Second chapter! Sorry if my english is too sloppy here! Hopefully you will like it either way! Please please review and let me know what you think of it!
Disclaimer: characters are not minee!
Teddy Lupin was sitting in Albus Dumbledore's office. James Potter was standing next to the door.
"Mr. Potter, you may be excused…. I request of you extreme prudence, yes?"
Teddy frowned, Mr. Potter? He turned to look at the raven haired teen and examined him. He had seen pictures of Harry's dad, but, could it be? Well, come think that he was sitting in the office of a DEAD person, it may be possible.
"Are you… Are you James Potter?"
That caught James attention almost immediately. He nodded his head and messed with his hair in discomfort "Er… Yeah… Do I know you? I don't think I do- You said you were a Lupin? Are you related to Remus? A cousin?"
Teddy gasped "He's my dad! Remus Lupin is my father! This is impossible!" his hair turned bright red and he started to have a mini panic attack. Dumbledore got up and tried to smooth him by rubbing his back. Yet Teddy felt some intrusion in his mind. He realized that, maybe, Dumbledore was checking just how truthful he was being.
"My apologies for the intrusion, Mr. Lupin. You see, we live in dangerous times and I really needed to make sure you could be trusted. You seem to be truthful. What year do you come from?" smiled Dumbledore.
"Er… 2012, sir… my dad is going to kill me" By dad Teddy was thinking about Harry Potter. Not that Dumbledore or James knew that.
"Extraordinary! any idea of what happened?"
"I… I was in the Room of Requirements. I spent the night there because of the full moon. I… I saw a light that caught my attention. I tried to grab it! As soon as as… as I touched it it burned and made me faint…. And- and then I was here"
James Potter appeared to be in shock. This kid was saying he came from the future. He was saying he was Moony's son. He was even talking about the full moon. The craziest part was that Dumbledore actually believed him.
"Mr. Potter… would you be so kind to bring your friends here? Please do not talk to anyone, just bring them here"
"Yes, sir…!" he all but flew out of there.
Teddy felt paralyzed. He couldn't understand what was happening and he couldn't stop himself from considering what this implied. Would he meet his dad? And grandpa James? And, Harry's god-dad? His hair was probably crazy with emotions.
Dumbledore gave him a lemon-drop and a consolatory smile, "It's quite alright, Mr. Lupin… We'll see how to fix this. Although, you must understand how dangerous it is to interfere with time. You could make changes into your future. You must be very prudent, please do not give important information"
"Uhm… yes, sir… I won't… I mean I will- be prudent, and all that"
"Perfect" Dumbledore looked at him up and down "Hufflepuff, I suppose". Teddy giggled and nodded his head.
"Well… I think it would be best if you are placed in Gryffindor for the time being. I'm sure Mr. Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew will help you get settled"
Teddy smiled eagerly; he couldn't believe he was getting this chance! "That's fine with me!"
Soon knocks on the door were heard. "Come ahead, boys"
Four faces appeared by the door and Teddy's jaw dropped. He only knew them by photos. He couldn't believe they were here! In the same room as him! Remus, his father, his hero was right there!
"Please, take a sit, boys. Has James explained the situation?"
"Sir, I don't really think I understand what the situation is…"
Dumbledore gave a little smile and explained everything. All Teddy could do was stand awkwardly behind the old wizard.
"That's impossible! He MUST be lying!" exclaimed Remus. He was pretty mad, he couldn't believe it. It was NOT possible. He would never be this irresponsible. Teddy's hair turned dark. He understood that it may be shocking, but he didn't believe Remus would be so upset.
"I made sure to inspect young Edward's memories. I have no reason to believe he is being untruthful"
"Woah! We could know about the future!" Sirius gave a big toothy smile and grabbed Teddy by his shoulders "Your hair is psychedelic! And!... your shoes are interesting…"
"No. He may not tell you anything about the future. It would endanger life as Mr. Lupin knows it"
Sirius pouted but dismissed it "Alright… What year are you on?"
"Starting my fourth year" Teddy said.
"Ok. I reckon you know who we are, right? I mean, we are all best friends for life"
Teddy bit his lip. Just as Dumbledore was about to tell Sirius off, Teddy answered his question.
"Yeah… actually, Sirius is my god-dad's god-dad and my god-dad's dad is James Potter- we are all pretty close" he explained awkwardly.
That made James and Sirius smile from ear to ear "Well! That means that we are your… god-grandparents"
"Woah, Remus! You had him old!"
Dumbledore frowned "boys, I need to trust you. If you feel like you cannot stop from plying young Edward to give you information about the future… and to give it" he gave Teddy a look "It would be better if Edward stayed in the professor's launch"
"Teddy" Teddy corrected quickly. Dumbledore frowned, which made Teddy blush "Sorry! It's just that I don't like the name Edward. My name is Teddy. I mean… I didn't even know my name was Edward until I was like 6… I went to this muggle school and when the teacher was calling out the names she called for Edward and I didn't know that was me! Promise! I was NEVER called Edward. I was always Teddy… or Ted if I was in trouble… I'm not saying Edward is a bad name! I think it's a great name! But I was never 'Edward', I was always Ted or Teddy. I could change it when I'm an adult, I don't know why I can't do it now, I mean-" Dumbledore held his hand up to stop the rambling teenager.
"Ok. Teddy, then" he smiled.
"We promise not to ask anything, professor" promised James, amused by Teddy's outburst.
"And I promise to try not to say anything… I don't have a filter to be honest…" pouted Teddy. Dumbledore sighed and nodded "Alright… You may take today and tomorrow off to settle young Teddy and help him get his school supplies. Tomorrow you must go to professor McGonagall's office to pick up money to get whatever Mr. Lupin may need. Mr. Lupin is going to stay with you. I'll send an elf to put another bed in your room."
"Thank you so much, professor!" smiled Teddy.
"You are very welcome. You may be excused"
The five boys got out of the office. Remus seemed to still be in shock. He couldn't believe this- he would never be this irresponsible. This boy was supposed to be his son? Dumbledore said he was truthful, but how!
James and Sirius were really excited with the prospect to have a little marauder in their hands. Peter was just confused by it all.
"I… I have to ask… Edw- sorry, Teddy- Teddy, are you a werewolf?" asked Remus, heart in hand. Soon the other three stopped and stared to the youngest.
"You said something about the full moon when you were walking to Dumbledore" remembered James, let down with the thought that someone could be born with the affliction that affects his gentlest friend.
"Oh no, no no no! Not at all… Well, I do have some side-effects to my dad being one… When there is a full moon my body gets very sore and I feel a little miserable, but nothing more. I don't transform. I also have a good smelling sense and I'm good at looking in the dark!"
"Oh, that's not so bad!" smiled a relaxed Sirius, "you are a metamorphmagus too, right? My baby cousin is one!"
"Yes, I a—" Teddy could not finish the phrase since he was suddenly hugged by Remus. Teddy couldn't believe it, he was being hugged by his father.
Remus let him go, blushing a bit "I'm sorry… I'm just SO glad you are not a werewolf" he said as he rustled his own hair nervously.
James gave Teddy a one armed hug and smiled happily "this is going to be fun, pup!"
Teddy could not help but to agree with him.
"So… Hufflepuff? That's bloody terrible, mate" laughed Peter "worse house ever!"
Teddy's hair turned fiery red, frowning "No it's not! Badgers for life!"
"Aw, you are kind of adorable" James said as he poked Teddy's cheek.
"Stop it, don't upset him" said Remus trying to look stern.
"I'm just happy we get to miss classes! With permission!" laughed Sirius.
Remus sighed "we are supposed to set a good example for Teddy, Pad. Classes are important, Teddy". Teddy nodded looking as serious as he could, as soon as Remus looked away he couldn't help but to roll his eyes at him, making the other three teenagers laugh.
They went to the bedroom. Teddy's bed was already settled in. They sat on the floor and started to plan out Teddy's story. He took the name Teddy Harrison. He was supposed to be Remus' cousin, who had been homeschooled until now. He came to Hogwarts because his mom got a job opportunity she couldn't turn down"
"Must you wear your hair like that?" complained Peter "it hurts my eyes"
Teddy rolled his eyes "I like it, I like the colors and I actually enjoy the attention- besides, it's not like I can help it, not completely"
"Well, I think it's amazing! Just how much can you change your appearance?" asked James. Teddy looked up at him for a couple of second and all of the sudden his facial features began to melt and rearrange themselves so that, in just 30 seconds, James was staring at his face in Teddy's body.
"Merlin!" James almost jumped back. The others just stared amazed by Teddy's abilities.
"Think about the pranks we could pull!"
"Sirius, no! We are not involving Teddy in any sort of prank"
"Of course we will! You want to help don't you, pup?"
"Sure, I would love to!" exclaimed Teddy as his hair turned bubblegum pink, which made the others chuckle.
"How do you really look like, Teddy?"
"Well… I have like sandy hair… and well my eyes are a little grayish, I suppose. I don't change all that much to be honest. It's a little hard to stay in my natural form; I have to think about nothing for it to work. I could try, I guess"
"It would be neat if we could see" said James.
"Ok…uhm" Teddy closed his eyes and tried to relax. Think about nothing. It took a while but this pink hair started to fade into a sandy blond, his skin paled, his eyebrows grew bushier and more expressive, his nose got a little pointier, he opened his eyes to reveal his dark grey eyes.
The other teens examined him "You do look a little bit like Remus, but you kind of have some Sirius in you" frowned Peter.
"Yeah, yeah, I can see it!" confirmed James.
"Well, the Blacks are not the only grey-eyed family, you know? We are not so inbred!"
"Actually, I'm kind of related to the Blacks I suppose. From my mom's side. But I can't say no more!"
Remus was shocked. Trying to think about girl's in Sirius family. He couldn't think of one that would have a child with him.
"Really? Moony we are family!" laughed Sirius as he playfully tackled him in a hug "We now know how our child would look if we could have one! Uhmmm… Are you sure you are not mine, Teddy?" joked Sirius.
Remus groaned as he tried to free himself form the hug "grow up, Padfoot" he complained. "I dunno, Remie, it could be possible"
The others burst out laughing. Even Remus laughed "quit it, you dumb dog"
They sent time sitting, joking around and perfecting Teddy's story. Sirius, James and Peter would try to pry information from Teddy and Remus would have to physically restrain him from saying anything by covering his mouth. The kid had no filter whatsoever and he was pretty impetuous as well.
"Oh no! We are going to miss dinner, we have to go"
"Wormtail, stop thinking about food"
Teddy gasped "We cannot loose dinner! I'm hungry. I want to eat"
"Alright, alright, let's go"
They went to the Great Hall to eat and Teddy couldn't help but to be the center of attention. It was hard to miss the new fourth year student with vibrant turquoise crazy hair. Teddy told his story time and time again, just as he had practiced with the Marauders. Everyone seemed to believe him.
He was now talking to Lily Evans, who was delighted with his abilities to morph, "So, Teddy, how come you are staying with those three dummies and Remus and not with some other fourth years?"
"Uhm… well.. I don't know… That's how professor Dumbledore booked me"
"I suppose that it's because the other rooms were full and since Remus is your cousin…" Lily reasoned.
"Oh yeah! That must be it!" Teddy relaxed as he accumulated more food on his plate. He had a small mountain of food in his plate and he started devouring it.
"You know pup, for someone so small you eat like a beast!" exclaimed Sirius as Teddy reached for more baked potatoes.
"Hey! Any moment now I'll stretch! I need food" responded a sour Teddy. He didn't like to be made fun for his height. It seemed like during vacation almost all his friends came back tall and he remained small. Harry consoled him by reminding him that both Remus and Tonks were pretty tall, that he had nothing to worry about. Although Teddy was pretty sure Harry wanted him small as long as possible.
"Yeah, I wouldn't worry. I had my growth spurt at 14 - Christmas break, I believe" admitted Remus.
"Really?"
"Yeah, my poor parents, the clothes they got me Christmas wouldn't fit me"
James sniggered "don't worry pup, you won't be small forever"
They spent the rest of the evening joking around and talking. The Marauders told Teddy about their adventures, misadventures and their favorite pranks. Teddy was ecstatic with it all.
The next morning they went to Diagon Alley to buy Teddy school supplies and clothes. Also chocolate when Teddy expressed he needed more than anything. James, Sirius and specially Remus were thrilled with the young Lupin. Although for some reason Teddy didn't seem too keen of Peter.
"Tomorrow is your first day of school, Teddy; remember to stick with the story, ok?"
"Sure!"
Remus sighed worriedly. He hadn't known Teddy for a long time, but he knew the boy was rash and when nervous he would just spill information. He lamented that Teddy wouldn't be in class with them, but he supposed he had to trust him. After all just how much trouble could he get into?