A/N: Do not own. Updated at last! I swear, my other stories will be updated soon if I can help it. However, I assume many of you have been waiting for this chapter. It is a bit long... and drawn out in places but hopefully you will enjoy it. This is very Teddy-centred with a bit of Karrie thrown in and a handful of Slytherin children. Welcome to Teddy's Birthday chapter. I apologize if it is not as happy as it could be. X's are scene breaks, italics are usually thoughts. Enjoy and as always, use your words.
-x-
He shook violently, eyes closed tight. He couldn't shake the nightmares, they wouldn't go away. Teddy knew if he left the common room that a ward would trigger and wake his counselors, so he stayed there, curled up into a ball on that couch. Harry and Karrie had not returned to the camp yet. They had gone somewhere while he was with Tim and when he went to art, they weren't there. Harry might not keep away the nightmares but it helped, knowing that his friend was nearby. Tonight he didn't know where either of them were. It bothered him a little, because they were his friends and he worried about them, but it was not at the forefront of his mind at that moment. Because the monsters were back and he couldn't fight them off. Tomorrow was his birthday; birthdays had always been bad to him. He couldn't remember ever being happy on his birthday, it was a day of pain and humiliation. It was the day he was born and often times, it was the day he wished he hadn't been. He had tried, briefly, the year before to end this nightmare, but he couldn't. He hadn't been strong enough. Or perhaps he had been too strong. He wasn't sure, he was only twelve..no thirteen now. So perhaps he should know more, being thirteen, but it wasn't like he would change over night. Right now, he wished Tim hadn't taken his blades. He could conjure one, but it was not his strong suit and he wasn't sure he even knew how just yet. They hadn't learned conjuring yet, just cheering charms and simple spells. Nothing that he could harm himself with. He needed the pain, he needed to clear his head, to make the demons go away. To punish himself. Because he was bad, tainted. Shaking.
"Teddy?"
He shrank further back into the couch, his arms moving automatically to protect his head. He knew that voice though. The voice had never hurt him, not yet anyway, so he didn't think he would. But he might, people were unpredictable that way.
Charlie stopped moving, watching the child careful. He had to be in the throes of a nightmare or flashback. "I won't hurt you, Teddy. You are safe. You are at Hogwarts, at camp." He stated softly, crouching slowly, still quite a bit away from the child. He didn't want to be looming over the boy, it might upset him. He did have a feeling, though, that this might be beyond his level of help. That he might have to call in reinforcements. And he would, if needed.
He took a deep breath, trying to lock down his mind once more. But it wasn't working. He knew, rationally, that Charlie would not hurt him...but that didn't make him any less afraid. He lowered his arms slowly, eyes open and staring blankly into the dark. He wasn't sure how the man had even know he was there, but it didn't really matter. He just wanted to be alone. And to cut. But Teddy knew that Charlie probably wouldn't agree with either of those ideas. After all, he was an adult and adults were weird about things like that.
"Teddy? Could you tell me what's wrong please?" Charlie asked softly. A rapid head shake was his only answer. He bit back a sigh, rocking back on his heels. He couldn't help the child if he refused to tell him what was wrong. He could see that the child was terrified, but he didn't know of what or why. "Did you have a bad dream, Teddy?" No answer. Perhaps if he kept talking, the child would answer. Even if he didn't, it might make him feel safer. He knew it used to make him feel safer, when someone would just talk to him; it helped him out of his own nightmares. Perhaps it would help this child. It was worth a try. "You are safe here, Teddy. Whatever has upset you cannot harm you here. Nothing will harm you here."
Teddy calmed a bit more, breathing slowly. He couldn't talk about it, he knew that. But Charlie also made him feel safer. Much safer. He wasn't alone now and that helped greatly. It was much better than trying to handle the demons in his mind and the daunting shadows surrounding him alone. The light globe in the bunks helped with the shadows a bit but there was no light globe out here. The shadows taunted him, making him think that something was there when it wasn't. He hated that. He was no child, to be afraid of the dark. No, he wasn't afraid. But it was terrifying sometimes, when his mind would not quiet. Like tonight. His mind was too loud, his thoughts too wild. He couldn't control it, couldn't stop it. And that scared him. Because he needed control, so badly. That's why he harmed himself sometimes. For the control. He also deserved the pain but that was a different matter entirely. "Sorry Charlie. Couldn't sleep." He murmured finally, voice rough.
He might wear a bland mask but the child could not hide the emotional drain in his voice or the fear in his eyes. It was moments like these when he thought that boy seemed much older than he actually was. And he got that, Charlie understood the reasoning for it well. But that didn't make it any easier. "That's quite alright Teddy. Would you like to talk about it?" He questioned softly, watching the child fidget and shake. The boy was still shaking badly but not as much as he had been.
Teddy shook his head, eyes on his hands. He wished he could just dig his nails into his arms, but Charlie would see and that would be bad. He couldn't hurt himself in front of people, he just couldn't. And while Tim had told him that he could tell them when he felt like hurting himself, he didn't think he could. He couldn't hurt himself and he couldn't speak about it. Because if he did it would feel real again and he didn't want it to be real. He didn't want to think about his birthday. He didn't want to remember. He shivered, shaking the feeling of imaginary hands away. He was safe here, mostly. Most importantly, his father wasn't here. But that didn't get the images out of his head, that didn't make his mind shut up. No, if anything it seemed to become louder. Because he was bad. Dirty. Tainted. Worthless.
"Teddy?" Charlie called gently, frowning at the glazed over expression. He knew that expression, he had seen it occasionally during his time training to work with children. But he also seen it often in the group sessions. There was often one child with that absent expression, that one child who was, one way or another, triggered into a flashback or deep in the depths of their own mind. He had become something of an expert of drawing a child out of their own mind but he wasn't sure if he could, this time. Because even as he watched, Teddy seemed to be locking down. His breaths came faster, in gasps, and his body was rigid, tense. The child was close to have a panic attack and he didn't even know the cause!
Dirty little freak. No. Such a monster, you are. Please. You deserve this, don't you? No..yes. He groaned, trying to force the thoughts down once more. He had been alright, briefly, when Charlie had started trying to calm him. But it was back with a vengeance now. Because he was bad and he deserved it. He deserved the pain, mental and physical. He knew that. It was becoming harder to breathe, his chest was starting to hurt. He only knew one way to make it better, to make it so he could breathe. He couldn't calm his mind so he did the next best thing. His fingers found a scab near his shoulder and he scratched it off, groaning with relief as the pain allow his lungs to expand and constrict. He scratched off another scab and then another, fighting down a shudder. It hurt but it felt good. The pain felt good.
Charlie dropped his hand from his pendent, hesitating for a moment. If he touched the child, he might send him into a flashback or deeper in one. But if he didn't...he gently took the small wrist in his grasp, rubbing a small circle with his thumb against the boy's wrist when he tried to jerk away. "Shh. Steady there, Teddy. I won't hurt you. But I can't have you harming yourself either. Take a deep breath for me, alright?" He instructed quietly, not bothering to look when he heard the floo go off.
He took the requested breath, shaking slightly. Charlie had startled him for a moment but the pain was helping, even if the nightmares were still fighting for his attention. He could push them back a bit now, his eyes focusing on the blood spilling down his arm. Charlie wouldn't heal him; the older man would realize how foolish that would be. He didn't want to be healed. He needed the pain. Desperately. He needed much more, actually. But he was not dumb enough to think that Charlie would allow that.
Tim surveyed the pair on the couch for a moment before sticking his head back into the floo briefly. He would take Teddy back to Alexis' quarters, where he had been, if the child was alright with that. Hopefully, he would feel safe enough there to speak with them. He might take Charlie with them as well...The young man looked like he needed someone to lean on. Or a stiff drink. He bit back a sigh, noting Teddy's sluggishly bleeding arm. That would need healing, then, if the young man let him. He wasn't so sure the boy would, but he was going to stop the bleeding. "Teddy, Charlie." He moved toward them slowly, making enough noise so as not to frighten Teddy. Brown eyes snapped to his before relaxing minutely. The child was still shaking, still fighting inner demons but he was with them. He would hopefully not have to draw a mind out of a flashback tonight. That was never pleasant, for the patient or himself. "Why don't the three of us go somewhere more comfortable...and better lit?" He suggested gently, crouching down near Teddy.
Teddy hesitated, eyes darting between the two adults. He was not blocked in. Actually, both seemed to be giving him as much space as he needed while still being there. That made him feel a bit better. And being somewhere with the lights actually on might help. If nothing else, his demons were a bit less scary in the light. "Where?"
He recognized the uncertainty in the child's voice and smiled. "Alexis has invited us to use her living quarters." Tim replied quietly, intently watching the small face. There was fear there, a lot of fear, but he wasn't sure what it was focused on.
Teddy forced his face to stay blank, though the very thought made his insides feel warmer. His Headmistress' quarters, although unknown, would be safe. Because she would be there, or around anyway, and she was safe. "May Charlie come?" He asked finally, glancing up.
Charlie blinked, staring at the child. Although he loved these children, he was still surprised that one of them would want him. Especially when Alexis was around, as that woman was quite good. Good at calming, at caring, at listening. He was not that good. He could not even get the child to tell him what was wrong.
"Of course he may, Teddy. Before we floo there, however, may I heal your arm?" Tim questioned, raising an eyebrow when the boy shrank back and started to shake again.
"No. Please...no." He whimpered. The pain was holding the monsters at bay. He needed it. Badly. Otherwise he would get drawn deeper into it. And he couldn't be. He couldn't talk about it and he didn't want to think about it. He just needed pain.
"I merely want to stop the bleeding, Teddy. I will not take away the pain if you wish." He bit back a sigh, holding out a hand to the child. He knew that the boy would understand the gesture. It was not the first time he had asked to heal him, after all. Teddy hesitated for a moment but finally a small hand was in his and he let a drop of healing magic flow up it, knitting skin back together. But he did not heal it completely, that would have just caused more problems. He left the wounds pink and scabbed, with the small bit of pain still there. It would do more harm than good to take away the boy's pain. It would also cause him to lose the fragile trust they were building. He released the child's hand, gesturing toward the floo. It was quite time they spoke about what was upsetting him.
-x-
Wide brown eyes were surveying her sitting room in what she assumed was surprise. Clearly the child had not expected her quarters to be so...homey. She hadn't either, to be honest. Alexis smiled softly at the child when he looked at her, noting the spark of fear etched in his eyes. She didn't like being in the dark, but she had a feeling that neither of the men knew what was wrong with her child either. "Welcome Teddy." She broke the silence finally, gesturing to an armchair and offering the child a mug of hot chocolate. Chocolate was an amazing calming agent.
Teddy accepted the drink with a frown, sniffing it for a moment before taking a hesitant sip. His father was one to put unpleasantness into his drinks..But he would not think about that. No. He felt safe now...well safer. He didn't think he would truly feel safe tonight. He was with his Headmistress and Tim and Charlie. They wouldn't let anyone harm him, although he did know they would try to get him to talk. He'd refuse. He easily could just stay silent.
Tim waited until they were all seated with mugs in hand before turning to the child once more. "Could you tell us what is bothering you, Teddy?" He raised an eyebrow when the child squirmed, not looking at any of them, but kept his expression calm. He was worried about the child, something was very wrong here.
He flinched, shaking his head slowly. He couldn't tell them. He couldn't. It would make it worse, not better. You are bad. Dirty. Tainting others is unacceptable. He shuddered, trying to shake the voice from his head. Perhaps he was going mad, to hear voices. But he doubted it. He knew that voice, knew it well. There was no mistaking his father; no forgetting the words he had spoken so often. Words that he repeated to himself even now, because they were true. He was bad. Wasn't he?
Alexis leaned forward, frowning slightly. The way the child was shaking was not good. She had seen such behaviour before, in patients who were recalling frightening memories or thoughts. "Teddy, we cannot help you unless we know what is going on. I know it is difficult, but please try to trust us. We will not harm you and we will not let harm come to you. I promised you that, remember? I would never break a promise." She stated finally, gray eyes meeting brown. She avoided Tim's gaze, knowing very well that while she would never break a promise to this child, or any of her students, she had broken a few to the other healer before. But she was merely human after all. This child was hurting; she needed him to open up, otherwise she could not help him and she hated her children suffering for any reason.
He bit his lip hard, absently digging his fingers into the soft flesh on the inside of his wrist. The monsters were still there, in the back of his mind. He could only fight them down for so long. But talking would get him beaten. He knew that. But he also knew that they would not let him leave until he said something, although he did not particularly want to leave just yet. He needed this feeling of safety. It wasn't that he didn't trust his professor or his healer, he did. He just...wasn't used to this. Wasn't used to adults caring about what was bothering him. Mr. Malfoy and Professor Snape cared, sure, but that was different somehow. And usually they would drop it after a while, when he kept refusing to answer. But he knew that Alexis and Tim, even Charlie, wouldn't just let it drop. Sometimes he wished they wouldn't care and he could think of quite a few things they could do with their care. Because caring made it difficult to remain indifferent, to be silent and just let the bad things happen. Their care made him feel safe and he did not deserve to feel safe. He was bad, after all. "I'm fine, Professor. Just couldn't sleep." He shrugged finally, staring down at his lap.
She took a deep breath, closing her eyes in an attempt to not snap her usual reply to such an obvious lie. For one, it would not help the situation. And for another, the child was not quite at an age to appreciate it just yet. "I am aware that you are breathing, Teddy. But that doesn't make you alright. " The blank return stare made her sigh. "A wise man once informed me that he thought 'I'm fine' was abused childese for 'at least I'm breathing'." She explained softly, raising an eyebrow when the child glared at her.
"I'm not abused!" Teddy growled, eyes dark. He wasn't abused. He had been treated correctly. He had deserved it. Perhaps what his father had done with not right, but he had deserved it. The man said so. Repeatedly. So it wasn't abuse. Not in his case, anyway.
Charlie snorted into his mug, shaking his head slightly. Hadn't he once thought much the same? Two pairs of eyes glanced at him but he turned to focus on the child instead. "Then I guess Harry wasn't abused. Or Karrie. Lexie and Elijah, Robert. Hannah. Benjamin, Michael, Daniel, Jamie, Ariana. Rose, Nicholas, Marko, Milo. If what happened to you was not abuse, then none of them were abused either, by your logic." He retorted silkily, naming the current members of the "E" group. The children who were so extremely abused that all of their guardianships' had been terminated and transferred either to the school or to a relative. Abuse that was so horrendous that seasoned healers paled or turned green, depending on the case. Abuse that made healers who regularly dealt with abused cases swear violently and break things. The look Tim was sending him made him squirm for a moment, but it was what the child needed to hear. Perhaps he should have worded it better, he just wanted the boy to realize what he was saying clearly, without any way to interpret it wrongly.
Teddy frowned, kicking his feet. Harry and Karrie had definitely been abused, from the definition Mr. Malfoy had once gave to his group of friends. Actually, everyone at the camp had suffered from some form of mistreatment, although he knew that the ones Charlie mentioned were really bad cases. They were all in his group. Which meant... "Fuck." He whispered, staring at the floor. He knew his father had been doing bad things. But he had never equated it with abuse. Because was it abuse if you deserved it? But then, that was the same question Michael had asked yesterday and Jake had been quick to inform them that none of them deserved to be treated like that. No one deserved such treatment. So why did he?
She could see the thoughts swirling around the child's head, ignoring the soft curse. She had said worse, after all. Charlie might not have much subtlety but his words were true. "Kind?" She questioned softly, drawing the child's attention to her. "What happened to you was wrong, I know it is hard to accept but it was. You did not deserve it. No one deserves to be abused."
Teddy nodded, blinking at the German word. The affection in it, however, told him that it was not a bad thing. Not at all. Knowing that it was bad didn't make the monsters go away. But he suspected that little would. Except... "It's... my birthday." He admitted finally, looking between his professor and Tim for a moment. For some reason, he really did want to be honest with them. But he just knew he would be beaten for it.
"Did something happen on your birthdays, Teddy?" Tim questioned gently, shifting forward slightly. The child looked like he could fall into a panic attack quickly. His only answer was a slight nod.
"Teddy...your father will never harm you again. I will not allow it. Do not be afraid to speak here. You are safe." Alexis remarked softly, gray eyes meeting brown. She wouldn't, either. That bastard of a man was lucky to be alive. He would never see the child again if she could help it, and she could.
He was safe and perhaps his father would never find out if he spoke about it. But was he brave enough to do so? He wasn't a Gryffindor, after all. He was a Slytherin; cunning, ambitious, bright, and sneaky. But Slytherins were also loyal to their true friends and brave when they needed to be; they just didn't take foolish risks or rush in without having six or seven backup plans. He could do this, he could at least tell them a little. He trusted them and knew honesty would even help him feel better. "He...a lot happened on my birthdays. Usually he belted me...and then that night he always did the bad things. Because I took my mother from him." He spoke hesitantly, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes. He didn't want to see their disgust or pity.
"I will have to ask Lucius for exact dates, but I am quite sure that your mother passed when you were a toddler, Teddy. From a disease not commonly found in the wizarding community. You did not take her from your father." Alexis clarified softly, gray eyes warm. But inside she was ice. The vile man blamed his son, who had only been two or three and could not ever remember his mother, for her death? It was cruel but it had probably served the man's purposes to make Teddy feel like he deserved such abuse. It was worrying, the way Teddy spoke of the 'bad' things. She was almost afraid to ask. But she could guess at his meaning.
"Your mother's death was not your fault. Nor does her death excuse your father's behaviour. What were the bad things, Teddy?" Tim inquired, eyebrows knitting together. Some people should not be allowed to have children. But if they didn't, these wonderful, insightful, intelligent, hurting individuals would not be part of this world. It would be better if their children were taken away and raised properly earlier on, so that these children could be nurture and loved. Taught to accept care without question and love without suspicion. But life was not always ideal and he could not fix the world. His only hope, his only goals, were to heal these children. Because they needed someone desperately. Someone to listen, someone to care. And sometimes, as in the case of Alexis and Severus, someone to guide and correct them. Someone to teach and love them. They did not need, nor deserve, cruelty or abuse. No one did.
"Erm.." He couldn't speak of the bad things. Could he? They would think he was dirty and tainted. They'd really know how much of a freak he really was. His breathing got shorter and he closed his eyes, forcing the panic down. It wouldn't make them stop caring, he had to believe that. He just had to.
Charlie hesitated, but he could see the panic building in the younger boy. The child's fingers were already starting to cut into his wrist. He could easily guess what the bad things were, from group discussions and his own childhood. It was a risk but he also knew how it felt to find out the he wasn't alone. That someone else had been there too. Someone else had felt that dirty, that used. "It's hard to talk about the bad things, Teddy. But talking makes it better. If it makes it any easier, I'll tell you a secret of mine." He said finally, catching the child's eyes. He ignored Tim and Alexis for the moment, knowing that if he looked at them he would lose his nerve. It didn't help that he had told no one this, ever, and yet he was about to revel it to a newly turned thirteen year old and two older adults who he looked up to. Teddy gave a small nod and he bit his lip, not knowing the best way to phrase it. Bluntly would not work here, not for either of them. He knew Jake and Mary suspected, after a few interesting group meetings that left him a bit...snappy. "When I was younger my fa..friend forced himself on me, several times." The gasp that met his statement was not surprising. He knew the child understood his meaning clearly.
"But you're so strong." Teddy protested, eyes wide. If someone like Charlie had been...hurt like him, then maybe he wasn't alone. He knew Karrie had been raped, but that was different. She was a girl.
Alexis' eyes narrowed, not having missed his fumble before he said it was a friend. So Charlie's father had raped him...and no one ever caught this. Hogwarts had failed so many. No more. She wouldn't let it happen any more. Her students deserved better.
"So are you. It doesn't make you weak or dirty, Teddy. Just hurt. It happens to so many people. It isn't right, but it does. Now, your turn." Charlie shrugged, raising an eyebrow at the child. Hopefully the boy would not repeat it to anyone, but he didn't think he would. Teddy was smart, after all. He would know a secret when he heard one.
"My father...did a lot of things. I don't know what some of them are called but the last two years he...forced himself on me." Teddy murmured finally. Forced was better than raped, anyway. At least to his mind. He shook slightly, not daring to look up. He didn't want to see their pity and disgust. Although, Charlie had been..hurt too, and they didn't look at him like that.
"What your father did was not your fault Teddy. He was in the wrong here. No one deserves to be treated like that, ever." Tim remark finally, causing brown eyes to look up at him. There was no pity on his face, nor would there be. The child did not need pity. He needed love and understanding. And although he would like to explore the subject of the child's abuse, especially now that he was admitting to the sexual abuse, it was late and the child was visibly still shaken. Exhausted.
Alexis frowned, watching the child shake still. He was hurting and he needed comfort but the child would not ask for it, she knew that. She beckoned to him with a soft smile, setting her tea aside. Her body ached and she was tired, but she was also quite willing to hug this child, if he would allow it.
Teddy hesitated, turning the thoughts over in his head. His father had always told him that he was bad and that he didn't deserve comfort, but his father had hurt him and Tim said that was bad. It wasn't his fault. He wasn't bad, perhaps. Just...hurt. He stood slowly, took a deep breath and finally gave in, throwing himself into her welcoming arms and crawling onto her lap. He shifted slightly so that his weight, light as it was, wouldn't hurt his professor. She was too skinny, after all.
She held him tight, rocking him softly and whispering comforting words into his ear. He wasn't crying but he was shaking still. Slowly he calmed down and she could feel the child relaxing in her arms. She glanced over his head and frowned slightly, catching Tim's eyes. He merely nodded, turning back to the young man in front of him.
Charlie shook slightly, staring blankly at his lap. He had never told anyone that before and yet, he just told a child. What he would do for a fire whiskey about now. A warm hand rested on his shoulder, causing him to force back a flinch. A gentle hand grasped his chin, lifting his eyes up to meet brown.
"Deep breaths, Charlie. You are safe and cared for now. By Merlin, if it takes Alexis and I all summer, we will help you. You are not alone now." Tim murmured softly, squeezing the boy's shoulder. He felt the younger man relax slightly as blue eyes glistened with tears that he knew would not fall. The younger man would be alright, both of them would be. It would just take time.
-x-
"Teddy!" He grinned, racing across the room to his friend, Karrie following at a more subdue pace.
"Harry. Hallo Karrie." Teddy replied with a smile, eyes taking in the room. It wasn't a very large room but it was big enough for a small party and that was what they were having. He was still a bit afraid, though he would never said it aloud. But he knew he was safe. He had woken up in a bed next to Bain this morning; the older boy had a room in Alexis' quarters as well as at the camp, apparently he had also had a bad day yesterday. His professor had reassured him once more, at breakfast, that he was safe and that she would let no one harm him. For some reason, he believed her. But that didn't stop the fear from rising.
"Hallo Teddy. Happy Birthday." Karrie touched his arm softly, a Slytherin gesture of comfort that Millie had taught her. She understood the disdain for birthdays. Hers had always been a bit...sad. But she was actually looking for to August, when she would finally celebrate a birthday with her friends. Besides, she felt safe with the boys, even after yesterday.
"Thanks Karrie." He glanced toward the door and smirked, nodding toward the small group bickering there. "It seems that the rest of our friends have arrived." He stated dryly, causing his two friends to turn toward the door. He did a quick mental count and frowned. He didn't see Neville in the group, but perhaps he was behind Blaise? The Italian was bigger than him, after all.
"'Ello Mate!" Blaise grinned, striving forward with Draco beside him.
"Once more, Mr. Zabini. Speak properly." Lucius scolded, bringing up the rear of the group. He turned back to Alexis and Severus, shaking his head. "I swear that child is pushing for more lessons."
Draco smirked, catching Teddy's eye. Both of them knew that the Italian would just dissolve into worse speech patterns to irritated his father. Blaise was like that. "Good afternoon." He greeted pleasantly, knowing better than to ignore his upbringing. He glanced toward the girls and sighed. They had been trying to get Neville to relax but it wasn't really working.
Karrie frowned, moving toward her friends. Millie and Daphne were focused on someone behind them and as she got closer, she realized exactly who it was. "Millie, Daphne." She greeted softly, before turning green eyes back to Neville. "Calm down Longbottom, or I'll hex you." She added, grinning at the boy. Neville hesitated but grinned back, relaxing quickly.
"Well damn. If we knew threats worked, we would have tried it sooner." The linting, loud tone of Blaise came. His accent was still thick sometimes, even after years of trying to sound more English.
"Mr. Zabini!" Lucius scolded, shaking his head. That boy was going to turn him gray faster than his own sons.
"Only Karrie is allowed to threaten me." Neville growled, locking eyes with the slightly smaller girl.
"Alright, children. Everyone take a seat and we shall start with cake." Alexis ordered, biting back a sigh. There were only eight children there, but she had a feeling that eight would be more than enough. Especially with only three adults and Bain to supervise. She knew that Charlie and Phil had already given the child their gifts, since they did have nine other boys to mind. It was going to be a long evening.
-x-
Millie frowned, shaking her head. It didn't matter what Karrie said, she wasn't going to tell Mr. Malfoy. "Come on, Karrie. It's Teddy's birthday, so just drop it."
Karrie scowled but gave in. If her friend wouldn't tell, then she would. And soon. She turned her eyes back to the group of boys, who were acting out some ridiculous story with the dragons and other magical creatures. "Alright. Let's get Neville to play." She murmured finally, striding toward the shy boy and looping her arm around his before pulling him into the middle of the dragon battle.
"Oh no! It's the magical Unicorns! They'd come to stop the Red Dragon's army!" Millie shrieked, grabbing one of the free dragons and flying it dramatically toward Karrie and Neville. The boys and Daphne paused in their mock battle for a moment before Teddy grinned and tossed two of the Unicorns to Karrie and Neville.
"Defend Old White, my unicorns!" He cried, falling to the ground with his dragon and making it crash spectularly to the ground.
"He's injured! Oh no!" Harry shouted, his own black dragon spewing puffs of smoke as he brought it to hoover above Teddy's old White, the one he was proud to have given his friend. He turned it toward Draco's army so that Sparky, the black dragon, could defend Old White.
Karrie grinned, her unicorn flying through the air with her to tackle Blaise's green dragon. "Take that, you vile being!"
"Hey! Unicorns can't fly!" Blaise protested, dive bombing her unicorn with his dragon.
"Magical Unicorns can!" Karrie retorted, spearing the dragon with her silver unicorns horn.
Neville smirked, his own Unicorn trampling over a fallen small Red. "You'll never conquer us!"
"Oh yeah?" Daphne giggled, grabbing another dragon as her's was now out.
"All Unicorns are magical!" Blaise scowled, trying to pull his dragon free.
"Well some are more magical." Karrie shrugged.
"Nauh."
"Uhhuh"
"He can't fly, Karrie! It's cheating!" He snapped.
"She can! You're out."
"No!"
"Yes!
"Your rules are stupid." He snapped, shoving her. He hadn't meant to, he didn't really think it through first. Nor had either of the pair noticed the adults that had started toward them. She didn't shove him back, which wasn't really surprising if he thought about it. But he had forgotten that he was playing with Karrie, who wasn't used to roughhousing like the other boys were. Even though Teddy and Harry were reluctant to rough house. He froze when she hit the ground, frowning when she started to shake. Uh-oh. That was bad. He hadn't meant to hurt her. He had just been getting frustrated. He jumped when a firm hand landed on his shoulder, tilting his head back to look up into Mr. Malfoy's face. He was in trouble now.
Karrie trembled, staying where she had landed. She knew Blaise had just been playing but...she couldn't play rough like that. She couldn't. It surprised her that before anyone else reached her, Harry and Teddy had, dropping down beside her on either side. Neville also moved near her but he knew enough to keep his distance. They had all stopped playing when Blaise had shoved her. Which was unexpected. She hadn't meant to interrupt their game. She flinched back when a shadow loomed over her, feeling Teddy and Harry lean against her in silent support, before the shadow was gone and someone, an adult, was crouching in front of her.
"Karrie. You are safe. Breathe, child." Alexis murmured softly, for the ears of her three charges alone. The children had been playing so well and then this happened. She knew that these three children did not play often, did not act like the children they actually were. And she hated that; for soon they would believe that they were too old to play such games. But they were not.
Karrie took a shuddering breath, trying to still her panic. She had to keep face, even if they were her friends, she knew that. She couldn't let them see her fall apart, not over something as simple as a shove. And she knew he hadn't meant to harm her. He had just been being hot-headed Blaise, who often acted without thought. The Headmistress' presence was calming, even as the woman whispered calming words to her. She knew Teddy trusted her and that carried much weight, so she was not hesitant to trust the older woman. She knew instinctively that Alexis would never harm her and that she would do her best to protect her. She took a deep breath, slowly allowing her mind and body to calm.
She smiled softly at the child, waiting until she was calming down before offering her a hand. The girl was hesitant but took her hand finally and she pulled her to her feet, biting back a grin when the two boys stood automatically, still flanking their friend. She cast a silent, wandless diagnostic spell and nodded when it came back normal. The child wasn't hurt, at least not physically. "You alright, Karrie?" She murmured finally, meeting the young girl's eyes.
"Yes professor. I think I'm alright now." Karrie replied, equally soft, leaning against her two best friends. It had been less than a week, but the boys had quickly grown on her and she didn't want to be separated from them. They were stronger, in all ways, when they were together.
Alexis nodded, turning to find Lucius. She bit back a sigh, spotting the older man easily. He was directing the other children to cleaning up and getting their things together while keeping an eye on the boy in the corner. She knew that giving the child time to think over his behaviour had probably been the best course of actions, as he did seem to have a quick temper.
Lucius caught Alexis' eye and turned to the younger man. "Come Blaise." He ordered softly. The young teen shuffled out of the corner and over to him, biting his lip. He rested a gentle hand on his shoulder, placing a finger under the child's chin so that he had to meet his eyes. "We will work on it." He murmured gently. And they would, the child had to learn to control his temper. He knew the boy was bound to act out, his mother had just got married again, for the eighth time, and that meant another round of not knowing what to expect from his newest Stepfather. "Now, I believe you have something to say to Karrie?"
Blaise grimaced but nodded, turning and walking slowly over to his friends. The glares Teddy and Harry sent him made him feel much worse, but he understood why. He shouldn't have acted like that, he knew better. And of course, he kept finding himself in corners this week. First for getting in a fight with Draco and then for losing his temper with Neville. And now for this. For shoving Karrie, who hadn't deserved it at all. He couldn't even justify his actions this time. "I'm sorry Karrie. I was a right ass." He stated finally, meeting her eyes for a moment.
Lucius groaned, placing his head in his hands. That was not what he meant by an apology. He would have to fix that child's language, and soon.
"You were a right ass. But I forgive you." Karrie replied and smirked, raising an eyebrow at him. He grinned in response. All was well between them then.
"Mr. Zabini, . I do not want to hear such language again, or I will wash both of your mouths out." Severus drawled from the door way, frowning at the two children. Alexis was no help here, she looking like she was trying desperately not to laugh. Indeed, he also found their banter entertaining, but that did not mean he would have two children who fell into the habit of swearing. Especially if one of them was to become his ward. The chorus of 'yes sires' did not reassure him, not when they were said amongst giggles. It was time to take Harry and Karrie back to their quarters for the weekend; time for the manor brats to return home.
Lucius sighed, beckoning his charges to him, nodding to his two friends, and leading the five children toward the nearest floo. They would be back in a few weeks, he was sure, for Harry's birthday and then Karrie's. As well as the three coming to the manor for Neville's birthday. They children would get to see each other again soon and he would badly need a fire-whiskey before that.
-x-
Alexis watched the child sitting in her quarters, biting back a smile. She had invited him back her after the party, for a question she needed to ask him. Hopefully, Teddy, as well as Bain, would spend the weekend in her quarters. She had come to find that she liked having children here, whether they were these two or any of her dozen or so wards. Many of the children had spent an afternoon her, after learning that their parents had lost custody or given them up. Others had come for comfort when they needed it or when they landed in trouble. Her nineteen wards, if she counted Bain and didn't count Karrie, were a handful and someone was always in some form of trouble. She could not adopt them all and some of them already had other teachers interested in taking them in. Karrie, for instance, was soon going to be the ward of Severus and Remus, if the child agreed. The girl was already staying with them this weekend, as something of a trial period. She had been hesitant to do this today but she felt that this might be the best present she could give the child. "Teddy, there is something you should know. When Mr. Malfoy came this afternoon, he brought with him a guardianship form. For you. Your father has lost all of his rights and he can never touch you again." She remarked finally, gently.
Teddy blinked, face blank. He would not have been surprised if the man have not wanted him. But that he had been taken from him? That was shocking, that someone cared enough to take him away. He could only think of a handful who would care. Severus. Mr. Malfoy. Tim. Charlie. And...Alexis. "Do I have a new guardian, professor?" He asked finally, looking up at her. It didn't hurt as much as he thought it would, to be honest. He actually felt...relieved.
"You do. If that guardian is unacceptable, then we shall find you a guardian who you like. But if it is acceptable to you, I am your new guardian with the option to adopt you, should you agree wish, in a few months time." She explained quietly, fighting the urge to bite her lip. It was a nervous habit and she was a bit nervous. The child might not accept her, although he had already worked his way into her heart.
He froze, staring at her blankly for a moment. She wanted him? She wanted him! And then Teddy did something that he would have once been ashamed of, since he was used to emotions being bad. But he didn't care now. Because she wanted him. So he was out of his chair and hugging her hard in a matter of seconds.
"I take it, that's a yes then." Alexis grinned, returning the hug and ruffling his hair.
"Is this a private party, or can anyone join?" Bain drawled from where he lounged against the door. So he know had a mother and a brother. Perhaps Severus was right and life really did get better.
"Of course, Bain. We will have to set Teddy up his own room tomorrow. But for tonight, you can share." She teased, enlarging her chair was a wave of her hand. She was quite good at charms...just not transfiguration. The brown eyes that shone brightly up at hers and the red-headed teenager dropping beside her on the chair with a grin, was her only answer. Yes, perhaps being Headmistress would not be so bad after all. At least, it would have its good moments.
-x-))
A/N- Alexis' definition of "fine" was not my invention. It comes from Paganaid's(whose name I believe I butchered)from the story "Dudley's Memories."It is a wonderful story for those who want a more...canon related story.
Also, if the children seem young here, they are. They are merely twelve and thirteen. At that age I was till playing make believe with my sister, so I believe that they probably would too.