10 March 1998
Teddy had two carefully wrapped slices of cake in his rucksack. It was his father's 38th birthday, and as tradition dictated, he would celebrate by having a slice of Remus's favorite cake. This year, Remus was alive, but far away. Unlike his mother's last birthday in November, Teddy had someone to celebrate with. Eneko and Yasmin were supposed to join him in the Room of Requirement, but they were ill and in the infirmary, leaving Teddy to go to the kitchens alone, get the slices of cake, and bring them up to Ted.
Teddy grinned upon seeing Ted waiting for him. Ted cast his Privacy Charm over them, so that Teddy could morph and speak freely with his grandfather. He took out the slices of cake, explained the birthday tradition, and sat down to enjoy dessert with his grandad.
"This is what you did for our birthdays every year?" asked Ted, after taking the first bite of cake, and Teddy nodded, having already dug into his slice.
"Every birthday Gran would make your, mum's, or dad's favorite cake and we'd go to the grave and talk to you. You never talked back though," said Teddy, after taking another bite of Remus's favorite triple chocolate cake. It didn't quite taste the same as his Gran's, but as Kreacher had made it especially for him and Ted, he didn't want to offend the elf by refusing the cake.
"That's really touching," said Ted, after wiping a tear from his eye. "What did 'Dromeda say was my favorite flavor?"
"She said you'd never admit to it, but you liked carrot cake."
Ted grinned and took a bite of the chocolate cake. "I did. Your mother teased me mercilessly for it, telling me that vegetables didn't belong in cakes."
"Gran never told me that," Teddy said, in amazement. "She would tell me about your life and how you met and what you did but it's different hearing it from you."
"That's how it will always be. When my dad died, my mum told stories about his life but she told them differently. Stories sound different when they're told by the people who lived them."
"I hope I get to hear mum and dad talk to me," Teddy said softly. "Uncle Harry said dad was a Marauder and played lots of pranks."
"He did mention that on a few occasions…though he never went into detail on what he did."
"Harry said there was one time that they charmed a bunch of pumpkins on people's heads – or the time they set a dozen nifflers loose in the Great Hall!" Teddy said excitedly, thinking of his father as a teenage prankster. "I wish I could've been there."
"If we're lucky you'll get to meet him and talk to him about it."
"Gran said mum liked to morph into others when she was at school and she would get into trouble," added Teddy, smiling broadly. "How did mum get so good at morphing? My face is never the way I want it unless I try really hard."
"Years of practice," replied Ted. "She spent many summers looking at photographs and mimicking what she saw. She got better when she was around 13, and by the time she was 16, you had to know the way she talked and walked to know that it was her."
"Were you always able to tell?" asked Teddy, after one more big bite of his cake. Of his parents' and grandparents' favorite cakes, Remus's triple chocolate was Teddy's favorite, too.
"Your mother is terribly clumsy, so yes," chuckled Ted. "She worked very hard to pass all her examinations to be an Auror. We're so proud of her."
"Could you tell after that? After she was good at sneaking around?"
"She never got good at sneaking around," laughed Ted, "she got better than she was before, but certainly not good."
Teddy licked his fork clean and set it down on the now-empty plate. "I think I'm like her. I'm clumsy sometimes."
"You're not as clumsy as she is, but you have similar qualities, now that I've gotten to know you," Ted said thoughtfully, after taking another small bite of his cake. "When you're in your 'natural' look, you are identical to Remus…but when you talk, show compassion to others, or talk to that bowtruckle of yours, that's your mother, through and through."
Teddy beamed and sighed happily against his grandfather's shoulder. "Grandad, do you think we'll still win, even though I'm here?"
"I hope so, Teddy. I think I'll try to do my part and fight in the battle, whenever it comes."
"No! You can't!"
"I'm a grown man and I want to fight. You're not here during the daytime, but I've joined the others in practice dueling. I'm trying to get ready."
"But – you have to come home! Gran needs you! She missed you so much!"
"If she raised you on her own, she didn't need me," Ted said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'm learning to duel better and I hope I get good enough to come home with everyone else."
"Please don't fight, Grandad," whispered Teddy. "Please."
"We'll see, son," replied Ted heavily. "I'm alive and if I can fight, I will. I want this war over as much as everyone else does."
Teddy wrung his hands anxiously. He didn't know how he would do it, but he would try to prevent the battle. If there was no battle – there was no death. The battle only came because of the soul bit in the Room of Requirement…which was currently being used to keep Muggleborns safe.
"It'll be all right, Teddy," assured Ted. "We have more fighters now, and more Muggleborns are coming back – haven't you noticed the increase in the number of hammocks?"
Teddy shook his head. He didn't bother looking for anything but his grandfather lately, but he supposed that there were more people in the Room now.
"There are more of us. We're practicing dueling and stocking up on healing potions."
"Are you doing that because of me?" Teddy glanced up at Ted, worried that he was the reason the truth would come out and the war would be at risk.
"You didn't need to tell me there was a battle for me to figure that out myself."
"How did you know?"
"I couldn't imagine how both your parents died without something big to pull them in, especially if they left you behind," Ted said grimly. "Parents don't leave their children unless they have a good reason."
"Why do you think mum didn't stay for me?" asked Teddy. "Gran said she left to fight for our future…that I would understand one day…but why didn't she stay for me?"
"Your mother is a fighter. She wouldn't have left unless she thought her help was needed. She fought for you, I'm sure of it. You had a good life up till now, didn't you?"
"Yes," said Teddy, as his chin quivered, "but I wanted my mum and dad, too."
"Sometimes we have to make hard decisions, son," said Ted. "I hope that this time around, we all get to go home together."
Teddy nodded feebly and played with the remaining crumbs of his cake. He had less than two months to change the course of wizarding history and save lives…if only he knew how.
Perhaps, thought Teddy, there would be another way out. The way just hadn't revealed itself yet.
…
18 March 1998
"You're sick. You need to go to the infirmary," Eneko said impatiently.
"No, I'm not," Teddy replied, struggling to morph away the pink on his nose without anyone noticing.
"You're sniffling," Yasmin noted. "You're also peaky. Go."
"I'm fine - really." Teddy attempted a smile, but sneezed loudly on his robes. Eneko and Yasmin were not impressed and both crossed their arms.
"I don't like Madam Pomfrey," Teddy said abruptly, trying to put off the visit to the infirmary. This wasn't true; Madam Pomfrey, while brisk, was perfectly lovely to him now that she thought he was Remus Lupin's son. The last two moons she wiped tears away from her face upon seeing his unmorphed face, calling him Remus's younger, identical twin.
He didn't want her fussing over him, as being Remus's son apparently meant she was overbearingly caring of him. While it was nice he had another adult who knew him - even though he hadn't confirmed it - he wasn't in the mood to be fussed over.
"Who cares? She'll get you the potions you need," Yasmin said. "Get over it."
Teddy balked at the suggestion but he admitted he felt dreadful. Yasmin and Eneko led him to the infirmary and promised to wait for him.
He entered, surprised to find Professor Snape in the infirmary with Madam Pomfrey.
"I have a patient," Pomfrey barked, while Snape sneered behind her. Her face softened upon seeing Teddy and she smiled at him. "What's wrong, Mr. Snape? What can I do for you?"
"Err…Pepper-Up Potion, I think?" Teddy said, glancing back at Snape.
"Sit down on a bed and I'll be right with you." Pomfrey went to her stores to produce the potion.
Snape sauntered over and gazed at Teddy for a moment. "I haven't seen you lately. Am I to assume you've been behaving?"
"Yes, sir."
"I have no reason to issue you a detention?"
"No, sir."
"You haven't spread any further lies?"
"No, sir."
"He's just a boy," Pomfrey said hotly, while glaring at Snape. "Take this, you poor thing." Teddy sank into the bed and took a few vials of Pepper-Up Potion. The steam came out of his ears, as predicted, but he began feeling better instantly. Snape's inky eyes darted between Pomfrey and Teddy. She was fussing over him as expected and casting other charms on him to ensure nothing else was wrong.
"If you'll excuse me a moment, Poppy," Snape said silkily. "This is my child and I shall ensure he's well."
Pomfrey muttered under her breath and allowed Snape to pull a curtain around Teddy's bed. He then cast a Locking Charm and Silencing Charm on the space.
"She knows, doesn't she?"
"W-what?"
"She knows you are not mine."
"I…didn't say anything, I promise."
"How?" Snape's voice was soft, but Teddy trembled, knowing that the seething anger was being held just barely at bay.
"A-accidental morphing…morning after a moon."
"I was unaware you were spending the full moon in the infirmary."
"Potions help me sleep," Teddy said shakily. "I came here–"
"-you did not think to seek me out? I am a potions master, am I not?"
"I didn't want to bother you–"
"-you're lying." Snape was baring his yellow, crooked teeth at Teddy. His face was inches from Teddy's and the rage was now evident in his uncontrolled, wrathful expression.
"Legilimens!" cast Snape, and Teddy's mind was brutally invaded without another moment of hesitation.
Eneko and Yasmin urging him to go to the infirmary…Ted Tonks realizing who he was…receiving a new wand from Ollivander…the Room of Requirement…Winky's pitiful sobbing in the kitchen…
Teddy's mind was let go, leaving him panting and wheezing from the pathetic effort of trying to keep Snape out of his mind. He hated Legilimency, but the hate was replaced with terror of being inches from Snape's face again. Teddy was being held up by the front of his robes. Snape's teeth were bared, his eyes shone with unhinged rage, and he shook Teddy slightly.
"How dare you—you could have ruined—you might have ruined everything! You insolent brat!" Snape shouted. "Just like your father—reckless, careless, putting others in danger by your very existence!"
"W-what?" Teddy stammered, terrified. "I…didn't…"
"Silence!" Snape trembled. "You will not see anyone until the war is won. If it's won, you brash idiot!"
Teddy was ready to protest, but he lost consciousness before he could say another word.
…
25 March 1998
Teddy didn't know where he was, but he was alone. He knew time was passing slowly but he didn't know how many days had passed or what time it was. Meals appeared in regular intervals, and the type of food indicated what time of day it was, but he had no other notion of how time passed in his confined space. He figured he was in some form of prison and had no way out.
Puck was not with him. He didn't know where Puck was and he worried that Snape might have harmed him. Teddy tried calling for the elves, but not a single elf, not even Kreacher, came to his aid. He had regular food, a small pile of his school books, and a loo, but no other interaction whatsoever. His wand was also missing, which meant he couldn't practice magic or get himself out of the single room.
The room he was in didn't have a door, either. He'd tried to bang on several walls to see if there was a hidden door or compartment from which he could escape, but no such exit appeared to exist. Despite not having any exits, he heard hushed voices speaking. He couldn't quite decipher what they were saying; it was as if several Silencing Charms had been placed on the room. Nevertheless, the soft, whispering voices filled his eardrums, like the soft buzzing of a bee.
Teddy thought he might be losing his mind with his solitary confinement.
The last memory he recalled was of Snape figuring out that Madam Pomfrey and Ted Tonks both knew who he was. Teddy worried over the fate of the students in the Room of Requirement. He worried about his friends. He worried about his family, especially Harry, Hermione, and Ron, terrified that his existence was putting others at risk.
The words that stung most were of Snape deriding Teddy's father, Remus. Reckless. Careless. Putting others in danger by his very existence.
Teddy had never felt lower. He wondered what Snape meant by these words…he knew that Snape knew Remus was a werewolf, but Harry told Teddy that when Remus taught at Hogwarts, Snape made him the Wolfsbane Potion. They were in the Order of the Phoenix together. Surely they got along all right?
He never thought much of Severus Snape before he arrived in 1998; Snape was a quiet war hero, the "bravest" man Harry ever knew, and Albus Severus's namesake. He was an essential part of the Order, made Wolfsbane Potion for Remus, and had a confusing reputation among his aunts and uncles.
He was also, in Teddy's opinion, one of the cruelest men he'd ever known. He wasn't terrifying like Voldemort was – that thought sent a shiver down his spine – nor was he as sadistic as his great aunt, Bellatrix. Snape was cruel and bitter, and wouldn't help Teddy save anyone.
Teddy didn't know what to make of Snape's statements against Remus, other than extreme confusion and disappointment that Teddy's existence also caused others to be in danger. He hadn't asked to be sent to the past. He simply wanted a nice surprise for Harry's birthday and his reward was being sent back in time, to witness his parents' deaths, so the war could be won again.
The only upside to Teddy's current imprisonment was the ability to morph to his heart's content. He'd woken up several mornings in a row without his Snape hair and eyes, yet no one noticed because no one came to see him. He wore his hair in a quiff most days, but still had trouble changing the color from his anxiety over what was happening in the castle - if he was even in the castle!
Teddy lay down on the bed in the room. He closed his eyes, ready to sleep, when something pointy fell on his face.
"ARGH!" Teddy yelled, sitting up and clutching his blanket to his chest. He shook his head to find an irritated looking Puck standing on his blanket, with his leafy arms on his bowtruckle hips.
"PUCK! YOU'RE ALIVE! YOU'RE ALIVE!" Teddy bellowed.
Puck blew a large raspberry at Teddy and drew his branchy arm over Teddy's lips.
"What?"
Puck held out a tiny, folded piece of parchment. Teddy's eyes grew wide and he unfolded the parchment as quickly as he could.
Dear Teddy,
You're very lucky you have good friends and a bowtruckle. Your friend, Yasmin, heard everything that Snape told you in the hospital wing. Her hearing is as good as yours so she heard through the Silencing Charm, thank Merlin. She heard Snape stun you and went running with Eneko up to the Room of Requirement. They weren't sure who to turn to, but as they came alone, without you, I assumed it had to do with you and had them talk to me. They told me enough for me to learn what happened.
Puck managed to escape from your pocket to determine where you were. He's a good friend to you and he's been cared for well. You're somewhere in the Headmaster's quarters. He ran off to find Yasmin, but it took him some time to go through the castle unnoticed. Once he found her, we figured out a way to get this letter to you. Yasmin's been caring for him though she doesn't have the same patience for him as you do.
Your friends don't know the truth about you but they know you're not Snape's son, if only by his own admission. This letter was written on 24th March. You're safe, if alone where you are. We continue to be safe in the Room of Requirement.
I don't know what Snape is playing at, but he hasn't ousted everyone from the Room. I'm not sure it's possible. Send Puck back with a message when you can.
Love,
Your grandfather.
Teddy whooped in joy and pumped his fist in the air happily. His friends, grandfather, and Puck were all safe!
"Puck, tell Yasmin that you deserve as many fairy eggs as you want, okay?" Teddy said happily. His face fell when he realized he didn't have anything to write with. "Bollocks…no quill and no ink. No wand, either." He stared at the letter for several moments, wondering how to communicate to the others.
"You wouldn't know how to write, would you?" Puck shook his leafy head. Teddy slumped forward, frustrated. "Wait - how did you get in here?"
Puck pointed up to the ceiling.
"No wonder…I can't reach that high." Teddy sighed; the ceiling was at least twelve feet tall. Even if he stretched himself as far as he was able, he couldn't reach the ceiling in his wildest dreams. "Do you think you could find me ink and a quill? I'll have to write on one of my books, unless you can find parchment, too."
Puck gave him a disapproving look.
"What do you want me to do? I can't send this back without telling them I'm okay!" Teddy got up from the bed, racking his brains for a solution. He ran his fingers through his head, thinking hard until–
"I've got it!" Teddy scrunched his nose and morphed his hair to his favorite turquoise shade. Wincing, he plucked several hairs from his head and tucked them into the letter.
"Okay, Puck. Take this to my grandad. You know him - Ted Tonks. If not, see if Yasmin gets it and gives it to grandad. They'll know you found me because of my hair."
Puck gingerly took the folded parchment containing Teddy's turquoise strands and climbed back up the stone wall until he reached a single wooden beam above. Teddy watched, fascinated, as Puck slid his thin body through two wooden planks and disappeared. Teddy smiled, and hoped Yasmin would reward Puck with a feast.
…
7 April 1998
Teddy remained inside his prison. Puck had messages for him every other day, as dodging the Headmaster and all the portraits in his office was a difficult task. He never complained, leading Teddy to believe that his friends were fattening him up with fairy eggs and wood lice to keep him cooperating. Unfortunately, Puck hadn't been able to get a quill, ink, or parchment, leaving Teddy to pluck out hairs each time he received a letter to let his friends and grandfather know he'd received them.
The last letter Puck sent was from Yasmin. She let Teddy know that all their classmates thought he had been sent back to Romania to be with extended family. Yasmin encouraged the rumor, to keep others from guessing Teddy's true fate. As long as Yasmin, Eneko, and Ted knew the truth, Teddy didn't mind. He wasn't as lonely as he'd been in August when he was stuck at Spinner's End on his own, but it felt similar, especially with only his schoolbooks to keep him company.
Teddy found himself staring up at the wooden beam where Puck would emerge from whenever he had a message. It had been a couple days since he'd gotten a message, which meant he was due for another. It had also been unusually quiet in his room. There were fewer hushed voices than usual; he almost missed the soft buzzing of their voices, as they now helped him sleep. The still silence that invaded his space was too eerie for his liking.
He managed to fall asleep, however, despite the overwhelming silence. He was woken to sharp pointing on his face.
"Oi! Puck!" Teddy snapped sleepily. "Be gentler next time!"
Puck blew a raspberry at him and dropped off a little note on his lap before sulking at the end of Teddy's bed.
"Dramatic little thing," Teddy muttered. He opened the note for the latest letter.
Dear Teddy,
If I've planned correctly, you should be getting this note on 7th April. Happy 12th birthday! Your friends are at home for the Easter holidays. I wish I had something to give you for your birthday, but all I have is news.
It appears your brother has arrived in the world. I cannot tell you how I came upon the information, but as of two days ago I was made a grandfather again. My second grandson is called Alastor John and he has the same abilities as you and his mother. I was glad to hear that his name and date of birth are different than yours so you can be called by your own names and celebrate your own birthdays.
When this war is over we'll celebrate you properly. Happy birthday, Edward "Teddy" Remus.
Love,
Your grandfather.
Teddy swallowed hard and set the letter down. He was twelve years old now – or was he? It was difficult to know if his age remained the same when he traveled in time. It was 7th April, his birthday all the same.
His birthday – in this 1998 – wasn't the same as the previous 1998. Instead, it was the birthday of a different version of himself with a different name. It wasn't Teddy who was born on 5th April, 1998 – it was Alastor John Lupin. Alastor John, who Teddy would meet sometime. Alastor John, who could grow up with his parents and grandparents if Teddy had anything to say about it.
Teddy was jealous of Alastor John Lupin, the newborn son of Remus and Nymphadora Lupin, who might never know what it was like to live without his parents or grandfather. Teddy swallowed back the tears that threatened to flow from his eyes, imagining his parents adoring their new baby instead of him.
Teddy wondered what would happen when he arrived into his parents' life – if he arrived. It was clear Snape was trying to keep him away from everyone, and Teddy's heart sank a little further, thinking that he never got the chance to say a proper goodbye to his grandfather or his parents. He longed see them, just once, to tell them goodbye. They would be confused, he knew, but if he just got to see his parents…maybe the goodbye wouldn't be so hard.
"At least," Teddy said quietly to himself, "if I get to say goodbye, Alastor won't remember them at all but I will. I'll remember my mum and dad."
He lay back down on the bed and clutched the letter from his grandfather to his chest, knowing it was one more thing he would have that Alastor Lupin wouldn't, in case history played out as it did in his lifetime.
…
15 April 1998
Dear Teddy,
Your friend, Yasmin, told me the most curious tale I've heard in a long time. If this tale is familiar to you, please enclose green hair in your reply. If you're not familiar – red hair instead.
Yasmin has good hearing and heard Draco Malfoy tell two of his friends that three Gryffindors were at his home over the Easter holiday. They were caught by Snatchers and brought there but escaped with Dobby's help. They had a copy of the sword of Godric Gryffindor, which they took with them. They were alone, save for Dobby. I don't know what became of any of them.
I wasn't able to get all the details, as Yasmin wasn't able to hear everything. Enclose your hairs in your reply.
Love,
Your grandfather
Teddy gasped at the letter. The tale was familiar to him – it was what led to Harry, Ron, and Hermione breaking into Gringotts. They'd needed help from a goblin to get there – where was the goblin? Teddy reread the letter several times, wondering how to respond. He scrunched his nose and made his hair a vibrant, emerald green and plucked out several hairs. Then, he morphed it bright red and plucked out only a few hairs. He hoped his grandfather would understand the tale was mostly familiar.
"Puck, you are so lucky you're a bowtruckle," said Teddy, handing the enclosed parchment back to his smallest friend. "You don't have to worry about wars with Dark wizards, or crazy great aunts, or stupid soul bits. You get to eat and be a little messenger."
Puck shrugged at Teddy, took the letter with him up to the wooden beam, and disappeared into the wooden planks above it. Teddy sat still and heard the murmur of voices again, which were louder than usual. The voices were inexplicably louder in the center of the room than along the walls, at the highest point in the ceiling, around the spot where Puck came from when he delivered messages.
Teddy could have sworn he'd heard "Potter, Granger, and Weasley" from the whispers, with "Potter" punctuated most of all. If it had something to do with Harry – Teddy wanted to know. He stood in the middle of the room, frustrated with his situation.
He sat on his bed wondering what Harry, Ron, and Hermione would do. They were always so clever in their tales, even when they were his age. The bed creaked when he moved on it – the bed!
He pushed the bed to the center of the room, where the voices were loudest. He then stood on the bed and cocked his head to one side, hoping to hear better. The voices were just barely louder.
Teddy morphed his height as tall as he was able to go – he added about six inches, which hurt terribly, and began jumping on the bed. The loudness of the creaky bed drowned out any sounds, and the pain from having grown hurt too much to continue.
Teddy morphed back down to his natural height and sat, pouting, irritated he had no way to hear what was being said. He grasped at the sheets on the bed, thinking hard. If Harry, Ron, and Hermione were here, what would they do without magic?
The sheets gave him another idea. He stripped the bed, rolled the sheets and blankets together until they were more like a rope, and knotted them tightly to keep them joined. Once they created a long rope he threw them over the middle of the wooden beam. He grinned when the sheets came to the other side, and tied a strong knot where the two ends of the sheets met. When he tugged on the knot, the sheets felt sturdy enough to hold his weight.
He took a deep breath and jumped up on the makeshift rope, slipping slightly from his sweaty hands on the fabric. His consolation was knowing that the bed would catch him if he fell, rather than the stone floor, so he slowly pushed himself up on the sheets until he was panting, sweaty, and breathless. He put a single, sweaty hand on the wooden beam and carefully managed to get another hand on the beam as well.
He swung lamely, not having the strength to pull himself up any further, but he was closer to the ceiling now and able to hear more from his new height.
"The sword?"
"It appears to have been taken with them."
"He doesn't know?"
"No."
"He has his suspicions, but the vault was checked recently. Both the cup and the other sword are within."
"You were not able to obtain anything?"
"No."
"You ought to ask the boy—"
"—I'm not taking any further suggestions from you, Albus. The boy has done enough…don't give me that look. I'm not the one who raised a child for slaughter."
"It was never my intention—"
"—I have no obligation to Lupin's brat. He is alive and hidden at my mercy, for the sake of Potter's brat."
"Where is he?"
"None of your concern."
Teddy heard a loud snap and the room or voices fell silent. He realized that Snape had been talking to Dumbledore's portrait, and they'd been discussing the soul bits, Harry, and Teddy. He wanted so badly to help and tell Snape everything he knew from his timeline – from the cup in the vault to the escape from Malfoy Manor – but was unable to do so. He swung back to the makeshift rope, and slowly crawled his way down until he was back on the bare mattress.
He put his head in his hands and fell back against the mattress, groaning loudly. All he wanted was to help – but no matter what he did, nothing worked. Every time he got a little closer, it all fell apart. He looked up to the sheet rope, sighing, realizing he now had to take it apart so he would be able to sleep later. He brought his hands up to the rope when the stones wall on his left began splitting apart, just like the brick entrance to Diagon Alley from the Leaky Cauldron.
Teddy's eyes watered as more light came into his stone prison. He'd been living under dim light for weeks, and the sunlight streaming in from the other side of the stone hurt his eyes.
"Ow!" yelped Teddy. "That's bright!"
"You'll adjust," snarled Snape, taking Teddy by the arm and out of the stone prison.
Teddy's eyes still hurt; his vision was blurry from the influx of light, but he made some sense of where he was. He stood in a stuffy sitting room, with faded furniture and tall, handsome bookcases. Windows above the bookcases streamed light onto the sofas, where Teddy was unfortunately placed. He scrunched his eyes closed, hoping clouds would come to cover the light.
"What do you know of Potter's activities after their escape from Malfoy Manor?" demanded Snape. "Who were they with?"
Teddy, keeping his eyes covered with his hands, explained that Luna, Ollivander, Dobby, and a goblin came to Shell Cottage after the escape from Malfoy Manor. Dobby, in his timeline, died for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. In this timeline, Teddy explained, he didn't know where Dobby was or if Harry, Ron, and Hermione had a goblin with them to help them break into Gringotts.
Teddy launched into the harrowing tale of how the trio got past the goblins, but Snape stopped him by asking, "Where is Shell Cottage?"
"Aunt Fleur and Uncle Bill's cottage? That's in Cornwall…outside Tinworth, I think," replied Teddy. "It's on the coast and when it's hot we go—"
"—I don't care," Snape hissed. "You are certain this is where they went?"
"In my time, but things are different now. I'm not even Teddy anymore!"
"What do you mean by that?" Teddy had finally opened his eyes, looking between his fingers, and found Snape's face close to his again. Snape's question was spoken so softly and so menacingly that Teddy shivered, despite the fact that he sat in the sunlight.
"Nothing," said Teddy hastily. Snape couldn't know about the messages…if he did, Teddy's life would be even more miserable.
"Liar, coward, just like your father!" Snape grabbed Teddy by the lapels of his robe and shook him slightly.
Before Teddy's mind was invaded again, he yelled, "It's my grandad! That's – he's alive! I was named for him because he died! That's all I meant!"
Snape narrowed his inky black eyes and roughly let Teddy fall back on the faded sofa. Teddy didn't dare asking after his father – by now, Teddy seemed to understand that there was no love lost between Severus Snape and Remus Lupin.
"We're going," Snape said abruptly. "Look like anything but yourself or my son."
"What?"
"Change your features to look like any other child. You're taking me to Shell Cottage."
Teddy gaped at Snape, but the Headmaster's face was set and stern. Teddy scrunched his eyes and thought of Eneko, who hardly anyone knew, and morphed his features to his friend's.
"I reckon it's not perfect but is it close enough?"
"I don't care. As long as you don't appear as Lupin's or mine, it'll do." Snape grabbed Teddy by the arm again and led him out of a narrow passageway that twisted and turned several times. Teddy felt dizzy, having spent almost no time moving in the last few weeks, but he followed, if only for the prospect of leaving his grim prison space.
Teddy and Snape turned a corner into the Headmaster's office. All the portraits' curtains were closed, creating an eerie silence in the office. Teddy realized that the voices he'd heard in his prison likely came from the portraits, rather than from other people. He was ready to tell Snape, when he was pushed into the fireplace.
The flames were already emerald green and Snape joined him, calling out the home in Spinner's End. Teddy fell face-first onto the sooty rug of Snape's home in Cokeworth. Snape didn't bother helping Teddy up but instead strode to the door, expecting Teddy to follow.
Teddy followed Snape into a narrow alleyway, and without another moment of hesitation, Snape grabbed him and spun on the spot. Teddy was dizzy and nauseous by the time they arrived to the coast.
"We are in Tinworth. Take me to Shell Cottage," Snape ordered. He waved his wand around them, creating a soft buzzing sound that encircled them both. Snape's features were fuzzy at the edges, which led Teddy to think it was an advanced charm to keep them hidden from passers-by.
"I…don't know exactly where it is," Teddy said sheepishly. Snape's look of utter loathing made Teddy recoil, and he decided to go walking in what he hoped was the right direction. They walked for several minutes, breathing in the fresh, salty sea air. Teddy was exhilarated for the first time in weeks; he had the roar of the sea at his side, the now pleasant rays of the sun overhead, and the freedom to see the world around him.
He wondered if it was possible to run away and live with Bill and Fleur for a while – they might believe him!
Teddy saw the outline of a small home in the distance. "I think it's there!" he shouted, pointing to the faraway chimney. Snape said nothing but continued following Teddy on the rocky, tumultuous seashore.
The sun was beginning to set, but still, Teddy and Snape pressed on. The cottage was now fully visible to Teddy, and his heart soared, seeing another familiar sight. It would be easy, he thought, to walk in, explain himself, and take the Floo to his Gran's home…he could go home. He sped up, longing for home, when a force pulled him back.
"You cannot go any further," Snape said. "They must not know you're here."
"But…why am I here? I thought – maybe – I could go home?"
Snape sneered at him. "Go home? There won't be a home if you continue to interfere with an already compromised timeline!"
"Then – why did you –" Teddy glanced helplessly behind him, where Shell Cottage stood, appearing to invite him into its coziness. Aunt Fleur and Uncle Bill were so close, thought Teddy – just a few more steps – he threw caution to the wind and began running for Shell Cottage, ready to see his Gran and parents—
Teddy lost consciousness again.
…
17 April 1998
"Stop," Teddy said groggily, flailing his arms above his head. Something pointy tickled his face, irritating him out of his slumber. He was having such a nice dream, too…he was at the beach, just outside Shell Cottage. He was going to swim with Bill and Fleur's children, Victoire, Dominique, and Louis. It was sunny, warm, and so pleasant—
"Ow!" Teddy shouted, sitting up abruptly. Puck was staring at him, angry and exasperated.
"Puck? What are you doing here? Am I back in the prison?" said Teddy, glancing around his surroundings. He was indeed back in his stone prison, as dim as he remembered it, and Puck was tapping his root-legs impatiently.
"Right - sorry, Puck. I had a strange dream. You have a message for me?"
Puck nodded his leafy head to the right and pointed a branchy arm to the wall.
"Okay?" Teddy said, at a loss for words. "That's a wall, Puck."
Puck smacked his branchy arms against his face and then against Teddy's. He leapt off the bed and went to the wall, climbing up the stones until he reached a spot in the center, and stopped to his leafy arm against it. He was squeaking loudly – the first time Teddy had heard a sound other than a raspberry from his littlest friend, which alarmed Teddy greatly.
Teddy got out of bed and went over to where Puck was pointing and squeaking.
"I really wish you spoke English, Puck," Teddy said. "I just don't know what you're trying to tell—"
Puck slammed his head against the stone, beckoning Teddy to do the same.
"I'm not going to hit my head against stone!"
Puck squeaked and leapt up onto Teddy's shoulder, swatting at his face and ears violently until Teddy's head knocked against a stone. Surprisingly, the stone was soft against his head. It didn't move and felt differently than if he'd touched it with his hand, but the stone felt almost spongy if he hit his head against it.
He tried again, with a little more force, and the spongy stone wobbled several times. Puck squeaked and pointed to the stone, and Teddy tried once more, with all the force he had, and ran his head into the spongy stone.
The final thrust of energy into the stone led to shake and split apart, shifting the other stones around it similarly until a portal appeared in the wall, opening up to a dark, stuffy sitting room.
"What on—" Puck was back on Teddy's shoulder, slapping his twiggy arm over Teddy's mouth.
Teddy understood, and let Puck lead him down a narrow, winding passageway. He was lucky he had decent vision in the darkness, as after several rounds, Puck led him around a corner to what Teddy was sure was the Headmaster's office.
"Going so soon?"
The voice behind Teddy caused him to jump a few feet in the air, yelping, which led to several groans and murmurs.
"You must be Mr. Lupin." Teddy's jaw dropped, finding himself face to face with Albus Dumbledore's portrait in the Headmaster's office.
"I…I…" stammered Teddy, taking a few steps back. Even Puck was disconcerted, now hiding behind one of Teddy's lapels.
"It's all right. I cannot hurt you," Dumbledore said gently. "I am but a portrait – an image – and cannot stop you from running away."
"I don't belong here," whispered Teddy. "I don't want to be here."
"Where will you go?"
"I'm not saying."
"The Come and Go Room?"
"…no."
Dumbledore arched a brow at Teddy. "You would risk losing the war?"
"We'll still win – we have to."
"I do not approve of Professor's Snape treatment of you, but you cannot return to your family just yet, Mr. Lupin."
"I just want my old life back."
Dumbledore's expression sobered. "It's not waiting for you. You can't go back."
"I know, but," Teddy said, biting his lip, "I have to try. I want to meet them – my mum and dad. If you had the chance to bring back the dead, wouldn't you?"
The portrait stared at him for several quiet moments. "Can you promise me something, Mr. Lupin?"
"When you see Harry again, don't tell him that he'll survive," Dumbledore said softly. "He has to be willing to die without knowing there's a chance."
"But there is—"
"I know that now, thanks to you," said Dumbledore. "But you must promise me – if all else fails, Harry must sacrifice himself."
"Okay…I promise."
"Your wand is in the top drawer of Professor Snape's desk. Your bowtruckle should help you locate it."
"Did you hear that, Puck? Let's go," Teddy whispered. He brought Puck to the drawer, and, using his sticklike arms, picked the lock so that Teddy could snatch his wand back.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," said Teddy. "No wonder Harry named his second son after you."
Dumbledore's portrait shed a tear, and before it could say anything else, Teddy ran down the steps to the gargoyle statue to get to the Room of Requirement as fast as his legs would take him.