Author's Note: Things I don't own: Harry Potter. Thinks I do own: Simon, Max, and the other characters I made up. Plus four plush dinosaurs. The song is by the Backstreet Boys. I like this song so here are the lyrics:
"Back To Your Heart"
It's not that I can't live without you
It's just that I don't even want to try
Every night I dream about you
Ever since the day we said goodbye
If I wasn't such a fool
Right now I'd be holding you
There's nothin' that I wouldn't do
Baby if I only knew
[Chorus:]
The words to say
The road to take
To find a way back to your heart
What can I do
To get to you
And find a way back to your heart
I don't know how it got so crazy
But I'll do anything to set things right
Cuz your love is so amazing
Baby you're the best thing in my life
Let me prove my love is real
And made you feel the way I feel
I promise I would give the world
If only you would tell me girl
[Chorus]
Give me one more chance, to give my love to you
Cuz no one on this earth loves you like I do
Tell me...
[Chorus]
I turn back time
To make you mine
And find a way back to your heart
I beg and plead
Fall to my knees
To find a way back to your heart
Chapter 14: Back to Your Heart
"For the last time, I am not going back to Britain."
"But Naiya, if you don't then you might as well kiss this planet good-bye!"
Naiya snorted. "Funny, no tyrant has managed to destroy the Earth. Change the rules maybe, or start massive revolutions, but Earth itself remains unchanged."
"You can't let our sister destroy the peace!"
"I can't control her, so I don't know why you're coming to me." Naiya snapped.
"you can control her. If you threaten her life…"
"I'll end up threatening my own Donelle and I won't. " Naiya said in a tone that suggested the conversation was over. "Now get out of my home before I send for the aurors."
Donelle stood angrily. " You will regret your decision. It will be Merlyn all over again."
"No it won't, I have no emotional attachment to her new target." Naiya said clenching her fists.
"A new target that if she gets a hold of will make her unstoppable!" Donelle roared.
"Only to you, wizards could still finish her off." Naiya said.
"If she doesn't kill them all first. She's quite determined to prevent any mishaps like last time."
"That was over two thousand years ago. I'm sure she's learned some things now and forgotten others. Now leave me be Donelle."
"So, you'll let everything these humans know turn to dust without a second thought" Donelle asked.
"They mean nothing to me." Naiya said.
"If Merlyn was the only one who meant anything to you, why are you so determined to live?" Donelle demanded.
"I have my reasons." Naiya snapped. "Now leave!"
"Naiya, think about…"
"I told you to leave!" Naiya shouted shoving Donelle out of her home with a huge jet of water. She slammed the door as Donelle stood sopping wet.
"Mark my words Naiya, you'll come to your senses soon enough!" Donelle shouted before vanishing in a gust of wind.
"It might help if you talk about it." Sarah said as she and Teddy worked on a report together. Sarah Mason was Teddy's new auror partner. Max had been placed with an older guy who had moved from the States. Ever since then, Teddy had seen more and more of Sarah because she had taken a liking to Simon.
"I don't want to talk, Sarah. Let's just finish the report so we can go home." Teddy said. Sarah looked about to argue, but she shrugged her shoulders and went back to writing.
It had been a month since Teddy had last seen Victoire. He couldn't believe she thought that Richard had bought the necklace for her. How could he lie to her like that? Did he know Teddy like her? Did he like Victoire so much that he was afraid to lose her because of that?
"It's done," Sarah said nudging Teddy. Teddy nodded and they both stood to give Harry their report.
"Good," Harry said looking over it. "Well done, you guys are free to go home."
"Thanks," Sarah said taking off immediately.
"You are coming to the Weasleys' tonight for the engagement party?" Harry asked. Teddy nodded.
"I have to. I'm Max's best friend. I can't ditch his engagement party. He'd kill me."
"I thought so, you going to be able to handle Victoire and Richard?" Harry asked. Teddy sighed.
"I don't know," He had resigned himself to allowing Harry to know how he felt about Victoire. Harry knew how he felt after all. Ginny had had two boyfriends before Harry had "asked her out."
"Well, if it's too much, I'm sure Max will understand." Harry said patting Teddy's shoulder.
"I'm more afraid I'll snap and punch him in the face." Teddy admitted.
"I can ask Victoire not to bring him." Harry said. "Say Max doesn't really like him."
Teddy shook his head. "It's fine, I'll figure something out."
He left leaving Harry looking very concerned.
"He should just tell her the truth." Ron said coming into the room.
"Yeah, but that would show that Richard lied. It was one little thing and we know Vic will blow it out of proportion." Harry sighed.
"What's he going to do then?" Ron asked. "Wallow in self pity until he can get some random girl to shag him?"
Harry shook his head. "He'd pull a Remus and hide away from everyone most likely."
The engagement party went well. It wasn't the traditional bachelor/bachelorette party, but then Max and Giselle weren't much into tradition. The next day was the wedding. It was held in a beautiful chapel in wizarding London. All the brides' maids wore periwinkle dresses; They all looked like they had stepped out of the medieval ages. Then groomsmen all wore black and white dress robes that made them resemble penguins.
Teddy was walking beside Giselle's best friend, Nakita. This annoyed him because he knew that Simon (who constantly flirted with Victoire) was walking with Victoire. Once they had all lined up on either side of the aisle up front the wedding march sounded and Giselle appeared. Teddy couldn't help but stare. He was so used to Giselle being covered in dirt and wearing pants that he was temporarily disconcerted. She was wearing a stunning white gown. It looked like a medieval dress too with lots of lace and ribbons. She was absolutely gorgeous.
Teddy glanced at Max. He looked so happy. He was practically glowing. Teddy smiled. This was Max's big day and he was thinking of a hundred ways to dismember Richard and switch places with Simon. He was being selfish. Therefore, when Max and Giselle exchanged vows and sealed them with a kiss, Teddy was the first to clap and cheer.
The wedding reception took place at a secluded park in Scotland. The guests helped set up the tables and chairs and other things and then the music was set up and Max and Giselle danced to the first song alone as their first dance as husband and wife. When the song had ended another came on and others began to dance too.
"Giselle care to dance?" Teddy asked. Giselle shrugged.
"Sure, I'm sure I'll dance with every guy here before the night is over." Giselle allowed teddy to lead to her to the dance floor.
"So how does it feel to be Mrs. Peterson?" Teddy asked.
"No different then being Miss Weasley, tough I do wish my father could have been here to give me away instead of Uncle George."
"Yeah, I can relate. I'll have almost the same issue when I get married." Teddy said.
"I didn't know you were so good with your hands." Giselle commented.
"I beg your pardon?" Teddy asked confused.
"I know you made that necklace for Victoire." Giselle said. "I recognized the pearl. Richard knows it was you too. He really likes Vic, but he knows you love her and so he's going to dump her in a couple days."
"What?" Teddy asked shocked.
"He's going to tell her that he really likes her but that he thinks they'll make better friends. He thinks you should tell her you made it yourself."
Teddy's throat was tight. "Why is he doing this? He doesn't even know me. He doesn't know the thoughts I've had about him."
"He knows a lot more than you think. He knows you would do anything for Vic. He knows you'd always be able to make her happy. He knows you would take care of her and he knows he doesn't stand a chance against you in the long run." Giselle said.
Teddy nodded unable to speak.
"He also knows she'll come to you when they break up and that you'll be able to make her smile again." Giselle added as the song ended and her Uncle Ron came to dance with her for the next song.
Giselle was right. Three days later, Teddy was in his flat taking a nap when there was a knock at the door. Grumbling about being woken up, Teddy trudged to the door. When it swung open he jumped. It was Victoire and she crying. She ran into Teddy's arms, sobbing uncontrollably into his chest. Teddy shut the door and led her to the couch, not saying a word. He just held her while she cried.
"I'm sorry to just barge in here like this." Victoire sniffled an hour and half later. "I didn't know who else to go to."
"It's no problem." Teddy assured her. "Breaking up is hard."
"How did you know Richard broke up with me?" Victoire asked. Teddy sighed.
"He told Giselle who told me." He explained. Victoire immediately stopped crying.
"You two knew and you didn't warn me?" she asked angrily. "Why didn't you tell me? I trusted you!"
"Vic…"
"Don't Vic me, what kind of friend let's another get hurt?" Victoire snapped throwing Teddy's arms off of her.
"When have I ever let you get hurt?" Teddy retorted.
"You made me look like a fool in front of the whole school when you pretended to be flirting with Michael. You've done countless things to me at home." She gasped. "Did you have anything to do with Richard breaking up with me?"
"Not really," Teddy began.
"What do you mean not really?" Victoire asked shrilly.
"Well, he found how…how I felt about you and he didn't want to get in the way." Teddy said quickly.
"Meaning?" Victoire asked.
"I made that necklace you're wearing. He knew it but he was afraid you choose me over him so he lied. He told you he bought it so that he could keep you…"
"That is the most awful thing I've ever heard!" Victoire shouted. "How dare you make up such a story! Carol was right, you are jealous! And even worse, you would stoop so low as to make Richard break up with me! Teddy, why can't you butt out of my love life?"
"I'm not lying…"
"Oh save your breath for someone who cares!" Victoire jumped up, slapped Teddy across the cheek and stormed out of his apartment. Teddy stared dumbfounded at the empty space where Victoire had been. How could she think he would lie to her? He had bared his heart to her and she took it and ripped it to shreds. It seems she wasn't the Victoire he had indeed fallen in love with. It was time to move on.
"I'll be right back, I'll grab some dinner with his meds!" Sarah called as he left the house. She Apparated to Diagon Alley and went to the apothecary to get the medical potions for her brother. When she was done there, she started towards Macron's Burger Stand. She was nearly there when a woman stepped in front of her, halting her footsteps. Sarah looked up annoyed.
"Excuse me, you're in my way." she said. She gasped and dropped her bag as the woman lowered her hood. She was the most beautiful woman Sarah had ever seen. She had long dark red hair, pale skin and vibrant black eyes.
"Who are you?" Sarah asked.
"A friend, those medications won't work for your brother. He doesn't a simple disease like that." The woman said.
"How do you…?"
"I know a lot of things and I know I can help your brother, but I need your help first."
"How do I know I can trust you?" Sarah asked.
"Your brother has a rare cancer, he must go to a muggle hospital if he is to be cured." The woman said. "The best one is Wales."
"If you're sure, what do you need from me?" Sarah asked.
"I need you to bring Teddy Lupin to me." The woman said. Sarah took a step back.
"Why do you need Teddy?" Sarah asked.
"He's a friend of mine, he owes me a service, but he's been ignoring me." The woman said smoothly.
"Somehow, I don't believe you." Sarah said. She picked up her bag. "He would have mentioned you."
Sarah turned in the other direction and began to run.
"If you flee now, I will make your life a living hell!" the woman shouted. "You don't want me as your enemy, not with your brother so ill!"
Sarah ignored her and ran into the Leaky Cauldron where she Flooed home. The woman didn't know anything about her family. There was no way she could know. She was trying to lure her into trap was all. She needed to warn Harry and Teddy about her.
"I brought the medication, but I couldn't go to get food, you'll have to cook mother." Sarah said.
"What happened?" he mother asked seeing her strained face.
"A woman cornered me. Somehow she knew David was ill. She wanted me to give her Teddy. I have to go tell Harry. Put up protective charms. I'll be right back." Sarah sprinted downstairs and Apparated to the Ministry. The moon had risen by then. She pelted for the visitor's entrance when something jumped on her. She screamed as she was shoved to the hard cement by something large and hairy.
It howled. Fearing the worst, Sarah punched the werewolf on the nose. It yelped and leapt off of her. She scrambled to her feet intent on getting to the entrance before the werewolf pounced again. A searing pain shot through her leg as it bit her. She stumbled to the ground.
"Stop," the werewolf backed away whimpering. Sarah looked through her tears to see the woman from earlier. She didn't look pretty now as she glared nastily at Sarah.
"I told you that you didn't want me as your enemy." She spat. "Go home and don't you speak of what has happened tonight. You will come to me when I call…and you will bring me Teddy Lupin. If not, I will make sure your brother never gets well again."
"Victoire, you have a visitor!" Bill called.
"Is it Teddy?" Victoire shouted.
"Yes!"
"Then I'm not coming down!" There was the sound of a slamming door. Bill looked at Teddy apologetically.
"I don't know why she hates you all of a sudden, but it looks like you won't get her to talk today either."
"But if I don't talk to her today, I won't see her until Christmas!" Teddy sighed. "I'm going to try still. Wish me luck."
"Good luck, you're going to need it." Bill said as Teddy trudged up the stairs. He stood outside her door and took a deep breath. Then he knocked.
"I know it's you Teddy, so go away!" Victoire shouted. Teddy rolled his eyes. He knew that Victoire never locked her door so he walked in. Victoire shot off her bed.
"Excuse me, I didn't give you permission to come in here." She spat. Teddy grabbed arms and sat her on her bed. He waved his wand and her door shut and locked itself.
"What are you doing?" Victoire demanded.
"I'm making sure you listen to me." Teddy snapped. I want you to stop making me the bad guy. Yes, I've made a fool out of you more often than anyone. That's because you're my best friend and I like to tease you. You tease me just as much. Yes, I caused you to break up with Michael, but you and I both know that you didn't care, you were happy to be rid of him. As for Richard, I had nothing to do with that. All I had to do with that was that he found out I loved you and he didn't want to interfere. I didn't ask him to break up with you, no matter how much I wanted to. I did make that necklace. I know you still don't believe me, but if you want the truth, then look at the clasp. Now that you've listened, I'll go. Have a good term and see you at Christmas."
Teddy stood and walked across her room. He unlocked the door and swung it open. Once he was outside, he shut the door gently and left. Now all he could do was wait.
Victoire refused to look at the clasp. She was too angry to do that just yet. Instead, she grabbed one of her many pillows and screamed into it. Why was he making this so difficult for her? She had liked Teddy romantically two years ago, now he's changed his mind when she's changed hers? Or had she? He hadn't changed in two years. He was still sweet, kind-hearted, cheeky, smart, and handsome; he even had the same crooked grin. He always wore his hair blue…because Victoire had said she liked that color best.
"Bloody hell," Victoire said. She sat up and took off her necklace. She gasped. On the clasp was the Black family crest complete with Toujours Pur. How could she be so stupid? Teddy would never lie about something like this. Then it hit her. Teddy loved her. It wasn't just a crush. He loved her.
"Bloody hell," she said again. She grabbed a piece of parchment. It was too late to go over to his flat, but she could write to him.
Teddy was getting ready for work the next day when he saw the letter. He recognized the handwriting right away. He tore it open and read what was written. He dropped the letter and cursed. How was he going to make it on time? He Flooed directly to the auror office and ran to Max's desk.
"Max, I need you to cover for me." Teddy said.
"Okay, why?" Max asked.
"I can't explain yet, there's not enough time, I'll be back in like ten minutes."
"Teddy?" Max shouted as Teddy took off. He appeared on Platform Nine and Three Quarters with eight minutes to spare; now he needed to find her. He searched the platform quickly. He ducked when Bill and Fleur walked by and narrowly avoided being seen by Ron and Hermione and their two kids. Once he didn't see anyone he knew, he thought it safe to look again.
"I blew it Carol! I let him walk away and now he's not going to show up!" Victoire screamed in frustration. "What if he never got my letter? I should have gone over."
"Victoire, shut up!" Carol snapped. "Look out the window you lunatic."
Victoire perked up and looked out the window. She squealed in delight. Amongst the crowd looking very lost was Teddy's bright blue head. She pulled the window down.
"Teddy!" she called. He looked up and smiled. He waved and then headed toward the train. Victoire pelted out of the compartment and down the stairs just as Teddy reached them. She launched herself off of them and into Teddy's arms. Then without thinking, she pressed her lips to Teddy's. He didn't even seem shocked, he just responded enthusiastically. Her arms intertwined around his neck and his arms pulled her closer to him. They stayed like for several moments until…
"Teddy, what are you doing?" Teddy pulled away from Victoire and turned annoyed to James.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" he snapped. "I'm saying good-bye to Victoire. Now buzz off!"
He took a swipe at James who dodged it with the skills of a Chaser.
"Everyone's going to flip when I tell them!" he shouted in glee taking off down the platform. Teddy sighed. Victoire turned his face back to her.
"I'm sorry I treated you so badly. Can you forgive me?" Victoire said. Teddy smiled.
"All too easily." He said kissing her again. She tasted so good to him. Of course, he knew she would taste this way, he had eaten her chap stick once because it annoyed her. It was strawberry ice cream flavored.
Victoire couldn't believe how good he was at kissing. He didn't put too much into, but just enough to show how much he cared. She had never felt so much in one kiss. She broke it off this time as the train whistle blew. He had his arms around her still and she pressed her hands to his chest.
"I guess this is good-bye?" she stated like a question.
"I can come for Hogsmeade weekends. Harry doesn't have me working weekends." Teddy said. Victoire smiled.
"Write to me every day?" she asked.
"Well, as often as I can." Teddy promised. "You ought to get on the train before it leaves you."
Victoire nodded and kissed Teddy again before getting on the train. She waved from the nearest window until she couldn't see him anymore. Then she went back to her compartment and sat beside Abby who was giggling.
"That was some snog." She said.
"Oh shut up," Victoire said blushing. Her friends giggled in response.
Teddy hurried back to the Ministry knowing he had to beat Harry and Ron there. He rushed into the auror cubicles, thanked Max and nearly sat in Sarah's lap.
"Sorry," he said as Sarah winced. Teddy looked at her.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine, worked out yesterday and I'm really sore." Sarah said. Teddy made a face.
"I always thought work outs were lame." He said sifting through their pile of paperwork. He groaned.
"Have you been making out?" Sarah asked. Teddy looked up.
"No technically," he said.
"Teddy Lupin, who were you ditching work for?" Sarah demanded.
"Victoire," Teddy said looking away and pulling out a random report. Sarah's jaw dropped.
"You were snogging Victoire?"
"I knew it!" Teddy and Victoire jumped. Max was laughing hysterically. "When's the wedding?"
"There is none, now quit butting in." Teddy said. "And will you two keep your voices down? Harry isn't supposed to know…"
"Know what?" Harry asked. Max made a funny noise then scooted off to his desk. Sarah looked at her feet and Teddy rubbed his forehead in annoyance.
"Nothing, obviously," he said.
"Obviously, does it have anything to do with James running up to all of us saying he caught you snogging his cousin?"
Teddy could control the blush on his cheeks, but his hair changed without his consent to a bright baby pink. Harry chuckled.
"I knew you two would end up together." He said. "Congrats, I still expect the same quality work though," he said before walking off.
"This is just great. Now the whole Weasley family is going to tease me." Teddy grumbled.
"You knew that was going to happen the moment you realized you liked her." Sarah said. "You were going to have to deal with it some day."