Chapter 4

(A/N- This is the final chapter…I'd like to thank you all for the reviews! Thanks for a fun story.)

Victoire walked away from Owen Davies slowly, slightly depressed by how eagerly he'd accepted her invitation. She barely noticed the redhead rushing up to her until Molly demanded,

"What was that?"

"That?" Victoire repeated, her silver eyes dangerous as her anger rekindled. "That was me asking Owen Davies to Hogsmeade!"

"What?" Molly's brown eyes widened in disbelief. "Why?"

"You shouldn't be complaining," Her cousin replied sulkily. "Aren't you the one who set me up with him in the first place?"

"Yes," Molly sighed loudly, "But that was before you had Teddy."

"Well, I don't have Teddy," Victoire declared stubbornly. "No thanks to you, by the way."

"Ohhh…" Molly drew the word out guiltily. "I was just trying to get things started a little quicker, Vic." She frowned. "What happened, anyway?"

"A little quicker?" She shrieked. "Do you realize, Mol, that he thinks I've been avoiding him because I want to go to Hogsmeade with him?"

"Well, you are," Molly pointed out, before snapping her mouth shut at the expression on the older girl's face. "Sorry, Vic…I didn't realize you two would get into a fight over it."

"We didn't," Victoire informed her stiffly. "We're completely fine, actually."

"So…" Molly frowned, not able to resist asking. "Why aren't you going to Hogsmeade with him?"

"Because," Vic replied slowly, fighting to control her temper, "I told him I couldn't believe he actually thought I'd ever want to go to Hogsmeade with him, and he responded by- after apologizing, if you can believe that- by telling me he was thinking of asking Laura Williams to Hogsmeade." She opened her mouth to continue, but Molly waved it away.

"Don't bother finishing," She said with a grin. "I know the rest. You told him you were asking Owen, and then you two got in a huff because you were too proud to ask each other, and you're both trying to act as if you're normal, but on the inside you're both trying to make the other jealous and for the other to admit they like you first."

"What?" Spluttered Victoire, her mind reeling. She didn't know what on earth Molly was talking about, but…

Well, it sounded as if her cousin had been stating exactly what had been on her mind at the moment. But, of course, that was impossible…Teddy couldn't feel the same way…if he did, he would have asked her to Hogsmeade.

Pushing the thought away, she sent a swift glare in her cousin's direction.

"Well, in any case, I'm stuck with Owen tomorrow," Vic declared stiffly. "So I'd rather we not talk about Teddy right now."

"If you say so," Molly complied, an anxious look coming over her face.

…

Victoire glanced over at the two of them, not paying any attention to the worries eagerly spilling out of Davies' mouth. Laura had moved a little closer than before, obviously delighted to be on a date with Gryffindor's Head Boy, who was, not to mention, naturally handsome. There were the other things, too…he was outgoing, clever…sweet, kind, and always able to make Vic laugh…he knew her inside out…

Laura couldn't possibly know about things like that, Vic thought crossly. She was the only one who knew Teddy like that…who knew that Teddy preferred pink hair, his mother's favorite color, at home, and his father's sweet, dark eyes…that Teddy's first broom had been his mother's old Comet Two Sixty that he'd sneaked out to the garden at night to ride, even before his godfather Harry had bought him a Firebolt. No, Laura had no business sitting there…she hardly knew him!

Teddy's arm had now fallen lightly across Laura's shoulders, behind her dark, auburn hair, and Laura laughed, her eyes sparkling as she leaned into him. Victoire tensed as Owen rambled on, oblivious to Vic's glare.

Vic noticed, slightly, that Teddy didn't seem that engaged…which was, at least, something. His careless, easy-going smile was sprawled across his face, but his eyes held nothing serious. As Laura said something with a smile, Teddy laughed, running a hand through his hair. Victoire forced herself to pay attention to Owen's words and turned away from Teddy, swallowing back the sick feeling in her stomach.

"So, Owen," Victoire said, forcing her face into a smile, "It's been a while since I've talked to you."

"Oh- yes, it has!" Owen replied, flustered as he was interrupted mid-sentence. "You know, Vic…" As he continued on, Victoire grit her teeth at his awkwardness and her nickname. It didn't sound nearly the same when he said it…it was Teddy's name…it always had been…

As she squeezed her eyes shut in frustration, she nearly screamed as she felt Owen's lips brush up against her. Jumping up swiftly, she swallowed. Her pride wasn't worth going through this. Turning to Teddy, she froze in shock as his eyes met hers, widened in surprise as he pulled back from his own kiss.

Blinking back tears- could this day get any worse?- Victoire squeezed her way past Owen.

"This was wonderful," She announced, forcing her voice to remain strong. "But I've just remembered…I have other things to do…homework…" She offered feebly, the excuse effortless.

"What?" Owen stammered, standing up quickly, his arm outstretched. "Wait…Vic…I made plans…"

"Don't touch me," Victoire replied, fighting back tears. "And don't call me Vic!" Leaving him dumbfounded, she sprinted out of the Three Broomsticks without another glance at Teddy.

"Vic! Wait!" She heard his voice call, but she ignored it, running until she reached the Shrieking Shack. Sinking down in the grass against a tree, she let her tears fall, cursing herself for ever trying to play a game with Teddy.

…

"Shoot," Teddy mumbled, sinking down in his seat. "I just messed everything up, didn't I?"

"No, you didn't," Laura told him kindly. "She'll forgive you. She always does." He sighed, glancing across at the shocked Davies before telling her in a low voice,

"I always did hate him." Teddy frowned. "Don't know why you fancy him, actually."

"That's because you don't know him," Laura said quietly with a smile. "If you knew him…"

"Alright, I suppose I should understand, of all people…" Teddy grinned, in spite of the situation. "I'm assuming it wouldn't be a problem if I left you alone with him?" Laura reddened slightly.

"No…you go ahead." She smiled before reaching up to give Teddy a hug. "I really am sorry…I mean, I didn't think it'd be a good idea in the first place, but you did suggest it, you know…"

"Right…" Teddy grimaced. "Although, if I'd known Vic was going to push Davies away, I wouldn't have kissed you."

"You nearly did," Laura corrected him. "If you'd actually done it, I would've pushed you away…I reckon it looked like it, though."

"Thanks, Williams," Teddy said gratefully, before hurrying out the door. He knew where she'd be. It wasn't the first time she'd gone there when she needed a place to think or had gotten into an argument with him.

His heartbeat speeding up slightly as he saw her long, willowy hair as she leant against a tree, he cleared his throat.

"Hey," Teddy said quietly, his eyes worried. When she didn't speak, he swallowed. "Vic…I suppose I've got a lot of explaining to do."

"No, you don't…" Vic said tightly, and Teddy winced as he heard her voice was hoarse from crying.

"Yes, I do," He insisted firmly. "Vic, I was being stupid."

"How were you being stupid?" She asked quietly. "That's ridiculous. You're allowed to like whoever you like…kiss whoever you fancy." Teddy nearly laughed.

"Laura? You honestly think I fancy Williams?"

She turned to him, her head pounding.

"Don't you?"

"No!" Her eyes widened at his words, and he continued, a small smile spread across his face. "Vic, that was only to make you jealous…I thought maybe you'd admit you liked me when you saw me with her…" He grinned sheepishly. "I was trying to help her out, too…set her up with Davies…I knew you couldn't like him."

"I…don't," Vic said slowly, suddenly finding herself breathless. "Teddy…I love you," She blurted out. He stared at her words, and she cursed herself for her outburst, wondering where the words had come from. But somehow, she knew she loved him…it was true. Victoire had loved him for a long time.

"I love you," She repeated, knowing she couldn't stop now. "Teddy…how could it not be you?" Victoire took a deep breath. "I've known you since I was born…you know me better than anyone, you know." She smiled slightly. "We were always going to end up together."

"We were?" His eyes widened in a moment of terror from her before he nodded, grinning. "Yes, we were…" He laughed. "Vic, you know how long I've been waiting for you to say that?"

"Say what?" She breathed, as Teddy closed the distance between them, his lips finding hers in a long awaited kiss. As he pulled back with a smile, the warmth of their lips fading from each other's, he grinned.

"I love you," He told her, and he meant it.

(A/N- Is it just me, or is Teddy and Victoire's romance the one everyone dreams of? I know I have!)