The Enemy of my Enemy

The Second Wizarding War Begins

Avery Sutherland grinned, a victorious, cat-like, sinister grin that would've caused many to turn tail and run. But she didn't, she remained rooted to the spot, her fingers closing around her wand.

"I wouldn't do that," said Avery. "I mean, you wouldn't want to kill us both, would you?"

Brow furrowed; she turned as movement caught the corner of her eye. Her heart stopped as Mason shuffled forward, his arms held behind his back by a surviving Death Eater.

"Ted...?" Mason whimpered. He had a cut on his head that was bleeding profusely, along with a busted lip. His eyes were shrouded in fear and... confusion?

"Let him go," she said, turning back to Avery. "He has nothing to do with this."

"But he does," said Avery. "You see, young Mason here is the key. The key to unlocking your full potential. The longer he lives, the more trouble you cause."

"What are you talking about?"

Avery motioned around her. "This, little one. This is all because of you," she explained. "All this pain and suffering. All because you are not in control. But imagine the chaos you could bring if you, were you? The level of control you would have... our victory would be glorious, and no one would dare try and cross us again."

"You want me?" she asked. "Then take me. Only me."

Avery looked considerate for a second. She then smirked and raised her hand, pointing it directly at Mason. "No..." she said, snapping her fingers.

Before anyone could do anything, Mason twisted and, with a loud crack slumped over onto the floor. Neck broken and his last dying scream silent on his lips.

Teddie woke with a scream.

Her door crashed open, one from the adjoining bedroom and the other from the landing. Both Theo and Mason stood there, their eyes bleary from sleep, hair a mess, and pyjamas ruffled.

"What happened?" they asked simultaneously.

Teddie breathed heavily and sat up. Tears had pooled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Her hands were shaking, and she scrambled out of bed and over to Mason. She wrapped him in a hug, earning more confusion from the pair.

"Ted, what happened?" Mason repeated, hugging her firmly back.

"I saw - I saw - you..." Teddie said between breaths. "Avery, she -"

"She what?" Mason asked, pulling back.

Teddie took another shuddering breath and wiped at her eyes. "She killed you," she said.

"What?" Theo asked. "Why?"

"I don't..." Teddie shook her head. The nightmare was fading fast, and she could barely remember the specifics. Only thing she could remember was Mason's face as he died.

Mason clutched his sister again. "It was just a dream," he said. "Right?"

Teddie nodded although she was unsure. At this point in her life she wasn't sure what was real or not. Before now things had always been easy to tell the difference - dreams weren't something that she always remembered, or at least didn't wake her up screaming. But ever since her first year at Hogwarts, she had been experiencing nightmares due to trauma, and she couldn't tell the difference between them and normal dreams anymore.

Everything was a trauma response, at least that is what it felt like.

"Do you want me to stay?" Mason asked.