; summoning over Craig as he ruffled my hair jovially. Laughing- I shoved him off me. I had forgotten about the party. With the adrenaline pumping through me; I was amped for this! Alec would have us sorted out properly too- I knew Aelius had left him with all the instructions for the party.

A familiar set of hands gripped me; pulling me into a gruff hug. "Well done Ted! You played wonderfully. Merlin; I miss this."

Pulling back in shock, I looked into the wistful gaze of my Godfather; the hordes of girls around us increasing their volume; giggling animatedly and pulling away in awe. I grinned at him in surprise, clapping him on the shoulder.

"You didn't say you were coming! You should have-"

He waved me away. "Nonsense- I didn't want to make you nervous. Besides Bill wanted someone to be here for Louis too and I have to give a DADA talk tomorrow so… it suited. But well done Teddy. Your parents would be proud."

He fixed me with a sincere smile; my stomach warming at his compliment, as I looked away awkwardly.

"Merlin, Harry. Could you be any more emotional right now? You should have sent Ginny."

He laughed as we began to walk away from the pitch. "I don't think Ginny could have remained seated for that match. That Slytherin beater would be getting an earful right now- and I think we all know how that would have ended." He finished ominously, still scanning over the crowds in happy bewilderment.

I chuckled at the visual of Ginny tearing into Clayworth. He grinned over at me; the smile dipping slightly. "Is… It was pretty heated though huh? It seems to be a pretty big deal." His eyes, ever alert and observant, glanced at the jubilant crowd uncertainly once more.

I nodded; determined to keep my grin fixed. Shrugging, I gave him a bemused look. "What are you gonna do? Slytherin and Gryffindor is never gonna be a cuddly match."

He turned his gaze forward; thinking. "Bill mentioned Louis had a spot of difficulty earlier in the year. He was concerned about how this match would go. We both played before, so we know the drill Teddy; but… is there anything you want to tell me? It seemed a lot of the plays were targeted. Pretty unusual for a chaser to be targeted so much by the beaters. Especially when he doesn't even have the ball." He turned to me, finishing dryly and giving me a plaintive look that left me feeling like he knew a lot more than he let on. But then; even when I was younger he had the ability to make me feel like he could see through all my lies. Like those stupid glasses meant he could see right into my head.

I shrugged; keeping deliberately casual. "Well… Actually, I've been meaning to write about… Um, I should probably talk to you about that the girl you met the last time you were here?"

He frowned in thought; before flashing in recognition and offering a conspiratorial grin. "After you were in the hospital wing? Oh yes; Harriet, no? Very pretty girl, Teddy."

I ran an embarrassed hand through my hair. "Yeah… well um, the thing is- we- we weren't… together or anything. So um… she was just confused. So… if you could maybe- maybe not-"

"Tell your gran?"

My face flooded in gratitude. "Yes- I mean don't. Please."

He scrutinized me as we drew to a halt outside the locker rooms. "Teddy… I don't want have to ask this but- as your Godfather, I have to. You… Just tell me you're being safe."

I died inside.

"Well yeah… obviously."

He nodded; relieved before continuing. "Okay; good. Good, that's always… good. But, you know, just because something is easy and feels good- doesn't mean it's right."

Cringing; I rolled away from him. He pulled me back; flushing red.

"What I'm trying to say is that no matter… how good it feels; it isn't worth hurting someone. So be sure when you… engage in activities- that- that you want it for the right reasons."

"Harry. I get it. Understood."

He nodded; relieved. "Good. So you're not with Harriet. Is there… anyone else?" He became suddenly very interested in his watch, and I could only cringe at his abysmal subtlety.

Burying my head in my hands, I groaned. "Harry if there was- I promise; you and Ginny will be first to know."

He peered curiously at me. "Why is your hair red?"

I blanked my face. "What? Is it?"

He broke into a crooked grin. "Alright; keep your secrets. Just know I'm here if you need me. I was young once; I do remember what it's like."

Grinning at him; I scoffed, amused. "Please. What would you know about anything? The only girl you've ever been with was already in love with you for seven years and it took you six of them to even realise."

He shot me an offended look. "I had to work for that seventh year though! And she had FIVE older brothers; one of whom was my best friend, and another of whom was Bill Weasley. No matter who this girl is; you won't ever have to face anything scarier than an overprotective Bill Weasley." He laughed jovially as I chuckled weakly with him.

Shit.

I felt my smile drip from my face as he walked away; off to chat with the teachers. I had forgotten about Victoire. I was supposed to have found her afterwards. But that was before… all that shit Zabini had spewed. My gut churned at the idea.

My feet were walking back out the hall before I even knew where I was headed; away from the cheers and chants drifting out of our locker room; back towards the stands, the bleachers. I would just see if she was there. If she was waiting.

I opened the door; nodding thanks to the few passers-by that yelled congratulations as I scanned the masses for her silvery hair. I couldn't spot her anywhere. Maybe she grown tired of waiting? Or saw me with Harry? It doesn't mean anything that she isn't here. Don't listen to him. But there it was…

It's me she comes back to.

"Lupin!"

I spun around; ready for the fight that was surely coming. Nott glared at me; dislike etched in his gaze as he surveyed me in silence for a beat. Nonplussed; I gazed evenly back, waiting.

"What is going on with you and Weasley?" He demanded; eventually spitting out his question. He watched me carefully, narrowing his eyes as he waited for a response.

I stared at him. "Fuck off Nott. I don't have time for this."

He pulled me back roughly. "Answer the question."

"No."

"I don't want to be here anymore than you want me here Lupin. Just answer the fucking question."

I glared at him. "Why? What the fuck has it to do with you? You're not even friends."

"And you are?" He raised challenging eyebrows. I took a step forward.

"Yeah. Yeah we are."

He nodded; appraising me in silent dislike. "Well last I checked; friends don't pull each other in public corridors."

Freezing; I felt as though he had just doused me in a bucket of water. Shit. Shit. He had seen. That had been reckless. We shouldn't have… Shit. This was going to end everything before it had even began, before if we even knew if it was worth risking everything for. Well… before she knew.

My mouth was made of cotton. "What do you want?"

He held my gaze; still frowning, but no longer heated. "I want to know what is going on with you two."

I swallowed. "Nothing. We kissed once."

He rolled his eyes. "Lupin; just because you're not in Slytherin doesn't mean I don't hear things… You really expect me to believe you've only kissed?"

Taking a deep breath; I tried to still the shaking in my voice. "Believe what you want about me; you don't know me. You do know Victoire, right? Believe that she would never do more."

He frowned, thinking deeply as he stared intently at the stands behind us. "Lupin. I don't care what she thinks; or what you got her thinking- I know you. I know what this is about. Leave her alone."

I shook my head. "You have no idea what this is about."

He laughed coldly. "So this isn't some sick ego trip where you fuck Zabini's girlfriend and then leave her alone to try and piece her life together again? Cus from where I'm standing…" He waved an expressive hand as I narrowed my gaze in hostility.

"Listen here you little prick. You don't know shit about me; stop pretending you do. Furthermore you obviously don't know Victoire if you think that she would ever be that easily led."

He glowered up at me. "Fuck off Lupin. You might have everyone else fooled; but I'm not buying it."

Shaking my head in frustration; I actively restrained myself from punching him. "Look; I care about her. I do. And I think she cares about me too."

He stepped back; clearly still not believing. "You sure about that?"

My heart skipped. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged. "Where is she?"

I gritted my teeth. "I don't know. I was on my way to find her when you barged into my life."

He smiled coldly. "Well; I'd suggest checking the Slytherin Locker rooms first. That's where she was when last I saw her."

My blood ran cold.

It's me she comes back to.

He began to walk away, hands in pockets. "But I can let you know if you want? I'm heading back there now. Only Zabini kicked us all out when she turned up. It's been a while though. Presumably they've finished now."

"Christ Ted; slow it down." Craig glanced me over in confusion; eyes flickering from the new bottle in my hand, to the slightly darkened glint to my appearance. Fuck! The drunker I got; the easier it seemed to be to forget that I was supposed to be happy. Sunny. Victorious.

Stupid word that… Victorious. Sounds ridiculous. The idea that someone had named their child such a ridiculous; pompous name was just… stupid. How arrogant did it sound? Like you thought your child had heralded peace and victory with their birth. Twats.

Craig shot Aelius a glance. He shrugged blankly in response. Glaring at both of them I wormed away from their quizzical gazes. "I'm fine! God- we won! Can't I celebrate a little? Merlin; it's like living with Ginny."

Working away from them and their subtle glances and wordless communications, I meshed my way through the sweating drunken students dancing in our common room; peeling stumbling girls off my shoulders and working my way to the exit. I needed out. This place was too claustrophobic.

"Teeeeedddy! You played wonderfully!" Small arms wrapped themselves tightly across my neck; cutting off my breathing as Harriet pressed herself flat against my back, purring in my ear. Squirming out of her grasp; I turned to face her with an exasperated expression.

"Harriet- what are you doing?"

She pouted; puzzled, before breaking into a grin. "Congratulating you silly. Come find me later so I can congratulate you properly." She smirked, before her face broke into a much happier, innocent smile. "Oooh I saw your uncle again today but he musn't have seen me. Will you tell him I was asking for him- Teddy? Where are you-?

I pushed roughly through the crowd; stomping towards the portrait. I failed to see how this night could get any worse.

"It's rude to leave your own party, you know. Especially when you invited someone."

I froze; not even turning to face her immediately. What was she even doing here? What was she doing full stop? Apart from stringing both of us along. I couldn't have been more obviously and blatantly up front about my feelings. Same with him. He was a dickhead but at least he was direct. What was she feeling? Did she even feel anything? Or was it an ego trip; as Nott suspected. Only not mine.

I turned finally.

And stopped breathing.

I knew she was Veela. I'd known she was beautiful. I'd known she was beyond painfully gorgeous. But I had always viewed her as ethereal; an other worldly beauty that should be… I dunno, serenaded or shit. But looking at her right now, serenading her was the last thing on my mind.

It was too occupied imagining how long it would take me to get her upstairs and rip that ridiculously, cruelly, temptingly tight dress off her. Would I even need to go upstairs? Would anyone notice if I just picked her up right now and fucked her against portrait door?

She bit her lip; waiting for me to say something. My mind was blank. Words weren't coming to me. Just images. Oh Merlin, the images. Swallowing, I couldn't resist allowing my eyes scan over the outfit. It was quite simple, really. Or would have been on anyone else. On her it was devastating. A plain, black, skin tight mini-dress with thin spaghetti straps; and high, patent black leather stiletto heels that made her legs look like went on for ever. Long, tanned, silky smooth to touch- what would they would feel like if she just wrapped them around my waist..?

Her makeup was pretty simple too- dark smudged kohl around her eyes that somehow made them appear darker, more catlike- sexier. Her hair was tousled, bigger than usual and carefully crafted to remind of you of bedhead. And when she smirked. It was so… Christ. It made her look like every thought she had was just too dirty to share.

The silence lengthened as I struggled to gain control. Was she… was she doing this on purpose? I couldn't… I didn't even know she was capable of doing this. I couldn't say no to her, even if by some ludicrous notion I had wanted to. If she was doing this on purpose- then- then she wants this reaction.

Why did she have to be such a headfuck?

"Hey. You came." My voice was much lower than usual; my appearance definitely much darker. The thoughts I was having were not conducive to a sunny, lighter appearance.

She grinned; coming much closer and smirking gently up at me. "Yeah. Might as well see what I've been missing over in Slytherin all these years."

I raised my eyebrows slightly at the insinuation. She didn't seem fazed in the least.

"Won't… won't your friends mind?"

Blinking, she looked around; slightly less sure. "The only friend that matters is already here."

My eyebrows sky-rocketed at that. Catching my expression; she laughed. "God- not you. How vain are you? I mean Lys came with me."

I followed her gaze to where Lys was standing by the drinks table; looking determinedly unfazed by the looks she was receiving and attempting to chat to Andrew. She had some balls on her. Impressed; I turned back to Victoire. She watched me reservedly; gauging my reaction.

I smiled, swaying slightly. "Cool. And the rest of them?"

Hesitating, she bit her lip again. "I don't know. I don't really know what's going to happen until they actually realise that I came here and not…"

"The Slytherin party?"

She nodded. "Cass… Well he won't understand. Doesn't understand." She corrected hastily.

Taking another swig; I suddenly remembered why I'd been in such a pissy mood. "How was Zabini?" I asked sarcastically.

She frowned uncertainly at the change in my tone. "Not good. He thinks… He thinks that there's something happening… you know, between us. And he's hurt by it. Understandably."

I pouted, sarcastically. My heart bleeded for the slick fucker.

"Poor dear."

Her gaze cooled; but I found it difficult to work up the energy to care. I was sick of tiptoeing around his feelings. He was a dick! Everyone knew it. On some level she must now too.

"Don't be a prat Teddy. If the situation was reversed-"

"Don't even say it. If the situation was reversed- I would be nothing like him."

She scoffed. "You wouldn't be resentful? Or angry? Or hurt? That's bullshit."

Already knowing this was not the direction I wanted to go in; and simultaneously acknowledging that I had time to rectify the situation- I decided to plough on. It needed to be said. And I wanted to be the one to do it. I wanted to be sure she knew exactly how much of a prick she had been with. I wanted to be sure she regretted ever lowering herself to his level.

I wanted to be sure she would never go back.

"Yeah, I would be all of those things. But I definitely wouldn't be saying the things that he's saying about you."

Her face paled as she frowned in confusion and trepidation. "Saying… what? Is this… is this about when you talked before the match?"

I nodded quickly; wanting to get this off my chest. More than anything; wanting to hear her deny it; irrefutably and permanently.

"He basically said that I was welcome to you whenever I wanted because he's still getting his. That no matter how many times we got together; you would always crawl back to him. That… That you have gone back to him, even since-"

"Stop." She stared at me quietly; emotions a mask.

"Louis said it was a lie and he told Louis that he didn't know you at all- and that because you were his sister- he wouldn't want to know what the both of you get up to- and-"

"Teddy- I said stop."

So I stopped; falling silent and trying desperately to read her. Why couldn't she hear it out- hear everything he'd said? Was it embarrassment? Humiliation? Betrayal? Or… guilt? I actually felt as though someone had carved out my intestines and shoved them in front of my face. What was she doing to me? How could she not see- not feel this thing between us? How could I want her so badly, and want to make her happy so badly; when she couldn't care less. When she preferred that dickhead to me? When she took active pleasure in leading me on and-

"He said that… to Louis? Louis heard him say it?"

So it was true. She wasn't even going to deny it. She looked slightly crumpled; a deflated version of the confident, smouldering siren she'd been only seconds before. I guess facing the truth does that to people.

"Yeah. He did." My voice was hoarse; cracking. Did she not even care that I had heard it too? That that's how I found out whilst she was offering me shy kisses and coy smiles and making me feel like- like- fuck! And all the while she's going back and boffing his brains out.

She placed a trembling hand on her forehead, breathing deeply. "I can't believe that he would say that- with my brother right there- my little brother Teddy." Her voice broke slightly, catching at the end.

I stared at her. "I was there too Vic."

She glanced up at me; uncomprehending. "I know. What-?"

"So, it wasn't exactly a barrel of laughs for me to hear either. Especially when Nott delights in informing me how you went to his locker room- a locker room he cleared out for you- when you were supposed to be finding me?"

Understanding lit her features. "You… You think I've been sleeping with him?"

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Have you? It would be nice to know, you know; one way or another."

Her hand flew out of nowhere; it's imprint a searing red shadow across my cheek; connecting with an audible smack.

"You asshole." She hissed; positively spitting venom. I stayed perfectly still; dread settling in my stomach.

"When I went to him today it was because he sought me out to ask had I gone to you before the match and I told him the truth. He was upset! And he has every justification in being upset!"

People around had started to stare; the music thankfully drowning out most of her yells so no one could hear. Alyssa pushed curiously to the front; her confused gaze turning hard as she caught my eye.

"Who the hell do you think you are?! Acting like I'm a slut?! Why don't you look in a fucking mirror you disgusting hypocrite?! He was my boyfriend for two years and I loved him! You have no idea how hard it is to just walk away from that- from someone who used to be one of your bestfriends! It's more than just a break up- on some level, he knows that it has something to do with you- and you can't even begin to understand how complicated that makes things!"

That hit a nerve. "One of your- have you not heard anything I've said? He is an asshole! No one who actually cares about you would say these things! I know you have a fucked up notion of loyalty; but really. He was practically bragging to that entire team about he still gets to-"

"SHUT UP! I don't give a shit what you think of him, Teddy! Whatever happens between me and Cass is just that- between me and Cass! I will deal with him. The only thing I want to talk about with you is you! Like how the fuck you would think so little of me that you would believe that I… You're supposed to be on my side! When people talk shit about me- you are supposed to know it's not true! What was the point of all this otherwise? I thought I was leaving fake friends for a real one! Why encourage me to break away from my friends!? Why encourage me to come here? Cause all of these problems with Cass if you're going to behave like this? If you're going to think so little of me and make me feel so-"

She halted mid rant; looking over my shoulder as though she'd just been stunned. I turned; expecting McGonagall- or Zabini- or for one mad moment- Bill Weasley. But instead Harriet Carlisle stumbled through the portrait door; supported by some random boy, close-lidded and mumbling incoherently. I turned back to Victoire dismissively. But she hadn't broken her gaze. Still staring at Carlisle with a mixture of horror and shock.

"Oh my god. I… am so unbelievably dumb." Her gaze met mine, eyes wide with disbelief.

"They were all so- so unbelievably right. And I- oh my god I was going to sleep with you- Oh my god! How stupid am I?"

She whirled around, looking for her bag and gathering her things; I followed her uncertainly. "What are you on about? Look Vic- you're right- I shouldn't have assumed-"

She cut across me, icily venomous. "It makes perfect sense, though. You were pissed off because it meant that you'd lost. It's fine. I get it. Don't ever come anywhere fucking near me again Lupin, or I swear I'll destroy you."

Lost and confused as to what had occurred to make her this furious; I followed her out of the portrait. "Vic- Wait- I'm sorry okay? Vic-"

Lys rushed after her; shooting me a murderous glare. "Don't move a fucking muscle Lupin. You've done enough."

Hanging back; I tried to replay the last few minutes and make sense of it. My head hurt. I was so- so drunk and- I must have done something- but I just couldn't-

"Is it true?"

Wobbling unsteadily, I leaned against the way, squinting at the small red head in front of me. "Is what true? If I had a clue what was going on-"

She cut across me.

"That this whole thing was just- just another Carlisle. You made her leave him. You got her to come here- to want to come here- all for what? A fuck you to Zabini? An ego trip? Just because she's pretty and you felt like it?"

Scrambling her words together; I began to panic. Is that what she thought? How had this- how-? "NO- no- not at all- I- I really care about her- it's different- I would never-"

She didn't cool the intensity of her gaze. "You see how it looks like that?"

I shook my head helplessly. "I don't- If I could take back-"

"Firstly that you thought she would go back to him- you don't know her. Or you don't understand how much she cares about you. Which implies you don't care as much about her. Neither of which make you look like you wanted a committed relationship."

"But I-"

"But more importantly- as soon as you thought Zabini might still have her- that she might still care about him- you wanted out. Game over. It makes it look like you're embarrassed that you lost to him. It makes it look like you only wanted to take her from Zabini and now that that hasn't worked out like you'd hoped- you don't really care anymore. It was funny while it lasted."

Her tone was biting; scathing. Wincing; I implored her silently to believe me. I wanted none of that. I'm a twat and I'd- ruined everything.

"Even though it wasn't true- you believed it. A silly stupid rumour that a Slytherin said about her- you believed it. I think she told you enough for you to understand why that hurt. Furthermore; you've spent the last few months causing and generating all this hostility from her house. None of it would be happening if it was with Zabini; and she still would be if it wasn't for you. After you caused all of those rumours; for you to use one as excuse not to be with her- I'm not even going to say how it makes you look."

"Dom- I never meant-"

"I believe you."

"You do?"

She nodded gravely. "Irrelevant now though."

I swallowed. "What do you mean?"

She smiled sadly, before turning and heading back into the common room. "You know exactly what I mean. Enjoy your party."

Author's Note: I know- I'm mean and awful and horrible- but I promise it's worth it. ;)