Chapter 12

- Merry Christmas Teddy -

Later that night, the musicians had been excused from the hall and instead a band known as the 'Weird Sisters' began to play hard modern rock music which everyone jumped to, screaming and pumping their fists in the air.

Teddy was dancing beside Arkie in the center of the crowd, watching her jumping and spinning. He observed how she would occasionally close her eyes and just listen to the music, letting her body do whatever it wanted. The two were forced to dance close to each other in the moving crowd, nearby he saw Viktor and Hermione laughing and enjoying the rhythm of the music.

"Can you dance like a Hippogriff. Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na!" The lead singer yelled into the microphone whilst playing a long riff of his double guitar.

Teddy let his body move to the music, but his eyes remained on Arkie was spinning around in the fog that had appeared on the glowing dance floor.

Unfortunately, the Weird Sisters began to play their last song for the night, making the students groan sadly. Teddy felt both energetic and tired at the same time. His eyes threatened to close and not open, but he forced them open as he led Arkie off the dance floor. Both of them were panting as they walked towards Harry and Ron, who were looking miserable beside their dates, sitting down at one of the tables.

Hermione was standing nearby. Viktor bowed, kissing her hand and gliding off. Hermione did a little twirl before skipping towards them.

"Hot isn't it? Viktor's gone to get drinks. Care to join us?"

Before Teddy could reply, Ron scoffed. "No, we'd NOT care to join you and Viktor."

Hermione, still in a good mood, but taken aback by Ron's reply, panted. "What's got your wand in a knot?"

"He's a Durmstrang. You're fraternising with the enemy."

Hermione stared at Ron incredulously. "The enemy? Who was it wanting his autograph? Besides, the whole point of the tournament is 'international magical cooperation', to make friends."

"Hrmph, I think he's got a bit more than friendship on his mind."

Hermione tried to respond but was at a lost for words. Instead she stormed away from the group. Padma leaned over facing Ron. " Are you going to ask me to dance or not?"

"No."

Teddy glanced sideways at Arkie who whispered in his ear. "Perhaps we should go."

He nodded. "Hey, guys I think we'll be off, it's getting late."

"Good night." Harry nodded but Ron completely ignored him, so the two left the Great Hall, stopping outside the doors facing each other. "Tonight was... amazing." Arkie sighed in a dreamy fashion. "Thank you so much for asking me."

"Thank you for saying yes." He blushed. "Um... I heard what Malfoy said earlier, I just-"

"Ignore him. He's just jealous. He asked me the other day to go to the dance with him, but I told him I was going with you. And I don't regret it." She added, her hand still in Teddy's. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

Teddy took a small moment to collect his thoughts. "Yeah- Oh, no. I'm ugh... I'm actually going to my dad's place for Christmas."

Arkie still smiled brightly. "I hope you have fun with your dad. See you after the holidays then." She leaned forward, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before walking back towards the Hufflepuff common room. Teddy watched her go. He felt light headed, but in a good way. Eventually, he forced his feet to move towards his own room. Once there he fell down on his bed and let out the loud sigh he'd been holding in before falling asleep, still fully dressed, ignoring the cold.

"Are you excited?" Harry asked, standing in the doorway to Teddy's room where he was packing his belongings.

"I'm beyond excited! I can't wait to tell Dad all about last night. It's gonna be great, spending the rest of the holidays with my dad-" He stopped looking up at Harry. "Sorry. I know you're staying here over the holidays..."

"No, no. It's okay, I'm happy for you." There was a silent longing in Harry's voice that made Teddy feel uncomfortable.

"Well, maybe it's a good thing you're staying here. I mean, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you still need to figure out that clue. The next tournament is coming up." Harry nodded as Teddy closed the last of his suitcases. "By the way, how are Ron and Hermione? I didn't see either of them at breakfast."

"They're not talking to each other." Harry sighed, looking even more miserable than before. Teddy sighed. "Well, maybe they'll be better after the holidays."

"Maybe."

Teddy stuffed the last of his clothes in his suitcase and zipped it up. He gave one more glance around the small, messy room before deciding he had everything he needed. "Anyway, I'm off to catch the train to Hogsmeade. See you after the holidays, Harry."

"See ya, Teddy. Merry Christmas!"

The light haired boy carried his suitcase down the hallway towards the courtyard where students were gathering, waiting to head down to the train station. Professor McGonagall struggled to count the heads of all the excited students. Somehow Teddy was able to get through the crowd and be one of the first on board the red and black steam train. He quickly picked a compartment and sat down.

He was surprised when the compartment door opened and Hermione invited herself to sit down just opposite of Teddy. She was silent, and looked just a furious as she had the night before. "Hey, Hermione."

"Hey, Teddy." She replied quickly.

"You spending the holidays with your parents too?"

"Yeah."

The conversation didn't continue any further and they both sat silently on the train. "Anything from the trolley?" The trolley woman asked as she strolled past.

"A chocolate frog please. Actually, make that two." Teddy's hand went to his pocket, pulling out two sickles and exchanging them with the old woman.

"Anything for you dearie?"

"No thanks." Hermione said, looking out the window, Crookshanks purring on her lap. Teddy opened one of the chocolate frog packages, snatching the milky frog before it could hop away. Soon the train gave a large whistle as if reached Hogsmeade. "This is my stop. Merry Christmas, Hermione."

"Merry Christmas."

Teddy shivered, looking around the station. And hand on his shoulder made him jump and spin around. "Dad!" The two embraced in a warm hug.

"Hey, Ted. Let me help you with your suitcase. So, how was it?"

Teddy trudged beside his dad, a slight skip in his step. "Better than I could ever imagine. God, where do I start?" He began explaining the whole night to his father. How Ron had to wear the most ridiculous outfit he'd ever seen, how beautiful Arkie had looked and how they'd danced together for what seemed like hours, how the Great Hall had been completely transformed into a winter wonderland. He didn't mention Draco's chat with Arkie, he didn't want his father to worry about him being bullied. He also didn't mention the kiss. He had no idea what it had meant and he didn't want to give himself false hope.

The two walked out of Hogsmeade towards the forest. Nearby a dark bricked cottage, with a white roof, rose in the distance. A little wooden fence went around the small garden out the front of the house. Smoke puffed from the chimney, as if welcoming them home. Teddy kicked the snow off his boots before stepping inside.

"Go ahead, have a look around. I'll put your stuff upstairs."

Teddy didn't need to be told twice as he quickly began to investigate the house. The kitchen bench, which was also the dining room table, was covered in a rough table cloth. Bright light poured through the frozen window panes. Teddy looked out to see a snow covered forest in the distance. At the far end of the kitchen was a staircase heading up, but Teddy continued to look around the first level.

He trotted towards the hallways looked only wide enough for one person to walk down at a time. The walls were blank. There were no memories or treasured items to be found. But Teddy wasn't surprised. His father had spent his days constantly moving from place to place and they had hardly anything to signify their time together, only their precious memories.

Finally, he found a room that reminded him of his father. The library. Books were stacked in and on top of the single bookshelf. Other books were piled beside the two armchairs that sat by a crackling fireplace. Teddy ran his hand across the books. There were books about everything from the Dark Arts, to astronomy and lunar charts, to muggle and wizard fairy tales.

"Teddy?"

"In here, Dad!" He called out, staring at the part of the shelf dedicated to muggle stories. He smiled at the strange titles. 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears', 'Jack and the Beanstalk', 'Arabian Nights', 'Beauty and the Beast'. He lightly chuckled, still running his fingers across the books. 'Cinderella', 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. Muggles sure did come up with the silliest titles. 'The Three Little Pigs', 'Red Riding Hood', 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf'.

"There you are." His father walked into the library. "What do you think?"

"I think this is amazing!" Teddy spun around once, getting a full view of the room and its contents before resting in one of the armchairs. "I think the library is my favourite so far."

"Why don't you go check out your room? You hungry?"

"Always." Teddy jumped up and ran towards the staircase, halfway down the hall his foot bumped into something. It was a trap door, barely noticeable on the wooden floor. Teddy hated to think of where it led to. The idea of it leading to a basement sent chills down his back as he flew up the stairs, searching for his room which was at the very end of the hall, opposite to his father's room.

The walls were covered in white wallpaper a large wooden beams stretched out across the ceiling. There was single window with what he thought he could turn into a small window seat. A single bed had been set up on one side of the room as well as a wooden bedside table and a reading lamp. A dark wooden wardrobe stood tall beside a long slightly rusting mirror.

Teddy couldn't wait to decorated the walls, he could imagine setting up posters and drawing and photos above his bed. Of course he'd only probably be visiting during school holidays, but the space was completely his. He hurriedly unpacked his belongs, placing his quill and parchment on his bedside table as well as the Marauders Map, his wolf necklace that wagged its tail happily, and his wand. He tossed his clothes in the wardrobe just as his dad called up to him.

"Coming!" He yelled taking one last look at his temporary room. "Whatever you're making, it smells fantastic." He said as he walked down the stairs. Remus grinned, spooning two bowls full of hot Tomato soup.

"Sorry, it's no Christmas feast."

"I don't care, Dad. I think it's great. All of this is great, I'm really proud of you."

"Thanks, Ted. That means a lot to me. I've been able to find a few stable jobs. They don't pay much, but it was enough to buy my own place. Do you really like it here?"

"Yeah." Teddy sighed after taking a small sip of his soup. "It's cute and homey."

"That's great to hear."

Teddy bent down to take another sip but stopped, noticing something placed next to his bowl. It was a long yellow envelope. "What's this?" He asked.

"A Christmas present." Remus straightened, pushing the envelope closer to Teddy.

"Oh! That's reminds me. I bought you a chocolate frog on the train." He pulled the small chocolate frog box from his jumper pocket but groaned. The lid was open and the frog was gone. "Damn it! It must've jumped out on the way here."

Remus smiled but seemed to be more focused on the envelope. Teddy gave an awkward smile. "Dad, you know I don't need anything. I'm spending the holidays with you! I've already got everything I've ever wanted."

"Just open it."

Teddy's warm fingers traced the envelope, giving one more glance up at his father before ripping the yellow paper. Inside was a small stack of parchment. "Wow! Parchment, just what I needed." Teddy joked.

"They're for me to sign, but I wanted your signature as well. To know you also want it."

"Want what?"

"For me to 'officially' be your Dad."

Teddy cocked his head confused, staring down at the parchment in his hands. His green eyes widened. "These... these are adoption papers!"

Remus was smiling nervously, waiting to hear Teddy's answer. "I realize it may be a bit soon but-"

"No!" Teddy jumped out of his seat. "No! I want this! This- This is brilliant! Dad, I-" He ran around the table, the parchment still in hand, hugging his father so hard he almost fell off his chair. "Now I've got everything I ever wanted." He hummed.

Remus felt a warmth in his chest at his son's hug. Before Teddy, he couldn't remember the last time he'd been hugged. He placed a hand on his son's soft hair, remembering how he'd been so terrified about Teddy finding out the truth, that he was his birth father. He thought he'd hate him. But instead, they were both able to fill the holes in each others hearts. "Merry Christmas, Teddy."

"Merry Christmas, Dad."