The brushstrokes against the canvas were thick and heavy, just like Teddy wanted. Brilliant, royal blue paint mixed with the purest white, and he blended them together to produce a sky-blue.

"Teddy, did you hear me?"

His sister's grumpiness distracted him from his half-finished vista.

"Yeah, and?"

"Doesn't that scare you?"

With a finger dipped in grey paint, Teddy smoothed out the edge of a cloud on his canvas and shrugged. "Not really."

"Dad said he doesn't even know how many he killed!"

"They were all Death Eaters," Teddy countered easily. "If it wasn't for him, a bunch of Hufflepuffs would've died. Dad's a hero."

"Would you kill someone?"

Setting his palette down, as it was clear he wasn't going to finish his work, Teddy wiped his fingers clean with a cloth.

"If I didn't have a choice and someone was coming for me, or you, or the twins . . . probably."

Hope drummed her fingers against her dollhouse and fiddled with one of the doll's clothes. "Will you play house with me?"

"Ask Bronty or Kirby. I'm too old to play house."

"You're not old enough for Hogwarts yet!"

"I don't want to play," Teddy said irritably. "I'm going see if Gran wants help with the babies."

He left the playroom and rushed down to the library. He didn't want to help with the twins, but he was tired of Hope's chatter and wanted a change in scenery. With Dad back at Hogwarts and Mark there too as the new Ancient Runes professor, Mum at work, and Gran busy with the twins, Teddy's near-daily companion was Hope and he was bored. He wished he was old enough to be at Hogwarts, where Wally and the other older kids were, as he found them loads more interesting than his siblings.

It was late in the day, so their lessons were over, and it would be at least an hour till Mum or Dad came to get them. The library was quiet and empty. He browsed the bookshelf until he found something to read. It was a new book about Headmaster Severus Snape, which caught Teddy's attention because the spine read "Foreword and Introduction by Harry J. Potter." Intrigued at what his godfather had written, Teddy eagerly sat down in a leather armchair and opened the book to the first page, which held the title: The Bravest Man I Ever Knew.

Teddy was totally absorbed in Harry's words about the late Headmaster and the extremes he went to for defeating Voldemort that he didn't notice his mother calling for him from the doorway.

"Edward Lupin!"

"Huh?"

Mum chuckled, holding Alex on her hip. "It's time to go, love. If you ask Mark nicely, I'm sure you can take that book with you."

Mark, back from the castle, was happy to let Teddy take the book with him to Northumberland, where Dad was already there and preparing dinner. Hope took to the skies as soon as they got home, while Mum took the twins upstairs for their dinner and bedtime. It left Teddy to curl up in his favorite spot in the living room and continue reading about the heroic wizard, Severus Snape. Teddy was stunned to see that Snape was born in the same year as Dad; they would've gone to Hogwarts together. Was it possible they were friends? If so, how come Dad never mentioned the brave man?

Mum had to tug Teddy away from his book, and Dad had to charm Hope's broomstick away from the treetops, but the four of them sat down at the dinner table and asked about each other's days.

Hope blathered on about the constellations they studied, Mum said something about a new ordinance or bylaws, and Dad shared a funny tale about Professor Binns's declaration that all his students were looking too young. None of the other professors had the heart to tell the ghostly professor that he would only have first and second years for the rest of eternity.

"What about you, Teddy?" asked Dad. "What book did you bring home?"

"The True Biography of Professor Severus Snape," Teddy replied at once. To his confusion, neither of his parents' expressions changed.

"What do you think so far?" Dad's tone was casual. Too casual.

"I think Mr. Snape was a hero. That's what Harry wrote in the foreword." No sooner than Teddy had spoken, his mother choked on her wine. Ignoring that, Teddy pressed on. "The book said he was born in 1960, like you, Dad. Did you know him? Were you friends?"

Dad coughed and took a sip of his wine. Mum wouldn't look at him, or at Teddy, and Hope seemed to catch on to their parents' strange reactions.

"Al's middle name is Severus," Hope piped up. "I reckon it must be the same one!"

"He was a Potions professor, the book said," Teddy continued. "Was he yours, Mum? Harry said he was brilliant at Potions."

Mum and Dad had the same looks on their faces. They weren't exactly happy, thought Teddy, but they weren't angry. They looked . . . uncomfortable. Very, very uncomfortable.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Teddy," Mum said quickly. "Snape was my professor. He was . . . an interesting man." There was something in the way she said this that made Teddy think he was wrong to think Snape was a hero. But Uncle Harry thought he was a hero, and Harry was the hero of the war. Teddy no longer felt as sure of himself.

Surprisingly, Dad let out a dry chuckle. "The older you two get, the more questions you're bound to have. I suppose it's as good a time as any to talk about this. Dora—I'll start the dishes and put the kettle on. Why don't you tell them what Severus was like as a professor?"

Mum didn't look enthusiastic about the prospect, but she began talking, so Teddy began listening.

"I think that went well, don't you?"

Remus turned to Pomona with a smile. He'd led his first visit to a Muggleborn's home on her eleventh birthday to inform her and her family that she was a witch. For months he'd followed Pomona's lead, observing her, but as her retirement approached and Remus came closer to being named Deputy Headmaster, it was time to pass the torch.

"Very well, indeed," Pomona agreed. "Excellent work, Remus."

He grinned at the praise and suggested they visit a nearby Muggle café before returning to the castle. After recent conversations with his children, he sought her input for modifying the first year curriculum.

They settled in with buttery croissants and an overpriced pot of looseleaf tea. The posh Muggles around them eyed the duo warily, but it gave them distance. Wherever Remus or Pomona went in the wizarding world, there were always former students and friends to interrupt them.

"I'd like to ask your opinion on something," Remus started. "I know Deputies are more involved with the curriculum. Teddy will be at Hogwarts next year, and Hope will follow soon after . . . and my wife isn't the only parent who is concerned over Draco Malfoy becoming the second Potions professor. I've come to see that our younger students, and very likely the children being born in the last ten years, are woefully unprepared for having difficult discussions about the war."

Pomona set her cup down and removed her large, brimmed hat. Her flyaway hair was even wilder than usual, but her expression was pensive.

"I wondered what you'd think about adding modern history into the first year History of Magic curriculum."

"Cuthbert won't be able to teach that," replied Pomona, frowning. "His curriculum has been fixed for decades. It can't wait until the students are older?"

Remus shook his head. "About a month ago, Hope learned that her mother and I—well, me, primarily—were responsible for many deaths. Last week, Teddy picked up Severus's biography and asked me questions I didn't want to answer."

"Did you answer them?"

There was a sternness in the Herbology professor's gaze. She had witnessed many a rule breaking class in which Severus was the object of the Marauders' taunts. Remus shrunk in shame, and had tried to present himself in a fair light to his son and daughter.

"I did—it wasn't easy, but I did." Remus drew his finger around his teacup's edge. "They're asking about 'Professor' Malfoy and why they haven't met him, but have met his wife, Astoria, and their cousin, Scorpius. Teddy found out Molly killed Bellatrix, and Hope was shocked that any sister could be so terrible that her Gran didn't mourn her loss. They're learning the world isn't split into good versus evil and it's . . ."

"Complicated," Pomona finished for him, nodding in understanding.

"Dora and I have got the oldest children, but the Weasleys will be coming to Hogwarts soon. The children and grandchildren of former Death Eaters are coming. I'd like to introduce something to the first years to get them . . . on equal footing. It struck me that the Muggleborns we visit have no idea what they're coming into, and I can't imagine magical children are getting fair, impartial views on the war."

Pomona leaned back in her seat and tapped the side of her cup. "We'll have to consult the school board. I believe it's a wonderful idea, Remus, but finding a neutral source and a method of teaching it will be tricky. I'll think on it, as should you."

Remus gratefully accepted Pomona's feedback, and resolved to think of ways to better address the questions that his children kept asking.

It took weeks of steady pleading and careful bargaining for Teddy to break down his mother's stubbornness so he could meet Draco Malfoy.

They weren't going to meet in Somerset, where the younger Malfoys lived. Teddy had been to the seaside cottage a few times with family, but only Scorpius and Auntie Astoria were ever there. Today would be different, as Mum and Dad insisted on meeting with the younger Malfoy family in a seaside town, in a busy Muggle area, with plenty of 'witnesses.'

Mum and Dad had been acting strangely with some war topics. They were usually open and answered most of Teddy or Hope's questions, but with the talk about a Professor Malfoy and the book on Severus Snape, their answers got vaguer. Teddy hoped he would get real answers when he could ask Draco.

They got to the Muggle chip shop and Teddy instantly spotted Auntie Astoria. While the adults made awkward small talk and Hope made faces at Scorpius, Teddy took a moment to observe the people before him.

Auntie Astoria wasn't like his other aunties. Teddy had known her for only a few months, but he liked her, as she reminded him of his Gran. Each of his other young aunties had their own personality: Ginny was bold and funny, Hermione, passionate and determined, Angelina, laid-back and cheerful, Audrey, shy and sweet, and Fleur was elegant and fierce.

Astoria was very proper and firm, but kind. She carried herself like Gran did, as if someone was pulling a string to keep her upright. It was hard to think that he was related to her—even if only through marriage—and that he'd only seen his mother's cousin, Draco, once. That single occurrence was by accident, yet the way his parents argued, it would be likely that cousin Draco would teach him potions.

Teddy didn't know what to make of the strange family dynamic, so after hounding his other aunts and uncles, he decided to piece together an idea of who this Draco Malfoy person was. He'd done the same with Severus Snape, with mixed results, and learned that most everyone agreed he was a terrible, mean potions master, but a necessary hero to win the war. It was always the same: "He was a hero, Teddy, but . . ."

No one denied Snape's heroic actions, or his poor teaching skills, but they never had much else to say.

Draco's reviews were bleaker. The Weasleys were vocal in their dislike of him. They called him a ferret, because one of their Defense Against the Dark Arts professors once turned Malfoy into a ferret as punishment. Teddy thought it was cruel to do that to a student, which Dad agreed with, but Mum and the Weasleys all thought it was funny.

Mum was hostile about him, while Dad thought he deserved another chance. Harry did, too, as did Gran. None of the Weasleys wanted to hear anything about another chance—even Auntie Hermione was hesitant. The day at the Scottish castle last summer gave Teddy no impressions, good or bad, about Draco, except that he was polite to Gran and Mark.

It was all frustratingly perplexing, so Teddy did what he thought was most reasonable and asked his parents if he could meet Draco Malfoy.

Now that he was sitting across from the pointy-faced, austere-looking man, Teddy had no idea what to ask, but the white-blond hair atop his head did remind him of a ferret's tail.

"Why did you get turned into a ferret?"

All eyes turned on Teddy. Dad chuckled nervously and whispered, "Maybe another time—"

"I don't mind, Professor," Draco said calmly. Looking only at Teddy, he told his tale. "It was petty and immature of me. I was angry that Potter—Harry—got attention and I didn't. When he had his back turned, I tried to hex him and Professor Moody—" Draco glanced up at Dad then, which was another mystery. When meeting new wizards, Teddy knew most of them would rather talk to Mum than Dad, because Dad was a werewolf, but Draco seemed to avoid Mum's gaze.

"They know that Professor Moody was an impostor," Dad explained, as Hope was now listening to the conversation.

"Yes . . . Moody was actually a man who disliked my father and decided to punish me, perhaps more than he should have, because of it."

"Like when we went to the toy store when I was little," Teddy said, looking up at his father. A curious, not-quite-right smile appeared on Dad's face, but Teddy pressed on and looked back at Draco. "I don't think it was fair for the professor to do that. Auntie Ginny thinks it's funny but I don't."

Draco smirked at the mention of Ginny. "In retrospect, it's a little funny. I shouldn't have tried to hex Po—Harry—behind his back. Transfiguring a student isn't appropriate punishment."

Teddy thought on the matter for a moment and recalled one of the other questions he wanted to ask.

"Why did you become a Death Eater? Didn't you know it was wrong?"

At this, it was as if everyone but Hope and Scorpius forgot to breathe. Teddy didn't care. He brushed back his sandy brown fringe and waited patiently for Draco to answer.

Draco's long, pale fingers closed around his glass. Astoria murmured something in his ear and offered to take Scorpius and Hope with her to the playground nearby. Hope refused, wanting to stay, so Gran went with Astoria and Scorpius instead.

"I don't know what your mum and dad have told you," Draco finally said. He looked quite alone on the other side of the table without Astoria and Scorpius on either side of him. To Teddy, it was like a panel in the Wizengamot, and he felt sorry for Draco.

"They know what Death Eaters stood for," Dad replied. "They know they were the losing side in the war and we still have many steps ahead to get the unprejudiced society we want."

Draco nodded and took a deep breath. "I became a Death Eater when I was 16. I wanted to join, like my father, and I didn't think it was wrong . . . at the time." Teddy put his elbows up on the table, his fish and chips forgotten in the midst of this new development. "I was raised to believe that certain types of families and wizards were better than others. I was told it was about pure blood, but I know that's not true. I made many mistakes but I didn't think they were mistakes at the time."

"Is it true you tried to kill Dumbledore?"

Teddy was fascinated by the book on Severus Snape, especially the chapter on how Professor Snape had killed Dumbledore at the Headmaster's request, which spared Draco from having to do it.

"It is," Draco said simply. "It was a fool's errand. The Dark Lord was angry with my father and gave me a mission that was impossible to achieve."

"But why?"

"To punish him." Draco leaned in and met Teddy's eyes. "If you wanted to punish someone, wouldn't it hurt more to hurt the people you care about?" His eyes flicked to Mum, Dad, and Hope.

Teddy was reminded of Hope's outraged question from a few months before: "Would you kill someone?"

He nodded at his older cousin. "I don't like it when people treat Dad badly because he's a werewolf."

"Exactly. It's not just pain for you, it's pain for someone you care about. My father has many faults, but he and my mother love me, just like your parents love you. I became a Death Eater because I thought it was right, but I followed the Dark Lord's orders because I knew that if I didn't, he would hurt my parents."

Teddy frowned and looked up at his parents. Dad's forehead was creased, so he was thinking hard. Mum's eyes were stormy grey, which meant she was agitated. Hope was wide-eyed with her mouth in the shape of an 'o'.

"How come you didn't come to the Order instead?" asked Teddy. "They would've helped you and your mum and dad."

A loud snort came from Mum. Dad put his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it lightly, and spoke in her place.

"Teddy, it was a difficult time. The Order wasn't perfect. I don't think we would've believed Draco or Narcissa if they decided to join us. Besides, as Draco said, they thought what they were doing was right."

"Not all of it," Draco said at once. "Not . . . all of it." A faraway look came over his eyes. Teddy had seen that look before on other people's faces when they talked about the war. It wasn't happy.

"Can we get ice cream?"

The tension was diffused with Hope's innocuous question. Her eyes had drifted to the neighboring ice cream shop and Teddy's stomach rumbled with hunger.

"After your brother finishes his food," Dad said. "We can continue this conversation another day, I think." He looked at Mum, who nodded briefly, and Teddy thought he saw Draco's shoulders relax.

While Dad asked Draco about new potions developments, Teddy nibbled on his cold lunch. Draco had given him much to think about, and he wondered if the Weasleys might've been too harsh with their judgments.

Remus was in his office, preparing to go home, when Wally announced himself at the door. After exchanging pleasantries and inviting Wally to sit down near the fire, the seventh-year produced a worn piece of parchment for Remus to read.

Dear Mr. Wallace Wakefield,

We are pleased to inform you that Mother Stanley's Research Center for Magical Illnesses has accepted your application for our prestigious ten-year fellowship program. Your starting date will be August 1, 2009 and the fellowship will conclude on July 31, 2019. A yearly stipend of $20,000 will be granted, in addition to your housing.

Your application was among the most impressive we received, lycanthropy notwithstanding. We Americans are more tolerant of blood curses, of course, and you will hardly be the first lycanthrope to work for Mother Stanley's. The recommendation letters from Healer Wallace at St. Mungo's, Professor Flitwick and Headmistress McGonagall's from Hogwarts were glowing endorsements and added to your application's strength. We would be honored to have a researcher like you among our ranks.

The cost of monthly Wolfsbane Potion will be taken from your stipend, which reduces it considerably. At cost, we expect your stipend to be close to $8,000 annually. However, given the cost of living in the Appalachian Mountains, we are certain that what remains of your stipend will be sufficient to cover any unexpected costs.

Please write us by February 28, 2009, to notify us of your acceptance or rejection of this offer.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards,

Healer Greta Stanley

"Wally, this is brilliant. You ought to take this!"

"It's a ten-year fellowship . . . I applied for the two-year, but—"

"—ten years in your youth is nothing," Remus countered. "This is a generous offer, better than anything you could find in Britain."

"I don't know how much $8,000 is in pounds or Galleons," Wally said nervously, "but it doesn't seem like much. They'll give me housing, but it won't include food, or clothes, or . . . travel expenses. I looked into the international Portkeys. They're $2,000 each."

"That's a hefty sum, but you wouldn't have to take it on alone. You've got us, your mother, and your brother."

Wally took back the parchment, which had clearly been read several times since it was received. "It's going to be really hard to leave everyone. My 'pack' is here."

It took a moment for Remus to realize the difficulty Wally was facing. While an incredible opportunity, Wally would be forced to leave everyone behind. Full moons without a pack would be hard, even with the Wolfsbane Potion, and finding a reliable pack in the meantime would be a challenge.

"Would it help if I came with you for the first moon?" Remus offered. "I don't know much about American werewolves, but I can help. We can find you a place." Wally didn't look convinced. "May I ask . . . you didn't ask for my help with the recommendation letters?"

"I thought you'd be too biased. You're more like my dad."

Remus knew he was right; Wally might be his godson, but he was too young to remember his own father. For over a decade, the only father figure Wally and Denys had was Remus.

"What does Healer Wallace say about this?"

Wally grinned. "He told me that if I take it and get good recommendation letters, St. Mungo's wouldn't dare turn me away. Mother Stanley's Research Center is where St. Mungo's gets half its remedies."

"I think you know what the answer is, Wally. Have you told your mother?"

The boy shook his head. "I didn't want to worry her if I decline it. Or . . . Bridget."

Remus raised a brow at him. "Ah, yes, your girlfriend."

"She's complained that she doesn't want me to leave for two years."

Remus nodded sympathetically. "Bridget is kind to you, but she must know that getting an offer like this is almost unheard of. I won't tell you what to do with her, or how to have this conversation, but I hope you consider how life-changing this could be."

"I'll think on it. I told Denys and Annie and they agree with you."

"You can ask Dora. She wants what's best for you too."

Wally stayed for a few more minutes, pondering his fellowship offer, and Remus went through the Floo, hoping his godson would come to the right conclusion. After all, though he'd miss the boy terribly, his godsons were like his sons, and he wanted them to be happy.