A/N: I didn't expect the response I got from this fic, but I am a man of the people, so I'm going to try and make it into a short story, rather than a one-shot. Updates will not be regular. If anyone has read Redemption, then you'll understand the large gaps in updates. I'm going to use this as my writer's block breaker.

Harry didn't know what the hell to do in this situation. The pain he was suffering wasn't exactly bad, it was more of a nuisance than anything. The problem was his ever-changing hair colour. Alan could have warned him that he'd have residual Metamorphic abilities for the next couple of weeks. Thankfully it had been just colour changing hair, so he was able to hide it by wearing a hat. Unfortunately, it was currently 37oC and it was expected to get higher during the week. He had the air conditioning in the house on full blast, whistling along to the radio as he cooked lunch for himself and Teddy. A nice salad with grilled chicken for himself, and blended chicken and veggies for his son.

He had his top removed, which most people in the area knew to expect. When it came to the subject of the litany of scars that lined his chest, back and of course, the famous scar on his forehead, the explanation was given that Harry liked to brawl when he was child and that he had been jumped one night by a gang of hoodlums. Hermione had given the neighbours stories of times Harry had been forced to fight an older kid to stop them from bullying the other children in the area. He didn't care if the neighbours stared at him whenever he did some work topless. He had lived through hell. Being self-conscious wasn't something he bothered with anymore.

He had the radio tuned to a magical show that he had been taught by Alan, so he was able to keep up with the magical side of things. He chopped some greens for himself, smiling over at Teddy, who was clapping his hands on the table happily as he watched Harry work. He placed the last of the salad items in the colander, cleaning them off before chopping the onions and tomatoes.

"We've breaking news coming in from the I.C.W, stay tuned for the official statement." The radio broke his concentration. What the hell was the I.C.W announcing? He raised the volume, frowning to himself.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the world. Thanks to correspondence we've received from a Dark Wizard Hunter who is currently living in an unknown location, we have been able to stop insurrections in France, Germany and Poland this month." The voice of Nicolas Solaris, the head of the I.C.W called out through the radio. "As such, we've decided to ban the use of soul magic within the Magical Union of Europe. All literature regarding the subject have been confiscated from the Great Libraries and searches will be taking place over the next year. Any country within the I.C.W not to comply will be subject to sanctions and possible embargos."

Harry smiled to himself as he heard that. It was nice to see that they took his warnings seriously. He plated up his salad, putting Teddy's food in his favourite bowl. He sat down, feeding Teddy as he took small bites from his own plate. It was times like this when he truly felt at peace with the world and everything that had happened in the last year.

"We would also like to extend our thanks to the Hunter who provided us with our information. If you're listening, know that we have deposited a fair sum into your account for your services, and we would like you to return to us whenever you get further information on such vile magic."

Harry nearly chocked on his salad. They had paid him? He finished his food as fast as he could, taking some time to feed Teddy in a careful manner. He didn't want to rush the boy's food, but he had to check his account. He placed a top on, frowning as he noticed his hair cycling through several colours. "Bollocks…" He whispered to himself, forcing his hair to stay black. "Come on mate, we've got to get to the bank."

0o0o0

The trip wasn't too bad. Before they knew it, Harry and Teddy were in the main hall of the Australian Bank of Magical Humans and Beings. Unlike England, where the Goblins ruled all currency. Most of the workers in ABMHB were a mix of Gnomes and regular magicals. He made his way over to one of the tellers, smiling. "Hi, I need to check the status of my account please."

"Name?" The woman asked politely.

"Potter. Harry James." Harry provided his signature, bank card and wand, which he had quickly become accustomed to.

"Ok, one moment." She checked the account. "Here we are. What can I help you with, Mr. Potter?"

"What's the current balance in the account?" Harry asked politely. The last time he had checked there was just over fifty thousand galleons. Way more than enough for them to live off of twice over.

"Current balance for the Potter Account is seventy thousand galleons, four thousand sickles and ninety knuts." The woman replied with a kind smile.

Harry gulped. They had paid him that much just for giving them information that should have been made available centuries ago to the proper law enforcement. He nodded his head with a smile of his own. "Thank you." He took his wand and card, walking out with Teddy in the pram. He licked his lips. "Time to surprise Mama I think."

Teddy clapped his hands at the mention of his mother. It really made Harry's heart soar whenever that happened. He knew one day that Teddy who have to learn about Remus and Dora, but he wasn't worried about that day. He'd know what to say to the boy when the time came. He'd tell him the same thing that Sirius had once told him. Family is those who you love, not whose blood runs through your veins.

He stopped outside one of the shops, glancing in at some of the different books that were on display. He licked his lips again, glancing down at Teddy. "I'd love to buy her an entire library, but if I do, you'll be a big brother before you know it." He chuckled to himself. Hermione's love of books really amazed him, as did her unique way of rewarding him for picking out books she loved. He walked in, picking a couple of the new bestsellers that had come out that week. He paid for them with his card, heading towards one of the game shops for himself. He and Wendell had been flying through some of the new games that had come out. He knew that the PlayStation 2 was apparently coming out near the end of the following year, but he still enjoyed his PlayStation, so he was in no rush to upgrade.

He picked up a couple of fighting games and one of the new platformer games that Hermione liked to claim she didn't enjoy. A quick trip to the shop for some baby friendly juice so Teddy would stay hydrated and they were heading towards the local farmer's market. He loved it when the fresher produce came into season. It let him experiment more with cooking than he was used to.

He picked up some seasonal vegetables and some beautiful free-range steaks for the dinner. He sniffed some of the fresh flowers, picking up some roses for Hermione. It wasn't often that he really got a chance to spoil her outright, so he was going to take any opportunity he got. He packed everything into the car, making his way home with Teddy.

"I think someone needs a nap." He noticed that the toddler was starting to droop in his seat. He carried him to his cot, bringing the food and other things in when he had the boy down for his nap. He would usually take a nap himself when Teddy went down, but he really wanted to get started on the dinner. He knew that Hermione's folks where picky when it came to the wellness of their steaks. Monica loved hers cooked all the way through, while Wendell's could be revived with a good shock it was that rare.

He grabbed some garlic and oil, marinating the steaks in the fridge as he took out some of the items he'd need for the sides. Mashed potatoes would go nice with the steak, maybe some pepper sauce or a nice red wine reduction. He checked his watch, taking the steaks out of the fridge. He heard the first of the usual two expected Disapparation pops as Andromeda got in from her bridge club.

"Something smells divine." She commented, walking into the kitchen. "How was your day?"

"Good." Harry kissed her cheek. He really loved having Andromeda around. While he loved Mrs. Weasley with every fibre of his being, she was too overbearing to be a proper maternal figure for him. Andromeda listened to him without trying to force an issue. "And dinner should be ready in about twenty minutes. Medium well on the steak?"

"Good boy." Andromeda chuckled, shaking her head as she sat down and watched him work. Sirius would be proud of the man he had become. He was truly everything her cousin missed out on being. She knew she really should be looking for her own place, but the Wilkins liked her around and she couldn't bring herself to part with them yet. Besides, it allowed her to be a mother again in a sense. Without Dora to guide, life was hard. Harry was a lot like her in that sense. Both of them were happy-go-lucky when they were truly trying to hide emotions.

Hermione arrived moments later, kissing his cheek as she smelt the garlic and herb marinade. "Steak?" She grinned.

Harry nodded, searing the steak on one side. "And I think Teddy has a present for you upstairs." He winked, kissing her softly.

Hermione made her way upstairs to check on their son, being careful not to wake him. She smiled to herself as she noticed the flowers in a vase, as well as the new books that entered the bestseller list and what looked like a PlayStation game. She opened one of the books, taking a small smell of the new paper. She kissed Teddy's forehead, making her way downstairs again. "He sure likes to buy his Mummy books, doesn't he?"

Harry chuckled, capturing her lips in a kiss. "What can I say? Our boy's a smart lad." He grinned, placing the last of the steaks in the pan. He heard Monica and Wendell's car pulling up in the driveway. "I got paid by the I.C.W for the Horcrux information."

"What?" Hermione grinned. "They actually paid you?!" She hugged him tightly. "How much?"

"Nearly half of my old account." Harry answered softly.

Hermione found her legs giving out underneath her. She had peeked into the accounts once or twice when she had to. She didn't like using his money. They weren't really married after all. While she loved Harry with all her heart, and she was using the Potter surname, but it her mind it wasn't official. "H-How much exactly?"

"Twenty thousand galleons, two thousand sickles and fifty knuts." Harry poured her a glass of water, placing her on one of the chairs.

"T-That's enough money to fund Teddy's education and any other children we'd end up having!" Hermione found herself hyperventilating at the amount of money paid to her love.

Harry rubbed her back softly, looking to Andromeda for help. "Love, you and I went through hell. We deserve any amount of money we get from these people. We're doing a service to the world."

Hermione drank the water slowly, nodding her head as her parents walked in the door. "Harry, we should get to Japan as soon as possible. We'll leave the Australian and New Zealand Ministries until last. They've the lowest crime rates in the wizarding world." She ran a hand through her hair. It was a habit she picked up from Harry. "I finish for the summer next week. We'll leave the week after that."

Harry nodded, kissing her forehead. "Of course, love." He placed the steaks on a plate to rest, finishing the vegetables and peppercorn sauce. He plated up dinner for everyone, explaining the day's events to them. Teddy woke up midway through dinner, so Harry carefully fed him small bits of veg and a little sauce. He would do the baby's dinner next, so he was in no rush.

Monica smiled at her grandson. "You two need us to babysit again?"

"No." Hermione shook her head. "This time it's going to be a family holiday."

Harry smiled, kissing the boy's forehead as he finished his dinner. "Now, why don't you get cuddled to death while I make you a proper dinner." He passed the boy to his mother, grabbing some of the same ingredients. Teddy wasn't the biggest fan of beef. They tried it a couple of times with him, but the boy absolutely loved chicken and pork.

Hermione held the baby close to her, kissing his forehead as she opened the first of the books. It was a murder mystery book according to the cover and she'd heard one of the students praising the author for an amazing book. She kept her free arm carefully around Teddy, watching as he held onto the table, babbling his nonsense words to his grandparents. While he hadn't said a word yet, he was getting closer every day.

Harry finished cooking, mashing it all into a baby like pate for the boy to eat. He placed him into the highchair, watching Hermione as her eyes moved through every line of the pages she read, her lips silently forming the words she read. He smiled to himself as he finished feeding Teddy the meal, kissing the boy's forehead. He cleaned the plate and pot, watching out the window. "Hermione, take Teddy upstairs." He spoke calmly, though there was a hollowness to his voice.

"What's wrong?" Hermione grabbed the baby.

"They found us." Harry summoned his wand, heading to the front door. This was a muggle neighbourhood, but he had the place under specialised wards so any magic wouldn't be seen. It was the only way they could live in such a muggle area. He stepped outside, brandishing his wand at the visage of three people. "I'd drop your wands, unless you want to be picked up in bits!"

A chuckle broke through the tension. "Harry, we're here for your help." The voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt was just to memorable for them to forget.

Harry frowned as he took a look at the others. McGonagall was on one side of him, while Ron was on their other side. "I left for a reason, Minister. Oh, I'm sorry…ex-Minister."

Kingsley shook his head at the man. "That doesn't matter, Harry. We have to stop the Death Eaters. They're gaining more power every day."

"And whose fault is that?!" Hermione snapped out. "You and the Ministry let them scream Imperious again!" She kept Teddy in her arms, frowning as she noticed Ron. "Ronald…"

Ron stood forward, grinning at her. "There's my girl." He paused as she took a step back. "Mione, what are you doing?"

Harry kept his wand aimed at them. "Leave my wife and son alone." He warned them.

Kingsley chuckled. "Harry, it's time to stop playing house and do your duty." He knew he was risking things, but Albus had entrusted him with the information on how to keep Harry on their side. In times like this, it had to be done. "It's for the Greater Good!"

Harry's eyes glazed over for a second. "Hermione, I have to go with them…" He said softly, moving beside Kingsley. He ignored the grin on Kingsley's face, thinking on his feet. He grabbed Kingsley's arm, twisting it behind the man's back. "You fucking bastard!"

McGonagall frowned. "Harry!"

Harry pointed his wand at Kingsley's head. "You think that still works on me?" He whispered, digging the wand into the man's temple. "Albus's little secret no longer works. But I'm glad I know who else knew about it." He took a sick kind of pleasure at the sound of the man's arm breaking. "Now leave, before I have to ruin my back garden for a couple of graves."

Kingsley frowned. "I can't leave until you agree to come back." He snapped out. "We need your help. It's your—"

"Don't say it's my duty. I gave everything to England and it was all spat back in my face! Twice!" Harry warned him, twisting the already broken arm to stress his point. "I refuse you to help you a third time." He kicked the man to the ground. He turned his wand to McGonagall, stunning her quickly. "Your choice, Ron. You can either leave, or be sent back in a box. Don't you think your Mum has lost enough sons?!"

Ron held up his arms. "I only came to see my best friend and my girlfriend!"

Hermione sighed, holding a now crying Teddy closer to her chest. "Ron…I'm with Harry." She said softly, moving closer to him. "We're happy. We're raising Teddy as our son and we've loads of freedom here."

Ron closed his eyes. "I suppose I should have expected that…" He chuckled weakly. "You're happy…?"

Hermione nodded, kissing his cheek. "I am. Harry and I finally admitted to ourselves that we weren't really in love with our respective redheads. It's not fair on you or Ginny to be stuck with people who don't feel like that towards you." She felt tears coming to her eyes. "England's not our problem anymore. I was branded a mudblood and Harry literally walked to his death for us."

Ron hugged her. "I understand." He whispered, turning to Harry. "You better treat her like the queen she is."

"You bet your ass I will." Harry hugged his friend. "Look, if it gets really bad in England. Get your family over here. We'll help you set up a life here. You don't have to suffer those bigots, mate."

Ron nodded, turning to Kingsley. "What did he say that pissed you off so much?"

Harry chuckled. "It doesn't matter, mate." He kicked the man in the stomach for good measure. "Take him back to England." He sighed. "We'll probably have to fucking move. And I just got used to the area…"

Ron shook his head. "I'll remove their memories. They came to me for information, and Mum just happened to mention Australia."

Hermione passed Teddy to Harry, pointing her wand at the two people. "I'll do it. I'm better with mind magic than either of you." She spoke softly, using the same spells she used on her parents nearly two years ago. "They'll think they were ambushed in Perth. They'll also think they found nothing here and deduced that we moved somewhere else." She looked at Ron. "The offer he gave you stands though. When you finally reach your limit, we'll be here…"

Ron nodded, hugging them once more. "Thanks." He smiled at the baby, who was babbling happily in Harry's arms. "You deserve all the happiness in the world, mate. You both do." He chuckled weakly. "And I wish you both the best. I hope I never have to take your offer, but if I do, then I'll see you then." He grinned to them, grabbing the other two. He placed their hands on the portkey they created, whisking away.

0o0o0

Hermione was glad when her parents decided to take Teddy to their room for the night. She was currently rubbing Harry's shoulders, trying to get him to open up about the encounter. She'd never seen him so violent with someone who had been considered an ally. Harry and Kingsley had always gotten along from what she remembered. The sigh he let out let her knew that he was close to opening up. "What was that…?"

Harry kept his eyes closed, focusing on the relaxation on his muscles. "When I stopped Voldemort in first year…Dumbledore had a command implanted into my psyche through his use of Legilimens." He let out the breath he'd been holding. "Whenever I heard the phrase 'Greater Good', I'd become a zombie that would obey any order. Snape knew it as well." He chuckled weakly. "Mione, I've done so many things against my own will…things I've never told you…"

"Harry, it wasn't you." Hermione whispered, wrapping her arms around him. "It wasn't you…"

Harry let the tears fall. "It felt like me." He whispered. "When we were in Switzerland, I had a mind healer look me over for any residual damage from the Horcrux. He found the command implanted within me. Turns out, Snape's lessons in fifth year were just to reinforce the command." He chuckled hollowly. "I…I've done things, Mione. I…" He gulped. "I…" He couldn't say it.

A knock on the door interrupted them. "I know why you're upset." Andromeda said softly. "Dora confided in me before she died…" She sat on the bed, engulfing him in a hug. The boy looked so distraught as he sobbed into her blouse. She gave Hermione a reassuring look. "I just didn't understand the full story…until now."

Harry wiped his eyes, walking into the Wilkin's room. He picked up Teddy, sniffling as he held the boy close to him. "I'm Teddy's biological father…"

Hermione frowned. "What?"

"Hermione, think about his birth month. He was born in April. Go back nine to ten months." Harry whispered.

Hermione counted back in her head. "May, June at the latest." She said softly.

"Dumbledore called me to his office to talk about 'the mission'. Tonks was there too." Harry sniffled, holding Teddy close to him. "Dumbledore told me that I had to do something for the Greater Good. I didn't know until afterwards that…"

"Dora had been placed under the Imperius…" Andromeda finished for him, rubbing his arm gently. She smiled sadly. "She told me in confidence that Remus had nothing to do with it. It was Albus, trying to cement Remus's undying loyalty for him." She sniffled, wiping her eyes. "The poor man had no idea that he was raising another man's son."

Harry chuckled bitterly. "That's why I punched him in Grimmauld, Mione. Not out of some crap about his disease…because I hated myself for what I had done and I thought he knew the truth…"

Hermione wrapped her arms around him again, frowning. "Harry, I want you to look at me, right now." Harry tried to avoid her eyes, but her tone made him look into those chocolate eyes he loved so much. "You did not take advantage of Tonks. Dumbledore forced two people under mind control to have sex. You're not some sexual predator."

Harry whimpered, holding onto her. "I…I'm sorry I didn't tell you…"

Hermione kissed his forehead. "Harry, you've been carrying that guilt for so long, you don't have to apologise to me." She kissed him gently, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Your son loves you. I love you." She smiled. "Your mother and father in-law love you. And your adopted mother loves you." She ran her thumb over the last tear. "You are your own man now, and none of us blame you for what happened.

Monica and Wendell nodded at their daughter's words. "She's right, Harry." Wendell sighed. "Do you want to move though, just to be safe?"

Harry wiped his own eyes, sniffling. "Hermione's mind work is amazing, but they could break through that." He sighed sadly. "I'm sorry…all of this is because of me and my past."

Hermione kissed his forehead once again. "It doesn't matter." She bit her lip. "What if we just move to another part of Australia? We could you know, emigrate properly." She glanced at her parents. "You could be Dan and Emma again."

"That'd be nice. I know you hate your name, love, but you could have picked something better than bloody Wendell." Her father grinned.

Harry let out a small laugh. "I love you guys." He whispered softly.

Teddy babbled in his arms, placing his arms around his neck.