AN: The main reason I decided to write this was not because I hate how Delphi was characterised in Cursed Child, but because I hated how much her potential was wasted. Had she been raised by loving parents then I'm sure Delphi would have been completely unrecognisable. Also, considering how the cousins are so close in age it seems like the potential for stories involving Delphi and Teddy are endless. I hope you enjoy and please review if you do, or if you have any constructive criticism. :AN
As the Hogwarts Express thundered down the tracks almost all of the compartments were filled to capacity. The baby boom that followed end of the Second Wizarding War meant that in the younger years there were more students than ever. However, one compartment had managed to escape the crowds, carrying only two Fourth-Years. Most students who had wandered past looking for a place to sit were put off by the House scarves worn by the two students. The Slytherins saw the blue-haired boy wearing a Hufflepuff scarf and instantly moved on and when members of the other houses saw one of the most notorious Slytherins in the entire school they couldn't scramble away faster from her.
"What exactly have you told your Grandmother about me?" Delphi asked inquisitively, narrowing her eyes at her friend.
"What are you worried about?" Teddy Lupin joked. "She was a Slytherin, so it's not like she will judge you. I can't say the same for my uncle Ron, but I won't leave you alone with him if you are afraid."
Delphi scoffed and blew away a strand of black hair that had fallen into her gaze. "I'm not afraid."
The pair were an odd mix, and even though House relations had improved since the war, a friendship such as theirs was still highly unusual. Even their personalities seemed to clash but miraculously they had managed to avoid having a single disagreement throughout all four years they had spent together.
Teddy made friends effortlessly, he always saw the best in people and could honestly not think of anyone he truly hated. He didn't perceive all Slytherins as evil, as many were prone to do, instead valuing each person's personality based on their own merits. He knew that he wasn't particularly intelligent but no one could claim that he didn't work hard. What he lacked in natural talent, he more than made up for in perseverance and dedication.
On the other hand, Delphi was more of an acquired taste. When Teddy met her, she had been full to the brim with prejudices and misconceptions but thankfully experience and education had remedied the majority of these over time. Though short-tempered and proud she was fiercely loyal and her defence of Teddy from bullies had earnt a number of detentions. Aside from these, she was very much the model student. Consistently top of the class in all but Muggle Studies, she was very much favoured by the teachers, and quickly mastered anything put in front of her. Teddy knew that although she seemed to glide through the lessons, there was little that genuinely interested the young girl. She would listen carefully to everything the professors would say, but only a few topics grasped her interest enough to make her desire to learn more.
Potions and DADA, her favourite subjects, were the ones that Teddy found the hardest, and so in return for tutoring in Muggle Studies, Delphi made sure that her best friend had all of her expertise to maintain good grades.
"I hope you don't get into much trouble with your guardian for this. I would hate myself if she finds out."
"Don't worry, Ted. I doubt she pays enough attention to my education to be able to work out that I'm not actually staying at Hogwarts over Christmas. It's not like I have come home at any other opportunity."
The two friends were finally enacting a plan that had been in motion since September, and they had been barely able to contain their excitement as the days until school finished had begun counting down. It was all too simple in the end, as opposed to previous years Delphi simply failed to sign up to stay at Hogwarts over Christmas. She didn't need to send a letter to her guardian about staying as they hadn't exchanged a single letter since Delphi had left for the first time, aged eleven. Teddy had written home, asking his grandmother if his friend could stay, and Andromeda Tonks had been all too happy to oblige.
Suddenly a worried look appeared on Teddy's face, followed by a hurried search of his bag. "Merlin's beard!"
"What's wrong?" Delphi asked, worried for her friend.
"I forgot my potions textbook. I was going to make notes on everything I didn't understand." He groaned once more. "I can't do my homework either, Slughorn's going to kill me!"
"You idiot," she laughed, pulling her own textbook out of her bag. "You can use mine. Also, I doubt Slughorn could say a single bad word about you."
"I wish he would, sometimes, he really needs to stop having favourites."
"Oh Mr Lupin," she mimicked. "What a wonderful Sleeping draught, class look at this perfect example." She laughed. "Or… How strange that your potions seemed to have turned out like this, I'll have to check the ingredients tonight for purity."
Teddy sighed, remembering how frustratingly Potions class could be, especially considering how the Hufflepuffs shared the class with the Slytherins. Though they wouldn't tease Teddy in front of Delphi, as soon as he was alone they would constantly call him names. This had lessened somewhat over the years, fear of Delphi's wrath dissuaded all except the most suicidal of bullies.
"It's so annoying." He cringed, Slughorn loved to shower Teddy with praise simply because his parents had been war heroes and members of the Order of the Phoenix. However, he offered similar praise to those whose family had been renowned, albeit on Voldemort's side during the war.
"At least he doesn't try to ignore your entire existence."
No matter how many perfect essays she would hand in, or faultless potions she would make, Slughorn seemed to shy away from giving her any praise, odd considering how he was as far from being shy as any person could be. He avoided all eye contact, and only ever chose her to answer and question if it was clear no one else was going to put their hand up.
"I keep saying that you should speak to someone about him. It's not fair that he treats you like that when you're clearly the best in the class."
"He's the Head of Slytherin, who else can I go to?"
"Professor Longbottom is friends with my godfather, I could ask Harry to mention something to him," He offered, "if you want." Teddy was all too happy to help his best friend, however knew that Delphi would rather crucio herself then ask someone for help. It had taken months of failure and the threat of her guardian being called in for a talk to finally convince Delphi to let Teddy help her with Muggle Studies.
"Thanks Teddy, but I need to sort this out myself. I'll figure something out." Her eyes gazed out of the window, the dark orbs reflecting in the condensation that had formed on the glass.
Quickly changing the conversation, Teddy said: "I think you will get on well with grandmother. You both are very protective and are incredibly stubborn."
Delphi wasn't sure whether it was a compliment or an insult but smiled anyway. "Well she must be nice if she raised you."
Suddenly Teddy threw his arms around her and pulled her tightly into a hug. "I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said."
Taken aback, Delphi quickly countered. "Is it so strange for me to compliment you?"
"Come on, Delph, you're not exactly the most touchy-feely, loving person ever. It took an entire year for you to call me your friend. You barely talk to anyone in Slytherin and no one besides me in the other houses. You-"
"I get it. I get it." She raised her voice quickly, "But that just how I am. If you want someone who kisses the ground you walk on then I'm sure Sarah Carmichael will happily fill that position." Her tone turned bitter.
"Don't be silly." Teddy smiled. "I'm your friend because I like who you are. Also, as kind as Sarah is, she isn't my best friend, you are."
Delphi's frown quickly turned into what was a hint of a smile. "Kind? Sarah is a stalker. I'm pretty sure she's already planned your wedding and what you'll name you children."
Grimacing, Teddy cringed. "She does like me, doesn't she?"
Just as the pair were about to start talking again, a whistle blew and looking outside they could see that the countryside had quickly turned into a city landscape. They both stared out the window for the next few minutes as the train slowed until it finally reached a stop at Platform 9 ¾.
"Ready, Delphi?"
"Always."