Chapter 5: On A Rail
Sept. 1, 2013
I guess this is as good a time as any, Teddy thought. He looked over at his Gran and Godfather Harry. "See you at Winter Break." Gran replied with a quick kiss on the forehead, knowing how boys were about public affection. Harry simply saluted him and ruffled his now turquoise hair. "I want you to keep an eye on the rest of the family. I know you're in a different House, but I think we'd all feel better knowing there was someone responsible in charge."
"So," Teddy thought aloud, "No pranks the first day." The two wizards started laughing. "I'll do my best." That was all anyone could do when dealing with the "Next-Gen Weasley Clan" as James had dubbed them. Luckily, Teddy knew that only meant Dom. Dominique Weasley, younger sister of Victoire, just as pretty in her own way (Don't tell Victoire Teddy said that). Unchecked, she was just as bad at destruction and pranking as Freddie and James Potter combined. Teddy nodded as he reached for his cart. They were just passing Platform 9.
Teddy saw a few faces he recognized but only by association as they didn't really hang out together or know each other that well. As he approached the entrance to entrance to Platform 9 ¾ he paused only to look back and see a tiny flash of red streaking at him like a comet. "Hey Louis. Where's the fire?" Louis hopped up and down and pointed to the gate.
"Coming…had to…see …you here. Warn you…Not good." Louis managed between gasps. Teddy put a hand on his back and rubbed gently as the lad sat down.
"Easy. Use your nose. Deep breaths." Teddy reminded him. Teddy recognized the problem almost instantly. The pack of Bill, Fleur, Victoire, and Dominique had appear at the Station and run into Harry. While Bill and Harry were saying hello, Dom had sped up to greet Teddy. Victoire and Fleur, however, had pulled away and were having a very serious "quiet argument" by the looks of it. "Thanks for the heads up. Any ideas?"
"They've been like that since Friday. I don't get involved when they get like that. Hey Dom, look!" the youngster yelled to his sister, pointing at Teddy. "'Sup Dom? You nervous." Dom shot a look of disgust at the two.
"No. As if I would be nervous. The Great Dominique, Fashionista Extraordinaire." The girl retorted, flipping her short, raven black hair out. Teddy and Louis shared a look. Wow! She's a goner! Teddy put her arm around her, noticing the look he was getting from her father. "Just stick with me kid. I'll show ya how the lights of the city."
"See you on the other side Miss Weasley." Teddy called as he leaned back against the wall and emerged on the platform of the King's Cross Station staring at the Hogwarts Express. That big, beautiful black steam engine. He waved over at a group of Gryffindor girls his year and made his way over towards the room where the other 4th years were waiting.
"Hey Ryan. Hey Dyl." Teddy called as he sat down and opened his bag.
"Yo Teddy." Ryan hailed from his magazine. "How'd summer treat you?"
"Got a nice tan though. You here about Slytherin Ryan?"
"Yeah. Lauren owled me too. Brand new Firebolts!" Ryan scoffed and chunked his magazine back into his bag.
"Where's Justin? I thought he was coming with you." Teddy asked noticing that the other 1/4th of their group wasn't there.
"He was. You missed it. Got in a duel with Lance Akers before the train. Got him good." Dylan bounced a rubber ball off the ceiling." Lance won't be sitting for a while. Justin is in the Hospital Wing with two cracked ribs and a dislocated shoulder we think. He still says it was worth it." Teddy picked himself up from his seat and tried to stop laughing when a knock came on the door.
"Train leaves in ten. I need to see you after Dinner." The hand pointed at Teddy, who simply shrugged. "I haven't done anything, yet" Teddy added jokingly.
"So Ryan, you do anything over the summer?" Dylan asked knowingly. The other cabin mate stated shifting. "You meet anyone? Do anything special?"
"My affairs are that. MY affairs! Although, in the interest of friendship, I gad a pretty good summer vacation. Toured Europe with my cousins." Ryan wormed his way around the question as the two shared a look. "Hey, Snack Cart's here." "Nice Segue." Teddy whispered at the trio grabbed a handful of treats and chocolate frogs from the cart. Teddy ripped his first frog open and took a bite before flipping the card inside over.
Remus John Lupin. Professo, Defense Against The Dark Arts, Hogwarts. Died May 2, 1998, 2ndBattle of Hogwarts. Teddy stared at the picture of the man on the front. An older man in a brown dress coat stared back at him. He looked sly, like a fox studying his prey. Teddy recognized the man from the many pictures Gran had of him and Dora. Dad. Teddy looked at the picture of his father and started feeling a little uneasy.
"Teddy. Hello! Earth to Teddy! I think he's dead." Dylan reached over. Teddy felt a hard poke in his ribs. "Well, good news is he's alive. You alright Teddy? You've been staring at that frog card for the last five minutes." Teddy looked up at his friend.
"Sorry. Just forgot I had to go do something. I'm gonna go find the girls and say hi." Teddy got up still holding the card. He heard Dylan call after him. "Tell Lauren we said hello." Teddy peered into one of the compartments, spotting Dom and a group of first years. "Hey Fish. How's the ride?" Teddy called in the open door. Teddy recognized one of the girls as the little sister from the beach. "Made some friends already Dom?" Teddy asked with a raised eyebrow. "Hey Bear. Did you hear an explosion?"
"The Sarcasm is strong with this one." He floated a hand over her head. "Have you seen your sister?" Dom shook her head violently. "No. don't go there Teddy. She was super pissed at mom when we left. I'm doing this for your own good. You know better than to mess with angry veela Vic." Teddy snorted.
"Thanks for the tip little sis." "No problem big bro." Teddy tossed a small bag of snacks. "Don't say I never got you anything. Hey-" Teddy pointed at the 'little sister', "Good to see you again." The girl blushed before turning to her new friend. "You know him?" Teddy heard her ask as he slid the door shut and continued down the aisle of train cars.
Three cars later, Teddy saw a familiar brunette Gryffindor. KNOCK! KNOCK! Teddy rapped on the door. "Hey Sierra. You alone?" The slender witch shook her head. "Chloe went to the restroom and Kaylin had to break up a fight two cars down. Some first year insulted another's family and you know. At least they don't know magic, like Justin." she growled.
"I'm supposed to tell Lauren hello from Ryan and Dylan." Teddy stated gauging the reaction. Sierra smirked from her crossword. "She won't tell us BUT I've a Firewhiskey says she asks him before the Yule. You in?" Teddy paused for a second. "I think this could bite me, but I say they both ask each other before Th—Thanksgiving, yeah." Teddy tossed a Knut over the paper to his classmate. The door to the cabin slid open and shut with extreme prejudice.
"If I see one more stupid kid yelling'No. I'm the next Harry Potter. I'm going to lose my shit and I won't be held accountable for what I do!'" An angry Kaylin Blackburn stormed in followed by a pretty witch with light black hair. "It's bad enough Justin has to start with Lance EVERY TIME they're even near each other." Teddy switched seats and leaned over on Sierra's shoulder as the two watched the furious teen.
"It's best just to let her ramble when she gets like this." Sierra noted. "She broke a cauldron once. That night when Dylan and Carter exploded the East Tower while Thomas, her, and I were still working in it. Broke it in three. With her bare hands." Chloe looked at Sierra and then noticed Teddy on her shoulder. The look between Chloe and Sierra did not go unnoticed.
"Are you listening to me? Chloe?" Kaylin yelled. The fuming teen turned around on the silent female. Her gaze then turned to the paper and then to Sierra…and Teddy. "How long have-?"
"Long enough. Oh I completely agree. Justin is a bit hot when Lance is around. Hello ladies." Teddy mused. Teddy sat up and scooted to the door. "You look like you need the room. I'm going to get back to my cabin." Teddy ducked as a book flew at his head. The door cracked open as the boy dodged another. A flurry of paper, clothes and snacks came next as Teddy took off running down the hall. "I'll get you Teddy Lupin! I know where you sleep!" He heard from back at the Girl's train car.
The rest of the train ride went by uneventful as the train pulled into Hogwarts Station. Teddy pulled his cloak on as he exited the train, Spooky at his side and maneuvered through the crowd, evading the girls he left on the train. Teddy found an empty carriage and soon found himself with fellow 4th years Claire and Lauren.
"Hey Claire, Lauren. Ryan says hi. How was your summers?" Claire looked down at her trunk while Lauren piped up and took over the conversation. "Dad got a raise. The Ministry gave him a promotion. We also spent a week right after term end in Paris with my Aunt." Teddy high-fived her and asked more about the trip and Paris. "I've always wanted to go there. I hear the lights are beautiful."
"Really? You've never been. I would've thought with you and her being-oof!" Lauren was cut off by a sharp jab in the ribs by the girl next to her. "What was that? Hey, We're here. I'll see you guys tomorrow if I can?" Lauren separated once inside to go sit with her friends over at the Gryffindor table, while Teddy and Claire made their way to the far side of the Great Hall and took a seat with the rest of the Ravenclaws. Teddy made sure to get a good view of the Gryffindor Table.
Teddy reached over and tapped his neighbor on the arm. "Is everything all right Claire? I haven't heard from you all summer and you've hardly spoken a word the whole trip her? Did I offend you? I'm sorry if I did." Teddy refocused on the plate of food in front of him. Claire looked up at the blue-haired boy seated next to her. "I nev-"Claire stopped talking as did the rest of the students when the front doors to the Great Hall creaked open.
Prof. Longbottom led a group of wide-eyed first year students in a single file line down the middle of the Hall before setting a stool down and producing a very familiar old hat and gently placing it down upon the stool.
In Times of Old When I was Young,
And Hogwarts just Beginning.
The Founders Four set forth a Rite,
A Song that would be Sung.
For Children of the Age,
A Time to Choose A House distinctly.
For A Task So Great They Chose
A Hat So Wise A Sage.
Gryffindor So Strong and Brave,
Slytherin Pure and Great,
Hufflepuff Honest and Caring,
Ravenclaw Wise and Loyal.
To This Task They Set Me
A Riddle So Simple and Clever
Choose Us The Best and Brightest
Of All That Are Placed Upon Thee.
Now You See Me
Now You Hear Me
Put Me On And
Let Me See Thee.
The hall erupted into a raucous uproar of cheers, clapping, and yells. All noise was silenced when Headmistress McGonagall raised her hand and motioned for The Sorting of 2013 to begin. Professor Longbottom lifted the hat while a new Professor Teddy hadn't seen before read aloud the names of the students. First name, "Ackler, Riath" A young boy with long dark hair stepped nervously up to the stool and sat down, looking scared to death. The hat sat neatly on his head surprisingly, quiet for about ten seconds before roaring out "HUFFLEPUFF!"
As the nervous boy quickly walked over to a cheering Hufflepuff table, the next kid was called forth. Teddy zoned out as he began searching the Gryffindor table for his target. He soon found her near the head chatting with a platinum blonde who started laughing. The two caught a glimpse of Teddy and locked eyes across the room before grinning and waving. Teddy raised his hand back before being handed a note. Teddy looked down the table to see his 7th year Quidditch captain nod at him.
Teddy, Tryouts not till after 2ndweek. First Game vs. Slytherin sometime in late November?
Teddy pocketed the note and nodded. His attention turned back to the Sorting, he noticed his new friend was about fourth in line to be sorted. As he waited, he felt his eyes shift themselves back to her older sister. This time, when their eyes met, the girl did not break contact. Instead, she leaned in and whispered something Teddy tried to read. Teddy mouthed and motioned that he couldn't hear her but she just smiled and pointed towards the Hat. "Frost, Serah."
The small blonde steeped up and closed her eyes. The Hat was put on and the waiting began. The Hat never spoke, only hummed a low tune. "Well, that was a nice change. Best you be off to Gryffindor now." The table at the far end of the Hall erupted in cheers, especially from the tanned Quidditch Captain. The two sisters quickly embraced as the younger one ran back to the end and joined the other sorted children. It was tough to tell which had the bigger smile. As the Sorting resumed, Teddy glanced over to another girl at the far table.
The blonde wasn't talking or smiling. She still seemed to have the same semblance as when he saw her last at King's Crossing. A mix of annoyed/irritated and 'Done with this' attitude that only made her look prettier than her veela blood let her be. Even if he hadn't been there, Teddy knew her better than anyone and knew there was something not wrong but not right about her. It didn't make sense but he knew his friend and she wasn't her.
As the Sorting wound down, one last raven-haired girl remained. "Weasley, Dominique" The young lady stepped forward as the Hat was placed upon her. About 15 seconds later, the Hat roared "GRYFFINDOR!" and sighed. Neville Longbottom said something to it as he picked the stool it sat upon and carried them off through a side door.
Teddy kept his eyes on the sisters while everyone else applauded. Victoire never looked up, smiled, or acknowledged Dominique even when she walked right past her. Dom slipped into an empty seat still elated. She shot Teddy a look of thanks when he offered her an "Air Five" and a Thumbs Up. Mental Note: Kick her arse when you see her next.
All students fell quiet when the Headmistress stood up and raised a goblet. "First of all, congratulations on your returns to Hogwarts Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Secondly, I would like to welcome our newest staff member, Miss Alicia Crow." The blonde witch who had been assisting Prof Longbottom stood and waved her hand shyly. "Miss Crow will be assisting many of the faculty this year. As such, you will address her as so and give her all the respect and courtesies due her. Lastly, as you all know the Forbidden Forest is OFF-LIMITS to all students unless granted permission. Also, The East Tower and 4th Floor North and East Wings are currently off-limits due to repair." She shot a knowing look at the middle of the Gryffindor Table, ignoring the laughter spreading through the students. "Students, you are dismissed. Prefects will direct the first years to the Common Rooms and then report back here. I will need to see a few of you staff and students following dinner. You are dismissed."
Teddy stood up and started to make a move towards the Gryffindor pack of first years before being pulled back. "What're you doing? You're choking me. I-can't-breathe!" Teddy managed before being pushed forward into the Ravenclaw Common Room. "Come on, Lover Boy!" Teddy looked up to see Claire telling the girl holding him to stop.
"Please don't kill our only guy on the first day Kinz." Kinsley, the mysterious third Ravenclaw, had decided to show up finally. "Please not tonight. It's been a long day. I'm going to bed. I'll see you tomorrow." Claire yawned as she climbed the steps to the 4th Year Girls Dorm leaving Teddy to the mercies of the other girl.