The Enemy of my Enemy

The Patronuses'

Teddie watched as Mason closed his eyes, smiled, and waved his wand. There was a whisp of silver slithered out of the tip and transformed into a bright white magpie that fluttered around the room. It was joined by another bird, this time bigger in size, and Teddie glanced around to see Blaise grinning in triumph.

"A buzzard?" Daphne asked.

"Apparently so," said Blaise. If he was stunned by the appearance of his Patronus he didn't let on, he simply smiled and continued to watch it swoop through the air.

Teddie shook her head and looked around for Astoria and Theo. Daphne still hadn't yet managed to produce her own Patronus, but Teddie was eager to see what Theo would cast.

"Expecto Patronum," Astoria whispered, her eyes closed as she focused on her happy memory. She flicked her wand and a sliver of silver mist fizzled out. She pouted as it disappeared instantly.

Lowering his wand, Mason wandered over to his best friend and stood behind her. "Here," he said, wrapping his hand around her wrist and pointing her wand straight out in front of them. "Think of the happiest memory you can - mine is me, Teddie, and my parents. It's the first Christmas that I can remember with them; we're decorating the tree and Teddie's just wrapped tinsel around my dad..." he breaks off, and Teddie felt her heart clench in her chest.

Astoria closed her eyes again and took a deep breath. She stayed like that for a second before moving her wrist. "Expecto Patronum," she whispered, peeking through her eyelids as a second sliver of silver mist escaped from her wand. She held her breath as a shape started to form, and spun around so fast, throwing her arms around Mason, almost toppling him over as a chestnut mare cantered around the room, shaking it's mane and whinnied loudly.

"Oh!" Daphne gasped as, with a booming bark, a large dog with floppy ears and sad eyes plopped itself down at her feet. "What are you? You're so cute!"

"It's a Basset Hound," said Teddie, wandering over. "They're really cute dog."

Daphne gave a lopsided grin and knelt down beside the Patronus, she reached out and skimmed her fingers across its head, feeling the warmth it gave off. "That does sound like me," she said.

Teddie smiled and turned to Theo. "Shall we do it together?" she asked.

Theo nodded and reached for her hand, tangling his fingers between hers and closing his eyes. Teddie did the same, thinking back and reaching deep for the happiest of memories that she could muster, and pulling it to the forefront of her mind.

"Teddie, was jarred awake by the loud cries of her brother. She tossed back her covers, slipped out of her bed and wandered across the room, clutching a stuffed teddy in her hands. Carefully, she eased open her bedroom door and crept along the hall to her parents room.

Her dad snored as Teddie opened the door, and her mother was starting to sit up. Rose looked up as the door opened and a small, apologetic smile crept onto her face.

"Sorry for waking you, darling," said Rose quietly. "Do you want to climb into bed here with Daddy, and I'll take care of Mason?"

Teddie shook her head and scurried over to Mason's crib. She peered at her brother through the bars and the second they locked eyes, Mason stopped, a smile coming to his small face.

"I has a present for him," said Teddie, holding up her teddy bear. "Paw Paw keeps me safe when I'm scared. He keep Mason safe, too."

Rose smiled and scooped Teddie up, taking the bear from her and setting it down beside Mason. The baby held onto the arm, yawned, and went back to sleep.