Walking a short way from the cottage they found themselves at the edge of the, in Teddy's opinion, very foreboding forest.
He did however, now have full faith in his guide. She did not look one bit perturbed by the magical forest most British history books ranked as one of the most dangerous.
Not two minutes after entering Teddy found his path blocked by the imposing figure of a massive and rather muscular roan centaur. If Hogwarts centaurs were unfriendly the Gwraidd ones were down right cranky, Teddy thought to himself, stopping himself from going for his wand at his side.
Braith was unafraid, looking squarely up at the giant horse-man who was several heads taller than her and said, "Hi, Syth, it's good to see you, how's the forest?"
Teddy nearly felt his jaw drop. The centaur, Syth, as it seemed, was none too pleased about the familiarity of her tone.
"What's your business here, child of the castle?" he asked, his voice gruff, digging his powerful hooves into the earth in what seemed to be frustration.
She said something in Welsh that Teddy couldn't understand. The centaur nodded, though still looking annoyed, said something back to her and galloped off seamlessly into the forest. Teddy elected not to ask what the conversation entailed, feeling as though her transition into Welsh had been an intentional move towards privacy.
They walked on, deeper and darker into the forest. He kept an eye out for the terrors the history book he read on it had outlined. Devious magical plants and centuries old mist spells were top among the espoused dangers. But so far, he had seen nothing of the sort.
Braith, it seemed, was cheered somewhat by the forest, she was smiling as she lead him along, what seemed to Teddy, a very random path, but what must of been very clear to her because she had not once looked uncertain despite the darkening of the forest as they moved deeper and deeper within.
He found her round, blue eyes studying his features as they moved along, "You had blue hair, back in school, didn't you?" she asked, suddenly.
He laughed, "I did," he said, and willed his hair to the exact shade of turquoise he had been quite fond of a few years ago.
She gasped, "I had heard you could do that! I never believed it was true. I thought it was just a rumor! How do you do it?" she asked, her face beaming excitedly.
He was happy to see her face lit up for the first time since he had regrettably mentioned her going into the castle, smiling back, he replied, "I'm a metamorphmagus. I can change my features to whatever I think of."
"So is this even your real face?" she asked playfully pretending to inspect his features.
Laughing he replied, "Yes, it takes a bit of concentration to keep the change for any length of time. So these days it just fades back to regular." And it was true without clarity of mind and concentration the turquoise tips of his hair were already now back to a faded light brown. Merlin knows he's got enough on his mind.
"That's amazing, though," she gushed, "you could be anyone in the world. You wouldn't even need a polyjuice potion."
"I suppose so," he said, just as the view of a towering, dark, stone castle came into view.
"Here we are, home sweet home," she drawled, looking at the massive figure with something almost like longing.
"Thank you, Braith," he said, with all the sincerity in the world, still feeling bad about mentioning a sore spot back at the cottage, "You sure that you can make it back?" He felt the need to add, despite realizing that she seemed quite competent in her ability to move about the forest, "I could send out your grandfather, I'm sure he wouldn't mind…"
"You're welcome, Teddy, and don't worry. I know this forest like the back of my hand. I'll make it back just fine."
"If you're sure," he said, still looking a bit worried.
"You worry too much," she replied, before disappearing into the confusing trees of Gwraidd. He heard her voice echo, "I'll see you around, Lupin," from farther away than possible in the few seconds since she'd walked away.
"This is a strange forest," he said aloud before banging the large dragon shaped knocker that was attached to the immense wood door before him.
When he came with Harry the walk seemed much faster, he thought idly as he waited for someone to let him in, still uneasy about the forest around him and the castle before him.
The large wooden doors creaked open and Teddy was greeted by Susan Bones, who worked as Harry's secretary. She smiled at him and told him to come in, that Harry was waiting for him inside. He followed her, nearly stopping to avoid the whip of her long auburn braid as she turned on her heel and when up the spiral staircase.
All business she turned down another winding corridor. "I'll show you to your quarters after your meeting with Mr. Potter" she said, motioning for the duffel in his hand. "I'll put this away," she offered, by way of explanation.
"Ah. Okay" was all he could respond, as she was then opening the door to a small room and thrusting him inside.
He saw Harry seated in a comfortable looking chair, his glasses down the bridge of his nose, and a book askew on his lap.
Teddy was just about to clear his throw in an effort to announce his arrival when he heard Harry's familiar voice say, "Come closer, Ted."
Teddy, normally happy and at ease around his godfather, instead felt muddled about his feelings towards the situation and the role the man played in it. But drew closer, knowing nothing else to do.
Harry chuckled, "I haven't seen your hair that color in years," at first confused, Teddy realized bits of his hair must still have been turquoise. He took a deep breath and tried his best to clear his mind, letting it quickly change back to natural brown.
"Sit down" he said, and the younger man obliged.
"I know," Harry started, but stopped, running a hand through his black and gray hair, "I know this is a difficult, no, a terrible thing I'm asking of you."
"It is." Teddy replied, trying to hide the thousand at once conflicting emotions he felt.
"I believe it to be the best option though. You have to understand, many others on the Wizengamot wanted her to be killed or," he paused, "given the dementor's Kiss."
His temper flaring rather uncharacteristically, Teddy raised his voice, "And how is this different than the Kiss?"
"You know how Teddy-" Harry started to reply, only to be interrupted.
"I don't know how, Harry!" he stood up and was shouting now, "How is this the right thing."
"Then trust me." Harry said calmly, as if the outburst had not happens.
Teddy collapsed back down into the chair. Trust me, he thought doubtfully, but then took another deep breath and said "Alright,"
Harry gave him a small, encouraging smile and then motioned towards the pensieve that sat beside him on the end table. This one was stone, as most others he had seen were, but unlike the Hogwarts and Ministry varieties this one's rim was covered in Welsh words and runes he didn't recognize. It made his stomach turn. He was quite familiar with the runes on the Minstry's basin and was wary of trusting one with inscriptions he did not understand. "You will remove the memories and place them in here" he said, as though he were taking his glasses off and putting them on his night stand not siphoning every memory out of a young woman's head and leaving her empty at the end. He still didn't feel sure. But he did trust Harry, and for the moment, he decided, that would have to be enough. "I'll leave the order and technique you use to remove them up to you."
"Yes, Harry" was all Teddy could manage in response.
"The castle shall have several aurors in and around the grounds at all times," he said, as if to reassure him of his safety. "And I'd like a weekly progress report, you can send it with Susan when she is on duty. As for personal letters, Gawain has agreed to owl them for you from his cottage. We do not want to arouse anyone's interest in this place as the location of blackbird."
Teddy raised an eyebrow at the term, "Ah, due to the sensitive nature of the situation we thought it best to maintain as much anonymity in the case of some stolen or intercepted documents. In all reports she is to be referred to as blackbird, do you understand?"
He shook his head, "Yes, I understand,"
Harry stood up, "Thank you, Teddy," said and pulled his godson into a hug. It was only then that Teddy realized how much this must be weighing on Harry as well. "I understand," he repeated and went out to meet Susan and find his room, wishing only for sleep, denying, even her attempts to coax him into a meal first.
Susan returned to Harry's side in the small room with the pensieve. Seeing the distress her long time friend and boss was feeling upset her, though not visibly. Not knowing what else to do, she placed a hand reassuringly on his shoulder. "Everything will be all right, Harry," she said, so quietly, had he not been used to her, me may not have heard.
AN: Moving slowly towards Teddy and Delphi interaction. Bare with me please. Hope you like this chapter. Also, thanks to Anastasia The Goddess of Drama for the lovely review
