Lookie, new story! Again. So I've had this written for months and decided what the hell, might as well post it and see if anyone's interested. Eventual Teddy/Victoire, but there's a story to tell before that. So without further ado, here is One Door; Three Walls!
Summary: All Teddy Lupin ever wanted to do was make it out of Hogwarts alive, keeping his untouched record within the central Hogwarts gossip chain just that - untouched. But with a girlfriend determined to climb the social ladder, a godfather trying to control his life and several Gryffindors out to destroy him, his seventh year is about to get ugly. And all because of that stupid bathroom.
"Since writing on toilet walls is done neither for critical acclaim nor financial gain, it could be considered the purest form of art. Discuss."
Art? You laugh - you can't help it.
If you walk along the second floor corridor, turn left, then right, then left again then you'll find yourself at a door. Boys, do not be alarmed by the sign that says 'Girls Only', no one really pays attention to that in this case. Open the door. Walk past the faucets, down the tiled floor until you reach the cubicles, it's the third one on the right that you're looking for. You open the door and step inside. You feel guilty for being here, you almost don't want to look - but it's impossible for you to resist the temptation of the cubicle with the power to crumble someone's reputation. One door, three walls. You pray to Merlin that you won't see your name, and find yourself relieved when the most recently added writing has nothing to do with you;
#1: Annie Martwell isn't nearly as innocent as everyone thinks. She slept with Guy Fitzburton, and he was going out with her best friend at the time. Classy.
Chapter One: An Introduction, Of Sorts
"Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you're in?" Professor McGonagall's voice was dangerously close to a full-fledged screech as she barked out her reprimand, and I had to admit I was impressed. For a woman of her age she had an impressive voice on her, and she could still scare the shit out of any self-respecting student at this school. If Harry thought she was old when he was at school, then she was damn right ancient now; but, yes, she's still 'got it'. "Well?" She pressed and I flinched, shrugging my shoulders lightly as I struggled with the buckle on my leather belt.
"I suppose I have an idea," I muttered, but with the way her face contorted furiously I suspected now was a bad time to try and be funny.
Her eyes narrowed. "Well then that makes two of us!" She snapped. I cast a surreptitious side-along glance at the other accused party, my partner in crime Elena Hewitt, and she held back a smile guiltily as she pulled her shirt back over her head. She hid her mortification well. "In a classroom, of all places! I expected much better of you both – and you, Mr Lupin! What would your grandmother say if she saw you now? And your Godfather?"
My jaw set tightly. Trust her to bring up them. "Are you going to tell them?" I raised my chin defiantly, glaring at her with as much strength as I could muster. Elle brushed a strand of lightly curled brown her behind her ear and chewed her lip apprehensively, no doubt preparing herself for McGonagall's predicted explosion.
Had it been a few years ago, that could well have been McGonagall's expulsion. When she was Headmistress times were tough, apparently, but at the end of the day she'd stepped down because she preferred not being at the top of the school. Crazy, right? You work at a place for fifty years and you'd expect her to want to eventually reign over the school, but it it turned out she missed being Head of Gryffindor so much she left her post to go back to it, leaving the very old Filius Flitwick as the new Headmaster.
Merlin's beard, I hear you say, don't they hire any new staff at this school? Flitwick, bless his soul, is on his way out too though. Here we stand seventeen years on from the Battle of Hogwarts, and he's just nearing up to retirement himself. I suppose it's a compliment that the Professors love the school so much they want to stay well past retirement age, but when we're a bunch of spoilt, irritating, I-won't-do-my-homework-no-I-won't's, you have to feel sorry for them.
"I think I'll have to!" McGonagall responded to me furiously, and I watched with mild amusement as a vein popped in the side of her temple. "And you, Miss Hewitt! The Head Girl, no less – I shall certainly have to rethink your position in this school. What sort of example are you setting for younger students?"
I watched momentary blind panic crossing Elle's features. "Oh, no, Professor, please –" For a girl who rarely lost her perfected composure and relied heavily on her unblemished reputation within school, her stumbling over her words like this was surprising.
"It wasn't her idea – it was mine," I interrupted loudly. "I suggested it, she didn't even want to." Of course that wasn't even slightly true, but I knew how much her reputation meant to her. I'd happily take the fall for her, really.
McGonagall eyed me suspiciously before letting out a frustrated sigh, but not before I noticed a touch of compassion and pride in her eyes – oh yes, always save the day. That's how you win Professor McGonagall over. Acting as chivalrous as a Gryffindor, even if I wasn't one, always made her softer. Teddy Lupin, you are skilled.
"It doesn't matter who's responsible, the fact of the matter is that it happened," she continued, but her tone wasn't as harsh as before and it was noticeable. "I want to see you both in detention for the next two months – Friday, come to my office at eight and you will be issued with them."
I almost sighed with relief – it was only detention. It could have been a lot worse.
"And I want you both to know how deeply disappointed in you I am. This kind of conduct from some of my best students – I simply cannot tell you how much your... choice of location has knocked my respect from you." I winced, but held my ground. Hopefully she didn't notice me swallow guiltily, as I realised I really did hate disappointing her. She'd been a good influence over my time at Hogwarts, and I didn't like the idea of her losing respect for me over some stupid indiscretion. I couldn't show it, though; if you showed any signs of cracking when being told off by her, she always completely slaughtered you, hook, line and sinker. I would know.
"Sorry," Elle mumbled quietly, lowering her head so her gaze was on the ground – I'm sure she's only doing that to hide the fact she's probably trying to contain her laughter. She's a great actress, believe me.
And McGonagall just laps it right up.
"Well I don't expect to ever hear about it happening again. Understood?" She added curtly, but I could see her resolution wavering ever so slightly.
"Yes Professor.
"Yes, Professor."
She made a motion of dismissal with her wrist, and I took Elle's hand and led her out into the corridor – McGonagall was still inside tutting and shaking her head, and no doubt wondering where she might procure some mind bleach to help get rid of the mental image of her Head Girl topless on her desk making out with me.
It's an image I will treasure, I can assure you.
We didn't say a word to each other, just carried on in a tense silence until we reached the end of the corridor – the moment we turned into the next, however, we couldn't quite hold it in any longer and collapsed into fits of laughter.
"Did you – see her face?" Elle gasped between laughs, covering her mouth with her hand in mortification and clutching her sides with her other.
"The way she was looking at us, you'd have thought we were Filch and Madame Pince," I winced, thinking of Hogwarts' resident most-disgusting-couple ever, which I was glad to say Elle and I weren't. Thank Merlin Pince left in the middle of our fourth year, I can actually walk into the Library without pain of death now.
Elle sobered up after a minute or so. "You know, I bet she's even caught them before. She seems to have a knack for this sort of thing," she giggled, before casting the corridor behind us a withering look. "No wonder she's single."
"That's a bit harsh," I admonished with a raised eyebrow, but chuckled nonetheless. Sometimes Elle doesn't think too hard about how hurtful some of the things she says could be interpreted as, but I know she means well – she just wants to make me laugh, that's all.
"Um, no wonder... she's not very popular with some students?" She tried to amend, biting her lip and looking up at me hopefully. I rolled my eyes, but rewarded her with a kiss on the nose anyway.
"Better," I smiled, brushing some of her dark hair behind her eyes, my hand lingering on her cheek for a few moments.
"Oi, Lupin! Elle!" I heard someone shouting to us from behind, so we turned around to see two very familiar guys jogging up the corridor towards us. This is as good a time for an introduction as any – Lawrence Mavis and Guy Fitzburton, my two best friends. Lawrence, I'll admit, is actually a lot like me. He's got a practical head on him, perhaps a more cynical sense of humour than myself, and a callous indifference to all things academic that I don't quite share. Plus, I'm not entirely sure his blonde hair's even met a comb before, which actually genuinely frustrates me. Essentially he's always been the joker out of all of us, and is completely and utterly useless in a serious situation. I wouldn't begrudge him that, though, everyone needs a laugh every now and then.
Then of course there's Guy Fitzburton; the dark haired dark eyed son of the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic. To put it bluntly, he's always been somewhat of a mystery. Even to me, and I've known him and been, what I hope he considers, one of his best friends for the last six years, and there's still a lot I don't know about him. He's a completely closed book to me, and oftentimes I find myself trying to guess what he's thinking or feeling because he simply doesn't give much away – if he hadn't reassured me that we are friends on many occasions, I wouldn't believe it. I just wouldn't. We see what he allows us to see, and it isn't often we see further than below the surface.
"Word is out that McGonagall caught you two getting it on in a Charms classroom," Lawrence smirked, patting me on the back. I flushed at it being put so crudely, and I shoved him off. This did rather surprise me though, it'd barely happened an hour ago.
"It's on the Walls already?" Elle demanded sharply, immediately focusing her attention on Lawrence – he was unperturbed, and simply laughed.
"As if anything could be kept a secret at this school," Guy added smoothly, the corner of his mouth perking upwards and his glittering dark eyes betraying his amusement.
It was still slightly unsettling. "It has only been half an hour," I pointed out. Guy shrugged indifferently, and starting heading back down the corridor.
I wasn't sure if it was an invitation to follow him until he threw back over his shoulder; "And this is Hogwarts."
Well, he was right. This is Hogwarts. Allow me to introduce you to the year 2016. And I can guarantee things will have changed since your last visit. There was a time, back in the golden years some would say, when Hogwarts was ruled by the Slytherins and they held power through their methods of intimidation, bullying and supposed superiority of blood. That, I'll admit, isn't so important anymore. With the downfall of Lord Voldemort (the second time) more people with "superior blood" (which is rare in itself; most purebloods you'll find nowadays are either at least part muggle or inbred to be perfectly honest) found themselves being penalised or punished for thinking in such ways. All due to the new regime – Kingsley Shacklebolt, the best Minister for Magic Britain had seen for generations. Long gone from office I'm afraid, but a legend in his own right. There was a shift in the balance of power all over the country, and that means Hogwarts as well.
Yeah, the Slytherins can still be a pain in the ass when they want to be, and yeah, they still think they're superior to us because their blood is "purer", but the point is that they could be considered an ethnic minority now. With the vacant seat of power it was only a matter of time before another group rose and took it. I can guarantee you won't guess who.
The Hufflepuffs. And I'm not kidding.
The certain kinds of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws that were overlooked in Gryffindor and Slytherin's battle for dominance in the struggle of good against evil, the kinds of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws who will manipulate, lie and cheat to get what they want, the kinds of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws who have been patiently biding their time for their chance to let rip on the unsuspecting students of Hogwarts. I mean, it was only a matter of time before how well known you were, no matter what your blood status, took over. Especially when Filius Flitwick took charge – the guy is so laid back, it's possible to get away with anything and everything, and he'll still remain pretty oblivious to the goings on in the school below him.
(Or above him. Ah, couldn't resist.)
Well, welcome to Hogwarts. Did you come into class with a nicer hairstyle than a Ravenclaw this morning? Better make sure you still have hair by the time you get back to your dorm. Did you make eyes at someone a Hufflepuff has their eye on? Consider yourself uninvited to any impromptu social event for the rest of the year. If you haven't got a well-known and/or rich family, you aren't going to have hundreds of friends. And the worst thing? If you're here to learn, you might even get bullied. That's the world Hogwarts is now.
Disgusting, right?
I try to blend in, and I was lucky enough to find myself sorted into Hufflepuff anyway. Apparently I take after my mother. Harry Potter, my Godfather, and my parents being the well-known war heroes that they were, was enough to keep me off the radar from anyone looking to torment people, and I'd actually fallen in with the crowd right in the middle of Hufflepuff. I know what you're thinking – if he thinks it's so bad, why doesn't he do anything about it? Because, to be honest, why should I bother trying? Things have been this way for such long time, anything I try will probably just land me friendless and ostracized, and besides; Elle, Lawrence, Guy, they're all great people. They're the best friends I could ever have asked for, and sure they can be judgemental sometimes but I love them with all my heart, and I like to think my influence reigns them in somewhat.
I'm incredibly lucky with what I've got, and I don't want to try and mess that up.
"I suppose you're right," I sighed, running a hand through my naturally light brown hair – it turned to indigo under my touch, one of my favourites. Oh yeah, I'm also a Metamorphmagus and can change my appearance at will. Fun, right?
Lawrence shrugged as we fell into step behind Guy. "Apparently some fifth year chick spotted McGonagall starting off her tirade at you and ran off to get to the Walls first. Bet she feels pretty damn pleased with herself!" I sighed; I would've been embarrassed, but I just didn't have the energy.
The Walls, though. The centre of all things absolutely and completely morally wrong with this school – the culmination of all the bitchy behaviour I was telling you about. The central Hogwarts gossip chain. The Pit of Hell – well, maybe that's a little extreme. It started off as your regular toilet wall; a girl's toilet, that is, so us guys pretty much had nothing to do with its inception, creation and even its use. Well, I say us guys mostly don't use it, it's generally a place where girls go to vent. It's where the bitchy and deprived girls try and rat out equally bitchy but perhaps not quite as deprived girls by writing rubbish about them.
Believe it or not, a toilet cubicle practically runs the school.
See, some either sane and clever or conniving and sadistic person who was around a few years before we reached the school cast a truth spell on the Walls, so a girl can't just go up there and write anything they like that isn't true to try and do someone in – you can try, but writing on the Walls only shows up if it's true. Which makes them that bit more dangerous.
Everyone likes to pretend they don't look at the Walls – that they don't care what's written there, but the truth is no one can get enough of it. You want to read it. You want to stay up to date with what's happening in the school; you want to see whose reputation is being ruined and whose been making the biggest mistakes of their lives. It's a guilty pleasure for everyone, even if everything about is so incredibly cruel and wrong. I myself try and avoid it; my motto is 'if you don't want people to find out, don't do it'. So I don't, I just keep my head down and my nose clean and hope my name never winds up on there.
"Now that you mention it," I began curiously, throwing an odd look in Guy's direction as we made our way into the Great Hall. The chatter quietened for a brief moment to stare at Elle and I and our intertwined hands, but I ignored them. "I did see something on the Walls about you and a certain Annie Martwell?" I grinned and Guy sniffed noisily, stepping in front of us and heading down to find a seat at the lunch table.
"That's really old news."
"It was written this morning," I pointed out, letting go of Elle to catch up with him.
"If we're going to be pedantic, Edward, then I suppose its last month's news," he smirked, sitting down and inviting me to join him.
I grimaced. "Don't call me Edward." Named for my paternal grandfather, Edward Tonks - not my idea. My parents didn't exactly consult me in the name department.
"I apologise."
"You do realise you were going out with Jane Trey at the time, right?" Lawrence laughed, taking a seat across from us.
Guy waved us away with a frown. "All minor details. Besides, I don't ever recall mentioning we were exclusive." Lawrence and I shared a knowing smile before turning to our food. I heard a distinct cough from behind me and looked up into Elle's saccharine sweet smile – she wanted something, I could feel it, and I tried to hide an eye roll.
"Yes, Elle?" I turned brightly. Her smile didn't falter, and she gestured to the fact that there was no room between myself and the Hufflepuff beside me. Also, no comments on the Hufflepuff thing, I take pride in the fact that I take after my mother. At least, that's what Ginny says – she's my Godfather's wife. Besides, Hufflepuffs are cooler than reputation would dictate, you'll see.
Guy raised an eyebrow at Elle and sighed, but obligingly slid up the bench and allowed a space between us for her to sit in. She grinned at me sweetly and reached for a sandwich.
'You might belong in Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal – those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil'. Ironic, no, that we should have the one of the most scheming and manipulative girls in our house? Ironic, or the sorting hat just isn't as young as it used to be. Here we have the most conniving student to attend Hogwarts at this current moment in time – nope, it's not a Malfoy, let me introduce you to my girlfriend.
Elena Hewitt.
Elle, Elle; how to find words to describe her? Well, without you calling me sentimental jackass, she's amazing. She knows what she wants, and she'll stop at nothing to get it – she's rather short, actually, but when she first arrived in first year she'd be damned if that stopped her rising straight to the top of the social hierarchy. She 'accidentally' spilt yoghurt on one of her biggest rivals in Ravenclaw every day until she admitted Elle's hair was shinier than hers. Even at eleven, and she knew how to get her way – I really admire that ambition and drive. She's a halfblood, her father being the wizard and her mother being the muggle, but she commands the respect of most of the school. She also always tries her best to be upstanding in academics, and she's top of the class in almost everything, and I love her, and she's wonderful. So don't dispute me here, okay?
"Pass me the salt, Teddy, darling?" I was immediately apprehensive. She only ever uses darling when she wants something. I obliged, and cast her a withering look.
"You're up to something," I murmured, and she flicked some of her hair over her shoulder and winked in response.
She smiled. "I'm just... so happy to be with you right now."
"Liar," I grinned, and pecked her on the mouth before returning to my food. "Just make sure whatever you're scheming doesn't involve me, please."
"Of course," she replied without hesitation. "You know I'm always discrete."
I rolled my eyes and was going to add something more when I heard her name being called across the Hall. I turned and saw Alice Finch-Fletchly, also a Hufflepuff and Elle's best friend, waving her over. A wicked grin instantly lit Elle's face and she waved back.
"Oh, I love it when a plan comes together. I've got to go, I'll see you later." She kissed my cheek before getting up and waving as she disappeared into the Entrance Hall.
I sighed. "Missing her already?" Lawrence smirked.
"Maybe."
"You're pathetic."
"Thanks very much, Guy."
Well, I hope that was somewhat of an introduction for you – a little peek into my mind and what it was like around the beginning of my seventh year, before everything shot to hell. These peaceful times were numbered, let me assure you. It was around the beginning of December when this story really began.
It was a bitter day outside, with biting winds stinging cheeks like a whiplash and sub-zero temperatures sending most sane people inside their common rooms to warm up. Unfortunately, we were not always the sanest people you can find around; mainly when Elle was in charge and she wanted something done, anyway. I wrapped my yellow and black scarf around my neck as I made my way through the Entrance Hall, ready to step out into the grounds. According to Elle, being a Hufflepuff brought responsibility; it was 'crucial' that, whatever the weather, we held our 'spot' during break times. Which so happened to be in the middle of the courtyard next to the fountain with the Hippogriff statues. That one spot apparently meant ultimate superiority over students at lunch, although I had no idea why, and every break time she used to force Guy, Lawrence, Alice, myself and a few other Hufflepuffs to sit there with her in the freezing weather and act like we belong there and whatever.
Chore.
I loved Elle to bits, but she could be a little extreme at times.
I slipped my hands into my pockets after I closed the Great Oak Doors behind me and made my way back round the side of the school. Summer happened to be my favourite season – much happier and nicer than winter that made you freeze to pieces. Winter, the only season that hates you! I shook my head tiredly as I crossed the grass until I reached the loggia style corridor that surrounded the central courtyard.
It was only then that I noticed that I was the first one there – yet, I wasn't. A girl sat there reading her book silently, her long straight hair resembling the colour of sand a little, but darker, hid her face from view as she leant forward from her seat on the edge of the fountain. Why was she even sitting there? That was the Hufflepuff spot – and if Elle caught her there she'd be skinned alive. Not a pretty sight. My pace slowed to a hesitant step as I approached, wondering whether to tell her to leave or to let Elle get to her.
Nah, no one's worth that.
I walked out through an archway from the corridor into the courtyard and made my way over to her – as I got closer, I noticed that she was a Gryffindor, judging by the red lining along her robe.
"Hello?" I asked hesitantly as I stood in front of her. I was well aware of how neat and orderly her uniform seemed to be – as Flitwick doesn't really care much, most students tend to scruff it up a little. I mean I personally only roll up my cloak sleeves and loosen my tie, but I know a few other people who take a few more, well, liberties, when it comes to showing Puff pride in the dull garb. Suffice to say sometimes I get sick of seeing yellow. Her golden and scarlet striped tie was tightened right up to her top button, which was also done up, and I stared lazily down at my own loose yellow and black tie.
When I spoke she looked up, and I realised she'd been reading a book whilst sitting there. She stared at me blankly and tucked a strand of her straight hair behind her ear before blinking at me curiously.
"Um, hi?" She answered uncertainly. "Can I help you?"
"You, er, you really shouldn't sit there," I muttered, glancing around me edgily. What if someone saw? The girl closed her book softly.
"Why not?" She asked, a little bemused.
"This is where the Hufflepuffs sit," I prompted, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world – which, it was, and if she knew what was good for her she'd steer clear of this seat.
The girl just blinked disbelievingly. "Oh I, um, sorry. I didn't know that. But, ah, I'm already here so, er, couldn't the Hufflepuffs just sit somewhere else?" She gestured to her bag with her school books in lying beside her.
I grew a little more irritated – Elle and the others would be here soon, and if she was still here she'd be skinned alive. As, I think, I've already mentioned. "You don't understand," I urged, my frustration creeping into my voice. I became increasingly aware of a few surrounding students leaning along the walls enclosing the courtyard throwing us suspicious looks, and the painful thought of what could end up on the Walls if I spent too much time talking to her crossed my mind. Stupid toilet cubicle rules with an iron fist. Or, wall. Door?
"Guy, you're disgusting." I heard a disgruntled tone echo from the loggia that I could immediately identify as being Elle and alarm bells began ringing in my mind.
"And you, my dear girl, are delectable. But you don't see me telling you off for it." Came Guy's baritone reply. I could almost see Elle's eye roll, and I myself couldn't help feeling the little bubble of irritation at the fact that Guy couldn't keep his dirty comments away from my girlfriend. But focusing more on the matter at hand, they sounded close - I had to get this girl out of here.
In my desperation I took the book she was reading out of her hands and shoved it back into her bag, ignoring her indignant cry as I pulled the rest of her schoolbooks into a disgruntled heap in the bottom of it. I glanced around me and knew we had barely a few seconds – call me dramatic, but you're new to this game – you have no idea what Elle can be like, what she can do. Maybe someday you'll get a chance to see it in action.
Hey, who am I kidding, if you stick around through the rest of my seventh year then you'll definitely see it.
"Excuse me?!" The Gryffindor snapped as I pulled her roughly packed bag up from its position next to the fountain.
"Sorry," I muttered, but I didn't really mean it. Looking around once more I pulled her up from the fountain by the hand, and sped off in the opposite direction to where the voices were coming from. The Gryffindor's wriggling and shouts to get free made dragging her along behind me difficult, but I kept a firm grip on her hand and tried not to drop the bag I held in the other. Lacking an actual destination in mind, I headed towards the Greenhouses, purely because they were nearby and were an area I was familiar with – all Hufflepuffs know their way around the Greenhouses. If you're ever sorted there I'm sure you'll find that out.
The girl didn't stop protesting loudly and trying to wrench her hand free all the way there, and it was only after I slipped us both into Greenhouse Three that I took it on myself to shut her up.
Dropping her bag to the floor I quickly covered her mouth with my hand and glanced around, hoping her shouts hadn't woken any of the sleeping plants. The air in the Greenhouse was humid, just like it always was, with the familiar clicks and sounds I'd come to associate with them and the insects and plant-life that inhabited them. Following suit, the girl stopped speaking and also looked around, furrowing her eyes in confusion. She reached up to her mouth and slowly pulled my hand away, giving me a sceptic look.
"Why did you bring me here?" She spoke in hushed tones, as if reluctant to make noise in the Greenhouse – exactly my intention. I was about to respond before her expression suddenly grew angry and she smacked me on the arm. "Who the hell do you think you are?!" Her voice rose, and she paused to keep it in check, stepping towards me in what I'm sure she hoped was a menacing way. "You can't just drag me off like some kind of hostage and expect me to be okay with that!"
I sighed. I'd seen much more menacing things in my lifetime, and the girl's anger didn't intimidate me in the slightest. "Sorry, but you don't understand what –"
"No, you don't understand. Everyone thinks just because I'm new here they can push me around, or – or – drag me to Greenhouses for my 'safety'!" she huffed, her face growing red with indignation and she smacked me again. I gave her a hurt look and my other hand went to the smacked spot on my arm. She tried to reach past me to get to her bag but I stepped in front of her.
I ignored her outburst, one thing confusing me. "You're new here?" The girl didn't reply, merely narrowing her eyes in response. "How new?"
She hesitated. "I just started this week," she replied defensively.
I stopped myself from breathing out a sigh of relief – so it wasn't that she was trying to undermine Elle, she just didn't know. "Well now it makes sense," I forced a laugh, but the girl ignored me, instead pushing past so that she could pick up her bag from the floor.
Standing up slowly, she looked at me, curiosity getting the better of her. "What makes sense?"
"That you don't understand what happens to you, if..." I shoved my hands in my pockets. "If you cross the Hufflepuffs."
Her gaze was instantly drawn to the tie that hung loosely around my neck, and my hems revealing canary yellow fabric. She raised an eyebrow.
"Well, you can't do anything to me – not when I don't even know what I did wrong," she huffed, making her way to the door of the Greenhouse and placing her hand on the handle.
"Wait!" I called, an idea forming in my mind. "You said that people were pushing you around because you were new," This got her attention. I saw her twitch a little at the door, but she didn't look back. Or respond. "That's what happens at Hogwarts – but I could help you."
There was no way I wanted this girl striking out on her own in a school like this. Unless you knew the 'rules', you wouldn't survive, and this girl definitely didn't know the rules, as she demonstrated just now.
"What's your name?" I asked softly.
She paused, before turning around. "Kirsty. Kirsty Tinner," She dropped her bag with a sigh and I grinned.
"I'm Teddy – Teddy Lupin."
Meeting Kirsty was when the whole thing started. I guess you never really notice how the smaller events can affect the bigger ones, but there you are. I spent the next couple of weeks trying to break her in, getting her used to all the different social customs and norms to be found around Hogwarts – and that wasn't easy, believe me. Giving someone a crash course in etiquette that had built up over six years in a matter of weeks was sodding hard. Kirsty pointed out to me so many times that it was all ridiculous, that we all made a huge fuss over nothing, and for the most part I couldn't help but agree with her. It did seem silly, but there wasn't a lot we could do about it – and that was my resolute opinion, and one of the many things she and I disagreed on.
"Well why don't you just ditch the Hufflepuffs and come and sit with the Gryffindors for the afternoon? I know Jessie Burke's pretty fond of you, it's not like you'd be unwelcome." It was an idea she'd been trying to bring me round to for a couple of days now, but I simply shook my head as we walked down the fifth floor corridor.
"I can't do that," I laughed, but still trying to press the idea into her. "Elle would have my head if I don't sit at the fountain. And besides, the Gryffindors hate me. Jessica Burke only likes me because I once pulled her cat down from a tree in third year."
Kirsty raised an eyebrow. "And who told you that?" I gave her a quizzical look, not quite sure what she meant. "I mean, who told you that that was the reason she likes you?"
"Guy, probably. Why?"
"Only that you're one of the sweetest, most genuine boys at this school, and it's easy to see that that is the reason why everyone adores you," she turned as we reached the Muggle Studies classroom, one of her favourite classes. "And it's just a shame that you're wasted on the likes of them." She threw a glance over to where Guy was stood with Lawrence outside History of Magic, adjusting his tie and trying to examine his reflection in a suit of armour.
I chuckled. "Hey, they are still my friends you know, quit with the snide remarks." She didn't reply. "Are you sure you're not interested in meeting them?"
Kirsty made a face. "Not if they're still calling me your new toy. It's sick, Teddy. Find some new friends." I could only scratch the back of my neck awkwardly and offered her a sheepish smile, a blush colouring my cheeks. "Sorry. I'll see you after class?" She sighed.
"Sure thing." She waved, and headed on into the classroom and I wandered back over to the History of Magic crowd.
"Tell me, Edward," Guy began, as he smoothed down his fringe. "That you weren't blowing us off for the ginger newbie again?"
I sighed. "She's not even ginger, Guy. Find yourself some new material."
"Yeah Guy – Dominique is the ginger one, remember?" A flash of vague recognition passed over Guy's face, but I hardly expected him to genuinely remember her. He tended not to remember people who didn't directly relate to him, and the sister of his best friend's childhood friend hardly counted as important to him.
Now see, that's the other part of this story I have yet to tell – one whole new, entirely different can of worms. Victoire Weasley. She's not the start of this story, but she's the end. She's always been the end. But at this point, she wasn't even the beginning. We'd been friends for as long as I could remember, and she was only a year behind me at Hogwarts. I remember when I was really small, Gran used to bring me round to see Bill's daughter, telling me it was some kind of playdate. But she's been there for me through most things – tough homework situations, sticky uncertain fights with Elle, and even situations where I drank slightly too much and wasn't feeling too great. I liked to think it's vice versa too, but in all honesty in retrospect she always gave more to that friendship than me, and it's still a source of eternal guilt.
"Speaking of which, when will Victoire be gracing us with her presence again? I must say, I miss her being around," Guy finally turned back to face us, the smallest of smirks on his face. "Especially since her curves filled out."
"Guy," I warned.
He put up two hands in surrender. "Off-limits, I know, I know. But she has been looking positively delectable this year."
"You already said delectable today," Lawrence pointed out. "When you were talking about Annie Martwell?" Guy paused for the smallest of moments.
"Then perhaps we'll settle for sack-worthy."
"Guy."
"Off-limits, I know."
I growled as we headed into the classroom. "Well at least act like you know. Don't test me."
He held up his hands in surrender as he took the seat behind me. "I wouldn't dream of it, Edward."
From what I could surmise from Harry's recollections of his time at Hogwarts, while some things were so different you wouldn't think they were the same school, some things really never changed. History of Magic was one of those things; it seemed rather pointless to sack Binns, seeing as he was dead, so the class remained another one of those that you could sit back and relax in. I'd fallen asleep so many times in that stuffy classroom I've lost count completely. Apparently for me, unfortunately, I wasn't going to get the chance that particular December morning.
I felt something sharp poke me in the back and I turned, throwing the perpetrator a quizzical glance. It was Alice Finch-Fletchly; the girl was unavoidable. She seemed to have swapped places with Guy, but seeing as he was engaged in an intense flirtation with Cassadee Brenup a few seats down the aisle; I wasn't at all surprised I'd been sold out for a pretty Ravenclaw. "What?" I asked Alice, keeping my voice low.
"Elle wants to talk to you. She says it's urgent."
I raised an eyebrow. "Couldn't Elle come and tell me this herself?" I peered round her to the back of the classroom, where she was sat determinedly staring out of the window. It was clear she knew I was looking, but was staring resolutely in the other direction. I sighed, wondering what I must have done wrong this time.
Alice shrugged. "She said to give you this." She handed me a neatly folded piece of parchment and smiled blankly.
"Well, tell Elle that I'll talk to her after class, and to stop using you as an owl." Alice seemed unsure what to do with this information; I thought sardonically that the idea of being anything other than Elle's personal slave probably confused her. I shook my head and turned around, facing the front again. Binns was rambling on about some old goblin war (it was always the goblins), and the tale of Briddle the Brave was the peculiar backdrop for me unfolding the small piece of parchment where only a few words were written, in Elle's familiar cursive hand.
Meet me in the Entrance Hall at half past five, we have urgent things we need to discuss. Come alone. E.
Well, I thought with a raised eyebrow; that looks ominous.
Like it? Hate it? Don't quit your day job? If I get enough of a response I'll consider writing the rest out. :) You know the drill!
~MyWhitelighter