The Story of Teddy Lupin

Chapter 9: The First Fight

As the weeks went by the boys continued with their routine; breakfast, class, lunch, class, quidditch class, dinner, homework in the library, bed. The only time this changed was when there was a quidditch match. The third match of the season was in November between Slytherin and Gryffindor. The boys were rooting for Gryffindor since Neil's parents, Harry, and Ginny had been in Gryffindor. Teddy only felt a little bad picking Gryffindor over Slytherin because his Gran had been in Slytherin. She didn't care much about quidditch, just supporting Teddy when he played, so she wouldn't mind that he cheered on Gryffindor. And Lee's mum had been in Ravenclaw, so he just cheered for Gryffindor this time because Teddy and Neil were. This game didn't last nearly as long as Teddy's or Neil's had before the Gryffindor seeker caught the snitch. It was actually a little disappointing how short it had been.

That got them through to December with only one last quidditch match before the holiday. Unfortunately this game was between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. They knew this would happen eventually, but it still didn't make it easy. The game was set for the last week of the term so they would be done with classes before the game and would be going home a day or two later on the train. Unless parents that came to the game took them home with them that night.

The day before the game the boys were in the library doing homework as usual when Lee cleared his throat, "so tomorrow's game?"

Teddy didn't even look up when he said, "What about it?"

"Just, is it gonna be awkward afterward?"

Neil shook his head, "nah, we talked about it remember?"

"Yeah, but its different talking about it and actually experiencing it."

"Well yeah. But it'll be fine. You guys said you'd be good sports if you lost so it'll be fine."

Teddy looked up then, "what do you mean by that?"

"Just that you said you wouldn't be bothered by it if you lost to us so we'll be fine after tomorrow's game."

"It sounds like you think we're gonna lose."

"Well, I'm a great keeper. Barely let anyone score our first game. So tomorrow shouldn't be any different."

"Except tomorrow you'll be playing against me. And I made more goals than any of the other chasers during our first game. So who's to say we won't win?"

"My dad's a coach for a professional team. He's been writing to us with tips."

"So? That doesn't mean you're gonna win."

"Look, this conversation is getting us nowhere. We'll see who the better team is tomorrow."

"Yeah, I guess we will."

Lee, who had been watching the argument happen wishing he hadn't said anything, gulped at the look they were giving each other.

They both went back to doing their homework in silence. They didn't want to be mad at each other and storm off, but they were mad. So they just did their homework in silence until it was almost time for curfew. They gathered their things and left the library in silence only speaking when they got to the place where they went in different directions. Lee hesitated but managed to say, "night Neil, see you tomorrow."

"Night," Neil muttered before heading toward his dormitory.

Teddy mumbled "goodnight," in return.

Then Teddy and Lee continued to their dormitory in silence for a few minutes. When they were almost there Lee finally spoke, "Teddy?"

"Yeah?"
"You okay?"

"Yep. Just thinking about how we've got to cream them tomorrow."

"Ugh, I wish I hadn't brought it up."

"I'm glad you did. Now we know how he really feels. He's so smug and full of himself."

"Well, you seem pretty sure we're gonna win too."

"I never would've said anything about it if he hadn't though. I didn't say anything bad until after he did."

"Yeah I guess you're right."

"I am. But now that he's gone there I guess I can too. We will win tomorrow."

Lee sighed, "okay".

With that they went into their dormitory and went straight to their dorm to go to bed.

The next morning when they went to breakfast they sat with their team. Lee couldn't help but notice that Neil was sitting with his team too. And while that alone wouldn't be weird (teams tended to sit together on game days) he didn't even look up when they came in. This did not sit well with Lee. He hoped Neil and Teddy would make up soon. When it was finally time to go down to the quidditch pitch Teddy was still mad. His mood didn't change until they left the changing rooms and saw Harry, Ginny, Ron, Victoire, and James in the stands.

He didn't have much time to focus on them though once the game started. Both teams were playing their hearts out. And Teddy noticed Neil hadn't exaggerated his skills as a keeper, he was having a harder time making goals than he had during the previous game. But it also seemed that Neil had underestimated Teddy's skills as a chaser. And the rest of the players were great too. Because of this the game was close and lasted for several hours.

It was a nail-biter for those in the stands as well. Harry kept running his hand threw his hair, Ginny kept leaning forward like she could somehow join the game if she leaned far enough while muttering things the chasers should do, and Ron's neck and ears were red (and not because of the cold). Victoire and James were nervous for Teddy too, Victoire was actually biting her nails, and James was jumping up and down.

Oliver and Alicia Wood were there too a few rows down. Oliver was shouting advice at the players (even though they couldn't hear him) and Alicia was wringing her hands.

This went on for several hours, it ended up being the longest game of the season. But in the end Hufflepuff won. Their seeker caught the snitch, but barely. Both seekers noticed the snitch at the same time and went for it. It was a race really. A hush fell over the crowd as if everyone was holding their breath while they watched them race toward the snitch. The Hufflepuff seeker got there a split second before the Ravenclaw seeker closing their fingers around it just as the Ravenclaw seeker was reaching for it.

The teams landed and their friends and family met them to congratulate or console them. Teddy was surrounded by his family that had come when he saw Neil skulk off with his parents. He extricated himself from the crowd and caught up with Neil. "Hey, good game. You really are a great keeper."

"Thanks. You're a great chaser too," he mumbled before walking off with his parents.

Teddy turned to Lee then, "well that didn't go very well."

Lee sighed, "I had hoped you guys would get over this soon. I guess that's not happening."

"Sorry."

"It's okay."

They went back to their families then to find they had started talking to each other. Teddy noticed that Ginny was holding Harry's hand very tightly, like she was afraid it would run away if she let go of it or something. He thought to himself that sometimes Ginny could be weird. But he ignored it and went back to talk with Victoire and James.

James was still jumping up and down, "Teddy! You were amazing! I can't wait to come to come to Hogwarts and play quidditch too."

"Thanks James. I'm sure you'll be great at it with Harry and Ginny as your parents."

"And you as a big brother. You'll be able to help me over the summer before I start at school."

"Sure thing buddy," he tossled James' hair a bit then turned his attention to Victoire. "Thanks for coming again."

"Of course Teddy. I wouldn't have missed it. Though dad couldn't take me so I wasn't sure I was going to get to come. Then I asked uncle Ron if he could take me since he was coming and he convinced dad to let me come with him. You were great."

"Thanks. It was a tough game."

"It looked it."

Lee was watching this conversation with a slight smile on his face trying not to laugh. It was so obvious they liked each other, he wondered when they would realize it.

Meanwhile, the adults were talking about the game too. Cho mostly listened only adding a few comments here and there. "Too bad Lee didn't get any playing time this game," Harry said.

"Yeah, I know he was hoping to play. He's okay with being on the reserves, but he would like to play some."

Ginny nodded, "I'm sure he'll get to play soon."

Ron looked around then, "Cho, where's your husband? He came to the first game didn't he?"

"Yes, he's a muggle though so he still doesn't really understand quidditch. He still doesn't understand a lot about magic to be honest. So he stayed home with Mae this time."

Harry looked at her for a moment, "he's a muggle? I had no idea."

"Yes. I met him right after the war. I needed a break from everything so I spent a lot of time in the muggle world. I didn't tell him at first that I was a witch, but when things started to get serious I knew I had to. He was okay with it. He thought a lot of the stuff we can do was cool. Now the novelty has worn off and he gets a bit queasy when I side-along him somewhere. He's still okay with everything, but there are a lot of things he still finds confusing."

"If he's a muggle, then why had Lee never watched tv before he came to the house last summer?" Ginny asked.

"Carl doesn't like to watch tv, and I never understood it, so we just listen to the wireless."

"Ah."

"Well, we should probably get going. Carl and Mae will be wondering where we are. Lee, ready to go?"

"Sure mum. Bye Teddy."

"See you Lee."

Lee walked away with his mum to collect his things before leaving for the holiday.

Harry put his arm around Teddy then, "so you leaving with us tonight?"

"Yeah sure."

"Great, let's go get your things then."

Victoire squealed a bit then said, "does this mean I get to go inside the castle?"

Ron shook his head, "sorry Vic, but I've got to get home. Hermione is probably ready to kill me for being gone so long. And your parents probably aren't too pleased at you being out this late either."

She sighed, "okay."

Teddy nudged her, "you'll be here for real next year Vic".

"Yeah I know."

"I'll see you Sunday at the Burrow, okay."

"Okay. Bye." She gave a small wave as she and Ron left.

The rest of them went up to the castle to get his things so they could leave.

James was amazed by the castle; all the paintings, the moving stairs, the Great Hall. He couldn't wait to start at Hogwarts. He didn't get to look around as much as we wanted because they left as soon as they got Teddy's things. but they did get to see the Hufflepuff common room, which James liked. Harry wanted to stop in and say hi to Professor McGonagall so they did get to go up to the headmistresses office. Teddy had never been in there before, though he thought that was probably a good thing. When they got to the top of the stairs Harry knocked.

"Come in."

Harry walked in followed by Teddy, James, and Ginny.

"Well, if it isn't the Potters. Aren't you missing a few kids?"

"They're with Molly and Arthur. We came up to see Teddy's game and I wanted to say hi before we left. I knew you'd still be working even at this hour."

"Well, you've been in this office and my former office enough to know haven't you Potter?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"You've got me there."

then they heard a slow slimy voice come from behind Professor McGonagall say, "Potter, I was trying to sleep. Keep it down."

"Good evening Professor Snape."

Teddy looked at the picture, "Snape? As in Severus Snape? Who Al is named after?"

"I see your godson takes after you Potter. Know any other Professor Snapes who were Headmasters Lupin?"

"Er, no sir. Sorry."

Then another voice joined, "Severus, I had hoped you might be nicer to Harry and his family when you found out what they had named their son. Albus Severus. It is quite an honor really Harry."

"Yes, an honor to have my name attached to the Potter name. Let us hope this little Potter can live up to his namesakes Albus." Severus sneered in Harry's direction.

Ginny stepped in then, "well we just wanted to say hi Professor. But we should really get going."

McGonagall nodded, "glad you stopped by. Next time maybe I shall meet you in the staff lounge instead of my office." She shot a look at Severus.

They said goodbye and then left. When they got home they decided they would go get Al and Lily the next morning. Ginny knew they would be asleep already and her parents had told them they could stay the night and it would be fine. So instead of going to the Burrow they just went upstairs, tucked the boys in (even though Teddy insisted he was too old to be tucked in) and then went to bed themselves.

Teddy lay in bed that night thinking about his fight with Neil. He decided he would write to Neil the next day to try and work things out. What a way to start the Christmas holiday, he thought to himself before drifting off to sleep.