The Hogwarts Express

Teddy looked around, entranced.Steam was everywhere; he was practically blind. He could hear, though; the chattering of many young voices, the wails of younger siblings and anxious mothers, the cacophony of cats and owls made the simple fact real to him:

He was standing in platform Nine and Three Quarters. He was on his way!

Andromeda had walked with him and Harry to the wall between platforms nine and ten, but had suddenly burst into tears, kissed Teddy, and ran away. She had always found it difficult to leave Teddy; after all, she had lost her husband, daughter, and son-in-law during the Second War.

"All right, Teddy?" Harry's concerned eyes surveyed his godson.

"Yeah, of course!" Teddy said, suddenly cheering up from his grandmother's farewell. He was going to start on the best journey of his life, he knew it!

"All right. Last words of advice from your old godfather: don't let anyone tell you who you ought to be, never let anyone put your family down, don't get caught by Filch, don't forget to go to Hagrid's for tea, and under no circumstances refrain from the treacle tart. Got it?"

Teddy smiled. "Thanks, Harry!"

"Right then. Let's find you a compartment."

They settled Teddy inside the bright scarlet steam engine. His compartment was near the middle, and going down the train he saw many eager faces pressed against the glass for a look at his famous godfather.

"See you, then, Teddy," said Harry resolutely, pulling him into a hug. "If you forget anything, we'll send it on. And don't forget to write- I think Victoire, in particular, would never forgive you."

"Yeah," said Teddy, grinning at the thought of his fiery, beautiful friend.

Harry gave Teddy one last smile and left the compartment.

A sound of running footsteps came from outside his door. It was flung open, and in burst a slight, black haired boy, with dark brown eyes that twinkled with laughter and a bit of nerves.

"Hi!" he said immediately. "You're the boy who was with Harry Potter, weren't you?"

"Yes," said Teddy uncomfortably. "He's my godfather."

"Cool!" said the other boy, looking anxiously behind him. "Do you mind if I stay here for a while? I walked in on my sister snogging her boyfriend and I think she'll kill me if I don't hide."

Teddy laughed. "Make yourself at home," he said. "It's not my compartment."

"Awfully nice of you," the strange boy said, hurling himself onto a seat as the train started to move. "I'm Martin, by the way, Martin Bones,"

"Teddy Lupin," said Teddy, extending his hand.

Martin Bones's eyes went wide, then sympathetic. "Blimey," he said quietly, "I'm sorry about your parents. I've heard of you, you know. Voldemort killed off most my family, too."

"I'm sorry. Thank you," Teddy told him awkwardly, wondering why he didn't feel more indignant. He found he didn't mind this stranger talking about his parents. This boy understood how he felt.

There was a very long pause.

"So-" Martin began finally, but his words were drowned out by a scuffle outside their door. Both boys, happily taking advantage of the distraction, leapt out the door.

A hulking, mean-looking boy and a thickset girl were cackling over their find; a tiny, fragile-looking girl who was lying on the floor- one of them had obviously tripped her.

"'Oo did you say your name wos?" Taunted the boy. "Twycross? You're Mum'd be a Squib, den. My Dad's said, don't go fooling round wid those Twycrosses, they're all Muggles an' Squibs. 'Ow much didjoo pay to get in here, eh?"

He gave another chuckle as the frightened looking girl timidly raised her wand and muttered something.

A burst of daffodil-yellow sparks shot out of her wand and onto the feet of her two captors. They both started howling hopping up and down, screeching, "Stop it! Stop it!"

"Can't," said the girl, surprisingly cheerfully. "Don't know the countercharm. Best go to the conductor, then,"

With many whimpering and cries, the frightening-looking pair dashed off.

"Brilliant," said Martin enthusiastically. The girl whirled round, looking wary, but Martin's toothy grin and Teddy's shy, quiet smile seemed to reassure her.

"Thanks," she said back. "Would you mind if I shared your compartment? No-one else wants to sit with me."

"Of course," Teddy said, shocked she was getting such a poor reception. "Why not?"

The girl flamed briefly red and put her head down. "I'm the daughter of a Squib and a Muggle," she muttered resentfully.

"Well, that's fine," Martin said reasonably. "I'm the brother of a right old hag, so I don't judge anyone. Come in, then. What was your name?"

"Bridget Twycross."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Martin, this is Teddy."

Bridget smiled. Now they saw her closer up, they realized she actually had not been pale with fright. She was just pale. Her hair was so blonde it was almost white, and her eyes were very light blue. She had lots of freckles and a good-natured, though sullen, expression.

"What curse did you use, then?" Teddy asked eagerly. He had been itching to know what it did. "I didn't think we could do hexes yet, being new to Hogwarts and all."

"I dunno what spell it was, I made it up," shrugged Bridget. "I think it made them feel like their toes were being stepped on."

Martin roared with laughter. "You're going to have to teach us that one," he announced. "Have you made up spells before?"

"I didn't have a wand before. My parents don't have one either."

Martin looked remorseful; it was obvious that he had insulted her, though unintentionally.

There was an awkward silence for a bit. Teddy, casting around for something to say, came up with, "Well, don't worry about those people who were bugging you. I can handle them if they come back."

Bridget laughed, a little unkindly. "You look pretty small to be taking them on."

Teddy smirked. "Really?" Closing his eyes and concentrating, he grew about a foot, widening (his robes were making ominous ripping noises) and becoming quite terrifying. He had used this form to scare Victoire into obeying him when she was being a brat.

Martin grinned appreciatively and let out a cheer. "That's brilliant! You're a Metamorphmagus?"

"Yeah," said Teddy proudly. "Like my Mum."

Bridget smiled. "That's really neat. How come you're so… normal looking, then? Do you look like someone else every day?"

"No, mostly I just look like this," Teddy admitted, shrinking back into his slight form, thick brown hair, and thoughtful grey eyes. "I don't like to get lots of attention because of that."

"Still," said Martin thoughtfully, "You could really scare some people. Just think of the possibilities…"

Bridget was tilting her head to one side. A slightly manic glint was invading her blue eyes.

"Knut for your thoughts?" asked Teddy, feeling slightly concerned for his safety; Bridget looked pretty dangerous.

"Well," Bridget began, "I have an idea how to get back at those people who attacked me…" She laid out the plan quietly, but with a glint of delighted wiliness in her voice.

"You're a bloody genius," said Martin in awe, stepping back. "I vote you next Minister for Magic."

Bridget smiled back. "Are you going to, then?" she asked Teddy.

"Of course!" He replied eagerly. The plan would give them all a laugh, put those bullies in their place, and hopefully not get them into trouble.

They sat in their compartment talking of the plan and laughing, until night had fallen and the sound of a light rain pattered against the windows. The lamps flared up, and Martin sighed mournfully at the cloudy weather outside. "We'll get soaked on the boats going over," he predicted.

"We go over on boats?" asked Bridget interestedly. Martin turned to face her, looking incredulous.

"Of course we do! It's a tradition for first-years. We go across the lake to the castle in little wooden boats with the gamekeeper, and then we get Sorted. Didn't you even know that?"

"Well, thank for telling us," said Teddy hastily as Bridget jumped to her feet, looking furious. "Bridget, would you mind leaving for a little bit? We should probably get into our robes. It looks like the train's slowing down."

After scrambling into their new uniforms, the two boys met up again with Bridget, and made their way to the tiny, rain-soaked platform.

"Firs' years this way! C'mon, then! Firs' years!"

Teddy turned and saw Hagrid walking toward them. "Hello, Hagrid!" he shouted up.

"'Ello! All righ'?" Hagrid shouted back. "Get near them boats, now! Firs' years, please!"

Teddy led Martin and Bridget onto the little path Hagrid was pointing at. After slipping down the steep trail for a while, they finally broke out of the patch of forest they had been traveling though, and got their first good look at the castle.

Bridget gasped.

Hogwarts was breathtaking. The huge, grey castle loomed over everything else, its windows sending beams of light onto the water of the lake in front of it. It was so old it simply looked like the hugest part of the surrounding landscape. It looked intimidating, impressive, yet oddly comforting. Already it was home.

"Isn't it beautiful?" asked a soft voice beside him. Teddy turned and saw a first year girl standing beside him. She looked straight into his eyes, smiling, and Teddy felt quite lost for words.

This new girl was a beauty, skin the colour of chocolate, black haired haired, with bright blue eyes providing a striking contrast to her darkness. She was almost as tall as he, with a slender figure that overshadowed any other eleven year old he had ever seen.

"I-You—I mean, yes, y- it is very beautiful," Teddy stammered, focusing with everything he had not to blush.

The girl gave him a glorious smile. It seemed she was used to boys acting like this in her presence. "I'm Fayza Mir. Who are you?"

"Er, I'm Teddy, this is Martin Bones and Bridget Twycross, um, yeah. We met on the train, you know, and-" Teddy willed himself to stop babbling, when, to his displeasure, Martin cut in.

"So, Teddy, what house d'you think you'll be in?" He asked Teddy, giving Fayza an appreciative glance but otherwise ignoring her. "I hope I'm in Gryffindor, although most my family have been in Hufflepuff."

"And what's wrong with Hufflepuff?" Fayza asked stiffly. "I think that's where I'm going. Is that an issue?"

"No!" Teddy gabbled, jumping in again. "Hufflepuff's great! My Mum was in Huffelpuff! I hope I'm going there too!"

Fayza smiled. "Well, I hope you get in there. It would be great! How about you?" she added politely to Bridget.

"I don't know," Bridget said indifferently. "Just not Slytherin."

Hagrid bustled into view with the rest of the first-years, relieving the small group of the need to make small talk.

"All righ', four to a boat, there yeh go- now, FORWARD!"

The little fleet of boats moved off. Neither Teddy, Fayza, Martin, or Bridget- who were sharing a boat- made any other attempt to start a conversation, though Teddy was busily trying to stare at Fayza without her noticing.

The rain had kept up, and by the time they were waiting outside the castle, everyone was soaked. Hagrid walked up to the main door and knocked. It flew open, and framed against the light spilling out was a woman. Hagrid stumped past her to disappear into the hall.

"Come in," said the strange woman, who was revealed to be quite a small Oriental woman with a beautiful face. Everyone followed her, agog.

"My name is Professor Chang. I will teach you Charms, and I am also Deputy Headmistress. Now. Soon you will enter into the Great Hall to be Sorted into either Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin. Whichever house you are picked of will be the best for you, and I hope you will support your house by behaving well, which will earn you points. Breaking the rules and stepping out of line will mean points are taken away from your house. Which ever house has the most points at the end of the year wins the House Cup."

An outbreak of excited muttering rushed through the first years. Professor Chang waited and then went on. "During the year you will eat with your house, spend time in your house Common Room, and attend classes with the other members of your year in the same house. I hope you will all do your best to make your classmates proud and your teachers happy. Line up, please."

The first years shoved into a line and entered the Great Hall, everyone shaking. Teddy couldn't make up his mind- did he want to go in Hufflepuff or Gryffindor?

A strange looking Hat was sitting on a bench. It looked very tattered, burned in places, and extremely old. A hush fell on the many people watching them from the House Tables.

A rip in the Hat opened and began:

"I know I seem I'm scruffy,

Much too old and very singed.

But don't you worry, little ones,

I'm not a bit unhinged.

Just whip me up around your ears and let me take a peek,

So I can tell you where you'll go,

the House that your heart seeks.

Perhaps in daring Gryffindor

where courage takes the day,

Or Ravenclaw, where sharpest wits

will always have their say.

Or Hufflepuff, the patient ones

whose nature is good cheer

Or Slytherin, where craftiness

will always be most near.

So don't you fret, and don't you frown,

I'll choose what's best, you'll see,

So simply put me on your head,

And leave the rest to me."

There was applause as the first year's faces relaxed somewhat; they only had to put a Hat on.

Professor Chang called out, "Adderly, Jane!"

The thickset girl who had been taunting Bridget on the train climbed up the stairs to the Sorting Hat, and plopped it on.

"SLYTHERIN!" The Hat screamed, and Jane, looking arrogantly amused, walked over to the table which seemed the most intimidating. The Slytherins, for the most part, seemed am unpleasant lot. Teddy hoped with all his heart he wouldn't end up there.

"Adderly, Judas!" Jame's twin brother, the other bully they had seen on the train, sloped off and got Sorted into the same house as his sister.

"Bones, Martin!"

Martin excitedly left his place in line, and took the Hat. There was a pause.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The house on the far left cheered and called; Martin looked very pleased, but stopped to give Teddy and Bridget the thumbs up.

As the Hat sorted Samuel Flinch-Fletchley (HUFFLEPUFF!), Teddy felt his nerves build up. What if the Hat made a mistake? What if it said he was Ravenclaw, but he couldn't keep up with any of the course work and failed and had to go home? What if it said he didn't fit any of the houses, and he had to board the train and leave and make his grandmother cry again? Worst of all, what if it Sorted him into Slytherin? And what if it was right?

Teddy screwed his eyes shut, willing himself not to cry or faint. He could just imagine his father and his mother here, so many years ago… Were they scared too, he wondered, now concentrating on restraining the nausea rising through him.

He jumped; someone was prodding him. "It's your turn, Teddy," whispered Bridget. "Good luck."

He walked, trembling, up to the stool on which the Hat sat. He slipped it on and sat down.

"Hmmm," said the voice of the Hat in his ear. "Interesting. Not Ravenclaw, I don't think (Teddy's heart gave a great leap)… you're not at all cunning, either, so that's Slytherin out… you want to go into Hufflepuff? Why? Not just the fact that your mother was one, I presume- Oh! A girl? Dear me, that can't be a priority. And you are much too brave to waste away with the Hufflepuffs. Which leaves GRYFFINDOR!"

The Hat roared out its decision, and Teddy took it off and walked over to Martin, feeling both relieved and regretful. Professor Chang called out Fayza next, and Teddy locked eyes with her as she passed.

"Hope she gets into Gryffindor," Martin said easily. "She's pretty. Well done, mate."

Teddy smiled back, although a sudden irritation overwhelmed him. Fayza was pretty, but Martin shouldn't say thing like that…

And she was in Hufflepuff. The hat had just called it out, and Fayza was moving away from him.

"Hmm. Bad luck," said Martin. "Listen, d'you think we'll get food soon?"

"Not till the Sorting is over," said a fifth year sitting nearby.

Martin swore. Then he perked up. "Hey, it's Bridget!"

Teddy looked up just as the Hat called out "GRYFFINDOR!" Bridget appeared beneath as made her way over to them, smiling.

"Well done," Teddy said encouragingly.

"Thanks," she said. "I'm really hungry, now, I wonder when we'll get around to eating!"

"I was just asking that," Martin replied, just as the last student stepped up.

When "Zeller, Katya" was sorted into Ravenclaw, there was a sigh of relief from the students as the looked to the Head Table where the staff were seated. A black man, who looked about Harry's age, stood up from his position in the centre of the table.

"That's Professor Thomas," whispered Martin. "He's the Headmaster."

"Welcome all!" Professor Thomas's voice rang out. "I know you are all very hungry, so I will try to hurry with the announcements. Do not go into the Forbidden Forest; check the list on Mr. Filch's office door, which lists the things you may not bring into this school; Talk to the Captains of your Quidditch teams to see when tryouts are going to be held; and enjoy your dinner. Go ahead!"

As food magically appeared on the golden plates before them, Teddy's heart swelled. He did enjoy his dinner, and they had everything; lamb chops, steak, mashed potatoes, poached salmon, and curried lentils. He piled a lot of everything onto his plate and began to eat, gladly noticing that Martin and Bridget seemed content to not talk, but just eat, as well.

Teddy hadn't even finished his second helpings when pudding appeared; chocolate cake, ice cream, treacle tart, apple crumble, and pies. He attacked the desserts too, but was feeling uncomfortably full after his cake, tart, crumble, and ice-cream. There was an overwhelming feeling of relief when the last remains of dessert had disappeared; it had been a long day.

"First years!" cried a voice. "Come this way! I'm showing you to your rooms, come on!"

A tall girl with brown hair and warm caramel-coloured eyes was ushering everyone out of the Great Hall. "My name's Glyniss Wood. I'm your Prefect. Now, just follow me…"

Teddy didn't bother to pay attention to where they were going. He was too busy lazily discussing Quidditch with Martin and being sorry he wasn't with Fayza. In fact, his mind was in such a state of distraction he only really noticed where he was halfway up the stone steps to the Gryffindor boy's dormitory. He changed sleepily behind his curtains and fell into his bed.

"Good night," he said to Martin. A loud snore answered him.

But Teddy wasn't awake to notice.

Author's Note: I hope this made everyone happier, I noticed last chapter wasn't exactly everyone's favorite, so I hope this is long enough and Teddy-ish enough to be all right!

MuteMath788- Thank you, thank you, for your ideas. You are officially my muse. Fayza would not have existed but for you! And I thought Gryffindor too. You need lots of bravery to come through losing your parents so early in life… and the thought of getting so many reviews is frightening, though absolutely incredible!

kittyatza- I'm sorry you didn't like the last chapter- I hope this one is better! They're at Hogwarts, now, at least…

Snaily- Thanks so much!