The Enemy of my Enemy

The Meeting with Dumbledore

"Do you know what a Horcrux is?"

Teddie furrowed her brow at Harry. "What makes you think I would know?" she asked.

"Because you're the Charms enthusiast, aren't you?"

Teddie rolled her eyes. "Look, I haven't come across any charms that are to do with Horcruxes, and Dumbledore said we wouldn't find them in the school library, so I'm guessing they aren't on the curriculum," she said. "Besides, he wants us to get it from Slughorn.

"What makes you think Slughorn is going to listen to us?" Harry asked. "If he has tried to modify it so it makes him look good when it concerns Riddle, I hardly doubt he is going to make himself look bad for us."

Teddie sighed. He had a point. She walked between the bookshelves in the library, returning her Charms books, and taking out new ones for the new lot of essays they had received that day.

"What about Professor Snape?" Teddie asked, suddenly. "If Professor Slughorn is trying to cover up a mistake and make himself look good in the eyes of whomever sees that memory, then we can chance a guess and say that Horcruxes are something bad, right?"

Harry looked thoughtful and nodded. "Yeah, I suppose," he said. "But, what does Professor Snape have to do with anything?"

"Well, Dark objects would come under the Defence Against the Dark Arts banner, wouldn't they?" Teddie asked. "We can ask Professor Snape what a Horcrux is, and then confront Professor Slughorn."

"Like he is going to tell me about Horcruxes," said Harry. "But he might tell you? I mean, didn't he give you Gillyweed in fourth year when you asked for it?"

"I think Professor Snape would draw the line at even me on this subject," said Teddie. "He's a good teacher, but there are things that not even we should know about."

"Can't you try?" Harry asked.

Teddie huffed and set down her books. "I can," she agreed. "He may be curious as to why I want to know, but don't worry, I won't say anything about Slughorn or Dumbledore."

Harry sighed in relief. He then paused, cocked his head to the side and stared at Teddie, curiously. "Why are you meeting with him tonight?" he asked. "Is everything okay?"

Teddie nodded. "Yeah. I'm just having defence training with him. I know it hasn't slipped your notice that I don't participate in group activities during class."

"I had noticed," said Harry. "Why is that?"

"My shield," said Teddie. "It's a complicated story, but it's to do with my shield. By the way, didn't get a chance to ask you last night. How was Christmas?"

"It was good. I spent it with Ron and his family," said Harry. "You? I know it's a hard holiday for you."

"It was okay," said Teddie, half shrugging. "We visited my parents graves on New Year's Day, which is also Mason's birthday, so I know he appreciated it."

"I'm sorry that happened to you, Ted," said Harry, reaching for her hand. He squeezed it.

"Thanks." Teddie checked her watch. "I better check these books out and head back to the common room. It's getting late and Snape is expecting me at eight. I'll come find you tomorrow if I manage to find anything out."

Harry nodded and stepped aside, allowing Teddie to pass him and disappear from the library. He sighed and looked down at the book in his hands. Hopefully Teddie would be able to find something out from Snape, otherwise they were back at square one.

~X~

Closing her eyes, Teddie took a deep breath and raised her wand. She could hear Professor Snape's narrowed breathing from across the room, the shuffle of his footsteps as he walked around her, circling her, and watching her every move. When he was back in front of her, Teddie reopened her eyes and met his gaze.