HARRY POTTER THE CHOSEN ONE?
Rumours continue to fly about the mysterious recent disturbance at the Ministry of Magic, during which He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was sighted once more, alongside believed to be dead, Avery Sutherland.
"We're not allowed to talk about it, don't ask me anything," said one agitated Obliviator who refused to give his name as left the Ministry that night.
Nevertheless, highly placed sources within the Ministry have confirmed that the disturbance centred on the fabled Hall of Prophecy.
Though Ministry spokes wizards have hitherto refused even to confirm the existence of such a place, a growing number of the Wizarding community believe that the Death Eaters now serving sentences in Azkaban for trespass and attempted theft were attempting to steal a prophecy.
The nature of that prophecy is unknown, although speculation is rife that it concerns Harry Potter, the only person ever known to have survived the Killing Curse, and who is also known to have been at the Ministry on the night in question.
Some are going as far as to call Potter the 'Chosen One,' believing that the prophecy names him as the only one who will be able to rid us of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
(Cont., page 2, column 5.)
"That's just perfect," said Theo, lowering the Daily Prophet. He was sitting at the breakfast table with everyone else. "Potter's already got a big enough head."
Teddie threw a piece of bread at him. "It's not Harry's fault," she defended. "All these people speculation and assuming that he is what they want him to be. They're the ones putting all the expectations on him, and when he doesn't reach those expectations, they turn on him. It's not fair."
"She's right," said Ursula, dabbing her mouth. "Whether Potter is or isn't the Chosen One, he is still a child. He doesn't deserve this publicity."
Mo met his wife's gaze as he drank his morning tea. He paused, swallowed, and then nodded. "I agree," he confirmed. He took the paper back from Theo. "You shouldn't worry yourselves with what is happening in the news, anyway, you have enough on your plates with school starting up. Your letters should be coming today, and don't you have exam results, too?"
Teddie felt her stomach drop at the reminder.
"What's this?" Mason asked, picking up a pamphlet that had fallen from the Daily Prophet as Theo passed it to Mo. He read the front page out loud: "Protecting Your Home and Family Against Dark Forces."
"It's the Ministry's way of trying to reassure people that things aren't going to be the same as before," said Mo. "But, like I said, you shouldn't concern yourself with it."
"The Wizarding Community is currently under threat from an organisation calling itself the Death Eaters. Observing the following simple security guidelines will help protect you, your family, and your home from attack." Mason read, despite Mo trying to take the pamphlet from him. "You are advised not to leave your house alone. Particular care should be taken during the hours of darkness."
Teddie swallowed her orange juice. "But that's not always possible!" she protested, turning to Mason and Mo. "What about the people that work after hours? Or overtime. Like you, Mo, and David Greengrass. You're out at all hours of the day and night, your jobs are just as important as 9-5, and you can't guarantee to be home by the time night falls."
"That is why we have security measures in place," said Mo, calmingly. "Try not to worry, Teddie, we're prepared for this."
Teddie shook her head. "You think you're prepared," she argued. "But you have no idea what these people are capable of. You're aware of what Voldemort did during the first war, but Avery was only young back then. The only powers she had were a shield. She's grown now, her Blood Manipulation is dangerous, and powerful. Believe me, not even I could fight it."
Since he was sitting beside his sister, Mason reached over and hugged her. She hadn't spoken much about the night at the Ministry, only mentioning briefly that her encounter with Avery had left her terrified and shaken. She still had nightmares about it, often waking up in a cold sweat and screaming that she couldn't breathe, or it hurt. Whatever Avery had done to her, had left an impression.
It was hard for Mason to see his usually stubborn sister reduced to a sobbing mess. Especially since she used to stare danger in the face, or blindly run into trouble without thinking anything through. Now, she always stopped and thought out a strategy, and when that strategy went to pieces, it was always too late to think of a new one.
"What about friends and neighbours?" Teddie asked. She met Mo's gaze again. "What about Muggles and Muggleborns? What's being done to protect them? There is at least three Muggle killings in the papers daily. What's being done about them?"
"We are working around the clock to bring the perpetrators to justice," said Mo.
But Teddie was shaking her head. "It's not good enough," she said. "You can surround them with as much magic as you want, but it's not enough to protect them indefinitely. If something happens to you the magic surrounding them fails."
"What would you have us do, Teddie?" Mo asked.
"Get creative with methods," said Teddie. "Harry told me when he was a child there was a cat always perched on his wall outside, later, when he got to Hogwarts, he saw Professor McGonagall in cat form and recognised her as the one outside his home. Can't you station Aurors outside homes? I mean, you're training recruits, right?"
"Yes, we are, but we still don't have enough manpower to place people outside every house in Britain."
"I don't mean outside every house," said Teddie. "But can't a team patrol the streets or something? Just one or two."
"Then that would take away from those of you that need specific attention," said Mo, shaking his head. "Like you and Potter."
Teddie grit her teeth. "But I don't -" she started to protest.
Mo held up his hand, silencing her. "It is pointless to argue with the Minister, Teddie," he said.
"I don't like him," said Teddie.
"No one said you had to," said Mo. "But he is doing this for your well-being. Besides, if you have protection, so do they." He nodded at Theo and Mason.
Teddie cast a glance at her brother and best friend, realising that Mo had a point.
"They're using Inferius?" Mason questioned, his eyes lifting from the pamphlet. "I read about those."
"What are Inferius?" Theo asked.
"It's a bewitched corpse," said Mason. "Basically, an army of the dead."
Teddie shuddered.
"OK, that's enough," said Ursula, plucking the pamphlet from Mason's hands. "This is our second to last breakfast together. Let's not dampen it anymore with shop talk. We'll have plenty of time for that later, especially since your protection detail arrives this afternoon, Teddie."
Teddie grumbled and turned back to her breakfast.
~X~
"Did you know we're getting a new teacher this year?" Theo asked Teddie. The pair were laying under an oak tree on the grounds of Flint manor. The skies were clear, not a cloud in sight, not that it would matter given the protective dome that now surrounded the property.
Teddie shook her head. "I'm not surprised though," she said. "We've had a new teacher every year since first year. Defence Against the Dark Arts must be cursed."
"Yeah, but this new Professor isn't a Defence teacher."
"They're not?" Teddie asked, turning her head to face him. "Then what position are they -?"
"Potions."
Teddie sat up. "Potions? But that's Professor Snape's job," she said.
"I know. But apparently this Horace Slughorn was Potions professor when Snape was a student, and he's coming back to take over," said Theo, also sitting up.
"What about Snape?"
Theo shrugged. "I haven't heard anything to say he is leaving," he admitted.
Teddie sighed and looked away. She hugged her knees to her chest, resting her head on top. The only problem with not living at Spinner's End anymore was not being able to ask Professor Snape whether he was leaving Hogwarts. She hoped that he wasn't, but she wouldn't blame him if he did.
"Hang on," said Theo. "If Slughorn is coming back for Potions, who is taking over Defence? I mean, they can't cancel the course, not during these dark times, surely?"
"What if -" Teddie lifted her head. "What if Professor Snape is the new Defence professor? I mean, it's happened before, right? Professors have switched professions - Quirrell used to teach Muggle Studies before Defence, even Professor Dumbledore. He used to teach Transfiguration and then switched to Defence."
"What is about Defence that makes everyone want to be an expert in it?" Theo asked.
Teddie shrugged. "I don't know, but if Professor Snape is the new Defence teacher then at least he's still at school, and we may actually learn something this year," she said.
There was only ever one teacher that taught them something worthwhile in Defence Against the Dark Arts and that was Professor Remus Lupin, every other teacher they had were either boring, conceited, dangerous, or cruel. Granted, they had learned a fair deal about curses from Barty Crouch Jr when he had been masquerading as Mad Eye Moody, but the fact that he was Death Eater in disguise sort of undermined everything he did.
"Do you miss Spinner's End?" Theo asked.
Teddie looked startled at the question. What a curveball from their previous conversation.
"Sorry," said Theo. "I just noticed how sad you got when I mentioned Professor Snape, and then I remembered he used to be your neighbour, and then I wondered if you missed Spinner's End."
Teddie smiled. If there was one thing that Theo was good at it was reading her. He always seemed so intuitive when it came to her feelings and emotions, and she often wondered if it was because she was his friend, or if there was more to it? She had already admitted to herself that she loved Theo more than a friend, but did he feel the same way about her? And how could she go about finding out without making this awkward?
"Sometimes," Teddie said. "I know I'm safer here than there, which means you and Mason are safer, too, but I miss playing in the river. I miss playing football on the streets. I miss my friends and knowing that they don't know what is going on, and not being able to do anything to protect them scares me. Plus, my parents are there…"
Her parents plot lay in the small graveyard that sat at the end of Spinner's End. It wasn't much, but the people that were buried there had once lived in the street and worked at the mill and hotel at the end of the road. It was like visiting a family plot, seeing as everyone in Spinner's End was like family to one another.
Everyone knew everyone, secrets were hard to keep - some secrets - and every parent weren't just parents to their own kids, but to their neighbours kids, too.
"Maybe Mo will let us visit your parents before we return to school?" Theo suggested. "We can ask him at dinner."
Teddie nodded and glanced sideways. "Thanks, Theo," she murmured.
"For what?"
"Being you," Teddie smiled.
Theo offered her a lopsided smile. "Thanks for being you, too," he said.
The pair lapsed into silence.
~X~
By the Theo and Teddie made it back inside, early afternoon had started to set in. Mason was, as usual, in the library. He was reading one of the books that Adrian had sent him at the beginning of the week, when the House Elf had popped in to tell him Teddie, Theo, and the Flints were waiting in the family room for him.
Still carrying the book under his arm, Mason headed down the hall and into the family room. When he arrived he found, not only his sister, her best friend, and the Flints waiting, but also four other people that he didn't recognise.
"Excellent, we're all here," said Mo as Mason approached Teddie. "I wanted to inform you all about some changes that will be happening at Hogwarts this year. Given the current crisis we're under within the wizarding community, the Auror department has agreed to station Auror's around Hogwarts Castle, and Hogsmeade to protect the students."
"What?!" Teddie exclaimed. Only this morning she had made a similar suggestion to protect the Muggles and Muggleborns out in the Britain, but there hadn't been enough manpower for that. Now she could see why - all the manpower was being sent to protect one of the most protected buildings in Britain, not to mention it was filled with exceptionally powerful adults.
Crossing the room, Ursula stood behind Teddie and placed two hands on her shoulder. "It's okay, Teddie," she soothed. "I know it's not the best option. But it's out of our hands now."
Teddie glared at the floor. It seemed nothing was in within her control anymore.
"But, despite the added precautions to the school, the Minister has assigned a team of specialists to your case, Teddie," Mo continued. "Meet your new protection detail. They will be joining you at Hogwarts, and shadowing your every move, stepping in should they need too. I hope they don't, but they are under direct orders to keep you alive and safe while you're away from my care."
Teddie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She was starting to feel like an animal locked in a cage. It was suffocating and tedious; she already had enough protection at Hogwarts. Dumbledore, the greatest and most powerful wizard was Headmaster, there was no chance he would allow anything to happen to her on school grounds; then there was her Head of House, Professor Snape. He had always protected her when she needed it, why would now be any different?
"First up we have Dominic Morse," said Mo, motioning to a young lad. He looked no older than twenty-two and had shaggy blue hair and green eyes. He was of lean build and was wearing green robes.
"It's a pleasure," said Dominic. He swooped forward, grasped Teddie's hand and kissed the back of it.
"Next is Quinn Camp," Mo continued. A short woman with flowing purple hair stepped forward. She beamed as she looked around at the three teenagers.
"I have heard so many things about you," said Quinn. "I hope we're going to get along."
Despite not wanting the protection detail, Teddie couldn't help but smile at Quinn.
"Thirdly, we have Jonathan Cruise," said Mo. A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped forward. He had thin black eyebrows which rested above bright blue eyes. His face was impassive and hard, and his lips pressed into a thin line.
Jonathan didn't say anything as he surveyed the three teenagers.
"And lastly, we have Melanie Nathaniel," said Mo. The last woman was of short stature. She had an ugly scar on the side of her face, which she tried to hide with her hair. Her left eye was also glassed over, like it had been injured in battle. She nodded once as she met the gazes of the three teens she would be protecting.
Teddie glanced at Theo and Mason, both of whom stood either side of her. She then stepped forward toward the four Auror's. "I'm not going to say that I'm happy you're here," she said, looking from one Auror to the next. "Being on my protection detail literally means taking your life in your hands. Whatever you've read about me, is probably true, and they're not going to stop until they get me."
Theo and Mason shared a look.
"I've already lost one Auror," Teddie continued. "And I considered him a very dear friend, so, you'll have to excuse me because I don't plan on getting close to any of you." She looked at Quinn. "I've lost to much already. The only reason I'm not fighting the Minister on this, is because of these two," she nodded at Mason and Theo, "and the rest of my friends. Because having you around me, means having you around them."
"We're not here to protect them," said Cruise. He glanced at Mo.
Teddie turned sharply in his direction. "That's my only condition," she said. "Protecting me means protecting them. Otherwise, I can be the most uncooperative client you have ever had the pleasure of knowing."
Quinn and Dominic shared an amused look. So far, they were liking Teddie. She was spirited, and they liked that.
"This wasn't part of the deal," said Cruise to Mo. "We agreed to just the girl."
"The girl," interrupted Teddie. "Is standing right here." She looked to Mo. "I respect you a lot. But you know I'm not kidding around."
Mo sighed and nodded. He then turned to Jonathan. "If you'll step into my office, we can amend the agreement," he said. "If you're still against it, I can reassign you."
As the two men left the room, Ursula squeezed Teddie's shoulders again. "Great, while we wait for them to sort things out, who would like some lunch?" she asked.
~X~
Lunch was never a lengthy affair.
Usually, Teddie, Theo, and Mason were finished within an hour, and had excused themselves. Today, however, during the first ten minutes, three owls arrived carrying bulging envelopes that held the Hogwarts seal.
"Exam results and book lists," said Mason, opening his first. He checked his results first, setting the book list and letter down on the table. He was silent for a moment as he disappeared behind the car, remerging minutes later with a bright smile.
"How did you do?" Teddie asked.
Mason passed her the results. "I passed everything," he said. "Top of my class!"
"Well done!" Theo said, grinning from across the table.
Teddie threw her arms around Mason and hugged him. "I am so proud of you!" she said, ruffling his hair as she pulled away. She looked at the card and then handed it over to Ursula.
"Well done, Mason," Ursula said, also hugging him. "If you like, we can do with this what we used to do with Marcus."
"What's that?" Mason asked.
Ursula stood and walked over the door leading to the family room. Mason, Teddie, and Theo exchanged looks and followed her. They found her standing in front of wall with a large image of an old wizard, the image moved, his face beaming at the three teenagers as Ursula showed him the results card.
"Papa was my father's father," Ursula explained. "He was a Ravenclaw at Hogwarts and believed in hard work and good grades. When Marcus always achieved more than our expectations, we would give his card/letter to Papa, and he would display it in his frame."
Papa held out his hand and Ursula touched the edge of the result card to the photo frame. Teddie's eyes widened as she watched it shrink and shrink before sliding smoothly through the canvas.
"Whoa," Mason breathed, his own eyes wide in fascination.
Ursula chuckled. "Mason is also a Ravenclaw, Papa," she told the image. "He loves learning new things and spends most of his time in our library."
Papa beamed and bowed his head at Mason.
"Can't he speak like most portraits?" Teddie asked.
"Papa couldn't speak much when he was alive," said Ursula. "He had dragon pox has a child, and it affected his throat terribly. He survived, but his voice was lost."
Teddie nodded and looked at Papa. He was smiling at her, the corner of his eyes wrinkled with crow's feet. She smiled back, and Papa pressed two fingers to his lips, pointed them at her, and then tapped his forehead.
"He's -"
"I know," said Teddie, cutting Ursula off. She looked up at Papa. "Thank you."
Papa nodded and then turned to the board beside him. He stuck Mason's result card to it, and then went still again, a permanent beaming smile on his face.
"Thank you, Ursula," said Teddie. "For everything you're doing. Inviting us into your home, looking after us, making us part of your family."
Ursula hugged Teddie tightly, pressing her own lips to her forehead. "You deserve better than what you're getting, Teddie," she said. "So much better. Now, let's get back to the dining room, so that you and Theo can share your results."
Teddie felt her stomach churn.
Despite her fear and discomfort, Teddie found that her OWL results weren't half bad. She had failed History of Magic, which she had expected, but she had managed to scrape by in Transfiguration, Herbology, Potions, Astronomy, Care of Magical Creatures, and even Ancient Runes. She had got mostly A's with one Exceeds Expectations, but the best results of all were her Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms, both of which she had managed to obtain Outstanding's.
"Not that we were worried about Charms," said Theo, peering over her shoulder. "I mean, you're a natural."
Teddie smiled. "What about you?" she asked. "What did you get?"
"Mostly A's and E's," said Theo. "I got an O in Ancient Runes, though."
"Naturally."
Theo chuckled. "I managed to E in Defence, too," he said. "Dumbledore's Army was good for one thing, at least."
Teddie rolled her eyes. "So, between us we managed sixteen OWLS," she said, tallying the numbers up in her head. "Eight a piece.
"Yep. I wonder how Daphne and Blaise did?" Theo wondered.
Teddie shrugged and looked over at Mo. "Is there any chance we can message Daphne and Blaise about meeting us in Diagon Alley today?" she asked.
"I'm afraid that's not possible, Teddie," said Mo, shaking his head. "We must be quick. Given the current circumstances, you being out of the house for too long could cause more problems. People aren't fully accepting of you, as it is, they believe you belong in Azkaban for just being who you are."
~X~
By late afternoon, Mo, Ursula, and the protection detail were ready for their trip to Diagon Alley. Teddie, Theo, and Mason were pulling on jackets and adjusting backpacks, storing their wands in their holders under sleeves and around waists, while Mo prepped the fireplace for Floo travel, and Jonathan Cruise was giving the run down on how things were going to work.
"We'll travel in pairs," said Jonathan. "Melanie will go first, to scout ahead. Then Quinn, you'll come with Master Mason. Dominic, you'll come next with Master Theo."
Teddie groaned. She had the sinking feeling that she was not travelling with either Ursula or Mo.
"And I'll come last with Miss Teddie," Jonathan finished. "This is how we will travel while at Hogwarts, also. If there is ever a time where travelling occurs."
"What about my other friends?" Teddie asked. "Daphne, Astoria, and Blaise? There's only four of you, and if we're travelling in pairs, they'll be left out."
"We could always double up," said Quinn.
Jonathan shook his head. "Being in pairs makes it easier for us to defend who is in our care," he said. "I would rather not stretch our forces too thin by adding multiple bodies." He turned to Teddie. "I have spoken with David Greengrass, he is adding three new Auror's to our team, specifically for his daughters and Master Blaise."
Great, Teddie thought. That was all she needed. Three more busybodies following her around Hogwarts.
"Are we all ready?" Jonathan asked.
The others nodded.
"Good. Melanie, after you," Jonathan said.
Melanie stepped into the fireplace, took a handful of powder, and threw it onto the floor at her feet. She didn't say a word as the green flames whipped around her and she disappeared.
"But she didn't say where to go!" said Mason.
"Melanie is a skilled witch in Non-Verbal spells," said Jonathan.
"Non-Verbal?"
"Casting spells without speaking," said Mason. "We covered most of them in Dumbledore's Army last year. I suggested it to Harry, remember?"
Teddie racked her brain and then nodded. She remembered now. Most of Dumbledore's Army couldn't master the Non-Verbal part, and would either cry out the spell they wanted, like Protego, especially if their partner tried to catch them unawares.
She grinned sheepishly, and turned to Theo.
"She remembers," said Theo, rubbing his head. He had tried to attack Teddie while she had been preoccupied, and her shield had exploded, deflecting his spell and knocking him backward into a wall.
"Sorry, again," said Teddie, hugging his arm.
"Yeah, yeah," said Theo. "You'd probably do it again."
Teddie shrugged. "If I had better control over my shield then I wouldn't do it all," she said. "You know it has a mind of its own."
"Which is a good thing, at times," said Mason. "But not when we're training."
Teddie smiled and shook her head.
The fireplace burst to life, the green flames rising higher and higher until the licked the stone mantle above, and then disappeared again.
"That was Melanie's signal," said Jonathan. "All is clear in the Leaky Cauldron. Quinn, if you'd like to go first."
Quinn stepped into the fireplace. She made a space for Mason and wrapped an arm tightly around his shoulders. "Hold your breath, Master Mason," she said, taking a handful of powder and throwing it at her feet.
At her yell of 'Diagon Alley' both Quinn and Mason disappeared.
Jonathan waited for the second signal before motioning Dominic and Theo into the fireplace. They did, and Teddie watched as they too disappeared.
Upon the third signal, Jonathan motioned for Teddie to step in ahead of him. He then followed and offered her his arm. Reluctantly, Teddie wrapped her own around him and, instinctively, buried her face into his robes. She hated travelling by Floo, it made her insides dizzy.
"Diagon Alley!" Jonathan yelled, dropping a handful of Floo powder into the flames. They whipped up, swirling around him and Teddie, as they started to spin faster and faster.
Until finally, they stopped.