Hogwarts Harem

Good Mourning

Victoire tossed and turned, her restlessness mimicking the waves outside her window in her room at Shell Cottage. The battle for a full night of sleep decidedly lost, she threw her sheets off of her as she made her way to the window overlooking the ocean. She breathed in deeply, the salty night air soothing her soul.

Tomorrow she'd be leaving for Hogwarts for the last time. It was a bittersweet feeling - she loved the school and had many happy memories there, although she was looking forward to eventually starting a new chapter in her life. A chapter where she wasn't some lovesick puppy drooling over a man that didn't appear to view her as anything more than a friend.

Vic had endured watching Teddy Lupin be affectionate with his ex-girlfriend all over Hogwarts while they were still in school together. When she was in her fifth year, Teddy was a seventh year. Although they were friends while they were in Hogwarts together, Teddy had never made any advance of flirtation with Victoire to even remotely suggest he had any romantic interest in her. Teddy and his former girlfriend had long since broken up, but it'd done nothing to make him notice Vic as anything but a family friend. She'd dated around, too; in attempts to make Teddy jealous that never worked. She always thought Teddy had a bit of a smugness about him whenever she paraded around one of her boyfriends. Maybe because none of them ever stacked up to him and he knew it - but he was two years older than her former boyfriends, so it really wasn't fair to expect them to have the sort of muscle and build that he did. 

Part of Victoire was relieved to be getting a little distance from Teddy by going back to Hogwarts. He spent so much time around the Weasley's and Potter's houses - they had become his adopted family and cared for him as much his grandmother Andromeda had. Since his grandmother had passed away last year, the Potters had ensured to invite him around as often as possible. Victoire's heart broke for Teddy's loss, and she quietly nursed her own shattered heart; broken by his hand unknowingly as she stood by him as a friend during his difficult time.

But Victoire knew she had to move on now. She had to stop pining for a man who clearly didn't view her in the same light that she viewed him. She wanted to explore a romantic connection this year and lose herself to feelings and passions she'd never known before. She was turning eighteen and wanted to feel as alive as possible while enjoying her final year at Hogwarts and all the magical school had to offer.

A salty sea breeze blew through her nightgown, the chill air causing her nipples to harden. She grazed her hands over them, biting her lip as she imagined Teddy's hand touching her instead. Well, I'm off to a great start getting over him, she reprimanded herself as she trod back to bed. Why the hell did he have to be so tall and handsome? That damn lovable, sweet Hufflepuff. Not to mention how brave he was, too: becoming an Auror like his long-deceased parents were, despite the dangers of the profession. My poor orphaned bestie. I wish I could be the one to wipe every tear away from his golden brown eyes and stroke his dark hair soothingly. Stop it, Vic!!

Fed up with herself, she decided she'd make some serious changes starting tomorrow. Tonight, she would mourn the version of herself that sat awake obsessing over her friend and become a new version of herself - a truer one. Tomorrow she would give herself back to energy that she spent wasting wishing that Teddy would desire her as more than a friend.

                                                                                                  ***

Morning found Victoire in front of the mirror, admiring her new look. She inherited her mother's looks with long, silvery blonde hair and dark, navy blue eyes. She had plenty of admirers, though none she admired back. Vic needed a physical change, something she could control to signal the inward changes she'd be making; so she used a charm to dye pieces of her hair that framed her face a blue that matched her eyes - and her Hogwarts house, Ravenclaw. She smirked in a self-satisfied way as she admired her hair. It made her feel more like herself. The empowering feeling stirred something entirely Veela within her and made her want to explore her inner Veela more deeply. She made a note to herself that she'd research more about Veelas within the school's library. She'd been made a Prefect, and quite looked forward to her role along with her friend Link, who was the male prefect for Ravenclaw house this year. 

There's been a rise in attacks and hate crimes against muggleborns around Hogsmeade, and whispers were growing of a secret group of Voldermort sympathizers. It wasn't a well-known fact, but because so many of her family members worked within the ministry, Vic was in the know about the issue and she promised to keep her eyes open for any suspicious activity from her Hogwarts peers in case the culprits were students. 

 She  floated her trunk downstairs and steeled herself against her mother's reaction to her slightly new look. 

"What 'ave you done weeth your 'air, mon étoile?!"

Vic forced herself to smile, showing a confident front. "It's only a dye charm, maman."

"I think it looks cool," her father smiled as he took her trunk and put in the car. She could always count on her pierced and tattooed father to be more accepting of such changes.

"Oh la la," her mother muttered as she smushed a had against her face, looking her daughter up and down in search of more unfavorable changes. "But you are so beautiful, eet does not do to try to perfect what eez already perfection!"

Vic rolled her eyes, kissing her mother "Au revoir" until Christmas as her father took her to King's Cross for the final time. The journey to King's Cross felt incredibly short as her and her father walked up the platform and spotted her Uncle Ron, Aunt Hermione, the Potters, and...what the hell was Teddy doing there?! 

"Hi, Vic," Teddy smiled, his golden brown eyes shimmering as they took in her new hair. "I like the blue," he said in a low voice, almost to himself, tugging on a strand lightly without thinking. He appeared to realize his absentminded touch and cleared his throat, taking a step back. The piece of hair he had just touched tickled her face as he released it, causing a tingling sensation down her face and neck as her body reacted to the almost-touch of his hand. If her body became so alert to his almost-touch, she imagined the pure bliss that his real touches would create. Her every nerve ending and entire body seemed to live for Teddy, in tune with his every move. 

"Thanks," she choked out finally, a bit breathless from the needy sensation his proximity had on her body. "What are you doing here?" 

He cocked an eyebrow at her, a teasing smile forming at his lips. "Aren't you pleased to see me?"

"Of course," she lied. "But haven't you got work this morning?"

"Well, yes," Teddy started, looking unsure of himself. "I'm being sent to Hogsmeade for work for the next few months, or however long it takes to crack this case of...you know," he finished in a low voice, unable to speak about Auror business in public. 

Victoire nodded her understanding, faking a pleased smile as dread filled her stomach. If Teddy was in Hogsmeade, she'd be seeing him more than she thought she'd ever have to. But no matter - she was determined to get over him, and if she had to do so while still under his nose, then so be it. Maybe it would even encourage her more.

"That's great! We'll be seeing one another a decent amount then," Vic breathed. Teddy looked a lot more relaxed as he flashed her a wide grin. 

"I would like that, Vic," he answered seriously, earnestness in his eyes. Her heart fluttered at his use of her nickname in his deep voice. She wouldn't allow herself to read too much into his comment - surely he was just being polite?

No matter, Vic dismissed the comment as she boarded the Hogwarts Express. I'm going to let loose this year - and if Teddy wants to watch me, he's more than welcome to.