TRAITOR
~.~
Chapter 4:
Ted sat at the Hufflepuff table in the Great Hall, surrounded by friends, laughter and the delicious scents of Hogwarts food. Though he had eaten his fill and had no reason to linger, the Prefect found himself intrigued by the discussion unfolding around him. Ted listened with relish as his house mates animatedly spoke of the impending Quidditch season. It was a subject that always excited his house, though it never ceased to cause arguments.
"Come on, you have to admit that Appleby Arrows are the best team-" Bradley Macmillan began but was cut off before he could finish.
"I am admitting no such thing! They had one good game in 1935 against Vratsa Vultures-" Amos Diggory's muddy brown eyes flashed in exasperation in the flickering candlelight.
"I think you'll find it was 1932! That one legendary match lasted for sixteen days!" Bradley yelled back, his forkful of potato forgotten. "If you're going to put my team down, at least get the facts right."
Both Diggory and Macmillan had been returning to this argument since their first year, each determined to prove why their team was better. Ted chuckled and shook his head, secretly preferring the Chudley Cannons. Though regarded as the underdog, Ted was an avid fan and hoped that they would have a strong comeback someday.
It was then that the Prefect felt a gentle prodding on his right arm. Looking down, he noticed fourth year Georgia Abbot tugging on his robes.
"Ted, who is your favourite team?" She asked loudly, drawing the attention of the bantering badgers.
"Nice try Georgia, but I'm not getting involved." Ted replied smoothly, taking a sip of pumpkin juice. Disappointment and irritation flickered in her glacial blue eyes before she turned away from him. One thing about Georgia, she liked to stir things up. Not on a Slytherin scale, but still.
Ted decided it was best to leave now, before he was forced to deal with the fallout of the ensuing debate. Quickly finishing his drink, he rose to his feet, swinging long legs over the bench.
"Heading back to the Common Room?" A male voice asked above the rising volume. Ted glanced across the table of leftovers and half empty decanters to see his best friend and fellow Muggle-born, Matt Griffiths.
"Yeah, I'm not sticking around." Ted joked, jabbing a thumb at the bickering group at his back.
"Good point." Matt agreed, rushing to Ted's side.
As they exited the noisy Hall and headed towards the grand moving staircases, Matt cleared his throat. Ted rolled his eyes, knowing what was coming. Since breakfast his cocoa skinned friend had been giving his opinions on Ted's appointed tutor.
"So, how was your first day with the Pureblood Princess?" Matt asked, curiosity peaking now that they were alone. Ted recalled his hour with Andromeda Black.
"It was... okay." The blonde replied after a few moments, giving a casual shrug.
It had been okay. Andromeda wasn't as bad as her sisters, and even though she had visibly recoiled whenever she came into the same vicinity as him, she hadn't been vicious. Occasionally, she would mutter a sarcastic comment or give him a withering look, but it honestly hadn't been as terrible as Ted had imagined.
Although that was based on a single hour. He couldn't imagine four hours a week, as well as Prefect patrols and extra study in the library. Ted winced.
"Just 'okay'?" Matt probed, eyes watching his friend's face intently. "She didn't call you any names, or try and hex you to Hogsmeade and back?"
Ted released a bark of laughter. He had to admit, a couple of times the brunette beauty had looked as if she had wanted to fire a series of jinxes at him, but surprisingly, she hadn't.
"Well?" Matt said in a sing-song voice.
"Nope." Ted replied before the duo stepped onto staircase that swung their way.
"I'm stunned." His companion said, dark eyebrows rising. "Even with your extensive knowledge of defensive spells, I was certain that I would be visiting you in the Hospital Wing this evening. I had images of you laying there with sponge knee caps and puking up slugs or something."
"Thanks for your support Griffiths." Ted replied cheerfully, smirking at his friend.
Matt held up his hands in an innocent gesture, which wobbled as the staircase came to a stop. Both of the Hufflepuffs quickly stepped onto the solid platform before the steps could move again.
"Hey, I'm being honest here, I really didn't think you'd make it through day one unscathed... but I'm glad that you didn't resort to drawing your wand."
"Well, I wouldn't say that." Ted grumbled.
There was a beat of silence before understanding dawned on his friend.
"Let me guess... your arch nemesis, Lestrange."
Though said jovially, it was a statement that Ted could only give a clipped nod to. He could feel his mouth flattening into a thin line of annoyance, remembering the slimy Slytherin.
"What did he do?" Matt asked, voice low as he saw the humour drain from the Prefect.
"He showed his pasty face at Charms this morning." Ted replied, unable to stop a flare of agitation in his chest.
The dark wizard scoffed, knowing that the Slytherin didn't even take Charms. "In that case, the idiot deserves everything he gets."
Then prefect silently concurred. A small, secret part of him wished that Andromeda had allowed them to duel, just so he could have the pleasure of putting that greasy haired bastard on his arse.
"Speaking of, did you hear that Nicole is thinking of running the Duelling Club this year?" The dark skinned wizard commented pleasantly. "Do you think you'll be signing up?"
Ted appreciated the change in topic; he didn't want to deliberate on the Slytherin twit any longer than he already had.
"Of course I'll be signing up." He answered, sombre thoughts fading as he considered Matt's words.
Ted was pleased that Nicole, the Gryffindor Head Girl was starting up the Duelling Club again. He loved duelling. Alongside Defense Against the Dark Arts, Quidditch and Charms, it was his favourite thing. If he was being honest, the only reason he had decided to take Charms was to refine his skills in duelling; having the ability to silently cast spells would be a monumental advantage. It as why he had asked Professor Sprout for a tutor for the first few weeks of term, so he could master non-verbal spells as quickly as possible. Ted was sure he'd soon grasp the intricate nuances with additional help.
Although being paired up with Andromeda Black had not been a part of his plan.
"Returning to the subject of Black for a minute, I must say that I admire the dedication you have for your studies. I couldn't study with a Slytherin. Let alone a Slytherin who comes from a line of chauvinistic, Pureblood bigots." Matt declared. "I don't care if Hufflepuffs are supposed to be accepting of others, some things should not have to be accepted."
Ted chuckled, unsure of how to answer.
"I guess you were lucky though, it could have been someone worse." Matt mused.
"I'm glad it wasn't her sister."
"Which one? The lunatic or the snob?"
The blonde Hufflepuff contemplated for a moment, trying to decide which one would be worse to deal with. Narcissa the pale, proud one or Bellatrix the insane, murderous looking one. It didn't take long to come up with an answer.
"Bellatrix." Ted said, ignoring the twinge of fear in his gut.
"Yeah, she is a bit... twitchy isn't she?" Matt stated with a frown.
'Twitchy' didn't quite cover it. The older Black girl was... unhinged. You could see it in her mannerisms, hear it in her voice. Just the thought of those cruel black eyes made a shudder run down his spine. Ted had always tried to stay far away from Bellatrix, especially whenever she was duelling. When firing hexes, she was downright terrifying; and not because of her skills. She was erratic at the best of times, convulsing with the barely restrained malice that lurked just under her skin, straining to be set free.
"Can you imagine what she said when she found out that perfect Andromeda had to tutor a dreaded Muggle-born?" Matt jested, nudging Ted with his arm.
Ted couldn't imagine, nor did he want to.
"No, but I bet there was some colourful language used." He replied and both boys laughed, ignoring the twinges of unease in their guts.
Beyond the jokes, Ted wondered if being paired with Andromeda Black really was dangerous to his health. Not because of Andromeda herself, but because of her companions. Some of the witches and wizards in Slytherin really were adversaries to be wary of.
.
.
The two friends wandered through the gradually sloping corridors of the lower school. The Common Room wasn't as far down as the dungeons, but it still took time to get there.
Ted always thought it was easy to find your way to the Hufflepuff dorms because all you had to do was follow your nose. The scents of food came from the kitchens which were down the same corridor as the entrance to the Common Room. During his first and second years, Ted used the delectable aromas as a useful tool to navigate through the enormous castle.
Up ahead, Ted could saw a group of first years wandering aimlessly around. He made a mental note to pass his tip about the kitchens to the newbies, as they were, like he once was, utterly lost.
"It's not this way! It's back towards the kitchens!"
"It's not. I'm sure Marie said it was towards the, um, the-"
"Are you guys okay?" Ted called, his voice bouncing off the stone walls.
The trio of students snapped their eyes in worry to the two imposing figures, but relaxed when they spotted the Hufflepuff emblem on their robes.
"We're lost." One of the girls muttered, crossing her arms in vexation. "This place is confusing."
"It is." The Prefect conceded with an apologetic smile. "But you were nearly there. Come on, we'll show you." The two sixth years guided the lost children out of the maze and back in the right direction.
With sure footing and a mental map of the interconnecting passageways, the group finally arrived.
"Here we have it, the Hufflepuff Common Room." Ted proclaimed proudly, stopping in front of a large mound of wooden barrels set back in a small alcove, just a little way down from the Hogwarts kitchens. To anyone else, it would appear to be another dead-end, but to the badgers, it meant something more.
Ted pulled out his wand and rapped the tip rhythmically against the casks in a purposeful pattern.
When he had finished, each barrel that Ted had touched levitated and rearranged themselves, revealing a stone tunnel.
He turned to the children with a winning grin. They craned to look down the shadowy path behind him. It was, after all, only the second time they had witnessed the dorm opening up.
"So, two things to remember: One, if you smell baking bread, you're going in the right way. Two, you must use your wand correctly on each barrel. You must tap 'Helga Hufflepuff' in this configuration." Ted demonstrated in the air and encouraged the new Hufflepuffs to repeat his ministrations.
He watched each of them carefully, ensuring they copied him exactly. He had already been through this procedure the previous night, but he knew with experience that first years needed a few reminders.
A couple of minutes passed and Ted smiled again. "Good. Very good." He put his wand back into his robes.
"Um, why is it important to tap the right barrel?" A gentle voice asked.
"If you hit the wrong one, they will explode and drench you in vinegar." Similar masks of horror took over the young student's faces, and the Prefect had to stifle a smirk.
"Don't worry, it doesn't hurt." Matt injected before leaning forward and capturing their gazes. "Just make sure you shower straight afterwards, it really stinks."
They laughed and followed the taller boys through the small ally, again entering their home for the next seven years. Ted never got bored of watching the delight on first years faces as they became accustomed to the cosy badger's sett.
The cheerful hollow was rounded in shape and had a low ceiling, supported with ancient wooden beams and tree roots. The walls were decorated in a buttery yellow and were adorned with hundreds of copper-bottomed plant holders, which comfortably housed trailing ivy and feathery ferns. The plants also hung from the ceiling, brushing the tops of heads whenever someone walked under them. Curved bookshelves stored books and even more potted cacti and flowers, infusing the warm air with delicate scents. Small oval shaped windows were stationed at the top of the walls, allowing soft shafts of sunlight in, awarding the Hufflepuff students with glimpses of rippling flower beds outside of the den. Three standard fireplaces were in a triangle formation around the room, keeping the temperature welcoming but not stuffy. To relax, the badgers had several large loungers, couches and ottomans to sit on, as well as thick ornate rugs. All wooden furniture was highly polished and gleamed like honey in the sunshine.
Ted loved the Common Room. To him it was a home away from home.
When he caught the eye of a captivated eleven-year-old, Ted winked playfully, hoping that these kids would enjoy their time in this sanctuary as much as he had so far.
Leaving them to their own devices, he all but threw himself onto a couch, enjoying the feel of warm leather envelop him. With a soft sigh, Ted closed his eyes, savouring the relaxed atmosphere around him.
"Hey, there he is!" Shouted a distinctly male voice and Ted couldn't stop the grin that tugged at his mouth. The Prefect peeled his eyes open and sat up, readying himself for the bombardment of questions to begin.
Suddenly, a yellow clad body slammed into the sofa next to him and a heavy arm was slung across his shoulders. Ted glanced left to meet a pair of grey eyes that watched him intently. Nicholas Kettlewell, another sixth year and Beater on the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, was better known for his eccentric ways.
Once he had asked the Prefect what was the worst thing he had ever tasted, expecting Ted to say earwax or vomit flavoured Bertie Blotts Beans. Instead Ted said Marmite, which had launched an hour long explanation of Muggle condiments. Ever since, Nick had compared himself to stuff, saying you either love him or hate him, just like Marmite.
Ted often wondered what went on in boisterous Nick's head.
"How was your first day sunshine?"
"It was alright, what about yours?" Ted replied conversationally.
"Oh no you don't, I want details!" Nick laughed some of the others in the room joined in.
Ted noticed that his friends gathered around, eagerly waiting for him to tell them some grisly tale of how his experience this morning had been the worst of his life. Everyone in his year had somehow managed to find out that Andromeda was tutoring him. Now they were asking for specific details. Though, details of what, Ted didn't know. His morning had been pretty uneventful.
Ted rolled his eyes. "What do you want to know?"
Nick scoffed dramatically. "'What do you want to know', oh come on Teddy Bear! How did your lesson with Abrasive Andromeda go?"
"Sorry to disappoint you, but nothing happened." Ted admitted, hearing four separate groans. They didn't believe him.
"Bullshit. Come on Teddy Bear, I've been waiting all day for this." Nick complained, looking at his friend in mock agony.
"You need a hobby." Ted replied simply, earning a couple of snickers from the other badgers. But Nick looked at him with those silver eyes, which were now wide and pleading.
With a sigh of surrender, he said "Fine."
"Good, now, spill the beans." Nick encouraged, moving his arm from around Ted and folding his legs under him. "What was she like really?"
Taking a breath, Ted thought about his hour with the snake again. In all honestly, he didn't understand Andromeda. She was clearly repulsed by him, but at the same time she had a dignified determination that refused to bend to her revulsion. Ted had a feeling that the middle Black would mentor him solely because she refused to appear weak. At the same time, tutoring him, a 'Mudblood' in their words, didn't reflect greatly on her. The fact that she, the Slytherin Prefect who was idolised by her fellow snakes, was stooping to help someone below her, didn't look good. No matter how briefly their arrangement was for, the others in her House wouldn't like it. Especially her sisters.
He didn't know how he felt about that. But Ted didn't want to admit any of that to his friends. Instead he kept his reply short and sweet.
"Well, she wasn't happy."
"No shit, Teddy Bear." Nick said, rolling his aluminium hued eyes.
"Stop calling me that."
Ignoring Ted's plea completely, Nick and Matt kept on discussing the middle Black girl.
"Let's face it, anyone who was raised with that bedraggled black haired maniac must be either made of stone or be a complete bitch." Matt insisted before making comical gestures to depict Bellatrix's mane of hair and her constantly irritated expression. The Hufflepuff's roared with laughter. It had to be said, Matt was a good impersonator.
"In that case, I think Narcissa is made of stone." A seventh year, Amy, declared, coming around the sofa to join in the discussion. "I have never seen her crack a smile."
"In that case, Andromeda must be the bitch." Nick said as if it were obvious.
Nick who was watching Ted, spotted his eyebrows coming together. "Ooh, Teddy disagrees! Is she not a bitch Ted?"
"Honestly I don't know. Apart from giving me some pointers, she didn't speak to me." Ted relayed.
"That's because she thinks that she's better than everyone else. Like all members of the Black family." Matt's face was set in a disapproving frown.
"I disagree, their younger cousin Sirius is alright." Amy said, drumming her fingers against the arm of a chair.
"But he's in Gryffindor." Nick stated and mutters of agreement followed.
Ted had only bumped into Sirius twice, once was on Prefect patrol before the summer term. He and his friends had been wandering the dank corridors near the dungeons, trying to discover the entrance to the Slytherin dorms. The boy had smiled un-apologetically when found and laughed all the way to Professor McGonagall's office, despite being seriously reprimanded. Ted grinned at the memory. Sirius really was one of a kind when considering the family he came from.
The Prefect wondered where Sirius' rebellious, friendly nature came from. It certainly wasn't adopted from his parents, sibling or his cousins.
.
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a/n: Well, here is Ted's first chapter. What do you think? Thank you for all your support and encouragement. Big thanks to Cherryorpeach and Amanda. I tried to get a lot of detail in. It was a challenge, especially since I've been writing for a Slytherin for three chapters haha. But I loved writing about the Hufflepuff Common Room, doesn't it sound like the cosiest place ever? All credit to J.K Rowling of course.
As usual, please read and review, I would love to know your thoughts! If you think more chapters from Ted's P.O.V would be a good idea, let me know.
- DQ92
