Chapter 4
"...fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?" Teddy heard as soon as he stepped out of the carriages. He looked over and saw a bleach blond haired boy standing before Young Harry. He wasn't the only one too notice. His father and godfather noticed as well.
Professor Lupin stepped forward. "I'll take care of this." He said walking past them.
"Shove off, Malfoy." Teddy heard Ron say to him.
"Did you faint as well, Weasley? Did the scary old dementor frighten you too, Weasley?"
Teddy watched as his father stepped towards them. "Is there a problem?"
"Oh, no...err...professor." The brat said, smirking at his two friends. He then left with them up the steps into the school. Teddy heard the sarcasm in the boy's voice and felt angry and insulted. That was his father that boy was mocking! His father, he noticed, didn't let that affect him at all. Actually, he acted like he didn't even hear Draco Malfoy's insult.
Teddy looked up at his godfather, who stood over him watching the scene as well. "I'm proud of him, Harry. I'm really am."
Harry smiled down at him. "He would have been glad to hear that, Teddy, and I'm glad to hear it. He would have been proud of you too." Teddy grinned up at him. "Let's go, Teddy."
"We would like to welcome a new student among our mist." Dumbledore said, standing up after the sorting. "Mr. Theodore Moon." He waved his hand towards the stool. "If you don't mind?"
Teddy stepped forward and walked towards the Sorting Hat. He sat on the stool and the hat fell on top of his head as soon as he saw Hermione and Young Harry walk into the Great Hall.
"Oh, interesting. It looks like I've already sorted you before, young man." The Hat began to say. "You were in Gryffindor last time and I can see why, but you do have a mind of a Ravenclaw as well. So, which House should I place you in now?"
Teddy had thought of this before. He wanted to go into Gryffindor because it was his old house and he wanted his father to be proud of him. In reality, though, was it really the right House? Teddy had to think of the mission. Being in Gryffindor would make it harder for any Slytherins to trust him enough to pull up their sleeves. But, on the other hand, Gryffindors and Slytherins are often put together in the same class...Potions, for example. There are times in Potions where they had to roll up their sleeves or risk getting beetle juice on them or something even more disgusting.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The Hat shouted before Teddy could fully make up his mind on what House. "I talked to your godfather already," was the last the thing the hat said before it was lifted from his head. Teddy hesitated for a moment, trying to calm his mood before his hair color changed.
"Mr. Moon, you may sit down now." Professor McGonagall said.
"Sorry, Professor." Teddy muttered before making his way to the Gryffindor table. Being the new kid in school, he didn't have any friends to sit with. He couldn't say he became friends with Young Harry and his group, not after a single train ride. They didn't even talk much at all. Teddy was asleep for most of the ride. So, Teddy, uncomfortably, sat down near the Golden Trio. They were the only students he met so far and he did hope to be friends with them. They were family after all.
Dumbledore stood up again to give the welcoming speech. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast." He cleared his throat. "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who is here on Ministry of Magic business." He paused. "They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises...or even Invisibility Cloaks. It is not in the nature of a dementor to..." Teddy blocked him out and stared around the Great Hall instead. It looked exactly the same as it did in his time. Nothing had changed over the years. He sneaked a peak at the younger version of his godfather. He seemed to be listening to the Headmaster with great intent. He looked at his father. At first glanced it looked like he was listening to the Headmaster, but Teddy could see the gazed expression, a sad gazed look.
"Oh a happier note," Dumbledore's voice brought him back to the present. "I am pleased to welcome a few new professors to our ranks this year. First, Professor Remus J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic applause, but Teddy wasn't all that surprised. From what he heard, the last two teachers were duds and Professor Lupin didn't look healthy enough to take on the job as a DADA professor. The students were probably wondering how he would be able to do it. If Teddy didn't already knew better, he would have been with the other students thinking why a weak-looking professor would be their DADA professor and wondering if this would be another dud-of-a-professor. Teddy knew looks could be deceiving. His father was tougher then he looked and it made Teddy all the more proud of him. The other students didn't see the look in his eye when he stood up against a threat. They, obviously, couldn't know what he would do in the future to protect the younger generation, what he would sacrifice to achieve such a goal.
"As to our second new appointment..." Dumbledore continued. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures professor, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, the man taking his place is Professor Harry Harrison..." A quiet applause started before he was done. The Headmaster waited before continuing. "Working with Professor Harrison as an assistant professor is our very own Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
They got a huge applause, mostly in Gryffindor. Teddy watched with a huge smile as his godfather and Hagrid waved and smiled at the students. He noticed Hagrid wipe his eyes on the tablecloth. For such a big man, he had quite the soft heart, but that is one of the reason Teddy liked the big man. Most likely one of the reason anybody liked him. So big and strong, but soft and kind.
"Well, I think that's everything of importance. Let the feast begin!" Food and drinks appeared on golden plates and goblets.
Teddy picked at the food, too nervous to be hungry. He glanced at the Head Table, looking for some reassurance from his godfather, but Harry wasn't looking at him. He was chatting away with Professor Lupin and Hagrid, looking quite at easy with himself. Teddy wished he can be as calm as his godfather was right now. He felt a bit jealous that his uncle accepted their current situation without any noticeable nerves. He seemed to fit right in with everyone. Of course, unlike Teddy, he had already lived through this time period. He knew what to expect.
As soon as Dumbledore gave the word that it was time for them all to go to bed, Teddy headed straight for the Head Table to talk to his Uncle. Young Harry and his friends followed him to congratulate Hagrid.
"Hey, Uncle Harry." Teddy said to Harry.
"See I knew you'll get into Gryffindor. I had no doubts." Harry said with a smile.
Teddy glared at him. "You spoke with the Hat." He accused.
"I figured you'll have trouble picking a House." Harry said with a chuckle. "And I knew any House would do for our current situation."
"Congratulations, Hagrid!" Hermione squeal interrupted them.
"All down ter you three." Hargrid said, wiping his face on a napkin. "Ya must thank Professa' Harrison for this job. He came straight down to me hut after 'e got the job. It's what I always wanted."
"And maybe once I leave you'll get my job." Harry said with a smile.
"Leave?" Professor Lupin questioned. "You're planning on leaving already?"
"I'm only staying for a year. I do have a family in the United States." Harry said. "I'm only here waiting for my ex-wife to calm down." He lied. "The farther away I am from her, the better." He chuckled. "She has quite the temper."
Professor McGonagall came by and shooed them away. "Get to your dorm rooms, you four."
The four students, turned to leave with a goodbye, but Harry stopped Teddy. "Teddy, let's get your trunk from my personal quarters."
"Can't the house elves..." But his godfather's glare stopped him from finishing the sentence. "Yes, Uncle Harry."
"Remember. Don't get involved with the whole Sirius Black situation and..."
"Uncle Harry!" Teddy interrupted, annoyed. "I know. You've told me a thousand times. I think I get it. It's you I'm worried about. You're the one that is emotional attached to Sirius Black."
Harry looked sheepish at him. "Sorry, Teddy. I know. I guess reminding you is a way of reminding myself." He opened the door to his chambers.
"You excited about your first day of teaching?" Teddy asked.
Harry sighed. "I'm not going to be teaching your class tomorrow."
"What? Why? It's the first day of class."
Harry picked up one of Teddy's bags. "I know, but tomorrow just happens to be the lesson with Buckbeak. I am going to skip that lesson. I don't know if I'll be able to hold myself back from stopping Draco Malfoy and its very important Buckbeak gets set up for an execution. It's because of that we were able to get Sirius safely away from Hogwarts."
Teddy shook his head and mocked his godfather. "Missing your very first class. How irresponsible of you. What would Aunt Hermione say?" He chuckle. "What's your excuse for missing it?"
"At lunch tomorrow I am going to get a letter from my very concerned and angry ex-wife telling me my youngest son, Al, fell down a cliff while trying to fly a broom and he is currently in intensive care at the hospital. There is a chance he might not make it."
Teddy raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that a bit...extreme?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I had to make sure it was distressful enough for Albus to let me go on the first day without question. And speaking of our mission..." He dropped Teddy's bag back down and disappeared into his office. He came back with a packet of papers. He handed it to Teddy. "So, we can mark whose arm we already saw. It has all the names and photos of the boys from second to fourth year. It's arranged by House then alphabetic order. I have one too. After every week or so we can get together and compare. There are pictures next to the name, in case you don't know a name of a boy."
Teddy nodded and stuffed the packet into his bag.
"Come on, Teddy. Let's get you to the common room."
"Arithmancy at nine followed by Transfiguration. Then lunch and Care of Magical Creatures." Teddy murmured over his schedule the next morning. "Not bad, if it wasn't the cursed lesson in CoMC." He said quietly to himself as he glanced over at Malfoy sitting smug with the other Slytherins. "Maybe I can skip the lesson with Harry." He rolled his eyes, like his Uncle would allow that.
"...How're you supposed to be in three classes at once?" Ron's voice interrupted Teddy's thought. He watched as Ron and Hermione bickered over her jammed class schedule until Hagrid came in.
Teddy turned away. When he got to the dorm room last night, he was pretty much ignored by the other boys. Neville did smile at him before going to bed, but other than that no one gave him another glance. Teddy took a few moments to cross off the names of the third year Gryffindor boys off the list. He knew his Uncles, Ron, Harry, and Neville weren't the new dark lord and, despite Harry's firm believe that his other two dorm mates were innocent, Teddy felt he had to double check, just in case. He saw the forearms of Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan when they got changed. That was five down and sixty or so more to go.
He sighed, feeling a bit lonely before standing up to get to Arithmancy.
"Arithmancy is a magical discipline that included predicting the future with numbers and numerology." Professor Septima Vector said as she wrote the definition on the blackboard with the wave of her wand. "Who can tell me the name of the person who discovered the magical properties of the famous magical number seven?"
Teddy was unsurprised when Hermione was suddenly sitting next to him, raising her hand into the air. He heard all about her usage of the Time Turner in her third year. Aunt Hermione, Uncle Ron, and Uncle Harry would use her as an example not to do the same. They said she became moody, tired, over worked, emotional, and stressed with having so many classes. She didn't get enough sleep trying to finish all of her homework. Since hearing the story, Teddy had dropped the subject of using one for school. He didn't love school enough to becoming a ticking time bomb, as his godfather would call Aunt Hermione when talking about his third year.
"Ms. Granger?"
"Bridget Wenlock, Professor." She answered.
"Correct, Ms. Granger. Bridget Wenlock is a famous..." Teddy quickly started taking notes.
At the end of the class, Teddy saw Hermione sneak off, no doubt using the time turner to go to another class. He shook his head. He didn't know how he'll be able deal with watching his Aunt go through this. He walked the rest of the way to Transfiguration.
The first thing he noticed was the solemn or scared faces of his classmates. He sat near the middle of the last rows of desk. Did Harry see the Grim in his cup this early in the school year? For some reason Teddy had thought it was closer to Halloween when he saw the Grim in his tea cup. Was he wrong?
He quietly took notes on Animagi. Teddy remembered asking his Uncle Harry if he can start training to be an Animagi when he was seven years old. You can certainly say that was shot down, though his Uncle did have quite a laugh. He paused in his note taking. 'Would Uncle Harry allow me to do it next year or do I have to wait until I'm seventeen to start?' he thought to himself. He shook his head at the ridiculous thought and began to take notes again. His uncle didn't even become one until he was twenty-one and he had all the reasons to become one when he was younger. He wouldn't let his godson start earlier then he did, especially when he was still only a child, barely a teen.
"Raise your hand if you personally know or are related to someone who is an Animagi." Professor McGonagall said after giving them the usual age for someone to become one.
Only a few raised their hands, Teddy among them. Rather it was because they were distracted or only three of them knew an Animagi, Teddy didn't know. "Mr. Finnigan, who and how old were they when started?"
"A friend of my mum. He's an auror and he started when he was thirty one and finished when he was thirty six, I think."
Professor McGonagall nodded and moved to another student, then another. Until she reached Teddy. He didn't know what to say. He couldn't say his godfather was one. There would have been no record of it. On the other hand, the students that gone before him said those they know started in the upper twenties to lower thirties. Sirius Black, who Teddy is related to from his mother side, was only in his second year when he started along with Uncle Harry's father, James Potter. Would saying that bring too much attention to them?
Teddy decided to be truthful but vague. "My grandmother's cousin became one. I heard he started very young, younger than thirty, I'm sure. He finished four years later…I think."
"As you can tell, those who begin their Animagi transformation are usually…" Professor McGonagall started to lecture.
Besides that brief moment of class vague participation, the class was mostly dead. Those who were in Divination still had their minds in that class, which was most of the class. They kept stealing glances at Young Harry. Professor McGonagall continued the lesson, but Teddy noticed the lack of class enthusiasm was noted. She used herself in the demonstration on Animagi, turning into a cat then back. No one clapped or awed. Finally, the Professor snapped.
"Really, what has got into you all today? Not that it matters, but that's the first time my transformation's not got applause from a class."
Most of the class turned towards Young Harry, but no one spoke.
Teddy was once again just a silent observer as Hermione finally spoke up. "Please, Professor, we've just had our first Divination class, and we were reading tea leaves, and…"
"Ah, of course." Professor McGonagall frowned. "There is no need to say any more, Ms. Granger. Tell me, which of you will be dying this year?"
"Me." Young Harry said, quietly.
Teddy turned his attention away from Professor McGonagall. He heard all of her ill talk about Divination before. Every time Harry brought up the prophesy, she would go off saying Divination was the most 'imprecise' branches of magic and how she didn't believe everything that happened, happened because of a single prophesy. If less people believed in prophesy then the less likely to have a prophesy told. Prophesies are only around for those who believed in them...which, unluckily for Harry, Voldemort was one of those people.
"You look in excellent health to me, Potter, so you will excuse me if I don't let you off homework today. I assure you that if you die, you need not hand it in." Professor McGonagall's voice brought Teddy back to the present.
A few people chuckled including Teddy. He looked back and noticed his young uncle looked a bit more relieved now, just a bit.
At lunch, Teddy made sure to sit close to Young Harry. He kept one eye for the owl his Uncle said would come and an ear on Young Harry's conversation. They were talking about their morning class. Picking up his courage, Teddy turned to him. "How was it discovered that you were going to kick the bucket? Just out of curiosity of course."
"Kick the bucket? Who said anything about kicking a bucket?" Ron asked.
Teddy cracked a shy smile and Hermione and Young Harry laughed. "Kick the bucket is another way of saying die." Hermione explained. "It's even a popular wizard phrase, Ronald." She added, rolling her eyes.
Ron scowled. "I knew that."
"A tea cup apparently told me. It showed a Grim." Young Harry explained to him.
"A Grim?" Teddy said, faking his naïve knowledge on the subject. "Like a grim reaper, skeleton guy in long black robes carrying a long scythe?" he asked, ignoring Ron's questioning look. He, of course, never heard of the muggle version of the grim reaper.
Young Harry shook his head. "No, a very large, skinny black dog."
Teddy laughed. "How do you know it was a Grim? It could have just been just a starving black dog." Young Harry opened his mouth to respond, but Teddy beat him to it. "It happened to my godfather once when he was around my…well, our…age. At the end of that year, he found a stray dog. It looked like the Grim, but it was just a starved dog. Uncle Harry took him in and called him Snuff." He lied about the name. "Snuff died two years later, but Harry was glad to have known him. He saw a 'Grim' in his tea cup, but ended up with a loyal companion."
"There you have it, then." Hermione said in a superior tone. She smiled at Teddy. "Thanks, Teddy." She turned back to her two friends. "The black dog you saw in your tea cup was not a death omen. And Harry's still with us because he's not stupid enough to see one and think, right, well, I'd better kick the bucket then!"
An owl flew into the Great Hall, distracting their conversation. It flew over to his godfather and Teddy knew what it was. He watched as his Uncle read it. He stood up so quickly that his chair fell over, catching the attention from half of the student body. He didn't bother to pick it up. He rushed over to Professor Dumbledore and whispered hurriedly to him. Dumbledore nodded at him and whispered back. Teddy watched, amazed at his Uncle's acting. He didn't know his Uncle can act that well. Harry nodded his head then quickly walked over to the Gryffindor table. He stopped right behind Teddy. "Let's go. Something urgent came up at home. Al is in the hospital."
Confused, Teddy got up and was rushed out of the Great Hall. He thought Harry didn't want him to miss any classes?
Once they got to Harry's personal quarters, Teddy asked. "I thought I wasn't going with you."
Harry sighed. "You weren't going to." He pulled out a suitcase and began to put random clothes into it. It was not like he needed them. They'll be back by dinner, saying his wife over exaggerated and Al only got a broken bone and a few scratches and bruises. "But the Headmaster asked if I was bringing you along since Al is something like a brother to you. He said you would want to be there if he dies. Of course, the Headmaster didn't use those exact words."
Teddy nodded. "If he really was dying in the hospital, then, yes, I would want you to bring me without someone reminding you that you should. Should I go pack?"
Harry shook his head. "If anyone asks, just say you had stuff at your Aunt's house. Come on." He said, heading to the fireplace.
Teddy followed him. "Where exactly are we going?"
"Where'd you want to go?"
"The Grimmauld Place? Please?" Teddy begged. "It's not like anyone would be there or will be there this year. I just want to see what it was like before the major clean up."
Harry sighed. "It's not pretty, Teddy. House elves head mounted on the wall, a screaming annoying portrait and a grumpy old house elf, who still loves his mistress. Not to mention it's dark and dusty and full of boggarts." He shook his head. "You don't want to go there."
"Please, Uncle Harry. I want to see what it's like." Teddy said.
Harry sighed again, this time caving in. "Alright. Only if the house still accepts me as the master of the house. I don't want that old house elf running to Mrs. Malfoy of our visit or anything. That would just cause us some trouble. And we're not spending the rest of the day there. Where else do you want to go?"
"Can we take a walk in the Forbidden Forest?"
"What is it with you wanting to go to dark places we really shouldn't be going to?" Harry tried to ask seriously, but there was a hint of a grin on his face.
Teddy shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe it's the wolf trait I got from my father." He said with a sparkle in his eyes. He grinned up at him. "You know werewolves are dark creatures, they like to think dark thoughts." He joked.
"Now I know who to blame."
Teddy suddenly grinned mischievously. "I dare you to tell him that."
Harry threw the floo powder into the fireplace. "The Leaky Cauldron." He turned back to him as the fire turned green. "Tell Remus I blame him for you dark thoughts? I can't do that. It would reveal too much."
"Then don't tell him what you blame him for. Just say you blame him." Teddy was still grinning. For the most part, he just wanted to see his father's reaction to Harry randomly blaming him for something he didn't...nor couldn't...understand.
Harry rolled his eyes and laughed before stepping into the fireplace. He disappeared in the green fire and Teddy quickly followed.
The house really looked dark and dreary. Teddy grimaced. Back in the future the house was cheerful and bright. He could never imagine it being dark and dreary, but now he was seeing it with his own eyes. Looking at it now made him second think his decision to see the inside. He backed up against his godfather.
"You want to turn back?" Harry asked him, amused.
Teddy may be reasonable and intelligent, but he was still a Gryffindor. So, it was no surprise when he said, "No."
Harry can tell he was a little reluctant to ruin his image of their future warm and cozy home by entering the cold and dark building. He placed his hands on his godson's shoulders. "You know what? I have another idea, a much better idea. You'll like it. Trust me."
Teddy looked up at him. "What do you have in mind?"
Harry smiled with a glint in his eyes. "It's a surprise. Hold on while I apparate us there."
Review please..they are always welcomed!