Written for OTP Bootcamp Angst

Prompt: (location): Bar

Pairing: Teddy/Delphi

Side Pairing: Teddy/Ileana(OC) and Delphi/Lucas(OC)

Note: They are in their sixth year.

Word Count: 4,709

It had been Chelsea's idea to hang-out at The Three Broomsticks for the whole Hogsmeade trip with the exams closing in on them. For several weeks The Six Musketeer only saw the inside of the castle and books. They had immediately agreed with Chelsea before she could finish her sentence. Upon hearing the plans Ileana nudged Teddy and gave him a knowing grin as the two of them headed down the Quidditch Field.

"What are you grinning about?" Teddy asked blushing.

"Well with the Hogsmeade trip right around the corner, I think that it's a great opportunity for you ask Delphi out," Ileana said, bumping her shoulder against his.

"Why would I do that?"

Ileana raised an eyebrow as Teddy avoided looking at her. "Oh come on, Teddy it's painfully obvious that you like her and that she likes you."

"What? N-no it isn't-" Teddy stammered before giving Ileana a slow smirk. "Not as obvious as your crush on Thalle."

Ileana's eyes widen before she turned a deep red. "Oh bugger off, it's not like the oaf knows anyway. He bloody thinks that I'm after John as if I want that pigheaded boy."

Teddy chuckled as they walked quietly to the field. He was pleased that he distracted Ileana long enough for him to think. Did Delphi really like him or was Ileana simply teasing him again? Teddy hoped not as his thoughts drifted on how in certain lights Delphi's eyes could be an intense gray or a very pale blue-

"Thinking about her again?" Ileana teased.

"Ah! No, of course not!" Teddy said. "Can't we just drop it? I bought you over here so you could play one on one."

"All I'm trying to say is that the door is closing fast, and you might never have the chance to ask Delphi out," Ileana said shrugging. "But I'm all game for beating you again Lover Boy!"

At the end, Teddy decided to take Ileana's advice. Teddy figured that it wouldn't hurt to know what the answer would be instead of leaving as an 'what if'. He asked her as he was taking her to her next class. They had been discussing the Potions' assignment before Teddy cleared his throat to catch Delphi's attention.

"Hm?"

Delphi turned her head and Teddy could've sworn that his heart was pounding fast. There was a lump forming in his throat and he began to sweat profoundly. No, he couldn't do it. .what if she-

No. He thought firmly, he had to ask her or he would never know the answer.

"So, the Hogsmeade trip is coming up." Teddy started.

"Yeah, I can hardly wait. We need a break from all this homework and studying but what about it?"

"Uh, I was, um, wondering if you would like go with me. I mean, I know that we had already agreed to go as friends with the rest of the Six Musketeers, but I was thinking that we go could together like a date," Teddy said nervously, looking down at his feet.

Delphi blinked. "A date, date?"

"Yeah, but if you don't want to that's fine, I just- it was a silly- I mean it's fine that we're going as friends-"

"Teddy, breathe. You're rambling again." Delphi said softly causing him to blush.

"Right, sorry. . . so what do you say?"

"Teddy," she sighed and shifted her schoolbooks. "that's nice of you to offer but somebody's already asked me. Sorry."

He could've sworn that he heard his heart and hope shatter into a million pieces. Of course, somebody already asked her. Delphi was a beautiful, gorgeous, girl that could choose any boys that she wanted. Ileana had been right, he should have asked earlier instead of fearing for the outcome.

"Who is he?" Teddy asked trying to tune out his thoughts.

"Lucas Ortega, he's a Slytherin and a year older than us."

"Oh, will he be coming with us?"

"He doesn't have to," she answered hastily. "I could reschedule my date and-"

"No, no. It's fine, he can come I was just wondering."

The following days passed in a dull blur for Teddy. Classes, meals, exams, and finally Saturday morning rolled by. For the first time in his life, he didn't want to go to Hogsmeade. He had a feeling that it wouldn't be the same with Lucas being there. It was his own fault anyway, for waiting so long to ask and now he had to deal with the consequences.

At least he wasn't the only one that wasn't happy with the arrangements. Ileana nearly choked on her breakfast.

"She has a date and she didn't think about telling me?" Ileana exclaimed as she took a sip of her orange juice. "Talk about being in the dark."

"Maybe she had reasons not to tell us." Chelsea shrugged. "Maybe it's supposed to be a surprise."

Ileana snorted. "For you, maybe. But for me? I'm like Delphi's best friend, second-in-command I'm the first one that knows everything about Delphi."

"Besides this," John muttered causing Ileana to glare at him.

"Oh, now I get it." Thalle remarked, pushing his now empty plate back. Pointing at Teddy with his napkin. "you've been down this whole week because Delphi has a date. Relax gang I'm sure a date with this, whatever this bloke's name is won't break the Six Musketeers apart." he looked over at the Slytherin table where Lucas and Delphi were finishing their breakfast. They were talking about something and exchanging smiles. This had been the first Saturday that Delphi hadn't joined them at the Hufflepuff table. "probably," he added softly.

"Hey! Don't say that," Ileana scolded hitting him on his head. "But I suppose you're right, there's the first time for everything, and. . . maybe she planned on telling us earlier but forgotten because of all the studying and preparing for exams."

"That's awfully optimistic of you. In fact, you sound like Chelsea over here." John said as he reached over to grab a piece of bacon. "Or maybe Delphi is done with us."

"Well, it's not always a good thing to be pessimistic," Chelsea grumbled.

Ileana took one glance at Teddy and saw that the conversation wasn't really helping his mood. She sighed dramatically and gave a cheerful smile.

"But let's be honest you guys, we need to be optimistic today. There's no need to point fingers or anything, it may have slipped Delphi's mind and I think that's going to take a lot to break us up. So what, she's got a boyfriend? That won't stop her from completely hanging out with us."

"How do you know?" John challenged.

Ileana's gray eyes bored into his. "Because I know Delphi and I'm also a girl, in case you forgot, and it'll take her a couple of days to balance out her new relationship, schoolwork, and our friendship. It was bound to happen."

"Why are we the last priority?"

"Why do you always have to complain, John?"

"He doesn't always complain," Thalle defended his friend before adding with a smirk. "he also states whatever's the most obvious."

"And what is the obvious?" Ileana asked, placing her chin on her hand. "I'm quite curious."

"Oh, Captain Obvious' powers can't work on demand." Thalle clarified, snatching a warm cinnamon bun for dessert. "would ruin his mystique, you know."

"Honestly, I don't know what to do with you two," Ileana said rolling her eyes. "Let's talk about something more interesting like how the Ravenclaw are going to win this match against Hufflepuff."

Thalle snorted. "Dream on, Flint. Badgers always beat eagles. It's the natural order of things. Survival of the fittest and all that."

"Hufflepuff hasn't won against Ravenclaw since Ileana started playing." Chelsea pointed out. "With both her parents Quidditch players and Chasers. . ."

"But don't worry, Thalle, I want to beat the team too badly." Ileana teased.

Thalle snorted again and shook his head. "There's no I in team," he paused, "or we. Or us, come to think of it."

"Alright, alright. You know how competitive Ileana can get," Chelsea said. "She forgets that she's part of a team, and all she can think about is winning."

"That is not true!" Ileana exclaimed. "I am a very level-headed person that understand the values of teamwork, I've stayed with you guys didn't I?"

"Not unless we're playing Wizarding Chess, Exploding Snap, Gobstones-" John started.

"Okay, okay," Ileana grumbled. "I see your point."

As the conversation continued, Teddy did little to contribute. His mind still stuck on the five words that Ileana had spoken: It was bound to happen. Ileana started to notice how withdrawn Teddy, and she let out a small sigh.

"Hey Teddy, maybe Victoire would want to come with us?" Ileana suggested.

"Victoire? As in Victoire Weasley? You bloody hate that girl." John exclaimed which Chelsea hushed him for.

"Captain Obvious rides again," Thalle whispered wiping his hands on his napkin.

"Oh hush it up you two, hate is such a strong word. Besides, as long as she doesn't talk to me or Delphi, we should be right as rain." Ileana said.

"Yeah right, I believe that when Peeves stop pulling pranks," John said.

"Besides it isn't necessary," Teddy said. "I'll be fine during the trip to Hogsmeade."

"Are you sure?" Ileana asked with concern.

"Positive."

Afternoon came by rather quickly and the Six Musketeers met right outside the gates. Teddy watched broodily as Delphi and Lucas walked towards them. He had tried multiple times to shake off the dark feelings that he had been having the last hour but seemed to refuse to leave like how Ileana refused to leave his side. While he did appreciate her being supportive and concern, Teddy found himself a little annoyed about it as well.

"Hello everyone," Delphi waved as she joined her friends. "This is Lucas Ortega. Lucas, these are my friends: Teddy, Ileana, Chelsea, John, and Thalle."

Lucas grinned and nodded in greeting. "Pleasure."

"The same right back," Ileana said, smiling.

She then walked over to Delphi and threw an arm over her shoulders. "Now as we head down to The Three Broomsticks, why didn't you tell me about this Lucas fellow earlier."

"So, Ortega," Thalle stepped between Lucas and Delphi blocking Lucas to join Delphi and allowing Ileana to walk with her privately. "what's your view on the new Doctor?"

Lucas blinked and looked over at Delphi but saw she was busy with her friend Ileana. Turning to Teddy and John he saw that he wouldn't get any help about what Thalle was asking from them. "What new doctor?"

Thalle huffed. "The Doctor." rolling his eyes as he continued to see a baffled expression on Lucas's face. "Doctor Who. Time traveler. Alien explorer. The Doctor."

"Alien?"

"Don't mind him." Chelsea interrupted. "It's a muggle thing, he's always going on and on about it."

"I do not!" Thalle protested.

"Ah," Lucas moved closer to Chelsea and farther away from Thalle. "my family doesn't do muggle things much."

"If it makes you feel any better, neither does mine," Chelsea said.

"It does," he smiled, "thank you, Chelsea."

"You're welcome," Chelsea said smiling back.

John, who was talking to Teddy, looked over at them before narrowing his eyes. He, then, pulled his sister closer to him and she rolled her eyes.

"Honestly John, can I speak to no boys whatsoever?"

"Not unless they are me, Teddy, or Thalle," John said in an overprotective voice.

"I'm sorry about him," Chelsea said sending Lucas an apologetic smile.

"It's quite all right." Lucas returned her smile ignoring John's glare. "I'm an older brother too. It's what we do."

"Unnecessary, I say," Chelsea said.

"You say a lot of things Chels," John said.

Chelsea elbowed him in his ribs. "Ow!"

Teddy wanted to hate Lucas but he was giving him little reason to, maybe that's why Delphi chose him instead. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and lower his head.

"We're almost there," Ileana said. "Butterbeer for everybody right?"

"Right!" everyone, except Lucas, replied eagerly.

Thalle frowned as he noticed Teddy's lowered head. Nudging him slightly after casting a discrete silencing charm around them.

"What's up, Ted?"

"Nothing, I'm fine," Teddy mumbled. "I didn't really want to go to Hogsmeade today."

"Not go? Not go to Hogsmeade?" Thalle stared at Teddy. "Mate you must be coming down with something."

"I said, I'm fine." Teddy snapped, now very irritated.

Thalle shook his head but dropped the matter as he canceled the silencing charm and turned to John and joined the conversation with John, Chelsea, and the new guy was having. Shooting a worried glance over at Teddy ever once in awhile as the small band of seven approached the pub.

Lucas moved swiftly ahead of the gang, opened the door to the Three Broomsticks and held it for Delphi, Chelsea, and Ileana. "Ladies."

"You're far too kind," Chelsea said before entering the pub.

"Thank you, Lucas." Delphi blushed.

"Delphi, my dear friend, I would think it best if you and Lucas go get the Butterbeers, while we pick a seat," Ileana said. "Something by the windows, I think."

"Okay," Delphi agreed and accepted Lucas's arm as he playfully presented it to her as he bowed. She quickly tried to stiffle her giggles but a few escape as they went to order the drinks for everyone.

The moment that they were gone Ileana turned to look at Teddy with a very serious expression. "The one right here would don't you think?"

Teddy shrugged and Ileana merely frowned. She led the group to the table by the windows and had Teddy pressed against the window with her by his side. In front of him was John and Chelsea, Thalle had sat beside Ileana.

"Teddy, I know how you feel about Delphi dating but could you cheer up a bit?" Ileana asked kindly, taking his hand.

"Why should I?" Teddy mumbled, his hair turning a dull brown.

Ileana hesitated, unsure on how to go by his response for once. He was uncharacteristically down and filled with jealousy that Ileana was uncertain on how to approach him. If this is how he was going to act because Delphi was dating Lucas, Ileana would hate to see the outcome of how Delphi would act if Teddy started to date too. She glanced at Thalle hoping that he would have something to say.

Thalle caught Ileana's glance and shrugged. He had never seen Teddy so down before but he had made it clear on their way to the pub that he didn't want to talk about it. Looking over at Delphi and Lucas slowly making their way over to them he wondered if he could get away with hexing Lucas. If Lucas had to go back to Hogwarts then Delphi wouldn't be on a date anymore and would notice that something was troubling Teddy. Although, he suspected that Delphi being on a date was what was troubling Teddy in the first place.

"Butterbeers," Delphi slid the beers across the table to Ileana and Thalle. She was about to give Teddy's his when she stopped. His hair was brown. Mousy brown. "Teddy?"

Ileana laid her head on Teddy's shoulder and sighed wistfully. "He's fine." Though this time she didn't have the energy to give a reassuring smile.

Delphi's frown grew but took her friend's hint and dropped it. For now.

Lucas, not knowing what mousy brown hair signified, gave John a butterbeer and was about to give Chelsea her drink when John intervened, took it from him and handed it over to his sister. Raising an eyebrow he joined the group. His cider in his hand.

"It's not even that serious," Chelsea grumbled, taking the butterbeer out of her brother's hands.

"Of course, it is, he's older and a Slytherin and-"

"Okay, number 1 he's dating Delphi, number 2 Delphi is a Slytherin too, and number 3 whatever was about to come out your mouth is just as stupid as your other points," Chelsea said.

Delphi took the seat beside Lucas but instead of returning his welcoming smile she chanced another look over at Teddy. What was troubling him?

Before anybody from the table could speak, there was a loud commotion from the other side of the Three Broomsticks. Everyone that was there turned their heads towards the loud conversation.

"You know what they say don't you? That somewhere out there, Voldemort's child is plotting and planning to take over the world? To bring their father back to from the dead."

"Man, that's crazy! Everybody knows that he was too busy killing and torturing people to get a woman pregnant. Not a willing one anyway."

They laughed at this and a few others too but Ileana wrinkled up her nose in disgust. "Is this really the place for this?"

Delphi paled and cradled her drink in her hands. They were talking about her. She was Voldemort's child, her step-father had told her so during summer hols, but she wasn't planning anything.

"Oi! Quiet down over there, will ya?" Thalle exclaimed, looking at the group of seven-years, that were sitting behind them in the corner. "there're ladies present!"

"Oh piss off, it's not like we're forcing ya to listen. Much of pansies you is."

"But speaking of ladies, can't I say that Delphi Rowle has the best bod in Hogwarts."

Teddy's hair turned red and he balled his hands into fists as he felt anger rise in him.

"Yeah. Even with that awful colored hair, I would offer her my broom to ride anytime!" another of the drunk seventh-years added clicking his glass with his buddies' glasses.

Delphi gasped.

"Ah, mate I don't think she'll let ya with how ugly you are." There were a few chuckles. "I've heard that all you have to do is give her a smile and she'll be opening her legs in no time."

Delphi's mouth fall open and she quickly hid her burning face in her hands. "They're lying… I've … I've never… " she whimpered.

Lucas narrowed his eyes at the rowdy crowd. He knew the guys. He was ashamed that one of the boys was a Slytherin. He laid a soothing hand on Delphi's shoulder and shot a look over at her friends. Everyone was in shock by the words that they were saying except for Teddy, who seemed to be controlling his anger.

"If that's the case, I can't wait to have her on her knees and-"

Teddy snapped and jumped out of his seat, slamming his hands on top of the table, that caused a loud bang! The inside of the Three Broomsticks went deadly silent as they stared at a furious Teddy Lupin.

"Shut up." He whispered in a deadly voice, as he felt his hand shake with fury.

"Or what? What are you going to do?" One of the seventh year taunt.

"Wait, Teddy-" Ileana started, reaching for him but he was already pushing through her and Thalle.

As Teddy walked over to the Seventh-year table, he could just feel his blood racing and rush through his ears. One of the guys got up and laughed in Teddy's face before Teddy punched him in his face. The guy staggered back and immediately grabbed his nose as he hollered in pain.

Lucas followed closely behind the angered Hufflepuff. His wand held discretely in his palm. As Teddy punched Peters in the nose he swiftly cast Expelliarmus and took the wands from his fuming year-mates. "To balance the field," Lucas offered sending the wands over to Thalle and John.

"You broke it!" The guy whimpered.

"If you ever insult Delphi Lestrange again, I'll break an arm next time," Teddy growled.

"Hey! No one hits Sam except me!" shouted a red haired as he lunged at Teddy only to be tripped by Lucas.

"Tsk-tsk. Do be careful Lipsky. Those loose shoelaces will trip you every time." Lucas drawled as Lipsky got to his feet. Blood evident where he had bit his lip during his fall.

"Blood-traitor!" Lipsky spat and the fight was officially on.

Of the five guys, two ran at Lucas and another two at Teddy. (Peters was still too busy holding his nose and whining to join his pals in the fight.) They shoved Teddy roughly against a table causing the occupants of it to jump out of the way. Teddy tumbled onto the table and slid off it as he painfully hit the ground. Yet, he quickly got to his feet and threw the first punch, hitting the guy on the left square on his jaw, however, instead of falling down in pain, the guy staggered towards him and drunkenly swung back but Teddy easily dodged the attack and returned with a one-two punch to the guy's solar plexus.

The boy doubled over in pain but Teddy continued to hit him with punch after punch. While Teddy was distracted by his zest for making the guy pay for hurting Delphi another one came behind him and brought a plate down upon Teddy's head. Teddy distinctively heard a scream and there was now a pounding in his head causing him to clutch his throbbing skull.

"Oi! No one does that to a Musketeer!" Thalle yelled and rushed over to help Teddy only to be smacked over the head with a chair successfully knocking him out.

"Thalle!" someone yelled.

"Teddy, lookout!" Chelsea, or was it Ileana? yelled but it was too late.

Teddy looked at him and saw a fist hurling his way before everything went black before stars exploded from behind his eyelids as his ears rang. Still Teddy forced himself to open his eyes when he felt himself moved and held down. The guy he had been continuously hitting, had managed to roll from underneath him without his noticing and he was now holding Teddy down as the other one punched and kicked him everywhere he pleased. Teddy struggled but he couldn't escape the tight hold that the boy had on him.

"That's it! You don't want to play fair, that's fine by me," John grumbled racing to protect his friend.

John hit the boy on the back of his head with his butterbeer mug, twice, before the boy collapsed. The boy that was still holding Teddy down switched his attention to John and advanced on him. John moved out of the way just in time for the other boy to hit the table behind him and hit the wall beyond that. Uttering a quick binding charm on the dazed boy John rushed to Teddy's side and winced. One of Teddy's eyes were swollen almost shut and blood was trailing down Teddy's shirtfront from his nose and mouth. He was in bad shape.

Lucas hadn't fared well either, he knew he now had a broken wrist as well as a broken nose and some nasty cuts he got from a broken firewhiskey bottle being used on him before he had wrestled it around and smashed it into Lipsky's face instead of his own, but he was still standing. Leaning but standing.

"What in Merlin's good name, happened here?!" Madam Rosmerta demanded as she entered from the kitchens and looked around at the upturn tables, chairs, and broken dishes. "I leave to get something from the cellar for five minutes, FIVE MINUTES, and I come back to find this? Who started this?"

The arrival of Rosmerta helped snapped Delphi out of her stunned silence and immobility and into action. She automatically started for Teddy but quickly detoured over to Lucas instead. John was taking care of Teddy and Lucas had been her date. It was the proper thing to do. To help patch up the guys who fought for her honor and her date didn't have his friends here to help him, she told herself as she helped Lucas to a chair and began applying the few first aid healing charms she knew. Her eyes still roaming over to check on Teddy every other second.

John helped Teddy up as he groaned in pain, he was sure that had either bruise or broken some of his ribs as he felt the constant pain in his stomach. His face throbbed from the beating that he got but he could still see out of one eye but immediately wished that he had two black eyes instead of. She had chose Lucas over him! Of course, logically, John was already helping him and it only made sense for Delphi to check on Lucas but Teddy wasn't thinking logically and even if he was it still would've stung. Hadn't they been friends since they were seven? Hadn't it been him that wrote letters to her.

Hurt emotionally and physically, Teddy got up from his seat and stormed away from the scene. He ignored the calls of his name and headed the area need the Shrieking Shack so he could be alone with his thoughts. When he reached his destination, Teddy sat down in the dirt and stared at the Shrieking Shack in the distance. His heart had slowed to a normal rate and his anger ebbed away as he breath in the warm air. He placed his face into his hands and groaned, this had to be the worse day he ever had. It was all Lucas' fault and Teddy's fault too. If only he had asked her out sooner and-

"Teddy?"

Teddy looked up and behind him to meet Ileana's concern stare. He looked away and down at his feet as he listened to her footsteps as she sat down next time him.

"You were extremely brave back there," Ileana said. "To stay up those guys who were being arseholes. But you are also incredibly stupid, how could you just run out here without getting healed first?"

Teddy shrugged and risked a look at Ileana. She wasn't looking at him but instead in the distance, her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms around them. There was a slight breeze that went through her dark, red hair, allowing strands to fly everywhere. Her grey eyes were more intense than usual. It was as if he was staring a painting. He didn't know what came over him, but Teddy turned Ileana's head and kissed her. She kissed him back with no hesitation and it was at that moment he felt at peace. But as quickly as it started the moment vanished.

Delphi gasped and quickly turned away. She shouldn't have come after Teddy too. She should have stayed with Lucas where she belonged instead of barging into a private moment between Teddy and Ileana.

She forced herself not to think of the sharp stabbing pain radiating through her chest or the traitorous, burning tears silently and freely running down her cheeks. She focused on keeping her appearance up and her breathing regular. Mustn't show distress. Mustn't show that her heart was breaking. It didn't befit a lady or a proper witch to do so.

She and Teddy were just friends. Always had been and would always be just that. Nothing more, nothing less. She repeated to herself over and over again as she numbly went back to the Three Broomsticks.

"I really should be happy for them," she muttered to herself, "it is always a note of high social standards to …" she couldn't finish the quote. Manners and etiquette had always been her shield, her safety blanket, but now she didn't want to be a proper witch of high standards and social esteem. She was a fool. A simpleton!

Teddy could see the hesitation in Ileana's eyes, he could see that she was torn to go explain things to one friend or stay with him because he obviously needed the company.

"Go to her," Teddy said. "I'll be fine."

"Teddy-"

"GO!"

Ileana flinched but she got up and left running to catch up with Delphi. Teddy knew deep down that Delphi needed Ileana more whether she liked it or not. He groaned and rubbed his head, Ileana was right, as usual, it was stupid of him to leave without getting help. Slowly he lifted himself up from the dirt and started to walk to Hogwarts. Hoping that this day didn't destroy friendships or his chance with Delphi.