The Magic of Time (A Harry Potter fanfiction)

A Plan in Action

It was a few days later when Teddy and Victoire received a reply from James. Again, when Kiwi came back with the letter, the two were in the common room working on homework when they heard the soft taps from Kiwi's beak against the glass of the window. Victoire nudged Teddy's leg and nodded toward it. Teddy walked over to the window, discretely opened it, and took the letter from the owl. As he sat down again, Victoire set aside her half-finished Potions essay and read with him silently.

Vic and Teddy,

Of course I know where the timeturner is (“Told you,” said Teddy, smirking). Even little Lily could have figured out its hiding place. Dad likes to think he's good at hiding things, but he's no better than Albus hiding his crush on Mom's friend Luna.

Anyway, let me know when you guys need it. I'd be glad to show you where it's hidden. Just make sure that, whatever you're doing with it, you get it back before Dad needs it for work. I'd say you'd have a few good months to do whatever you need to do with it, but don't take my word for it. Mom says that the Ministry is still very unstable, so they could decide they need it sooner. Either way, you didn't get this information from me.

See you both next break – James

They folded the letter carefully and Teddy slipped it into his pocket. He turned to Victoire and said quietly, “Never underestimate the sneakiness of your cousins.”

“I don't know what I was thinking,” Victoire replied sarcastically. “Underestimating an eleven year old.”

He chuckled and ruffled her hair playfully as he got up. Victoire pushed his hand away and made a face.

“Just think,” he whispered as he walked her to the girls' staircase. “This time next year, I'll have my parents back.”

For the most part, Teddy and Victoire both believed his statement to be true. How could there be any other turnout than that? But still, even after they returned home for summer break, they waited until the fast-approaching end of it to finally take James up on his offer.

The night prior to this occasion, Victoire had spent the whole of it on the phone (Fleur had wanted to make the house more “Muggle friendly,” as she put it) with Teddy and went to bed well past when everyone else was asleep. It only took her the short time that she curled up under her soft comforter to doze off, but it was easily disturbed by her sister, Dominique, shaking her.

“Wake up, Vicky,” she said in a falsely cheery voice. Victoire threw a pillow at her sister's head and covered her face with the comforter.

Since they were children, Victoire and Dominique were always the worst at getting along. They were different from each other and it was obvious to anyone who so much as looked at them. Victoire had round, blue eyes with long blonde eyelashes and Dominique had bright brown eyes with red eyelashes. Victoire had pale blonde hair and clear, creamy skin and Dominique had vibrant red hair and freckles as far as the eye could see. Victoire was vintage fashion and Dominique was all about her funky wardrobe. Victoire was a Delacour and Dominique was a Weasley, and because of that Victoire had always been madly jealous of her younger sister.

It was one thing to be known for her Veela charms and beauty, but it was being known for bravery and daring nerves, like all Weasleys were, that Victoire really craved. But, in all of her sixteen years, it had been neglected from her and given instead to her incredibly chaotic, irrational sister. Perhaps proving that she, too, had the personality of a Weasley was another reason why she was so willing to take Teddy up on his challenge.