The Life and Times of Edward Lupin

Journey on the Hogwarts Express

Teddy stood on platform nine and three-quarters, looking around half in awe, half in terror. Because of his metamorphic powers, he hadn't been allowed to go to a Muggle primary school. He had never been around so many people his age
"Teddy, it's nearly eleven. You need to get on the train" said Ginny, looking at her watch
Both she and Harry had taken time off work to see him off. James, Albus and Lily were with their grandparents. Even his grandfather Lyall had come down from Wales
"I'm scared" he admitted
"So were we when first came to Hogwarts" said Gran, and Harry and Ginny nodded
"But, I promise, these will be some of the best years of your life," said Harry
"Besides, we'll write to you all the time. You'll probably get bored with us" laughed Ginny

"What if they don't like me?" he said quietly
"Teddy, you're a good kid" said Lyall "if anyone says otherwise, they're not worth your time"
He smiled
"Okay"

"Teddy! Wait!"
The five of them turned to see Victoire hurtling down the platform towards them. Fleur was behind her, struggling to keep up. Victoire reached them and jumped into Teddy's arms, hugging him hard. Teddy had to stagger back several steps, but he hugged back all the same
"She 'ad forgotten that Teddy was leaving today" said Fleur, who had caught up and clearly had a stitch in her side

"Teddy, I'll miss you so much!" said Victoire, who had let go of him
Teddy went red when he saw that she had tears in her eyes
"It's only a few months, and then I'll be back for Christmas" he said soothingly "and I'll write to you all the time"
"It's not the same" said Victoire
"I know, but you only have to wait two years, and then you'll be coming to Hogwarts with me!"
The thought seemed to cheer up Victoire, and she gave him a small smile

Teddy heard a whistle blow from somewhere. He gave Gran, Lyall, Harry and Ginny quick hugs before jumping onto the train. Ginny shut the door behind him. Teddy opened the widow and leaned out of it
"Teddy, I put something in your case last night" said Harry
"What?" asked Teddy
"It's a surprise," said Harry, grinning
The train started to move away from the group
"See you at Christmas!" Teddy yelled
He was pretty sure that Gran had yelled something back, but he couldn't hear it. The group waved at him until the train turned a corner and out of sight

He leaned back into the train and stared at the countryside hurtling past the window. He was right at the back of the train - next to the toilets. Thank goodness he was, for he only just managed to push his way through the door before he started retching, his hands braced on either side of a sink. He wasn't actually sick, which was a relief, as he didn't know any cleaning spells, but he felt just as ill. There had been so many people on that platform, so many faces he didn't recognise, so many eyes fixed on him. What was he supposed to do, say to any of them? He had never made a single friend in his life - he had grown up with a friend, but she was far, far away now. He was alone.

He sighed and looked at himself in the mirror. He couldn't be scared. He could do this. Standing up straight, he took a deep breath and left the room. He had left his trunk in the corridor. The owl cage was balanced precariously on top, and Icarus hooted indignantly from inside it
"I'm sorry buddy, I'll let you out when I've found a compartment" he sighed "at least I've got one friend here. In this together, alright?"
He nipped his finger affectionately. Smiling, Teddy held the cage in one hand, his trunk handle in the other, and set off down a corridor

The first compartment was full of rowdy older students, and a younger boy he recognised from somewhere. Teddy scowled - he recognised their type immediately. Unfortunately, it seemed that they did for him as well. One of the older boys spotted him watching them and gave him an obscene gesture
"Go to hell, half-breed!" he growled through the glass "You don't belong here"
The others, bar the younger boy, joined in with his mocking. Teddy rolled his eyes. Honestly. He gave them an over dramatic bow and, as he came back up, gave himself extra sharp teeth. He grinned at them, and the first boy jerked back, going white. Teddy smirked and moved on