14

Teddy sat across from McGonagall, eyes averted and staring at the frame of Professor Snape's portrait. This was his first time visiting the Headmistress' office due to poor conduct and not some sort of commendation for his brilliance. The cut by Teddy's eye had finally stopped bleeding, though a black eye was beginning to form. Madame Pomfrey would be able to fix that. When she was done with Vince's broken nose that was.

"So you didn't leave it to Miss Weasley to break Vince's nose this time, hm?" McGonagall smirked, hands folded over each other on her large, mahogany desk.

Teddy's hair flickered to a shade of crimson then slowly faded back to blue. He still sat in silence, arms folded.

"I don't often get Hufflepuffs in my office for physical altercations. Frankly, I don't get Hufflepuffs in my office for negative reasons ever. Yet here you sit, Edward."

His eyes darted to McGonagall then back to the portrait frame. She noted the look of anger and remorse in his gaze. Part of him even seemed ashamed. McGonagall was slightly confused. After any fight had ensued McGonagall would witness as those involved fumed and sneered with anger. She hadn't seen this outcome of merely sitting pensively in a state of regret before. Something bigger was behind this.

"I've known three generations of Lupins. Your grandfather started here when I was first hired. Your father, of course, was just as studious, quiet and kind. Then there's you. You act almost identical to your father and I find myself asking 'why was he not placed in Gryffindor?' Then, your second year, you drew your wand on Vince. I'd never seen a Lupin act on emotion so abruptly."

Teddy sighed, a pang of guilt surging through him.

"Then I remembered who your mother was. Nymphadora always had a knack for...following her heart rather than her head. Not the most clever thing to do, but admirable nonetheless. Finally, I thought 'this is why Edward was placed in Hufflepuff. He follows his heart uninhibitedly.' And yet..."

Teddy finally met McGonagall's scrutiny, brows knitted together in concern. Had she figured out why he was so ashamed? Why he sat there with such sadness in his eyes? It was McGonagall after all. She was practically omniscient.

"...here you sit looking awfully contrite. Just like your father whenever James and Sirius would get into trouble for an absurd prank and he felt as though it was his fault for some reason."

McGonagall waited for Teddy to speak, but he still sat in silence, staring at her with his kind, wise eyes. Finally her thoughts led her to the correct conclusion. The last time Vince had attempted to verbally abuse Teddy, he had let Victoire break his nose, then Teddy proceeded to heal it and walk away. There was something different here that had led to a different conclusion. Vince had been bullying Victoire.

Victoire.

Not to mention a full moon was oncoming making Teddy more irritable than ever. He was probably ashamed for letting his slight animal instincts control him. Something his father hardly ever allowed to happen. McGonagall's lips pursed and she released a sigh. Teddy would have to admit this to her. She refused to have to extract it from him. He would admit to her.

"So, I never thought I'd utter this sentence ever...Mr. Lupin, why did you hit him?"

Teddy closed his eyes and shrugged before exhaling sharply. McGonagall steepled her fingers beneath her chin and watched him intently.

"Headmistress...I don't care if someone teases me or provokes me. It will mildly irritate me but in the end I never let my temper get the better part of me..." he mumbled.

Teddy's eyes were downcast now, his jaw tightening slightly.

"But when a...friend is offended or bullied or...made cry in this instance," he said pointedly. "Well, then I can't help myself."

McGonagall raised a brow, studying his every move. Slowly, he met her steely gaze. His hair shifted to a sandy brown. His natural color McGonagall supposed. Part of her had to bite back a gasp. It was as though young Remus Lupin himself was sitting before her. The mop of brown hair hanging ever so slightly in his wise eyes, eyebrows furrowed above them in a state of worry. Even the expression on his face was like his father's. Slightly gaunt with a square jaw that seemed to be constricted by inner turmoil.

Teddy's stare met hers and the corner of his mouth hitched up slightly in a sheepish smile. He looked identical to his father right now. McGonagall felt a sympathetic frown form on her lips.

"Perhaps the oncoming full moon may have provoked you. Did that play a part in your outburst?" asked McGonagall, her lips pursed to prevent another frown.

Teddy bit his lower lip and cleared his throat, shifting in his chair slightly.

"Perhaps," he murmured.

"And perhaps you're upset that you let the effects of the moon get the best of you," prompted McGonagall subtly.

As usual, she found herself succumbing to her softer side.

"Like I said, I don't like my friends being bullied so I resolved the issue with a brief physical stint of retaliation. It was wrong to hit Vince but I don't regret it."

"However, you are here before me wearing an expression I know all too well. You regret far more than harming Vince. You fear something. You're ashamed. Tell me why," she ordered in her stiff tone.

Teddy sighed, finally giving in.

"Alright, Headmistress, if you insist."

"I do."

"With each full moon I find myself more and more in pain though able to hide that. With each full moon my senses become progressively more elite. With each full moon my temper strengthens and becomes more difficult to reign in. With each full moon I fear more and more that one day I will find myself suffering the same curse as my father. Understand?" Teddy explained somberly.

McGonagall peered at him over her glasses, her lips forming a flat line. Teddy's eyes threatened to look away from McGonagall but he maintained steady eye contact.

"That's genetically and physically impossible, Mr. Lupin."

"Tell me you've seen this case before and I'll believe you."

Expecting her to become silent and gaze at him with pity, Teddy was surprised when she replied so promptly.

"Montgomery Quinton. Son of a male werewolf and female witch. Born 1933, graduated 1941, happily married with four children, a grandchild and currently residing in Dubai. Head boy of Ravenclaw and excellent Keeper in Quidditch. Tutored me in Potions. Experiences slight discomfort on full moons that has been decreasing since he was twenty one."

Teddy's eyes went downcast and he stroked his jaw.

"Is this...the truth? You don't have to lie to me."

"I don't lie, Mr. Lupin," McGonagall said sternly.

Teddy sat in silence for a moment, staring off at something that wasn't quite there. McGonagall cocked a brow.

"So is that what this has been about all along? You worrying that you were becoming a werewolf due to an aggressive response?"

"Yeah, partly, I guess."

McGonagall gave a flippant wave of her hand and scoffed quietly.

"Well, that's preposterous."

The corner of Teddy's mouth tugged up in a smile, his hair slowly changing to its electric blue. McGonagall fought off a grin of her own to prevent Teddy from seeing how amusing she had found this instance.

"Alright, well that's that. You're excused," McGonagall said returning to her paperwork.

Slowly, Teddy stood, a wave of relief washing over him. He turned from McGonagall's desk, hands in his pockets as he began striding for the door.

"Mr. Lupin."

Teddy faced her once more, a brow raised. A tight smile spread on her lips.

"Next time Vince acts like an irritating, little prat give him a better smack. He deserves more than just a broken nose in my opinion."

Teddy laughed quietly, his hand rubbing the back of his neck.

"I take it I will not be getting reprimanded for this incident."

McGonagall gave Teddy a slightly confused glance and shrugged.

"I just did," she replied.

McGonagall watched in delight as Edward Lupin exited her office. She could tell his heart was a little lighter with the information she had provided about Montgomery. Much like his father, Teddy tended to listen to himself over authority unless provided with proof. Montgomery had been proof enough it had seemed. Proof enough to give him hope.

*Sorry it took forever*