The festive atmosphere of Hyde Park filled the night air with the smell of cinnamon and roasted nuts as well as the joyful sounds of holiday music. Amongst the merriment, Teddy Lupin sat on a bench with his girlfriend, Victoire Weasley by the outdoor ice rink and laced up their skates.
Vic had sent Teddy a letter last week stating that when she got home for the holidays he was to take her ice skating because she “had the perfect outfit planned”. So he arrived at Shell Cottage the day after she arrived just as he instructed and apparated her to London so they could have a “proper grown-up date in the city”. Which made Teddy laugh when he read that in her letter. Most people mistook Vic as stuck up and demanding but Teddy knew her best and knew that Vic was not the snob everyone assumed she was. Besides, Teddy thought, she was right, her outfit with the sparkly skirt and warm fluffy jacket and her hair in a golden braided crown on her head did make a nice ice skating outfit. But then again, Teddy was sure anything she wore would be nice.
As soon as they entered the rink Teddy's enthusiasm got the better of him, and in his first attempt to glide on the ice he found himself tumbling down with a loud thud. Victoire, with a playful smirk, extended her hand to help him up. "Smooth start," she teased.
Teddy chuckled, accepting her hand, but as he pulled himself up he slipped again, accidentally bringing her down with him onto the cold wet ice. Vic’s bell-like laugh echoed around them as they untangled their limbs from one another and regained their footing.
"Maybe you should stick close to the wall," Vic suggested pointing to the perimeter of the rink where small children were clinging to the wall for dear life.
Teddy frowned. "I'm not a child, Vic."
She shrugged nonchalantly and skated away, effortlessly executing a graceful spin. Mesmerized by the natural grace of his girlfriend he didn’t notice a group of children whizzing past him at impressive speeds. He lost his balance once again, ending up on the ice with a thud.
As he got up again from the floor once more he wished there weren’t so many Muggles around so he could cast a drying spell on his pants. Maybe Vic was right, he should just stick to the wall.
Victoire circled back to him, a playful glint in her pale blue eyes. "Does your butt hurt?" she asked, trying to stifle a laugh.
"Just a little," Teddy grumbled, rubbing his backside.
“Maybe you should have stayed by the wall," Vic remarked
Teddy shook his head, unable to believe he was paying for his ice-skating humiliation. He slowly made it to the wall and attempted to lean against nonchalantly while he watched Victoire gracefully glide around the rink once more. This wasn’t so bad, Teddy thought, he could stand here supported by the wall and watch Vic skate all evening if that’s what she wanted. It was a lovely sight with all the lights overhead.
Vic returned once more to Teddy, who hadn't moved an inch from the wall, “Skate with me!”
“Come on Vic, this is the longest I’ve gone without falling. My butt is almost dry!”
“I won’t let you fall! Just take my hands and I’ll guide you.”
Teddy placed his hands in hers and she attempted to skate backward, however, their combined efforts resulted in another grand tumble, and they both ended up laughing on the ice. Gasping for breath between fits of laughter, they were unable to get back on their feet from shaking so much that they ended up crawling back to the entrance of the rink.
Once Teddy had his familiar shoes back on he discreetly pulled out his wand and did a quick drying charm on him and Vic. He stood up and offered a hand to Vic and they walked through the park.
“Sorry, I ruined our grown-up date.” He said as he squeezed her gloved hand.
"Oh, Teddy, you forget that I've known you my whole life. This skating adventure went exactly as I envisioned it. Besides, " She gave him a cheeky wink, “The grown-up date referred more to the part where you take me to your flat for a drink and then have your way with me.”
Teddy halted in his stroll and felt his cheeks instantly heat up. Vic always did have a way of getting straight to the point with her words. “Oh, I’m going to do that am I?”
Vic stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck, “Yes, you are.”
With a light chuckle, he cupped Vic's pale face in his hands. Time seemed to pause, and the world melted away as their lips met. Teddy desperately missed being around Vic while she was at school and as he tightened their embrace by wrapping his arms around her waist, he couldn’t help but smile thinking how wonderful it was that she would be near him for two full weeks.
As they broke away, breathless and flushed, Teddy looked deeply into Victoire's eyes. She was right (she always was) the date was far from over. "How about we go to my flat for a drink?"
"Sounds like a wonderful idea."