TRAITOR

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Chapter 6:

Before Ted left the Common Room the next morning, he checked the enchanted notice board, which automatically updated the parchment attached to it with the latest news. His eyes scanned the various articles from the Daily Prophet to the posts from his house-mates. One notice in particular caught his attention. It was an announcement to all second to seventh years in Hufflepuff.

Hufflepuff Quidditch Team Try-outs

Saturday 15th September
All applicants to be assembled on the Quidditch pitch by 3 p.m.
Any changes to the team will be released before Monday 29th September.
- Bea

The Prefect smirked. He had been on the team for the last two years as one of the three Chasers. Every year, the Hufflepuff Captain Beatrice Purdon, had reviewed her house to see if any of her team needed to be replaced. So far, Ted had been entirely safe, but it was always interesting to see the upcoming talent of the lower years.

"Oh, exciting times Teddy Bear!" Nick chuckled in Ted's ear and the latter agreed with his friend. "Hey, Bea, do we know who our first match is against yet?" Nick called across the room and Ted looked over his shoulder.

Beatrice looked up, bobbed hair swinging with the movement. "No, not yet."

"Let's hope it's Ravenclaw!" Nick replied and the Captain simply smiled.

Ted also hoped that their first Quidditch match was against Ravenclaw. Last term, the eagle's team was incredibly weak and oddly, for the House that prided itself on intelligence, they appeared to have no strategy in place. The blue and bronze players had haphazardly flown across the pitch with no co-ordination, making the Quaffle easy pickings for the badger Chasers. Ted could still picture Flitwick's embarrassed face when Hufflepuff beat Ravenclaw 210 points to 30.

The Prefect wished that Ravenclaw had some better players this year. It was no fun winning a game when there was no opposition; it meant that the match was more of a training session rather than an actual challenge. It wasn't fair on either team, and if there was anything a true badger liked, it was fairness.

With that, the two boys left the dorm, distantly hearing the shuffling of barrels as they walked away from the secret passageway.

"What lessons do you have this morning?" Nick asked as they walked.

"I have a free period first thing, so I was going to head over to the library." Ted said, adjusting the bag on his shoulder.

Nick rolled his eyes. "Only you, Teddy Bear, would waste your free time in the library."

Ted didn't respond.

He had already anticipated that he would be spending a lot of time amongst the ancient and dusty bookshelves this year. The Prefect knew that his chosen electives Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Potions, Transfiguration and Apparition classes would take their tole; but like many of his fellow sixth years, Ted was determined to achieve at least five 'Exceeds Expectations' in his N.E.W.T's next summer. Therefore, a little time in the library seemed like a good trade-off.

Sure, Ted would prefer to have a couple of hours in the Common Room playing Exploding Snap, but really, it was what he had to do, not wanted to do.

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After another delicious breakfast, Ted split from the rest of his House and made his way to the library.

Entering the enormous labyrinth, the Hufflepuff immediately began to weave his way through the tall stacks of books and tables. Ted quietly went through the maze, heading towards the section titled 'Advanced Potion-Making'. The red carpet absorbed any footstep sounds, but the Prefect was still aware of how much noise he was making; the rustle of his robes, the shuffling weight of his bag. Within seconds, he heard the sound all Hogwarts students dreaded.

"Shh!"

The loud reprimand echoed through the near silent library.

Cringing, Ted carefully made his way around the desk of Madam Pince, the most unpleasant and unhelpful member of staff in the entirety of Hogwarts history. The woman was as austere as she was obsessive, presiding over the library with unnatural, razor-sharp senses. Pince was one person whom Ted was sure hated children. Especially messy children. Once she had shoved out a Gryffindor who's ink coated fingers threatened a pristine copy of Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts, giving the boy a whack over the head with a large tome for good measure.

Anyone who even thought about marring one of Madam Pince's books would be severely punished.

The Prefect tried to make his footfalls as quiet as possible, and relaxed slightly when there was a decent distance between the older witch and himself.

Finding a secluded table nestled next to a window, Ted took a set, unloading an ink pot, quill and parchment from his bag. He then went in search of anything that would aid him in his Potions class.

A few minutes later, the badger found himself browsing a high shelf of book spines dedicated to Potion ingredients, listed from the familiar to the obscure. He knew the next concoction that Slughorn would make them brew was Draught of Living Death, so Ted thought that studying the ingredients and their properties was a good place to start.

After all, he wanted to do well in all his chosen subjects not just pass them, and to do that he had to take the initiative. He wouldn't say it aloud, but Ted had felt humiliated by his lack of knowledge the other day in Potions; particularly in front of his talented partner. Ted had sensed her dismay at his apparent lack of skills and had watched as she visibly flinched when the Potions Master had dragged her away from their bubbling cauldron. The fact that it his mentor was Andromeda, made the Hufflepuff all the more determined to understand the complexities of Potion making. Though not ambitious or willing to try and outdo the Slytherin, he was more resolved to catch up to her level of knowledge.

If he were being honest, he hadn't done much studying over the summer holidays and he felt like he was paying for it now.

Grabbing a couple of books, Ted made his way back to his polished wooden table and sat down, vaguely aware of books and scrolls flying above his head, putting themselves back in their proper, allocated spaces dictated by the librarian.

For the next two hours, the blonde Prefect read and made notes until a glance at his watch indicated he was required elsewhere.

Gathering up his belongings, Ted quickly approached Madam Pince, who pursed her lips as he gracelessly dropped her beloved volumes on the desk. Smiling sheepishly, he Hufflepuff waited for her to begin processing his library card.

After what seemed an eternity, the strict lady looked up and handed him the bundle. Ted reached for them, but her spidery fingers held the leathery tomes in a possessive, vice-like grip.

"I want these to be returned within three days. Remember Mr Tonks; if you should rip, tear, shred, bend, fold, smear, smudge, throw, deface or mistreat my books in any way, the consequences will be as awful as it is within my power to make them." The witch threatened, waiting until Ted nodded before releasing the load into his arms.

"Yes, Madam Pince." He whispered, before rushing out of her domain.

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When Ted arrived at his favourite classroom, he noticed that it had been had been completely emptied of desks, ornaments and skeletons; transforming it into a expanse of vacant space.

As they filed into the room, the badgers took one side, whilst the silver snakes stood at the opposite side.

At the front of the class stood a tall woman, donned in robes of velvet, coloured a rich aubergine and on her head sat a pointed hat of similar material. It had been decorated in a variety of small but lavish feathers, which bobbed when the witch began to pace, her boots clacking loudly against the wooden floor. Her presence commanded respect with every step. Ted wondered who she was. He thought that he recognised her face, her delicate features and expensive attire looked familiar, but he couldn't say where from.

"Good morning students." She said with a faint smile, blue crystalline eyes trained on all of the children in front of her. "I am your new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. I am replacing dear Professor Bennett, who as you all know, has now retired." The students nodded in acknowledgement and waited for the woman to introduce herself. "My name is Rosaline Levitt."

A couple of shocked gasps resonated in the still room. Many of them had heard of Levitt, as she had a reputation for being one of the Ministry's best Aurors. Though she looked as fragile as a daisy, up close, Ted could see long white scars that crisscrossed her exposed skin and imagined that they were souvenirs from battles past.

"These are dangerous times little ones, and you will soon be leave of the safety of Hogwarts. It is important that you can all protect yourselves." The Auror said, sharp gaze raking over each and every one of them. "I will teach you how to cast Shield Charms. I will teach you how to resist Unforgivable Curses. I will teach you how to defeat Dark Magic and Necromancy. I will teach you how to be victorious over those vile creatures that hide in the darkness."

She paused for a moment, allowing her bewildered students to absorb her words, before she continued in a voice that was both assertive and fiery as she spoke and Ted found it incredibly compelling.

"This year will be one of your hardest; I will not lie to you about the dangers of the wizarding world. Instead, you will, as you have for the last five years, face your fears with defensive magic and fight back with offensive magic." She spoke with such confidence the Hufflepuff Prefect couldn't help but feel impressed.

Though he believed Levitt when she claimed their sixth year would be tough, Ted couldn't imagine it ever being boring or dull like some of their other lessons. He felt a grin stretch across his face as excitement bubbled in his veins.

"Now, for today's lesson, we will be practising the Shield Charm, Protego. When conjured correctly, the charm creates an invisible barrier, protecting the caster from all jinxes, hexes and minor curses. Unfortunately, Protego is not completely impenetrable as it cannot sufficiently block any of the three Unforgivable Curses. However, the Shield Charm can be cast not only in battle, but also on objects such as clothing, which makes it an incredibly versatile spell to know."

"I can't wait to test this out." Nick whispered into Ted's ear in a tone that reflected the Prefect's own eagerness.

Professor Levitt then cleared her throat. "I want each of you to partner up and practise the charm as your adversary fires the Disarming Charm, Expelliarmus. When you have done this three times, swap roles so that each of you has a turn in performing both defensive and offensive magic." There was a moment of hesitation before the students moved from their places and found a space.

Ted immediately partnered with Nick, who stopped a few yards away. With a bow, they both assumed their duelling positions.

"Expelliarmus!" Nick shouted, seeing a red jet of light shoot from the tip of his wand.

At the same time, Ted yelled, "Protego!"

The scarlet spell bounced off a shimmering light in front of the Prefect and ricocheted harmlessly into the air.

"Again." Called Levitt from behind several other students, proudly watching as the Hufflepuff students complied.

The two boys repeated their success, then swapped roles.

"This is easier than I thought." Nick confessed quietly, lowering his barrier once Ted's spell had been deflected.

A loud scoff made the two Hufflepuff's frown. "That's because you're against a Mudblood. If you were duelling a true wizard, you wouldn't stand a chance." Rabastan Lestrange commented nastily.

"Piss off Lestrange." Nick shot back, wiping off the beads of sweat off his forehead. Duelling, took a lot of stamina and after a while it could be quite draining.

"What would you know about being a 'true wizard'?" Ted snapped, brows lowering further.

"I am a Pureblood." The dark-haired Prefect stated with a smug grin that made Ted itch with the desire to punch him. "You couldn't beat me in a duel."

"Want to bet?" The Muggle-born challenged. "You were lucky Andromeda stepped in between us the other day." He commented casually, feeling anything but casual. "I would have wiped the floor with you."

Suddenly the air grew very heavy with their heated debate. Neighbouring pairs backed away as the two Prefects became locked in an intense staring contest.

"First of all, you don't have the right to say her name! The poor girl is suffering enough having to mentor you. She doesn't need you also condemning her with wags of your filthy tongue." Lestrange spat, a look of utter disgust taking over his features. "And secondly, do you really believe you could best me in a duel? Me?"

Ted didn't hesitate as he nodded back, unblinking as the Slytherin boy took an angry step forward.

"Let's go then, Mudblood." Lestrange snarled venomously, his eyes narrowing into serpentine slits.

"Enough!" Levitt demanded, pushing the two apart with an impressive wave of her wand. "If you two want to duel, then fine." She said firmly, looking up into the Slytherin boy's eyes. "However, you will not use derogatory name-calling in my classroom. Is that understood, Mr Lestrange?"

The pale wizard gave a clipped nod and clenched his jaw, all the while refusing to take his eyes off Ted.

"Good. Now, would you two care to stop interrupting my lesson and settle your discrepancy after dinner today in a little contest?"

Both the Hufflepuff and Slytherin replied in perfect synchronisation.

"Yes."

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a/n: Hi everyone, sorry it has been a few days since the last update. I've had a bit of coursework to finish, which sadly, took precedent over writing another chapter. But it's done now :)
I hope you all enjoy this chapter, I actually struggled to write this one. My intention was to have a day in the life of Ted Tonks, and show more of his personality and rivalry with Lestrange as well as his skills as a duellist, though I don't know if it came across.
Again, asking for your advice; would you like to read another one of these or was it too far removed from the Tedromeda plot (though I promise their rivalry will be completely relevant in later chapters). Please let me know your opinions in a review. I look forward to reading your thoughts about the story so far. Thanks again everyone and I hope you are all well.
-DQ92