The Enemy of my Enemy

The Whispered Voice

The next morning, Teddie sat in her usual place at the Slytherin table, her head down and eyes scanning the timetable that had just been handed out by Professor Snape. To say the interaction between her and her Head of house had been frosty would have been an understatement, she hadn't spoken to him since he had rescued her from Little Hangleton last year.

Teddie knew that at some point they would need to talk, but for now, while she tried to deal with everything that happened, she was happy to avoid him. She understood that, while being at Hogwarts, it would be difficult to avoid him indefinitely, he was her Head of House, after all, and also her Potions Professor, she had classes with him at least twice a week – sometimes four.

"Morning," Marlene chirped, sliding into the seat beside Teddie. She looked happy, refreshed, and ready to face the day. "Sleep well?"

Teddie shrugged.

"After last night, I'm surprised any of us slept, to be fair," said Judy, sliding into a seat opposite Marlene.

Teddie licked her lips and lowered her timetable. She reached for a crumpet and some butter. She had been waiting for someone to bring up last night, Daphne had briefly mentioned it last night after coming to bed, and Teddie was already asleep when Parkinson and Bulstrode had come up.

"You know we're on your side, right?" Marlene asked, glancing at Teddie.

Again, Teddie shrugged. She would not be surprised if they weren't.

"Yeah, my mum and dad may think you're loony," said Judy. "But they don't know you."

Teddie glanced up. "Why would they think I was loony?" she asked. "I'm not the one saying that Voldemort is back. I mean, he is back, I can confirm Harry's story, but still..."

"Well, a lot of people think your loony for claiming to be Faye Sutherland," said Judy. "Haven't you heard the whispers?"

Teddie furrowed her brow. The only whispers she had heard were from people pointing and talking about her, wondering why she was back at Hogwarts and not locked up in Azkaban. Sure, not everyone was openly saying that she was Voldemort's daughter, but the whispers conveyed that, didn't they?

Teddie paused. Now that she thought about it, she had not actually heard someone say, "that's Faye". She had heard some people say "that's his daughter" but maybe she had only thought that because she was already guessing what people would say.

"Hey," Marlene said, nudging Teddie and jarring her from her thoughts.

"Sorry," Teddie sighed. "I'm just – "

"Good morning, Faye."

Teddie took a deep, calming breath, and looked up at Parkinson as she slid into the seat that Blaise usually occupied.

"That seat's taken," said Teddie.

"Oh, I know," Parkinson nodded. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

Teddie cocked her head to the side. "Why wouldn't I be?" she asked.

"Well, I heard you moaning in your sleep last night," said Parkinson. "It sounded like you were having a nightmare. I wanted to wake you, but mum has always warned me about waking people up. I did not want to hurt you, or myself. You settled down after a while, but I was still concerned."

Teddie glanced sideways at Marlene. Parkinson had never cared about her wellbeing before, why did she seem to now?

"You don't have to tell me, but what did you dream about?"

"Why should she want to tell you that?" Daphne asked, arriving with Blaise and Theo. She and Theo took their seats, while Blaise waited for Parkinson to move.