The Birds and the Bears - Harry Potter Fanfic.

Chapter Four. Befuddling Break

Chapter Four. Befuddling Break

 Teddy's P.O.V.

            Victoire and I have tentatively returned to our earlier relationship. We spend time together studying, she comes to my quidditch practices to watch me play keeper and we eat meals together. It isn't quite the same though. I catch her looking at me from time to time, almost like I am some kind of specimen that she is writing a paper on. I'm sure it is because I lied to her. It might seem like a small thing, but it is a rift between us. I can't quite return to being 'good old Teddy' again. I try desperately not to think of Vic in a less than chummy fashion, but it is impossible. At night, caught in that half awake half asleep world where dreams grow, Vic comes to me. She is often less than clothed and it makes me fervently glad that waking Vic is not an Occlumence.

            Fall fades into winter and Christmas approaches. This weekend is the last Hogsmead visit before the holidays and all the older students are planning to get there gift shopping done. As I leave the castle and walk towards the village I can't help but think my heart isn't quite in the Christmas sprit. I am looking forward to seeing my grandmother, but it is still hard for me. She lives in the "Sanatarium for Wizarding Elderly on Larabey Lane'. She often jokes that the place isn't as SWELL as the name might lead you to believe, and I think it is because she's lonely there. On top of that things are still not right with Vic. Maybe when we are surrounded by the multitude of Potters and Weasleys things will cheer up. It'll be a good chance for me to ask Harry for advice.

              I walk up the high street, popping my collar up against the bitter wind. I struggle into Honeydukes, which is packed with students, and pick up some Fizzing Whizbees for the many tots that I will see over the holidays. Next stop is Gladrags Wizarding Wear, where I pick out an assortment of silly winter hats for the family matriarchs, including one that grows puffier as the temperature drops, and one that will bite your ears if you forget to wear the matching mittens. Among the shops in Hogsmead are several less reputable establishments. One of said venues is tucked away on a side street. It is called 'Heracles's Haberdashery', and sells everything from doxy eggs to acid spraying gobstone sets to hinkypunk feet. I once found a watch here that pokes you in the arm if you are late for an appointment, it was highly useful until the face got cracked during a quidditch game and it started poking me all the time with increasing force. You never know quite what you'll find here.

            On a shelf between a dog eared copy of 'A Squibs Guide to Everything Muggle, (from phone books to electric lights)' and a large jar containing a murky substance filled with chunks, sat the perfect gift for Vic. It was an intricate silver charm in the shape of an wolf suspended from a long silver chain. It's beauty was not what drew me to it however. The label attached read 'This charm is for those who prefer to go unseen. It causes passive eyes to glance over the wearer, letting them be unnoticed. Warning: may cause surrounding people to be confused and disoriented after prolonged use. This is not an invisibility cloak, and will not hide you if you are truly sought.' My face broke into a large smile, no more disillusionment charms for you Vic.

            My heart was much lighter as I headed back up to the castle. Though the wind was icy and biting, and the sky was grey and threatening snow, I felt like singing. Harry would give me the advice I need, Ginny would feed us all until bursting, my grandmother would be happy in my company, and Vic wouldn't get hassled so much.

Victiore's P.O.V.

            The Burrow is full to bursting. Even with the magically expanded den and kitchen, the house is packed. Weasleys and Potters are spilling into the upper floors and I am wondering where the sole Lupin of this holiday gathering is. We've been hanging out again and I am extremely glad. Teddy is the only one in my family who is content to hang out with me without talking much. We aren't really related of course, but he is with us every holiday and is often around over the summer, so it sometimes seems like he is.