Chapter 4

- Careers -

Harry hadn't returned to the compartment when they'd arrived at the Hogwarts train station, where they'd been thoroughly searched by Auror guards and Filch, who gave Teddy a loathing expression. Harry still hadn't joined them up in the Great Hall for the sorting ceremony. "Where is Harry?" Teddy whispered to Arkie who was sitting as usual opposite him at the Hufflepuff table, she leaned back.

"I don't know. Wasn't he with you on the train?"

"He left for some 'fresh air' and didn't return, I'm worried."

By the time dinner had finished and the four house tables were covered in a fine spread of food. Abandoning his eclair filled plate Teddy walked over to Ron and Hermione. "He still isn't here yet?" He asked, standing beside Ginny.

"Don't worry, he'll be here in a minute." Ron said, stuffing his face with the disgusting mixture of custard and raspberry jelly that filled his bowl. Hermione raised her book bringing it down several times on Ron's back. "Will. You. Stop. Eating." She shouted. "Your best friend is missing!"

"Oi! Turn around you lunatic!"

Harry was walking through the door, a cloth held to his bleeding nose. "He's covered in blood again." Ginny spoke clearly. "Why is it he's always covered in blood."

Ron put down his full spoon. "Looks like it's his own this time."

"Where have you been?" Hermione said, sounding like a worried mother as Harry sat down. "What happened to your face?"

"Later," he panted. "What've I missed?"

"Sorting Hat urged us all to be brave and strong in these troubled times. Easy for it to say though," Ron continued. "It's a hat."

"Very best of evenings to you all." Dumbledore's voice rung out and Teddy scrambled back his seat at the Ravenclaw table. Arkie looked at him as if expecting him to tell her what had happened to Harry's face. He gave her a 'I don't know' sort of glance then turned to face Dumbledore. Teddy's eyes searched the staff table for the new Dark Arts professor, something that'd begun to occur annually. "First off, let me introduce the newest member of our staff, Horace Slughorn."

A plumpish man stood up, facing the students and giving a happy yet nervous smile. He waved slightly before taking his seat again. He looked kind enough but Teddy was immediately skeptical. "Professor Slughorn, I am happy to say has agreed to resume his old post as Potions Master." Teddy raised both eyebrows in surprise, feeling a little less worried. "Meanwhile, the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts will be taken by Professor Snape."

"Snape?" Hundreds of students all whispered at once. Teddy politely applauded the professor along with the rest of the students. "Now, as you know, each and every one of you was searched upon your arrival here tonight. And you have the right to know why. Once, there was a young man who, like you, sat in this very hall, walked the castle's corridors and slept under its roof."

Teddy was sitting on the edge of his seat, glancing over at the Slytherin table, where Draco was staring down at his empty plate blankly. He then glanced at the doors to the Great Hall. An Auror was walking back and forth outside it. "He seemed to all the world a student like any other. His name, Tom Riddle." A few gasps came out from some of the Ravenclaws sitting a few seats down from Teddy. "Today, of course he's known all over the world by another name. Which is why as I stand looking out upon all of you tonight, I'm reminded of a sobering fact. Everyday, every hour, this very minute perhaps... dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle's walls. But in the end, their greatest weapon is you."

Teddy leaned forward unable to stop worrying and thinking about what his father must be doing at that moment. He glanced once more at Draco. "Just something to think about. Now, off to bed, pip-pip."

Teddy walked out of the hall, Arkie at his side. Their voice melded in with the voices of the other students. "Mr Lupin." Professor Flitwick, the Head of the Ravenclaw house, came waddling up to them. Teddy looked down. "Yes, Professor?"

"As you know you will be taking your OWLs fairly later that your fellow students due to... the events of last year." He said, panting. "We also weren't able to do your student, Head of house meeting last year, where we talk about any particular career paths you wish to pursue."

"Oh, yes." He nodded moving out of the way of the students all bustling to get to their dorms.

"Unfortunately, as your OWLs are tomorrow we have very little time, so I was wondering if you were willing to do it now?"

He glanced at Arkie then back down at Professor Flitwick. "Sure, I don't mind." He said untruthfully.

"This way then."

"Good luck!" Arkie gave his arm a reassuring squeeze.

He followed after Professor Flitwick up to the Charms classroom. "Take a seat, Mr Lupin." He said, climbing on the stack of books on his desk chair. "Now tell me, is there any particular career you're aiming for?" He said as he spread out hundreds of pamphlets across his desk. Each one them advertising a specific career.

"Ugh..." Was all he could respond. "I'm honestly no sure, Professor."

"Well then, let's have a look at your marks then. See where about your particular talents lie." He flicked his wand and a pile of parchment appeared on his desk. Teddy start nervously on his stool, his hand gripping onto his knees. "Let's see... you've shown promise in most classes such as Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration and Charms." He said proudly. "And you're not too bad at Potions and Flying either. Unfortunately, Herbology, History of Magic and Divination don't seem to be your forte."

Teddy blushed. "I was thinking of becoming a Auror or perhaps a Curse-Breaker?"

"Some good choices, but you must know that those at two incredibly hard jobs to obtain, not that I doubt your abilities. Perhaps it'd just be smarter to have a few more options open?"

He nodded. "You're probably right." Teddy considered bringing up what Hermione had said over the holidays, about joining the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, but his nerves got the best of him.

"Dueling seems to be one of your many talents, have you ever considered doing it competitively?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Yes. There are more than plenty of dueling competitions each year, of course that too would be hard career. Of course, if you did want it I'd suggest you join the Ravenclaw dueling club as a start."

He gave a small smile. "Sounds like fun. Is there anything else?"

"Well you can always try taking up a position in teaching." The Professor offered. Teddy gave a small shrug as if considering it. The professor began handing him a few of the pamphlits which Teddy put into his robe pockets. "Thank you, Professor. I should go unpack."

Professor Flitwick smiled from atop his stack of books. "Oh, wait! I almost forgot," Teddy turned around in the doorframe. "Professor Dumbledore wishes me to tell you that you no longer have to return to your old dorm this year."

"Beg your pardon?"

"He said, if you wish, you can sleep up in the Ravenclaw Tower with your fellow Ravenclaws."

"Really?" He said, more surprised that excited.

"Really." The professor nodded.

Teddy blinked, shaking his head. "Why the sudden change?" When Professor Flitwick didn't reply he edged further out of the classroom. "I'll think about it, thank you for the offer."