12

Teddy Lupin exited History of Magic class in a hurry. Today's topic had been The Battle of Hogwarts and some very unpleasant thoughts had surfaced. Professor Binns vividly described the ordeal and how many of those involved died. The whole time Teddy had not been able to cease imagining his parents crying out in agony as they were either hit by unforgivable curses, mauled by random animals or even smashed by debris. Binns had brought up all the heroes. Harry's battle with the fallen Voldemort accomplished after faking his death. Neville Longbottom defeating Voldemorts snake Nagini and this destroying a part of his soul. Ron and Hermione vanquishing a horcrux in the Chamber of Secrets and Kingsley rising to power as Minister of Magic after his many heroic feats taking place in the battle. Then he had brought up the villains. Greyback whom Binns had described as 'a singularly cruel monster of man' who with 'his savage, fellow werewolf followers' managed to kill a fair chunk of people. Then, quite pointedly he had looked to Teddy and smiled warmly.

'That's not to say all werewolves were on Voldemort's side. The wizard, werewolf and former Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Remus Lupin played a large part in the overcoming of Voldemort. From fighting valiantly at the Battle of Hogwarts to infiltrating the underground network of Death Eater werewolves, Remus Lupin is regarded for his fearlessness and resiliency of spirit. His case is what has prompted the acceptance of other wizards suffering from lycanthropy today.'

Despite the kind words from his rather dull, ghost of a teacher Teddy found himself uncomfortable. Upset even. Not at Binns or anyone for that matter. He was just genuinely unsettled.

"Hey, Ted! Teddy!"

Teddy looked over his shoulder to see Vince Thatcher running towards him with a wide, evil smile. This young man gave Slytherin a bad name what with his incessant taunting and love of other's embarrassment. This year, Teddy had been his main target and the monster of a second year never missed a shot at him.

"Hello, Vince," sighed Teddy hugging his books to his chest. His bright blue hair darkened just slightly.

"So we talked about your dad today. The acclaimed Professor Lupin!" jested Vince.

"So we did."

"I just had a question concerning your father and I thought who better to answer than his son?"

Teddy's brows furrowed in irritation. As innocent as the question seemed, he knew Vince's motive was not to be educated. It was to jeer. What about this time though? Usually, Vince would mock Teddy's gangly frame in an attempt to lower his self-esteem. However, this would only irritate Teddy making his hair turn crimson and prompting Vince to tease him further about 'getting emotional.'

"Well, go on," Teddy said flatly.

"You're your father's blood related son."

"Yes..." he replied, confused but guarded.

"And your father was a werewolf..."

Vince stepped in front of Teddy and stared at him darkly, a glint of malice in his eyes.

"And you're always 'sick' on full moons. Why is that?"

Teddy stopped dead and glared at Vince.

"Because though I didn't inherit the werewolf gene I did take on the aspect of having severe pain on full moons," Teddy said in a low voice.

Vince mocked a look of contemplation, gazing at the ceiling of the corridor then looked back to Teddy.

"Hm, that's funny. It's just, I never see you the day of a full moon, sometimes not the day after."

"Because I'm in the hospital wing with Madame Pomfrey..." grumbled Teddy.

There was a brief pause in which Teddy watched something malignant and cruel flicker across Vince's face. He'd known Vince's game. He was trying to rile Teddy up by accusing him of being a werewolf and it was working.

"Really? Because, Teddy, I think you might be hiding something."

Teddy's eyes scanned the area around them. Vince had attracted some of the other students. Small groups began to gather around them observing the school's biggest bully taking on one of the most popular students.

"Clever. What exactly am I hiding?" asked Teddy dryly.

"Oi! Trevor! You got the book?" called Vince over his shoulder.

Through the crowd shoved Trevor, one of Vince's most loyal followers. He was large in stature but small in mentality, the complete opposite of Vince.

"Trevor, read the passage to Teddy we found the other day," ordered Vince.

Trevor opened a large blue book to a bookmarked page. 'FANTASTIC BEASTS.' Teddy recognized it as the predecessor to 'FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM.' It was practically ancient and full of disproven and vague information.

"Right, then. Erm, 'werewolves are primarily created through the exchange of saliva into an open wound while in lycan form. The possibility exists that if a werewolf breeds with a witch, the offspring may inherit the ly-can-thropic gene,'" stated Trevor struggling to pronounce the longer words.

Teddy fumed and looked from Trevor to Vince. Vince smirked, as the crowd listened intently.

"So you could be a werewolf, Teddy Lupin. You could be keeping it a secret."

"I'm not a werewolf," snarled Teddy.

More students began to spectate.

"C'mon, Ted! It's like Professor Binns said, werewolves are being accepted into our society more and more today. If you admit you're a werewolf everyone will still like you," shrugged Vince.

"I'm not a werewolf. Why are you so keen on me being one anyway?" snapped Teddy.

"I just want the truth to come out, Teddy."

Hushed whispers echoed about the corridor. Teddy could hear every word.

"Teddy Lupin? A werewolf?" a girl whispered.

"It makes sense!" another one replied.

"What if he makes us werewolves?"

Teddy swallowed, his eyes flickered about the students and his hair turned black. Was he seriously being ostracized for being something he was not? Even if he was why did it matter? Why? Vince had the attention of at least twenty students now. All of which were behaving as though Teddy now had the plague. This behavior was foreign to Teddy. He had always been well liked. The center of attention. The one that made teachers smile and pretty girls laugh.

"First off, that text book is outdated. It's been proven in various cases that though the offspring of werewolves may inherit the physical pain of the full moon none of them have become actual werewolves. Second, come and visit me in the hospital wing sometime after or on a full moon!" Teddy cried agitatedly.

"Are you ashamed of your father, Teddy?"

"No! I'm not ashamed of my father! I'm just not a werewolf!"

"Hey! What's going on?" a small voice piped up.

Through the mass of students appeared Victoire, three text books clinging to her chest. Teddy frowned and looked at Victoire with furrowed brows.

"Stay out of this, Victoire. It's fine," he grumbled.

"We're just trying to get you friend here to admit that he's a werewolf!" Vince called to Victoire.

Victoire walked to Teddy's side. More people watched as the young, blonde girl stood by Teddy's side, her eyes confused. She cocked her head, staring at Vince.

"Teddy isn't a werewolf," she stated, nonplussed.

Vince chuckled and looked to the crowd of people.

"Look, Lupin's girlfriend is here to defend him!" he laughed.

"She's not my girlfriend," muttered Teddy, anger building within.

Vince raised his brows at Victoire and took a step towards her.

"Say…isn't your dad the half werewolf? Bill Weasley? The one bitten by Greyback mid-transformation?" he smiled wickedly. "Maybe you're a werewolf too."

"I'm not a werewolf," replied Victoire simply.

"Do you think Victoire is one too?"

"I dunno! Are they both werewolves?"

"Maybe that's why they're together so much!"

"And neither is Teddy, you twat!"

"What'd you say to him?" growled Trevor stepping forward.

Vince raised a hand to call off Trevor, but Victoire didn't seem at all effected. She stood her ground right next to Teddy.

"Trevor, please. Let the little witch speak."

"I'm only a year younger than you, Vince. I'm not that little!"

"Victoire, just go. It's not a big deal."

"No, Ted. He's being rude," Victoire said indignantly.

Teddy slowly looked down at Victoire with kind but anxious eyes.

"Yes, he is. This doesn't concern you though. Leave before he says anything else," Teddy said through gritted teeth.

"Yeah, well what are you gonna do about it, werewolf?"

"I'm not a werewolf!"

"So ashamed of your dad you won't admit it. Can't say I blame you though. No one would care to admit they're related to a werewolf," barked Vince.

In one swift movement Teddy's wand was drawn and pointed at Vince. Gasps filled the air then silence.

"Don't you dare speak a word against my Father!"

Vince laughed darkly, rolling his eyes as Teddy continued to fume. He eyed his wand skeptically.

"I'm surprised you didn't just go for my jugular like your werewolf father would have," Vince snickered.

Loud gasps echoed about the corridor, some even cursed. Teddy Lupin's body shook with rage and he fought every urge to hex Vince out the window. Then he thought about his father, the man that settled dispute as petty as this with words leaving the bully standing with no bruises on his body, but bruises on his ego. That's what he would do. Slowly, Teddy lowered his wand. A grin of triumph crossed over Vince's face as Teddy sighed. Murmurs circulated throughout the crowd.

"Vince, the thing is-"

"SMACK!"

That was the sound of Victoire's small fist colliding with Vince's to nose. Colliding with Vince's nose and breaking it. Colliding with Vince's nose, breaking it and knocking him on his backside. Teddy looked at Victoire, his jaw ajar. Wordlessly, Victoire turned on her heel and walked away. The crowd of students-some as old as 17-parted for the first year girl who had just punched a second year boy in the face.

"Vince, got beaten up by a first year girl!" snickered a Ravenclaw boy.

Vince sniffed and dabbed at the blood on the back of his hand, his eyes watered and his lower lip trembled. Teddy fought off the urge to laugh and instead raised his wand at Vince. Silence filled the hallway again. Vince whimpered, Trevor frozen above him.

"Episkey," Teddy mumbled.

A loud snap sounded as Vince's nose set itself and healed. He yelped in pain and stared at Teddy in awe. The boy he had just consistently insulted and laughed at had the opportunity to kick him while he was down, and instead…healed him. Why? What kind of move was that? Vince half expected Teddy to help him up, but instead Teddy let out a soft laugh, rolled his eyes and set off after Victoire. The corridor echoed with whispers and various comments about how brave and kind Teddy had been. How bold and daring the first year Weasley girl was. Vince's named was also mentioned but mainly associated with the words 'twat,' 'arse,' 'prat,' 'bully' and 'coward.' However, the opinions of the students' mattered very little to Teddy in the end.

Minerva McGonagall stood at the end of the corridor with a small smile on her lips. Teddy Lupin was no doubt his father's son.