Professor Dumbledore

The rest of the day was a blur. Andy walked through the corridors with his head down, trying to avoid the stares, the whispers that followed him like a shadow. Everywhere he turned, he saw the same mixture of fear and disgust in people's eyes. Teddy was the only one who didn't look at him like he was a monster. He was his friend, his only friend, and even that felt precarious, like a fragile thread that could snap at any moment.

The next was Transfiguration with Professor Patil. Professor Patil was a strict but fair teacher. 

The lesson started with a review of Vanishing Spells. Professor Patil demonstrated the spell with a practiced flick of her wand, making a small silver coin disappear into thin air. "Now, remember," she said, her voice clear and precise, "the key to a successful Vanishing Spell is focus. You must visualize the object disappearing, completely and utterly gone from existence."

They practiced on matchsticks, trying to make them vanish one by one. Andy concentrated, focusing all his energy on the task. For a few moments, he forgot about the whispers, the stares, the weight of his name. He was just a student, trying to master a difficult spell. His matchstick flickered, then vanished. A small sense of accomplishment filled him. 

Professor Patil walked between the desks, observing their progress. When she reached Andy, she paused, her gaze lingering for a moment longer than he was comfortable with. He held his breath, waiting for the inevitable comment, the subtle hint of disapproval. But it never came. She simply nodded and moved on to the next student.

The next period was Defence against the dark arts. It was the first period of Defence against the dark. The new teacher was a complete mystery. No one had seen him. . Teddy and Andy walked together to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, the silence between them heavy. 

The classroom was different from any they had seen before. Instead of the usual dark and imposing space, it was bright and airy, with large windows overlooking the grounds. There were no desks, just a large open space with a raised platform at the front. A hush fell over the room as the door opened and a tall, imposing figure strode in.

He was an older man, with a long, flowing beard that was magnificent. His eyes, though, were what struck Teddy most. They were sharp and piercing, with a hint of sadness in their depths. He wore simple, dark robes, and carried no wand.

"Good morning," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "I am Professor Dumbledore."

The Professor then chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "Not that Dumbledore," he corrected. "I am Aberforth Dumbledore, his… somewhat less illustrious brother."

The tension in the room eased slightly, but the curiosity remained. Aberforth Dumbledore. No one had ever heard of him.

"Now," Professor Dumbledore continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. "I understand there's been some… excitement… in recent days." He paused, his eyes lingering on Andy for a moment before moving on. "Let me be clear. In this classroom, we leave prejudices at the door. We are here to learn to defend ourselves, and each other, against the dark arts. That includes the darkness that lurks within ourselves."

He stepped up onto the platform and gestured to the open space in front of him. "Today, we will begin with the basics. Disarming. It is often the most effective defense, for it allows you to neutralize a threat without causing lasting harm."

He raised his hand, and a student's wand, seemingly summoned from thin air, appeared in his grasp. "The disarming charm. Expelliarmus." He flicked his wrist, and the wand flew across the room, landing softly in his other hand.

"Now, I want you all to pair up," he instructed. "And practice this charm. Remember, focus is key. Visualize the wand leaving your opponent's hand."

Andy looked at Teddy,who gave him a small, hesitant smile. They paired up, and began to practice. Andy found the charm surprisingly easy. Teddy, however, was struggling. His wand kept slipping, and his Expelliarmus attempts were weak and ineffective.

Professor Dumbledore walked around the room, observing the students. He stopped behind Andy and watched him and Teddy for a moment,the he said to Teddy

"You're too tense,Relax your grip. Let the magic flow."

Teddy took a deep breath and tried again. This time, the charm worked. Andy's wand flew into the air, and Teddy caught it with a triumphant grin.

"Well done," Professor Dumbledore said, a hint of approval in his voice. "Remember, practice makes perfect. And in this classroom, you will have plenty of opportunities to practice

"Alright, class dismissed," Professor Dumbledore said after a few more minutes, clapping his hands together. "Excellent work today, everyone. Don't forget to practice your disarming charms – you never know when they might come in handy." As the students began to gather their belongings and file out of the classroom, Professor Dumbledore turned to Teddy and Andy. "Mr. Lupin, Mr. Lestrange," he said, his voice softer now. "I'd like a word with you both. Perhaps you could join me for a cup of tea in my office this afternoon? There are a few things I'd like to discuss." He gave them a knowing look, and then gestured towards the door. "You can leave now

********

The rest of the day passed and the afternoon came. They were now standing Professor Dumbledore's office.The office was circular and cozy, filled with the aroma of old books. Various strange and fascinating objects were scattered about – a collection of intricately carved wooden boxes, a shimmering crystal ball, and what looked suspiciously like a caged Kneazle.

Professor Dumbledore gestured towards two armchairs positioned in front of the fire. "Please, sit down," he said, his voice warm and inviting. He moved behind a large desk and began preparing tea. The silence stretched for a moment, punctuated only by the crackling fire and the gentle ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner.

Andy fidgeted in his seat, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. He avoided Professor Dumbledore's gaze, his heart pounding in his chest. He had a feeling he knew what this was about.

"So," Professor Dumbledore began, once he had poured three cups of tea and settled into the chair opposite them. "I imagine you're both wondering why I asked you here."

Teddy nodded slowly, while Andy remained silent, his eyes fixed on the swirling steam rising from his teacup.

"Mr. Lestrange," Professor Dumbledore said gently, his gaze meeting Andy's. "I understand that you've had a… difficult start to your time at Hogwarts."

Andy swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. "Yes, sir," he whispered.

"The whispers, the stares… it's not easy," Professor Dumbledore acknowledged, his voice laced with sympathy. "Especially given your… family history."

Andy flinched at the mention of his family. He knew what they thought of him. He was a Lestrange, a name synonymous with darkness and evil.

"I know what my parents did," Andy said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know they… they hurt a lot of people."

"And do you believe you are like them?" Professor Dumbledore asked, his eyes searching Andy's.

Andy looked up, startled by the question. "No," he said firmly. "I'm not. I would never… I would never do the things they did."

Professor Dumbledore nodded slowly. "I believe you, Mr. Lestrange. I see a different boy in you. A boy who is kind, and brave, and… lost."

Andy's eyes welled up with tears. He had never expected anyone at Hogwarts to see him as anything other than a Lestrange.

"You remind me of someone," Professor Dumbledore continued, his voice taking on a wistful tone. "My sister, Ariana."

Teddy and Andy exchanged surprised glances. They had never heard Professor Dumbledore mention a sister before.

"Ariana was… different," Professor Dumbledore explained. "She was what some might call a Squib. Unable to perform magic. She was… misunderstood. Feared, even, by some. Just like you, Andy."

Andy's breath hitched. He had never thought of himself as being anything like a Squib, but Professor Dumbledore's words resonated with him. He knew what it was like to be feared, to be judged for something he couldn't control.

"People can be cruel, Andy," Professor Dumbledore said softly. "They see a name, a family history, and they make assumptions. They don't bother to look deeper, to see the person beneath."

He paused, taking a sip of his tea. "But I see you, Andy. And I believe you deserve a chance. A chance to prove that you are not your parents. A chance to build your own life, your own identity."

Andy nodded, tears streaming down his face now. He felt a weight lifting from his shoulders, a sense of hope he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Thank you, sir," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

"There will be challenges," Professor Dumbledore warned. "There will be people who will never accept you. But you are not alone. You have friends, like Teddy here, who believe in you." He smiled at Teddy, who returned the smile warmly.

"And you have me," Professor Dumbledore added. "I will not pretend that I understand entirely what you are going through, Andy, but I will do everything I can to support you."

He stood up and walked over to Andy, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Remember, Andy," he said gently. "Your past does not define you. It is what you do with your future that truly matters."

Andy nodded, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. He looked at Teddy, then back at Professor Dumbledore. For the first time since arriving at Hogwarts, he felt a flicker of hope. He wasn't just Andy Lestrange, son of Death Eaters. He was Andy, a boy who wanted to learn, to be brave, to be a good friend. And maybe, just maybe, he could.