Draco is called into work on his day off. Unfortunately, this means that Scorpius has to be left alone — and even though Scorpius is twelve whole years old, for some reason his father thinks that he can't be left alone. Everyone they know is busy.

Except.

Except Victoire and Teddy.

Who were busy, thank you very much, until they got a patronus from Vic's father, telling them that Draco was in a pinch and really needed somewhere to leave Scorpius for a few hours; at least until Albus and Harry got home and Scorpius could go there.

Which is why, instead of going on their movie date, Vic and Teddy are now sitting across from Scorpius, who has his arms crossed, looking as displeased with their set up as Victoire is.

"I'm too old to be babysat, you know," he says, staring at Vic, his eyes unblinking. Vic turns to look at Teddy, hoping that she's keeping in her smirk.

She's used to being stared at by this point in her life. Veela blood is strong, even as diluted as it is in her own blood. Still, it's amusing to see it happen with this twelve year old child who Vic would never give a second glance too. She remembers being that age, being fixated with the likes of Harry Styles, or David Beckham, or Professor Longbottom.

She remembers giving the look that Scorpius is giving her now.

"Well, we're not sitting on you," Teddy says, taking Vic's hand in a way that doesn't make her less likely to laugh. It's what she loves about Teddy; his overprotectiveness. It's a little funny that he feels the need to protect her from the almost-teenager in front of them.

Scorpius frowns, and Vic isn't sure if it's because of her holding her boyfriend's hand or if it's from Teddy's sentence. Either is as likely.

"Well, we're both stuck here," Vic says, squeezing and then dropping Teddy's hand. She notices how Scorpius' eyes light up slightly from that. "We might as well do something fun."

…

Vic drags Scorpius and Teddy out to her favorite place — the shops. She loves seeing all the little homemade trinkets sold by vendors and she's fascinated by the workmanship of everything, despite them being Muggles.

And despite Scorpius only being twelve, Vic is finding him really funny. She likes the jokes he makes as they walk from stand to stand and she likes watching him try and haggle with the vendors. He's got a lot of guts for someone so young.

After an hour or so, they head home, Teddy carrying Vic's bags. She gets the feeling he's not really enjoying Scorpius' company and the fact that Scorpius keeps on…

Well, it's not really flirting, Vic thinks. It might be from Scorpius' point of view, but Vic can't help but see Scorpius as almost like a little puppy. It had been cute when he held up a pair of earrings to Vic's face and said "Your eyes are like sapphires. These earrings would look perfect on you." Vic had laughed. Teddy didn't.

On the train ride home, Scorpius sits right next to Victoire, despite Teddy trying to subtly have Vic sit on the end of the row so that only Teddy could sit next to her. He talks almost the whole ride — a stark contrast to the grumpy kid they were left with earlier — and he glows when Vic laughs at his (sometimes lame) jokes.

"Hey, Vic," Scorpius says when they get home, "can I talk to you?"

"Sure," she says, putting the couple of books she got away on the shelf. When Scorpius doesn't say anything more, she glances at him. He's looking at Teddy.

"Alone?" he asks, peeling his eyes away from Vic's boyfriend.

Teddy immediately goes to grab Vic's hand. "Anything you want to say to her you can say in front of me," he says, and Vic gives him a look that she hopes conveys that he doesn't have anything to worry about.

"Yeah, what's up?" Vic says, squeezing Teddy's hand. She keeps eye contact with Scorpius and hopes that Teddy isn't glaring too badly at him.

Scorpius doesn't look happy at their interlaced hands.

Still, he takes a deep breath in, and then says, "I'm gonna go for broke. I am madly in love with you."

It takes all of Victoire's self-control to not laugh. That would probably be a very mean thing to do right now, especially since Scorpius is really just a kid. It would be really cruel of her.

"Huh," Teddy says, the single syllable dripping in sarcasm, "I was not expecting that."

Scorpius scowls at Teddy and then turns back to Vic, saying, "I'm serious. Spending time with you today —"

"—and with her boyfriend," Teddy interrupts. Scorpius ignores him.

"It really made me realize how beautiful you are, and I really think we could be great together if you just give me a chance."

"Oh, Scorpius," Vic says, hoping it doesn't come out too pitiful. "I appreciate it, but you're just… too young."

"I'm only 7 years younger than you," he protests. It's taking everything to not laugh, but she'd really feel awful if she'd laugh in this poor boy's face.

"I'm sorry, Scorpius," she says, feeling bad when his face flushes and he pointedly looks at the ground. "But look," she says, glancing over at Teddy. "We can still be friends?"

"Friends?" he mutters, looking at his shoes.

"Friends," she says, hoping she's not being too harsh.

"Look, kid," Teddy says, speaking up. "Being friends with Vic is probably the best thing in the world. Better than anything romantic." Vic smiles at that, at her boyfriend putting away his protectiveness and pride in order to make Scorpius feel better.

"...Really?" Scorpius says, sounding surprised and looking up.

"Really," Teddy says. "She's my best friend." Vic and Teddy lock eyes and have a silent conversation when Scorpius doesn't reply. "And she can be yours, also. If you want."

At that, Scorpius smiles.

Vic thinks they'll get over this.

1010 words by gdocs

for various challenges:

assignment 3: muggle music - task 4, write about unrequited love

wicked webs - scorpius and victoire with dew drop glue #9, (dialogue) "Huh, I was not expecting that."

scamander's case - demiguise female, teddy lupin

gather your party - cleric, #12, teddy lupin

halloween special event: halloween costumes - #1, (dialogue) "I'm gonna go for broke. I am madly in love with you."; bobbing for word counts - 1010 words; flash tattoos - #10, (scenario) Profession of true love

moving on - remus lupin, #2, (character) Teddy Lupin

rake it in - yellow #5, (trait) flirty

writing club: what's in a month - #13, Filius Flitwick: Write about someone 'charming'.; we're bringing sexy back - #7, Before you try to get your hooks in me; nifty & swiftie - #6, (trope) unrequited love; color theory - #10, (dialogue) "Your eyes are like sapphires."