this ain't a fairy-tale ;; [!teddy]

[Victorie Weasley]

She hoped that this would fix things.

Victorie Weasley had always known that her parents did not have a perfect marriage. After all, not even a year after she was born, her mother had had an affair with Draco Malfoy and conceived his child. Although her mother had apologized over and over and had cried and cried and cried, Victorie knew that her father had never truly gotten over it. That had been why his smiles around Kalypso, her illegitimate half-sister, were so fake and guarded; why he stayed locked in the library or his office while she was around. That had upset her mother more and more, and as a result, she had gotten rid of Kallie; cut her out of her life without even thinking about it. After all, if she got rid of the product of her infidelity, surely the problem would go away, right?
Wrong.

Fleur and Bill had tried to hide it from their children. As far as they knew, two or their three babies were oblivious to the fights they had while they were out somewhere or at school; oblivious to the times their mother cried her heart out; oblivious to the way their father only got angrier and angrier as each day passed. While Victorie was unsure of whether Louis and Dominique had caught on, she certainly knew that she had.

There had been several occasions in which she had walked in on a fight, and then awkward silence passed before Fleur wiped her face quickly and offered her oldest a bright smile and asked her what she wanted. Bill would then walk off, not saying a word to his daughter, entering his office and closing the door behind him. It was down to science now. Victorie often lingered on the stairs, listening to the words (both in French and English), ignoring the tears that wanted to push forward and fall. When the volume started to increase she would step forward so that it would end. She knew that they needed to get the fighting out of their system, though once there was a risk of her siblings hearing, she put a stop to it. If they didn't know already, she didn't want them to.

There had also been other occasions when she had walked in on her mother sobbing on her bed, hugging a pillow tightly to her chest with the wedding picture they kept on the nightstand pushed away. Those had been the times when Victorie took on the role as the motherly figure and consoled her, telling her that everything would work itself out. Even Victorie could hardly believe her own words, though they seemed to calm her mother for the time. Victorie had to be strong for her; even though it killed her to see her family falling apart, she had to be strong. After all, her mother was a wreck and her father had started turning to alcohol and silence for solace. She had to be the family's backbone for a while.

It was during one of those crying sessions that Fleur told Vicky of her plans for a vow renewal ceremony. It would give her and Bill the chance to start anew, and to hopefully fix all their problems and save their marriage. It was a desperate last attempt, Victorie knew, and all she could do was agree wholeheartedly. Hopefully it would work. If it didn't, she wasn't sure what would happen next.

She hadn't been all that surprised when her mother announced that she would be the maid of honor. She knew it would be between her and her aunt Gabrielle, though Gabrielle was pregnant and didn't want to be in the wedding party. Fleur decided to keep the party simple -- she only wanted her children and their escorts in the party. Shockingly, however, that included Kallie. Victorie had been more shocked to learn that her father had suggested it. To her, it was only proof that things would be okay this time.

Unfortunately, the topic of escorts was what truly got to Vicky. She had not known who to choose, and eventually, her mother had given up on letting her choose and chose for her -- Teddy would be her escort. Vicky had objected, saying that she could simply walk down with Louis, though Fleur would hear nothing of it. You two look absolutely adorable together," she had crooned, a smile on her face. "I'll tell his grandmother immediately!" And that was when Vicky really wanted to cry.

Although she and Teddy were still the closest of friends, it was hurting more and more each day to be around him. Unrequited loved was the worst pain she could imagine, and she didn't even know how to describe it. However, she hid her pain behind laughter and smiles, never letting on for a second that she just wanted to scream and cry. Only Dominique and Kallie truly knew how she felt, and she planned to keep it that way.

Only more torture was tacked onto the list when the dress she was to wear was picked out. It was ball-length, and she had to pick it up to walk. She knew that she would forget and end up tripping several times. However, she could not deny that it was beautiful. Her mother and sister had amazing tastes when it came to clothing, and that was why she had left that task up to them. She would, undoubtedly, have picked something conservative or something that neither of them would have liked.

Her heritage as a Veela shined through at some points more than others, and truly, this was one of those occasions. In her mind, it was mainly because of the dress. It was a darker gold than Dom's and Kallie's dresses were to be, showing that she was the maid of honor. It was strapless, a line of beading across the top, bunches of fabric drawn together down the skirt made to look like roses. Her naturally perfect curls had been pulled back loosely, a few strands left to accent her face, and her make-up was done by her sister as all she knew how to apply was lipgloss and mascara. The heels she wore were concealed by her skirt, though brought her up a few more inches; she just hoped that she'd still be at least a little bit shorter than Teddy.

The ceremony was beautiful and perfect. She had a smile on her face the entire time, and knew that it would not fade for a while, at least, as it still remained now when it was over. She watched her parents clink glasses and then entwine their arms to drink from each other's down the table from where she sat (in between Teddy and Kallie at the head table), and let loose a happy sigh, by-passing drinking the champagne (she didn't drink).

Everything was going to be perfect now. Her parents had a second chance, and everything was going to be fixed. There would be no more fights or crying.
Or at least she hoped to God.

[Teddy Lupin]

The invitation (or rather, the demand) came just before breakfast by owl. Andromeda Black had been sweeping the hallway when the large tawny owl hooted outside the front window, pecking at the glass. In it’s beak was a creamy off-white envelope and from where it stood, Andromeda could see golden script written across it. With a sigh, she left the broom leaning against the wall, and opened the window. The owl perched itself on her couch and leaned its head down to groom its feathers, absently discarding the letter on a stray, battered cushion before taking flight again.

Curiosity overwhelmed Andromeda, who didn’t often get post. Most of her friends and family hadn’t survived the war that had happened so many years ago, and she was estranged from the only ones who had. Her husband was dead, her daughter was dead, her son-in-law, her best friends…the only thing she had had left, the only reason to keep going, was her grandson, Teddy. So it was reasonable to assume that the letter the owl had left was for him. Teddy was popular and always getting mail, though this did look fancier than the usual half-written scrawl from his muggle-born friend Jeremy or the long notes from what must have been a girlfriend. Either way.

She picked up the letter, turning it over in one hand while the other brushed back black hair streaked with gray. There was nothing written on the front but envelope was sealed with a familiar crest, though she couldn’t put her finger on where she remembered it. Deeming it safe, she opened it. Inside there were two separate papers- one on a stiff, professionally done piece of paper, the other a scrap of parchment with handwriting scribbled all over it. Andi was quick to figure the first was a wedding invitation, or, no, a vow renewal. Oh, Christ, this had Fleur Weasley written all over it.

The invitation was for Teddy, but Andi was his legal guardian, and like hell she wasn’t going to read his mail if she didn’t want to. She had never cared much before, but after what had happened to her poor grandson, she had been trying to control the traffic of well-wishing letters so as to keep Teddy from being even more down and out about his condition. She knew Teddy didn’t want sympathy and ended up throwing away all of the ones which stated such, anyway.

As she read the handwritten note, Andromeda’s face went from curious to a what-on-God’s-green-Earth-is-this expression.
Dearest Teddy,
I simply know you’d love to escort my Victorie to my vow renewal. She adores you so much and you two look so lovely together! It’s always nice to have you over, since you’re practically part of the family. I must insist you agree. The color scheme is gold, so be sure to match!
Xoxo,
Fleur Weasley
Oh, hell no.


“You got an invitation to Fleur’s vow renewal.” Andromeda said. “Congratulations.” And damn if Teddy didn’t hear her smug tone at not having to go.

At seven in the morning Teddy was still groggy, eyes bleary with sleep and brown hair scruffy and unkempt. One corner of the invitation had fallen into his porridge, but it didn’t matter because he didn’t bother to read it anyway. “I thought we agreed you weren’t going to read my mail anymore,” Teddy mumbled, pushing the dripping paper from his breakfast.

“Oh, did we?” Andi asked breezily, stacking the clean dishes in the cupboard. “Well, either way. It’s next week, if you’re interested.” She looked over her shoulder with an amused expression. “Actually, I don’t think you have much of a choice.”

“No kidding,” Teddy muttered, reading Fleur’s note.

“We’ll have to get a move on with your outfit if you want to go, hun.” Andromeda ruffled his hair affectionately as she passed by him to get back to sweeping. “Which I advise you do, if you don’t want Fleur setting a hit out on you.”

Teddy sighed. “Yeah. It says something about…gold?”

Andromeda laughed and Teddy took it as a sign of doom to come.


It was because of all this that Teddy was sitting next to Vicky, his best friend and ex-girlfriend, in an outfit that was too casual and a headache that made it hard to keep conversation with Dominique, who was insistent on finding out where he got his vest.

“Was it at Diagon Alley? I bet it was, wasn’t it?”

Teddy glared at her. “No. My grandmother made it.”

While Dominique looked mystified by the thought of home-made clothing, Vicky patted his arm, looking apologetic. “I’m so sorry about her,” she whispered. “You know how she is.”

Teddy shrugged, giving her a weak smile. “It’s okay. I’m used to it by now.” To show his point by how unaffected he was by her annoying little sister, he stuffed food into his mouth.

“You know the food isn’t going anywhere, right?” she asked dryly.

Teddy had the decency to look a little sheepish. “It looked lonely. I thought it’d be happier in my stomach.”

Vicky rolled her eyes, but smiled. As she did every time she smiled, he was struck by how pretty she was when she did, and how pure her affection and happiness was. He was lucky to have a friend like Vicky who put up with him no matter what, who stuck by his side no matter who (or what) he was or did. For all that he had put her through he was endlessly grateful that she still cared enough to not give up on him completely. Under the table he squeezed her hand apologetically before returning to stuffing his face with very little modesty.

If it weren’t for Vicky he would never had come. Well, he probably wouldn’t have been invited if they weren’t close, but that was besides the point. He liked Bill a lot, but Fleur and Dominique drove him up the wall. This wasn’t even mentioning Kallie Malfoy, who for some ungodly reason had been invited, who he loathed with a great passion. And then to find out her brother, who Teddy suspected was the Antichrist, was her escort was even worse. It had taken a lot of assurances from Vicky that they’d stay away from the two Malfoy siblings and a lot of ‘accidental’ pin stabbings during his fitting with his grandma to convince him to come.

Thanks to Andromeda’s magic, his outfit didn’t take long to assemble. They bought a new pair of black pants, velvety to the touch and hot as hell to wear, and he wore an old gray dress shirt with it, the sleeves rolled back to his elbow. It probably wasn’t what the invitation meant by ‘formal’ but Teddy hated tuxedos. The plain black dress shoes completed the half-casual, half-formal look, but it was really the vest that stood out. It was what his grandmother had made him. It was black in the front, the same material as he pants, but the back was made of a soft golden texture. Dominique had insisted she feel it and was greatly annoyed when she couldn’t put a name to the fabric it was made from.

“I think it’s crushed velvet,” her date chimed in. Teddy wondered if Dom knew he was gay or not. Oh, well. It wasn’t his place to say anything.

It was just then, as Teddy was moving on to the stuffed clams, that Nate stood and invited Dominique to dance. The tall but stick-thin blonde let out a little trill and instantly agreed. It dawned on Teddy that he should probably ask Vicky the same thing. “Uh, would you like to dance?” He flashed her a smile. “Or rather, stumble all over the dance floor with me?” He held out his hand, eyebrows raised.

[Victorie Weasley]

Victorie watched with a sigh as her sister insisted on touching Teddy's vest in an attempt to figure out what the material was, rolling her eyes with a soft smile as she looked around. She frowned as she noticed that Deucalion and Kallie were gone, though didn't want to question it. Kallie had agreed to stay for the group and pair pictures, and she knew what time they were at. Kalypso had never broken a promise to her before, and she was fairly certain that she would keep this one.

She raised an eyebrow when she heard Nate interject his opinion, though didn't comment. He had grown up in a Pureblood family around lots of girls, she reminded herself. He probably knew that stuff. There was no way that he was..you know. He was dating Dominique, after all! He wouldn't be dating her if he was gay. End of story.

She smiled when Nate took Dominique's hand and helped her out of her seat, kissing her hand and spinning her once before pulling her in to dance. She definitely approved of this boy -- he was very sweet, and very charming. She jumped a little when Teddy spoke, turning back to him.

At his offer, the smile wanted so desperately to fall, though she managed to brighten it with a little effort. Acting was getting harder and harder every day, though she was still pushing through it well enough. "I'm clumsy," she warned him, though took his hand. "You know that." They'd had to dance at her sweet sixteen, after all. Her dress had been about the same length as the one she had on, so hopefully she wouldn't fall as she hadn't fallen at her party.

She tried to ignore the ache in her heart and the feeling of familiarity in the way she held his hand, though it was harder than she expected. I just have to push through a few more hours of this, she reminded herself, taking in a subtle deep breath. She could do it. She'd suffered through worse, after all.

[Teddy Lupin]

Teddy was a seventeen year old boy, and unfortunately, being almost completely oblivious to girls came with that. He noticed how her mood was dampen on occasion and he did know, to some extent, that he had really hurt her, but for the most part, he was unaware by how much she was still hurting. If Teddy had known she was so serious in their relationship he wouldn’t have been so careless about breaking it off, or starting it in the first place, but it was done with and there was no taking it back. He would always love Vicky, but for all the he had gone through recently, he just wasn’t sure he could put his heart in anything.

“I won’t let you fall,” he promised, straightening up as she stood. She had had a little…mishap when they had danced last, at her birthday, but Teddy’s reflexes were much better now and he was prepared. “And if you do,” he added, “you can blame me.” He wasn’t a very great dancer either, just enough to get by at these sorts of events.

He pulled her through the slim crowd (Fleur had kept the guest list as small as someone like Fleur could) and onto the edge of the dance floor, knowing she wouldn’t want to be near the spotlight. He wasn’t very sure how to proceed- put his arms around her waist, just one, or none at all…he held their clasped hands up and let one hand rest on her hip, the material of her dress itchy under his palm. “This good?” he asked, looking a bit unsure.

[Victorie Weasley]

Victorie, unfortunately, was still quite heart broken. She had liked Teddy for years, and when he had finally asked her to be his girlfriend, she had been happy as could be. Six months later, that happiness came crashing down around her. She'd cried for the first time in years after that, and she still wasn't over it. She knew that she'd had her chance and knew they were over. It was just hard to accept sometimes, and it was especially hard considering how close they were.

She grimaced at the memory of what had happened at her party, though shook it off. She didn't want to remember that at all. It had been highly embarrassing, and she hoped that she would never relive it. After that, Dominique had made sure to teach her sister how to walk in heels, and Victorie hoped that after that, she would be at least slightly better off. "Promise?" She asked, still feeling unsure though following him. "And I'll remember that," she said with a playful smile, though certainly would not blame him if she fell.

She felt awkward, and was so very thankful that he led her to the edge of the floor. She knew there was probably going to be some pictures taken, but now there would be less. "It's fine," she said in response, offering him another smile, allowing her hand to rest lightly on his shoulder. The positioning felt traditional and it felt like there was far too much space between them, and that made her heart ache a little. She missed the times went dancing meant him holding her close and stealing kisses every so often. She shook her head at the thought, pulling on a smile again to hide the pain.
God, she wanted to hate her mother for this.

"Thanks for coming," she said after a moment. "I know my mother probably didn't give you much choice, but, I appreciate it all the same."

[Teddy Lupin]

Teddy wasn’t really sure how much a promise from himself was worth, but he would never lie to Vicky. “I promise,” he repeated, giving her a reassuring smile. “I’m quicker now than ever before. Don’t worry.” And if he looked a little distant as he said it, he didn’t mean to. It was just odd to think of being a…werewolf as a positive. Well, at least someone was benefiting from it. Even if it was just Vicky’s clumsiness.

The awkwardness was palpable, practically tangible in the air. He could probably split it with a knife. He hated this, maybe more than anything- being awkward with Vicky. She had been his best friend as long as he could remember. Sure, he couldn’t talk to her about some of the stuff he talked to Jeremy or his others friends about, but she was the one who knew him better than anyone. She had been there for him through everything and he didn’t have to hide anything from her. Why couldn’t this be easier? Why was there this big, gaping hole between them? Well, he knew why. He just didn’t know why he couldn’t bring himself to bridge it together.

Oh, he had enough reasons. Being a werewolf was right there at the top of the list. He knew Vicky had grown up at least somewhat accustomed to that sort of lifestyle because her father had been bitten, but he wasn’t a full wolf, like not Teddy. No one should have to spend the rest of their life with a monster. For now, he would only remind himself of that reasoning, and not any possible lingering feelings for other people.

It was easy to forget all that stuff with Vicky, though. She was just a naturally sweet person which was so much rarer than it should be. But then again, there weren’t many ‘sweet’ guys, either, including him. So it was a no brainer that he’d try and make things up to her, to thank her for being there for him.

“What, are you kidding?” Teddy scoffed. “It’s not a problem at all. I like spending time with you. It’s just…” he rolled his eyes in her sister’s direction. “I get felt up by your little sister and they don’t even have any steak on the menu,” he grinned.

[Victorie Weasley]

"Good," Vicky said, casting him a quick smile. "I'm in heels and in a dress that's way too long, so brace yourself." Vicky had too much Bill in her, as her mother often said. Most Veela were naturally graceful, though she was a natural klutz. She supposed it was her Weasley blood that caused that, though she normally didn't mind. She was usually in charge of herself enough to keep from falling, though when she was in a dress that would be long on someone about a foot taller than her and heels, there may be some problems.

The awkwardness was worse than anything. Worse than the pain, worse than having to force smiles. She hated feeling awkward around him, and hated the fact that she didn't know how to fix it. She tried to push past the awkwardness most of the time, but in times like these, she couldn't help it. The memories had cut the wound on her heart fresh again. And while she was doing her best to ignore it, it was harder than it sounded.

Being his best friend was everything to her. She'd bend over backwards for him, and she hoped that he knew that. He still meant the world to her -- romantically and platonically -- and she had a gut feeling that that would never change. After all, he'd been her best friend since they were children. Why should it change just because of a relationship gone sour?

"Well, still. I appreciate it." She cast him another smile, though if he looked close enough, he may be able to tell that it was fake. She was having a harder time with this, clearly. "..Dominique..tends to have that affect on people," Vicky said with a sigh, rolling her eyes gently. "I love her to death, but she doesn't..quite know when to stop." She supposed that it was a good thing that she loved her sister -- otherwise, she probably would want to kill her.

As if thinking of her had called her, Dominique came into her sister's view. Vicky smiled a little to herself, though the smile smile faded when she saw Nate smile and pull her close, gently tilting her head up with one hand before moving to kiss her. While it made her happy for her sister, it brought back too many memories. She shook her head and looked away, accidentally stepping on her dress and slipping, and then she felt herself falling backwards.

Of-freaking-course. She couldn't get through a formal event without falling. She cringed, bracing herself for the momentary pain and for all eyes to fall on her. She should be used to this by now, she figured. It seemed to happen enough

[Teddy Lupin]

Teddy put on a serious face, looking stern. “Yes ma’am.” With his hand on her hip, he cautiously moved them in a small circle. He would have loved to drag her all over the floor and make her laugh and blush, but he didn’t want to push it when she already seemed so uncomfortable. Teddy hated feeling so restrained all the time- not just with Vicky, but with everything. It was so frustrating to be so confined in his own skin and to feel so isolated in a world he used to belong to. Not that many people knew he was a werewolf, but he still knew, and it was enough.

It felt like just more reasons why Teddy and Vicky would never work. Teddy was so preoccupied with school and with his…ailment, with Lily and with everything that the subject was hardly ever broached, but when he did think about it, he only felt confused. There were so many different reasons why or why not, and he didn’t even know how he really felt about her, or for anyone else for that matter, in the first place. There couldn’t have been a worse time to actually think about these things, holding Vicky in his arms, knowing he had a penchant of being rash, so Teddy pushed those thoughts away- the painful thoughts that even if he was sure it was Vicky he wanted to be with, they didn’t belong in the same world anymore.

So for now he was just grateful to have her as a friend. It seemed stupid, selfish, and greedy to push for anything more when he was as confused as he was. Vicky was beautiful, though, there dancing with him. The old Teddy wouldn’t have even thought twice about kissing her. But he wasn’t that same thoughtless, carefree person anymore. He knew the consequences an action like that could have- not only for him and her, but for others, too. Vicky had admirers, and Teddy…Teddy didn’t know what he had, only that whatever it had been, it was married now.

He wasn’t grown up enough, though, to pay close enough attention to the girl he was escorting, and didn’t catch the sad, fake edge to her smile. He was still pretty clueless. “You offered me free food. I couldn’t resist,” he grinned, half-joking, because he would do anything for Vicky and he hoped she knew that.

Teddy had grown up around Dominique and went to the same school as her. “Trust me, I know,” he said, rolling his eyes a bit. “But she’s alright enough. Just tell her not to molest me next time.” His smile was wicked as he twirled Vicky, carefully avoiding stepping on the long, complicated-looking gown she wore. Teddy was really glad he wasn’t a girl if that was the kind of stuff they had to maneuver in.

As if his thoughts had willed it to happen, Vicky was falling, and it was only because of his new, quicker reflexes that Teddy caught her, arms wrapped tight around her slim waist. He lost his balance for a moment, heart quick in his throat at the thought of dropping her, but regained it with a relieved sigh. That was close. “See? I told you I wouldn’t drop you.”

[Victorie Weasley]

"Good," Vicky said, casting him a quick smile. "Because I'm tall, and that means I have a bigger distance to fall." Which was quite unfortunate for her. why had Kalypso, only five foot three at most, gotten all of the grace? She didn't far to fal at all. Kallie seemed to have inherited most from their mother, Dominique a very close second. Louis was..something else, and Vicky had entirely too much Bill in her. Which, in her mind frame, was not a bad thing at all.

Vicky knew that Teddy had his reasons. She knew she would dismiss most of them as stupid if he gave them to her, though she had to respect his wishes. She had a feeling his being a werewolf was at the very top of that list, and that was what annoyed her the most. She didn't care about him being a werewolf, not in the slightest. He was still Teddy, her Teddy, the Teddy she knew and loved. She hoped that he knew that. His being bitten hadn't changed her feelings in the slighest.

However, she knew there were other reasons as well. So friendship would simply have to be enough. She wasn't quite sure if she would ever, ever give up hope or ever give up on him, though only time would be able to tell her that. Until then, she would have to get better at faking her smiles, and would have to bury herself in more bookwork to keep her mind off of things. Due to the fact that she was a sixth year and in all advanced classes, it shouldn't be too difficult.

"Will do," she said with a nod. "But, you know Dom. She..doesn't seem to retain those kind of things." She had told her a million times that threatening people wasn't nice, but, she still seemed to do it. "And I knew the food would seal the deal," she said with a grin, feeling a little nervous when he twirled her, and of course, it didn't end well.

For what felt like the millionth time, she cursed her father's genes. Her mother never fell, and it was Bill's fault that she was a clumsy. And while she had braced herself, there seemed to be no need. Two warm arms were then around her waist, and he was holding her closer than he had in what felt like forever. of course, he was only doing that because he'd caught her, but it still made her heart jump start and beat a little faster.

"I..uh..I..merci," she said after a moment, voice a little breathless though she couldn't explain why. Although she knew that she had to pull away, she couldn't make herself. What she did next would only make her pain worse, she knew, though she wasn't thinking at the moment. She shifted a little, and kissed him.

It was familiar -- too familiar -- and all it did was make her miss what they had more and more. It seemed to drag on for an eternity, and yet at the same time, it ended too soon. When she finally pulled away, a soft pink stained her cheek, and then her eyes went wide. "Oh--ohfuck," she managed under her breath, shaking her head, suddenly angry at herself. Stupid, stupid girl.