Chapter Four
A/N: I do not own any of the characters in this story. I only own the plot of this fanfic.
"Okay," Cooper sighed and took the pages. "Chapter Four."
Teddy stood off to the side as Mr. Schue and Ms. C sang.
"Who's Ms. C?" Ginny asked.
"The coach for the Troubletones," Carol replied. "An all-girl Glee group that was disbanded a few weeks ago."
He wondered if that was what life would be like if his parents were still around but then shook his head. He didn't need to think of things like that.
"It does not do to dwell on dreams," Harry sighed as he muttered the wise words under his breath.
"We're not teaming up," Santana said, pulling Teddy out of his daydreams. Mr. Schue reassured her that they weren't but instead they were having a mash-off. Teddy shook his head, amused at the Americans. Didn't they know that the only things that deserved to be mashed were potatoes?
"Ah Schue's doing his mash-off of the year," Burt chuckled. "I remember Kurt telling me about that one time."
"Hey John!" Rachel shouted as he walked to class. He waited for her and chuckled. He honestly liked her. Rachel reminded him of Rose, determined to get a head and driving everyone mad in order to do so, and Rose was only nine!
"We sure this girl isn't somehow related to Hermione?" Ginny asked with an eyebrow raised. "That sounds almost scary!"
"We can ask Hermione if she has any relatives on Ted's side of the pond," Harry said with a chuckle.
"Yeah Rach?"
"So I've got your vote for Senior Class president right?" she asked.
"I told Kurt I'd vote for him," Teddy said. "Sorry Rachel. I promised a friend and I'm not going to go back on that promise."
"Good kid," Burt smiled, pleased that Teddy was going to keep his promise and not just blow his kid off because Kurt was gay.
He walked off, without hearing what she was going to say.
"John!"
He turned to see a hand shove him up against the wall.
"OI!" Ginny and Harry shouted, more than slightly peeved by that behavior.
"What Rick?" he spat. Rick the hockey player was right in his face, as usual at this time. The only thing useful about these elections was that he now knew the name of his tormentor.
"Burt, can I come with you when you go to the Principle?" Harry almost growled the request.
"Sure Harry," Burt nodded but inwardly smirked. Having another parent back him up might just make Figgins realize that a change needed to happen and fast.
"Aww! Isn't this cute? The little homo has decided to try to stick up for himself," Rick taunted.
"I'm not gay," Teddy glared at the boy. He had heard that insult before since joining Glee club, but he had to admit that it was a better insult than 'Freak" or "Cub".
"There's nothing wrong with being gay," Cooper piped up.
"We know that," Harry said with a smile. "One of our most respected Headmasters was gay and people begged him to lead the Wizarding World."
"Never took the position," Ginny sighed. "It always bugged people why that was."
"You sure hang around Hudson and Hummel a lot for that statement to have any weight!"
The sight of Finn and Rory once more gave Teddy joy but also it saddened him a little. Was he so weak that he had to rely on others to come to his rescue?
"Relying on others does not make you weak young man!" Ginny scolded and then turned on Harry. "He spent too much time with you when he was young."
"Oi!"
"Well all this suffering in silence. Who does that remind you of?"
"Hey!"
"What are you gonna do?" Rick sneered.
"Leave him alone or I'll get Coach Bieste!" Finn yelled, causing the hockey player to scatter.
"At least there's someone there who'll look out for the kids," Burt sighed in relief.
"You okay?" Rory asked.
"I'm fine," Teddy smiled. "Thanks guys."
"No problem," Finn grinned. Santana walked up to them and Teddy shook his head at their little insult off. Honestly, he'd heard better insults from a first year Slytherin than from the two of them.
"Probably directed at him," Harry muttered and then rubbed his hand over his eyes. Where had he gone wrong in raising his godson that Teddy couldn't even tell him when he had problems?
"Dogdgeball," Finn said, his eyes almost gleaming with delight. Santana nodded and Teddy couldn't help but be afraid. He briefly wondered what all he missed in his musing.
It turned out that his sense of fear was right. Later that day, the two teams met in the gym, wearing uniforms.
"Umm….what are the rules?" he asked just as Rory went to open his mouth.
"Don't die," Puck offered.
"That's actually good advice," Harry nodded, having played dodgeball in his youth. Dudley loved to try to get him out on the first try.
"Well that was helpful," he muttered as he got into position. Teddy fiddled with the string on his gym shorts and ducked as the first barrage of rubber balls got sent his way. All the while, folks around him were singing. Honestly, Americans were weird. After a while, Teddy realized that it was a little like Quidditch, and at least was able to start getting on the offensive. Still, it didn't prevent the three balls to the midsection.
"OOH!" Everyone winced as Cooper read that.
"That'll be painful," Burt felt sorry for the kid.
"Ugh," he winced as Santana beaned Finn straight in the face. "That'll leave a mark."
"So that's how he got that!" Carol exclaimed in realization.
He walked up to Finn, just as Santana started pelting Rory with the balls.
"Stop it!" Kurt shouted as he ran to Rory's defense. "We're better than this!"
"Whatever Grandma," Santana sneered.
Teddy gasped when he saw that Rory was bleeding. He glared at Santana. It was time for his Marauder blood to come out in force.
"This'll be good," Harry couldn't help but smirk. "Ted's pretty laid back but when you piss him off, that's when the prankster gets awakened."
0000000000
Honestly Ted. It was just a game. People bleed all the time in Quidditch!
Vic, if it was just about the blood I'd ignore it. It's not. Santana did that after the game was over.
"He is such a Hufflepuff," Ginny said with a loving smile.
Personally, I think Finn's a moron. From what you described, the bloke's a giant. How'd she hit him in the face and he not have time to duck is beyond me.
"That's my son you're talking about," Carol said with a glower.
You've got a point there.
If it helps, he deserves it from what you told me about him. Honestly, those people look up to him and he can't help out about the bullies?
"Oh," Carol said softly and reaffirmed her decision to have a talk with her son.
Of course not.
You've done something, I hope?
Taken attention off of Rory and Kurt only to put it on myself.
"That isn't good," Burt winced. "Some of those guys get pretty brutal."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Throwing people in dumpsters, slushie facials, locker slams….unless McKinley has changed since I went there."
"Let's hope it has," Ginny said softly.
Ugh. Don't get hurt, okay?
When do I ever get hurt?
When you dance. By the way, I want a memory of your group's performance yesterday. Seeing you in a fake mustache would be to die for.
"Ditto!" Harry exclaimed.
Who said it was fake?
There was a moment where Teddy was sure that Vic had given up and just burst out laughing.
"Bill did say he heard something odd coming from Vic's room around that time," Ginny shook her head.
I'm back.
So who's given up yet?
"He really asked that?" Burt couldn't help but inquire. Didn't the kid know that he had family who loved him?
No one. Aunt Hermione's been pestering Uncle Ron every day if there's any new leads from the Aurors, according to Rose. Everyone else has been asking your friends.
"Not that it did us any good," Harry grumbled
Vic, I've only got two friends. You and Olive Wood in Ravenclaw.
Yeah, they've already asked her. Oliver's been asking the foreign teams if you've been to any games.
Yeah, because if I've run away I'll be sure to catch up on a Quidditch game.
"I can just feel the sarcasm," Carol couldn't help but chuckle. "Joys of raising a teenager."
You can ease up on the sarcasm, love. Uncle Harry already told Oliver that, along with Uncle George and Aunt Angelina.
How's Gran?
Swearing to ground you if you've gotten hurt. Ted, the woman lost her daughter, son-in-law and husband to the last war. You're her last family.
"Nice guilt trip," Harry smirked. "She'll do well in treating the Aurors who get hurt."
"How'd you know Vic wanted to be a Healer?" Ginny asked.
"Who do you think got her that internship?" Harry shrugged. "Susan was working the admissions at the time and I went to talk to her."
What was the guilt trip for?
Oh, I figured you'd protest her decree. I know you Ted, even if you get a mad idea such as leave the country because of bullies.
I'm not going to defend my plan again Vic.
Okay, okay! By the way, Scorpius is doing fine in case you'd like to know. James, on the other hand, has begun to prank all the morons who bullied you.
"We'll have to reward him for that," Harry muttered under his breath. While James would be punished for any cruelty towards other students, sticking up for his godbrother earned a reward.
Give him a chocolate frog from me in thanks.
How about you do it yourself when you come home. When are you coming home?
Teddy thought for a moment.
I'll see if I can sneak in to see you and him around Christmas.
"He didn't really sneak," Ginny shook her head in amusement.
I'll hold you to that. Got to go. Uncle Harry's coming and I think I'd be treated to an interrogation if he saw our parchment.
"No….yeah," Harry admitted.
Kay. Love you Vic.
Teddy rolled up the parchment and stuck it in his desk drawer. He sighed and leaned back. Teddy knew that it'd been two weeks since the dogdeball game and still he'd done nothing to avenge Rory.
"All the best plans take time," Burt shrugged.
"Coming!" he shouted as someone pounded on his door. Opening it up, he stood in shock at the sight it unveiled. Santana, crying, in the rain.
"What's she doing there?" Cooper asked in shock.
"Santana!" he gasped. "What are you doing here? Come in!"
He hurried her into the apartment, leading her to a chair. Teddy grabbed a blanket and draped it around her shoulders. The girl was dripping wet, her Cheerio uniform sticking to her like glue.
"The poor girl," Ginny gasped; the maternal instinct coming out in spades. "What happened to her?"
"What happened?" he asked gently. Santana may not have been his favorite person at the moment, but she was crying. Something or someone upset her. Santana didn't answer, instead she just kept crying.
"This is bad," Harry said softly. In his head, he couldn't help but think if there was wizard involvement.
"I'll go make some tea," he said and got up to the kitchen. Moony hopped up on Santana's lap to try to comfort her. Teddy watched her pet him with shaky hands.
"T-thanks," she said as Teddy handed her a cup.
"What happened, Santana?" Teddy asked.
There was a moment's pause and then Santana looked at him. It honestly shocked Teddy to see this confident girl so shaken.
"I came out to my parents tonight," she said. "Mi papi kicked me out."
"I'll make the guest room ready when we get out of here," Carol said instantly over the uproar that came from Burt and Cooper.
"Came out?" Ginny asked.
"It means she told her parents she's gay," Cooper said as bluntly as possible. "Her father kicked her out for it."
"That's horrible!" Harry cried, outraged. "Ginny, don't we have properties in Ohio?"
"I don't know," Ginny said with a look in her eyes, "but I know George just bought a couple of houses near Lima that he want to turn into warehouses. I'll talk to him when we get out of here."
When Cooper calmed down, he continued to read.
Teddy froze. There was no way that the words I'm sorry could make her feel better. But why did she come to him?
"Mi mama already knew," she continued. "Said that she saw it on the television."
"How?" Harry asked.
"Wait, what?" Teddy said, shocked. Santana, probably from her hysteria, told him the entire thing and he honestly wanted to go kill Hudson at the moment.
"What does my son have to do with this?" Carol asked.
Maybe the guest room wouldn't be a good idea, Burt thought with an inward wince. He thought he knew what was implied but he wasn't sure.
He led Santana to his room and let her sleep on the bed. He took the couch.
Here's to hoping I don't end up in Azkaban in the morning, he thought as he closed his eyes.
"Azkaban?" Cooper asked.
"Wizard Prison," Ginny replied. "I'll read the next chapter by the way."