Hello again :) Another chapter for you. I bit longer than usual, but I thought I would spice things up a bit. Also... my plan is to finish this story pretty soon, so to any of you who read my other stories, they might be on hold until I finish this one. See... I have a bit of a problem with keeping on task and my mind just randomly decides to upload new stories when I have so many to finish... sorry about the rant... please bare with me! Enjoy my people! xx

23 December 2009

It was the Christmas holidays. Teddy couldn't wait to be going home and seeing Grandma and Harry again. He sincerely missed them during his first term at Hogwarts – even though he would never admit it. But not only was he glad to be going home just to see his family, but because he would be away from the tyrannic bully that was Jerome Flint. Jerome was a Slytherin and although he was only a first year, he was so large and malicious that he even frightened the second and third years. And he took particular enjoyment in teasing Teddy for his ever-changing hair. But, at last, the holidays had arrived and Teddy couldn't wait to leave.

"What are you doing for the holidays?" asked Samuel Cole, Teddy's best friend as they both began to pack their Hogwarts trunks.

"Not much," shrugged Teddy. "Will be alternating between Grandma and Harry's house. I'll probably have to spend time with Victoire though," Teddy grumbled, rolling his eyes in frustration. If there was one thing he hated more than Jerome Flint, it was Victoire Weasley. She was undoubtedly the most annoying person in the entire universe – not to mention a whiny, spoiled, stuck up brat. Teddy couldn't stand her. Whenever something didn't go her way, she would complain about it and erupt into fits of squeals and tears until her parents finally gave in. She was an absolute nightmare.

Sam shivered. "Well... I hope you won't have to spend too much time with her," said Sam, giving Teddy a smile. "You could always come and visit me if she gets too annoying."

"What are you doing, then?"

"Well, I think my parents are renting a holiday house up in Ireland for a few weeks. You could join us if you want. I'm an only child. My parents wouldn't mind. Besides, you'll be loads better company."

Teddy smirked. "Sounds like a plan. I'll just have to ask Grandma and Harry. But I'm sure they'll say yes."

The two young Gryffindors continued to pack their trunks with hope in their hearts. Teddy knew that there was absolutely nothing that could make him unhappy that day. Until he and Sam were making their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast before they left for the train. As they made their way to the Gryffindor Table, Teddy was shoved aside. He stumbled and fell face first into the stone floor. With a cry of frustration, he leapt to his feet to find Flint towering over him, a wicked smile etched across his ugly face. Teddy was often reminded of a Mountain Troll whenever he saw him.

"Well, if it isn't my favourite little Gryffindor," drawled Flint, his two thick cronies cackling behind him.

Teddy scowled and felt anger boil inside him.

"Leave us alone!" he cried, curling his fists into balls.

"Oh look," roared Flint in laughter, pointing at Teddy's hair. "He's getting angry boys. Better watch out or he'll turn into a tomato!"

The Great Hall filled with the laughter as the Slytherin table erupted into cackles, laughing and pointing at Teddy. Teddy tried to cover his hair with his hands, knowing that it was bright red with his anger, but it was no use. Instead, he willed his hair to turn back to its natural colour. Soon, chants of "Freak!" echoed throughout the Great Hall as Teddy grabbed his trunk and ran from the Hall, wishing nothing more than to get away from everyone.

"Teddy! Open up!" called Sam, banging on the door of the broom cupboard that Teddy had confined himself to in embarrassment.

"Leave me alone, Sam," Teddy called back. He was curled up in a ball next to some buckets and mops, sitting on his Hogwarts trunk. It was dark and dusty, but Teddy didn't mind. At least he couldn't be seen.

"You can't hide in here all day!"

"Yes I can!"

"If you don't open this door right now, Teddy Lupin, I'm going to blast it open!"

Teddy snorted. "Yeah, right, Sam. I've seen you in Charms class. You can't blast open anything!" He felt a little mean saying those things to Sam, but at that moment, he didn't care. He just wanted to be left alone to wallow in his humiliation.

"Alohomora!"

The door opened and a rush of bright light filled the room. Teddy shielded his eyes. Sam was standing in front of him looking triumphant, his wand in his hand.

"Ha!" he cried proudly. "I told you I would blast the door open."

Teddy smirked. "Oh... that was blasting the door? I was expecting something a little more spectacular. You disappoint, Cole."

Sam grinned and hauled Teddy to his feet. "Sorry I don't live up to your expectations, Lupin!"

"Hey, what happened to your face?" asked Teddy as he noticed a large purple bruise surrounding Sam's eye.

Sam gulped. "Uh... well after you left... I... erm... well, Flint looks worse!"

Teddy rolled his eyes. "I'm sure he does," he smirked, but deep down, Teddy was grateful that Sam had stood up for him like that.

xXx

The journey back home on the Hogwarts Express was Flint-free. He and Sam took liberty of the sweet trolley and almost bought the entire supply, which they greedily wolfed down. As Teddy opened his sixth chocolate frog he halted as he noticed the card.

"What is it?" asked Sam through a mouthful of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. "Bleh! Bogey flavour," he added in disgust as he spat the bean out onto the floor.

"It's Harry," said Teddy in awe. He showed Sam the card. It read:

Harry Potter

The Boy Who Lived

Order of Merlin: First Class

The only person known to have survived the Killing Curse when he was just an infant. Faced Lord Voldemort several times and survived. Defeated the Dark Lord in the Spring of 1998 and put an end to the Second Wizarding War.

"Woah!" cried Sam, idolising the card. "That's incredible. I still can't believe Harry Potter is your godfather!"

Teddy smiled. "You can keep the card. I don't need it. I live with him."

"Thanks," said Sam, stashing the card in his pocket. "Do you reckon he'd sign it for me if I ask him?"

"Probably not," shrugged Teddy. "He doesn't really like the attention. But I reckon he'd do it for you."

"Wicked!"

xXx

A few hours later, the Hogwarts Express finally pulled into Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Teddy saw Harry and Ginny waving at him from the platform and five-year old James chasing three-year-old Albus. Two-year-old Lily sucked her thumb as she bounced in Ginny's arms. Andromeada was next to them, beaming up at her grandson as the red steam train came to a stop. Teddy and Sam sprinted off the train, dragging their trunks behind them and ran to greet their families.

"Woah!" said Sam in awe as he took in Teddy's family. "You have a huge family!"

"Where's yours?"

Sam pointed to a tall, attractive woman with a pale, heart-shaped face and blue almond shaped eyes. Her brown hair was pulled back with a tie-dyed scarf and she was wearing a pale blue dress. Her face lit up when she saw her son. Teddy grinned and the two boys parted. Teddy ran straight into Andromeada's arms, missing the smell and feel of his grandmother – the smell of home.

"Oh, Teddy," she whispered softly, kissing his head and pulling him close. "How I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, Grandma," said Teddy, stretching up to kiss his grandmother's pale cheek.

"Hey, squirt," said Harry, beaming down at him. He drew his godson into a bear hug and Teddy blushed, thoroughly embarrassed that he had to hug his godfather in public. He heard someone snigger and looked up in disgust as he noticed Flint and his cronies pointing at him and laughing. Teddy frowned.

"Do you know them?" asked Harry, concerned.

Teddy's eyes narrowed. "I wish I didn't," was all he said. Harry knew better than to ask anymore and left the topic alone. Teddy was soon squeezed to death by James and Albus and it wasn't until Ginny scolded them for almost strangling their god-brother that Teddy could finally breathe. He planted a kiss of Lily's tiny head and another on Ginny's cheek before looking over at Sam.

Sam's mother had enveloped him in such a hug that he looked as though he might break. He didn't seem to mind though. Fresh tears leaked out of her eyes and she cupped Sam's face endearingly.

"Is that your friend?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, that's Sam Cole. He's my best friend. He wants your autograph."

Harry blushed and looked uncomfortable for a moment but he smiled down at Teddy when he saw his reaction.

"Please, Harry!" begged Teddy imploringly. "He's my best friend!"

"Okay," said Harry. "But only this once."

"I think we should go and meet them," said Andromeada fondly. "They look like lovely people. And she's obviously a Muggle. It would be nice for her to have friends."

The Potters, Teddy and Andromeada walked over to Sam and Mrs Cole. Sam grinned at Teddy and pulled his mother by her hand towards them. She blushed and turned her head away as though she was shy.

"Mum! You've gotta meet Teddy! He's my best friend!"

Teddy held out his hand and Mrs Cole shook it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Teddy," she said fondly. Her voice was soft and sweet, like an angel. Teddy thought Sam was lucky to have her as a mother.

"Thank you, Mrs Cole. This is my family," he gestured to everyone. "Harry, Ginny, Grandma, James, Albus and Lily."

"Oh my," gasped Mrs Cole in surprise. "You're not really Harry Potter are you?"

Harry nodded. "I'm Teddy's godfather."

"I'm Heather," she said, shaking his hand. "My husband... he passed a few years ago. Ever since then I've been raising Sam on my own." Her voice faded a little and she let go of Harry's hand. "It was a little difficult to accept he was a wizard. I was so stunned when Minerva told me. But I accept it now. He'll make a fine wizard."

She gazed fondly at her son.

"Would you like to come back for some tea, Heather?" asked Ginny pleasantly.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to be a bother."

"I insist. It must be difficult being a Muggle in a place full of wizards."

Mrs Cole smiled warmly and nodded. "Well then," she said, taking Sam's hand. "Tea would be lovely."

On their way back to the cab rank – as Mrs Cole couldn't Apparate – Harry took Teddy aside.

"Who was that boy that was laughing at you back there?" he asked firmly.

Teddy looked away. "Jerome Flint," he said venomously. "He's a Slytherin. He's the biggest bully at Hogwarts."

"Have you had a run in with him?" Harry demanded, feeling overprotective of his godson.

Nodding, Teddy replied, "He is always poking fun at me, because I can change my hair. Today, he told everyone that I was going to turn into a tomato. It was humiliating."

"That's not nice."

"I don't really blame him," growled Teddy. "I mean, I am a freak! Everyone knows it. I can change my appearance into all sorts of weird things. I should go an join a circus!"

"No!" cried Harry, shaking his head. "You, Teddy Lupin, are definitely not a freak! Have I ever told you that your mother had your gift too?"

Teddy's eyes widened and he shook his head.

"Your mother was also a Metamorphomagus, just like you. She could change her entire appearance at will. It's what made her an excellent Auror at such a young age."

"I never knew that," said Teddy.

"Didn't you ever wonder why your mother's hair is always pink in photos?"

"No, I thought she just dyed her hair. But so what? It's not something special. She probably got picked on too!"

Harry grasped Teddy's shoulders firmly and looked him straight in the eye. "You are special. You are the son of two amazing people. You don't have to be ashamed of anything Teddy! Not your parents, or your Metamorphomagus powers. Nothing. You are unique. That is all that matters!"

"Really?"

Harry smiled and ruffled Teddy's hair. "Really. And next time Flint picks on you, ask him how many times I beat his father at Quidditch."

Teddy roared with laughter, mentally imprinting that comeback on his brain for the future. The two of them walked back to the cab rank with the rest of the family. Sam grinned. Teddy smiled. It was going to be okay.

Did you like it? I did. Poor Teddy being picked on... but Slytherins suck! Sorry if I offended any Slytherins out there. Slytherins don't really suck. Just some of them :) Please read and review xx