Back to Teddy folks! I hopefully will eventually return to some structure of POVS. Maybe. :) And on a side- thank you so much to everyone who reviewed in the last chapter. Yous are all way too kind! :)

The cloak fell to the floor, crumpling carelessly on the worn soft oak to reveal Victoire; standing still and silent mere feet from the foot of my bed; exactly where the map had placed her. I took a deep breath in; steeling myself. It seemed no matter how much I saw her, I would never get used to her appearance. She was perfection. Her big blue eyes gazed serenely at me, no hint of the fear and apprehension that was crippling me. My tongue felt swollen, my mouth dry, my brain turned to mush. I should say something- I knew that. I just had no idea what. What could I say that would express the enormity of how sorry I was? How wrong I'd been? How wrong she'd been?

"Where'd you get the cloak?"

I winced as it came out of my mouth. What kind of question was that? For Merlin's sake Ted- you're supposed to be apologising to her! Not interrogating her!

She tilted her head, long silvery hair cascading down her back and tumbling over her shoulder. She offered a small smile.

"Aelius gave it to Lys. Did you know about..?"

I laughed as I caught her insinuation. "Aelius pinning after your dorm mate? I thought the whole school knew. He tried it on that potions class- because, you know- he's Aelius and he can't help himself. He was supposed to just distract her but… Anyways she put him down fantastically and he's been smitten since."

She smiled, surprised. "Really? What did he say?"

I shrugged, lying easily. Aelius was my mate; and I'd already messed up his day enough without embarrassing him in front of Booth's best friend.

Nodding slowly, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind an ear, looking down at the floor awkwardly.

"I did it because I wanted you to know that I'm serious about… whatever this is. About you. More serious than I've ever been. Ever. And- well- because I should have done it weeks ago anyways." I shut my mouth firmly, already regretting the temporary brain malfunction that caused me to blurt that out. What was wrong with me!? Chuckling in embarrassment; I ran a shaky hand through my hair, sure I was doing nothing to calm it; if anything it was probably more haphazard than ever.

She surveyed me quietly, watching me squirm with complete calm before advancing slowly towards me. I held my breath as she drew to a stop a few inches from me.

"Good. Because I'm… serious about you too."

Nibbling anxiously on her lip; she chanced a glance up at me, light smile on her lips and a soft blush on her cheeks. I could feel the goofy grin spread across my face as my hands reached to pull her closer, wrapping lightly around her waist and pressing her against my chest. She melted into me easily, her hands draping fluidly around my neck as she grinned up at me.

"What did McGonagall say when you told her?" She murmured.

I grimaced. "Well there was a lot of ranting about wasting her time and the school's resources but once she calmed down… she was quite sorry for me. I think she's always liked me, to be honest. Bit embarrassing really."

She laughed, her chest shaking against mine. She was so beautiful when she laughed. She seemed to glow or something.

"I'm sure. Probably just killed her to sign away Gryffindor's season."

I winced at the mention of Gryffindor's prospects. She seemed to notice; her eyes softening noticeably.

"Did you see them downstairs? Have they… cooled off any bit?" I made a face towards the dormitory door, where almost certainly, only two flights down, angry Gryffindors were still berating my actions.

She froze; seemingly choosing her words. "No. Not in the slightest."

I looked at her. "Cheers for sugar coating it. I thought you were supposed to be making me feel better." I mumbled.

She grinned, tracing a finger along my jaw. I shivered at the contact.

"Look, they can bitch and moan all they want; it was your decision. Only you can decide if it was worth it."

I stared at her. "Was it? I mean- we're… back to whatever we were?"

She smirked devilishly up at me; her eyes dancing. "Teddy- we're better than where we were."

And then we were kissing again; the familiar sensation of blissful nothingness seeping through me. But this time it was different. There was none of the cautious hesitancy or uncertainty that marked the last two times I had kissed her. This was slower, deeper, longer. Feeling myself getting all too caught up in her, in the way she moved against me; I realised for the first time that I could. I could get totally caught up in her because there was no Zabini; no one to catch us; no one around to care. And more importantly; I knew she wanted this- wanted me. I could spend days kissing her smooth lips, running my hands through that silky hair, hearing her soft moans and the slight hitches in her breath, breathing in the scent of her shampoo- perfume- musk- whatever it was- I would never get enough of any of it.

The sound of something clattering to the floor loudly; broke us apart in an instant. I gazed around in confusion for the source of the noise. We both had somehow made it to the bed; my shirt inexplicably discarded feet away on a random armchair; and hers lying precariously open, exposing a smooth, toned, tanned stomach and a lace bra that was doing dangerous things to my head. Smirking as I forgot all about the noise, I recaptured her lips; her dazed expression morphing into one of happiness as she met my enthusiasm eagerly.

"Seriously! Come on!"

We ripped apart; turning towards the door where a bemused Aelius was grinning smugly at the two of us, a smashed lamp at his feet.

"Good. You two finished?" He quirked a lazy eyebrow as Victoire smiled innocently at him.

"Not. Even. Close. Why don't you be a dear and run along Greenwood."

I smiled goofily, liking the way that sounded. "Yeah, Greenwood. Um, Aelius."

He feigned mock offence; walking indifferently to his bed and rummaging through his clothes. "I see you're keeping a keen eye on Carlisle, Ted. Good work. Ever vigilant. You might find her less forgiving, if she had been the one to disturb whatever the hell was happening in here. And by the way Weasley- nice bra."

I glared at Aelius; about to chuck a pillow at him for being such a bloody pervert when Victoire's silky voice intervened. "Oh you like it? Thanks, but it's actually Lys's. I'll make sure to pass along the compliment though."

Aelius froze, finally lifting his disgustingly little eyes to her face. "What..? Lys- Lys-?"

Stifling a grin, I sat back and watched him panic as he realised she was about to tell Lys that he had been staring and complimenting her friend in her underwear. She laughed easily. "Oh sorry. I forgot you don't really know her. Alyssa? Alyssa Booth? Honestly Greenwood, she's always with me- you should know her. Short, brown hair, dating Nott?"

Aelius choked slightly. "What? What? Nott- she- she's dating Nott? That's fucking- that's disgusting!"

I bit my lip, trying to supress laughter at his outraged expression. I knew she knew about Lys and Aelius; but obviously he didn't. He was staring at her with a mixture of horror and disbelief. He deserved to be put through the works after all the shit he'd given me about Victoire for the past few months.

She frowned innocently. "Is it? I don't see why. I mean sure- they can be a bit vocal sometimes, but I think it's nice. I mean, she's so quiet normally, I think it's nice that he brings out that side of her. He must be doing something right, if you know what I mean."

His face turned putrid as he spluttered angrily and incoherently at both of us. "No- no- that's ridiculous- ridiculous! She would never- If she's vocal Weasley- it's probably only her vocally calling for animal control with that mutt hounding her! "

Victoire creased her brow in thought. "Don't be unkind Greenwood. Nott is actually a quite good friend."

I raised an eyebrow at this, but remained silent. I suppose a glowering, silent Nott was about to become part of my daily life if I wanted Victoire. Which I did.

He laughed in exasperation and incredulity. "A friend… Ha! That's- that's… I just- Wait." His eyes narrowed over at us; glaring between the two of us.

"You… You told her didn't you?" He accused me injuredly. I shook my head.

"Nope. Booth did."

His expression morphed from betrayed to hopeful in an instant. "She talked to you about me? What did she say? Did she mention the last match- when I scored that last-"

Victoire laughed. "No. She didn't mention it. She didn't even really tell me anything, to be honest; I wormed it out of her."

His face crumpled slightly and she relented. "She did promise to tell me everything later on though. Which implies there's something to tell." Shrugging, she turned her gaze back to me with a small smile. My stomach fluttered as I pulled her closer, her head nestling into my shoulder.

"So… not that I care- but- but she's not actually seeing Nott right? You were just fucking with me?"

Victoire sighed. "No she's not. But she would be lucky to. He's a great guy. Really."

Aelius shot me a look that left me in no doubt that we were in complete agreement. The day that I called Nott a "great guy" was the day McGonagall announced her elopement with Peeves.

"Come on- we were going to have to do this eventually."

She pouted, eyeing the door in dislike. "Yeah, but… not now. I mean, I get it's important to know your friends but… what if they tell? Or hate me for stealing their captain? Or hate me full stop. Maybe we should give them time to cool off or-"

I spun her round to face me. "Vic. They will love you. It's me they're angry at. Not you."

She nibbled her lip; chaffed and swollen from the last few hours spent in the room of Requirement after Aelius banned us from the dorm until we were "ready to stop behaving like hormone addled rabbits". Fixing me with big blue eyes; she frowned. "I don't… Ugh fine. Fine. But you'll meet mine after?"

I paused. I hadn't expected to have to meet any Slytherins really. Just Alyssa- formally, I mean.. Lately when I'd seen her, Lys was the only person I saw her with; apart from Zabini and Nott. And I'd already met Lys. And there was no way she'd want me within leagues of Zabini… So that meant…

"You mean… Nott?"

She nodded, watching me for a reaction.

Hesitating briefly; I flashed her a cocky smile, far more confident than I felt. "Course I will."

She nodded again; to herself more than me; as she eyed the door in trepidation, steeling herself. I gripped her hand, squeezing in reassurance as I opened the door.

Four pairs of eyes swivelled round to face us; Aelius grinning warmly at Vic in welcome. Merlin, he really was keen on Booth wasn't he? Craig shot a terse look in our direction, but remained silent, obviously having been briefed by Aelius. Alec looked at our hands interlinked like we were a three headed dragon, and Gregory sighed heavily from his bed, obviously bracing himself for what was sure to be the most awkward conversation ever.

"Hey guys- you know Victoire. Vic, this is Alec and Gregory- and you already know Craig and Aelius."

Craig huffed from his corner of the room, rolling his eyes. "Does she?" He muttered sarcastically.

I glared at him as Vic watched him cooly; her nerves and hesitant smiles instantly vanishing, replaced with a calm, stony exterior. Shit.

"Craig. Don't be a dick." Warning in my tone; I moved Vic back over to my bed, where Aelius happily tossed her a box of Bertie Bott's. He grinned cheekily.

"I've eaten all my favs sorry. But the brown ones are supposed to be chocolate." Innocently winking at her; he waited for her to choose one. She smirked back.

"The brown ones? Really? I think that they; much like you; are probably full of shit."

Aelius rolled his eyes as Alec approached us warily, smiling slightly at her joke. She looked up at him doubtfully as he lowered himself to the floor by Aelius's bed, directly across from us.

"You know what else is shit? The mark I got in that stupid Animagus test in Transfig. Cheers for the help, Weasley."

As Victoire laughed lightly, I gazed between them in puzzlement. What was this? I didn't realise her and Alec had ever even had a conversation. She seemed not to take offence at his comment though so I took it as a good sign.

"Well I'll make it up to you. You have detention this week right? Something about disruption of class proceedings on the second floor?"

Alec nodded; eyes narrowed as Vic took a careful bite of a green been. She smirked down at him as she swallowed.
"Well now you don't. I'll talk to McKinley. He's in charge of detention this week and he owes me a favour."

Alec looked up at her in amazement. "Merlin. Ted- you better keep an eye on your girlfriend. I think I'm in love."

She grinned up at me; pleased at having won one of them over. I shook my head at her; grinning back. What a classic little Slytherin; bribing my friends to like her. A corrupt fucking Prefect too at that.

Aelius frowned over at her. "I have detention for that as well you know?"

She shrugged. "He isn't trying to get into my best mate's pants. Or perving on me in mine."

Alec laughed outright as I chuckled with them. Even Gregory cracked a reluctant smile; sitting up on his bed and looking over at us. Craig resolutely glared at the ceiling; lying stonily on his bed. I resisted the urge to chuck something at him every time Victoire's eyes drifted uncertainly to his bed.

Alec slouched against the base of Aelius's bed; scquinting up at the two of us. "So this is like- the real deal? You two are together now. Boyfriend and Girlfriend."

Victoire glanced up at me uncertainly. "Well… I don't really know what we are. Boyfriend and Girlfriend… would require dates and things and that isn't really us yet. But I don't want anyone else and Teddy feels the same… so we're going to see where it goes. And that means that the people that are important to us should know." She flushed, embarrassed with her assessment but still remaining collected. I was noticing that Vicotire always said what she meant; regardless of how embarrassed or angry or sad it made her.

Smiling tentatively around at them; they all made exaggeratedly emotional faces back at her. Aelius wiped an imagined tear from his eyes. "Teddy… I had no idea you felt that way."

Craig scoffed noisily as everyone turned uneasily to face him. Stone faced I glared at him. "Craig?"

He rolled his eyes. "Sorry. Ignore me."

"I'm trying." I muttered.

I wanted to scream at him. Victoire swallowed quietly; eyes downcast. I squeezed her hand again as she met my gaze. Hesitantly she rose from the bed.

"I should go."

I shook my head; pulling her back. "No- don't leave."

Something resolved in her eyes and she smiled sadly at me, kissing my cheek as she pulled away, grabbing the cloak on her way out. As soon as the door clicked behind her, I turned to glare at Craig.

"I'm sorry- am I interrupting your fairy tale ending Ted? How selfish of me." He spat, rolling over on the bed to face away from me.

I sighed in frustration. "How many times- I'm sorry I had to quit the team Craig! But I had to- and not just to get her back. I should have done it weeks ago- Victoire didn't ever deserve to pay for our mess!"

Craig wheeled around angrily. "No- not that time she didn't! But you got yourself into that fight in the first place because of her! Because of her and her drama! Because she's got you wrapped around her little finger! What the hell is wrong with you Teddy? She's been an out and out bitch to everyone for years- not to mention she hasn't exactly been kind to anyone here for the last few weeks. Blabbing on about telling everyone important to you two- is she telling Zabini? Huh? Her boyfriend for almost three years and she's just going to run off and fuck his sworn enemy without breathing a word to him! Speaks volumes of the kind of girl you've got yourself-"

"Craig!" Aelius screeched at him as Alec moved to intercept the dash I was currently making to his bed. I was going to kill that fucker. He had no idea. None! And no right either! He didn't know her at all- didn't know how nervous she'd been coming in here- and he'd fucking ruined it! I'd trusted him to be on my side- no matter what-

"Alec- let go of me-" I yelled; slightly strangled by his grip.

"Look at yourself! Going to punch me Teddy? Your supposed best mate? Over a girl that has constantly put you down; cost you your Captaincy- your team; not to mention is the cause behind more than one black eye; and doesn't even have the decency to apologise for her actions!"

"Why are you doing this Craig? You never had a problem with me liking her before?! And now- now that it's finally coming together- you just have to-"

"Because I thought you'd come to your senses! I never thought it was real! But then you pulled that shit this morning… I have to hope it's real now, because if you realise in a week it was all just the chase- you literally have no idea. You abandoned everyone on that team Teddy. Including your two oldest and best friends- for some girl- for some girl that you are too blind to see- does not care about you. She doesn't care about anyone Teddy!"

My chest heaved as I glowered over at him; exerting mountains of self-control in not punching his self-righteous face.

"You don't know her Craig. At all. I do."

He shot me a sceptical look. "Really? Do you? All I see, is you having a few conversations with a pretty girl who doesn't immediately fawn over you; and you becoming hooked- time and time again. I humoured you with Carlisle because I trusted you'd come to your senses and you did. But this girl Teddy… Carlisle was intense but she's harmless. Your crush on Victoire was harmless while it wasn't hurting anyone or costing anyone anything but now it is hurting a lot of people- namely you- and it's cost you everything."

I listened in silence; unsure of what I wanted to say. Half of me wanted to yell at him to mind his own business and stop interfering in my life. Half of me wanted to interrupt and say I forgave him. We were best mates. I didn't want to fight him on this. On anything.

Leaning forward, he continued earnestly, no longer yelling or hostile, but sincere and serious.

"And you're right. I don't know her. No one does. She has one friend in her own house Teddy, because they are all terrified of her. Even the Slytherins don't like her. I'd be willing to bet McKinley doesn't owe her anything- he just doesn't want to piss her off. And I'm sorry, but she has been nothing but rude to me. She has never given me a single reason to doubt her reputation. And now this. She cost you the Captaincy Teddy. Whatever about how much she knows you- I know you- I know how much that cost you. And I won't whoop for joy to see the two of you together until I'm absolutely sure she isn't playing you. Until I'm sure she isn't going to make you regret all of this."

I sighed, sitting down on my own bed heavily. "She didn't make me give it up Craig. I chose to. It has nothing to do with her. I needed to prove something to her so I did. It was my decision and I don't regret it."

He nodded solemnly, fixing me with a shrewd look. "And what's she doing to prove herself to you?"

Exasperated; I shrugged. "She doesn't have to. That she's willing to face her house every day is enough for me."

Raising his eyebrows he shrugged back. "But she's not; is she? You're only telling a few friends right? So for her that means Lys. Who already knows."

I rolled my eyes. "Lys and… Nott."

Silence met my statement. The tension in the room seemed to crack in half as Aelius gave a snort of derision; before quickly trying to stifle it in deference to the weighty conversation being held. I grinned at him.

"I know. It's going to be such a fun conversation." I groaned; throwing my head into my hands.

Aelius smirked. "On the plus; it'll probably go better than this went."

Craig and I glared at him.

"You could at least pretend to have tact." Craig muttered wearily as Aelius gave him an amused expression.

"I'm sorry; after the last thirty minutes- you're lecturing me on tact?"

"Is she coming back tonight?" Craig looked down at me; standing awkwardly by my bed. I glanced up at him calmly.

"I don't know. I checked the map. She's spent the last three hours in some office with McKinley. Probably torturing him so he'll let Alec off, I expect."

He sighed. "Look Ted- I'm sorry. Not for what I said. I meant it; and I wouldn't be any excuse for a friend if I didn't tell you my concerns. But I should have been… nicer to her when she was here. It was wrong of me to embarrass you like that. I'm not saying I trust her because I don't. I trust you though. I've said my piece and you know how I feel about it. If you still want to be with her then… I'll give her a chance. Just a chance mind."

I looked up at him cooly. "Awfully good of you. Considering she had already given you one when she walked in here."

"Yes, but she's getting sex in return for giving us a chance. Maybe if you changed the terms a bit, Craig here would be far more welcoming to our dear Ms Weasley."

We both turned to glare at Aelius for his interruption.

Craig swallowed. "I can't change how I feel about her Ted. I can only apologise for not being a better mate when she visited. I should have behaved better and I'm sorry. I'll be nicer next time."

Aelius interrupted again. "Well then, you best put your nicest face on Craig because unless there's a wealth of Victoire's in the castle; I think our wanderer has returned."

I sat up abruptly; snatching the map out of his hands as I stared at the name "Victoire Weasley" racing up the steps and tearing into our room. And then the door swung open and she was there; a massive grin across her face. She was glowing.

Radiantly, she smiled at Alec, he looked up in a daze before rising clumsily, awestruck.

"Alec. Say goodbye to detention. Greenwood, you too."

Both boys shared a blank look, too shook by her appearance to do anything but mumble a few incoherent thank yous.

Pleased; she turned hesitantly to Craig, taking a deep breath.

"Craig- I realise we've never really gotten to know each other. And that I haven't always been that polite to you and I'm sorry. I never gave you the time of day so… I've spent my whole day on you."

He looked at me; perplexed. I shook my head. I had no idea what she was doing.

Taking another deep breath, she began to speak.

"Craig Thomas Ryan, born on 5th March 1998, in the City of Galway in the West of Ireland. He lives with his two sisters Grace and Aislinn, and his older brother Fiachra, as well as his mother Marie. He is the only wizard in his family, although once his younger sister came to watch him play in his first ever House Championship match in 5th year. He joined the Gryffindor team in fourth year and plays the position of beater, although originally he had wanted Keeper. His favourite food is pizza; favourite sweets are Sherbet Lemons and his favourite colour is green. He is 5 foot 11 inches and takes a size nine shoe. His first kiss was with Leanne Martin at the age of 13. His favourite subject is Charms and hates Ancient Runes. When he leaves school he wants to follow a career in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Sport in the Ministry. He isn't sure if he'll get the grades in Ancient Runes though so he dropped Potions in order to focus on it. He also-"

"Alright! Alright! I get the idea." Craig held up his hands in defeat,looking a little embarrassed and more than a little flustered.

Victoire waited patiently, stopping instantly.

Aelius looked over at me dubiously. "I didn't know that was why you dropped potions mate. And I thought your favourite sweet was chocolate frogs?"

Vicotire cut across him. "No- he loves sherbet lemons because they have a bowl of them at home in his kitchen all the time and it makes him think of home."

"Merlin." Craig breathed; looking at Victoire incredulously. "How do you know all of this?"

She shrugged innocently. "I looked up your file. And what that didn't tell me, other people did. You're quite well known, you know."

He looked faint. "And you did all that- in three hours?"

"Well I don't keep tabs on the general student population if that's what you're asking. I'm not some kind of fascist. I just… I know you're important to Teddy; so it's important to me that you like me. Or at least give me a chance to show you that I am… serious."

He looked over at me after staring at her blankly for a few minutes. "Merlin Teddy. What have you done? You better not ever break up with her. I can just imagine the kind of shit she has on me now."

Victoire gave a shaky laugh, before her face lit up as she remembered something. Reaching into her bag she pulled out a small brown paper bag, offering it tentatively to Craig.

"Sherbet Lemon?"

She smiled beatifically as he gingerly took it from her, nibbling on one cautiously. Hesitating, she bit her lip.

"I also… I mean, you're in Ancient Runes with me right?"

He nodded, eyeing her carefully.

"Well if you wanted… maybe sometime we could study together?"

He's gaze drifted to me, before sighing. "Sure thing. It can only help." He finished glumly; popping another Sherbet Lemon.

Bouncing on the spot in excitement at her progress, she leapt over to me, kissing me happily before rushing back to the door.

"Gotta go- I promised McKinley I'd do his rounds. He really isn't a fan of yours Aelius."

I reached out to her; trying to pull her back. "Wait- wait- where are your rounds?"

She smirked. "You'll have to come find me."

Once she had safely disappeared; Craig lifted a curious eye to meet mine. "She doesn't know about the map?"

I shook my head; distracted with thoughts of meeting Victoire in some secluded dark corridor.

"Why?"

I shrugged. I would tell her. I would. It was just nice to still have something up my sleeve; seeing as the cloak was practically hers now. It was petty but it was reassuring to be able to check it and see where she was. Know that I could find her if I wanted. Caressing the worn parchment, I found my gaze drawn to another familiar name; a name that I'd been following more closely than usual this past week, what with him seemingly reconciled with Victoire. I'd forgotten to ask about that.

I couldn't believe I'd forgotten too. Considering what a blow to the gut it was every time I saw their names in proximity. Victoire Weasley and Cassius Zabini. Twat. I think drunkenly checking the map the night of the Party was the worst idea I'd ever had. I could still remember the painful uneasiness of seeing him in her dorm. Knowing that she could have been in mine instead. But it didn't matter now. She was with me and he… was with some idiot called Mathilde Mercier. Poor girl had no idea what she was getting into there.