'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs; Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present the Marauder's Map' read Saffie the following afternoon. 'Who on Earth are they?'

'They were former students of Hogwarts, that decided to create a map of where everyone is at all times around the castle, plus all the discovered secret passageways in the castle,' explained Teddy.

'Doesn't that sound incredibly messed up? They could stalk whoever they want with that!' protested Saffie.

'That's why I haven't used it all year. I'm not one for causing unnecessary mischief. Detention with Hale was bad enough already.'

'But in the wrong hands, anyone could track anyone! It's completely insane! I think you should hand that in to Professor Sinistra!'

'No way, this has been in my family for two generations!' protested Teddy. 'Well, more like one-and-a-half. It's complicated. Point is, I've found her. She's up in the Divination Tower.'

'Oo! I haven't been up there yet!' commented Saffie.

'Perfect time for a stroll, then,' smiled Teddy. 'Shall we?'

…

'Halt! Who goes there?!' demanded a voice on the wall. It was a knight on what was either a small horse or a large pony, the pair couldn't tell which. 'Identify yourselves.'

'Er, Teddy Lupin.'

'Saffie Undercliffe.'

'What strange names those are, forsooth! And pray tell what bring you to this tower on a day other than a school one?'

'Oh, um… we wanted to explore the castle and – ' Saffie was cut short by a arm from Teddy.

'I know you. You're Sir Cadogan, aren't you?'

'Ha!' beamed Sir Cadogan. 'My fame still precedes me, even after all these centuries!'

'Why should we report to you? You didn't even report Sirius Black when you were supposed to.'

Sir Cadogan's expression crumbled. 'Now, look here, boy! He had the password! There was nothing I could do! And how do you know that anyway?'

'Professor Longbottom told me,' shrugged Teddy. Longbottom had indeed brought up Sir Cadogan in one of his tales of the castle, since he apparently had recently appealed to McGonagall to be reinstated as the Gryffindor common room guardian. In way, Teddy and he were both rejected from Gryffindor House.

'Ah, of course. That man has had it out for me since he was a boy. I suppose he failed to bring up that it was he who left a note with all the passwords on it for Black to pick up?'

'He… might have skipped over that part…'

'Indeed, yet he still gets to have a job around here. Where's the justice in that?'

'Hey!' Teddy squared up with his wand aiming at the painting. 'Neville Longbottom is a war hero! Without him there would be no castle anymore! I refuse to report to anyone who disrespects him.'

And with that, he stormed off with Saffie in tow.

…

'About time you got here!' sighed Verity. 'And you brought your friend from class, I see.'

'Hi, I'm… Saffie…' she said apprehensively. It was the first time she'd looked dubious to talk to someone. Verity's trademark glance wasn't helping things.

'I remember. Verity' she introduced herself. 'I'm… sort of friends with Teddy now.' She looked towards him. 'Right?'

'I don't see why not,' shrugged Teddy. 'Anyone who can help me ace Potions is a friend of mine.'

Verity let out a small giggle, which was even more unsettling than he usual mood because it matched her features so little. Since it was the weekend, she'd ditched her robes in favour of a spiked jacket, ripped jeans and spiked bracelets. She also sported her usual choker, which Teddy had previously mistaken for a dark shadow cloaking her neck. Instead he now saw that it bore a black gemstone at the end of a Lolita style lace.

He'd never known that eleven-year-olds could go through a punk phase. Teddy hoped there was nothing more to it. Hogwarts had had more than enough issues with Satanists in the past.

'Potions is more of a side skill for me,' explained Verity. 'I'm hopeless at all other magical disciplines. Except for one.'

She waved her hand over the crystal ball she'd just borrowed from Trelawney's classroom. As she peered into it her eyes widened and her pupils dilated to the point where she seemed to go into an instance trance.

'You're a Seer,' guessed Saffie. Verity continued to scan the crystal ball.

'Hmm? Sorry, what were you saying?'

'That you're a Seer.'

'Oh, right! Yes! That's what I brought you up to explain. That's why I'm always staring off into the distance. The inner eye calls me all the time.'

At least now the glancing into one's soul made sense. Verity was indeed looking beyond what was in plain sight.

'So… you're making predictions all the time?' asked Teddy.

'Not always, no. Unfortunately, Divination isn't taught here until third year, so I'll have to wait to figure everything out. My family taught me how to read crystal balls in secret when they suspected I might be a seer. I can read those. For example, Saffie, your biggest personal trial to date will occur in the middle of spring.'

Saffie gulped. 'My… biggest trial? What would that be?'

'Not sure. You brought me out of my trance before I could see anything else. All I know is that you'll have to put your doubts and resentments aside when it happens.'

'Right,' muttered Saffie. 'Doubts and resentments. Got it.'

'What about me?' wondered Teddy, his body wishing to lurch forward or expel its newly found energy and vigour.

'Ah, well that's also why I brought you here. I sensed yesterday that you're not quite happy with your Hogwarts life at the moment. You were hoping for something more than what you got. Your past expectations have set the bar too high.'

Teddy lowered his head. 'So you've come to tell me that I should just be happy as a normal student and not stand out in any meaningful way?

Verity laughed more heartedly this time. That definitely gave his companions chills as the laugh reverberated through the staircase. 'You misunderstand me. What I was trying to say was that I know you have a desire for adventure; a desire to prove yourself. I was thinking we could figure out how.'

She extended her arm with the crystal ball in it.

'Touch the ball. That'll lend me your aura and make the job easier,' instructed Verity.

Teddy agreed, trying not to look at Verity whilst doing so, since she had begun spinning her head around and humming in a low tone. It felt like something was being pulled from Teddy's very being, his anxieties, his insecurities, his inadequacies. Everything was exposed, everything was being read.

Verity stopped and put her arms out to stabilise herself, as one does when they are dizzy.

'Go to the Ministry of Magic,' she croaked. 'Seek out the oldest artefact and your much desired quest will begin.