Turquoise: Chapter 4
Title: Turquoise
Rating: PG14
Main character: Teddy Remus Lupin
Pairings: Teddy/Victoire, possible others
Summary: Teddy Lupin thought he knew what awaited him at Hogwarts, but nothing could prepare him for the friendship of an illegitimate child of Oliver Wood, the prejudices of other students against werewolves, and a certain silvery-red haired Veela girl... punkrocker!Victoire, half-werewolf!Teddy
Notes: centerpoint of the Turquoise-'verse
Part 11 of the Turquoise_verse.
Chapter 4: Victoire is a Puzzle
“Teddy Lupin?”
Ted’s head snapped around. He was very sure the Shack had been empty a moment ago, but now a silvery-red haired girl stood in the middle of the room.
“Victoire?” He stared at her, utterly bewildered. Why was it that she only showed up on full moons? Of course, she had never come to the Shrieking Shack before, and she had never turned up before the moon did.
She was looking at the ground now, the silver-fire of her hair spilled across her shoulders, drawing all attention to her lovely face when it turned towards him again. “I wanted to say thank you.”
He realized his hair was probably frantically morphing by now and attempted to still it as he made a response, “Um, well you are very welcome, but for what? It seems that I should be thanking you for more.”
She bit her lip. He noticed it was pierced on the side with a pewter ring. “Thank you for my sister. Uncle Harry told me it was your words that brought sense to the madness involving her Sorting.”
Ted shifted his weight to his heels, relaxing slightly, “Oh, well no one has to thank me for that. You guys are pretty much family to me anyway.”
“Pack,” She corrected him with a wave of her hand, her gaze shifting to the boarded up walls of the Shack.
The half-werewolf knit his brows together. “I try not to use words that the other humans wouldn’t understand. ‘Family’ works just as well as ‘pack’ for them.”
The silvery girl had wandered over to run a hand over one of the deeper claw-marks on the wall, probably made by his father. Ted didn’t have claws that large. “True, but if you mean pack, then why use any other word? The humans understand the word, just maybe not the same way we do.”
“It does unnerve them though--” Ted stopped, turning to face her completely. “What do you mean ‘we’?”
Victoire raised a silvery brow and faced him, leaning back against the torn wall. “What do you think I mean by it?” She had a slight smile played across her lips now.
The moon was pulling on his joints. It hurt to move much, but he still crossed his arms as he watched her, “You’re a werewolf?” His hair had settled on a murky brown for the moment.
Ted was still surprised when he looked into her eyes and saw the same gold that enveloped his eyes now that the moon was so close at hand.
She grinned at him now, her hand moving in an automatic way as it brushed her hair behind a pincushion-like ear. “Nope, not a full one anyway. Remember my da?”
“Bill Weasley,” Teddy eyed her carefully now.
“He was attacked by Greyback, remember? Same bloke that bit your da.” She looked practically devilish now.
“Your dad was bit by Greyback when he was human, mine when he was a werewolf.” Ted nodded, Harry had told him the tale many times.
“Yep. Makes my da part-werewolf, which makes me part-werewolf too.” She grinned widely.
Ted paused. His eyes widened and he stared at her. “Like.. me…” He murmured. “That’s why you weren’t afraid that night.”
She shook her head, silvery red hair flowing with the movement, “I figured you would have figured it out by now, but apparently you’re not as quick as… you used to be, Teddy.” She had hesitated a moment before referring to their shared past.
Teddy and Victoire had played together tons when they were very little, but Ted remembered only a few times when they were five and completely inseparable. “And then you went to France…” He finished his thoughts aloud, knowing she was having the same ones.
Victoire sighed, “We didn’t just go to France. We went everywhere. Da thought it was good for our education. Ma mère thought it was lovely to see the world. In the end though, I just wanted to go back to the Grimmauld Place backyard and play with you, to see Dominique have fun with Freddie and Roxanne, to watch Louis pull Molly’s hair and laugh with James.” She smiled ruefully, “I don’t think my parents ever counted in the fact we were still just children who wanted to play with other children rather then climb to the very top of the pyramids.”
Ted uncrossed his arms, trying to relax his body as the pull of the moon became stronger. He didn’t look at her, but smiled lightly, “Well after you left, I was charged to babysit all of them. So there was little play going on for me. I was actually happy when I started that Muggle school Harry wanted me to try.”
Victoire lifted her face up, as if she could see through the ceiling to the sky, “Won’t be long now.” She muttered, then looked down at him, “Well I figured now would be a good time to make up for all the time I missed out with my pack of cousins and my good friend.” She smiled on the last part as her eyes danced with golden light.
A smile pulled on his face and spread across slowly, matching her expression of moon-given amusement.
Then the moon pulled strong enough to re-mold his bones and the world lost its sense as the wolf took over everything that made him who he was.
But… for once, he wasn’t afraid.
--
A few weeks into third year, a new entry into Teddy’s year drew up such disarray that people even stopped their shunning of the half-werewolf.
The girl had transferred from another wizarding school, rumor had it that the incident that caused the transfer had nearly taken her life.
She had a special Sorting, even though the Hat was very disgruntled by this interruption to its usual planning of its next year’s song. Everyone was surprised to see her Sorted into Hufflepuff.
However, her story had preceded her, and even the kindly Hufflepuffs shied away when she sat down at their table.
Daughter of the Death Eater Yaxley and the convicted ex-ministry worker, ex-professor Dolores Umbridge, she had little to hold to her heritage but Dark Arts. Even the professors seemed wary of her, seeing the bits of her mother’s strict mask in her soft cheeks, her father in her straw-colored hair.
Teddy watched her with a certain morbid fascination, as did many of the other students, he supposed. Even Rennie couldn’t help but be interested in this one girl who had caused such an upheaval in the usually stubborn students of Hogwarts.
She had withdrawn into herself since coming to the school. In many classes, she sat alone, even if the lesson called for partners. Other students preferred tripling up instead of being placed with her. She never raised her hand to offer an answer, and rarely even spoke unless the professor called on her directly, which was rare. The professors usually ignored her. Professor Longbottom seemed terrified of her, sending her on errands rather then deal with her throughout the class.
It wasn’t until McGonagall approached him that he really ever thought of the girl as anything more then a curiosity.
“Mr. Lupin, I understand that you have been having trouble with the students, but I ask that you please take up the tutoring of Miss Yaxley. Maybe your experience with the other students will help her deal with her own troubles.”
Ted opened his mouth, staring up at the strictly dressed woman, her spectacles glinting slightly in the dim candle light of her office. After a moment, he shut his mouth, swallowed and tried again, “Me, Headmistress? Is that wise?"
McGonagall folded her hands into a steeple, “I believe it is the wisest choice. You are top in your class for Defense,” She looked at him, her eyes gleaming for a moment, a pride in her eyes that reminded him of Harry when Teddy had managed to finally produce a full Patronus under his Godfather’s instruction over the summer (carefully hidden from the Trace and from Aunt Ginny, of course). The Headmistress continued after a slight pause, her eyes reminding him that they weren’t here for pleasantries, “Which Miss Yaxley is nearly failing. I’m sure you can at least help her up from getting a ‘T’ on her exam, at least.”
She didn’t seem to want to look at him now, her eyes were stuck on two portraits behind her desk: one of an old, wise-looking wizard with twinkling blue eyes behind half-moon spectacles, the other of a greasy-haired, annoyed-looking wizard with glinting black eyes. “I trust you both to help one another through these hard and confusing years as we rebuild and heal.” Her eyes grew hard as she turned back to face him, “I’ve set aside a classroom on the third floor for you both after dinner on Wednesdays. I suggest that you both are… quiet about meeting with each other, for the rest of the student body isn’t as forgiving.”
Ted opened his mouth to protest, but McGonagall waved him off, “Off with you, Mr. Lupin. I hope I don’t have to see you here before I call for you again.”
Swallowing his words, Teddy set off towards the door, barely hearing McGonagall’s sigh as the door closed, “Dumbledore, how did you ever deal with all this?”
--
Rennie wasn’t too happy about the whole situation. Especially about the fact he wasn’t allowed to help.
“Teddy, but McGoogles never said I couldn’t come with you.”
“Double negatives, Rennie,” Ted corrected as he gestured with his fork, the meat on it nearly flinging itself into Rennie’s face. “She wanted me to do this quietly.”
Rennie frowned, “That’s not fair. You can’t jus’ go ‘lone, she’s…” He appeared to scramble for words.
“She’s just a girl.” Ted pointed out, his voice steady despite the nervous butterflies in his stomach.
The dark-haired boy knit his brows together, “But her mum’s-”
“-In Azkaban,” Ted cut him off, adding more carefully, “Plus, I’m… you know.”
Renald lowered his gaze to his toast, which he was stabbing absentmindedly with his fork. “Still,” he muttered, “Be careful. Jus’ ‘cause you’re a werewo’f, do’sn’t mean you’re invinc’ble. Ya need to watch out fo’ yourself, Teddy.” Ren’s speech always grew worse when he was nervous or upset.
“I deal with one little girl, I’m sure.” Ted muttered, not really wanting to go alone in the first place.
Suddenly his friend’s eyes lit up with mischievous ideas. “I’m sur’ you can, but yanno, it’d be easier if I were there… Just n’case som’thing went wrong, right?” Rennie’s smile curved slightly more and Ted couldn’t help but catch on.
“You have a plan then?” Teddy grinned at him. He should have known his best friend wouldn’t leave him hanging.
“That I do.” Rennie grinned back.
--
The first night was… interesting.
Teddy had all of his Defense Against the Dark Arts textbooks stuffed into a messenger bag that probably would have weighed him down before, but now, with the werewolf blood infecting him more and more as the moon’s pull grew stronger, the bag was like carrying one or two of the books, instead of five.
He was still getting used to that effect, which is why he startled so much when he moved too fast and the bag nearly took down the door before his shoulder nudged it open.
Ted heard a replying squeak inside the room as the girl he was there tutor had jumped also.
“Oops.” He muttered and grabbed the door before it flung itself into the wall. “Sorry.”
The girl behind the door just stared at him. Her hazel eyes wide like a rabbit.
“Not you-the door. Sorry-to you too, I mean.” Ted stumbled over his words before forcing himself to shut his mouth and ran a hand through his hair. “Okay, start over.” He closed his eyes for a moment, hoping she didn’t think he was insane. “Sorry, I’m Ted Lupin. I’m here to be your tutor.” He held out his hand to her.
She just stared at the extended hand.
“Um,” He began to drop the gesture.
She seemed to shake herself, than quickly, she darted out and grabbed his hand in her much smaller one. “Sor-Sorry.” She murmured in a soft voice, “I’m Margaret Yaxley.” She gave him a small, obviously forced, and shaky smile, “My foster mum calls me Mary though.” Then she quickly dropped his hand, as if afraid to touch it a second longer, and withdrew to a desk nearby.
This was not really what he had expected.
Ted’s eyes snapped to the teacher’s desk, where Rennie was huddled underneath, probably watching and listening to them. Just incase.
“Your friend has been very quiet. Is he shy?” A soft voice broke through Teddy’s thoughts.
His eyes (currently green with the usual flecks of gold) connected with hers. His mouth made a silent ‘Oh’ at her frightened but curious expression. There was nothing in her face that was dangerous or even the slightest bit angry.
If she was an actor, she was a good one.
“My friend?” Ted tried to play dumb.
“The one under the desk.” Mary hunched her shoulders slightly, “Sorry, was that part of the lesson for later?”
She was earnest, he realized. Then he laughed, his nervous energy and doubt floating away at the honest, rabbit-like look on her gentle face. She wasn’t the prettiest girl ever, but she wasn’t ugly. She had a certain look about her that softened everything about her features and made her lovely.
“Heh, sorry, no. That’s just Ren-erm, Renald Wood.” Ted gave the desk what was meant to be a gentle kick, but somehow ended up denting the metal thing. “Renald will be assisting me today.”
“Ow. Teddy, didja hafta-… Oh hullo there.” Rennie crawled out from under the desk, rubbing his head absentmindedly as he turned his blue eyes on Mary.
“Hello,” Mary shifted her rabbit-stare from one boy to the next. She seemed tensed like a bird ready to bolt at any sign of attack, but curious enough to stick around.
“Rennie, this is Mary. You’re assisting me today.” Ted elbowed his friend in the side, making sure the boy was paying attention before muttering so she wouldn’t hear, “Don’t do anything stupid.”
Rennie seemed to stiffen slightly like a dog pointing at the danger, then relaxed slightly when he saw Ted’s expression. “Hi Mary. Nice ta meet you.” He murmured with a small polite smile.
Mary’s response was an answering smile twice as big.
Ted saw Rennie’s smile warm slightly at this and figured that if the little Mary had some sort of spell on them, at least they would suffer it together.
The half-werewolf clapped his hands together, pulling his lesson plans out of the bag he had brought, “Alright, let’s get started then.”
--
After that Mary had seen it fit to sit with them at lunch.
Ted had been sure the others had been keeping a lot of distance before… now there was space for nearly five people to sit between their small group and the larger bunch of Gryffindors.
Rumors flew about Dark Creatures and Death Eaters.
Unsurprisingly, most of the school ignored Rennie’s involvement. Ever since he had joined the Quidditch team and helped Gryffindor to find their way back to the top. Gryffindor’s team especially had been neglected in the years following the Second War, since most of the students were too busy becoming Aurors to play Quidditch. After returning to the top, the Quidditch team had adored Rennie and often would stomp out any nasty rumors about him.
They didn’t extend this protection to Rennie’s friends though.
Or at least, they hadn’t before.
It took a particularly nasty rumor about Mary brainwashing Renald and Teddy into following her and becoming slaves to her every whim (the truly nasty part ended up being about what those whims were) to get a reaction.
--
One day at dinner, the whole Gryffindor Quidditch team strode up and all sat down in the wide space left around Ted, Mary, and Rennie. The Quidditch players plopped themselves down purposefully next to them and began chatting away as if nothing was amiss.
Mary looked completely terrified but held still like a tense wire, watching the older students crowd around her with her large eyes.
Teddy shifted nervously on the bench, unsure of what this meant, but then he caught Rennie’s eye-the other boy looked practically relieved. That got Ted to relax and Mary followed his lead, slowly unwinding herself and smiling slightly.
By the end of dinner, they had all been drawn into friendly conversation by the team and were able to forget that the rest of the Hall was watching them with something akin to curious fear.
--
The next day, Victoire, her friend Abby, and Dominique all sat next to Teddy, Rennie, and Mary as well.
Dominique and Mary got along very well, not too surprising as they were both Hufflepuffs at the Gryffindor table.
Ted shot Victoire a grateful look, and she smiled back.
They had yet to talk much outside of the full moons, but he still considered her a friend.
--
Hullo Teddy,
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to remember things from your childhood. Personally, I’m just glad you had a childhood worth remembering, mine certainly wasn’t anything I want to recall in any shape or form. So, here are a few notes about a couple of your playdates with other children when you were little (I got Ginny and Hermione to help me a bit with remembering, I’m sure you don’t mind):
When you were three, you used to play with a little boy named Jerry Bobs at the Muggle daycare I convinced your grandmother sent you to. I remember a particular day when I came to pick you up after my Auror Bootcamp (you remember stories I told you about the bruises I used to have after those days?) and you had run up to me with your arms flailing and your nose running.
When I asked what was wrong, you babbled something about Timmy and a well (serves me right for letting you watch the old Muggle telly) and led me to Jerry, who was sprawled out on the ground with a scraped knee.
You were so worried, that you insisted I “maggie” him up right there. I told you to cover Jerry’s eyes while I pulled out my wand and made use of a quick healing spell. After you were certain he was fine, you both were underfoot again, dashing about the playground like nothing had been ever wrong.
I think you two invented a game once that was a blotched version of the American Muggle game of “Cowboys and Indians”; only you called it “Order and Voldies”. I don’t think Ron would ever stop laughing after you explained it to him.
Of course, you always managed to cohere the Muggle boys into being the “Voldies” while you and Jerry were the “Order” and all you did was run around chasing one another with sticks.
There was also Aislin Murdock, that nice Irish wizarding girl who you claimed you were going to marry for awhile.
She lived in your neighborhood and you two would set off on all sorts of adventures during the days you weren’t at the daycare. You’ll have to get Andromeda to tell you more about her though. I never properly got to know her, since she was always so shy around me-being famous does have its down sides after all. I think your grandmother told me once about you two managing to set a whole flock of purple chickens lose in the streets of London. You were grounded for that stunt, since some Muggles had ended up caught in the crossfire when the chickens began to breathe fire and the Ministry had to use Memory Charms on a load of them.
Andromeda had you under lock and key for quite a few weeks for that. Personally, I thought it was hilarious-but that’s exactly why a nineteen year old shouldn’t be raising children.
Your grandmother only let you out for the Hols, because she couldn’t let poor, sweet, little Victoire be punished for your misgivings.
You were so sweet to Victoire that year that Andromeda lifted your punishment after that. Of course, as soon as you heard that you were back to pulling her hair and throwing frogs at her.
… But she threw frogs back, so we figured it was only fair.
You and she were joined at the hip for a while after that. She visited ‘Drom’s house so many times that summer that Aislin threw a hissy fit because you wouldn’t play with her as much as you played with Victoire. You, being the peace-keeper you have always been, managed to smooth it over with a pair of ice lollies.
I remember that because I had been sitting on the porch, watching at the time. You came over and demanded money for the ice cream van that was passing through. It was a Muggle van though, and I didn’t have enough for three ice lollies. I gave it all to you and watched you buy two lollies and give one to each girl.
Always the womanizer, even at that age, you little blighter.
After that, Aislin and Victoire had been friends and you three made a devilish trio.
I can safely say that those street lights didn’t know what hit them. The Aurors were stuck untangling those stupid things for days. I don’t have any idea how you found that trick in the library, even when we had made sure to hide those books from you and your little maraudering friends. When Andromeda tried to ground you again, she found that Aislin was sneaking you out when Victoire came for tea.
You should have seen that woman’s expression. I’d never seen such a war between anger and pride on a face before.
In the end, you got away with it, because Andromeda thought it was a very well conceived plan. After that, you were allowed to get away with sneaking out of your ‘grounded’ status, as long as Andromeda thought the plan was well thought out. It really brought out the rule-breaker in you for awhile.
Of course, you were only about five when Victoire left. Aislin and you were completely miserable for at least a month. After that, I think you kind of forgot her, in the way little kids block out things that they dislike. You still asked about her at the family gatherings though, but you seemed to enjoy babysitting your other cousins anyway.
Do you still keep in contact with Aislin? I know she went to Beauxbatons, after her family moved away, but I always thought you two were rather adorable together. Ron and I had a bet going for a bit about how long it would take you to marry her.
Speaking of Ron, everyone here is great. You should see James now. I think untangling street lights is the least of our worries with him. Your brother, Louis and he are inseparable, and have a rivalry going with Molly and Lucy, you remember Percy’s two, right? Well after Mol’ and Luc’ turned the boys’ hair pink, James and Louis got back by sneaking crickets into the girls’ beds when they slept over.
So basically, the house is a wreck. Gin and I are holding out fine. Hope you’re doing well with your studies.
Love, Harry
--
Teddy’s fingers crumbled the edges of the letter as he read it. “Aislin…” he murmured, a frown drawing between his brows.
Rennie edged over from his seat on the couch near the fireplace, where he’d been chatting with Mary. She too looked curious, but then again she always seemed to have a look of curiosity mixed with fear no matter what was going on.
They had holed up in the Hufflepuff common room tonight, since the Hufflepuffs tended up be less loud and confrontational then the Gryffindors. And since tonight was after a full moon, they all knew Ted needed the comfort and quiet of a near-empty common room with large chairs and a warm fire. Even if it was yellow.
“Who are you reading about?” Mary asked, and both boys turned to look at her and her lack of tact, then Mary and Rennie turned on Ted with bright curious eyes.
Ted’s eyes drifted from the letter to his friends, as if slowly pulling himself from the words. “It’s just a letter from my Godfather. Something I asked him about.”
“Your Godfather?” Mary’s eyebrows knitted together, “Harry Potter?”
The half-werewolf gritted his teeth. They had avoided talk of his ‘extended’ family since Mary had joined them for the same reason they avoided talking of Mary’s mother and father. “Yes. It’s just some stuff from my childhood, I thought it’d be nice to hear some of the stuff I can’t remember.” He said, hoping to avoid the topic still.
“Ah, yea. It’s nice that your Godfather has stories to tell you. I suppose that I would have to look into my foster-care file for anything I couldn’t remember.” Mary settled her eyes back on the book she had on her lap. She didn’t seem the slightest upset about her situation. It was strange of her.
Rennie tilted his head, looking from her to Ted. “You okay, Mary?”
Her head shot up again, blinking slightly as if she had been too busy reading to remember she was talking to someone. “Erm? Oh, I’m fine.” She said, sounding like her normal self, except that she said it all a bit too fast to be believable.
Teddy shot Ren a questioning look before turning back to their friend. “Mary? Is there something going on with your foster family?”
The usually oddly calm little girl suddenly launched herself at Rennie, sobbing helplessly. Rennie had his arms in the air, as if to grab her, but slowly settling them around her, holding her as she cried.
Mary cried as she did everything: strangely. She sucked in large breaths in between exploding sobs of wet salty tears and gasping wails. Rennie glanced at Ted over her shoulder. Ted shrugged helplessly. Girls weren’t something he knew much about.
“They… they want to send… send me away... again!” She choked out between her sobbing explosions.
Ted frowned, “What? Why would they do that? They’re your family.”
Mary picked up her head slightly, wiping helplessly at her wet, bloodshot eyes. “They’re the fifth one I’ve been sent to… but if I get sent away again, I might have to go to a different school.” She stared at the floor, her whole body withdrawing and curling around itself.
Rennie grabbed her shoulders, and jerked her slightly. Her face snapped up to look at him. Ted put a hand on her arm, a determined look on his face. “We won’t let that happen. You’re staying here with us.” Ted said firmly.
Mary’s eyes seemed to explode with salty water again, and Rennie held her close. He may not be good with words like Teddy, but he could comfort her like this. Blue eyes caught Ted’s as Ren rubbed small circles on her back. Rennie’s eyes held a question that Ted couldn’t answer: How?
previous chapters/next chapter:[coming soon]
Rating: PG14
Main character: Teddy Remus Lupin
Pairings: Teddy/Victoire, possible others
Summary: Teddy Lupin thought he knew what awaited him at Hogwarts, but nothing could prepare him for the friendship of an illegitimate child of Oliver Wood, the prejudices of other students against werewolves, and a certain silvery-red haired Veela girl... punkrocker!Victoire, half-werewolf!Teddy
Notes: centerpoint of the Turquoise-'verse
Part 11 of the Turquoise_verse.
Chapter 4: Victoire is a Puzzle
“Teddy Lupin?”
Ted’s head snapped around. He was very sure the Shack had been empty a moment ago, but now a silvery-red haired girl stood in the middle of the room.
“Victoire?” He stared at her, utterly bewildered. Why was it that she only showed up on full moons? Of course, she had never come to the Shrieking Shack before, and she had never turned up before the moon did.
She was looking at the ground now, the silver-fire of her hair spilled across her shoulders, drawing all attention to her lovely face when it turned towards him again. “I wanted to say thank you.”
He realized his hair was probably frantically morphing by now and attempted to still it as he made a response, “Um, well you are very welcome, but for what? It seems that I should be thanking you for more.”
She bit her lip. He noticed it was pierced on the side with a pewter ring. “Thank you for my sister. Uncle Harry told me it was your words that brought sense to the madness involving her Sorting.”
Ted shifted his weight to his heels, relaxing slightly, “Oh, well no one has to thank me for that. You guys are pretty much family to me anyway.”
“Pack,” She corrected him with a wave of her hand, her gaze shifting to the boarded up walls of the Shack.
The half-werewolf knit his brows together. “I try not to use words that the other humans wouldn’t understand. ‘Family’ works just as well as ‘pack’ for them.”
The silvery girl had wandered over to run a hand over one of the deeper claw-marks on the wall, probably made by his father. Ted didn’t have claws that large. “True, but if you mean pack, then why use any other word? The humans understand the word, just maybe not the same way we do.”
“It does unnerve them though--” Ted stopped, turning to face her completely. “What do you mean ‘we’?”
Victoire raised a silvery brow and faced him, leaning back against the torn wall. “What do you think I mean by it?” She had a slight smile played across her lips now.
The moon was pulling on his joints. It hurt to move much, but he still crossed his arms as he watched her, “You’re a werewolf?” His hair had settled on a murky brown for the moment.
Ted was still surprised when he looked into her eyes and saw the same gold that enveloped his eyes now that the moon was so close at hand.
She grinned at him now, her hand moving in an automatic way as it brushed her hair behind a pincushion-like ear. “Nope, not a full one anyway. Remember my da?”
“Bill Weasley,” Teddy eyed her carefully now.
“He was attacked by Greyback, remember? Same bloke that bit your da.” She looked practically devilish now.
“Your dad was bit by Greyback when he was human, mine when he was a werewolf.” Ted nodded, Harry had told him the tale many times.
“Yep. Makes my da part-werewolf, which makes me part-werewolf too.” She grinned widely.
Ted paused. His eyes widened and he stared at her. “Like.. me…” He murmured. “That’s why you weren’t afraid that night.”
She shook her head, silvery red hair flowing with the movement, “I figured you would have figured it out by now, but apparently you’re not as quick as… you used to be, Teddy.” She had hesitated a moment before referring to their shared past.
Teddy and Victoire had played together tons when they were very little, but Ted remembered only a few times when they were five and completely inseparable. “And then you went to France…” He finished his thoughts aloud, knowing she was having the same ones.
Victoire sighed, “We didn’t just go to France. We went everywhere. Da thought it was good for our education. Ma mère thought it was lovely to see the world. In the end though, I just wanted to go back to the Grimmauld Place backyard and play with you, to see Dominique have fun with Freddie and Roxanne, to watch Louis pull Molly’s hair and laugh with James.” She smiled ruefully, “I don’t think my parents ever counted in the fact we were still just children who wanted to play with other children rather then climb to the very top of the pyramids.”
Ted uncrossed his arms, trying to relax his body as the pull of the moon became stronger. He didn’t look at her, but smiled lightly, “Well after you left, I was charged to babysit all of them. So there was little play going on for me. I was actually happy when I started that Muggle school Harry wanted me to try.”
Victoire lifted her face up, as if she could see through the ceiling to the sky, “Won’t be long now.” She muttered, then looked down at him, “Well I figured now would be a good time to make up for all the time I missed out with my pack of cousins and my good friend.” She smiled on the last part as her eyes danced with golden light.
A smile pulled on his face and spread across slowly, matching her expression of moon-given amusement.
Then the moon pulled strong enough to re-mold his bones and the world lost its sense as the wolf took over everything that made him who he was.
But… for once, he wasn’t afraid.
--
A few weeks into third year, a new entry into Teddy’s year drew up such disarray that people even stopped their shunning of the half-werewolf.
The girl had transferred from another wizarding school, rumor had it that the incident that caused the transfer had nearly taken her life.
She had a special Sorting, even though the Hat was very disgruntled by this interruption to its usual planning of its next year’s song. Everyone was surprised to see her Sorted into Hufflepuff.
However, her story had preceded her, and even the kindly Hufflepuffs shied away when she sat down at their table.
Daughter of the Death Eater Yaxley and the convicted ex-ministry worker, ex-professor Dolores Umbridge, she had little to hold to her heritage but Dark Arts. Even the professors seemed wary of her, seeing the bits of her mother’s strict mask in her soft cheeks, her father in her straw-colored hair.
Teddy watched her with a certain morbid fascination, as did many of the other students, he supposed. Even Rennie couldn’t help but be interested in this one girl who had caused such an upheaval in the usually stubborn students of Hogwarts.
She had withdrawn into herself since coming to the school. In many classes, she sat alone, even if the lesson called for partners. Other students preferred tripling up instead of being placed with her. She never raised her hand to offer an answer, and rarely even spoke unless the professor called on her directly, which was rare. The professors usually ignored her. Professor Longbottom seemed terrified of her, sending her on errands rather then deal with her throughout the class.
It wasn’t until McGonagall approached him that he really ever thought of the girl as anything more then a curiosity.
“Mr. Lupin, I understand that you have been having trouble with the students, but I ask that you please take up the tutoring of Miss Yaxley. Maybe your experience with the other students will help her deal with her own troubles.”
Ted opened his mouth, staring up at the strictly dressed woman, her spectacles glinting slightly in the dim candle light of her office. After a moment, he shut his mouth, swallowed and tried again, “Me, Headmistress? Is that wise?"
McGonagall folded her hands into a steeple, “I believe it is the wisest choice. You are top in your class for Defense,” She looked at him, her eyes gleaming for a moment, a pride in her eyes that reminded him of Harry when Teddy had managed to finally produce a full Patronus under his Godfather’s instruction over the summer (carefully hidden from the Trace and from Aunt Ginny, of course). The Headmistress continued after a slight pause, her eyes reminding him that they weren’t here for pleasantries, “Which Miss Yaxley is nearly failing. I’m sure you can at least help her up from getting a ‘T’ on her exam, at least.”
She didn’t seem to want to look at him now, her eyes were stuck on two portraits behind her desk: one of an old, wise-looking wizard with twinkling blue eyes behind half-moon spectacles, the other of a greasy-haired, annoyed-looking wizard with glinting black eyes. “I trust you both to help one another through these hard and confusing years as we rebuild and heal.” Her eyes grew hard as she turned back to face him, “I’ve set aside a classroom on the third floor for you both after dinner on Wednesdays. I suggest that you both are… quiet about meeting with each other, for the rest of the student body isn’t as forgiving.”
Ted opened his mouth to protest, but McGonagall waved him off, “Off with you, Mr. Lupin. I hope I don’t have to see you here before I call for you again.”
Swallowing his words, Teddy set off towards the door, barely hearing McGonagall’s sigh as the door closed, “Dumbledore, how did you ever deal with all this?”
--
Rennie wasn’t too happy about the whole situation. Especially about the fact he wasn’t allowed to help.
“Teddy, but McGoogles never said I couldn’t come with you.”
“Double negatives, Rennie,” Ted corrected as he gestured with his fork, the meat on it nearly flinging itself into Rennie’s face. “She wanted me to do this quietly.”
Rennie frowned, “That’s not fair. You can’t jus’ go ‘lone, she’s…” He appeared to scramble for words.
“She’s just a girl.” Ted pointed out, his voice steady despite the nervous butterflies in his stomach.
The dark-haired boy knit his brows together, “But her mum’s-”
“-In Azkaban,” Ted cut him off, adding more carefully, “Plus, I’m… you know.”
Renald lowered his gaze to his toast, which he was stabbing absentmindedly with his fork. “Still,” he muttered, “Be careful. Jus’ ‘cause you’re a werewo’f, do’sn’t mean you’re invinc’ble. Ya need to watch out fo’ yourself, Teddy.” Ren’s speech always grew worse when he was nervous or upset.
“I deal with one little girl, I’m sure.” Ted muttered, not really wanting to go alone in the first place.
Suddenly his friend’s eyes lit up with mischievous ideas. “I’m sur’ you can, but yanno, it’d be easier if I were there… Just n’case som’thing went wrong, right?” Rennie’s smile curved slightly more and Ted couldn’t help but catch on.
“You have a plan then?” Teddy grinned at him. He should have known his best friend wouldn’t leave him hanging.
“That I do.” Rennie grinned back.
--
The first night was… interesting.
Teddy had all of his Defense Against the Dark Arts textbooks stuffed into a messenger bag that probably would have weighed him down before, but now, with the werewolf blood infecting him more and more as the moon’s pull grew stronger, the bag was like carrying one or two of the books, instead of five.
He was still getting used to that effect, which is why he startled so much when he moved too fast and the bag nearly took down the door before his shoulder nudged it open.
Ted heard a replying squeak inside the room as the girl he was there tutor had jumped also.
“Oops.” He muttered and grabbed the door before it flung itself into the wall. “Sorry.”
The girl behind the door just stared at him. Her hazel eyes wide like a rabbit.
“Not you-the door. Sorry-to you too, I mean.” Ted stumbled over his words before forcing himself to shut his mouth and ran a hand through his hair. “Okay, start over.” He closed his eyes for a moment, hoping she didn’t think he was insane. “Sorry, I’m Ted Lupin. I’m here to be your tutor.” He held out his hand to her.
She just stared at the extended hand.
“Um,” He began to drop the gesture.
She seemed to shake herself, than quickly, she darted out and grabbed his hand in her much smaller one. “Sor-Sorry.” She murmured in a soft voice, “I’m Margaret Yaxley.” She gave him a small, obviously forced, and shaky smile, “My foster mum calls me Mary though.” Then she quickly dropped his hand, as if afraid to touch it a second longer, and withdrew to a desk nearby.
This was not really what he had expected.
Ted’s eyes snapped to the teacher’s desk, where Rennie was huddled underneath, probably watching and listening to them. Just incase.
“Your friend has been very quiet. Is he shy?” A soft voice broke through Teddy’s thoughts.
His eyes (currently green with the usual flecks of gold) connected with hers. His mouth made a silent ‘Oh’ at her frightened but curious expression. There was nothing in her face that was dangerous or even the slightest bit angry.
If she was an actor, she was a good one.
“My friend?” Ted tried to play dumb.
“The one under the desk.” Mary hunched her shoulders slightly, “Sorry, was that part of the lesson for later?”
She was earnest, he realized. Then he laughed, his nervous energy and doubt floating away at the honest, rabbit-like look on her gentle face. She wasn’t the prettiest girl ever, but she wasn’t ugly. She had a certain look about her that softened everything about her features and made her lovely.
“Heh, sorry, no. That’s just Ren-erm, Renald Wood.” Ted gave the desk what was meant to be a gentle kick, but somehow ended up denting the metal thing. “Renald will be assisting me today.”
“Ow. Teddy, didja hafta-… Oh hullo there.” Rennie crawled out from under the desk, rubbing his head absentmindedly as he turned his blue eyes on Mary.
“Hello,” Mary shifted her rabbit-stare from one boy to the next. She seemed tensed like a bird ready to bolt at any sign of attack, but curious enough to stick around.
“Rennie, this is Mary. You’re assisting me today.” Ted elbowed his friend in the side, making sure the boy was paying attention before muttering so she wouldn’t hear, “Don’t do anything stupid.”
Rennie seemed to stiffen slightly like a dog pointing at the danger, then relaxed slightly when he saw Ted’s expression. “Hi Mary. Nice ta meet you.” He murmured with a small polite smile.
Mary’s response was an answering smile twice as big.
Ted saw Rennie’s smile warm slightly at this and figured that if the little Mary had some sort of spell on them, at least they would suffer it together.
The half-werewolf clapped his hands together, pulling his lesson plans out of the bag he had brought, “Alright, let’s get started then.”
--
After that Mary had seen it fit to sit with them at lunch.
Ted had been sure the others had been keeping a lot of distance before… now there was space for nearly five people to sit between their small group and the larger bunch of Gryffindors.
Rumors flew about Dark Creatures and Death Eaters.
Unsurprisingly, most of the school ignored Rennie’s involvement. Ever since he had joined the Quidditch team and helped Gryffindor to find their way back to the top. Gryffindor’s team especially had been neglected in the years following the Second War, since most of the students were too busy becoming Aurors to play Quidditch. After returning to the top, the Quidditch team had adored Rennie and often would stomp out any nasty rumors about him.
They didn’t extend this protection to Rennie’s friends though.
Or at least, they hadn’t before.
It took a particularly nasty rumor about Mary brainwashing Renald and Teddy into following her and becoming slaves to her every whim (the truly nasty part ended up being about what those whims were) to get a reaction.
--
One day at dinner, the whole Gryffindor Quidditch team strode up and all sat down in the wide space left around Ted, Mary, and Rennie. The Quidditch players plopped themselves down purposefully next to them and began chatting away as if nothing was amiss.
Mary looked completely terrified but held still like a tense wire, watching the older students crowd around her with her large eyes.
Teddy shifted nervously on the bench, unsure of what this meant, but then he caught Rennie’s eye-the other boy looked practically relieved. That got Ted to relax and Mary followed his lead, slowly unwinding herself and smiling slightly.
By the end of dinner, they had all been drawn into friendly conversation by the team and were able to forget that the rest of the Hall was watching them with something akin to curious fear.
--
The next day, Victoire, her friend Abby, and Dominique all sat next to Teddy, Rennie, and Mary as well.
Dominique and Mary got along very well, not too surprising as they were both Hufflepuffs at the Gryffindor table.
Ted shot Victoire a grateful look, and she smiled back.
They had yet to talk much outside of the full moons, but he still considered her a friend.
--
Hullo Teddy,
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to remember things from your childhood. Personally, I’m just glad you had a childhood worth remembering, mine certainly wasn’t anything I want to recall in any shape or form. So, here are a few notes about a couple of your playdates with other children when you were little (I got Ginny and Hermione to help me a bit with remembering, I’m sure you don’t mind):
When you were three, you used to play with a little boy named Jerry Bobs at the Muggle daycare I convinced your grandmother sent you to. I remember a particular day when I came to pick you up after my Auror Bootcamp (you remember stories I told you about the bruises I used to have after those days?) and you had run up to me with your arms flailing and your nose running.
When I asked what was wrong, you babbled something about Timmy and a well (serves me right for letting you watch the old Muggle telly) and led me to Jerry, who was sprawled out on the ground with a scraped knee.
You were so worried, that you insisted I “maggie” him up right there. I told you to cover Jerry’s eyes while I pulled out my wand and made use of a quick healing spell. After you were certain he was fine, you both were underfoot again, dashing about the playground like nothing had been ever wrong.
I think you two invented a game once that was a blotched version of the American Muggle game of “Cowboys and Indians”; only you called it “Order and Voldies”. I don’t think Ron would ever stop laughing after you explained it to him.
Of course, you always managed to cohere the Muggle boys into being the “Voldies” while you and Jerry were the “Order” and all you did was run around chasing one another with sticks.
There was also Aislin Murdock, that nice Irish wizarding girl who you claimed you were going to marry for awhile.
She lived in your neighborhood and you two would set off on all sorts of adventures during the days you weren’t at the daycare. You’ll have to get Andromeda to tell you more about her though. I never properly got to know her, since she was always so shy around me-being famous does have its down sides after all. I think your grandmother told me once about you two managing to set a whole flock of purple chickens lose in the streets of London. You were grounded for that stunt, since some Muggles had ended up caught in the crossfire when the chickens began to breathe fire and the Ministry had to use Memory Charms on a load of them.
Andromeda had you under lock and key for quite a few weeks for that. Personally, I thought it was hilarious-but that’s exactly why a nineteen year old shouldn’t be raising children.
Your grandmother only let you out for the Hols, because she couldn’t let poor, sweet, little Victoire be punished for your misgivings.
You were so sweet to Victoire that year that Andromeda lifted your punishment after that. Of course, as soon as you heard that you were back to pulling her hair and throwing frogs at her.
… But she threw frogs back, so we figured it was only fair.
You and she were joined at the hip for a while after that. She visited ‘Drom’s house so many times that summer that Aislin threw a hissy fit because you wouldn’t play with her as much as you played with Victoire. You, being the peace-keeper you have always been, managed to smooth it over with a pair of ice lollies.
I remember that because I had been sitting on the porch, watching at the time. You came over and demanded money for the ice cream van that was passing through. It was a Muggle van though, and I didn’t have enough for three ice lollies. I gave it all to you and watched you buy two lollies and give one to each girl.
Always the womanizer, even at that age, you little blighter.
After that, Aislin and Victoire had been friends and you three made a devilish trio.
I can safely say that those street lights didn’t know what hit them. The Aurors were stuck untangling those stupid things for days. I don’t have any idea how you found that trick in the library, even when we had made sure to hide those books from you and your little maraudering friends. When Andromeda tried to ground you again, she found that Aislin was sneaking you out when Victoire came for tea.
You should have seen that woman’s expression. I’d never seen such a war between anger and pride on a face before.
In the end, you got away with it, because Andromeda thought it was a very well conceived plan. After that, you were allowed to get away with sneaking out of your ‘grounded’ status, as long as Andromeda thought the plan was well thought out. It really brought out the rule-breaker in you for awhile.
Of course, you were only about five when Victoire left. Aislin and you were completely miserable for at least a month. After that, I think you kind of forgot her, in the way little kids block out things that they dislike. You still asked about her at the family gatherings though, but you seemed to enjoy babysitting your other cousins anyway.
Do you still keep in contact with Aislin? I know she went to Beauxbatons, after her family moved away, but I always thought you two were rather adorable together. Ron and I had a bet going for a bit about how long it would take you to marry her.
Speaking of Ron, everyone here is great. You should see James now. I think untangling street lights is the least of our worries with him. Your brother, Louis and he are inseparable, and have a rivalry going with Molly and Lucy, you remember Percy’s two, right? Well after Mol’ and Luc’ turned the boys’ hair pink, James and Louis got back by sneaking crickets into the girls’ beds when they slept over.
So basically, the house is a wreck. Gin and I are holding out fine. Hope you’re doing well with your studies.
Love, Harry
--
Teddy’s fingers crumbled the edges of the letter as he read it. “Aislin…” he murmured, a frown drawing between his brows.
Rennie edged over from his seat on the couch near the fireplace, where he’d been chatting with Mary. She too looked curious, but then again she always seemed to have a look of curiosity mixed with fear no matter what was going on.
They had holed up in the Hufflepuff common room tonight, since the Hufflepuffs tended up be less loud and confrontational then the Gryffindors. And since tonight was after a full moon, they all knew Ted needed the comfort and quiet of a near-empty common room with large chairs and a warm fire. Even if it was yellow.
“Who are you reading about?” Mary asked, and both boys turned to look at her and her lack of tact, then Mary and Rennie turned on Ted with bright curious eyes.
Ted’s eyes drifted from the letter to his friends, as if slowly pulling himself from the words. “It’s just a letter from my Godfather. Something I asked him about.”
“Your Godfather?” Mary’s eyebrows knitted together, “Harry Potter?”
The half-werewolf gritted his teeth. They had avoided talk of his ‘extended’ family since Mary had joined them for the same reason they avoided talking of Mary’s mother and father. “Yes. It’s just some stuff from my childhood, I thought it’d be nice to hear some of the stuff I can’t remember.” He said, hoping to avoid the topic still.
“Ah, yea. It’s nice that your Godfather has stories to tell you. I suppose that I would have to look into my foster-care file for anything I couldn’t remember.” Mary settled her eyes back on the book she had on her lap. She didn’t seem the slightest upset about her situation. It was strange of her.
Rennie tilted his head, looking from her to Ted. “You okay, Mary?”
Her head shot up again, blinking slightly as if she had been too busy reading to remember she was talking to someone. “Erm? Oh, I’m fine.” She said, sounding like her normal self, except that she said it all a bit too fast to be believable.
Teddy shot Ren a questioning look before turning back to their friend. “Mary? Is there something going on with your foster family?”
The usually oddly calm little girl suddenly launched herself at Rennie, sobbing helplessly. Rennie had his arms in the air, as if to grab her, but slowly settling them around her, holding her as she cried.
Mary cried as she did everything: strangely. She sucked in large breaths in between exploding sobs of wet salty tears and gasping wails. Rennie glanced at Ted over her shoulder. Ted shrugged helplessly. Girls weren’t something he knew much about.
“They… they want to send… send me away... again!” She choked out between her sobbing explosions.
Ted frowned, “What? Why would they do that? They’re your family.”
Mary picked up her head slightly, wiping helplessly at her wet, bloodshot eyes. “They’re the fifth one I’ve been sent to… but if I get sent away again, I might have to go to a different school.” She stared at the floor, her whole body withdrawing and curling around itself.
Rennie grabbed her shoulders, and jerked her slightly. Her face snapped up to look at him. Ted put a hand on her arm, a determined look on his face. “We won’t let that happen. You’re staying here with us.” Ted said firmly.
Mary’s eyes seemed to explode with salty water again, and Rennie held her close. He may not be good with words like Teddy, but he could comfort her like this. Blue eyes caught Ted’s as Ren rubbed small circles on her back. Rennie’s eyes held a question that Ted couldn’t answer: How?
previous chapters/next chapter:[coming soon]