Chapter 8

He could tell it was Hogsmead weekend. As he stood at the outskirts of the forest he can see the students lined up to go. They were getting into the carriages talking with their friends. He remembered clearly doing the same thing with his three great friends, laughing and joking around without a care in the world, going to the Three Broomsticks with a date on each arm. He watched the students for a moment, relishing in the feeling of a happy memory, non-tinted by the Dementors. He shook himself out of his memory. He needed to focus, not get lost on memory line. This was his chance to grab food. Lots of students meant discarded food to eat. It would certainly be a lot better than eating rats. Harry should be in Hogsmead as well. It would be his second chance to see him. Plus, Harry would be with his Weasley friend, which meant Pettigrew, the rat, would most likely be there. It would be his chance to kill him, his chance for revenge. Hoping for the best, the big black dog that went by the name of Sirius Black ran into the forest to go the long away into the small magically town of Hogsmead.


Hogsmead was the same during this time period as it was in his time, the same shops and streets. There were only a few differences. As Teddy walked through the streets, he paid attention to the colors of the buildings and the sizes. Since the war they had to repair some of the buildings. Colors were changed and extensions were done. It was amazing to see how they were originally built.

He made his way to the Shrieking Shack, dodging pass the other students. Once he finally reached the cliff that overlooked the building, Teddy leaned against the fence and stared at the ruin little shack a few distances away. Every time he went to Hogsmead, he would spend time here. To make sure he didn't forget to visit the Shack, Teddy would go straight here. His Uncle Harry would encourage him to spend time here, would even let him spend some alone time here while he waited in the Three Broomsticks. It was the first place he would go and that wouldn't change just because he in was in a different time period. As a student, this was where his father went to change on a full moon. Being here helped Teddy feel close to his late father. The Shack was just another connection to his father. That was all he had, connections, but what he wanted was memories and not just connections. Now, he would be able to have both.

In this age the Shrieking Shack was thought to be haunted, but in the future everyone knew what had happened there. They had put up a small monument right were Teddy was standing to honor, not only his father, but Professor Severus Snape as well. It told of the Shacks history, from when and why it was built to Professor Snape's death.

The rustle of leaves of a nearby bush startled him out of his thoughts. He turned just in time to see a big black dog diving back into the bushes. Sirius Black!

"Wait!" Teddy shouted before thinking. Was it really who he thought it was? To his surprise, the dog poked his head out of the bushes. He stared at Teddy with such intense human eyes. It would have freaked Teddy out if he didn't already suspect it was Sirius Black.

He knelt on the ground. "Come here, boy." The dog eyed him untrustingly. Teddy inched forward by just a hair. "Come on, boy. I won't hurt you. I promise." There was still no response from the dog. Teddy sighed sadly. "Please. I'm feeling a big lonely. I could use the company. Please." Sirius hesitated, but moved out of the bushes. He crawled on his stomach towards Teddy very cautiously.

Soon Sirius was in reach. Teddy held out his hand and slowly reached out. He waited for Sirius to make the move to touch his hand, to trust him. The dog brought his head up until Teddy's hand brushed his fur. Teddy smiled at him as he petted the soft fur.

Sirius sniffed his hand as he petted his snout, getting his scent. Teddy became worried. Would he realize Teddy was somehow related to his old friend Remus? Or worst, realize Teddy was Remus' son? Harry wouldn't be happy if it was so. They weren't supposed to change anything or get involved with the whole Sirius Black thing. That wasn't their mission. They were just supposed to get in, find the kid, and get out. Not telling anyone who they were. He quickly jerked his hand away. Sirius tilted his head to the side, like he was confused, but he didn't move away.

"You look hungry, boy." Teddy said, trying to get Sirius's mind off of his scent. "Stay put." He stood up. "I'll be right back." Teddy gave Sirius one last pat on the head. "I promise boy." He said before heading off towards town.

Ten to fifteen minutes later, he came back with a bottle of butterbeer and a hot fresh piece of bread and a cooked chicken breast. But when he got back, Sirius was not there. Teddy looked around the area but couldn't find him. Disappointed, he set down the food and bottle. "Here, boy!" There was no response. "It's just me. Come one boy! I got food." Sirius didn't come back out. Teddy knelt on the ground next to the food and sighed sadly. Maybe it was for the best. He was told many times not to get involved, even reminded Uncle Harry not too.

Suddenly, the bushes rustled again and Sirius' nose poked out. Teddy smiled as he watched the dog sniff the air, smelling the hot food. He crawled closer. He barked, sounding excited. His tail wagged quickly and his tongue dangled out of his mouth. Teddy laughed at his excitement. He pushed the food towards the dog, letting him know it was his. "For you."

Sirius began with the bread. He ate it like he never had it before, quickly and efficiently, not leaving a single crumb behind. He then jumped straight to the meat. After the food was gone from the plate, Teddy poured some of the butterbeer on it and watched as Sirius lapped it up with his tongue.

Teddy petted his head as he drank. "I'll call you…Night. You look half dead, Night. Wish I can take you in, but my Uncle Harry would not be pleased." And it would completely mess up the timeline, if Sirius stayed inside Hogwarts. He would have had better access to Wormtail. Teddy couldn't change the future anymore then their presence already had.

By then the food and butterbeer was gone. "You still look hungry." Teddy noted. "I wish I had more money to get more food for you. Sorry, Night. I didn't bring much with me too Hogsmead. My godfather keeps track of the money." He petted behind the dogs ears.

A sudden laughter from somewhere close by startled them. Sirius dove back into the bush and disappeared from sight. Teddy waiting a few minutes for someone to show up, but when no one did he called out for Sirius. "Night. There's no one there. It's safe to come back out! Night!" But Sirius didn't reappear. Dishearten, but knowing it was for the best, Teddy left to go check out the rest of the town.


That night the feast was just as good as he remembered it back in his time. The Great Hall was decorated to fit the Halloween theme of pumpkins and bats. There were orange streamers coming from the ceiling. Everyone was laughing and joking with one another. Teddy would glance at the Head Table at his godfather a few times. Halloween was never Harry's favorite holiday, not since he learned it was the day his parents died and, on this particular day, Sirius was suppose to try and get into the Gryffindor common room. He must be doing that right now, come to think of it. Teddy was half attempted to go check, but held his ground.

His Uncle Harry seemed to be doing fine, though. He talked cheerfully with Remus, trying to keep his holiday sprits up as well. For this was the day he lost four friends, it must have been rough for him. Teddy looked closely at his father. As a matter of fact, Remus seemed to be putting on a cheerful face as well, too cheerful. Teddy looked down at his plate. No doubt he was acting just as much as Harry was.

The entertainment that night wasn't something Teddy expected. The Hogwarts ghost put on a show for them. Some of the ghost, like Nearly Headless Nick, reenacted their own deaths. It was very entertaining, though, understandably, not something Teddy would have liked to watch while he was trying to eat. Watching a ghost take his head off and have it roll around on the table wasn't something that got Teddy in the mood to finish his meal, especially since the head happened to have rolled over his plate.

As pleasant as the evening was, Teddy was glad to leave the Great Hall. He purposely tried to stay up front of the other Gryffindors. He wanted to see what Sirius Black did to the portrait. The Gryffindors chatted as they walked down the corridor with the Fat Lady portrait at the end. Teddy didn't participate with the chatter. He hadn't really acquired any friends to talk to yet.

There was a hushed silence from the first students at the portrait, Teddy among them. He was surprise at the amount of damaged done. The Fat Lady wasn't anywhere in sight. The portrait itself was in ruins. Slashed up in pieces. There were pieces of the canvas on the floor.

"Let me through, please!" He heard the Head Boy, Percy Weasley yell somewhere in the back. "What's the holdup, here? You can't all have forgotten the password. Excuse me, I'm Head Boy!" Percy pushed Teddy off to the side so he can get through. When he saw the portrait, he gasped. He stared for only a moment before yelling, "Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick!" His eyes never left the portrait.

A few minutes later, the students started to move as close to the walls as possible to let the headmaster of the school through to see the messed up portrait. Along with the Headmaster were Professor McGonagall, Remus, Harry, and Professor Snape. Professor Dumbledore took one look at the canvas before turning towards his professors. "We need to find her. Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady."

The infamous poltergeist, Peeves, bobbed over the crowd. "You'll be lucky!" He said with his usual cackling voice.

"What do you mean, Peeves?" Dumbledore asked calmly. Peeves grinned faded. He wouldn't dare mess with the Headmaster.

"Ashamed, You Headship, sir. Doesn't want to be seen She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the tress. Crying something dreadful. Poor thing!" He said happily, not at all sounding like he cared for her comfort.

"Did she say who did it?" Professor Dumbledore asked quietly.

"Oh yes, Professorhead. He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see." Peeves spun in the air. "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

There was a gasp from the crowd. Students looked around them fearfully, like Sirius Black would pop out at them at any moment. Harry and Teddy shared a knowing look before Harry turned to Professor Dumbledore. "Headmaster, what are we going to do with the Gryffindors?"

Professor Dumbledore scanned the frighten children before settling his eyes on Harry. "Take them back to the Great Hall. Severus, go get your Slytherins and send them to the Great Hall as well. Minerva, have Filius and Pomona send their students there as well. Meet me in the Great Hall in ten minutes."


Ten minutes later all the students were inside the Great Hall, some confused, some frightened. All the teachers were by the doors talking quietly to themselves. A moment later several of the professors left the Great Hall and Professor Dumbledore stepped over to the students.

"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle. I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge." He turned to the Head Boy and Girl. "Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately. Send word with one of the ghosts." He turned to leave, but stopped as if he remembered something. "Oh, yes, you'll be needing…" He waved his wand twice. Once to make the tables stand against the walls and another to make sleeping bags appear. "Sleep well." Professor Dumbledore closed the halls doors behind him.

Everyone seemed to be talking at once, but Teddy didn't join in. He didn't need to. He knew how Sirius Black got into the castle and he knew who he was after. Instead, he pulled out his writing pad and began writing.

"Everyone into their sleeping bags!" Percy shouted. "Come on, now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!"

Teddy laid down in his sleeping bag, front facing down with his writing pad on his pillow. He blocked out all the conversations and focused on his journal before turning to the novel he was writing to himself. No one has ever read what he written before and he planned to keep it that way. His writing was something private and personal to him. It was the one thing he never shared with anyone, not even his godfather.

"Lights are going out now!" the Head Boy shouted. "I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!"

Teddy sighed loudly when all the candles went out at once. He was in the middle of a sentence! But he now couldn't see. With no light to see by, Teddy was forced to put his writing pad away, hiding it beneath his pillow. He prepared himself for a very long night. It was hard enough falling asleep on a nice comfortable bed, sleeping on the hard floor was just nearly impossible.

Hours passed and after each hour a teacher would come in. It was about one or two o'clock in the morning when Harry came in. He went straight to where Teddy was 'sleeping'. Seeing his godfather approach, Teddy sat up on his elbows. Harry knelt down in front of his sleeping bag.

"Any news?" Teddy whispered. "Did they find him?" He couldn't help but worry. He seemed to always worry that them coming here changed something too much.

Harry shook his head. "No sign of him. He must have left right after destroying the portrait. How are you?" He asked, talking about his inability to sleep; his insomnia.

Teddy rolled his eyes. "I'm laying on a hard floor, Uncle Harry. I'm not going to get any sleep tonight."

Harry gave him a humorless grin. "I figured as much. Here, I got you this." He pulled out a potion vial. "It's a sleeping potion."

Teddy took it, but gave his godfather a look. "Harry, I can't take this now! It's nearly two thirty in the morning! If I take this now, I won't wake up in time for breakfast or my first lesson."

Harry chuckled quietly. "I know, Teddy, I'm not completely clueless; no matter what Professor Snape says. Trust me I know a thing or two about sleeping potions. Take it tomorrow night. That way you would be able to get a full nights rest tomorrow."

Teddy nodded. "Thanks, Uncle Harry."

"At least pretend you're sleeping." Harry whispered before standing up.

"I will."

Harry left the Great Hall, with the intent of looking around the castle again. Around three in the morning, Teddy saw Professor Dumbledore come. He walked over to Percy and they started whispering to each other. Teddy was too far away to hear anything, though. Soon, Professor Snape joined them. He watched them, having nothing better to do. Shortly afterwards, Professor Dumbledore left, soon followed by Professor Snape. Teddy sighed and rolled onto his back, staring at the enchanted ceiling of the stars. For the rest of the night, Teddy looked for the star constellations, naming them and retelling the stories behind them in his mind to pass the time.


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Anyone interested in my story "The Unknown Son"..or would you like me to post it and hope someone would adopt it