Sirius plopped into his seat beside James, already thrumming his fingers on the table and craning his head to look through the office door at the front of the class. "You think he's any good?"
Remus settled into the desk next to them, already withdrawing supplies from his bag. Sirius twitched in no small amount of horror. "He has to be better than the othe-" Remus sighed easily at Sirius expression. "You do realize we're in school right?"
Sirius clicked his tongue, nudging James in the ribs from where he was gazing in no small amount of obsession, Sirius thought, at Evan's lush red locks. "Prongs, I think Moony has forgotten the purpose of this ever-so magical castle."
Remus leaned on palm. James palmed his glasses, peering intrusively at the werewolf. With a heavy hand on his heart, another atop Padfoots shoulder to steady himself, he croaked. "I think he has." He shook his head vehemently. "No, no, no. Dear Moony have we not been through this? Hogwarts is first and foremost for-"
"-making Slytherin's life hell." Padfoot finished impatiently, nodding as though it were law.
James chuckled, amused, then offhandedly added. "And installing some life to the mundanity."
"That's not a word." Remus's pointed out.
James crossed his arms. "It's been six years Moony, you should know by now that every word I say is immediately trademarked."
"Sorry," Remus told him gravely. "I keep hoping your head deflates over summer. Then I realize it's magically impossible."
James grinned. Sadly their light banter was cut short as a swarm Slytherin's infested the class. Immediately James scowled, brushing against Padfoot's rigid shoulder. Peter nibbled his nails in anticipation, gazing at the billowing robes. Moony glared at his paper, close to combusting it.
Sirius felt the dark intention first, and then the hard desk jutting into his ribcage had him hissing. "Bugger away, Mulciber, before I hang you from your ankles and we can expose those raisons you hold so dear." Prongs snapped icily, leaping to his feet, his wand in his fist and his chair clattering to the ground.
Mulciber, a thick faced, immaculately slick brute that he was gave a snickering rasp, moderately unaffected. "Here a filthy blood traitor is defending its mate futilely." The brute sneered over at his poesy. "They are, thankfully, a dying breed." Mulicber chewed his tongue, dark mirth bright in his black eyes. "It would be an absolute pleasure to finish them."
"Oh sod off Mulciber." Moony, surprisingly, growled. The prefect usually played peacemaker, though reluctantly. But he was smart enough to realize something monumental had happened between Sirius and his family, leaving Padfoot to strange, unwelcome bouts of reclusive brooding. Moony didn't want anyone, especially the sociopathic Mulciber to slam the situation in Padfoot's gut.
Padfoot looked guilty enough as it was.
Mulciber snorted, ogling Remus in disgust as he tittered closer to Padfoot smugly. Whose visage was frighteningly alarmed, his fist convulsed into his sides. Padfoot struggled with his expression, unable to smoothen it. Suddenly he snarled venomously - having spent his patience -, rising to his full height and thumping Mulciber's chest hard. "You shut your fucking mouth if you know what's good for you Death-eater." He spat quickly.
If anything Mulciber's glee increased, his smile nasty. Padfoot faintly realized he saw that as a compliment. "Defending your precious rag doll, traitor, it's you-"
"Well since you can't shut your own pie hole." A blue light shot from Prongs's wand, his expression mischievously sly. The jinx fizzled onto Mulciber's nose.
The brute stumbled backward, snarling ecstatically at the prospect of a duel.
Padfoot chuckled humorlessly, straddling his chair comfortably so his sneer was all the more smug. Prongs snorted haughtily, his hazel eyes flashing defiantly. Wormtail gaped in amusement, his lips twitching. Even Moony smirked smugly, stifling his chuckles.
Mulciber growled, his thick hairy-knuckled hands stretching his purple pulsating face, which Padfoot had to admit, clashed spectacularly with his clown scarlet smile sewing his lips shut. Padfoot cocked an ear forward. "Hm, what was that? I didn't quiet ca-"
"Isn't this a welcome?"
Enemies alike swiveled to face the new Professor perched reproachfully on his desk. His wand held languidly in his folded arms, he raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to take your seats now? Or are we going to have to wait for everyone to deflate their egos?"
Avery and Wilkes glared at the Professor, barely sparing a glance to an enraged Mulciber and strolled towards their seats beside a disgruntle Snape. Professor Porter turned to the jinxed individual. "Never get yourself into a position you can't get yourself out of Mr. Mulciber." Porter told him blandly, gesturing to his seat.
Mulciber attempted to snarl; the effort not lost in his horrendous appearance and stormed to Snape, whom he jostled. Snape glowered, prying the bulky fingers off him, muttered an incantation and the jinx disappeared. Mulciber took his seat, scowling malevolently at the quartet in a way that had Moony informing them warily over dinner to keep their hats down for the next few weeks – something they undoubtedly would ignore cheerily.
Padfoot snickered, his tight back relaxing as Prongs winked at him smugly."Mr. Potter," Prongs winced, and Moony smiled at the familiar expression. "Magic of any kind is not allowed in my class without permission, is that clear?"
James nodded, straightening his tie self-importantly. "Yes Professor."
Porter massaged his forehead; finally understanding the doom of teaching of which he had inflicted upon himself. "The same goes for the rest of you." Professor Porter stared them all down for a moment, twitching at James's bright crooked grin. He flicked his wand at the board, where the topics for that year appeared in an almost familiar scribble. Moony, ever the prefect, dutifully copied. "Well, as you may or may not know – considering if you tend to listen, which all of you will do in my class –, I am Professor Harrison Porter…"
Teddy nearly toppled into a suit of armor in his flinty escape from the Gryffindor Common Room towards the Library. Teddy hadn't been able to unwind with the crackling flames as per usual, the unwelcome voices of strangers in a place he considered closely second to home had him particularly tense.
He considered visiting Harry but was aware he still was in class with the sixth years. So to the library he stalked. He knew that to some it would seem excessive to already be studying. Teddy on the other hand had approximately thirty years on everybody else and needed to know what standard knowledge was for 1976. It wouldn't be good to start sprouting facts on events or studies that hadn't occurred of yet.
He fell into some aisle, staring over the covers and picked up a book named simply 'Events of 1960's Wizarding World!' and sat to read. His attention had been entranced by the 1963 Werewolf Code of Conduct and its lengthy restrictions. The rules differed significantly from his time; Werewolves were considered Beings rather than Beasts for one. The Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures were sent to track – or hunt, in Teddy's opinion of the description – any and all werewolves, ensure they locked themselves up during full moons – which Teddy reluctantly realized was necessary – and didn't pose a threat to innocent neighbors.
Teddy read further, and had a distinct impression that there was more to the regulations than offered. He set the book aside and scoured the shelves. In the end, the Werewolf books had been placed under Dark Creatures. He skimmed several, the transformation shone in the moving pictures left him queasy, and the image of a woman being mauled to a contorted shred did nothing to ease his stomach.
It was after several attempts he found one taking a more political approach rather than the frequent How-to-Kill approach and returned to the table. He found it occupied, a boy with burnt golden hair sat slaving over a fraying book.
Teddy pondered sitting with him, the book clasped in his arms. Teddy had the distinct impression his dorm mates weren't particularly fond of him, being a strange newbie. They already had a system of coexistence, which Teddy immediately had trampled over unknowingly.
He likened it to when Albus had painstakingly transfigured a glass figurine only for it to shatter to dust when Jamie had played 'Bludger' on a broomstick in the house. Ginny had been fuming; Harry had resorted to taking Jamie's broomstick from him for a whole month. Which was vastly longer considering how much Jamie complained to Teddy on how much he longed for Quiditch, and nearly driven him mental with the spurts of random Quiditch knowledge he had been unsuccessful at buffering at the most unfavorable times.
Teddy swallowed thickly, privately shaking his head and sat on the chair opposite the rigid boy, searching for a distraction.
The boy peeked with warm ice blue eyes over his book; Teddy saw the worn, well-coddled cover and smiled faintly at 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'. "Hi." Teddy flashed red at his tiny voice. He cleared his throat, muttering rather deeply. "I'm new here…"
The teen flicked his hair, lowered his book with an uncertain smile. "How'd you like it so far?" His voice – Irish, defiantly - was soft though prickled with a suspicious edge that had Teddy smiling in an attempt to dissuade it.
Teddy shrugged offhandedly. "Good I guess." He pointed at the boy's book. "You're in Care of Magical Creatures?" The boy nodded a tad defensively. "Me too. Names Teddy Lu-eh, Edwards."
The boy clasped his hand after some contemplating and smiling hesitantly. "Ivor Ramely." Teddy smiled, fingering the contents page of his book. "You're not…" Ivor shook his hair, as Teddy lifted his gaze confused. "You do realize I am in Slytherin." Teddy blinked when Ivor pointed at his green tie, what did that have to do with anything? "And you're in Gryffindor." Ivor told him slowly, as if speaking with a child.
"You're pointing out the obvious?" Ivor's lips twitched at Teddy's puzzled question, and settled easily back into his book. Teddy considered him, doubtful the animosity could be so grave in two houses at 1976.
Teddy shifted to his book, finally running along something moderately interesting. …obligated to reprehend a werewolf in Scandinavia who had coerced a muggle woman to a blasphemous alliance. The muggle woman unknown to the peril of the creature endangered a large amount of her associates. The werewolf was interrogated thoroughly, found unanimously guilty he was sentenced to the nations Werewolf Compound to spend the reminder of his duration…
…In the years that came, it was apparent to the Scandinavian Magical Ministry that the muggle woman had birthed a werewolf babe. The woman was quickly and discreetly relocated to a mind institution due to her fragile mental health which had begun with the werewolf. Her condition detrimental to her own health, the Ministry altered her memory to resume a muggle lifestyle. The offspring was placed in Ministry care…
"You okay there?" Teddy realized his nails had been gouging into the books spine. He thrust it away in disgust, unable to hide his horror. They had ripped that family apart, shredded it! The thoughts rose unbidden and unwarranted leaving him infuriated and terrified; would Teddy have been stolen from his parents if they had lived? Would Mum have been oblivated? Would his Dad have been sentenced to Azkaban for his coercion? Had there never been any hope for his family?
Teddy clutched his upset gut; he shook his head glaring at the innocent book. "N-no, th-that…Ugh!" He yelled in frustration.
Ivor frowned, glancing at the book as if it were to snap at him and returned to Teddy. "What's it about?"
"Bloody Werewolf Code of Conduct!" Teddy steamed, forced to spew his anger to stop it from burning him. "It's barbaric! There splitting up families because of their own stupid, bloody irrational fears!"
Ivor scrutinized him; Teddy fumed in silence and yanking on his hair as he speculated. Ivor grimaced at the book and heeded. "I agree, the legislations surrounding most Magical Creatures except wizards and witches are unjustified. Goblins at least are sedated with having Gringrotts, Centaurs own acres –although diminishing in size – of land, and Merpeople keep to the sea so are rarely bothered.
"Werewolves though, amongst others I guess, are immediately shunted from society. It doesn't make much sense to be honest; they are dangerous during a very short period of time on the most consistent cycle. Aside from that, they are as dangerous as humans, or wizards if they are wizards." Ivor drawled.
"Exactly!" Teddy snapped, practically oozing disgust. "How can they let those ignorant sods pass laws and write books?"
Ivor immediately responded in a fury, Teddy startled at the passion on which the Slytherin ranted realized he had snagged on a private tirade. Irma Pince – who had sadly not gained a day since Teddy had last seen her – banished them heatedly for their disrespect.
Ivor had wallowed sullenly, Teddy noticeably calmer due to his rave, asked what had made him clamp up but in return received a tight, placating cringe. Teddy diverged to distraction again. "We have CoMC can you show me the way to the classroom tomorrow?"
Ivor blinked owly and finally, smiled hesitantly, his book clutched to his chest. "Sounds good, I'll meet you after Charms, by that swearing suit of armor. You can't miss 'im." He assured Teddy. He nodded, grinning tightly.
The duo chatted and ambled down the hallways, attracting unbidden stares and whispers. Teddy frowned, watching as Ivor curled around his book and his complexion pale as a group of Slytherin's sneered in their direction.
Teddy nudged him softly. "I'll see you tomorrow then." Ivor nodded rigidly, swiveling on his heel and stalking down another hallway, disappearing speedily. Teddy wondered hoped he hadn't hurt Ivor's standing in the Slytherin house; those sneers had been on the dark side.
Slytherin's weren't like that. Not the Slytherin's Teddy had known. It was difficult to comprehend much had changed in thirty years; but the foundations had to be there. It couldn't be that different.
"Oi Teddy!" Teddy blinked, a hand clapped his shoulder and bright grin gleamed in his face. "The Great Hall's in the other direction." Teddy averted his eyes to meet the grey ones. Teddy chuckled, shrugging.
"I'm not heading to the Great Hall." Sirius had trouble comprehending this, thankfully James patted his back soothingly and leaned past his friends broad shoulders.
"But it's almost time for dinner…" Sirius whined while James asked. "Where ya headin' off to then?" Teddy rubbed his nose, still contemplating how to react to the duo. Knowing what was to become of them, it was difficult to react accordingly, and he constantly feared he would spill something of the future. He wasn't known for his restraint.
"Eh, to talk to Harry…" At their blank stares he divulged. "The new DADA professor-"
Sirius frowned, interrupting easily. "Why? You didn't get detention on your first day did you? I thought he was alright too." Sirius sniffed perpetual, James too seemed to take the news in sorrow. Teddy laughed in spite of himself, waving his hands.
"No, no. He's my godfather," Teddy smirked. "I'm glad you think so highly of me. Honestly, detention on my first day…" He trailed off cheerily.
Sirius loosened his shoulders, barking a laugh and clapping Teddy on the back. "We'll see ya at dinner after then." He flung an arm around James's shoulder. James grinned and ruffled Teddy's hair, Teddy blinked at his hands in surprise.
James hardly noticed and called happily over his shoulder as the two trotted to the Great Hall. "We'll save ya some cocoa!" Sirius muttered something to James – Teddy faintly heard 'Moony' - and the duo burst into peals of laughter, their joy echoing off the walls as they rounded the corner.
Teddy wet his dry lips, his stride lengthy as he dodged past unfamiliar students until he was panting before his godfather's new classroom. He hoped he hadn't missed him. He would have to talk to him after dinner, if that was the case and he needed fervently to speak with someone who understood.
Teddy smiled sadly at his Godfather's curled form, shutting the door behind him and breathing deeply. The room's dark exterior shielded Harry, all Teddy saw was a familiar ruffled hair and pale hands clasping his head. "Harry…" He questioned softly.
Harry blinked at him blearily. The attempt at a smile had Teddy grimacing and asking. "That bad?" Harry grunted, picking his arms from the table and leaning wearily on his palm.
"The boundaries," He gestured to the space between his desk and the rest of the class. "Help, of course. Still, the situation is…unnatural." Teddy nodded, leaning against his godfather's desk and clasped his book closer. That was one way to put it.
Teddy poked him with his toes. "It'll get easier though, won't it?" Harry brushed some hair from Teddy's face, smiling hesitantly. He didn't answer, his expression closed direly. He heaved a deep sigh, shuffled the assignments on his desk and said softly.
"You should probably get to the Great Hall if you want dinner." Teddy shook his head, following his godfather into his office. His appetite was mostly non-existent since they had arrived, thankfully his thick robes hid the outcome and his abilities concealed the gauntness of his neck and cheeks. Harry wasn't as fortunate, deep circles bore trudges under his green eyes which gleamed a tad too brightly than normal.
Teddy knew his godfather had slept less than Teddy, and as a teenager he had certain prowess in sleepless nights. Teddy chewed his lips, it wasn't his place to tell his godfather to care for himself. But easily decided to reverse their roles for Harry's own well being.
"Harry…" He began. "You want me to ask Madam Promfrey for a Dreamless Sleep potion?" Harry's lips twisted in a negative response, Teddy pushed. "When was the last time you slept a full night? You need this, just one potion." Harry's lips pursed.
His sighed in defeat, patting Teddy's cheek – Teddy allowed him due to his exhausted stature. "I'm not being such a good role model for you am I?" Teddy had no idea where that had come from but seeing Harry's forlorn gaze, it had to have been brewing for a while.
Teddy held his godfather's hand. "You're the best role model anyone could ask for Harry." Harry's smiled hesitantly, dropping his arm tiredly before running his hand through his hair.
Harry yawned into his hand, and stood tipsily. He ruffled Teddy's hair slowly. "When did you get so smart?" Teddy smiled, seeing Harry had overcome his bout of doubt and swatted Harry's hand easily.
"I've always been this brilliant." He said cockily, Harry chuckled softly.
"I never said anything about brilliance…" And with that Teddy knew that he and Harry would survive this.
A/N: I apologize for the fickle nature of my writing, I try to smoothen it out but I doubt I am successful. Since school has started, updates may be irregular. I hope you enjoyed.