Chapter Twenty-Nine: Closure (Always)
The Hufflepuff Common Room was always bustling. Always. There was always a group of people studying, another group gossiping, another playing Wizard chess. One of the defining qualities of Hufflepuff was that desire to be surrounded by others, to interact with others.
It was mid-afternoon when Teddy and Alfie re-entered the Common Room, and Teddy immediately noticed the difference in the atmosphere. It was heavy, dark, almost as if everyone in it was carrying the weight of the world on his or her shoulders. Almost every single member of the house was present – minus the members of the Quidditch team, who were still at a debriefing—and they were all silent.
Teddy and Alfie sat down on the floor next to Matilda, who greeted them with a halfhearted smile. Teddy was relieved to find that Daisy Shipkins wasn't with her; instead, the redhead was standing near the opposite side, glued to her sister. Great, he thought to himself. He knew that Laura and Daisy would take any opportunity to complain about Bella, and they were sure to capitalize upon this one.
His eyes landed on Ralph, who was standing in a corner with a few of the other seventh-years. He was looking in the other direction, his eyes fixed on a tiny blemish in the otherwise immaculate wood paneling, but every now and then, he would flick his eyes towards Teddy. It gave Teddy the shivers. Ralph wasn't planning anything more, was he?
He hoped not. Ralph had pretty much left him alone since the memorial service, and as Teddy had held up his side of their agreement, he hoped it would continue that way. Although, he had to admit, he was curious. Despite all the trouble that he had had with Ralph, he was still completely clueless as to his motives. What had Ralph really wanted the book for? Was it for those fearful spells that Hagrid had told him about? And what could he possibly want to do with those spells? None of it really made sense.
His thoughts were diverted, however, when Macey Longstone walked into the room, the rest of the team trailing behind her.
A murmur went up across the room. Teddy watched them as they took their places in front of the house, as they usually did when Macey delivered her Quidditch updates. He couldn't help but notice the stark difference in the way they were carrying themselves: usually, the team was the image of confidence, of grandeur, of power. Today, they just looked tired and defeated, and yet prepared to take the heat that they were sure was coming. Teddy couldn't help but feel bad for them.
"Look at Bella," Alfie whispered.
Bella Watson stood at the end of the line, slightly behind the rest of the team, as if she was trying to hide. She was standing very straight, as if she was getting her height taken, and was holding her chin up with what was very clearly forced pride. Her bright blue eyes were staring ahead; she was trying not to look at anyone.
Teddy's heart went out to her. He knew that it was technically her fault that they'd lost the match, but accidents happened. Surely people wouldn't blame her for losing the cup, would they? They'd understand, right?
"Hufflepuffs," Macey began. Even her voice was ragged, and had a rough edge to it. He wondered if she'd been crying. "Today, as you know, we lost the Quidditch match against Slytherin. This means that we've lost the Quidditch Cup. We're still in second place—thank goodness—"
"But we haven't won the Cup." An icy voice cut through the room and Teddy immediately knew who was speaking. Laura Shipkins.
"Yes, Laura, but—"
"Oh for Merlin's sake, Macey, try and sugarcoat it as much as you want, but that doesn't change the truth. We've lost the bloody Cup."
"Watch your language, Laura," Macey warned. "There are children here."
"And even the children can see that we've lost the Cup!"
Macey had a strained expression. Teddy didn't blame her—even a saint would have trouble dealing with Laura Shipkins when she was on a rant. "Laura, I understand that you're upset. We all are. It's a terrible thing to happen, but everyone makes mistakes. Accidents happen. There's nothing we could've done."
"There's nothing you could've done, maybe," Laura said, sticking her chin into the air. "You and the rest of the team worked really hard, and we would've won if it wasn't for her." She glared at Bella, who looked as if she was fighting back tears.
"Laura—" Macey began, but Bella stepped up.
"It's okay, Macey, let me explain." She forced a smile. "I'm sorry about what happened, guys, I really am. If I'd been paying more attention to my surroundings, I wouldn't have dropped the Snitch. So, I understand why you're all blaming me. It really is my fault."
"Bella, no, it's not."
"Yes, it is, Macey." She turned towards the team. "You guys played brilliantly today, better than you have all year, and I let you down. I'm really sorry. But at least we still have next year."
"You may still have next year," Laura said scathingly. "But not everyone does. What about all the seventh-years? I'm sure they'd have loved to win the Cup? Honestly, Bella, stop being so self-centered!"
"I—" Bella opened her mouth to defend herself, but Laura was far too quick for her.
"You disgust me," she spat. "I don't even want to listen to your pathetic excuses anymore. Come on, Daisy."
With that, she spun on her heel and stalked off into one of the tunnels. Daisy dutifully followed her older sister, sending the first-years cursory glances to gauge their reactions. Teddy made it a point to look as disgusted with Laura as he possibly could.
There was an awkward silence in the Common Room as everyone watched Laura go. No one seemed to know what to say, or what to do. Macey looked slack-jawed and Bella seemed to be on the verge of tears. Everyone was frozen; it was as if they were in a state of suspended animation, caught in that single second.
And then, movement resumed. Slowly, several of the other fifth-years got up and followed Laura out. Many of the seventh-years—including Ralph— did the same, glaring at Bella as they made their way back to their dormitories, until Kyle Worth was the only one of them still standing; he was admirably showing solidarity for his teammate.
It was too much for Bella. She'd tried so hard to maintain a strong façade, to pretend like she wasn't fazed by Laura's comments. Now, she broke down in front of the remaining Hufflepuffs, tears streaming down her cheeks and leaving tracks of salt and mascara on her skin. Quick as a flash, she ran out of the Common Room, presumably headed towards one of the bathrooms. Lydia Brennan, Faye Keys and Macey ran after her.
"Should we go too?" Alfie whispered to Teddy.
Teddy bit the inside of his cheek and shook his head. "Nah, Alfie, I don't think so. Bella probably wants to be alone with her teammates right now."
"But she needs to know we don't blame her!"
"You can tell her later."
He had said it dismissively, believing that Alfie wouldn't have the nerve to approach Bella later. Hence, he was quite surprised when Alfie marched up to the Hufflepuff table at dinner, and spoke to Bella. When he came back, he was looking very pleased with himself.
"I told her that she shouldn't blame herself, and that everyone makes mistakes, and that she's one of the best Seekers I've ever seen."
"You haven't actually seen very many Seekers," Ella pointed out.
Teddy ignored her, and smiled at Alfie instead. "Good on you, Alf."
He felt warm inside—it was good to know that his friend was willing to stand up for those he believed in. Once again, he couldn't help but feel immensely grateful for his friends. He didn't know what he would do without them.
.oOo.
Daisy Shipkins spent the next week complaining about Bella whenever she got the chance, but as soon as Matilda came running to tell the first-years that the exam results had been posted, the Quidditch match was entirely forgotten. Ella practically choked on her milk as she jumped out of her seat at the first-year table.
'What are you two waiting for?" she shouted at Teddy and Alfie, who were watching her, a little dumbstruck. "Come on! Come on, come on!"
She grabbed them each by an arm and dragged them out of the Great Hall and towards the first-year noticeboard, where a large group of students had gathered. She wasted no time in pushing past them until the trio found themselves in the very front, trying to bring themselves to look at the board.
Alfie grabbed Teddy's hand and slapped it over his eyes. "I can't do it. What if I've failed everything? What if I have to repeat the year?"
"I'm sure you haven't," Teddy reassured him.
"Don't be silly, Alfie," Ella said, peering up at the board. "Look! You haven't failed anything!"
"Really?" Alfie pushed Teddy's hand away and scanned the results. "Oh my goodness, you're right! Teddy, I didn't fail!"
"Congratulations," Teddy said, enthusiastically. He was still scanning the board for his name, checking near the bottom of each ranked list. When he couldn't find it, he began to look closer to the top until he realized – with quite a start—that not only had he scored within the top five in every subject, he'd come first in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, the only two subjects that Ella hadn't topped.
Ella noticed this at around the same time he did, and rather than being scandalized at having lost out on the position, she let out a little scream and gave him a huge hug. "Merlin, Teddy, well done! If I had to lose to anyone, I'd want it to be you. Oh, I'm so proud!"
"Thanks, Ella," Teddy said, a little embarrassed.
"I'm surprised you didn't beat me in Herbology, actually, I thought I messed that one up, but I've come top, you're second and—" she stopped suddenly.
"What?"
"Alfie!"
"What?"
"Oh, Teddy, Alfie's come third! Alfie, you've come third in Herbology!"
"That's impossible," Alfie said, his mouth dropping open.
"No, it's not, it's right there!" Ella jabbed a finger at the parchment. "You came third!"
Teddy watched as Alfie slowly processed his results. His mouth moved slightly, but no sound came out; it was as if he was in some kind of catatonic shock. Teddy reached out and shook his shoulder slightly. "You okay, Alfie?"
"I can't believe this!" His face broke out into a massive, toothy grin and he hugged Teddy. "I came third in Herbology!"
"Yes, very good," came a drawl from behind them. Michael Goshawk had his arms crossed and was tapping his foot. "Now could you get out of the way so that the rest of us can see our results?"
"No need to be a sour puss," Ella grumbled, pulling Teddy and Alfie away. Yet even Michael couldn't dampen the mood—not too much, at least. "We've done so well!"
"We always do well," Teddy said, elbowing Ella playfully in the stomach. "At everything."
"That we do," she replied with a smile.
Alfie was still looking a little dumbstruck. "You don't think—"
"What, Alfie?"
"Well, you don't think—it's not maybe possible that—well—"
"Spit it out." Ella had no patience for mumbling and stuttering.
"You don't think Professor Longbottom made a mistake, do you?"
Ella stopped walking and stared at Alfie, her massive brown eyes practically burning holes in his skin. "You've got to be kidding me, right? Come on, Alfie, you've achieved something amazing—of course it isn't a mistake!"
"But what if it is?"
"I can assure you it's not." The trio spun around to see Professor Longbottom standing behind them, grinning good-naturedly. "Alfie, you performed very well on your examinations—both the practical and the written. Your marks are very well deserved. I can tell that you studied very hard."
Alfie turned a bright, tomato red. "I had a lot of help from these two," he said, gesturing at Ella and Teddy.
"Yes, but they didn't write the exam for you," Longbottom reminded him. "That was all you. Now, I hate to pull you away from your friends at this happy time, but if you'll come with me for a few moments, I have something for you."
"Okay." Alfie's voice was mixed with excitement and trepidation. He followed Professor Longbottom across the green, turning around to wave at Ella and Teddy, who waved back.
"What do you suppose Longbottom wants?" Ella asked Teddy.
"I don't know," Teddy said, shrugging.
As it turned out, Professor Longbottom had wanted to give Alfie a very special gift: a tiny, potted, pink tree. "He says it's called a Minius Florebit," Alfie explained gleefully to Teddy. "You can't get it in the UK. It's easy to take care of, though, and he wanted me to have it, as a reward for doing so well. He says that taking care of a plant is a big responsibility and that it'll be a good summer project for me."
Teddy couldn't help but feel a little jealous that Professor Longbottom was giving Alfie so much attention, but he mostly shoved those thoughts out of his mind. Alfie was his friend, and the tree very clearly made him happy. He took it around with him everywhere, to the point where Professor Flitwick threatened to throw him out of class if he didn't stop bringing it to class. Although the Minius Florebit stayed in the dormitory during Charms, Alfie was still adamant that he bring it to the End of Year Feast in the Great Hall.
The End of Year Feast was as grand and as sumptuous as the feast after the Sorting. The first-year table had disappeared and Teddy and Alfie sat at the Hufflepuff table, the Minius Florebit wedged between them. Ralph sat at the other end of the long bench, and Teddy was glad to be rid of him. Tomorrow was the Final Sendoff—a special Hogwarts ritual that marked the graduation of the seventh-years. After that, he'd never have to see Ralph again.
Unsurprisingly, Ravenclaw won the House Cup. Hufflepuff managed to scrape second, and while many were thrilled, they also were acutely aware that had Bella not dropped the Snitch, chances were that they'd have won the House Cup as well. Teddy couldn't help but feel slightly guilty too. After all, if he hadn't gone and lost Hufflepuff all those points when he'd been fighting with Terence, they might've just beaten Ravenclaw.
He was very satisfied, though, to hear that Gryffindor had come last. At least Terence wouldn't have anything to gloat about.
The boys didn't get to see Ella after the feast—partly because all the Ravenclaws were celebrating, and partly because Alfie looked as if he was about to be sick—but they did see her the next morning when they gathered by the lake to watch the Final Sendoff. They left their trunks at a designated spot, where they would be taken down to the Express, and huddled together amongst the first-years. Ella was rather flushed and admitted to the boys that she'd had a late night. Apparently, the Ravenclaws had been up all night partying and even though the first-years had been sent up to the dormitories at ten, they hadn't been able to sleep because there had been too much noise.
It was a very lovely day: the sun was high in the sky, sending shimmering rays across the lake. There was a gentle breeze that carried the scent of lavender, rose petals and damp grass from the forest. Professor McGonagall seemed to be enjoying the warmth too: she wasn't wearing her usual, velvet green robes, but rather a lighter, red garment.
The seventh-years lined up by the shore of the lake, each one wearing thin black robes emblazoned with the Hogwarts insignia. Teddy watched as Ralph, standing beside Reed Toldwood and Oliver Randolph, adjusted his robes and turned his head respectfully to listen to McGonagall.
She was an excellent speaker, Teddy noted. She had a way with words, and when she began to talk, everyone stopped to listen. In five short minutes, she had captured the essence of what it was—or, at least, what Teddy figured it was—to leave school and to head out into the wide, open Wizarding world. She even made some wry jokes about the escapades of particular students within the year, although Ralph went completely unmentioned.
"I now invite our seventh-years to step onto the boats," she said, a small, sad smile on her face. "Seven years ago, they came to Hogwarts for the first time on these boats. Now, they shall leave in the same manner."
"That's so nice," Alfie mumbled to Teddy. "A full circle."
Teddy nodded, although he didn't quite agree. It didn't seem like a full circle to him. It would only be one if the seventh-years boarding the boats were the same people that they had been when they entered Hogwarts, and he knew that was impossible. Everybody changed, whether they liked it or not, for the better, or for the worse.
He watched as Ralph got on a boat with Toldwood, Randolph and another boy he didn't recognize. He sat in such a way so that his back was towards Teddy. As they began to float away, he felt a weight lift from his stomach. Ralph was gone.
And then, Ralph, unexpectedly turned around. To any onlooker, it would seem as if Ralph was trying to catch a last glimpse of his beloved school, watching as it faded into the distance. But Teddy knew better.
Ralph's eyes met his, and Teddy felt a chill run down his spine.
What if it's not over?
"I'm going to run up and do a final check of the dorm," Alfie told him, oblivious to his discomfort. "Ella's going to. You want to come?"
"Nah." Teddy shook his head. "I'll stay here. It's nice outside. Meet me back here." He wanted to be sure that Ralph really was gone before he took his eyes off the boat. Ella and Alfie didn't seem to realize this as he walked away, and he was glad. He didn't feel like talking to them about Ralph.
Almost as if he had read Teddy's mind, Andrew Averdeen came up to him and whispered in his ear, so low that no one else could hear him. "You do know it isn't over, right?"
Teddy, taken completely off guard, spun around, his eyes wide. When he saw Andrew, he was quick to remove any sign of fear from his face; he didn't want him thinking that he had some kind of upper hand. The Slytherin boy smiled at him, though there was malice hidden behind the façade.
"Oh, come on, Lupin, you didn't really think that Ralph would leave you alone?" There was a glint in his eye. "Ralph doesn't like being disrespected, and you've done just that. He's plotting his revenge."
"How do you know?" Teddy said, trying to sound confident. "I bet he doesn't tell you anything."
His words, unfortunately, didn't seem to faze Andrew; instead, his smile widened. "Lupin, you really are naïve, aren't you?"
Teddy saw an opening and took it. "Yes," he lied. "I suppose I am. I don't even know what Ralph wanted the book for."
Andrew seemed to enjoy having a perceived upper hand, knowing something that Teddy didn't. "I thought you'd have caught on by now. I'm sure you and those little friends of yours tried to find out what's in the book. I bet you even read it."
"I didn't. I have no idea what's in it, and I'm not sure I want to know."
Andrew leaned forward so that his lips were only centimetres away from Teddy's ear. His proximity made Teddy shudder with nervousness, trepidation and fear. "Sanguine puram aut infamia incidit." He pulled away slightly. "Do you know what that means?"
Teddy shook his head.
"Of course you wouldn't, although, if you ask your grandmother, I'm sure she would. It's an old Latin saying in the Wizarding world. It means that the blood must stay pure, or else disgrace falls upon us."
Teddy felt a chill run through him. He'd suspected that this was what Ralph had wanted the book for, but he hadn't wanted it to be true. "So, that's what you believe in, then? Blood purity?"
Andrew shrugged. "It's an important cause for all of us. Ralph especially. He always says that he was born in the wrong time, that if he was around a few years earlier, he'd have supported the Purist movement."
"Good thing it's long gone then."
"Ah," Andrew said with a wicked smile. "Is it really gone? Or can it be brought back?"
"Is that what you wanted the book for then?" Teddy pressed. "To revive blood purity?"
Andrew shrugged again. His nonchalance infuriated Teddy; he just wanted to grab his shoulders and shake them until Andrew gave him the answers that he wanted, that he believed he deserved. "Maybe. Maybe not." He paused and then said, "I think our time here is up. The carriages will be leaving soon."
"One more thing," Teddy said, trying to make his voice sound sharp and demanding. "If you believe in blood purity, then why did you get a half-breed to get the book for you?"
"I was hoping you'd ask." Andrew met his gaze levelly, the evil glint still in his eyes. "There's another Latin saying. This one means that those with impure blood may only serve."
And with those final words, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Teddy all alone.
.oOo.
Andrew's words did not leave him the entire trip home. Ella had bought out the snack tray again, and she and Alfie were feasting on all sorts of snacks, but he just didn't feel hungry. Ralph had wanted to revive the blood purity movement, the same movement that Voldemort had led so many years ago, the one that had led to his parents' death. And he had all those spells, the ones that Hagrid said could invoke mass fear into the Wizarding population.
He felt guilty, so guilty for what he had done, but he knew that now, there was nothing he could do.
It was as if Alfie had read his mind, for he placed his hand on Teddy's shoulder and smiled sympathetically. "Hey. You okay?"
"I guess."
"No, you're not." Ella pushed her glasses up her nose. "You're unusually quiet, you're not eating—which is weird, because you've got the appetite of two horses—and your hair keeps changing colour every five minutes."
"What?" Teddy's hand flew to his hair. Normally, he could sense when his hair was changing colour, but when he pulled a few strands down to his eyeline, he noticed that it was a dull grey rather than its usual bright turquoise. "I didn't even notice."
"Because your mind is occupied. Spill."
Teddy sighed, and told them what Andrew had said. When he was done, Alfie looked terrified, but Ella only looked thoughtful. "You know, I think he's just trying to scare you. Ralph said he'd leave you alone, right? As long as you didn't tell anyone what he did. There's no reason why he wouldn't keep his word, and he's graduated Hogwarts now—he can't do anything to you."
"But what about what Andrew said—about reviving the Pureblood movement?"
Ella snorted. "That's not going to work, Teddy. Tell me one thing: do you not think the Auror team is more than capable of snuffing out threats to the Wizarding population? How many times, in the last eleven years, do you think that people have tried to bring the movement back? And it isn't back! I don't think a seventeen-year-old boy will be able to best them."
For once, Ella's logic was reassuring. Teddy spent a few moments mulling over her words and decided that she was right; everything she had said about the Aurors and previous attempts to bring back the movement rang true. Who was to say that Ralph would be any more successful than those who came before him?
"Now stop worrying—both of you, Alfie, I can see that expression on your face—and eat your chocolate frogs."
.oOo.
The scarlet Hogwarts Express pulled into King's Cross Station, screeching to a stop on the rails. Teddy watched it slow from the window, his eyes scanning the crowds of people for his grandmother. He found her standing not far from the exit from the train, with a beautiful blonde woman—Aunty Fleur—and Victoire, who was practically jumping up and down with excitement.
When he came out, Victoire barreled into him and hugged him with so much force that he almost fell over. "Teddy!" she exclaimed. "I missed you!"
Daisy Shipkins, who was standing right behind Teddy, looked at Victoire with a mixture of amusement, confusion and green-eyed envy. "That your girlfriend, then, Teddy?" she said, trying desperately to mask the jealousy.
"You're kidding, right?" Victoire said. "I'm Victoire—I'm Teddy's best friend. I'm going to be starting at Hogwarts next year."
"If your mum lets you," Teddy reminded her."
Victoire's grin stretched across her face, her eyes lighting up. "I didn't tell you in a letter, because I wanted to tell you today, in person! Mum agreed! She's letting me go to Hogwarts!"
"What?" Teddy exclaimed. "That's amazing, Vic!" He hugged her again, excitement running through his veins. When they had been younger, they had spent so much time talking about what Hogwarts was going to be like, and what kind of things they would do. He was thrilled that all of those dreams were going to come true.
"Yes, that's great!" Ella said. Teddy felt awful—he'd forgotten that Ella and Alfie were there. "We'll be happy to show you around and everything."
"Thanks Ella," Victoire said, beaming. "I can't wait to get to know you and Alfie a little better!"
The next ten minutes were spent greeting Andromeda and Fleur—who wanted to know all about Teddy's time at Hogwarts to make sure it was still a suitable place to send her precious daughter—, Alfie's parents, and picking up their trunks from the luggage hold. When their suitcases were all placed on trolleys, Alfie, Ella and Teddy said their final goodbyes for the year.
"I'm going to miss you guys so much!" Alfie exclaimed, pulling them both into a massive hug.
"I'll miss you too," Ella said. "This summer's going to be so boring. No magic, no you guys. At least there'll be homework."
Alfie and Teddy shot each other a glance and mock-rolled their eyes.
"Make sure you write loads, yeah?" Alfie said.
"Hey, maybe you two could come stay with me some time," Teddy suggested, the idea suddenly dawning on him.
"That would be amazing!" Ella said, her eyes lighting up. Alfie nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
"We'll sort it all out through letters," Teddy said.
There was a lot more hugging and somewhat tearful goodbyes before Alfie's parents told them that they really needed to go—Alfie's father had some big dinner that he needed to be back in time for. Ella walked out with them, saying that she was to meet her chauffeur just outside the station, leaving Teddy, Victoire, Andromeda and Fleur by themselves.
As they walked out, Teddy talked animatedly about his experiences at Hogwarts. Victoire kept butting in —she had kept up with most of Teddy's exploits via letter and was able to add tiny details that he'd forgotten about.
Thankfully, it was while she was blabbing on about things he'd forgotten to mention about the Hufflepuff/Slytherin Quidditch match that he spotted Ralph.
The seventh-year was walking just in front of them, lugging his trunk with him. He had a brown, leather messenger bag slung over his shoulder, and there were a few pieces of parchment sticking out. Teddy, moving forward, could just about make out the scribbled writing on them.
It was the same word, over and over again.
Mosmodre.
It was crossed out, and scribbled again and again. Sometimes, it had been spelled differently, tiny little alterations made.
Teddy had never seen it before, and had no idea what it could possibly mean.
But whatever it did mean, he knew that it couldn't be anything good.
A/N: And that's a wrap on The Escapades of Teddy Lupin. I'd like to give out a big thanks to my beta, The Lady Arturia, along with all the lovely people who've reviewed, favourited and followed this story. Whether you've been with me since the beginning, or have recently come aboard the Escapades ship, thank you so much for all of your support. Honestly, when I started this fic a year ago, I never dreamed that it would grow so big. Over 800 reviews! Thank you so much!
But there are still a lot of unanswered questions. What's up with Ella's family? What does Terence have against Werewolves? What did Ralph really want with the book, and what is he going to use it for? What's up with Michael and Matilda?
So, on Wednesday, July 29, at 1PM GMT I will be posting first chapter of the next instalment of the series: The Skeletons in Teddy Lupin's Closet. And before that, on Sunday, July 26, 1 PM GMT, I will be posting a special summer drabble called Of Hopes, Dreams and Nightmares from Alfie's point of view.
I hope to see you all then, and thank you so much for your support. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to PM me, or visit my tumblr (link on my profile). Thank you!
