๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐๐
@๐ฑ๐จ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ต๐ป: ๐โ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐ โ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก โ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ค๐๐ฆ?
โ โ โ โ Victoire has the notifications for Instagram muted. It takes three hours for her to log in and see the comment, gracing itself beneath her already passive-aggressive photo in all its embarrassing and inappropriate glory.
โ โ โ โ The whole point of the post is to get Teddyโs attention, but this is the last thing she wants him to be thinking of. He should definitely not know that most of her friends โ and the students at large โ fancy him. Will he think that she posted it because ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฎ fancies him? As if her past mistakes havenโt damaged enough between them.
โ โ โ โ What if he has seen it already? What if he asks about it?
โ โ โ โ Her fingers twist furiously across the screen.
โ โ โ ( ๐ฝ๐ด๐ถ๐พ๐ผ๐ธ!!! ๐ผ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก. ๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐ค โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ค๐ ๐๐!! โฅผ
โฅฝ ๐๐๐โ, ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐๐ค โ๐'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ )
โฅฝ ๐ฟ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐!! )
โ โ โ ( ๐ท๐๐'๐ก ๐ก๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐ โฅผ
โฅฝ ๐ป๐๐ ๐ , โ๐๐ ๐ . ๐
๐๐๐๐ฅ, ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ )
โฅฝ ๐ต๐๐ก โ๐ ๐๐๐๐'๐ก ๐ ๐๐. ๐ป๐ โ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ฆ๐ค๐๐ฆ )
โ โ โ โ The realization that someone else has noticed just how little Victoire means to Teddy stings more than she could ever put into words. She leaves her friend on read and continues focusing on the cold, beaten path to Hogsmeade. Though her beloved muggle AirPods fill her head with happy love songs, her mind keeps tripping over the mistakes sheโs made on her own path to romance. ๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ ๐ญ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ผ ๐๐พ๐ฌ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฝ ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ป ๐น๐ช๐ผ๐ผ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ท? she wonders. It all feels so pointless.
โ โ โ โ By the time her journey reaches its end, Victoire is overcome with hopelessness. ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ช๐น๐ผ ๐ฒ๐ฝโ๐ผ ๐ต๐ช๐ฝ๐ฎ ๐ฎ๐ท๐ธ๐พ๐ฐ๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ธ ๐๐ช๐ป๐ป๐ช๐ท๐ฝ ๐ช ๐ญ๐ป๐ฒ๐ท๐ด . . . Bad habits always seem to be well-indulged inside Juneโs Berry. As Vic gingerly steps inside, the air of the bar is not the only warmth to greet her. โRed!!โ The full force of Veronicaโs love and attention wraps her in a hug.
โ โ โ โ โHey, Nic,โ she hums into the small of her neck. Victoire has been reluctant to embrace anyone for so long. It feels like suffocating. But inside the arms of one of her oldest friends, she only feels safe. โOh, Merlin. I canโt call you that anymore!โ Nic pouts, twirling Victoireโs still-somewhat-new blonde locks through her fingers. โYou can call me whatever you want, even when I look like an evil Veela,โ she assures.
โ โ โ โ Nic dismisses her nonsense. โYou could never be evil. Youโre practically a Disney princess. Ah! There it is. Welcome to my humble pub, princess.โ She even bows for dramatic effect, and the room fills with both girlsโ laughter.
โ โ โ โ โIโm sorry I missed your call,โ Vic says as she collects herself. โI was in class. Figured Iโd just pop down to see you instead of calling back?โ
โ โ โ โ The owner slash bartender slash oh-yeah-she-does-everything-around-here lights up with a contagious smile. โYes, yes, youโre always welcome babe. I just wanted to invite you to my birthday party tomorrow! A small, kinda last-minute, low-key thing. You know me,โ she sings. Victoireโs raises both eyebrows in protest. ๐๐ท๐ธ๐๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ means knowing lowkey is ๐ท๐ธ๐ฝ normally how she parties.
โ โ โ โ โAre you getting too old to run with the cubs, Mama?โ
โ โ โ โ Nic rolls her eyes and dismisses such nonsense with a half-offended click of her tongue. โJust trying to celebrate with the people I love and actually ๐๐ช๐ท๐ฝ to share a conversation with this year.โ Victoire cannot contain her chuckles.
โ โ โ โ โIโm trying to think of a single birthday of yours where youโve managed to carry any conversation past midnight. Was it . . . four years ago? Maybe five? Donโt think you made it past nine that time, even.โ The weight of that drunken-chunder night makes the air thick as they both stroll down memory lane. โIโm a mature lady now, Iโll have you know!โ Nic teases. Victoire only kisses her cheek. โI know you are, babe. And donโt worry. Bash already told me about the party last week.โ
โ โ โ โ She politely ignores the ashamed blush flushing the other girlโs cheeks. โVic, I didnโt โ Itโs not like โโ But now it is the Gryffindor full of regret. โNo, Veronica!โ she interrupts. โThatโs not how I meant it at all! I was just saying that Iโd heard of it. It didnโt mean anything.โ They both shuffle awkwardly, not entirely sure of how to proceed.
โ โ โ โ โI always wanted to invite you, babe. I did!โ She reaches out to clasp Vicโs hand for some kind of reassurance.
โ โ โ โ โNot to worry, I get it. Itโs . . .โ she struggles to find the words, knowing all too well there is only one that can really explain it. With a soft sigh of defeat, Victoire lets it out. If anyone understands, itโs Veronica. โItโs complicated. Things with Teddy. I know.โ She gives her hand a little squeeze back to try and convey how much she doesn't mind the conditional invitation. ๐ข๐ธ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ผ ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ช๐ท๐ผ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ญ๐ ๐ฒ๐ผ ๐ธ๐ด๐ช๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฑ ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฌ๐ธ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ?
โ โ โ โ Nicโs pained look says it all. She doesnโt want to choose between two people that she loves in such similar yet different ways. But when she does have to, of course itโs Lupin. Her fellow Hufflepuff. One of her oldest and closest friends. Victoire knows a million reasons why he is worth picking. ๐๐ผ๐ทโ๐ฝ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฝ ๐๐ฑ๐ ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐๐ช๐ท๐ฝ๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ธ ๐น๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ด ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ถ, ๐ฝ๐ธ๐ธ, ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ท ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐โ๐ฟ๐ฎ ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ท ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ป๐ธ๐พ๐ฐ๐ฑ?
โ โ โ โ โI just wanted to make sure he was stable and okay,โ Nic sighs. โI want you all to be okay.โ
โ โ โ โ โBabe, itโs your birthday. You just worry about you and what makes you happy!โ Vic hopes itโs not obvious how pained she is on the inside.
โ โ โ โ โPrincess, you make me happy! And thatโs why I want you to come! Eight oโclock? Right here?โ
โ โ โ โ Vic allows her full Veela charm to light up. She is not ๐ก๐ฎ๐ญ anymore for a reason. Shouldnโt she own the truth of who she is?
โ โ โ โ โEight sharp,โ she agrees, with a smile that could melt a thousand hearts. { ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ข๐ฏ๐ต๐ด. } โIf you need help with the decorations, just holler. Iโll be holed up in Madam Puddifoot's, writing an essay until my hand falls off.โ
โ โ โ โ โOh donโt worry about that. Bash said heโd have my head if I let anyone but him be in charge.โ Each girl sighs knowingly. โOf course he did. Iโll be sure to arrive early tomorrow since he will definitely need all the help he can get.โ
โ โ โ โ Nic wraps Victoire up in one more hug. โLadies and gents, a princess of the people! Love you, baby girl. Iโm really glad youโre coming.โ
โ โ โ โ The Weasley not-so-bravely wiggles her way out and to the door. Sheโs not sure how much longer she can hold her facade. โLove you too, Nic.โ But the October chill seems more inviting than one she just received.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ .:ใปยฐ โ ยฐใป:. โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
โ โ โ ( ๐๐๐ข ๐ โ๐๐ข๐๐โ๐ฃ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐ ๐โ๐ก ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ค!! โฅผ
โฅฝ ๐๐๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ฆ. ๐๐๐ ๐ข ๐. ๐๐๐ค๐ฆ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐! )
โ โ โ ( ๐โ๐ฆ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก? โฅผ
โฅฝ ๐๐๐ )
โ โ โ ( ???? โฅผ
โฅฝ ๐ฟ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐!! )
โ โ โ ( . . . ๐ต๐๐ โ, ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐กโ๐๐ โฅผ
โ โ โ โ โWhy? So Iโm posh enough to be your date for the party?โ
โ โ โ โ Victoire jumps in the small bedazzled chair and pins the sudden-intruder against the hot pink wall. Her senses are whirling. Itโs instinct. ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ค๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐?! Victoireโs lips and hands are twisting into ๐ฟ๐๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐พ๐, but before she can complete the leg-locking spell, she realizes whose eyes โ very human, innocent eyes โ sheโs looking into. Her attack stops in its tracks, and Bash slowly takes his hands off her. โMerlin, Vic. Just saw you in the window and thought Iโd harass you in person. Didnโt think youโd go all crazy lady on me!โ
โ โ โ โ He doesnโt know how not funny that is.
โ โ โ โ โSorry,โ she mumbles, hiding her shaking fingers in her coat pockets. But there is nothing that can quiet the thunder of her heart. At least Bash has never been known for his observation skills.
โ โ โ โ The intruder lithely brushes the confrontation away. If he notices the true panic he induced, he doesnโt address it. Itโs like it never happened. He playfully slips into a pink bedazzled chair at Victoireโs table. The other patrons at Puddifootโs force their attention away from ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐พ๐ท๐ป๐ช๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ต๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ช๐ผ๐ต๐ฎ๐. If they donโt pay attention to her, maybe she wonโt unleash her crazy on them too. โFuck,โ she whispers under her breath. Yeah of working on her perfect reputation gone in an instant. ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ต๐ต, ๐ท๐ธ๐ ๐ฝ๐๐ธ ๐ฒ๐ท๐ผ๐ฝ๐ช๐ท๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ผ.
โ โ โ โ โOh relax!โ Bash hears her but doesnโt get why she cursed. โWho told you youโre not invited? Nic loves you!โ
โ โ โ โ โThatโs not the point, Bash.โ Realizing she has recovered her faculties, Vic dismisses him with a wave of her hand. He still doesnโt take the hint.
โ โ โ โ โIt's a rager! A Gatsby-worthy production! We will be dressed to the nines. Anyone can come. In fact, everyone ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ธ๐พ๐ต๐ญ come.โ His hands are telling an elaborate story as he talks. Itโs like he embodies the word chaos. โBring whoever you want, Vic. Hell, even bring a date!โ A pregnant pause swallows his next question. ๐๐ธ ๐๐ธ๐พ ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฟ๐ฎ ๐ผ๐ธ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ ๐ฝ๐ธ ๐ซ๐ป๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ ๐ช๐ผ ๐ช ๐ญ๐ช๐ฝ๐ฎ?
โ โ โ โ โReally, Bash? A rager? Thatโs not what Nic seemed to want earlier.โ
โ โ โ โ Bash seems uncharacteristically contemplative. As he looks around the gaudy little cafe, he picks up the papers in front of Vic. His reflexes are too quick for her to keep it from him. โYou leave knowing what Nic wants to the pros and just come looking your best. Not that you ever disappoint.โ Itโs a rare Bash compliment. How strange. She opens her mouth to address it, but he beats her to it. โWhy are you writing something so dull on so many pages anyway?โ Her jaw locks as those hypnotic eyes skim the paragraph sheโs working on.
โ โ โ โ โWhy donโt you ask your best friend?โ
โ โ โ โ Bash roars in laughter. โThis dumb assignment is from Teddy?โ
โ โ โ โ Victoire huffs and crosses her arms. โYeah. When no student shows up at Nicโs party, you can blame him.โ
โ โ โ โ His continued chuckle receives a very disapproving look from the hostess. Bash is not exactly the kind of crowd that Madam Puddifoot enjoys having inside. His presence practically shakes with the promise of cracking every delicate teacup and plate in sight.
โ โ โ โ โMaybe Iโll go give my boy Professor Hunk a stern talking to.โ The chair egregiously squeaks across the wooden floor. Victoire tries to hold in her glare. โYou read that stupid site too?โ
โ โ โ โ He dramatically gasps. โOf course I do! I'm not gonna fall behind on the hot goโs!โ
โ โ โ โ โPlease just try to walk out of here without breaking anything.โ
โ โ โ โ But he only flashes his signature wink. โAnything for you, love.โ
โ โ โ โ He is gone as quickly as arrived. By the skin of its teeth, the cafe survives Hurricane Bash.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ .:ใปยฐ โ ยฐใป:. โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
โ โ โ โ ๐๐ฎ๐ต๐ต, ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ท ๐ซ๐ป๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ ๐ช ๐ญ๐ช๐ฝ๐ฎ!
โ โ โ โ Victoire canโt remember the last time she showed up somewhere with arm candy in tow. Sure, she had been on a few private dates with some people over the summer, but all of those men had been wonky at best. She is certainly not enough of a nutter to bring one of them along. But she hates the nagging part of her that wants to rub her own date in Teddyโs face. ๐๐พ๐ฌ๐ด. She does not use the term often, but today is just that kind of messy that deserves it. Over and over. He will be the one rubbing a date in her face, most likely. Brown-haired-Instagram-girl is more than likely going to be in attendance. But why not bring a beautiful girl of her own? Two can play that game.
โ โ โ โ โFancy going to a birthday party, Farie?โ
โ โ โ โ Her roommate has been silently on her phone for nearly an hour, only giving Victoireโs questions about outfits half-hearted glances and huffs. Enthusiasm is clearly her biggest attribute, and of course, she isnโt procrastinating her magical theory assignment. At the direct mention, she rolls over slightly to face Vic. The curtains of her bed half-hide the eye roll. โAre we children, Victoire? Who even has birthday parties anymore?โ
โ โ โ โ โUm, you did? Last year?โ
โ โ โ โ Farhiya drapes her arms dramatically into the air. โExactly! Sooo last year.โ
โ โ โ โ Crossing her own arms, Victoire drops the clothes she has been toying with. She has no idea what to wear to this damned event, and now she is at a loss as to who she will walk in with too. โYouโre really going to turn down an excuse to get drunk?โ The other girl remains quiet. A bit too quiet. โWhatโs going on?โ Victoire insists, but the mystery continues.
โ โ โ โ โJust let me have my own plans, Vic,โ Farie snaps and goes back to lying on her other side. Despite the literal cold shoulder, the blonde is not so apt to give in. โBut Jackie is away visiting family! And I know you donโt have a boyfriend right now either!โ
โ โ โ โ Vic barely ducks in time as the assailant pillow crashes into the wall behind her head.
โ โ โ โ โMaybe I do, huh?โ
โ โ โ โ Her roommateโs stubbornness continues as she does not move her attention away from the screen. โWhatโs so interesting anyway?โ Vic hisses. โAnother stupid letter?โ Farhiya only half turns in order to stick her tongue out. โTheyโre not stupid, Vic! Theyโre romantic! If you had any heart in there, youโd appreciate them too.โ
โ โ โ โ โFarie, why are you being so defensive? I was just trying to have a good time with you. Please come to the party with me. Iโll buy the drinks!โ Apparently, wanting quality time with one of her best friends is the straw that breaks the camelโs back. In a flash, Farhiya grabs her wand and shoes. She is out the door without so much a word.
โ โ โ โ โFor Merlinโs fucking sake,โ Vic scowls. The Muggle f-word is snaking past her lips again before she can help herself. โI canโt get it right with anyone today.โ
โ โ โ โ Her hand twitches to her phone in temptation. Maybe she should read the next letter if everyone is going to talk all about it again. ๐๐ธ, ๐ญ๐ธ๐ทโ๐ฝ. ๐ฃ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ ๐พ๐ฒ๐ซ๐ซ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป ๐ญ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ผ๐ทโ๐ฝ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฟ๐ฎ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฝ ๐ด๐ฒ๐ท๐ญ ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐น๐ธ๐๐ฎ๐ป. Plus, she knows in her heart that reading another confessional will just fuel her jealousy that no one feels that way about her.
โ โ โ โ So if she knows better, why is her screen lit up already? Why is she scrolling through the notifications to find that special one that will torture her in all the worst ways?
๐๐ฎ๐ช๐ป ๐ง,
โ โ โ โ ๐ผ ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐๐น ๐ถ๐ท๐๐๐ ๐๐พ๐๐๐พ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐พ๐, ๐ถ๐๐น ๐พ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ ๐ฟ๐๐๐ ๐๐พ๐๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ ๐ป๐พ๐๐๐ ๐๐พ๐๐ . . .
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ .:ใปยฐ โ ยฐใป:. โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
โ โ โ โ โFarhiiiiyyyyyaaaa?โ
โ โ โ โ Victoireโs soft call slinks down the hallway. She canโt seem to track where her roommate has run off to. After a summer of finding some of the most obscure creatures, a witch is evading her? Talk about things she canโt put on her resume anymore.
โ โ โ โ All of her roommatesโ favorite haunts are empty, but Vic doesnโt want to go back to their room either. It feels too empty without her in it. Thereโs a suffocating loneliness she wants to avoid as long as she can.
โ โ โ โ A shuffle of feet snaps her into focus. โFarie!โ she cries, rounding the corner. But the curly hair belongs to someone else desperately avoiding Victoire.
โ โ โ โ Godric Corner. The boy she nearly attacked at Jamesโ party.
โ โ โ โ โOh, sorry,โ she mumbles. โI was hoping youโd be โโ
โ โ โ โ โYeah, Farhiya. Havenโt seen her.โ
โ โ โ โ โRight, well, I made her pretty miffed. Unsurprisingly.โ A dark chuckle escapes Vic as she uncharacteristically belittles herself. She has been equally avoiding Godric for this very reason. How should she act around him after what happened?
โ โ โ โ โVic, Iโโ
โ โ โ โ โGodric, weโโ
โ โ โ โ They both close their mouths again. One could practically cut the awkwardness with a knife.
โ โ โ โ โYou first,โ Vic strains a half-smile she hopes is encouraging. She hardly knows him, but she has heard nice enough things about him before. Jackie always found him positively dreamy. What is new there? She finds almost every boy dreamy.
โ โ โ โ โUh, just, uh.โ He seems to have lost his footing. โAre you doing alright?โ
โ โ โ โ Her blood runs cold. How long has it been since someone has asked that? How sad is it that the person who does is a stranger from another house that probably doesnโt know anything about her, or even care?
โ โ โ โ โOh, yeah. Iโm fine. That night,โ Victoire is fishing for an explanation. How can she summarize one of her darkest moments, one not a single soul knows, into a simple sentence that doesnโt make her seem as crazy as ๐ฃ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ ๐พ๐ฒ๐ซ๐ซ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป wants everyone to believe? โYou know how it is. I had too much to drink. Working with all those dragons, just, uh, means I have my guard up a lot. Guess Iโm no good with surprises.โ
โ โ โ โ His eyes soften a little. Apparently her stupid story seems believable enough. โDonโt worry, I get it.โ He even laughs slightly. โWell, not literally. My whole summer was spent in an office. But itโs alright. No harm done.โ
โ โ โ โ She lets go of the breath she didnโt realize she was holding.
โ โ โ โ โActually, Godric, what if I . . . could I maybe make it up to you? Thereโs this birthday party tomorrow at Juneโs. Cheap drinks. Nice music. Would you want to come with me?โ His walls are back up in an instant. Panic settles across his face.
โ โ โ โ โVictoire, I just donโt think a loud party is the best place for you and me to be together in again, donโt you think?โ She backs away slowly. Vic can only hold her perfect ruined image together so much longer.
โ โ โ โ โOh, youโre right. Totally right. And, yโknow, I really have to keep looking for Farhiya. My friend. You know. That girl. Who is my priority. Yes. Great. Iโll be seeing you.โ
โ โ โ โ She dips around the corner, bright red from head to toe, before he has a chance to reply. Arenโt Veelas supposed to be impossible to resist?
โ โ โ โ ๐ฃ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฝโ๐ผ ๐ฑ๐ธ๐ ๐ซ๐ช๐ญ๐ต๐ ๐๐ธ๐พ ๐ฏ๐พ๐ฌ๐ด๐ฎ๐ญ ๐พ๐น ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ผ ๐พ๐น, ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ฝ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ .:ใปยฐ โ ยฐใป:. โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
โ โ โ โ She doesnโt have to read the new rumor. She can feel it in the gaze of the students she passes in the hallway. ๐ฃ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ ๐พ๐ฒ๐ซ๐ซ๐ต๐ฎ๐ปโs vindictive presence wastes no time in churning out a new embarrassing post.
โ โ โ โ Vic clearly lacks self-control today, and it is not like these words will ruin a great day. Things are already miserable. She might as well torture herself; thereโs nothing below rock bottom.
๐๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ ๐๐ช๐ป๐ฝ๐ ๐ฏ๐ธ๐ป ๐๐ท๐ฎ
โ โ โ โ ๐ฑ๐พ๐ธ๐๐๐พ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐
๐
๐๐น ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐น ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐ป๐พ๐๐๐๐; ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐'๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฝ๐พ๐๐. ๐ต๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฝ ๐ถ๐ท๐๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐, ๐๐ฝ๐๐๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ถ ๐
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐'๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฝ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐น ๐๐ ๐ท๐. ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ ๐ธ๐ถ๐'๐ ๐ป๐พ๐๐น ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐พ๐๐ฝ ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ถ ๐
๐ถ๐๐๐ { ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐พ๐๐๐น ๐๐ }.
โ โ โ โ A knife to the gut.
๐ฏ๐ฝ๐พ๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐พ๐ ๐๐๐๐พ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐น ๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ ๐ธ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐พ๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐๐ถ๐๐ท๐ ๐พ๐'๐ ๐ป๐พ๐๐๐พ๐๐ ๐๐ฝ๐'๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐น๐ ๐๐๐: ๐๐ฝ๐'๐ ๐ถ ๐ท๐๐๐ท๐๐ฝ๐๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐พ๐๐พ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐
๐๐๐น๐.
โ โ โ โ A twist in deeper.
๐๐ป๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐, ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐
๐ ๐๐๐ธ๐๐๐น๐.
โ โ โ โ A hollow, unspeakable emptiness.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ .:ใปยฐ โ ยฐใป:. โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
โ โ โ โ โSep! Sep! I think sheโs waking up!โ
โ โ โ โ The squeaky voice brings Victoire further back into reality. Cinnamon and bonfire blend in the air for the perfect harmony to put her at ease. Sheโs somehow been brought to the Gryffindor Common Room, like sheโs a lower level all over again. Just a few of the many pillows cradle her gently.
โ โ โ โ โOh, thank heaven. Any longer and Iโdโve brought her to Pomfrey.โ
โ โ โ โ A welcoming cool hand graces her forehead.
โ โ โ โ โVictoire? Can you hear us?โ
โ โ โ โ She stirs and fights against the weights holding her eyes shut. Her slow blinking reveals two blurry figures. When they come into focus, she only knows one of them. Septimus, a fellow housemate in her year, looks worriedly over the shoulder of a young Gryffindor. The boy canโt be older than twelve.
โ โ โ โ As enough of her senses come back, the anxiety revs her to life. Merlin, this is a new low. โIโm so sorry to have troubled you,โ she huffs. โI have no idea what happened. Iโm sure itโs nothing.โ
โ โ โ โ She presses herself onto her elbows, but the quick motion makes the whole world spin again. โLeo, fetch some water!โ the older boy commands. Heโs always been known to be a bit aggressive, and the younger one snaps to follow his lead.
โ โ โ โ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ. Victoire remembers it now. She heard his name get called just last month. A little baby first year. She loved how fitting it was that a boy with a lionโs name would find his way with the crimson and gold.
โ โ โ โ โItโs okay,โ Vic assures. โIt was just a small fainting spell.โ
โ โ โ โ Septimusโ hand brushes an errant hair from her forehead. Sheโs never seen him be so tender before. In lower levels, they hated each other. She beat him out for the Quidditch position he thought he deserved. Their rivalry in the classroom was known to be quite ferocious. And he even spread a rumor about her back in fifth year. Something to do with why she got โkicked outโ of Beauxbatons. Well, he did not seem to hate her very much now.
โ โ โ โ โH-here,โ the first-year returns, two hands shaking slightly as he hands the quite-intimidating girl a glass filled to the brim. Some splashes onto her robes, but she couldnโt care less. Victoire tries to give him her brightest smile as thanks.
โ โ โ โ โWill you be alright?โ he frets. โMy mom is a doctor. I know a few things . . . and I can run real fast to Madam Pomfrey! I know the way now!โ His enthusiasm warms her chest. โThank you so much, Leo, but you have already done enough. Iโm really fine.โ
โ โ โ โ โI can take it from here, sprog. You get back to your friends.โ
โ โ โ โ Leo manages one more shy look over Sepโs shoulder before disappearing up the tower staircase.
โ โ โ โ โYou know, youโve given him quite the story to tell his friends over the next few days. Famous upper-levels Weasley found by him! On the hallway floor! Just passed out in the middle!โ Septimus shakes his head. โBit too knackered by carrying your crown, eh?โ
โ โ โ โ Victoire takes another sip of the water to wiggle out of replying. Old habits donโt die hard; it seems that theyโre back to how itโs always been. Banter and competition. But his hand falls thoughtlessly on her knee, thumb drawing small circles on the outside. That feels very unlike the Septimus she knows. And she hates how hypnotized she is by it.
โ โ โ โ โIn all serious, Victoire, that post was out of hand. I mean, they all are,โ he sighs. The look they share says all they have to about the other times ๐ฃ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ ๐พ๐ฒ๐ซ๐ซ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป has hurt either of them. โBut this one more than usual. I can understand why, well,โ he gestures to her sitting in this silly old room that holds their childhood memories, โhow all of this happens.โ
โ โ โ โ โI donโt remember even feeling faint,โ she admits, a tinge of worry peaking through.
โ โ โ โ โShit, do you think you hit your head? We can get you in the infirmary.โ
โ โ โ โ โNo, no,โ Vic quickly reassures him. โMy head doesnโt hurt. I know Iโm fine.โ A deep sigh escapes her. โI think Iโm just overwhelmed. I didnโt expect it to hurt as much as it did. I really thought I could handle it. But โ no, sorry. Itโs not like you care. Iโll stop. Really, you can go now.โ
โ โ โ โ But Septimus only smiles wider and cozies into a pillow beside her.
โ โ โ โ โHonestly, I wasnโt up to much. And weโre not stupid fifteen-year-olds anymore.โ He flashes her a coy smile. โPlus I heard thereโs this pretty girl out there desperate for a date.โ
โ โ โ โ โOh, let me know if you find her!โ
โ โ โ โ The pair bursts into laughter, and the silence that descends after is calm and peaceful.
โ โ โ โ โAre you ever going to let me off of here?โ Vic teases. โI promise I can walk.โ Sudden mischief lights up his eyes. โOnly if you let me take you on a date.โ
โ โ โ โ She meets him right back with the deviltry. All those arguments and one-liners they always seem to have . . . maybe it doesnโt have to be make them enemies. Maybe itโs always been another type of connection.
โ โ โ โ โIs this kidnapping? Classic Septimus Wood. I knew you could never be trusted.โ
โ โ โ โ โAre you challenging me to sweep you off your feet, Weasley?โ
โ โ โ โ โOh, like how I swept you off your broom back in Quidditch tryouts?โ
โ โ โ โ There they are again: laughing without a care in the world.
โ โ โ โ โWhy did we hate each other, Victoire? Youโre only half bad,โ he ventures. She rests her head on his shoulder. โWell, considering you saved my life, I guess youโre only half bad too,โ she sighs.
โ โ โ โ โTsk, tsk. Donโt forget about the real hero, Leo Reaves.โ His playful chide is joined by a nudging elbow. Victoire likes that he doesnโt move it away after.
โ โ โ โ โYouโre right, youโre right. Iโll never forget about Little Leo,โ Vic promises. She takes a long, deep breath to muster all the courage her house can give her. Maybe itโs the nostalgia of being back in her old common room. Maybe itโs the vulnerability after passing out. But the little Gryffindor roar keeps charging inside her.
โ โ โ โ โSo, Iโve got this party tomorrow night. And, honestly, I donโt want to show up with a date anymore. But, you know, maybe next week . . . โ A finger falls in her lips, stopping her from continuing.
โ โ โ โ โIโm already planning our very elaborate evening,โ he winks. โPick you up Saturday at six?โ
โ โ โ โ โIs it really considered picking me up when we live in the same tower?โ
โ โ โ โ โSo sounds like youโre saying yes!โ
โ โ โ โ But she doesnโt have to. Her wide smile says it for her.
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