TEDDY:

I broke apart from her quickly, staring up at her and examining her carefully; checking if she was joking. Which she must be. Why on earth did she want to get suspended? What would that gain? Absolutely nothing. Was it just that she couldn't stand being in school and needed a break? Because she seemed to be perking up pretty quickly if the last five minutes were anything to go on. A vague corner of my mind noted that I should be kind of insulted that she thought this was something I'd excel in, but I had to acknowledge that I definitely knew more than she did. Had she ever actually been in trouble before? Even a detention? Not counting the whole Zabini fiasco where her Prefect badge had been confiscated, because that had all since been smoothed over.

She bit her lip, waiting for me to say something.

"Um… Are you just… "talking dirty" or are you… serious?"

She cracked a small grin. "I'm serious. If I was talking dirty, you'd know."

I sat up straighter, trying to make sense of things. It seemed like I must have been missing something obvious, and I felt a bit of a tit asking the question out loud, but I had no alternative. "Okay. Why do you want to be suspended?"

She grinned excitedly. A kind of smug, delicious grin that made me want to run and hide and simultaneously want to tie her to my bed.

"Okay, well Lys and I have come up with a plan to deal with Bursnell once and for all, and it's kind of genius really, but I need to be outside of school to put it in motion. I can't very well just announce I'm taking a few days off, and they'd see straight through any fake illness."

I frowned. "What about Head Girl? Won't this kind of… skewer that?"

She nodded, looking thoughtful and more serious. Her voice was grave and quiet when she spoke again. "To get Head Girl I would have to last out the end of the year. And unless I do something, I won't Teddy."

I bolted up, dead straight. "What? You'd leave? For Beauxbatons?"

She eyed me calmly. "Another six months of this? Wouldn't you?"

I took a deep breath, trying to keep calm. Was it fair of me to tell her that she should stay? That she shouldn't go through with whatever ridiculous scheme she and Lys had concocted, and just keep her head down and get through it? I felt like it should be said. But then… watching her suffer through the rest of the year knowing it was only for me she was staying would be torturous for both of us. A stray dark thought skittered across my mind and I shooed it quickly. Was she only dangling Beauxbatons in order to get me to help? Would she actually go?

I blinked. No. She knew I'd help no matter what, she didn't need to trick me into it. Of course she was serious. I had to believe that if she was willing to risk Head Girl, then she was serious. And I wanted her to stay too, didn't I? She was giving me a way to help her stay, and I didn't know why I felt so reluctant about it. Maybe because it seemed to me like everything was spiralling. She would do something dramatic and up the hostility between her and Bursnell and then Bursnell would do likewise and- where did it end? I was almost ninety percent sure that whatever Vic was planning was going to blow up in her face someday. But I was too selfish to say so. I wanted to keep her.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" I asked cautiously.

She nodded, smiling quickly. "I do Teddy. Now. Get me suspended."

"Well it's obvious isn't it?"

I glanced around the small group of people assembled in our Dorm. Lys and Vic were sitting cross-legged on the carpet by Aelius's bed as he lay sprawled across his own blankets above them. Rose and Scorpius were perched carefully on the edge of my bed, paying close attention as Craig lay haphazardly on his bed watching me with a lazy expression.

Aelius and Scorpius grinned, sharing a small anticipatory smirk as Lys and Rose and Vic stared at me blank expressions, looking as though they itched to take out a notebook or something and start taking notes.

"What's obvious?" Rose wondered politely, raising a small hand as if she were in class. Scorpius cringed slightly over at her and she scowled back at him; irritated that he clearly thought she was simple. Or embarrassingly innocent. Lys nodded assertively in support of Rose's queries, turning questioningly to me.

"Yeah? I don't see it either."

Vic chewed her lip, frowning as she tried desperately hard to work out what they were missing. I watched her with a bemused grin that seemed to infuriate her even more until finally she huffed, defeated. "Fine. I don't see it either."

I grinned even more broadly. "We're sneaking out ladies and gents. And Vic is getting caught."

She pursed her lips, obviously seeing a thousand holes in this plan and just dying to point them out. "Why are we all sneaking out? It's only me that needs to get caught?"

I shrugged. "The rest of us are bored and would like a nice break too. Besides, you're the only one that's going to get caught."

"The seven of us are just going to walk out the front steps and out the gates?" She snorted in derision.

"No. We'll go a way we won't be seen."

The crease between her eyes dipped even further. "How do you plan to mobilise everyone through the castle without being spotted by a prefect, or teacher? The cloak only covers two or three people at best."

Aelius sighed, straightening up. "It's time Teddy. They were going to find out eventually."

I sighed back, kicking open my trunk. I supposed it was time.

Holding my breath, I watched as they stared down at the dots and names littered across the maps, incredulity etched on every feature. Vic lifted wide eyes to pierce me with her gaze.

"This… this is how you kept finding me?" She gestured to the parchment sitting innocently on her lap and Alyssa tried to form words, staring down at it over her shoulder and breathing heavily.

"Well, yes. Kind of… sweet, isn't it?" I tried hopefully.

She opened her mouth and closed it again, apparently unable to respond. I felt it was best to change the subject and remind her what a helpful, caring boyfriend I was being.

"Anyways, now that we've all seen what the map can do…" I snatched it back quickly and grinned sheepishly. "Friday, at nine, everyone meet here."

Scorpius grinned excitedly. "Where are we going? There's a gig in that Muggle town, like five miles from Hogsmeade."

"Five miles?" Lys whispered. "Look, we're not all Quidditch playing boys here. I can't make it five miles."

"We could fly." Scorpius defended. Rose's eyes widened in horror and I did my best not to snicker. Rose was a catastrophe on a broom. A fucking hazard. She had to be the only member of the Potter Weasley clan who couldn't even fly the length of a Quidditch Pitch. And that was being generous to her, and derogatory to the rest of us. I froze in my thoughts as I realized I'd never seen Vic fly. And remembered that she hated watching it too. Had she ever flown? I frowned. She could always fly with me. Yeah. Actually I kind of liked that idea. A frightened Vic clinging to me as I showed off what a great flyer I actually was. Or maybe I wouldn't be so good. The more scared she was the tighter she'd have to cling. A sly grin tugged up the corners of my lips but it died painfully quickly when I noted a similar smirk grace Scorpius's lips.

I glowered at him until he noticed I was watching and fixed his gaze down at his shoes. Just because I'd accepted it didn't mean I encouraged it.

Aelius gave a small shrug, looking like the idea was sitting well with him. "Yeah. Yeah, I like that."

Silence followed. Seeing no more objections I decided to take charge.

"Great, okay so- delegations. Aelius, you're a Captain- get the girls some brooms. Scorpius, sort the tickets- actually wait- Craig you do that. There'll be muggle money right? I'll get the drink. Scorpius, you'll find the route we need to fly and stuff yeah? Remember- no magic once we're out. We all have the trace."

Everyone nodded, looking excited. Vic shot me a weird expression looking half impressed, half confused.

"Do this often?" She asked lightly, as everyone else trailed off looking animated.

I shrugged, grinning mischievously. "Yeah, actually. Often enough. There was this one time, back in fourth year when Aelius thought it would be funny if we-…" The smiled dripped from my face as it occurred to me, she might not actually find this story so amusing.

"If you..?" She prompted, smiling slightly.

"Doesn't matter." I amended hastily and she smirked. Time for one of my famous subtle subject changes. "Excited for your big suspension? Any money says you cry."

"I'm sorry?" She retorted haughtily.

"Oh please, I bet you've never even had a teacher frown at you before. You'll cry. Big, fat, salty tears."

She shook her head in disbelief. "Teddy, you are really the simplest person I know."

I really didn't know what she meant by that, so I just kissed her and let it go.

"Vic?"

"Yeah?" She mumbled.

"What will happen if your plan doesn't work?"

"It will."

"But if it-"

"Teddy. It will work."

"Everybody ready?"

I scanned the group, doing a quick headcount and making sure we had everyone present, and enough brooms for everyone, and enough drink. Vic raised a brow at how out of character I was being. Organised and in charge for a change. She was brimming with excitement though, and happy to follow my lead for a change. I could tell rule breaking didn't come easily to her. Every now and then her face would freeze and I could just sense her reminding herself that she wanted to be suspended.

"Craig- tickets?"

"Yup. I uh, hope you guys don't mind but I invited Kate too."

Who the fuck was Kate? I shot him an irritated look, but seeing as some bushy haired brunette was already approaching us in the darkness of the corridor, I could hardly tell her to fuck off. Sensing Vic was about to open her mouth and do just that; I put an arm over her shoulder and reminded her subtly who was in charge. She had asked me to get her suspended and if she wanted my help, she would just have to do as told.

Merlin that sounded bizarre.

"That's… fine Craig." I gave him a pointed stare that let him know that it most certainly wasn't fine, but it was too late to fix it. he at least had the decency to smile gratefully in response. Vic released a low breath and I could tell it was with monumental effort that she smiled weakly at the new girl. Kate waved sheepishly at everyone before standing by Craig and Rose, who she seemed to know somehow. Looking at the numbers now, I saw Craig would have clearly been the odd man out and grudgingly forgave his very poor manners.

"Well it will screw the drink ratios a little." I nibbled my lip dubiously. Damn. I had called in my last favours in the outside world to get this drink and now we were gonna have to share some with some randomer. Rose smiled sweetly.

"That's okay. I don't really drink."

Scorpius raised his brows a fraction but said nothing. I could tell he expected that to last about five minutes and resisted the urge to remind him that it was cousin he was shamelessly plotting to get hammered. Why did we keep inviting Scorpius on these outings? At this point I'd prefer Nott.

"Hey, guys why didn't we bring Nott?" I wondered aloud, secretly pleased that I was such an attentive boyfriend that I not only knew Vic's friends' names, but asked after their wellbeing. See? It's called consideration. Harriet was always bleating on about it.

"I haven't actually seen much of him lately. Haven't been spending much time in the dorms." Vic responded quietly, and I got the impression there was more to it. Having said that, I hadn't seen much of Nessa either. Studying the careful glances Lys was shooting Victoire with mounting concern, I resolved I 'd pin Lys down later and get her to tell me what the hell was happening. But first, we were going to have the best night ever. If Victoire was going to be away for a few days, we'd give her an amazing send off to remember fondly while she was busy scheming and plotting.

"Oh. Well let's get going then. Aelius, take the map and make sure we don't run into anyone. Curfew isn't for another half-hour but still, the coats and scarves might be difficult to explain."

Everybody eagerly followed Aelius's lead as he and Lys bickered over what routes to take and what would be fastest versus what would be safest. I was kind of excited for tonight. Sneaking out, doing something reckless… we hadn't done much of it this year. It had been too dramatic. We needed some fun, to blow off some steam. Vic linked her arm through mine, leaning her head on my shoulder as I grinned down at her.

"Nice coat." I smirked.

"Don't be a dick. It'll be chilly out." She grinned back, rolling her eyes.

"Where do you think we're going? The Artic?" I eyed it's long grey length sceptically. The coat was thicker than most of my Quidditch gear. Why on earth did she think she'd be that cold out?

"I just wanted to be prepared." She replied evasively.

"For what?" I pressed as we reached the statue of Gregory the Smarmy and slipped behind.

"I just… in case something went wrong and we were stuck." She supplied eventually, blushing a little as I snorted.

"Have you such little faith in me? What's in the bag? Provisions?" I pretended to be wounded, as I grabbed for her handbag and she squealed in laughter and tore off ahead of me down the tunnel and after the others, with me in hot pursuit.

Grinning at each other as we stood on the hill top in the night air, seven- or eight now- teenagers escaped from boarding school for one night of mildly illegal frivolities; I could help but feel that familiar rush of anticipation. This night was going to be awesome. Handing around the bag of drink, I gestured down the pub below where music was already beginning to play, random chords and beats floating up to us in our perch overlooking the village.

"We should drink up before we go. No chance we'll be able to sneak all of this in. Before we get too drunk- we leave the brooms here and no one goes home without everyone."

Everyone nodded in silent agreement, brimming with excitement as happy glances were exchanged. I could hear that Kate girl murmuring questions at Rose in the background about Scorpius and for one moment was kind of delighted someone had noticed Rose and Scorpius. It baffled me how no one had breathed a word to them. Yes, they were far, far more discrete than us and still snuck away to see each other- but they had been spotted together. It was like everyone was just assuming that they were being forced to hang around together because he was Victoire's friend and Rose was mine. And they milked it all they could. The only times they ever appeared in public was when they were with the two of us. Like that gave them a cover story. It was petty to be annoyed, but when I thought of all the shit Vic was putting up with I was kind of irritated they were getting a free pass.

Then I tried to picture Rose handling the same flack and conceded it probably wasn't the same thing.

"Teddy, stop looking so thoughtful. It doesn't suit you. Now drink up." Aelius tossed me a can, smirking broadly as I laughed sarcastically and Vic snorted loudly.

When had my intelligence become a communal joke?

"You boys go ahead!" Lys called after us, still whispering in Vic's ear and saying things that made her spit her drink out laughing as they sat on the damp grass, sipping drinks they definitely no longer needed. Happy that Vic was finally laughing and happy again, I dragged Aelius away with a grin, making them promise they'd follow quickly. They nodded and resumed giggling the second our backs were turned. Even this Kate roared laughing at whatever had just been shared as Rose choked and snorted on the ground, confirming my unformed suspicions it was us they were talking about. I shared a look with Aelius and sighed. The burdens we attractive boys have to bear.

The other two boys were far ahead and looked worryingly like they were having a very deep heart to heart, that I had to say, was very likely to be the weirdest conversation on earth. What on earth were Malfoy and Craig bonding over?

"Things going well with Booth then?" I smirked as suspicious squeals erupted behind us.

He scoffed. "Knew they would."

We chatted happily on our descent to the village; Aelius's chances of getting anywhere with Lys, what the hell Craig had been thinking adding someone at the last minute, how twisted Rose was and how we both blamed an all too innocent looking Malfoy- until suddenly raised voices at the door called us back to attention. An irate Craig was conversing with some Muggle bouncer and Malfoy was standing beside him looking very pissed. We jogged over to them; stomachs sinking as we quickly caught on that it looked like our dream night wouldn't be happening.

"What's the problem?" I joined them, concern colouring my voice.

The bouncer sighed, turning to face me with a very bored voice. "You're late for the show boys. No one else is allowed in."

"But we have tickets." I offered lamely.

He didn't bother responding, shrugging and chewing on his gum like I'd just told him I farmed chickens for a living and considered what I actually had said about equally relevant. Starting to get annoyed, I opened my mouth to speak hotly until I saw his attention shift to something behind me and heard tell-tale giggles approaching. I turned to break the bad news to Vic, feeling slightly shitty that I'd promised her this great night and now it was turning to poo.

The words dried on my tongue. She'd abandoned the ridiculous overcoat and it was more than transparent now why she'd thought she'd freeze without it. She was clothed in a dark blue dress made of the tight kind of fabric that clung to figure exactly. There were no straps, exposing toned, tanned shoulders and the dress ended high enough to expose long slim legs that just seemed to go on and on. She winked at me as she sailed past us to head directly to the bouncer. I noticed somewhere in my stunned brain that Lys had similarly dressed up and even Rose and Kate had more make-up on than before. That must have been what was in the bag.

The poor bouncer seemed lost for words as Victoire ran a casual hand through her silky tousled hair and smiled devilishly up at him. I kind of knew I should be jealous or irritated by how he was looking at her or whatever, but I wasn't. I was just kind of weirdly proud. So I just stepped back and let her work her magic. The rest of the boys seemed to appreciate the sense of just letting the girls handle it and lingered subtly back at my level.

"Hey." Victoire grinned and he did a double-take. Coughing to himself he scanned over all four of them quickly and seemed to decide mentally that this was actually happening. Looking around the small town, I acknowledged that it probably wasn't everyday this bouncer saw people he didn't recognise. Never mind seeing… well, Victoire.

"I'm sorry ladies, once the show starts…" He trailed off feebly as Victoire laughed easily.

"We're with the band." She smirked again, tilting her head and piercing his gaze with hers. He blinked stupidly and I almost felt sorry for him. It wasn't fair, because she wasn't just a really pretty girl with good genes. She was part veela and he didn't have a hope in hell.

He nodded absently without really knowing what he was agreeing to. He didn't seem to question what she was saying though. "You know… You know Tommy and the boys?"

Nodding slightly, she bit her lip. "Course. We're real sorry we're late but… you know how these things go. We just want to see Tommy play. We won't be any trouble. Will we?"

She turned innocently to Lys and Rose. Rose snorted gracefully, swaying on the spot. I felt Scorpius raise a hand to his face beside me and had to bite back a laugh myself. Lys was a lot more experienced, but pretty far along in the drink department. She blinked and just about managed a smile. "No. No trouble."

Weirdly enough it was Kate who pulled through to back her up. She smiled sweetly, batting her eyelashes shamelessly. "Please? Pretty please?"

Looking thoroughly confused and even more defeated, he slowly stepped aside and let us pass through. The girls all squealed and high fived as they passed him; Scorpius rushing forward to help Rose walk and… well use her limbs. The bouncer caught my arm as I passed, halting me for a second.

"That your girl, son? The blonde one?"

I nodded, a cheeky grin spreading across my face. He stared at me for a beat.

"Good luck." He managed eventually.

I didn't really know what to make of that.

Kind of insulting actually. I wanted to tell him that I was actually a pretty big name at my school, and considered quite a catch. But then Vic rushed back to see what was delaying me and when I smiled at her; she darted forward and rewarded me with a giant kiss.

As she pulled me after her into the club, I resisted the urge to grin back at him.

Or flip him off.

"You were pretty sensational." I whispered to her as we pushed into the centre of the crowd of dancers. It was dark and hot and kind of icky but looking at Vic grinning up at me and feeling the buzz of the drink- I barely noticed any of it.

"Oh yeah? You weren't jealous?" She smirked happily, wrapping arms around my neck and murmuring into my neck as I laughed.

"Nope. We know who is the more attractive one in this relationship." I responded confidently, watching for her look of outrage. She didn't disappoint; smacking me theatrically as her mouth fell open.

"More attractive? You're kidding."

I laughed easily. "No way are you more attractive. It's about more than looks you know. It's an aura. An attitude. And I am just more charming than you. That's all."

She pouted indignantly, amusement sparkling in her eyes. "I have charm. I can be charismatic."

"Yeah. A bit. But not as good as me." I shrugged indifferently as she grinned ever more broadly.

"Is that a fact?"

"Uh-huh."

"Prove it."

I glanced down at her, scoffing. "How can I possibly prove that?"

She cast her gaze around. "Pick a girl and charm her."

I laughed outright at that. "What? You want me to flirt with someone else?"

She shrugged, exaggeratedly indifferent. "Or we could ask the guys. Oi!" She beckoned over Scorpius and Rose, pushing back off the dance-floor to join them at the bar.

"Which of us is the reacher and which is the settler?" She demanded. Scorpius tore his attention from a hiccoughing Rose and looked us up and down in derision.

"Are you two serious? Look, that is the stupidest-"
"Teddy-the-reacher." Rose slurred, pointing a wobbly finger at some random boy sitting on the bar stool beside her. He eyed her dubiously, wondering what on earth she was pointing at before Malfoy sighed and redirected her finger to point where I was actually standing. Victoire whooped triumphantly and kissed my cheek as I scowled.

"Naww. You're so pretty when you're grumpy." She cooed.

"I amn't grumpy." I replied defensively. "That's obviously complete crap. Rose can't even talk." Huffing as she stroked my arm soothingly, I cast my gaze around.

"Alright, I will prove it. Pick a girl."

She laughed gleefully, pointing to an intimidating looking grungy girl in the corner. I squinted at her. She was kind of hot in a rocky kind of way- with tousled, unkempt dark blonde hair and pale skin and smudged eye-shadow.

"Fine." I replied starchily and she snickered, watching my advance. I could hear Aelius arrive behind me, and her clue him in on what was happening.

"Excuse me?" I stepped in front of the girl, grinning crookedly and looking at her from under my eyelashes in the way I always did when Vic was pissed at me and I wanted her to forget why. The girl blinked, smiling shyly back.

"Yeah?"

I pretended to be kind of embarrassed, running an awkward hand through my hair. "I just- have we met? You know Tommy right?" I guessed wildly, and her face lit up enthusiastically.

"Yeah- yeah- I do! How do you know Tommy?"

Merlin this Tommy guy was popular. I cast my gaze around for a way a knew Tommy.

"Oh, from around. You know Tommy!" I laughed, hoping she'd just join in. And she did. If she thought anything was off about my explanation, she didn't show it. She just grinned and stepped closer, batting her eyelashes and biting her lip.

"Does your coming over here have anything to do with the blonde girl by the bar?" She asked coyly, in the exact same tone she'd used for the entire conversation. My face froze.

"It does doesn't it? So... what? You want to make her jealous?" She guessed, still smiling. For Vic's benefit I realised. What a fucking hero.

"Yeah." I admitted sheepishly. "Our friends think I'm the reacher?"

She snorted, sipping from her drink and pushing her hair off her face. "You're a real pretty boy, don't get me wrong. But if I were you, I might just not poke that bag of cats. I'm Gena."

"Gena. I'm Teddy." I grinned at her, feeling pretty caught out.

"So Teddy, what do you have to do to prove you are not the reacher?"

"Charm you, I guess. I dunno. Does she look jealous?" I quirked a brow at Gena, jerking my head to behind me and indicating she should check. She peered subtly over my shoulder and grinned.

"If I were you Teddy, I'd hurry back home to Barbie."

"Who's Barbie?" I asked dumbly, but she just snorted again and grabbed my shoulders to whirl me back around. Across the crowd of teenagers milling around the edges of the dance floor, I could make out Vic sitting at the bar, and some bloke leaning against the wall beside her trying to engage her in conversation. I turned to grin at Gena.

"I'm almost hurt. She doesn't seem very jealous at all."

Gena smiled warmly. "She was distracted though. Five more minutes and she would have been marching over here to defend your honour."

I laughed, outstretching my hand. "Gena. It's been a pleasure."

As I weaved in and out of the bar's patrons, I glanced around for the rest of our party. Scorpius and Rose had vanished, presumably Rose was kicked out or he was holding her hair in the toilets; equally hilarious mental pictures. Aelius and Lys were dancing by the stage and I couldn't make out Craig and Kate anywhere. Nearing Vic and her new friend, I could make out some of the conversation.

"Is that a posh school? I've never heard of it."

"Why would you think it's posh?" Vic responded in a bored voice.

"Because you've a funny posh name." He slurred back, his eyes weaving in and out of focus.

"No I don't." She replied irritably. "It's French."

"But you aren't French." He argued stubbornly.

"Yes, but my mother is."

"Oh." He blinked stupidly. "What's her name?"

Vic sighed, sounding like she wished for all the world she had brought her wand so that she could hex him into next week. I bit back laughter, having too much fun to intervene.

"It's Fleur." She replied through gritted teeth.

"Oh. That means flower."

"I know." She hissed, but then suddenly bolted upright in her seat. "That boy, the one that was over by the wall- where did he go? Did you see where he went? Or the girl?" She demanded of her companion.

He blinked in the direction she was pointing in, at the corner of wall I'd stood in only seconds before. "I dunno. Is he your boyfriend or something?" He sipped his drink in an overly casual fashion and I figured now was as good a time as any to intervene.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I'm stealing my girlfriend back." I flashed him a quick grin, and pulled Vic away before he could respond. She glared up at me through a half grin.

"Did you hear any of that?"

I laughed. "I heard you get all jealous wondering where I was, yes. I also heard him tell you Fleur meant flower. I thought that was very sweet of him. A nice touch."

"Shut up." She growled, but she kissed me anyways.