The Secrets of the Map

The Train Ride

       WARNING: From here on out, this story does NOT match with the Cursed Child. Just wanted to let you guys know so no one got confused😁

       "Do you have it?" James pressed as soon as the twin started moving.
       Teddy's mind was still on Victoire. "Have what?"
       "The map, you moron. I want to know how it works before school starts-"
      "Keep your voice down," Teddy warned, looking around. "I'll show you later, I promise. You can't go around in the first day using it, though-they won't forget that first day prank you pulled last year."
     James rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll play nice. Where're you sitting?"
"I'll sit with you guys," Teddy replied. He'd have plenty of time later to sit with his Hufflepuff friends, and besides, Al needed more support than his brother would offer.
    James nodded and the two of them headed down the hallway of the compartment. On the way down they passed the trolley lady, and Teddy saw James' hand slip towards its compartments.
"Saw that," Teddy accused as soon as they were out of earshot.
"She didn't," he replied, taking a bite out of the eclair. "Don't complain, I got one for you too."
He tossed one to Teddy, who caught it with ease. "Dunno why you steal from her anyway-she's a sweet old lady."
"Yeah, but she doesn't give free stuff."
Teddy laughed. "Only because she knows you ask for some every year."
"Whatever, I'm saving money this way."
James opened the door to the compartment, and Teddy went inside to see a nervous Al and another mischievous-looking boy with black, curly hair and a striking resemblance to one of George's friends, Lee. "You got one for me, right?" He asked immediately, and James tossed him a frog. Al watched James' hand eagerly, but when he didn't seem to have any more he slumped into his seat dejectedly. James sat next to Lee, and the two of them immediately began talking, leaving Al sitting alone on the other seat.
Teddy immediately sat down next to Al and broke his eclair in half. "Want some? I'm not that hungry."
Al hesitated before taking the half gratefully. "Thanks. How come you're not sitting with your other friends?"
He shrugged. "I'll be with them with the rest of the year-figured I might as well endure a train ride with you two while I can."
Al smiled, and Teddy smiled back. For a brief instant, Teddy saw himself in Al's small school robes, on his way to school for the first time, not knowing anyone. At least Al knew someone.
Still, he understood how it felt to be alone. "You gonna try out for Quidditch?" He asked, figuring it was best to keep his mind off of the sorting.
    Wrong question. Al shrank back like a turtle hiding in its shell. He shrugged miserably. "Dunno. Everyone keeps expecting me to hop on a broom and become a natural like everybody else, but I kinda doubt that'll happen."
    "Come on, you've got two great Quidditch players for parents. There's gotta be some good genes in you."
     Al shrugged again, and Teddy quickly saw he was becoming uncomfortable. "Well, if you don't want to, that's alright. We don't need another Harry."
    Al's head jerked to Teddy in surprise, and Teddy held his stare before asking, "What're you most excited to see?"
     "Ummm...not sure. I guess the Common Room. James keeps acting like it's a big secret."
      "What about me?" James asked.
      "Just that you haven't told him anything about the Common Room," Teddy explained.
      "It's a secret!" He protested, and Teddy and Al shared a raised eyebrow.
      "Fine, what does the Hufflepuff one look like, then?" James retorted.
      "Yellow banners," Teddy replied, thinking through his answer. "Lots of plants, and some window gardens."
      "That's it?" James said after a moment.
      "Hey, all you told me about yours was that it was red."
      "That's cause you didn't tell me about yours! What else?"
      Thankfully, Rose stopped by afterwords and started arguing with James instead. Teddy could have told him of how the walls were made of a smooth wood, and how the sun shone through the windows onto the golden tapestries. Or of the lofts they got to sleep in, which had railings covered with vines that gave Teddy the impression of sleeping in a treehouse. But he, like James, wasn't sure how much he was allowed to reveal of his Common Room, and preferred secrets over betrayal.
     After a few minutes, Teddy noticed Al getting up. "Where you going?"
    "To find Hugo. You can go and find your friends now if you want."
     Teddy nodded, and got up as well to leave, pausing as he saw Al disappear down the train car. He couldn't help feeling a little worried for the kid-Al was different than the others. He wasn't funny like Hugo or James, or smart like Lily or Rose. And he never seemed to be interested in Quidditch. Wherever those Potter genes were, they were buried deep within. Teddy could only hope he'll do alright, especially with a reputation like that to live up to.
Reluctantly, he turned and found his friends. Tom, Alejandro, Victory, and Heather were already talking eagerly, and Tom hastily scooted over to make room for him.
"The Slytherins have not gotten better," Alejandro was arguing. He was a passionate beater, with a stocky build and an intense dislike towards Slytherins when it came to Quidditch. "Their Captain keeps making risky plays that don't work out."
"Any idea who the captain for this year's team is gonna be?" Asked Teddy curiously.
"Me," Victory declared, smiling proudly as everyone stared.
Finally Teddy smiled and gave her a fist bump. "Nice."
"YES," Alejandro exclaimed, high giving her. "And we'll have good luck with your name too-awesome."
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?!" Heather demanded, impatiently brushing away her frizzy blond curls.
"Because she wanted to be dramatic," Tom replied, making everyone laugh as Victory rolled her eyes. Teddy was honestly happy for her. Out of all of them she definitely worked the hardest at practice, and was an amazing Chaser. Other than Alejandro, there were few others that were as dedicated to the team as she.
"Just don't go easy on us if we slack off," Teddy added.
"Says the Keeper," Alejandro retorted. "All you do is save balls-you move like ten feet the whole game!"
"For your information, the Keeper and the Seeker are the most important players in the game because there's only one of them," Teddy fought back, smiling. "Everyone else is expendable."
Heather burst out in laughter as Alejandro's mouth moved furiously to try and come back with an insult, but none came.
"Nice one," Tom replied, fist bumping Teddy, who grinned triumphantly.
"Anyways, no one will be slacking on my team," Victory added, flipping her braids confidently over her shoulder. "You all will be working at least twice as hard than last year."
"As long as we beat Gryffindor, I'm in," Alejandro vowed, and Teddy grinned. He kept his mouth shut around the Potters and Weasleys, but when he reached the train his Hufflepuff pride immediately came out. Gryffindor seemed fun and all, but it was time for his house to win the Cup.
     They began bantering again, but this time Teddy wasn't listening. Victoire was walking outside, arguing with Henri, who was smirking. As she turned away, fuming mad, Henri suddenly grabbed her wrist, continuing to hold it when she yelled to let go.
    Before he knew it Teddy had leaped to his feet and yelled a curse aimed straight towards Henri.

Ooo boy, some tension coming! Hope you guys liked this chapter-comments are appreciated. Thanks for all the reads-you guys ROCK!