The Fool, Upright - Teddy Lupin/Victorie Weasley

Chapter 7: An Exchange of Services

It was Saturday morning, a bunch of people were sitting in a group in front of the fireplace chatting. The situation couldn't have been more threatening, but the fact that he was among a crowd didn't deter her.

Yes, she was coming down the stairs with a target in mind.

He was sitting on the edge of the couch in flannel trousers and a black t-shirt, dressed for a morning in and chatting casually to another student.

She walked headstrong up to the group. Some of them immediately noticed her, except for the boy in question, who had his back turned. She felt singled out.

Resisting the urge to look herself up and down to make sure that there was nothing wrong with her outfit (that would be like admitting defeat) she acted quickly and grabbed hold of Teddy's wrist.

Unfortunately for him he was using it to support his head while leaning his elbow against the armrest. When Victorie grabbed it in a panic, he lost his balance and he fell over where he sat.

Victorie's eyes went wide in horror as she watched him push himself up into an upright position and eject:

"What the hell?"

But before any animosity could form, his head swivelled around and he traced his arm up until where his wrist connected with Victorie's hand.

When he looked up at her he relaxed. "Oh, hi! ...What can I do for you?" He asked with a hint of surprise, not sure if he should give her a smile or not.

To her relief he ignored the others' mutterings about what 'this girl' was doing. Instead he broke into a smile when he once again acknowledged that they were touching.

"What is this?" He asked, referring to his new and unconventional bracelet.

Victorie felt honoured that she was being addressed with such civility after what she had just caused. She took a moment to reflect on how their touch gave her a hint of nerves, which she pushed away instantly.

"You're coming with me." She said with trembling command and while trying to avoid looking at anyone else. "I need to speak with you."

She pulled him and his embellished hand with chipped black nail polish along with her.

Such a gaudy display, she thought to herself.

Teddy happily complied. He let himself be guided away by her with one last shrug sent the others' way.

Soon after they were out of the portrait hole and in the corridor. They continued until out of hearing distance of the Fat Lady before stopping.

Teddy still looked positively surprised. He was still smiling, looking antsy in his step, like he was expecting some kind of firework show to begin.

But Victorie had not brought any fireworks to be ignited, and she had a growing feeling that Teddy might not be pleasantly surprised by what she was about to bring up.

"The book doesn't say anything about my emotional life being guarded." She watched his face as it dawned on him that she had managed to get the book back to normal. She put her hands in her pockets sheepishly then looked down at the floor.

Teddy was quiet and she didn't need to look at him to know that he was disappointed.

"You don't need a book to tell you that, or anything about yourself for that matter." He was no longer treating her with the same courtesy as before. "It's plain to see that you don't seem to want anything to do with anyone."

He spoke with the attributes of someone who felt hurt, but Victorie didn't want to acknowledge that. She knew she had to get to her point quickly and looked up at his frustrated expression.