The Enemy of my Enemy

The Funeral

Teddie lingered in the shadows of the Entrance Hall and checked her watch. Harry should've been here ten minutes ago. She withdrew as she heard approaching footsteps, her furrowing as she saw Slughorn hurrying across the Hall and disappear through the Great Oak doors.

Where's he going? Teddie thought, ducking back as Cruise and Melanie walked by.

"You're sure she said she was going to Hagrid's?" Melanie asked.

"Yes. She asked if I would accompany her," said Cruise. "I said no, of course, but I should've guessed she would try and sneak out."

Melanie cracked a smile.

"It's not funny!" Cruise protested. "This girl is a thorn in my side. I've done tons of protection details, but Teddie Green takes the biscuit when it comes down to it."

"You care about her," said Melanie. "And that scares you."

"I care about all my chargers, Melanie."

"I know, but Teddie is different. Cerberus told her enough about her during his term as her guard, and now you're scared of losing her like she lost him."

Cruise huffed and didn't respond as they disappeared out into the grounds.

Teddie frowned after them. Cruise knew Cerberus, and they had spoken about her before? Did that mean that Cerberus was planning on leave her as an Advanced Guard before he had been murdered? Or did he plan on adding more Advanced Guards?

"You look sad."

Teddie jumped and turned to face Harry, only his head was visible above the Invisibility Cloak. "You're late!" she said.

"Sorry. Got caught up in the common room," said Harry. He made room for her beneath the cloak and the pair headed outside. "Why do you look sad?"

Teddie shook her head. "I'm not sad. I'm curious," she said. "Slughorn just left the Castle, not ten minutes before you arrived, and after him came Cruise and Melanie - oh, they'll probably be at Hagrid's waiting for us, by the way."

"I'm surprised they let you come along."

"They didn't," said Teddie. "I snuck out. But Cruise had an inkling I would and decided to follow me. He thinks I am already down there."

"Oh, so, you're in trouble?"

Teddie shrugged. "Wouldn't be a normal year at Hogwarts if I didn't sneak out at least once," she said.

Harry bit back a smile. "Wait, did you say Slughorn left the castle before them?" he asked. "Why?"

"Dunno. Hey, look, there he is now," said Teddie, spotting the Potions Master loitering around the Greenhouses.

"Let's see what he's up to," said Harry.

As the duo grew closer, they noticed that Slughorn was with Professor Sprout. They lurked behind a low stone wall, listening to the conversation.

". . . I do thank you for taking the time, Pomona," Slughorn was saying courteously. "Most authorities agree that they are at their most efficacious if picked at twilight. "

"Oh, I quite agree," said Professor Sprout warmly. "That enough for you?"

"Plenty, plenty," said Slughorn, he was carrying an armful of leafy plants. "This should allow for a few leaves for each of my third years, and some to spare if anybody over-stews them. Well, good evening to you, and many thanks again!"

As Professor Sprout headed off in the direction of her greenhouses, Slughorn directed his steps towards the Castle.

"What are we going to do?" Teddie asked. "If he sees us, he'll scarper or worse, report us for being out of bounds without a teacher."