The Story of Teddy Lupin

Chapter 4: The First Year Ends

As Teddy's first year at Hogwarts started to wind down the trio could often be found in the library revising for exams. They all hated homework and studying and it was times like these Teddy wished he had made a friend like Hermione. He remembered Harry and Ron often teasing Hermione about always having her nose in a book and the library being her second home. When they would do this she would turn to them and say, "and do either of you honestly think you would've made it through six years of Hogwarts without me?" They would usually leave her alone after that. Harry explained one time that Hermione always had to prod them into doing their homework and revise for exams. He admitted that she was right, if it wasn't for her checking over his and Ron's homework or dragging them to the library to study they probably would have failed all the exams. So now Teddy wished that he Lee or Neil were like Hermione. He was sure they would all be doing better if that were the case. As it was they were forced to make themselves buckle down and study. This turned into them goofing off for most of the time and then cramming as the exams approached.

One day Teddy got a letter from Hermione. He was surprised to see her handwriting on the envelope and thought for sure something awful had happened to Harry or Ginny is she was writing to him. When he opened the letter though he found an outline of what to study and when to study it. Attached was a note that said

Dear Teddy,

I fear that you may be like Harry in one unfortunate way… not liking or wanting to study. If it wasn't for me he probably would have failed his classes early on. And no that is not considered bragging because it is true. He and Ron both admit it. So incase my fears are correct I took it upon myself to draw up a study schedule for you and your friends. I hope this helps.

Love,

Hermione

Teddy was touched by Hermione's note and schedule. He immediately wrote her back saying,

Dear Hermione,

Thank you so much for making me a schedule. Lee, Neil, and I are having a hard time with revising for our exams. This will really help us. I hope it didn't take you too long to do this, but I really appreciate it.

Love,

Teddy

That evening after dinner the trio retreated to the library with their schedule. Since they had goofed off so much already they were going to have to make some adjustments to it in order to get to everything before exams, but at least this gave them a good starting point.

So the rest of the year was spent revising and doing their current homework, they had never been so happy first years couldn't try out for quidditch. They knew that next year they would have to really buckle down if they wanted to be on their house teams and do good on their exams. But that was something to worry about next year.

Once exams were finally over they had one full day left at Hogwarts to spend however they pleased. So after breakfast they went down to visit Hagrid and have tea with him. They were excited to meet his new puppy. He had been so upset by the loss of Fang that it took him a few years before he was finally ready for a new one. When they got there Hagrid ushered them in quickly, "little thing's been tryin ter escape every time I open the door. He likes me. just likes bein outside too."

The boys came in and sat down at Hagrid's table and the puppy immediately jumped into Teddy's lap. He'd never been around dogs much before, but the few times he'd run across one on the village they seemed to be drawn to him. He often wondered if it was because somehow the dogs could sense he was the child of a werewolf.

"What's his name Hagrid" Teddy asked around the dog who was now licking his face.

"Well I've been callin him Junior. Fer Fang Junior. He looks just like Fang did when he was a pup. Found out they're from the same family. So he's not really Fang's son, but still."

"Well if thet's what you like Hagrid then it's a good name. good boy Jr." Teddy was fascinated by the dog.

"Well how did your exams go boys?"

Teddy was still focused on Jr. so Lee answered, "okay I think. Hermione sent Teddy a study schedule so that really helped."

"Yeah, if it hadn't been for that who knows what we would've done," Neil added.

"Probably failed and then been disowned by our families," Lee mumbled only somewhat jokingly.

"Teddy what about you. Think you did okay on your exams?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. I think I did fine."

They stayed and chatted with Hagrid for a bit longer and then dragged Teddy away from Jr. so they could go to lunch.

After lunch in the Great Hall (where they noticed many students were sitting at different tables. Slytherins at the Gryffindor table, Hufflepuffs with the Ravenclaws, etc.). So Teddy and Lee joined Neil at the Ravenclaw table while they ate their lunch. When they were done eating they wandered outside to roam the grounds. They took turns trying to turn twigs and leaves into random things or sending them flying at each other. Even though they should have been packing they stayed outside until dinner.

After dinner Neil went with Teddy and Lee to there dormitory whle they packed and then they followed him to the Ravenclaw dormitory to help him pack. They stayed in the Ravenclaw common room until almost curfew. They just barely made it back to Hufflepuff before curfew.

The next day they had breakfast together in the Great Hall before getting on the train to go home. This was the first year Teddy wouldn't be spending this day with Victoire. He liked celebrating her birthday with her, mainly because it took his mind of the fact it was the anniversary of his parents' deaths. He tried to make the most of his time with Lee and Neil though. He decided he would just ask Harry if they could stop by Shell Cottage before they went home.

So the boys spent the train ride discussing the summer holiday and what they would each be doing. Lee and Teddy were jealous of Neil's summer.

"Dad said he would take me to practice with him some this summer. He thinks it'll help me prepare for try outs next term. It'll be fun though."

"You think he'll take you to the games too," Teddy asked excitedly.

"Yeah he usually takes me to a few. You guys want to come to one with us? I'll ask him if we can bring you along. It'll be fun."

"Awesome," the boys shouted in unison.

"Okay. I'll ask him when we get home."

Lee told them about going to Asia that summer. "Mum thinks we're both old enough to go now. She wants us to learn about our heritage and culture. Thinks she'll be able to teach us better by showing us. We won't be gone all summer though. So hopefully I'll be here when your dad says we can go to a game with you."

"Just write to me and let me know when you'll be gone and I'll make sure it happens when you're here so you can both go."

"Okay cool. Thanks."

They turned to Teddy expectantly. He usually had some kind of cool story about spending the holiday with the Weasleys. "What are you doing this summer Teddy?"

"Oh you know, the usual. Every Sunday will be spent at the Burrow with the whole family. Every other week with Gran and every other week with Harry and Ginny. We try to keep with switching every week. It makes it easier to keep up with when I go where. Though that doesn't mean we can't and don't change things a bit. Like if Harry and Ginny plan a family vacation and it can only be on a week that I'm supposed to be with Gran, then Gran let's me be with them that week too and I'll go back to her house when we get back. It works out pretty easily now. But I don't think we have anything planned this year."

"So the same as Christmas and Easter holidays then," Lee asked.

"Yeah pretty much."

They could tell something was off about Teddy but they didn't know what. And they thought it best to not ask for some reason. If he wanted them to know he would tell them. So they just continued eating their sweets and talking until they reached the station.

They all filed off the train slowly, not ready for the term to really be over. It seemed their parents were far more excited than they were. Lee saw his mum, dad, and sister smiling and waving as he went to meet them. His mum immediately folded him into a bone crushing hug only mothers were capable of giving. Neil saw his parents waving too. He was surprised to see his dad had dragged himself away from the team long enough to come get him. He ran over and gave them both a hug. Afterward, Oliver bent down and said, "I've got to go back to finish practice. Do you want to come with me and be my assistant for the rest of the day? When we're done we'll meet mum for dinner at your favorite restaurant."

Neil beamed up at his father, "ok cool! Mum are you gonna take my trunk?"

"Of course dear. You enjoy your time with dad and I'll see you both at dinner." She bent and gave him a quick kiss on top of his head making him blush and look around to make sure no one saw.

While this was going on Teddy was looking for Harry. But instead of seeing Harry he saw Victoire's head pop up out of the crowed. She spotted him and started waving like she was directing a landing airplane. But he grinned and ran over to her. Only then did he see Harry standing behind her levitating her so she could see Teddy over everyone. He sat her down when Teddy got to them and she threw herself into his arms wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. He wrapped her in an equally tight hug and lifted her off her feet. When he sat her down he held on for just a bit longer so he could whisper "Happy Birthday" in her ear. When he stepped back he gave Harry a quick hug before saying, "Victoire what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be off celebrating your birthday?"

"I celebrated this morning with mum, dad, Dominique, and Louis. We had my favorite breakfast, then mum took me shopping for a new outfit and we had ice cream. Then uncle Harry came and picked me up so I could come with him to pick you up. I always spend my birthday with you. For as long as I can remember you've been with me. I wasn't about to let this year be any different." She was grinning from ear to ear now.

Harry looked down at Teddy and said, "Ginny and the kids are meeting us at Shell Cottage. We're having dinner over there. Then when we're done I'm taking you to Andromeda's. I have a busy week this week so you're starting the summer with her this year. Just not until after we've fully celebrated Victoire's birthday."

"Great!"

While they followed Harry to an apparition spot Teddy looked down at Victoire. "I'm glad I get to celebrate with you. It was weird not seeing you today. So I was going to ask Harry if he could take me by Shell Cottage on our way home. I'm glad you came with him."

"I'm glad you like spending my birthday with me. You always make it so much fun. So of course I came with Harry. Dad was a little surprised by me asking, but mum seemed to be expecting it. She was kind of weird about it."

"Hmm. Interesting. I wonder why."

"Who knows. Mum is just weird sometimes."

Harry was listening to their conversation as they walked behind him. He was sure they thought he wasn't listening. And it was taking a lot for him to not laugh out loud at their conversation. It was clear to the whole family that Teddy and Victoire held each other in a special regard. Most of them were certain it meant they would end up together when they got older. Bill was adamantly against this theory. He liked to say it was just because Victoire was the first one born after Teddy so they became fast friends. That Teddy was anxious to have anyone to play with, even if it was a girl. So this made them best friends, that's all. But Fleur knew better. She saw how Victoire looked at Teddy. It reminded her of how she looked at Bill, but as a child who did not yet know she had a crush. Harry thought it was quite funny. And he often wondered when they would become more than friends. He was sure it wouldn't be until they were both much older. But still, it was something he sometimes thought about. After all, this was his oldest child. He often thought of how all four of them would grow up and fall in love and start their own families. It made him happy to see Teddy's story play out before him.

When they finally got to Shell Cottage they saw that the entire family was there, including Andromeda. Molly had come over and helped Fleur cook while Arthur and the uncles helped Bill set up the tables and chairs outside. Victoire was so excited to see the party, but she never left Teddy's side. She grabbed Teddy's hand and dragged him around with her the whole night. After food, cake, and presents Teddy and Victoire tried to organize some game with the kids. By the end of the night they were all exhausted and had to be dragged and carried off by their parents. Victoire went to bed that night with a smile on her face. And Teddy on his part went to bed without his hair changing pink or sandy brown and without feeling sad in the least. It was a good day.

A/N: I see a few people have continued reading past chapter one and I really appreciate it. Writing this has been so much fun and it makes me happy that people are reading it. I hope you guys have enjoyed it so far. Sorry it took me a while to post the 4th chapter. I hope you guys will stick with me.