Author's note: I don't own Harry Potter, no matter how much I wish I did. I hope you enjoy this fanfic that is mostly about Teddy, but does involve more than them. I've been dying to write this, so here it goes. This chapter will be split between Teddy's POV and Victoire's POV. The song is by Sarah McLauchlan.
Chapter 4: I Will Remember You, Will You Remember Me?
The train sped on. Teddy had already changed. He was staring out the window thinking about how it would be four months until he saw Victoire again. He hoped that too much hadn't changed between them; it had taken four years to gain a wobbly relationship, and then another two to consider each other best friends. He didn't want two years of separation to ruin all of that.
"Excuse me!" a boy shouted, shaking Teddy out of his reverie. The boy was shorter than Teddy by a few inches. He had dark brown hair, brown eyes, and cream-colored skin.
"Yes?" Teddy asked. The boy's jaw had dropped. Teddy checked his appearance. Did he have something on his face?
"You're Harry Potter's godson!" the boy shouted. Teddy blinked at the boy.
"So?" he said confused. The boy came in and put his luggage up, not bothering to ask if it was open. He sat down opposite Teddy.
"So, you're famous!" the boy said excitedly. "By the way, I'm Max, Max Peterson," he held out his hand. Teddy wasn't sure he wanted to shake the boy's hand. He grasped it saying. "Ted-"
"Teddy Lupin, yeah, I know," Max cut across him. They let go of each other's hands. "I can't believe we're in the same year! I thought you were a whole lot older than me!"
"Er, if I had been, my parents wouldn't be the same people; they only met two years before I was born," Teddy said. Inside he smacked himself. Why was he telling this Max kid that?
"Oh, well, that explains it. Anyway, I can't wait for Hogwarts, can you?" Max didn't sound like he was going to stop anytime soon. Why did Giselle have to be born in October? He thought desperately. The glass door opened again and a blonde boy entered.
"Can I sit with you?" he asked boldly.
"Yes," Teddy said quickly. Anything to get Max to shut up. The blonde boy came in and packed up his trunk and a squawking eagle owl. He sat down beside Max.
"Sorry about Norbert, but he hates traveling," The boy said. "I'm Kevin Schmidt," He shook Max's and Teddy's hands as they told him their names. "Wow, are you really Teddy Lupin? You actually live with Harry Potter?" Kevin asked.
"Er, only on weekends, and when my grandmother has a weird shift," Teddy answered. How come Harry had never told him he was just as famous as himself?
"My Uncle teaches at Hogwarts," Kevin was saying when Teddy focused back on the conversation. "Professor Harving, my mother's brother. He teaches Transfiguration."
"Is he as good as Professor McGonagall was?" Teddy asked. He liked McGonagall. She had come over for dinner once or twice and given him a color changing quill for his tenth birthday.
"I suppose so, though I suppose I'm sort of biased anyway," Kevin answered.
"Wow, so that means you already know all of his tricks. You know how to avoid turning in homework and stuff," Max said. Teddy rolled his eyes.
"I know six teachers, but they've never mentioned anything about school," he said. Max's eyes practically popped out of his head.
"You know six teachers?" he asked.
"Who?" Kevin asked skeptically.
"Professor Finch-Fletchy, she went to school with Harry, she teaches Muggle Studies and is Head of Hufflepuff. Professor Flitwick, he came to a Weasley picnic to congratulate Harry on becoming Head Auror, he teaches Charms and is Head of Ravenclaw. Professor Hagrid, he's one of Harry's closest friends, he comes over for Christmas every other year, and he teaches Care of Magical Creatures. Professor Longbottom, he and Harry were in the same year and House at school, they're very close; he teaches Herbology and is Head of Gryffindor. Professor Slughorn collected my grandmother, my father, and Harry into his ridiculous Slug Club, try to avoid him, he teaches Potions and is Head of Slytherin. And finally, Professor McGonagall, who has a soft spot for me since my parents were some of her favorite students, she's the Headmistress," Teddy told them importantly.
The other two stared in awe. Teddy couldn't stand it. He stood up. Max snapped back to reality.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I need to use the restroom," Teddy invented. He opened the glass door and turned down the corridor. He walked a few feet before he heard a commotion.
"Ickle firstie having problems with her pigtails?" a burly fifth year Slytherin asked. His friend guffawed stupidly. A little girl with platinum blonde hair squealed as the fifth year used his wand to pull her hair.
"Leave her alone!" Teddy shouted. The fifth years stopped and stared stupidly at him. Then the burly one smiled wickedly.
"Well, if it isn't the famous Harry Potter's ickle godson," he said. The girl looked terrified. There was something distinctly Victoire about this girl. Maybe it was the blonde hair and blue eyes, maybe it was her expression, but either way, these bullies had no reason to bother her.
"She didn't do anything to you!" Teddy shouted. The two fifth years laughed.
"I would have thought her filthy blood was reason enough," they laughed harder.
Teddy pulled out his wand. It was scratched and marked with use, for it had belonged to his father. The fifth years laughed even harder, if that was possible.
"Aw, he thinks he can jinx us," the friend said.
"I know some pretty good ones," Teddy said confidently, even though inside he had turned to jelly. True, he had read about the spells and practiced saying them, but he'd never performed one.
"Chauve-souris flegme!" Teddy shouted. Bat-bogeys zoomed out the wand at an alarming speed. The fifth years looked shocked. They hardly had time to dodge the bogeys. The girl screamed and ran toward Teddy. He shoved her behind him as the bogeys dived-bombed the bullies.
"Come on, let's get out of here," Teddy whispered to her. She nodded terrified. Teddy took her hand like he had done with Victoire so many times. When they had gone pretty far, the girl pulled him into a compartment with a boy in it. He looked up from his Chocolate Frog Cards.
"There you are Violet, I were worried," The brown-haired boy said. "I thought you had gotten lost on the way to the bathroom."
"No, I was just harassed by a couple of Slytherin wannabes," Violet huffed sitting down next to the l boy. He was looking at Teddy.
"Who's that, your savior?" he snickered. Violet glared.
"No, not really. He's just another boy showing off for a girl's sake," she sneered.
"A simple thank you would suffice," Teddy huffed. Violet ignored him.
"Ah, do you have a Dumbledore?" the boy asked Violet. She shook her head.
"No, he's not made very much anymore. He's a rare card, very valuable if you have one," Violet said sadly.
"He can't be that rare, Ron Weasley has about a hundred of him," Teddy said. They stared at him. The boy's jaw actually fell open.
"Simon, shut your mouth, you look like an idiot," Violet spat. The brown-haired boy shut his mouth.
"You know Ron Weasley?" Simon asked.
"Yes, I go over to his house for dinner when Ginny doesn't want to cook,"' Teddy said.
"You know the Potters?" Simon gasped.
"I…" Teddy stopped. "Don't you know who I am?" he asked. He was starting to think this was some sort of joke.
"No…" Simon began. Violet sat up suddenly.
"You're Teddy Lupin?" she asked incredulously.
"Yeah, so what?" Teddy asked defensively. Violet shrugged.
"The way they talk about you, I was expecting someone taller…and cuter."
Teddy felt himself go red. Sure, his dad had been rather tall, but his mother was average. And what did she mean by cuter?
"Who's…oh, you're Harry Potter's godson," Simon said. Teddy was beginning to feel that most of his year was full of idiots. The dumb and talkative kind.
"Are you going to sit down?" Violet asked suddenly. Teddy gaped at her. Hadn't she just insulted him? And now she was being polite?
"I guess," Teddy sat on the opposite seat from the other two. He watched them continue to swap cards.
"So, how do you know each?" he asked.
"We're next door neighbors," Simon answered. "We've practically grown-up together."
Teddy suddenly felt very alone. These two best friends were able to go to school with each other. His had two more years. He watched for a little bit before deciding to take a nap.
"Teddy, wake up," Teddy opened his eyes. Simon was standing over him.
"Want any sweets?" he asked. Teddy sat up and saw the trolley witch. Teddy saw the large chocolate bars and his mouth watered. He loved chocolate.
"Can I have two of the Honeydukes Chocolate Bars?" he asked fishing for change. The other two watched him in awe. None of them had that much money. When Teddy had his chocolate and the trolley had gone, Simon spoke up.
"Did Harry give you that money?" he asked.
"No," Teddy said through a mouthful of chocolate. "My granmomer inherided duh Bwack famiwee fortune," he swallowed. "What?" he asked, for they were staring again. Violet looked pale.
"You're grandmother's a Black?" she asked.
"Yes, she's Sirius Black's cousin," Teddy said.
"The not-so guilty convicted criminal, Sirius Black?" Simon asked excitedly.
"You idiot, of course it's that Sirius Black, how many Sirius Black's do you know?" Violet said.
"Three," Teddy said.
"Dang," Simon said.
"It's a family name," Teddy explained. The compartment door opened and Kevin and Max poked their heads in.
"There you are, what are you…" Max trailed off and stared at the people Teddy was sitting with.
"Nice crowd," Max commented. "A couple of wannabes," Max laughed at his own joke. Kevin bit his lip to prevent himself from laughing too, but Teddy knew he wanted to. Teddy stood up and glared.
"Get out," he said. "I don't like it when people make fun of other people," he said pointing out behind them. Max and Kevin looked at each other.
"Sorry, we didn't-"Max began.
"I haven't liked you since you opened that big mouth of yours, so get lost," Teddy said rather cruelly. Max looked extremely hurt. He edged his way out and ran back down to his compartment. Strangely, Teddy didn't feel sorry. Kevin looked angry.
"You didn't have to be rude," he said following his new friend. Teddy slammed the door shut behind them and sat back down. The two were staring again.
"What?" Teddy huffed.
"Why did you stand up for us? You don't even know us," Simon asked.
"I know what it's like for someone to judge you for your family ties," Teddy said. The other two smiled.
Teddy was standing beside his new friends waiting to be Sorted. Several first years kept staring at the ceiling, others looked at the other students, and still others looked like they might be sick. Simon was really jumpy, it was annoying Violet, who looked ready to pounce on him and still his motion. Teddy was feeling sick. How would the Hat know where to put him? He had a family member in each House: his grandmother had been a Slytherin, yes at first it was just to follow her sister, but later she used her ambitious streak to gain the love of his grandfather. Teddy was ambitious, he hadn't told his grandmother yet, but he wanted to be an Auror like his mother. His grandfather was in Ravenclaw. Teddy was smart…extremely smart, but Hermione had been the brightest witch of her age and she had been Sorted into Gryffindor, the House of his father. He had heard a lot about Gryffindor, true, Teddy was a little attached to the House, but was he really brave enough to go there? His dad was, because he had gone against the odds as one of the few werewolves to ever go to school. Harry had been, he had defeated the darkest wizard ever known, and Ron and Hermione had followed him. Teddy didn't know if he was cut out to be a Gryffindor. Every time Victoire had made fun of him as kids he had run crying to his grandmother. When he got hurt, he ended up whining to Harry. He never stood up for himself unless Giselle…or later, Victoire…had been there. Did that mean he was Hufflepuff material? Not necessarily, his mother had been very brave, braver than his father. But she was loyal too, never wavering from her husband or the Order. Teddy was loyal; he would defend Victoire or any of the Weasleys any day. Not to mention his new friends.
The Great Hall doors opened and Professor Longbottom came in looking slightly irritated that Peeves had taken off with the Sorting stool, which he carried in one hand, the ratty Sorting Hat in the other. He smiled when he saw Teddy and gave him a wink. Teddy felt his heart lighten. It didn't matter what House he was in, just like Harry had told him. He had friends here, and that's all that mattered.
Professor Longbottom placed the stool down in front of the line of first years and placed the Hat on it, pulling out a roll of parchment as he did so. He unrolled it and cleared his throat.
"Ames, Bonnie!"
A little girl, very plain looking with her brown hair, brown eyes and glasses walked up to the stool and put the Sorting Hat on.
"Hufflepuff!" the Hat shouted. And the Sorting began.
"Babcock, Margaret!"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Is everyone going to be in Hufflepuff?" Simon joked. Teddy shrugged.
"Ballantyne, Callie!"
A haughty-looking girl with black braids came forward. Teddy wasn't sure, but he thought he knew what House she would be in.
"Slytherin!" the Hat shouted.
"Guess not," Teddy answered Simon.
"Blanch, Casius!"
An extremely tall first year with dark curls came forward. He didn't look creepy, but he didn't look nice either.
"Slytherin!"
"Maybe there won't be any Gryffindors of Ravenclaws this year," Simon whispered.
"Calhoun, Simon!"
Simon froze, so Teddy gave him a not so gentle push toward the stool. Simon stumbled forward and sat down. Professor Longbottom put the Hat on his head and it slid down to his ears. After a few seconds the Hat proclaimed:
"Gryffindor!" Simon smiled in relief as he ran to join the red and gold clad table. Teddy and Violet clapped for him.
"Carney, Felicity!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Caycho, Elizabeth!"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Clark, Melanie!"
"Slytherin!"
"Cominellis, Ike!" A tall black boy came forward and was Sorted into Ravenclaw almost the moment the Hat touched his head. Zeke Conklin, who looked like he could be Ike's cousin, was Sorted into Hufflepuff right after him. Then Teddy froze as he heard the next name called.
"Dolohov, Alexander!" Professor Longbottom said his name stiffly, and Teddy knew why. This boy's father had been a Death Eater. A haughty boy with brown hair and blue eyes came forward. He sat with perfect posture and hardly put the Hat on before it yelled, "Slytherin!" The boy smirked and joined the green and silver. Teddy followed his progress with a steely gaze. Violet tapped his shoulder.
"Are you okay?" she asked. Teddy nodded.
"I'll explain later," He muttered. Violet didn't look so sure.
Greer, Hills, Ibok, Kronburger, and Laubaugh were all Sorted into Gryffindor while Hottel and Kramer went to Slytherin. Leonard went to Hufflepuff and Lunnen and Losack went to Gryffindor. All too soon it was Teddy's turn.
"Lupin, Teddy!" The Hall fell silent. Apparently more people knew who he was than he had thought. Teddy walked up to the stool. Professor Longbottom gave him an encouraging smile before the Hat slipped over his eyes.
"Ah, a Lupin, I didn't think I'd ever see another one after your father," The Hat said in Teddy's ear. Teddy gulped. "Hmmm, difficult, you are almost as difficult as your godfather was. You have lots of ambition; you would do well in Slytherin…"
"No," Teddy thought firmly.
"No?" the Hat repeated. "Ah. Dolohov, yes, best not place you with him…hmmm; you are very loyal to your friends and family, maybe Hufflepuff…? No, you have your godfather's temper, best not put you in Hufflepuff…you have brains, good Lord you have brains…hmmm….Ravenclaw seems good…hmmm…"
"Don't take all year, would you?" Teddy thought annoyed. The Hat remained silent. Then, "Ah, your father's sarcasm. Hmm…a very Gryffindor trait,"
"I'm not brave though," Teddy thought sadly.
"You want to be an Auror don't you?" the Hat asked. What an odd question.
"Well…yes," Teddy thought.
"Don't you need to be brave to fight dark wizards?"
"Yes…?" Teddy replied.
The Hat didn't speak to him the next time, but to the Hall.
"Gryffindor!"
Teddy stared at the inside of the Hat in disbelief. But I'm not brave.
You were asking for it the Hat told him. Professor Longbottom took the Hat off. Teddy stared at it. Did the Hat just insult him?
"Go on," Professor Longbottom said. Teddy blinked and then went to the Gryffindor table where two excited fourth were shouting "We got Lupin! We got Lupin!" Teddy sat down thoroughly confused. He could see Simon and Violet applauding him. Teddy turned to look at the Hat one more time. Then he joined Simon.
"Peterson, Max!" Teddy cringed when he saw Mr. Talks-a-lot. Please, please don't be Sorted into…
"Gryffindor!" Teddy was barely able to stop himself from smacking his head on the table. Figures…
"Ping, Kai!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"White, Violet!"
Teddy looked up excitedly. White…he knew that surname…but why? He watched Violet put the Hat on. It slipped over her whole head. After a few minutes…
"Slytherin!"
Teddy stared in disbelief. He glanced at Simon. He didn't seem surprised at all. Violet took the Hat off and went to join her new table. He was about to ask Simon about it when plates laden with food appeared. His stomach growled telling him how hungry he was and how long ago the Honeydukes chocolate had been. So instead of thinking of Violet, he thought of food…and how much another blue-eyed blonde would love to be here.
"He's forgotten me, I know he has!" Victoire shouted dramatically flinging herself on her bed and putting a pillow over her face. Nikki rolled her eyes and sat beside her sister. She was only six, but sometimes she felt like the big sister.
"Teddy won't forget you, he showed you the pearl didn't he?" she said.
"Yes," came Victoire's muffled reply.
"Then don't worry. He loves you, like best friends should," Nikki bounced off the bed and out into the hall toward her own room.
Victoire lay still on her bed. She couldn't help but think that all those trips to the beach, all the sneaking into their special woods, all their fights, and games and laughs they'd shared were fast approaching their end…and Victoire didn't want it to end.
The next day, after she had told Giselle all her fears, Giselle took her to a room in her house that Victoire had never seen.
"Mum and Uncle George come in here when they want to be alone," Giselle explained. It was easy to see why. Victoire had never seen Uncle George's brother, but this room was plastered with photos of the two together: enjoying ice cream cones, pranking Uncle Percy, scaring Uncle Ron, teaching Aunt Ginny how to ride a broom…they were endless. There were even a few of Uncle Fred and Aunt Katie together. They looked happy, happier than Victoire had ever seen her Aunt.
"Look, Uncle George lost his twin, right?" Giselle said, pointing at a picture of the two in front of new Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
"Yes, "Victoire said slowly.
"Well, he eventually got over it because he knew that things were going to change, that he would have new friends, and a new life, just like Teddy will." Giselle began. Victoire nodded.
"Well, he may have lost his twin, but that won't change that Dad is still his best friend…does it?" Giselle asked.
"But…" Victoire started.
"No, listen," Giselle interrupted. "Dad and Uncle George were best friends. They did everything together, but then Dad was suddenly out of the picture. Comparing with Teddy now, he and you are best friends, but now he's left and you're suddenly not there. Uncle George moved on with Aunt Angelina and Lee. Teddy will make new friends too. But like Uncle George, he'll never change who his best friend is. Do you understand now?" Giselle asked. Victoire thought.
"I think so…" she said slowly.
"Are you still worried?" Giselle prompted.
"Well, yes, but I think I'll be okay. Thanks, Giselle," she said hugging her cousin.
"No problem," Giselle replied hugging her back. "Now let's go play some Quidditch!"
