I know, I'm a horrible human being! I should've updated sooner but college life was taking its toll and there was just so much work to do and... I'm sorry. Anyway, I'm here now and will try my best to quickly deliver new chapters :) thank you for your continued support and I would love to hear more thoughts. Bg.97 xx

Teddy Says Stop (June 2012)

Since coming to Hogwarts, Teddy had made various friends, and quite a few of them seemed to be extremely... Gryffindor. They were boisterous, loud and had a tendency to say what was on their mind. Here he was, coming towards the end of his 3rd year as he sat with them. Today he was sat with 3 of his closest friends- Ridley, Joe, and Jacoby. They were often pointed out by teachers as being similar to the Marauders, and Teddy took great pride in being like his father. From the stories that his Godfather had told him, it was evident that they were neither as smart nor as mischievous as their predecessors, but the comparison was often made due to their brotherly closeness. That's what they were to Teddy really: brothers. He'd spent most of his time growing up either with just his grandmother, or the hordes of Weasley-Potter children, so the idea of brothers really appealed to him; especially when he first started Hogwarts.

Ridley was the James of the group. He was brash, loud and exceedingly confident. However, he was good hearted beneath it, always looking out for the younger kids when they got a bit lost.

Jacoby was like Sirius through and through. He loved a good joke and preferred being in the spotlight compared to any place else. He had stunning blue eyes and bronze coloured hair, so he was a winner with the girls too. Everyone appreciated his humour, even if it distracted them from their work- even teachers would laugh!

Teddy was his father's role in the group. 'The Smart One'. He was known for being the mediator when things got heated between any students, and the rumours flew round that McGonagall was already eyeing him for the prefect spot in fifth year. He was focused on his studies and was determined to achieve.

This left Joe to be Peter. A fact that was often disputed by anyone who met him. He was just unfortunate enough not to fit the character description of the other three marauders. Joe was smart, extremely so, but would try and tone it down. He was quietly confident and although he could be a bit of an arse, all his friends knew that he could never rat on them.

Today was a beautiful day and the boys had made their way down to the large area of grass between the lake and the Battle of Hogwarts memorial monument. They were discussing everything from girls to food to Quidditch.

"So, Jacoby, I hear you convinced Lana Seaton to accompany you to Hogsmeade," stated Ridley.

Jacoby shrugged, "There was little convincing to be done, to be honest." This made the other boys smirk and chuckle. Joe then gave his rather crude thoughts on the matter of the beautiful Ravenclaw in question. Teddy sat to the side, enjoying his book; he preferred to observe rather than participate.

"What about you, Ted? Any girl caught your eye?" His bright blue eyes (as they were today) quickly looked up at his friends who were waiting for a response. Teddy laughed.

"It's me! Do you honestly think I'd be getting any girls?"

"Of course! You can change your appearance at will for Merlin's sake!" was Joe's comment.

"And that little blonde first year is definitely a bit attached to you," added Ridley. The mention of Victoire made Teddy wince.

"That's not fair; you know that Tor is my friend. We grew up together." And with that he went back to reading his book and ignoring them.

"Looks like Edward isn't in the mood for our petty mockery today boys, we'll have to find a new target. Ooh, she looks promising." The others turned to wear Jacoby was pointing, and began to snigger.

Helga Jenkins was short, chubby, awkward, and as her name inconveniently reminded her classmates, she was a Hufflepuff. Her hair was a dirty blonde, and seemed to always look as if she'd been for a run (though her body suggested the opposite).

Ridley cleared his throat, stood up and sauntered over to the tree where she sat; Joe and Jacoby following suit.

"Oi! Helly Jelly. What you up to?"

Helga looked up at Ridley towering over her then back at her feet, to which she muttered a reply.

Joe crossed his arms and tutted. "You're going to have to speak louder than that to get heard, Helga."

Helga cleared her throat, and whilst trying to conceal her nerves, muttered, "I'm writing a letter."

The three Gryffindors simultaneously 'Oooh' ed at her. "Who to- your boyfriend?"

"Don't be ridiculous Jake; Helly Jelly and her belly couldn't get a boyfriend!"

Teddy could hear the comments getting harsher as he listened.

"You don't have to get involved, Teddy. You've never liked confrontation. And these are your friends, it's in jest."

But the more he thought, the more he realised the inevitability of what happened next. Teddy stood up, went over to the group, and hexed his closest friends so that they lay on the ground.

"I'm so sorry Helga. They were being right prats to you. Nobody deserves that, especially someone as kind hearted as you."

Then before she could reply, and the boys could retaliate, Teddy ran. He legged it to the nearest corridor and planted himself on the floor; both shocked and amazed as his courage.

"Ahem." Teddy heard a voice clear near him and he looked up to see that the portrait of the late Professor Snape was staring directly at him.

Unlike the other portraits of past headmasters, Snape's was placed in the place closest to the memorial, at the request of none other than Harry Potter.

Teddy forced a smile and spoke to the painting, "Headmaster Snape. Am I right?"

Snape nodded, "And you're the Lupin boy, I believe." Teddy nodded back.

"I just wanted to say that I saw what happened out there and I saw what you did. It was very... unlike your father."

Teddy was taken aback. "That's rare, I'm forever being told the opposite."

"Well I've been in the position of that poor girl, and your father was like you were at first. Sat to the side, ignoring the situation. He didn't get up; but you did. That makes you brave. Well, to me at least."

Teddy couldn't believe the words going in his ears- the mention of his father, the compliment of his bravery. It was the last thing he expected to hear from a man he had heard to be on bad terms with his father. Once he recovered, Teddy smiled at the painting. "Not as brave as you. My Godfather says you're the bravest man he ever knew."

"And who might this Godfather of yours be?"

"Why, Harry Potter of course."

Now it was Snape's turn to be shocked. "I never thought he'd be fond enough of me to say that."

"Oh believe me, he is. He even named one of his kids after you. Albus Severus Potter. You'll meet him eventually."

Teddy knew it couldn't be true, considering everything he had heard, but he thought he saw the faint trace of a smile on Snape's lips.

Teddy stayed there for hours talking out his problems, and soon forgot about his friend's cruelness. It became such that he always went to see Snape when he wanted to talk. Because on that day he realised that although he was proud to be like his Dad, he should also be proud of the times he's not.

There we go. I hope that nobody hated the Snape portrait idea too much; I was rather fond of it. I won't know your opinions unless you review! ;) Hope that made up for the late update! Chapter 13- Hugo and Science will be up next. Oh, an and although it's completely irrelevant, I wanted to tell everyone that I saw Taylor Swift live at the O2 in London last Tuesday and she was AMAZING! :D you may continue with your life now ;) Bg.97 xx