American Teen-the Sequel

Teddy Lupin

"Teddy-that's the wrong one!" I shouted as I saw my 11 year old son slam into a brick wall in the middle on a train station. "George are you behind this?" The snickering behind me confirmed my suspicions. "You shouldn't do this on his first day"

"But you have to admit that was kinda funny though"

"Oh it was" A smile cracked on my face. 

"Moooooom. Dad told me that was the entrance to the platform! Did I do something wrong?" Teddy complained. His hair turned a light pink from embarrassment to match his cheeks. 

"No, sweetie. Your father is just an idiot. Now let's get you onto the train" I walked hand in hand with Teddy to the platform. For ease, we decided to leave our other two children with Molly. All three of them take after Fred and George back in the day. You could include me in that. And, for Teddy, you could include Tonks and Remus. Let's just say these children have quite the reputation to uphold; for the most part they do. We took them all on a shopping trip for Teddy's supplies and, long story short, they destroyed a few places. 

The platform, per usual, was packed with families saying goodbyes. The train hadn't changed in all the years since I've been on it. I guess when it's magic there's no improvements to be made. I fondly recalled my first time riding the train: the bustle, the trolley cart, the new friendships, the jokes, the banter, and love at first sight. 

"Earth to Margaret" George called. I snapped out of my daydream and back into reality. "Remembering everything?"

"It's surreal to be back here. I feel like I'm a child again."

"A lot of good things happened on that train. I met you for the first time in one of those compartments."

"And to think if I sat somewhere else. My life could potentially be so much better"

"I know-wait? Better? Your life could potentially be so much BETTER? Teddy! Are you hearing this?" In true Weasley-Hughes family fashion, George was being overly dramatic and causing a scene. "I can't believe it." 

Teddy looked about ready to crawl into a hole. He usually doesn't mind. Years and years of embarrassing moments caused by George and I taught him well. I'm assuming it's just the nerves of meeting new people. I knelt down beside him to try to calm his fears. "Teddy? You know we love you. You're going to have a great time at Hogwarts. I know it. If you're worried about making friends, don't be. Everyone will love you. I know I do. You're funny and brilliant. And if plan A doesn't work there's always plans B and C."

"What are plans B and C" he asked.

"Well, they're interchangeable depending on how much of a bi-bully they are"

"Nice save" George whispered. 

"Shut up Weasley" I whispered back. "Depending on how much of a bully they are, you can choose either one. Plan B is the fact that your father owns the best jokeshop in all of Britian-quite possibly the whole wizarding world. And the fact that your mother is the most badass, incredibly, fantastic person to ever exist."

"What happened to not cursing in front of the children until they're old enough?"

"There's simply no other way to describe me George. What other word can encompass all my amazing qualities as much as badass? It truly fits me. One more interruption from you and I'm going to send you off to Hogwarts with him." Teddy turned ghostly pale at the thought of that-and it wasn't because of his metamorphogus abilities. "Continuing on, if these people are the worst you've ever met in your life, you can use a favorite of your Aunts: the Bat-Bogey Hex. Now I know you don't have much practice with the whole 'underage magic' thing, but you know the wand movement and incantation. I suggest you find a place to practice before you try to cast it on someone. Don't want your first time to be too embarrassing or awkward because you don't know what you're doing. Experience will get you there though"

"Is that really how you wanted to phrase that?" George asked.

"What did I say about interrupting me?"

"I'm just saying that that little speech could be interpreted differently."

"Well maybe I'm just trying to hit two birds with one stone. I remember your first time. Wasn't the most gracious."

"That wasn't my first time."

"Really? That's even more embarrassing" I turned my attention back to Teddy as George grasped his chest in shock. 

"It wasn't that bad, was it?" I smirked. It wasn't that bad at all. 

"George this is not the time for discussion. Now do you have anything to say to the eleven year old child standing in front of us or not?"

"You were the one who brought it up" He mumbled under his breathe. "Teddy, I know it can be a bit overwhelming. But you'll do great. And I packed you enough pranking supplies to last you for at least a month. Owl me when you need a refill. And don't go giving them away free to your friends because then I'll make you pay. And I'll know because not even Uncle Fred and I could use this many supplies in less than a month. And we pulled at least one prank a day, if not more. And unlike your mom, all the teachers loved me so don't be afraid to bring up my name."

"Oooooh that is SUCH a LIE! Pay attention Teddy because I'm about to demonstrate the Bat-Bogey Hex for you" With a quick wave of my wand, George had bats flying out of his nostrils.

"Oh you better run Margaret." George said. 

"Teddy let's go!" I grabbed Teddy's hand and started sprinting through the station which caused all the parents to look at us again. Hey-free entertainment. I stepped behind a pillar and dragged Teddy next to me. He was laughing so hard he could barely stand up. 

"Okay Teddy, you need to get on the train now. Hurry before George finds me because I think I'll die." I pulled him in for a tight hug. "I love you so much. Say Hi to McGonagall for me" Suddenly a felt my heart cave as two steady hands squeezed my shoulders and I let out a scream. Then I heard an all too familiar laugh behind me. 

"George Fabian Weasley! Why would you do that? And Edward Remus Lupin! You 100% saw him coming and didn't warn me! Is that how you repay your own mother! I might not have given birth to you but I certainly raised you better than this." I shook my head with a mock look of disappointment as Teddy continued to laugh at my outburst."You better watch your back at Christmas kiddo 'cause I'm already planning my revenge." 

"What if I don't come back for Christmas?" He asked with some sass. 

"That doesn't mean I won't still get you. I can be very resourceful if I want to be Teddy. Very resourceful."

"But if you manage to make Filch retire before then, I'm sure she'll forgive you, right dear?" George said.

"Of course. Now Teddy, say one more goodbye and get on the train. Don't want you being late." He gave each of us one final hug before racing off to the train. I'll miss the little rascal. 

"So what house do you think he'll be in?" George asked.

"Who knows. He takes after his mom a lot, so maybe Hufflepuff."

"I think he'll be Gryffindor.'

"Wanna bet?"

"5 galleons?"

"You're on."