Yay! Finally, a long chapter!

Sorry for the short ones before, I kind of went through some writers block.

Chapter 17

- Unbreakable Vows -

"You ready?" Teddy asked, holding his arm out which Arkie took gently. She nodded looking up at him, looking beautiful in yet another exquisite dress. "Your dress is beautiful."

She looked down at her emerald gown that truly brought out the bold colour of her hair. "Thanks, my parents got it for me. They've been spoiling me lately. I think they may be trying a little too hard to make it work." She smiled. "I told them they didn't have to-"

"I love it, they have good taste. Maybe I'll be able to meet them soon."

Her eyes lit up like stars. "Yeah, maybe. Perhaps you can meet them over the Christmas holidays."

"That's be great. I've been dying to meet the lucky Mr and Mrs Edwards."

"Why would say lucky?"

"Because they have you for a daughter."

Together they walked down the corridor, which in the last month or so had been transformed and decorated with long strings of lights, wreaths and delicate paper lanterns. Finally they reached the doorway to the party. "Shall we?"

"We shall."

The door opened magically as they came close to it and the two stared around the room in awe. Every inch of the walls and ceilings were draped in beautiful golden opaque fabric. A fireplace crackled in the corner and waiters dressed in white suits were walking around, offering drinks and horderves to the invited guests.

"Ah, Teddy." Slughorn chuckled, walking away from a group of sophisticated looking men and shaking the boy's hand. "So glad you accepted my invite, and Ms Edwards, good to see you too."

She nodded politely. "You've really out down yourself, the place looks amazing."

"Why thank you. I was inspired by my last trip to India."

Teddy looked around, noticing the Indian styled art spread out across the room. "Truly is beautiful."

"Have you ever been to India, Teddy?"

"No, I can't say I have. I don't think I've ever left the country."

"Well, you must some time in the future, it's absolutely marvelous." He smiled his usual lopsided smile. "Which reminds me, would you mind taking a quick picture with me, Teddy?" He asked, calling over the photographer. Teddy glanced down at Arkie, who nodded and took a few steps out of the way of the camera.

"Sure." He shrugged and Slughorn quickly stood next to him, putting his hand on Teddy's shoulder. Teddy put on a kind smile and blinked after the flash. The photographer gave them the thumbs up and Slughorn patted Teddy on the back. "Enjoy the party."

"Thank you, sir."

Once the Professor was gone Arkie was at his side again. "I think you might have a fan." He listened to her small laugh which stood out among the soft chatter of the other guests.

"I know it may be weird, but I think I preferred it when everyone still called me 'Wolf Boy'." Her hand went up to ruffle his hair and he looked down at her. Arkie had also gown through a bit of a growth spurt and was now up to Teddy's shoulders, yet she still looked small compared to him.

Her eyes looked past his face towards the back of the room. "Is that Hermione?"

Teddy turned around, spotting Hermione sliding out from behind the the veil curtains just as Cormac went in. Hermione spotted them and quickly ran over, her head ducked inconspicuously. "You okay, Hermione?" Teddy asked, concern plain in his voice

"No," she whispered. "I'm running from my date."

"Ugh, no offense Hermione but you're breath..." He said, shriveling up his nose at the smell. "It really stinks."

"I know, it's Dragon tails, one of the horderves they're offering. Thought the smell would somehow keep him at bay."

"Who'd you invite?"

"Cormac."

Teddy's eyes widened and his mouth dropped. "What? Why on earth would you do that?"

"I thought it'd make Ron the most jealous." She stared back at the curtain Cormac had disappeared behind in search of her. "He's vile."

"Well, you can stick with us tonight." Arkie suggested.

"Drink?" Said a familiar voice. Neville, dressed in a white waiter's suit, held out a tray of drinks for the small group.

"Neville?"

"I didn't get invited, but don't worry he's put others on much worse jobs."

"Oh, well um... thanks." They all took a drink each. Hermione rubbed the glass of hers and panicked when Cormac emerged from the curtains, after Snape had just opened them.

"Merlin! Hide me!"

Her eyes searched for a hiding spot as her date walked in their direction. Teddy looked around but the space was pretty open with very little hiding spots. "Um... under the table?" He offered and Hermione handed her drink to Arkie before diving under the clothed table like an Olympic swimmer.

Teddy watched her go with a short smile, then looked back at towards the curtains. Snape was now talking to Harry, both looked very tense.

"I think Harry's in trouble."

"Honestly, when is he not in trouble these days?" Teddy laughed at Arkie's comment.

"Have you see Hermione?" Cormac asked the two of them and Teddy took a small step in front of where Hermione was hidden under the table. "I could've sworn I saw her over here talking to you two."

"Yes, well she ugh..."

"She went to powder her nose." Arkie jumped in with a possible too bright smile.

"Honestly, I can't be with her for more than second." Cormac muttered wandering off and Teddy whispered from the corner of his mouth.

"He's gone."

A muffled reply came from underneath the table cloth. "I think I'll just stay here for a while."

"Suit yourself. I'm going to see Harry."

"I'll stay here with Hermione." Arkie said, putting down both her and Hermione's drinks. Teddy tried to walk through the thick crowd towards his friend. Occasionally he would catch small comments from the many conversations. Most of them were about the strange events that'd started to occur since last year.

"The whole street in Diagon Alley, abandoned..."

"How strange..."

"Muggles have reported strange changes in weather..."

"At least general security has improved..."

Teddy only stopped trying tp push his way through when he heard someone say 'Werewolf'. He turned around, glancing at who had spoken. Two men were standing opposite each other by the fireplace, unaware of Teddy nearby.

"Horrible, isn't it? I'm part of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, in the Beast division and never have I ever been so repulsed. The bodies are pilling up, as well as the number of Lycan cases." One man with a rather long brush moustache said to the other who nodded in agreement.

"We all knew it was going to happen eventually, they've been waiting for a chance to attack and You-Know-Who's given it to them."

"I never trusted Werewolves for a second. Dolores Umbridge fully supported my idea in hunting them down, ending this half-breed madness before it got out of hand. But no one listened to me. You should've seen the look on their faces when they learnt of Fenrir Greyback's loyalty to You-Know-Who."

"I can imagine." The other man sighed shaking his head. "When did the Ministry lose control of them? When did they become a threat?"

"They've always been a threat, Melvin. Spreading their lycanthropy like rabies, disgusting. No dog should ever be trusted, unless they've got a muzzle on 'em."

Teddy's fist clenched, but suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Teddy." Harry was at his side, pulling him away from the men. "Come on let's go." The two left the party and walked out into the quiet night. "Don't listen to them, they have no idea who they're talking about."

"I can't believe the Ministry would hire someone like that!" Teddy yelled, stopping in the center of the corridor. "It's not fair. One Werewolf makes a mistake and we're all blamed for it."

"Yeah, it's not fair." Harry agreed, leaning against the wall where portraits were curiously looking down at them from their frames. "Teddy I understand how you feel. Last year, no one believed me and hated me for telling the truth. Well, the truth is, people can be jerks. But it's our choice whether we listen to them or not."

"You sound like my dad." Teddy stood beside him. Harry looked at Teddy through his full moon glasses. "I miss him."

"Do you know where he is?"

"No, probably doing something for the Order, but he wouldn't tell me what. Says it's for my protection, you know? Ignorance is bliss and all..."

Suddenly, there was a bang! And the doors to the party flew open. Both Teddy and Harry hid around the corner, occasionally glancing at the two figures, one big, one small, storming out of the room, whispering frustratedly. One of the two figures, the smaller one, with sleek white hair sneered at the other.

"Maybe I did hex that Bell girl." Draco hissed and Teddy instantly remembered Katie Bell, hovering above the air then falling onto the pathway leading from Hogsmeade to the Hogwarts station. "Maybe I didn't. What's it to you?" There was a loud commotion and the larger of the two had pushed Draco agaisnt the wall.

"I swore to protect you." Snape's recognizable voice spat back. "I made the Unbreakable Vow."

"I don't need protection. I was chosen for this." Draco replied proudly. "Out of all others. Me! I won't fail him."

"You're afraid, Draco." Teddy glanced at Harry who was staring off into the distance, his expression unreadable. "You attempt to conceal it, but it's obvious, let me assist you."

"No!" Draco shouted, his voice cracking midsentence. "I was chosen! This is my moment!"