Teddy woke up to the lights in the bedroom being turned on. Still underneath the covers, he disguised himself before peeking his head out to see Remus Lupin standing directly over him. The young man groaned and rubbed his eyes.
"What time is it?" He croaked, blinking a few times to steady his gaze. Remus sighed and pursed his lips together before responding:
"Early. Now, come on—we've got breakfast downstairs, I picked it up from a place down the street. Chocolatines: I always say chocolate helps when you have a difficult day ahead of you."
Teddy would have smiled at the mention of his grandfather's favorite breakfast, the one he had eaten most days visiting him in France in his teens, had it not been immediately followed by the words difficult day. Yes, Teddy imagined it would be a challenging excursion out with his father to convince werewolves to not side with someone who was promising something perhaps more attainable than Teddy himself was. All, of course, while recounting the story of a father who died in the first wizarding way in front of the father who died in the second wizarding war. All very troubling to Teddy, but perhaps chocolate would help.
"Alright," Teddy mumbled, getting out of bed slowly. He wasn't much of a morning person. "You've got coffee?" He asked. Remus shook his head sadly.
"Tea only, I'm afraid. But I've started a pot—Earl Grey, if that's alright with you."
My favorite, Teddy thought to himself. "That's brilliant—thank you. I'll get dressed and meet you down there," he told his father, who nodded as descended as quietly as he could down the stairs.
The young Lupin looked through the pile of clothes his father had given him. The man dressed like he was in his fifties—cardigans, jumpers, long pants…Teddy sighed. Here he was, worried about looking old and shabby when he was going out to talk to werewolves—members of a community who had so little. He grabbed a maroon jumper and white button-down from his father's collection and the grey jeans he had arrived in and slipped them on before treading lightly down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Remus—and for some reason, Sirius—were sitting at the table drinking tea and eating chocolate pastries by the time Teddy came down.
"You two make fast work," Teddy began. "You left something for me—didn't you?"
Remus chuckled. "Of course—we set out a place for you. Might want to get some caffeine in your system before we head out, as I won't be dragging your mind-numb self through a werewolf pack," he quipped.
"You learn to eat fast in the Order," Sirius added. "Force of habit for us, I'm afraid. Had to get up for this," he said, motioning to the spread. "Remus, little Frenchie he is, has a knack for finding the best breakfasts in London."
The werewolf rolled his eyes. "Really, it's not that hard to find breakfast in the capital of England—well don't just stand there, Teddy: sit down, eat, drink."
Teddy hadn't been aware that he had been standing the whole time. Merlin, he thought. Maybe I do need some tea. He took his place at the table and smiled at his plate. It was a breakfast he was very familiar with.
"Right then," Remus began, taking another sip of tea. "While you eat, I can begin to explain our day. We'll be going to a camp outside Suffolk today—leader is a good man, we met once while he was still with Greyback—"
"—that git—"
"Padfoot," Remus said, glaring at Sirius Black. "Not now. Anyway, he broke off, started a new pack. They actively try to distance themselves from towns and villages and have a real system for reprimanding those who bite innocents. As a result, their pack is not large and numbers are dwindling, but they don't stand to benefit as much from being grouped in with the like of Greyback. Dumbledore suggested them as a first visit to build our confidence a bit, and I couldn't agree more with his decision."
Teddy, munching away, had to try very hard to recoil. Real system? What did that mean? Something in his soul told him that he'd find out soon enough, and that it might not be pretty. Still, evidence of self-restraint would be huge and something he could surely take note of. Teddy inhaled the last of his chocolatine before chugging his tea, washing the food down. Remus looked shocked.
"Teddy, you shouldn't eat like that…you should savor your food—"
"He's not five, Moony," Sirius interjected. He didn't want Remus to get too fatherly, as he knew how it affected Teddy. "He can eat as he bloody well wants to eat."
Teddy cast a thankful look to the shaggy Animagus before finishing up his tea and turning to his father, grinning and showing off the food still in his mouth. Remus looked at the boy with such a look of disgust that Sirius started laughing.
"See, Moony? He'll do what he wants."
Remus, after seeing clear evidence of Teddy actually finishing his bite to eat, smiled weakly. "Well," he began, "If you're all done with that, we ought to head out—earlier we arrive, better off we are. Now, I've got parchment and muggle pens. I know how to use them if you don't, and they're far better for taking field notes," Remus explained. Teddy nodded, looking a bit sheepish—he had never touched a pen before. His father would have to talk all the notes, though he supposed that was fitting: it was supposed to be Remus' list after all.
"That fits—besides," Teddy smirked. "I fancy myself far better at the talking portion of this mission anyway. I'll try to keep the lippiness at bay."
Remus gave the young man a sort of look saying something along the lines of 'we'll see about that.'
The two men had apparated a bit outside the camp and took a half mile or so to walk up. During that time, Teddy tried to ask his father more about his work during the first Order, but the man remained fairly close-lipped, saying little more than 'relatively unsuccessful' and calling it an 'incredibly essential fool's errand.' Teddy wasn't sure how something could be both so essential and not expected to succeed, but he supposed that if he was unlucky, he was about to find out exactly what that meant.
Eventually the two arrived at camp and a blond-haired young man no older than Teddy walked up to them from his perch on a rock.
"Names and purpose?" He called out, wand at the ready. Teddy was about to draw his own wand when he felt Remus' arm on his own. His father was giving him a look that clearly said 'don't' and Teddy obeyed, staying silent.
"Remus J. Lupin and Teddy…no known last name, sent by Albus Dumbledore to speak to your leader, Seamus McCoy."
The blond werewolf seemed to be thinking for a moment. "Lupin…sounds familiar. Come with me, yeah? You've come at a good time—Seamus is in one of his better moods."
Remus' hand left Teddy's side and the boy looked up at him, somewhat concerned.
"Better moods?" He whispered. Remus grimaced.
"A good moon," he whispered. "It means none of his pack needed to be, as they call it here, put down."
Teddy didn't bother asking how they 'put down' their fellow pack members. He didn't feel that he wanted to know.
Seamus' sentry led them through what looked to Teddy like a campground. Tents scattered around, children running through various sites, men and women tending to fire or cooking stews in iron pots. It all looked…normal. Serene, almost. Of course, as Teddy knew, this was likely one of the only times the camp was like this. If, like the sentry had insinuated, there had truly been no problems last moon, he had no doubt that the werewolves living here would be in better spirits than usual.
After walking through the grounds, the blond werewolf led Remus and Teddy to a larger tent, red and black with a sort of chimney flap, as smoke was escaping through the top. Something, Teddy noted, smelled good. Teddy sniffed the air a bit but felt Remus' foot smack down on his own. The elder werewolf shot him a dark look, and Teddy began to sense that whatever was smoking was not something he would want to eat.
"Oi, Seamus!" The sentry called. "You've got visitors…Remus J. Lupin and an unknown."
For a moment, everything was quiet. After some time, a tall man with an unruly red mane and beard to match lumbered out of his tent, chains draped over his body. His face was horribly scarred—Teddy imagined he knew why—and his eyes a deep, piercing blue. Teddy watched as the Viking-looking man stared at Remus intently who, evidently, stared right back, and for a moment Teddy was quite concerned. Then, Remus' lips curled into a smile and Seamus followed suit as he approached the two Lupin men.
"It's been a while, Remus. You look well," the pack leader began, his voice deep and rumbling like a rockslide.
"As do you," Remus replied politely. "Teddy, allow me to introduce you to Seamus McCoy, leader of this pack of werewolves. Seamus, this is Teddy—he's the reason I'm here today, and I'll let him do most of the talking."
Seamus turned his gaze to Teddy, who nodded briefly.
"A pleasure to meet you, sir."
Seamus guffawed, looking at Remus with disbelief as he pointed to Teddy. "Did this one call me sir? I…I don't think anyone has called me that before," he chuckled, smiling at the young man. "Yes, I think we'll get along quite well. Come with me, both of you," Seamus said, gesticulating towards his tent. "And start talking. Tell me, Teddy no-known-name, what pack are you from? Or, are you like Remus here—an educated city wolf?" He quipped.
Teddy smiled at the joke and Remus rolled his eyes. "Neither, really—I'm only half werewolf—"
Seamus spun around, eyes narrowed as he ushered the two Lupins into his tent, closing the flap behind him.
"What do you mean…half? You've been bit or no?" He asked, sounding a bit on edge but mostly curious. Teddy cleared his throat.
"I was simply born—human mother, werewolf father. There aren't many like me—"
"Bloody hell, don't I know it." Seamus shook his head. "I've never heard of such a thing—a human, loving a werewolf enough to…well…" He trailed off. "Your mum knew, then?" Seamus asked, motioning to three camping chairs. Teddy took his seat in the smallest chair, Remus following suit, as it was somewhat clear that the largest of the chairs belonged to Seamus. The younger Lupin nodded vigorously in response to Seamus' question.
"Oh, of course," Teddy said a bit nonchalantly. "Was never a problem for her, but then again, he was a remarkable man. Died fighting against You-Know-Who years ago, always believed there was something better. Though he'd never live to see it, he hoped I'd be accepted in the wizarding community in a way he never was," Teddy said truthfully. Seamus, having taken his seat, looking at the two intently.
"That is remarkable—for a werewolf," Seamus added a bit bitterly. "Your average wizard does it, considered normal. Werewolves like your father and Remus here," Seamus paused to point at the senior Lupin, "They do it and it's a bloody miracle. Not much recognition though, eh? Fired from jobs, living as outcasts even when they're better people than most wizards I know?"
Teddy nodded quickly. "I couldn't be prouder of my father—Remus here reminds me much of him, and when he asked me to share my story…I had to come. My own father got little recognition for his work in the first war, and I'd like to change that," Teddy said somewhat honestly. Remus did remind him of his father, after all. "I straddle both worlds, so to speak. Wizards trust me enough because I don't transform, but see me peaky and aggressive days before, during, and after the moon and some—not all—think twice. Still," Teddy continued, "There's enough trust there where I can advocate for werewolves and not be treated as badly as if poor Remus or yourself got up and did it." Teddy looked to his father who smiled and nodded before turning to Seamus. "Dark forces are rising. They offer things that are enticing. I am imploring you to reconsider for your pack: there's another way. The payoff might not be immediate, but I promise it exists," Teddy insisted. Seamus shuffled a bit uncomfortably in his seat.
"Dark wizards have in fact come," Seamus began. "They told us what their lord was offering—I told them to return when they had something concrete for me to show my pack my decision." Seamus paused and smiled at Teddy. "If what you say is true—and I trust Remus enough to believe that it is—then I wouldn't think twice about reconsidering their offer and standing neutral during the days yet to come. But I fear my pack is growing restless," Seamus said, concern in his voice. "I'm sure you've gathered that this has been a good month—no one must die. I know my methods are harsh, but they save innocent lives, which is my primary concern. I do not take into action my method lightly, either. Each chain I wear represents a werewolf of my pack killed for the safety of others." Teddy gulped, and Seamus continued.
"No one here wants to be a werewolf—it's what we've resigned ourselves to be. Still, there are some who believe attacking humans is within our nature and we should accept it. I cannot," Seamus stated proudly. "Still, this sentiment exists and is in fact supported by these dark forces. I need proof—real evidence that things can in fact get better for our pack if we follow your directive."
Remus looked worried. "Seamus, we don't have any—"
"Yes, we do," Teddy interjected, remembering the existence of a little lump in his jeans pocket. He pulled out an iron key and laid it in his palm before shifting his gaze to both Remus and Seamus.
"Harry Potter—The Boy Who Lived—gave me this key. He is the greatest asset we have, and he entrusted to me—a legal werewolf to whom he has no formal ties—the most sacred thing a man can: his own home." Teddy coughed a bit. "You can check. Harry made sure the key could be magically traced back to him. A simple revealing spell will show this to you. We win this thing, Harry's word is on the table."
Remus looked at Teddy, a bit shocked but doing his best to hold that in. He turned to Seamus. "You can do the honors, my friend," he said quietly. Seamus nodded, pulled out his wand, and tapped the key in Teddy's hand. In a few seconds, writing appeared on the key itself:
Given by Harry Potter, freely to its keeper.
Seamus tapped the key with his wand again and the writing disappeared. He looked up to make eye contact with Teddy.
"This will do, boy," he said quietly. "I needed proof, you understand. For my pack's sake."
Teddy nodded fervently. "I understand entirely. You can't lead them blindly down a path there is no evidence of." Seamus' lips curled into a smile, and he turned to Remus. "You get this boy to do the talking…you'll have a much better time with the others than you did the last time."
Teddy's eyes narrowed, and Remus caught his gaze.
"We won't be going…there," he said tersely, "But you are correct," he continued, pausing to give Teddy a smile. "He is a compelling young man. Teddy, would you step outside please?" He asked. "I need to discuss with Seamus the list and the assurance of his privacy." Teddy, locking eyes with Remus, knew there was more to his conversation than that—and he figured it had something to do with this last time. After his whole Harry Potter stunt, Teddy figured the two of them would have much to talk about.
"I'll wait just outside," Teddy assured his father, standing up and nodding at Seamus. "Thank you," he told the pack leader.
"Thank you," Seamus replied.
With that, Teddy left the tent and waited for Remus, clutching the key firmly in his hand.
Outside the tent, Teddy conversed with the sentry for a bit. He was only eighteen—parents disowned him after he got bit at the age of five, lived with this pack ever since. It was the only life he knew. Teddy asked for the young man's name and hid his shock quite well: his name was Arthur Fawley. By blood, his family was in the 28: by circumstance, not a pureblooded soul in his family would talk to him. Teddy made the mental note to get in touch with Arthur at another time. He wondered how many children like Arthur there were: highly born but cast aside. His thoughts were interrupted by Remus emerging from Seamus' tent, smiling and crumpling up a piece of parchment into his pocket.
"We've got this pack's leadership—12 names that Seamus was willing to give over. It's not much, but for a first go of it I'm quite pleased."
Teddy looked into Remus' eyes intently as he put a hand on his son's shoulder.
"I'm proud of you, Teddy. You did incredibly."
It took all of Teddy's strength not to tear up there and then. He's proud of me, Teddy thought to himself. How pathetic is it that you've waited all these years for those words?
The two exited the camp through the back, looking for a good place to apparate to London. When they were out of earshot, Remus grabbed Teddy's arm.
"I know you can't tell me, and I know you'll be angry with me for trying…but please," Remus begged, eyes looking at Teddy in a way he had never seen before. "Is there anything you an tell me? About your family—Harry even? How you know him?"
Teddy stiffened, then narrowed his eyes. "You said it yourself. I can't tell you, and I don't want to be cross with you—not after the good day we've had. You're not getting anything from me," Teddy said sternly. He brushed Remus' arm away and kept walking, hoping Remus would follow. He didn't, but what Teddy heard next made him freeze in place.
"If you tell me who your father is, I will tell you about the last time I saw Seamus."
Teddy spun around, and Remus knew he had his attention. Teddy wanted to know what had happened in the first war so badly. Before the young man could say anything, the older werewolf continued:
"What you said in there, about your father, it moved me. You never got to meet him, and I assume he didn't get much time with you—I can only imagine how much, at this point in his life, he would want to meet you. Werewolves don't find love easily, but what you feel towards that man…it's incredible. He's lucky to have you, and if you tell me who he is we can find him together and bring a little hope into his life. I'm sure he could use it." Remus paused, looking desperately into Teddy's eyes. "Please. It's just this once…you wouldn't have to tell him anything you don't want to, and, well, you could finally meet the man you admire."
Teddy was speechless. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep the hot tears forming in his eyes from spilling over onto his face.
"I'll tell you anything you want to know," Remus insisted, "If you just tell me who your father is."
With every fiber of his being, Teddy wanted to scream at Remus. I'm your son! I'm your son, I'm doing this for you, for my son, for all the rest of the Lupins yet to come. But it would change his very existence, and worse: could alter the existence of his unborn son. Teddy couldn't do that. So, he bit his lip and grabbed Remus' hand, giving it a good squeeze.
"I'm sorry, if I could tell you, I would," he said quietly.
CRACK!
And the two were gone.
