"Ready to go?"

Teddie shrugged but didn't look up from her packing.

Marcus sighed and shuffled into the room. He stopped directly behind her, looking down over her shoulder at the picture frame in her hands. Inside was a small image of her, Mason, and her parents. Neither she nor Mason were more than a few years old, and he guessed it was an old image.

"I know it's hard," said Marcus.

"No, you don't," said Teddie. "Your parents are alive and well."

Tentatively, Marcus placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "You're right. I'm sorry, I have no idea how you're feeling," he agreed.

"I sense a but. How can there be a but in this conversation?"

Marcus remained silent as Teddie took a deep breath. Once he was sure she wouldn't bite his head off again, he swallowed and said, "What happened to you and your family isn't fair, Ted. But there are families out there that are being ripped apart."

"Yeah, and you want me to run and hide!"

"I want to keep you safe!"

Teddie whirled around, eyes narrowed and fresh tears cresting the lids. "Keep me safe?" she asked. "How? How are you going to keep me safe? Remove me from England? Hide me in a safe house somewhere oversees?"

"If that's what it takes," said Marcus.

"People are dying every day!" Teddie argued. "My friends and their families are being sacrificed at my expense by two psychos looking for ultimate power."

"Which is why we must get you away," said Marcus. "They can't get ultimate power if you're not here."

Teddie angrily wiped at her face. "You could hide me at the bottom of the ocean, and I'd never be safe," she said. "Avery has proved that she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Something as vast as an ocean isn't going to come between her and me."

"It could," said Marcus. "But you have to let it. I thought you were all for hiding. What changed."

Teddie half-glanced at the Daily Prophet on her bed.

Marcus picked it up and read the headline:

MUGGLE FAMILY KILLED IN THEIR BEDS.

Mr and Mrs Poles' of 24 Spinners End were murdered in their sleep. Muggle authorities have launched an investigation into their deaths, but all leads are coming to dead ends.

Ministry of Magic officials deemed the deaths unnatural to Muggles and indicate that two of the Unforgivable curses may have been used.

"I knew them," said Teddie, softly. "He was a milkman. Not the most glamorous of jobs, but he loved it. He loved his wife and children, too, but it didn't stop Avery from slaughtering them."

"That's not your fault."

"No? They were my neighbours. They were targeted because they knew me."

"It's still not your fault."

Teddie tossed the picture frame onto her bed and spun around to face Marcus. She raised her hands and shoved them against his chest, knocking him back. "They were innocent!" she yelled, tears cascading down her cheeks. "They didn't deserve to die! They didn't deserve to be killed just because they knew me."

Initially stunned, Marcus regained his composure and stepped forward. He wrapped his arms around Teddie, despite her trying her hardest to wrangle free, and pulled her close to him.

"She killed them because they knew me!" Teddie sobbed, her body shaking as she clutched at Marcus' shirt. "They didn't deserve to die. They… they…" she broke off into hiccups.

A knock on the door caused Marcus to turn and Theo entered the room. He noticed the pair, his brow furrowed, then he saw the Daily Prophet on the ground. He sighed, having read the article in his own copy downstairs.

Crossing the room, Theo took Teddie into his own arms as Marcus released her from his hold. The two teenagers clung to one another, with Theo cradling the back of Teddie's head in his hand as she sobbed into his shoulder.

"Your dad is looking for you," Theo told Marcus. "I'll make sure she's all ready to go."

Marcus nodded and left the room.

Silence descended, broken only by Teddie's sobs and Theo's occasional whispers of 'you're okay. It's okay' as he rocked his best friend into submission.

After a while nothing moved or made a sound. Theo still held Teddie to him, her face still buried in his shoulder as her arms clasped behind his back; her grip was fierce on him as was his around her.

"I know it's not ideal," said Theo, finally. "And I know you want to fight. But now is not the time. Avery wants you to come find her, that's why she is doing this. But we can't just run out and meet her, we'll lose."

Teddie raised her head, resting her chin on Theo's shoulder. Her voice was thick from crying. "I know," she sniffled. "I just feel so helpless."

"The one thing you are not is helpless."

"Doesn't change how I feel."

Theo pulled back and cupped Teddie's face, forcing her to meet his gaze. "We are doing the right thing," he said. "We're not pulling back and hiding, we're strategizing. Thinking of a plan. We need to be able to protect ourselves before we can face Avery, and that starts with removing you from the equation."

"But she's not going to stop."

"I wouldn't expect her, too," said Theo, shaking his head. "She knows how much of a protective person you are, and she knows you'll do anything to protect those that you love. She's targeting those people because she wants to draw you out into the open; but if we stand even the slightest chance of defeating her, we need a plan."

Teddie sighed. She's usually to headstrong for plans. "I just don't see why we can't do that here," she said, pulling out of his reach and rubbing her face.

"Because we aren't protected here."

"We live with the Head of the Auror department," Teddie argued. "Doesn't get much more protected than that."

"And Mo is under review at the Ministry for keeping such a highly valuable target at his home," said Theo. "Besides, I don't think he is going to be the Head of the Department for much longer."

Teddie furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"Mo asked me to come get Marcus because the Scrimgeour is downstairs," said Theo. "He has come to discuss things with Mo, and I think one of those things might be you."

Turning on her heels, Teddie strode across her bedroom and pulled open the door. She stopped short as Marcus stood on the other side, his hand raised and poised to knock.

"You've been requested downstairs," said Marcus.

"It's Scrimgeour, isn't it?" Teddie asked.

Marcus nodded. "Dad will be there, too," he said, reassuringly.

Teddie glanced at Theo and then turned back to Marcus. "Where are they?" she asked.

"In the study."

"Do you want us to come with you?" Theo asked.

Teddie shook her head. "But can you find Mason for me?" she asked. "I may not like the idea of going into hiding when my life in England is being pulled down around me, but if it means protecting the little family, I have left then who am I to argue?"

"It's for the best," said Marcus.

Teddie nodded. "I'll come find you guys when I'm finished," she said. She moved passed Marcus and headed downstairs to the study, leaving two of her best friends to find her brother and finish their own preparations to leave.

Outside of the study, Teddie hesitated, listening to the hushed voices inside. She recognised them both as Mo Flint and Rufus Scrimgeour. They were arguing about something.

"Your new Head of Security is a Death Eater!"

"Come now, Mo, you can't accuse people of being a Death Eater without proof."

"I have proof. I put him away sixteen years ago."

"Nonsense. Pius Thicknesse is as reliable as they come."

Mo sounded frustrated, and Teddie couldn't blame him. If he knew that a known Death Eater had infiltrated the ministry and was the right-hand man to the Minister, then it was only a matter of time before Scrimgeour was working Voldemort's agenda, instead of his own. And what was stopping Thicknesse from killing Scrimgeour once they got what they wanted? Nothing.

Teddie grit her teeth, Scrimgeour was just as much a fool as Fudge had been. Neither one could see further than their own blind ambition, and their willingness to trust people that had never once led them astray.

"He has the Dark Mark. So does Yaxley."

"Careful, Mo, you're treading on very thin ice," said Scrimgeour. "We call knew changes were coming to the Ministry, including the Head of Magical Law Enforcement. You've been a magnificent leader these past few years, but -"

"What?"

Teddie leaned closer; her head almost pressed against the door as she yearned to hear more of the conversation on the other side.

Scrimgeour sighed. "You're harbouring a dangerous weapon," he said. "One that you cannot possibly contain should anything go wrong. You must've known that this would happen if you continued to associate yourself with them."

"I have never and will never be associated with them," said Mo. "As for this weapon, as you so crudely called her, is a child. An innocent child that was born into a bad situation. She is no more in control of her life than we are of our own."

Teddie pulled back. So, they were talking about her, and Theo had been right. Mo was no longer in charge of the Magical Law Enforcement Department at the Ministry, which was probably the reason he was desperate to get her out of the country as soon as possible. She may have been seventeen already, and there of age within the Wizarding World, but she no longer had a protection detail under the new management.

"Speaking of Miss Green," said Scrimgeour. "I'm sure your son is capable of realising how important it is I speak with her before I return."

Teddie curled her hands into a fist. She was seconds away from barging into the study and socking Scrimgeour in the face. It was one thing for him to speak so rudely of her, but to do it of her friends was a one-way ticket to a world of hurt.

"Bagel," Mo called.

There was a distinctive pop, and Teddie knew that Mo had just called for the assistance of a House Elf. "Yes, sir?" the elf squeaked.

"Please find Miss Green," Mo said.

"Yes, sir," said the House Elf and they disappeared.

Teddie waited a few minutes, she then raised her hand and knocked. Mo immediately called for her to enter, and she did, her gaze meeting his and then falling to the Ministers.

"Ah, Miss Green, finally," said Scrimgeour. "I don't have time to dawdle, so I'll just get straight to it. As you know, Professor Albus Dumbledore's passing at the end of last year was a shock to all of us."

Teddie felt her heart pang. Scrimgeour didn't seem to show any remorse for his words, and while she knew he wasn't an open man in terms of feelings and emotions, he could've shown an ounce of respect for the late Headmaster of Hogwarts.

"I have recently been made aware that, before he passed, you and young Mr Potter were taking extra lessons from him, am I right?"

"Yeah, so what?" Teddie asked.

"I need you to tell me what it is you were discussing."

"What does it matter?" Teddie asked. "Dumbledore is gone. What we did when he was alive is no concern of anyone's anymore."

Scrimgeour pinched the bridge of his nose. "We are both aware that Dumbledore always did things in his own way, but this is a matter of national security," he said, warningly. "If he has told either you or Mr Potter anything to do with the upcoming war then you are duty bound to tell me."

"I'm not duty bound to tell you anything," said Teddie. "What Dumbledore told Harry and I in private stays between Harry and I."

"So, there is something?"

"Maybe."

"You do not want to test my patience, Miss Green," said Scrimgeour. "It will not end well for you."

"Is that a threat?" Teddie asked. "It sounds like a threat. Let me tell you, Minister, I don't take kindly to threats from people who were warned well beforehand that a war was coming. You and Fudge knew this would happen one day, and neither of one of you did anything to try and stop it."

"Teddie," Mo warned.

Teddie glanced at Mo. He had been like a second father to her, and she didn't want to do something that would upset or rock the boat between them. He had been so good to her in the many years they had known one another, and she respected him too much to cause problems.

"Just tell me what Dumbledore told you and we can put a stop to this war before it even begins," said Scrimgeour.

"It's too late for that," said Teddie, shaking her head. "The war has started. There is no stopping it now. We just have to let it run its course and be ready for the final fight, whenever that may be."

"And are you ready?"

Again, Teddie glanced at Mo. "Rome wasn't built in a day, Minister," she said. "It's an old Muggle proverb. My father used to say it all the time. Basically, it means, if you want results then you're going to have to have patience and wait."

"This is a war, Miss Green," said Scrimgeour. "Patience is a luxury we cannot afford."

"I guess you should've done something about that when you had the chance, then, shouldn't you?" Teddie said, her words dripping with sarcasm.

The pair stared at one another, and it was in that moment that Teddie noticed something she had failed to see. Scrimgeour eyes were glazed. Like Pansy's had been when she had been carrying the cursed necklace last year. She must have been so blinded in her anger when she first walked in, that she had failed to notice it.

"I see that we are going to get nowhere," said Scrimgeour, standing. "In the case, I shall take my leave." He crossed to the fireplace, paused and turned back. "I know you and I have never seen eye-to-eye, Miss Green, but given the current state of the world I hoped that things would be different."

Teddie considered him for a few moments; she then scoffed and shook her head. "You, of all people, should know how stubborn I am, Minister," she said. "I said almost the same thing to you summer before my fifth year, when we were first introduced. You did nothing then, nothing that could've stopped what is about to happen from happening. Why would now be any different?"

"Those were different circumstances."

"Doesn't matter," said Teddie. "Your choices from then are what has caused the events of today. We can't change what has already happened."

Scrimgeour studied the teenager before him for a few moments. He then bowed his head. "No," he agreed. "We cannot. Good day, Miss Green. Mo," he added, nodding at them both.

"Just one thing," said Teddie. "Why didn't you ask me all this yesterday when you saw me at the Burrow?"

"Because, Miss Green, you and Mr Potter have the profound innate ability to sync your stories when you are together," said Scrimgeour. "I believed that by confronting you alone, I may very well get the truth out of you."

Teddie pursed her lips as she rolled her eyes, a small hmm vibrating against her lower lip. "I see," she said. "Well, sorry to disappoint you, Minister."

Scrimgeour studied her for a few seconds and then stepped into the fireplace and disappeared in a flicker of green smoke.

Silence fell in the office, broken only by the ticking of the clock above the mantle. Then, Mo cleared his throat. "Marcus tells me you're having second thoughts about leaving?" he asked.

"My neighbours are being targeted back home," said Teddie. "It feels wrong that they are dying because they knew me, and I'm hiding out in some foreign country. I feel that I should be doing something to help them."

"You are," said Mo. "Don't think of it as hiding away, Teddie. You are leaving so that you can come back stronger than ever before. If you go out to fight now, there is a chance that you won't come back and who will then be there to protect your friends?"

Teddie sighed. She knew he had a point.

"I know it's not ideal," agreed Mo. "I know you want to do something, and given your history, you're a girl of action."

A small smile crept onto Teddie's face.

"Hiding may not be your stride," Mo continued. "But it is not for nothing. I wouldn't take you away if I thought this wasn't going to do something good. Okay?"

Taking a deep breath, Teddie nodded. "I trust you," she said. "I know you wouldn't be doing things for nothing. You also have a stake in what I can do. If I am able to access the part of me that unlocks Faye, then you and your family are safe, too."

"I'm not just doing it for that," said Mo. "You are family to me, Teddie. You and your brother, and Theo. You're the children Ursula and I always wanted."

"Why didn't you have any more children after Marcus?" Teddie asked. She wasn't sure why she had asked it and wished that she hadn't said it so bluntly. What Mo and Ursula did in their spare time was their business, but they were the kind of parents that rivalled Rose and Robert. They hadn't hesitated in taking in three orphans and raising them like their own,

Mo smiled fondly. "We tried," he said. "I'm sure Marcus told you that Ursula couldn't carry girls?"

Teddie nodded, remembering Christmas of second year. Her, Marcus, Mason, and the rest of their friends around the Christmas tree. Marcus explaining that his parents had always wanted a big family but couldn't achieve it because of issues with Ursula's fertility.

She had questioned adoption. But an explanation of adoption in the Wizarding world was a lot harder than in the Muggle.

"Sorry," Teddie said.

"For what?" Mo asked.

"For asking."

Mo chuckled and shook his head. "Nonsense," he said, smiling. "Your thoughtfulness is what makes us love you. Besides, we have been just as lucky to have you three, as we would've been having more children."

Teddie smiled. "I love you too, Mo," she said. "Both of you. I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me, Theo, and Mason."

Mo nodded. "Now run along," he said. "We'll be leaving soon."

Teddie nodded and left the office.

Once the door was closed, Mo slumped in his seat. He loved Teddie like a daughter, but there were times he wished that he could be straightforward and honest with her, especially when it concerned her standing with Faye when all this was over.

But he knew that she would never go forward with the plan if she knew the truth, and unfortunately, no matter how much he cared about her, he couldn't risk her backing out now.