Birthday

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of pumpkin spice and the distant rumble of the Hogwarts Express, signaling the approach of Halloween and, more importantly, Teddy's birthday. A buzz of excitement filled the Gryffindor common room, though it was tinged with a nervous undercurrent. Leo was still distant, polite but reserved, and the whispers about Andy hadn't entirely subsided. Teddy, however, was determined to enjoy his special day.

He woke to find a small pile of presents at the foot of his bed. There was a book on advanced Transfiguration from Professor Patil (a surprise, given his struggles in the class), and a brightly wrapped box from his grandmother, Andromeda. Inside, he found a hand-knitted Weasley jumper in his favourite shade of turquoise, and a photograph of his parents, Remus and Tonks, laughing together. A pang of sadness hit him, but he quickly pushed it aside. Today was a day for celebrationAmong the pile of gifts, one stood out to Teddy. It was wrapped in plain brown paper, tied with a simple piece of twine. Teddy picked it up. . Inside, Teddy found a folded piece of parchment. Unfurling it, he saw a complex network of lines and dots, labels and names. With an envelope. The envelope and the gift were both from Harry. 

"This is the Marauder's Map. It shows the entire layout of Hogwarts, every classroom, every secret passage, and even every person within its walls.The password is mischief managed." Teddy grinned, a thrill of excitement coursing through him. This wasn't just a gift; it was a legacy, a connection to his father and his friends, and a key to unlocking the secrets of Hogwarts.

The morning flew by in a blur of presents, games, and sugary treats. Teddy was having a wonderful time,as the afternoon approached, a house-elf popped into the Gryffindor common room. "Mr. Lupin and Mr. Lestrange, sirs," it squeaked, bowing low. "Professor Dumbledore requests your presence in his office for tea."

Teddy and Andy exchanged a nervous glance. Both of them had a slightly uneasy feeling about being summoned together. 

Taking a deep breath, Teddy and Andy followed the house-elf through the winding corridors, towards the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. They paused outside the door, which was slightly ajar, and heard Aberforth's voice.

"Come in, come in," he said, sounding less gruff than usual.

Hesitantly, they pushed the door open and stepped inside. The classroom, usually a space for practicing defensive spells, was transformed. Banners proclaiming "Happy Birthday Teddy!" hung from the ceiling, alongside strings of twinkling lights. A long table was laden with cakes, pastries, and a mountain of presents wrapped in shimmering paper. Fawkes, the phoenix, wasn't present, but a cheerful fire crackled in the hearth.

Aberforth stood by the fireplace, a surprisingly warm smile on his face. "Happy birthday, Teddy," he said, his gaze shifting to Andy. "And welcome, Mr. Lestrange. I thought a small celebration was in order."

Teddy and Andy were both speechless. They had never expected anything like this, especially not from Aberforth, and certainly not in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. "Professor… this is… amazing," Teddy stammered, while Andy simply nodded, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Nonsense, my dear boys," Aberforth chuckled. "Birthdays are important occasions, especially for young wizards. A time for joy, reflection, and of course, cake." He gestured towards the table. "Please, help yourselves. And tell me, how has your first term been so far?"

Teddy and Andy, still slightly overwhelmed, sat down and began to pile their plates with treats. They told Aberforth about their classes, their struggles (and successes) with various spells, and their experiences navigating the social dynamics of Hogwarts. Aberforth listened attentively, occasionally offering words of encouragement and advice. He seemed particularly interested in how they were both settling in, and how their friendship was progressing.

As the party drew to a close, Aberforth raised his glass. "To Teddy," he said, his voice ringing out across the classroom. "May your future be bright, filled with magic, friendship, and adventure. And to Andy," he added, turning his gaze to him. "May you find your own path, and prove to the world that family history does not define a person."

They echoed the toast, raising their glasses in salute. Teddy and Andy's hearts were full of delight. This was the best birthday they could have asked for. A celebration of friendship, acceptance, and the magic of Hogwarts.

Halloween approached after some days.The Great Hall was transformed. Giant pumpkins grinned down from the enchanted ceiling, casting flickering shadows that danced with the floating candles. Cobwebs draped across the rafters, shimmering with captured light, and the air crackled with the festive magic of Halloween. A feast fit for kings (or, more accurately, witches and wizards) adorned the long tables. Roasted turkeys, plump and glistening, shared space with mountains of treacle tarts, pumpkin pasties, and cauldron cakes oozing with chocolate frosting. Goblets overflowed with pumpkin juice and butterbeer, and the chatter of excited students filled the hall..

The Halloween feast was a welcome distraction from the lingering awkwardness. Professor Macmillan, dressed as a particularly flamboyant gnome, conducted the Hogwarts choir, who sang a medley of spooky songs, complete with dramatic shrieks and cackles. Professor McGonagall, in her usual severe manner, awarded House points for particularly impressive costumes (though she did deduct a few for some of the more… explosive pranks).

As the feast progressed, Teddy found himself relaxing, caught up in the festive atmosphere. . He even joined in a spirited debate about the merits of different types of broomsticks, forgetting, for a moment, the weight of the past weeks.

But even amidst the revelry, a shadow lingered. The whispers about Andy hadn't completely died down, and the memory of his parents, so vividly brought to life by the photograph from his grandmother, was a bittersweet ache in his heart. He knew that the joy of the day, the magic of Hogwarts, couldn't erase the pain of his loss. But, as he looked around the Great Hall, at the faces of his friends, at the legacy of his parents embodied in the map clutched in his hand, he also knew that he wasn't alone. He had a family, a community, and a future to look forward to. And, as the pumpkin carving competition began, with students enthusiastically conjuring all manner of grotesque and hilarious faces, Teddy allowed himself to simply enjoy the moment, the magic, and the sweet taste of Halloween