The Horror at Raven Creek

Boys and girls of every age
wouldn't you like to see something strange
Come with us and you will see,
this our town of Halloween

This is Halloween

The Nightmare before Christmas

Danny Elfman.

Chapter 1: The Agony of an Apprentice

Tapping his fingers nervously against a goblet that had just been emptied of water, a young man with waist-long blue hair read the newspaper in a darkened hallway of the Auror Headquarters. His hair made him look like some sort of a blue hedgehog, and it drew the attention of the other five people who joined him in that room. He tried to look cool and quiet, but the truth was that despite that he didn’t care what other people thought about the way he looked, he was as nervous as he had never been before in his life; something major was about to happen. Luckily for his mental health, he found an article that caught his attention and allowed his mind to forget about his current state.

Major Changes within the Ministry

Madame Lochmeyer, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement until yesterday, retired two weeks after her official announcement was made. Claiming she is concerned about her health and that she wants to see her grandchildren grow, Madame Lochmeyer cleared the fog about the rumours that had been going around for weeks. Madame Lochmeyer was a valuable asset to the Ministry, her main contributions being the re-design of Azkaban prison, the creation and training of the Protectors, a group of highly qualified wizards who have replaced the Dementors as Azkaban Guardians, and many other contributions for the safekeeping of the Wizarding community. To fill the gap her retirement causes, Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, has promoted Chief Auror Thomas Bones. Mr. Bones, nephew of the former Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the late Amelia Bones, has declared he feels honoured to be given the opportunity and will give the best of his efforts to fulfil the expectations such a position demands. Meanwhile, the empty spot as Head of the Auror Headquarters will go to none other than the living legend, Harry Potter. Mr. Potter, who has excelled as an Auror for over twenty years, has not made a public statement yet. However, the people all around the country are excited to hear about his promotion. With all these changes, the Ministry seems a bit refreshed, and the citizens look forward to see these new names work on behalf of the community.

Well, that was a tough choice, but I think they got it right. At that moment, the door blasted open and a man with dark hair and eyes entered the room, his dark cloak waving behind him. He looked as if he were in a bad mood.

“On your feet, you lot,” the man spoke, and the young people gathered in the room obeyed swiftly, forming a line in front of the Auror. All of them wore a badge on their left arm; it was a carved, bronze circle on a blue fabric. “My name is Archer Harris, and from now, I shall be your worst nightmare, savvy?”

The man started to walk slowly in front of the line, stopping briefly before each of them to look at each one in the eyes.

“So, the six of you have successfully cleared your previous examinations to become Aurors. I didn’t expect less after three years of strenuous efforts from you. Today, you have the chance to surpass one last obstacle in your quest of leaving those rookie badges behind and become Auror Trainees. Today is your final test: Combat and Survival. But guess what?” He stopped to look at them with a somewhat menacing and mocking smile. “If you fail this test, say goodbye to an Auror career.”

Then, Harris stepped up right in front of the blue-haired man. “What’s with the hair, Mr. Lupin?”

None of your bloody business. “Is there a problem with it, sir?”

“I have no problem with it. But I must warn you that due to the nature of the test, it will mean a disadvantage, for it will make you noticeable.”

Teddy Lupin stared at the impassive face of Archer Harris, and finally changed his hair to a short, combed, black hairstyle. It was the exact replica of Harris’ hairstyle.

“Good one,” Harris said, still grinning and kept walking.

“As I was saying to young Mr. Lupin, fail today and all your previous hard work will be worth no more than the dirt under my shoes. Now, this test will be simple in nature, but extreme in application. All of you will be taken to a secure forest location. There, you’ll have to survive three days without being caught. If you do so, you’ll be one step closer to your goal.”

A young girl, next to Teddy, raised her hand and spoke in a small voice, “Sorry, sir, but who or what will be chasing us?”

Archer Harris turned to look at her, smiling widely. “Me.”

Seeing the shocked expression of the girl, Teddy Lupin wondered if she knew who Archer Harris was. Harris was an elite Auror. He had been one of the youngest Duel Champions ever. He had also been one of the trainees of Uncle Ron, who had more than once commented on Archer’s skills when it came to battle. Actually, if Teddy recalled correctly, the only wizard in the Auror Headquarters clearly better than Archer at fighting, was none other than Teddy’s Godfather, Harry Potter. I have a feeling this test is going to be anything but a run on the mill. 

“So,” continued Mr. Harris. “In the closet over there you’ll find the necessary supplies to survive three days in the wilderness. Once at the examination point, you are free to either play the lone wolf or form groups. You won’t be allowed to use Unforgivable Curses, of course, or to summon anything from outside of the location, or to Disapparate from the forest. Other than that, do the best you can. Remember, if I catch you, the jig is up. As soon as you’re ready, my assistants will lead you there. I’ll go ahead first. See you there, kids.” The examiner walked to one corner of the room and turned around to look back at the apprentices. “By the way, I won’t hold back,” he added before Dissaparating.

Teddy didn’t want to wait further and approached the closet before the rest of his comrades. After opening the doors, he was met with the sight of six small backpacks. Picking a random one, he extracted it from the closet, took it to a nearby chair, and began examining its contents. There was fruit, bread, and enough water for three days... nothing more. No healing potions, no bandages, no compass... nothing. Now I see why they call it survival test.

“Do you want to join us once we get there?” asked a young man with sandy blonde hair behind him. His name was Sylvain. During the three years of training, Sylvain, the girl with the soft voice, Wilhelmina, and Teddy had become sort of friends. They had been working together for some years, but this time it would be different.

Teddy knew that the idea of a team fighting this isolated examiner ought to represent higher chances of success. Plus, one should learn teamwork, for there were times when Aurors had to work in groups. However, Teddy had seen through the examiner’s plan.

Those who formed a group were stronger, yes... but the thing was that, if any member of the team got separated, once he showed up again, there would be no way to distinguish between him, the examiner, or the enemy in a real situation. Therefore, he felt he had to relinquish the option his partner had presented him with.

You don’t know what we are getting into, this is going to be hell and it’s better for ourselves if we fight this individually. “I think it’s best if we fend for ourselves for now,” Teddy told Sylvain, who stared back at him disappointed while Mina trembled.

“I thought we were mates, Ted, why are you running out on us now?” said Sylvain, coldly.

That doesn’t mean we have to do everything together, does it? “We are, but being together at this will only make it more difficult.”

“Yeah? Explain!” Sylvain approached him.

“I agree that, if we go there as a team, we have a better chance to fight off a single individual and avoid getting caught. But, he doesn’t have to catch the three of us to defeat us, merely separate one. If he manages to do that, our strength will become our weakness, for he will use our bonds to get to us. We would never suspect of each other, so we wouldn’t know if there’s Polyjuice potion involved until it is too late. Or he might threaten two of us with hurting the other if we don’t give up, and he can do it without actually having to capture the third one. Now, do you see my point?”

Sylvain didn’t seem to be fully convinced. He turned to look at Mina who was rubbing her temple in circles, as she usually did when she was stressed. “As much as I hate to admit it, I think Teddy is right, Syl.”

Sylvain still seemed doubtful, so he turned to look at Teddy again, who was already making his way to the Aurors who would lead him to the location of the test.

“Why are you so sure?” Teddy heard Sylvain ask from behind him. Teddy answered without turning around, a bit surprised with the harshness in his answer. But he was even more surprised that this was the first time in that afternoon that the first answer that came to his mind was also the one he actually voiced out. “Because I would do the same.”

***

By the night of the first day, Teddy had already seen flashes of light in different places of the forest. According to his calculations, at least three people had met up with the examiner, but it was impossible to know the outcome of the duels or who would be the next one.

Teddy laid uncomfortably on a hard rock in a small clearing of a group of rocks atop a small hill. He had chosen that location because he could survey a large area of the forest from there. Also, the hardness of the rock proved useful in stopping him from actually falling asleep; he needed to stay awake. During the day he had walked in the darkest and most secluded paths he had found, assured that it would keep the examiner off his back for a while.

Though dry leaves and small pieces of wood were abundant, Teddy hadn’t wanted to light up a fire to avoid it being used as a lead by the examiner. As Archer Harris had stated it, Teddy’s priorities were clear, if he managed to avoid being captured for three days, the promotion to full-fledged Auror was his.

Yeah, that was surely the easiest course. But Ted Lupin had never liked taking the easy road, especially when it came to important affairs. Besides, his pride was also on the line. He had taken what he knew of Archer Harris into consideration to develop safety measures. He craved for chance to fight this wizard foe with such formidable reputation.

As Teddy rested his eyes, he admitted there was another reason for wanting to fight Archer Harris. Teddy had thought of Archer Harris as a cocky, rude git who could very well use a proper kick on his arse. Teddy hadn’t liked Archer’s attitude one bit, and he couldn’t wait for a chance to teach him some manners. I don’t have the foggiest idea how Uncle Ron put up with that git.

Then, Teddy heard the sound of a scorching object approaching and smelled the smoke surrounding him. His eyes still closed, with lighting-quick reflexes, Teddy moved to the side and avoided a fireball that scorched the stone he had just been lying on. Teddy rolled until he landed on top of another stone and looked up; he saw a figure in a black cloak aiming his wand at him.

Teddy, however, was a careful man. He had looked for a spot that not only gave him a good view of the scenario, but also one with a good escape route. His hiding place had proved ineffective, and he was in a disadvantageous position to start a duel. So, he turned around and jumped on another rock behind his hiding spot, just as another fireball passed near his ear, scorching his hair. Once he landed safely, he used his wand to light up a pile of dry leaves he had previously put together and created a smokescreen. Turning around just in time to see Archer’s figure covered by the smoke, Teddy ran downhill as quickly as he could and entered the dense forest below.

He had been taken by surprise and had barely escaped, thus gaining some time. But, as he leaned panting against a dark oak, Teddy wondered.

I was so sure I had picked a nice hiding spot. If he had the time to track me down, will it be because he wants to catch me first, or because I’m the last one? Whatever the answer was, Teddy swallowed hard. Archer Harris was by far the most difficult obstacle he had ever had to face in order to follow his mother’s steps to be an Auror.

***

Back at the Auror Headquarters, Harry Potter tapped his fingers impatiently on his wrist as he watched the sunset. The ticking of the grandfather clock in his office made his heart jump every second.

Teddy, his godson, a kid he had seen grow up much like his own, was now facing the last trial prior to fulfilling his dream.

For the Christmas holidays during Teddy’s fifth year at Hogwarts, he had gone to Harry with a confession: he wanted to become an Auror. He wanted to fight Dark Wizards as his father and mother had done, as Harry still did. Since that day, Harry took time off his agenda to train Teddy in order to prepare him for the task. And Harry watched happily as he realised that Teddy was a natural. Teddy had proven more skilled than Harry himself at the same age. He had been given a strong analytical sense, an instinct to always have a second option should his first idea fail, and most importantly, a cool mind.

Oh, Teddy had his share of a temper, of course. But most of the times, Teddy had proven to be able to calm himself down and think clearly. Well, except for that time he had knocked down several teeth of a bloke who had said something very nasty about Remus and Tonks. As Teddy’s guardian, Harry had been called to Hogwarts, where Headmistress McGonagall and Adhira Indrayani, Transfiguration Professor and current Head of House for Gryffindor, had explained the situation to him.

Teddy had not only beaten the poor sod to a bloody pulp, but had also pushed away Neville, the current Herbology Professor, when he had tried to stop him. Teddy had served detention for the rest of that year: five months of cleaning every lavatory in the school without magic.

Teddy never showed any sign of regret, and sadly that earned him a bit of a reputation as a bully. But Harry and the rest of the Potters and the Weasleys, of course, had always sided with Teddy. Harry couldn’t blame him; he would have done the same.

Harry enjoyed the closeness he shared with Teddy. It somehow was like having Sirius back, only that now Harry was in Sirius’ place. Actually, Teddy was a lot like Sirius... and like Harry himself, if he was totally honest.

As the sun finally hid behind the hills, Harry walked out of his office heading for a different one a few doors to the left. He stopped before a wooden door with a plate on that read: Harris A; Harris A; and Pascal E. Harry knocked on the door and waited for a few seconds before it was opened by a girl in her late twenties. She had dark brown eyes, and her long, straight, dark brown hair hung loosely on her shoulders. She was Annabelle Harris, Archer’s younger sister, a full-fledged Auror and once had been, like her brother, Ron’s trainee. That relationship with Ron had ended up with the brother and sister becoming friends with Harry too.

“Good evening, Mr. Potter,” Anna said with a smile, and moved to the side allowing Harry into the office.

“Good evening, Anna.” Harry entered the office and sat down in the chair in front of her desk. In the far corner of the room, was Archer’s desk. On the wall adjacent to the desk, hung three portraits depicting young men, all of them apprentices, all of them examined by Archer. Under every portrait were several apprentices’ badges. Archer took them from the applicants he had caught in the survival and combat test. There was a badge per every young face in the pictures. Harry shuddered; no apprentice in the last three years had been able to successfully clear Archer’s test.

“Archer isn’t back yet. Normally he is back by the second day, at noon,” said Anna as she served Harry a cup of steaming tea. She sat back in her chair and went back to filling some forms. Harry had gone exactly to see if Archer was back, which normally meant the end of the test, but luckily, he wasn’t. The problem was that, now that he had his answer, Harry didn’t know how to leave without looking rude. Fortunately, Anna saved him the trouble by breaking the silence.

“What have you thought about the offer, Mr. Potter?” she asked, lifting her eyes from her papers. Harry knew she was talking about his promotion to Chief Auror. Harry had more than once dreamt about it, but now he was in a conundrum.

A few hours after he had been offered the post, Hermione had come with the bad news. She had found that the Auror Code forbade the Chief Auror to take on a trainee. Harry wished fervently to take Teddy under his wing and guide him in the profession, but if he accepted that promotion, he would no longer be able to do so.

The problem wasn’t so bad, though. He could leave Teddy under Ron’s care. Harry knew Ron cared a great deal for him and would do a great job without a doubt. In fact, Ron cared for Teddy enough to make him call Ron ‘Uncle’ and Hermione ‘Aunt’. Still, he had wanted to do it himself.

The other choice was to reject the naming; in which case the most obvious candidate was Ron. But somehow, he thought that to be second choice would not sit well with him. Besides, Ron’s opinion was that Harry should take the job. And if Harry rejected the promotion, and so did Ron, Harry didn’t know another Auror who fit the job. Choices like this were never easy.

“I’m still thinking about it,” he finally said, before taking a sip of his tea.

“May I speak my mind?”

“Sure.”

“As much as I respect Ron, I think there is no one better for this job than you, Mr. Potter. You will be responsible for the safety of hundreds of people. Could you turn your back on all of them?”

Anna had a point. Hermione and Ginny had said similar things, each in their own style, but the message had been the same. The right thing to do was to take the job. It was a great responsibility.

Just then, there was another knock on the door. Harry turned around, hoping not to see Archer returning. Gladly, Ron and Hermione were the ones to enter the room.

“Ron, Hermione!” Anna greeted them enthusiastically. They came to sit on either side of Harry.

After the couple greeted her in return, they turned to him. “We actually came to see you, Harry,” Hermione said.

“We couldn’t find you at the office, so we figured out you could be here,” Ron told him.

Anna served tea for Ron and Hermione; then she took the papers she had been working on and headed for the door. “I’ll be right back; I have to give these reports to Chief Bones, while he is still the Chief, that is.” She winked at the three of them before leaving.

“Are you okay, Harry?” Hermione asked him.

“Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, with Teddy in the test and the promotion, we thought you would have your hands full, mate,” Ron said.

“Harry, you must trust Teddy. I’m sure he’ll do great, you’ll see.” Hermione placed her hand on his arm.

“Yeah, relax, mate.” Ron padded Harry on the back.

Harry inhaled deeply, He trusted Teddy, but was still nervous for him.

“And,” Ron started, looking a bit uncomfortable, “have you thought of... well, you know. Chief Bones said the Ministry expects your answer by tomorrow.”

Harry turned to look at Ron, then at Hermione, not sure what to say.

“Harry?”

“I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to take the job.”

It was hard letting Teddy go, but Harry knew that was bound to happen anyway. Children grew up and there always came a time when they must take their own path; and perhaps, by sticking to their side too long, you can end up affecting them. It was, sadly, time to let Teddy go.

Besides, working for the safety of the Wizarding community was a great task. It was something he wanted to do, something of great importance. He knew he should take it.

“Good choice, Harry,” Hermione told him.

“Yeah... that means I get Teddy, right?” Ron said, chuckling.

The three friends laughed as the night sparkled through the window.

***

With the night sky as his blanket, Teddy Lupin wandered in the forest. During the night, he continued to see blasts of light here and there; the fights were still going on.

Teddy stopped near a pond to drink some fresh water while pondering what had happened so far. First and foremost, despite this being called a test, Teddy realised it was demanding the best of him. Now, he knew Archer was a bragger, not like the many he had encountered in his life but one who could actually back up his words. He had been clever enough to figure out Teddy’s location and catch him off-guard, was quick with the wand, and used the psychological advantage he had. Everyone sure felt uneasy at being stalked, and the lights and sounds from battle worked ruthlessly to rattle them even more, Teddy knew.

Teddy also knew that he should change his approach on the test. Now, Archer knew that Teddy set up traps around him, so he would be more cautious and would not fall for something as easy as the last time. He knew that waiting would only give Archer better chances to get him, so, there was only one thing to do.

Prey turns predator.

He would wait until he saw signs of battle and try to ambush Archer; it was obvious that if he was able to knock him out and restrain him for the remaining of the evening, he would pass the test. After all, didn’t beating an enemy count as survival?

Yes, he would seek Archer and take him out.

But, first things first, he ought to rest, away from an obvious spot like this pond was. Teddy walked into the darkness, ready to take a much needed sleep against the mossy surface of a nearby chestnut.

As he drifted off to sleep, he thought of Victoire. Would she be worried about him? Of course she would. Teddy inhaled deeply with his eyes closed, lingering for a moment on how much he wanted to lay his head on her warm lap while she told him how her day had gone. Oh, how much he craved to hold her in his arms, how much he would rather sleep by her side than against this cold tree. How much he missed her!

***

Victoire Weasley woke up that Saturday morning with an odd feeling. Next to her, on the bed, was a void where the man she loved used to sleep. It took her a few minutes to remember that Teddy was taking his exam. I hope he is doing okay.

The flat they shared felt cold and empty, she wondered if it was the weather or his absence.

After taking a shower and dressing for her half-day at work, she went to their small kitchen and made some toast. Without realising it, she cooked his share, as she usually did. Despite the niggling feeling of loneliness, she smiled to herself at the thought that she was acting a bit silly.

This was, after all, a big day. The one Teddy had been waiting for the last couple of weeks... actually, all his life. The final test of his apprenticeship, the last one before his Auror career began. Today was also the day Uncle Harry would announce if he agreed to take the Chief Auror position. Victoire knew he had second thoughts about it because he wanted to take care of Teddy as his mentor... once he cleared his examination, that is.

She sighed, there were so many important things going on today; many of which involved Teddy and none of which were simple.

I just hope is doing okay. For some reason, she felt a lump in her throat.

***

“Atta boy, Teddy.”

“Jeez... shut up, will you?”

Under the blinding light of noon, Teddy Lupin stood face to face with Archer Harris. Both men, panting, stared at each other, unaware that they were both smiling broadly.

Teddy had stuck to his plan; he roamed the forest until he detected signs of struggle. He arrived just in time to see Archer take down Sylvain and bind him. That was when Teddy had made his first mistake. He could have taken Archer by surprise, but when he saw his old mate down, something burst inside Teddy, making him rush recklessly at Archer, who noticed him and avoided the first spell.

After that, they had spent several minutes in the toughest combat he had ever experienced.

“You are, by far, the boldest apprentice I’ve seen,” Archer said.

As if I care! “Expelliarmus!”

Archer Harris blocked the spell and aimed his wand at Teddy. He didn’t hear him muttering any incantation; rather saw the shadow of a large boulder about to crush him.

Teddy moved in time to see the rock fall to the ground and cover a large area in greyish debris. He then watched a spell that caught him off guard. The debris started to rise and form a wall, and then it started cascading towards Teddy. Seeing the danger of ending up buried, he ran for the woods, away from the wave of cobbles. However, he had lost sight of Archer.

Peeking carefully from behind a tree, Teddy tried to pin point where the examiner had gone. Where is this git now?

His question was answered by a thunderous roar. Looking up, Teddy saw a massive fireball falling down on him, he was able to move out of the way, but the fireball exploded causing a storm of dust and ash that made it hard to see or breathe.

In the middle of his coughing, his eyes and throat burning, he saw a dark figure approaching. “Stupefy!” he exclaimed, aiming for the figure. A grin spread across Teddy’s face as he saw his spell hit the examiner... ‘but why the hell did it sound like wood?’

By the time his brain had figured out Archer’s plan, he felt the poke of a wand on the back of his head.

“It’s been fun, kiddo, but it’s over now.”

Teddy couldn’t meet Archer’s eyes; he kept his eyes fixed at the cloaked trunk Archer had enchanted to lure him.

“Come on, it’s time to go. You were the last one.”

He finally turned around to his captor’s stare. There was no more bragging, no more arrogance in those eyes. There was a glimpse of respect.

But it was worth bollocks now. Teddy had failed his examination. His dream had been taken away from him.

***

It was past three and Harry was just getting comfortable in his brand new office after hours of an introductory talk regarding his new responsibilities as Chief Auror... and that had just been part one. He served himself some tea and sat in his new chair for a brief moment to clear his mind. The good thing was that Saturdays were only half-days. He could go home in a couple of hours.

There was a knock on the door. “Yeah?” he asked out loud.

A woman with grey hair opened the door and poke her head trough it, looking at him exasperatedly from above her glasses. “It was a test, you’re supposed to use that sphere on your desk to call me if you get called. And I’m not supposed to knock on the door, it was a rehearsal.”

Ms. Dorian, Harry’s new secretary, had been using these small tests all day long to get him to learn the ways of his new office, and Harry was having trouble remembering everything.

“I’m sorry, I’ll remember next time,” he said, and took a sip of his tea. The old lady, however, didn’t move.

“Yes?”

“There is a man here to see you.”

“Well, let him in then.”

Ms. Dorian rolled her eyes. “You are supposed to ask the name of the person and the affair he is coming to talk to you about.”

“Fine, who is it?”

“Auror Archer Harris.” Harry froze. It was the second day of the test and he was back already. That meant Teddy...

“He says he brings the results of the last examinations,” continued Ms. Dorian, looking upset.

Harry needed to blink a few times before answering. “Well... yeah, let him in.”

Ms. Dorian opened the door wide and Harry met the sight of a dirty and sweaty Archer Harris.

“Good afternoon, Boss. I bring the marks, and also, I’d like a word with you.”

***

Staring idly at the table, Teddy Lupin kept count of how many drinks he had taken rather than the hours that had passed.

After failing his test, Teddy had left the Ministry and come to one of his favourite pubs, The Pouring Polyjuice. He had taken seven shots of Firewhiskey, which meant he had been there for about an hour and a half. He still wore his sweat-damped, dirt-stained apprentice robes, but one item was missing. Archer Harris had taken his rookie badge after the exam. To match his mood, Teddy’s hair was shoulder length, shaggy and a dull blue.

He hadn’t wanted to return home. It was Saturday, so Victoire would be there already, back from Gringotts. And right now, he could not stand to look her in the eye and confess that all his training and dedication had been futile.

“I figured you’d be here,” a familiar, female voice spoke from behind him.

He turned around to meet the face of Aunt Ginny. Teddy couldn’t find his voice, he rather kept looking down at the table.

“Everyone has been looking for you; Harry has something to tell you.”

Probably he is going to tell me the kind of disappointment I’ve turned out to be.

“Teddy?”

No answer.

“Ted?”

He kept silent, but not for long. Ginny took hold of his shirt and forced him to meet her face.

“Oh, for Merlin’s sake! Stop feeling sorry for yourself! You’ll get up and go see your godfather, or I’ll drag you if I have to!”

“All right, all right, I’m on my way.”

“Fine,” she said, letting him go. “But first you need a shower.”

***

When Teddy crossed the threshold of his godfather’s new office, he was just thinking of finding a place to hide his head. Aunt Ginny had taken him to the Potters’ residence, 12, Grimmauld Place, and had forced him to shower. Also, she had provided him with a small dose of sobriety potion. Thank goodness for that, or he would have gotten sick right here.

As he went inside the room, he saw his godfather at the desk and Uncle Ron to one side. Both men smiled broadly to him.

“Uhm... hi,” he greeted, unsure as to what to say. They didn’t look angry, or sad, or even disappointed.

His godfather approached and handed Teddy a small square box.

“What is—“

“Open it.”

Teddy did, and inside he found a folded piece of paper. He turned to look at Harry, but Harry didn’t say a thing. So Teddy took the paper out and unfolded it; it was adorned with the symbol of the Ministry. The letter read:

I, Auror Archer Harris, as certified Auror Examiner, state that Auror Apprentice Ted Lupin has successfully cleared his Combat and Survival examination.

Having into consideration he had also cleared the rest of his exams, I suggest him to be granted the rank of trainee so he can start the next step into becoming a valuable asset to the defence of the Wizarding community.

Signed,

Auror & Examiner for the Training Program

Archer Harris.

Teddy looked up at Ron and Harry, wide-eyed and speechless. I... I passed... I passed!? “Is... is this true?”

Harry and Ron nodded. “But... that’s not possible. He caught me.”

“He catches everyone,” Ron said. “He is just too good to be beaten by any apprentice.”

“But he said you did a great job out there, fought like a tiger,” said Harry, smiling.

Teddy looked back at the box and found a small badge, similar to his previous one. But this one was silver on a red fabric. A trainee’s badge.

“Cheers, Teddy,” Ron said, and squeezed Teddy’s shoulder in a supportive gesture. However, it did hurt a bit, because Uncle Ron had, for some years now, a magical metallic prosthesis, that he covered in a long, black leather glove, instead of his natural right hand and forearm. According to him, he had lost the arm on a mission a long time ago, but had become accustomed to the replacement arm by now. There were some moments, though, where he showed an excessive strength. At first, Ron’s lost arm had caused a wave of fear in Teddy regarding his plans to become an Auror. But in the end, it had been Ron himself who told him that, if the price for protecting those dear to him was one arm, he would gladly give them both.

“I’m very proud of you,” said Harry. Teddy launched himself at his godfather’s arms. No words could explain the joy he felt. After he had thought that his dream had crumbled, it turned out he was still much on the right track. Now, he was a trainee, he was to be put under the charge of a mentor Auror who would guide him until he became a full-fledged one himself. It was just a matter of time... Wait until I tell Victoire, she is going to be so happy!

I wonder who my mentor will be. Most likely Uncle Ron, since Harry would not be able to, now that he was the Chief Auror.

He broke apart from his godfather, smiling broadly.

“And, is Uncle Ron going to—“

Just then, the door opened. Teddy turned to look who dared to interrupt such an important moment for himself and was shocked to see Archer Harris. It was obvious that he had gone home and cleaned himself after the battle, but the question was what was he doing here?

Teddy turned to look at his Godfather and saw that his smile had been replaced by an expression that could not be defined in any other way than ‘uncomfortable’.

“Uhm… Teddy...” Harry turned to look at Ron, who nodded in encouragement. “Let me introduce to you to your mentor... Archer Harris.”

What in thunder...?!

To be continued...