"Okay, so wait. Let me make sure I have this straight," Duncan said, holding his hands out in front of him. "A bunch of years ago, you ran into this bird on vacation and now it's back asking you to help it?"

"Basically," Teddy said from Duncan's bed. He was on his back, tossing a tennis ball up and down, trying to see how close he could get it to the ceiling without actually hitting it. "Ginny has a habit of attracting magical creatures that need help, and Hehewuti, that's Niyol's mum, got us to help her find the egg that Coyote had hidden."

"Uh huh." Duncan stood up from his desk chair and paced around the room, hands behind his back. "So now he's all grown up and is trying to get married or whatever birds do."

"Right."

"And his girl bird is demanding one of Coyote's whiskers for her nest or whatever."

"Right."

"And this Niyol thinks you can help him."

"Apparently so." Teddy caught the ball and sat up, watching as Duncan absorbed and sorted the information.

"And how does he think you can do that?" he asked, coming to a stop in the middle of the room. He held his hand out for the tennis ball and Teddy tossed it to him.

"Dunno. Says he has a plan, but he hasn't said what it is yet." He watched as Duncan tossed the ball from hand to hand.

"What makes you so fucking special?" he asked, mouth falling open in amazement when Teddy lengthened his arm and snatched the ball mid-toss from across the room.

"That's pretty fucking special, don't you think?" he said smugly, tossing it back to Duncan. "He said I can 'trick the Trickster', so I'm assuming that my Metamorphmagus abilities come into play." Duncan nodded and picked up his pacing again. "What do you think?" Teddy asked after a few moments. "Should I do it?"

Arresting his pacing, Duncan stopped and looked at him, eyes narrowed speculatively. "When do you meet this bird again?"

"Supposed to be midnight tonight."

"I want to be there when you meet. I'll tell my folks we need to work on a project together tonight."

"Hmm … for what class? Harry keeps pretty close tabs …" Teddy said with a frown, trying to think of a class they could plausibly be working on an extra credit assignment for.

"Can't be history. Him and Ms Okefor have lunch all the time. Transfiguration?"

"Mmm, that's more of a solo pursuit. How about Herbology? We could say we need to harvest something in the dark?"

"Nah, if we said we had to leave the house, one of them would want to come with us," Duncan said, shaking his head. "Potions?"

"That's an idea." Teddy tapped his finger against his lips, cycling through potions in his mind. "I could say that I'm helping you with a make-up potion."

"A make-up potion?" Duncan snorted. "I end up helping you more than you help me."

"Yeah, but Harry doesn't know that. Unless he does …" Teddy shook his head. "No, he knows all of my grades, but not all of the details. Yeah, I think that'll work. We'll see if we can sneak Niyol into the lab." He took out his phone and tapped out a quick message, grinning at the answering buzz. "He says fine. He'll do a proper Sunday roast."

"Sweet. Would that include Yorkshire puddings, by any chance?" Duncan asked eagerly.

"Um, he says sure," Teddy said as Duncan leaned his head back and let his mouth hang open, quietly mumbling, "Yorkshire pudding…"

"So Duncan, do you have a date for the Winter Formal?" Ginny asked as they sat down to dinner. The two boys had piled their plates with roast beef, potatoes, carrots and Yorkshire puddings, drowning the whole thing in lashings of gravy.

Teddy stifled a laugh as Duncan was caught in the middle of rolling his eyes in ecstasy as he chewed, swallowing quickly. "Um, yeah. I'm going with Alison Williams."

"You're going with Awwww?" Harry asked, using Alison's nickname. She adored animals and had picked up the appellation during her first year of Care of Magical Creatures. "Let me guess—did she say 'Awwwwww' when you asked her?"

Ginny shot Harry a look and handed James a pudding to tear apart. "Harry, don't make fun," she chided.

"Oh, no, it's true. She says that about everything," Duncan said. "Animals, babies, sunsets …"

"Patronuses," Teddy interjected, vividly remembering her squeal when he'd cast his first corporeal Patronus on the Golden Gate Bridge. He'd been dumbfounded when the silvery wolf burst out of his wand and bounded toward the Dementor, but he still heard Alison in the group behind him, "Awwwww, it's a wolf!"

"Yeah, that, too." Duncan shrugged and continued to plow through his dinner. "Anyway, I heard her talking to Jeanine about how no one had asked her yet and I thought she was cute, so I asked her," he said, his casual tone belied by his blush. Teddy caught Harry mouthing, "Five dollars," to Ginny and shook his head.

"Harry, speaking of the dance, you said I could use the car for me and Kelly. Can I pick up Duncan and Alison, too?" Teddy asked, choosing the moment to capitalize on his godfather's current good humor.

"Hmm, I believe our bargain for you using the car was completing two university applications, including the essays, correct?" Harry said, one eyebrow raised.

"Yes, sir," Teddy affirmed, glancing at Duncan and willing him to stay quiet.

"All right. If you want to take along Duncan and Alison, then you have to finish three. Before the dance." Teddy opened his mouth, but Harry held up his finger. "And you can't just copy the same essay to all of them. I'll be reading them over," he said and Teddy felt a bit of his elation deflate. But only a bit.

"Thank you ever so much, sir. I shall endeavor to be as careful as I can so as not to bring any harm to either my dear friends or your marvelous automobile," he said, deliberately playing up his English accent.

"See that you don't," Harry said, giving him a stern look. "That car is in pristine condition and I'd hate to take any scratches out of your hide."

Teddy gave him a salute and turned his attention to his plate, half-listening to Ginny and Duncan chat about dress robes, perking up when he heard his name. "Wait, what?" he asked around a mouthful of potatoes.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, love," Ginny admonished with a frown. "I said we're going on Wednesday for new dress robes for you."

"We are?" Teddy asked, swallowing carefully. "Um, I'm busy that day."

"No, you're not," Harry said, taking a sip of wine.

"You are no help," Teddy sighed, knowing it was useless to fight against Ginny once she'd made a decision. "What time?"

"We have an appointment for 5:30 at Marianne's."

"Marianne's? Wow," Duncan said, pouring gravy into his third Yorkshire pudding. "That place is super expensive."

"Yeah, Ginny, are you sure?" Teddy didn't know quite how to feel about having that much money spent on him just for something to wear to a dance.

"Well, I figure you're pretty close to your full growth, so we'll spend the money now and you'll have a set of robes to last you for a while. We'll have them made with a bit of extra material for letting out if you do get a couple more inches on you." She smiled at him and he felt a flush of warmth come over him. "Besides," she continued, fixing her eyes on Harry. "Don't think you're off the hook."

"What? Me? My robes are fine," Harry protested.

"Harry, those robes are at least ten years old. You haven't had new since before you moved here."

"Yeah, but I'm done growing."

"Growing up, maybe," Ginny said with a pointed look at his piled plate. Teddy and Duncan grinned at each other; it was always satisfying when she got a good one on Harry.

"Fine, 5:30," he grumbled, defiantly spearing another slice of roast.

"That was amazing, Mr Potter," Duncan finally groaned, pushing himself away from the table and rubbing his distended stomach. "I have the most beautiful food baby now."

"Thank you, Duncan." Harry stood up and stretched his arms high over his head. "Well, I cooked, so you know what that means." He pointed his fingers and waved at Teddy, Duncan and Ginny. "You get to clean up."

"I have to see to James," Ginny said quickly, standing up and picking up the baby. James let the handfuls of Yorkshire pudding crumbs fall to the floor, grabbing double handfuls of her hair instead. "It's time for your bath, young man!"

Teddy and Duncan looked at the remains of dinner on the table and the mess James had left all over the floor, knowing that more waited for them in the kitchen. "Well, it could be worse," Duncan shrugged, stacking up plates. "We could be Muggles."

While they were in the middle of washing up, Harry came in and leaned casually against the breakfast bar, arms crossed. "After you're done here, feel like a bit of cards?" he asked.

Teddy paused in putting away the serving platter, looking at his godfather, their conversation that morning coming to his mind. Trying to be the cool older brother or the cool dad? "Well, we have that potions stuff to do …"

Harry snorted and shook his head. "Duncan doesn't need to do a make-up potion. He's got better marks than you." Nodding at Duncan, he grinned. "You just wanted my Yorkshire pudding."

Teddy shot a look at his friend, relieved to see Duncan's usual cocky grin in place. "You got me. I've tried to get mom to make them, but they never turn out as good as yours."

"You're on then. Poker?" Teddy set the enormous serving platter carefully on the shelf. It had been a wedding present from Bill and Fleur and he knew that Ginny would never forgive him if he broke it. He considered it a very good thing she didn't know it had already been broken and repaired once already.

Harry nodded and left the kitchen. A moment later Teddy heard him digging in the game closet for the set of poker chips and he exchanged a wide-eyed look with Duncan. "I told you that bullshit potions story wouldn't be any good," Duncan said quietly, draining the soapy water from the sink.

Teddy shuffled the deck of cards, the feeling of them in his hands reassuring as he manipulated them. Duncan gave him a raised eyebrow as he shuffled one-handed, muttering "Showoff," under his breath.

"You're letting him shuffle?" Harry asked as he took his seat at the table, setting down a giant bowl of pretzels in front of Duncan.

"It's either that or listen to him whine and fuss." Unperturbed, Teddy gave his best friend a sunny smile and continued riffling the cards.

"You're just jealous because you can't do this," he said, executing an elaborate one-handed shuffle and bridge.

"I can't because I can't make my fingers three feet long," Duncan snorted through a mouthful of pretzels.

Harry grinned, passing out piles of multi-colored chips. "Deal me in," Ginny said, sitting down at the other end of the table.

"James down for the night?" Harry asked, piling chips up in front of her.

"With any luck. I seem to be a bit short on twenty-five-dollar chips." She smiled sweetly at Harry, holding out her hand as he dropped four more into it.

"Good thing it's Ladies' Night," Teddy said as he finished shuffling with a flourish and turned his attention to sorting his chips.

"Teddy, the sooner you learn it's always Ladies' Night, the better," Ginny said, taking a handful of pretzels from the bowl.

"Truer words were never spoken. Now, what's your pleasure tonight?" Harry scooped a huge handful of pretzels out of the bowl and shoved nearly all of them into his mouth, making Ginny shake her head in dismay.

"Hmm." Teddy pursed his lips in thought, looking around at his competition. "I think we'll do Texas Hold 'Em tonight. Sound good?"

"Yes!" Duncan pumped his fist in the air. "You guys are going down!"

"Settle down there, big boy," Ginny said. "I don't want you to go crying to your mummy when I take all of your chips."

Teddy shook his head as Ginny and Duncan continued to trash talk, focusing on the feel of the cards in his hands. He was trying to train himself to figure out which cards were which based on the weight in his hands. A face card has more ink than an ace or a deuce and there's a tiny difference.

"Now what need would an Auror have for telling cards apart when they're face down?" Duncan had asked when he'd watched Teddy practice one lazy afternoon.

"You never know when a skill will come in handy," Teddy had said loftily. "Bet you that's a ten." He flicked the card at his friend, hitting him in the middle of his forehead.

Duncan flipped him off and looked at the card, showing him the ten of hearts. "Fucking creepy."

"All right lady and gentlemen, place your bets. Ginny, you're small blind, Harry, you're big." Teddy dealt the initial hand and focused his attention on his opponents, giving his cards only a cursory glance. Seven and ten. Suck city. Duncan opened the first round of betting, throwing in a ten-dollar chip. Teddy and Ginny followed suit with Harry checking. Teddy dealt the flop, turning up a four of hearts, queen of spades and jack of diamonds.

Duncan grunted, fingers hovering over his chips. He checked his cards and shrugged, throwing in another ten dollars, looking expectantly at Teddy. Keeping his face impassive, he also tossed ten dollars into the pot. Ginny folded, giving him a pointed look as she excused herself to get a drink.

Harry stayed in with ten, causing Teddy to raise an eyebrow. Let's see what the turn brings us. He laid down the fourth card face up, this one the queen of diamonds and he saw Duncan's cheeks go pink out of the corner of his eye. Terrible poker face.

Feigning disinterest, Duncan tossed in another ten, the chips making clinking sounds as they landed on top of the others. Ginny came back with a Coke and stood behind Harry, peeping at his cards. "Oh, nice," she said approvingly.

"Do you mind?" Harry asked, taking a long swallow of her drink.

"Not at all." She bent and gave him a peck on the lips before resuming her seat. She made a grab for Teddy's cards, but he moved them out of the way before she could lay her hands on them.

"No good anyway. I fold."

"Weak," Duncan taunted through another mouthful of pretzels. "Come on Harry, make it interesting."

"All right." Harry tossed in a twenty-five-dollar chip and Teddy squinted at him, looking for his tell. Sometimes when he was bluffing, he ran the tip of his index finger over the top of his ear, but there was no evidence of it right now. Either he was getting better at controlling himself or he actually had a good hand.

Now it was Duncan's turn and Teddy could read him like a book. His hand was okay, but he didn't have full confidence in it to call Harry's twenty-five-dollar bet, but he was sorely tempted by the money in the pot. Duncan liked to win early and often and the only question was would he try to bluff his way through by raising Harry or would he just call to get to the river?

"I call." He's bluffing. Another clink and Teddy dealt another card face-up, a ten of clubs. Dangit, could have had two pair. Oh well. He watched as Harry sat stone-faced, index fingers steepled under his chin. His hole cards were face down on the table in front of him and he glanced at briefly at Ginny who shrugged and took another swallow of Coke.

"Your call, love."

"Hey, no double-teaming!" Duncan objected, practically vibrating in his seat.

"Fine. I raise … fifty," Harry said, tossing two twenty-five-dollar chips into the pot. Duncan sucked in a breath and suddenly sat very still, eyes darting between the pot and Harry's impassive face. He looked at Teddy for guidance and he spread his hands wide, shaking his head.

"Sorry, man. You're on your own."

"You're on, Harry." Duncan tossed two of his own twenty-five-dollar chips in. "Let's see what you've got."

Harry flipped over his hole cards, revealing a queen and a ten. "Two pair. Show me."

Duncan groaned and turned his over, showing a ten and a four. "You stayed in with that?" Teddy asked, looking at his friend incredulously.

Shrugging, Duncan grabbed another handful of pretzels. "I thought he was bluffing."

"He wasn't bluffing, I could tell."

Harry paused in counting up his winnings. "How can you tell when I'm bluffing?"

"Duh, Harry, you have a tell. Everyone has a tell."

Frowning, Harry looked at Ginny. "Do I have a tell?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"I'm not going to tell you and give away my advantage. Shuffle those for me will you, Teddy?" Teddy obliged, forgoing the theatrics this time as he shuffled the cards efficiently, handing the deck to Ginny to cut. "All right. Harry, you're small blind, Duncan you're big. Lay your money down."

The evening progressed and Teddy's chips ebbed and flowed like the tides in the bay. They weren't actually playing for money, so he wasn't overly concerned with the pile in front of him, but was more interested in studying his opponents. Ginny thought she was rock solid, but he'd learned to watch her nose when the cards came out; when she had a good hand, the tip got very pink and her nostrils flared.

Duncan was almost too easy; he wiggled around like a golden retriever puppy trying to sit still when he thought he had something good. Like right now, he could tell that he was desperately trying to keep it together as he went against Ginny, whose nose was very pink indeed. Harry was dealer and dealt the river, showing an ace of clubs, the queen of clubs, the jack of diamonds, three of clubs and the four of spades.

Ginny narrowed her eyes at Duncan who had put on his best "Who me?" expression, the one he saved for the occasional Potions mishap. "One hundred," she said, tossing a chip down with finality.

Teddy shifted his gaze to Duncan and couldn't help but grin at the sight of his best friend trying to keep it together in the face of Ginny's boldness. "Are you sure you want to do that, Ginny?" Duncan said, voice dripping with skepticism.

"Oh, I'm sure." Her nostrils twitched and Teddy raised an eyebrow at Harry. I bet she's got a straight. Or a flush.

"Duncan?" Harry prompted.

"Yeah, all right. Show me what you've got." Duncan tossed in a hundred-dollar chip, face flooding with red. I've got to get him to control that or he's going to be shit as an Auror.

Ginny flipped her cards, showing a flush with the king of clubs and the four of clubs. Duncan turned his, showing the king of spades and the ten of hearts for a straight. "I win!" Ginny crowed, reaching out to sweep the impressive pot towards her.

"Man, that's no fair. That was the best hand I've had all night," Duncan groused. "Are there any more pretzels?"

"You know where they are," Harry said, shuffling the cards. "Get me a Coke while you're up, yeah?" Duncan saluted and clicked his heels together before sauntering into the kitchen in search of more snacks.

"Hey, who taught you how to play poker, anyway?" Teddy had been curious as to where Harry had learned such a thoroughly Muggle game for a while now, but usually forgot to ask once the game was underway.

"Oh, Charlie taught us ages ago over Christmas. I gather there's not a lot to do in the dragon camps in Romania when the dragons are quiet. You remember that, Gin?"

"I remember taking all of your Christmas money," she said with an air of superiority.

"And then Ron taking it all from you if I recall correctly." Ginny stuck her tongue out at her husband and got up from the table.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to use the ladies'."

Teddy listened to Duncan banging around in the kitchen, glad for the one-way Silencing Charm on the nursery. "So how did Charlie learn? I don't imagine too many Muggles go wandering into the middle of a bunch of dragons."

"He actually learned it from your mum," Harry said, sending a thrill shooting through Teddy's stomach.

"What? Mum knew how to play? Who taught her?"

"Your granddad. You know he was Muggle-born, right?" Teddy nodded and Harry set aside the cards he'd been shuffling. "According to Charlie, Ted taught your mum the summer before fourth year and she set the school on fire with it."

"With Texas Hold 'Em?"

"Nah, wasn't as popular then. Five card I think it was."

"Stud or draw?"

Harry shrugged. "I dunno. Probably draw; that's what Charlie taught us. He did say she was excellent at it and rarely lost."

"Well, being a Metamorphmagus does come in handy for some situations." Teddy felt a swell of happiness at having discovered another similarity with his mother. "I wonder if her and my dad ever played?"

"Hm, I don't know for sure, but I do know that if anyone could get Remus to sit down and play a game, it'd be your mum."

"Just like I said, I've taken all your chips," Ginny said to Duncan, sweeping the multi-colored pile toward her with both hands. She made an exaggerated sad face at him. "Are you going to go crying to your mummy now about how I've left you broken and destitute?"

Duncan guzzled the last of his Coke and belched loudly. "I'm over it. Gambling gains never lead to anything good." He affected a lofty expression, but Teddy wasn't fooled for a second; he knew that losing all of his chips to Ginny really smarted. He made sure to clink his own remaining chips as loud as he could, giving Duncan an innocent smile.

Stretching and yawning, Teddy caught a glance at the time on his watch. Eleven-thirty. Duncan and I had better get out to the roof soon or else Niyol might try and break in. "I think we can declare Ginny the winner tonight," he said as she continued to stack up her chips.

"Oh, you quitting already? Are you afraid I'm going to take all of your chips too?"

"Yes. I have to keep what little dignity I have." Teddy finished his own coke and turned to Harry. "Is it all right if Duncan stays the night?"

"It's all right with your folks?" Harry asked, gathering up all of the chips and putting them away.

"Yeah, you can check if you want."

"I'm sure we'd hear something if you didn't show up when you were supposed to." Harry closed the lid of the chip case and stood up from the table with a stretch of his own. He held out his hand and the boys put their phones in it.

"All right. Well, we're going to head to bed. Got an early morning." Teddy bent and kissed the cheek Ginny presented to him, Duncan close behind him.

"What time are we meeting that bird?" Duncan asked once they were in his room, pushing the curtains of his window open to look outside.

"Midnight. Here, turn out the light and we'll lay low." Teddy shut off his lamp and stretched out on his bed while Duncan sat in his desk chair.

"Are you, uh, listening?"

"Yeah, keep quiet." Teddy enhanced his hearing enough to hear the quiet sounds of conversation without the actual words as his godparents got ready for bed. He heard the sound of Ginny's footsteps as she checked on James one more time and then more conversation from their bedroom.

"You ever hear anything you weren't supposed to?" Duncan asked, interrupting his concentration.

Teddy felt a rush of heat come to his face and he wished he had something handy to throw at him. "Shut up."

"You have! Oh man, I don't know what I'd do if I heard my parents—"

"I said shut it!" Teddy hissed, throwing his pillow at him. "I need to concentrate. D'you want to get caught sneaking out?"

"We should have gotten Harry's invisibility cloak," Duncan said, throwing the pillow back at him.

"As if. Harry's got that thing under a Blood Lock."

"My dad says you can break those, same as a Blood Seal."

"Fine. You can be the one Harry catches, then."

"No, thank you. Being caught stealing by a pissed-off Harry Potter is not high on my list things I'd like to accomplish," Duncan shuddered.

"Me, either." Teddy concentrated once more, becoming certain that Harry and Ginny were down for the night. The glowing hands on his watch said five minutes to midnight and almost as if on cue, the sound of a bronze beak pecking on glass came from his window.

"What's that?" Duncan whispered, approaching the window. "Holy shit, dude, is that it?"

Teddy opened the window, looking at Niyol perched on the ledge. "You're early."

"Teddy Lupin, it is the time for you to give me your answer," the thunderbird said, his voice utterly serious.

"Yes, but this is not the place. I told you, the rooftop."

"But I am already here."

"But Harry and Ginny will hear you. Rooftop. We'll be there shortly, all right?" Teddy closed the window and the curtains on Niyol's affronted expression, hunting around for his trainers and putting them on.

"Dude, that thing is huge!" Duncan shoved his feet into his own shoes and pulled on his hoodie, zipping it all the way up.

"I know. I dunno why he doesn't just go up against Coyote himself. He's bloody well big enough." Teddy held up his hand when Duncan looked ready to speak once more, listening closely. "I think we're good. We're going to have to be super quiet, though."

"Too bad I can't Apparate silently."

"Trust me, I've been thinking of that all night."

A few minutes later, they were up on the deserted rooftop terrace, breath blowing thick white plumes in the frigid air. Niyol was perched on the same deck chair as before, fixing Teddy with a golden-eyed glare.

"Sorry about making you wait. Had to make sure the coast was clear." Teddy gestured to Duncan, who was staring at the thunderbird in undisguised amazement. "This is Duncan Sutton, my best friend."

Niyol seemed mollified by his apology and bobbed his head, turning his gaze on Duncan. "I am Niyol," he said ruffling and settling his feathers.

"I'm Duncan Sutton," Duncan said, eyes wide as he gazed at the thunderbird. "I'm sorry if this seems rude, but can I touch you?"

Niyol stood up straighter, his expression managing to take on a magnanimous expression. "You may." Duncan reached out a hand to stroke his wing, letting out a cry as Niyol turned his head and grabbed his hand in that wickedly sharp beak, releasing it a split-second later.

"What was that?" Duncan asked, checking his hand for any injury and finding none. "Did you know he was going to do that?"

"I suspected that might happen." Teddy shrugged helplessly. "He did it to me right after he hatched. It seems to be how he gets to know people."

Duncan wiped his hand on his jeans, shooting the bird a dark look. "A little bit of warning would have been nice."

"Suck it up, you big baby; he didn't even do anything." Teddy looked back at Niyol, calmly perched on the deck chair and sat down in the chair opposite, motioning for Duncan to sit in the one next to it. "So I told Duncan today about what you asked me to do."

"Get Coyote's whisker so that I may win Yoki as my mate," Niyol said, bobbing his head again. "You will do this, Teddy Lupin?"

Duncan held up his hand. "Now, before he gives you an answer, we need to hear your plan. He said you had one?"

"Yes, Duncan Sutton, I have an excellent plan."

They waited a few moments for him to elaborate before Duncan spoke again. "So, what is your plan?"

"I will tell you where Coyote has his den. You will go in while he is sleeping and pluck a whisker and bring it to me," he said proudly, preening his wing.

"Um, that's not really a plan," Teddy said with a frown.

"It is. It tells you exactly what will occur."

Teddy exchanged a look with Duncan and turned back to the bird. "Niyol, at best that's an outline. Where is the den? What time does Coyote sleep? How am I getting to the den? How am I going to get a whisker without waking him up? What's our exit strategy? What do we do if things go wrong?"

"I have narrowed down his den location to somewhere on Tuyshtak."

"Where is that? Is that even anywhere near here?"

"It is the high mountain over there," Niyol said, gesturing to the east with his wing.

"Mt Diablo?" Duncan asked Teddy.

"I guess. Mt Tam is in the opposite direction. Okay, that doesn't settle the other questions, though," Teddy said, crossing his arms and looking at the bird.

Niyol looked back at him, golden eyes unreadable. "You are the Changer," he said simply, giving him a surprisingly human shrug.

"Yes, I can change how I look, I got that." He looked out toward the Golden Gate Bridge, visualizing one of his puzzles, trying to see a way to accomplish Niyol's goal.

"What about making yourself really small?" Duncan asked and Teddy shook his head.

"Well, I could make myself smaller, but I keep the same mass, remember? I'd be a hundred-and-fifty-pound flea. Not very good for sneaking around."

"What about a sleeping spell?"

Teddy considered Duncan's suggestion and shook his head slowly. "Coyote is pretty much a deity. I'm not sure that magic would even work on him. Besides, he'd probably be more pissed off than Harry if he caught you at it," he said, grinning at his friend.

Niyol shifted around on his perch, talons scoring the wood. "Will you help me, Teddy Lupin?" he asked anxiously.

Teddy sighed, scrubbing his hands over his face. "Are you sure she wouldn't be just as dazzled by a really pretty flower?"

"I have brought her many gifts, but she will not consent to be my mate until this task is complete."

"What about your mum? What does Hehewuti have to say about all this?" Teddy asked, cocking his head to one side.

"My mother said that I must do whatever she asks of me to win her. She told me tales of her suitors and the tasks she set before them. Only my father was able to prove himself worthy." He fluffed out his feathers, making himself look larger and more imposing. "This is the way of thunderbird females to ensure progeny capable of riding the strongest of winds."

"Boy, it's a good thing Kelly hasn't asked you for anything crazy. Yet," Duncan said, smirking at Teddy who gave a short bark of laughter.

"And you said you have to have this whisker before the first snow in the mountains? And winter break is in two weeks. That's not a lot of time," he mused, unconsciously cycling his hair color through the rainbow spectrum as he thought. Finally, he nodded. "Yeah, I'll help you. I can't guarantee success, but I'll do my best, all right?"

The thunderbird bobbed his head up and down excitedly, spreading his wings and almost knocking over an umbrella. "Yes, Teddy Lupin! Our hatchlings will be such as have not been seen for many generations!"

"Uh, that's good to hear. Listen, I still need to come up with a plan. What's the best way to get a hold of you if I need to talk?" Teddy asked, steadying the rocking umbrella.

"Call my name and the winds will carry it to me."

"Cool. What if I can't call you directly and Duncan needs to?" Teddy asked.

Niyol folded his wings and looked at Duncan steadily for several moments before giving one single bob of his head. "I will respond to his call as well, save it is for something foolish."

Duncan put his hand against his chest and gave the bird an amazed look. "Me? Foolish? Never."

"I don't know that he gets sarcasm, Dunk. I promise you, if he calls you, it'll be because I can't for whatever reason," Teddy said. Still cycling through ideas, he glanced at his watch, wincing at the time. "All right. I'm going to do some research on Coyote. I might need to ask you some questions, so don't go too far, okay?"

"Yes, Teddy Lupin. When will you have the whisker?"

"I don't even have a plan yet! Keep your pants on!"

"He's not wearing pants, Ted," Duncan said in a loud whisper.

"You're the worst," Teddy muttered, standing up and stretching his arms high over his head. "All right. I'll let you know when I've got a plan, okay?"

"Yes, Teddy Lupin. You will get the whisker and I will win Yoki's heart. There will be many songs sung about our first mating," Niyol said, a little sizzle of lightning coursing down his breast.

"Uh, good?"

Niyol cocked his head at him and Teddy swore he was almost smiling. "Have you had your first mating yet, Teddy Lupin?"

Teddy felt a hot flush prickle all over his body at the question. "Um …" he began, but he was interrupted by the thunderbird snapping out his wings with a sharp crack.

"I shall hear from you soon, Teddy Lupin," he said before launching his body into the sky, becoming the merest dot in seconds.

"Huh. So that's a thunderbird," Duncan said, standing next to Teddy. He put his hand on his shoulder, squeezing it companionably. "I can't believe you just got asked if you're a virgin by a bird."