Harry and Teddy II

Harry was exhausted. His new born son, James Sirius Potter, seemed to have inherited his namesakes personalities and refused point-blank to be still. Maybe, thought Harry, he should have balanced it out a bit. Called him James Albus Potter but that didn't seem to have the same ring to it as James Sirius and besides, he wasn't stupid enough to believe it was the names that were doing it, it was just James' natural personality.

Seeing as Ginny had given birth just more than 24 hours ago Harry thought it was completely fine for her to sleep. The amount of shouting and screaming and swearing to never have any other children suggested she'd been in rather a lot of pain. Therefore it seemed natural for her, when they'd finally gotten home, to collapse into bed and fall straight asleep. Harry, however was not as lucky, because James had woken up the moment he'd put him in his crib and began to squirm and make noises of protest. In case he started screaming and woke Ginny up, Harry had hastily scooped him out and walked him up and down, talking complete and utter rubbish in the hope he'd fall asleep. It wasn't going to happen though because he was so restless. He just wiggled constantly and Harry was terrified he was going to drop him. Whilst Harry had plenty of experience with little children, he'd practically raised Teddy and most of the Weasley's had children by now, he had never encountered one like James. Teddy had been a very quiet baby, Harry suspected he got that off Remus, and would fall asleep within seconds of tucking him into his bed. James, it seemed, didn't like his bed, or just being still at all.

When Harry had finally gotten his son to drop off. He wanted nothing more than to fall asleep himself. He was sitting in the rocker in James' room, his head drooping forward when he heard a knock at the door. Jolting awake he checked James, he seemed to be so shattered he could sleep through the loud banging, and then hurried downstairs. Flinging open the door he was shocked to see Andromeda standing on his doorstep, soaking wet and crying.

"Andromeda!" he exclaimed, allowing her to come inside. "What's happened?"

"It's Teddy!" she sobbed. "He's run away." Harry's heart stopped. The world fell silent. No.

"He's…he's run away?" Andromeda nodded and Harry led her into the sitting so she could sit down and quickly waved his wand so warm air washed over her and dried her clothes. "When did you last see him?" demanded Harry, his brain in auror mode, his mind fixed on the task.

"When I put him to bed at around 7. He's been quiet all day and I thought it was because he couldn't go round to yours like I'd promised, you know how sulky he can get sometimes." Harry nodded, Teddy had the ability to sulk for hours if you upset him. It was nearing midnight now. It was pouring with rain.

"Stay here." he said to her. "I'm going to gather the Weasley's and we'll go look. We'll find him Andromeda, I promise." as he darted upstairs to get his coat and boots Ginny came out of the room looking tired and confused.

"Harry?" she mumbled. "Who are you talking to?"

"Andromeda. Teddy's run away, I'm gathering the others, we need to find him quickly." Ginny's mouth fell open.

"I'll-"

"No." said Harry quickly as he sent a patronus to the houses of all the Weasley's. "Stay with James, Andromeda's downstairs and she's very upset." Ginny nodded and with that Harry bounded down the stairs and Ginny followed. Going into the sitting room she immediately embraced Andromeda who began to cry again. Ginny cast him one worried look, before Harry darted out of the house. One the front step he turned on the spot and vanished with a crack.

"Harry?" the call came from Percy Weasley. He was standing in Andromeda's muddy front garden, looking tired, pale and concerned.

"Percy." he said with a gasp. "Is anyone else here?" Percy shook his head.

"No, I was up anyway with Molly." Harry nodded. Suddenly there were two loud cracks and Ron and Hermione appeared. They ran up to Harry.

"He's really missing?" Harry nodded. Three more loud cracks announced the arrival of Mr Weasley, Bill and George.

"What do we do?" they all had their wands out, their faces alert for the lateness of the hour.

"We split up." said Harry instantly. "We need to fan out and scan the surrounding area as fast as we can. It's late and it's raining and it's cold. Teddy could have been out here for hours! If you find him send out a partronus and take him to Grimuald Place." he received grim nods from everyone, determination set on their faces. Hermione sniffed slightly and Harry laid a hand on her shoulder as Ron squeezed her hand tightly. "We'll find him." she nodded grimly. "Right, separate. Choose a direction and go."

Harry set off immediately, running round the side of the house, through the garden and out towards the park. It was Teddy's favourite haunt as a small child and it was the place that Teddy always associated with his parents, apart from their graves, because it was here Harry had told him about them.

Pushing open the rusted gate to the play park he slowly waved wand and muttered

"Homenum Revelio." nothing happened. Swallowing and tapping his glasses with a quick "Impervius." he shook the damp hair out of his hair. "TEDDY!" he shouted. His cry rent the still air in the park. "TEDDY WHERE ARE YOU?" there was nothing. Panic beginning to set in, he tried to remember that there were other people looking for him, that Teddy didn't have to be here.

He vaulted the small fence on the other side of the playground and began to run towards the football goals. Spinning around he couldn't see a thing. "Lumos." the narrow beam of light did little for Harry as he continued to race through the park. All rational thought seemed to have left his mind. He couldn't focus on anything but the fact that his godson was out in the dark and the pouring rain. What if Teddy hadn't run away? What if he'd been kidnapped? What if a car had hit him? What if?

Suddenly, he heard a sniffle. It was small, indistinct and nearly blocked out by the sound of the pouring rain. Harry froze. All his senses had charged into overdrive. Slowly he looked up. Above him where the branches of a tree. They were leafy and wet.

"Teddy?" he whispered. "Teddy?" there was another sniffle. Then

"Harry?" the voice was weak but Harry nearly fainted from relief.

"Teddy!" he exclaimed. "What on earth are you doing?" there was another sniff and sob. Instead of answering the question he said

"I can't come down." Harry sighed. Teddy could climb trees very well. They all joked that he should have been called Monkey not Teddy but he had one big flaw. Whilst going up was easy, Teddy struggled to come back down on his own. It wasn't that he couldn't, it was just that he got too afraid of falling, given the clumsy nature he'd inherited off Tonks. Harry shone his wand into the branches and saw his godson curled up and on one of the thicker ones, arms and legs gripping it tightly. His eyes huge.

"Okay Teds, stay where you are. I'm coming to get you." Just before he did he sent everyone else a patronus saying that he'd got him and that they could all go home.

Harry wasn't that bad at climbing trees either, chasing up them after Teddy had made him a quick learner but this one was wet and slippery and he was terrified of falling as much as Teddy was, mainly because if he fell, who'd get Teddy out. However he kept his cool and soon he was level with Teddy whose hair was white from fear. Harry cautiously made his way onto the branch, testing it's weight so that they wouldn't fall.

"Come here Monkey." he called to Teddy and Teddy cautiously slid his way across the branch until Harry could grab the 7 year old into his arms and hold him tightly. Teddy grabbed the front of his coat tightly in his fists and continued to sob. "It's okay Teddy I got you. Now I want you to hold on very tightly and don't let go, no matter what, understand?" Teddy's white head moved up and down. "Good." concentrating hard and not letting go of his godson Harry disapparated.

They landed back in the street with a bump. Harry, not used to apparating with someone clinging to his front or from a crouched position in a tree, hadn't made it quite where he'd hoped but they were all in one piece which was what really mattered. Teddy was still clinging to his front, not wanting to let go, Harry hoisted him up so that he was carrying him. He made his way up the front steps and opened the front door with a wave of his wand.

There were hurried footsteps and suddenly half the Weasley family came rushing at the two of them. Harry smiled slightly at them but Teddy continued to burrow his head into Harry's coat and didn't seem to want to look at anyone.

"Oh Teddy!" Andromeda came flying at the two of them. She had tears in her eyes. "Teddy!" she seemed incapable of articulating anything more, however, and just sobbed a little bit, this time out of relief. Hermione put a hand on her shoulder and guided her back into the living room. The rest of them followed.

Harry made his way to one of them sofas and sat down, peeling Teddy off him, he sat him down next to him. Teddy's hair was not white anymore but a pale red, meaning he was slightly embarrassed. All the other adults crowded round him whilst he hid his face. Harry dried him and himself off and then watched his godson as he began to calm down. Andromeda, who seemed to have calmed down now, swept over and hugged him very tightly. He seemed to vanish into her cloak and they heard the fading sobs continuing as she said

"Teddy Remus Lupin! You are going to be the death of me!"

"I'm sorry grandma." he sobbed and all the other adults stepped back, feeling they were intruding in on a very personal, private moment. "I'm really sorry." she stepped back and observed her grandson, he was pale, his hair wasn't bright enough and his face was tear streaked.

"You're in big trouble when you get home, mister." Teddy nodded, as if he expected nothing less.

"Here." Teddy turned to George who was pulling a tissue out of his sleeve. "Say when." he continued to pull tissue out of his sleeve. Harry and Hermione shared an amused look at the look of fascination on Teddy's face.

"When." he said eventually and George tore it off and handed it to him. Teddy took it cautiously and then began to wipe away the tears and blow his nose. "How do you do that?" he asked, eyes still wide. George knelt down so that he was on eye level with Teddy.

"Just between you and me, eh Teds?" Teddy nodded eagerly. "I got it off muggle magicians." Teddy's eyes went, if possible, even wider.

"Really?" George nodded and ruffled his hair as he stood up. Teddy looked a bit happier. Hermione swooped on him the moment he'd finished wiping his tears away.

"Oh Teddy, are you alright?" he nodded and hugged her back. His hands gripping the back of her T-shirt. All the other adults took turns in hugging Teddy and ruffling his hair.

"I should get home. Fleur will be freaking out about all this." there were nods from everyone else.

"Bye Teddy."

"Hope you don't get in too much trouble, kiddo." the door closed and it was just Andromeda, Ginny, Harry and Teddy left in the sitting room. There was a moment before Andromeda said.

"I think I need a cup of tea, Ginny?" Ginny blinked at her for a second before clocking onto what she wanted.

"Yeah, I could use one too."

"So how's James?" their conversation drifted away as they walked down to the kitchen. Harry looked at his godson, his hair was red and he was staring at his feet.

"Come on Teddy, cheer up." Teddy continued to stare at his feet. Harry went up and squatted down in front of him. Using one finger he gently raised Teddy's chin so that their faces were level. However Teddy still refused to look into his eyes, instead choosing to cast them around the room. "Do you want to tell me what's up or am I going to have to apply my not so great guessing skills?" Teddy glared at the wall for a couple of minutes before saying.

"You don't want me." Harry's eyebrows went up.

"Pardon?" Teddy turned his glare at him.

"You don't want me. You've never wanted me. You just looked after me because you had to. Now you have your own child no one will expect you to look after me anymore. You won't have to be burdened with me anymore." Harry's eyebrows had disappeared into his fringe by the time Teddy had finished.

"What?" he exclaimed, aghast. "Teddy what on earth gave you that idea?" Teddy glared at him, his hair turning dark red, it was so dark it almost looked browny.

"It's obvious!" he exclaimed. "All you've talked about since Ginny got pregnant was 'is it a girl?', 'is it a boy?', 'what should we call it?', 'what colour should we paint it's room?'. You stopped letting me come over. You only saw me once a week." Teddy's eyes were filling up with tears and Harry felt bad. He had advised Andromeda to stop taking Teddy over because Ginny needed rest and not a hyperactive, clumsy, 7 year old running around and he had started seeing him less because he was juggling a demanding job and a very crabby pregnant wife. Also there was so much they needed to do; paint the room, get all the furniture, get the clothes. It had been a never ending task and he'd been so tired and busy he just hadn't had as much time for Teddy as he'd have liked but he never thought that Teddy would get the impression that he wasn't wanted. Harry loved Teddy. He was as good as his own son. Harry had always felt that he was a son; he remembered all the times he'd brought Teddy into his office at work and played with him instead of doing what he ought, he remembered the first time he taught Teddy to fly a broom. Unexpectedly he felt his own eyes fill with tears. Teddy looked at him, his eyes widening with shock.

"Harry?" he asked, concerned. "Harry, I'm sorry I didn't mean to insult your son." Harry shook his head, covering his eyes with his hand and taking a second to compose himself.

"Oh Teddy." he said, shaking his head. "What am I going to do with you?" Teddy looked at him, a little afraid. Harry put both hands on his shoulders, looking him square in the eyes. "Listen to me Teddy Remus Lupin because I'm only going to say this once, actually that's a lie I'll probably say it again but listen intently anyway." Teddy stared at his godfather intently. "I love you, okay? I love you like my son. I remember when I first held you in my arms. You were tiny and it was…the day after the war ended. I went to Andromeda's because I was your godfather and your parents had just been killed and I had to make sure Andromeda knew what had happened. She gave you to me and I was terrified. What happened if I dropped you? And more than that, you were partially my responsibility now; what happened if I messed up? I had no idea what I was doing. I was 17 and you were this little baby, what happened if I got it all wrong? Then you woke up and I freaked out even more, but you just smiled at me. This huge smile and I just…" Harry trailed off, not knowing what to say to describe what he'd felt in that moment. Teddy's eyes were filled with tears. "I just knew that everything was going to work out. And I admit that maybe I haven't been around these past months like I normally have been but that does not mean that I don't want you and you were not some sort of…" Harry searched for the right words. "Filler son, you're my godson and I'm very proud of that. And." he added, beckoning Teddy to lean closer. "I'll let you in on something, I'm your godfather, right?" Teddy nodded, looking curious. "So that means James is your god brother." Teddy looked at him, a little surprised, evidently having not thought of it like that before. "Which means, to all intents and purposes, you're his older brother." Teddy's eyes went even wider.

"I'm his older brother?" he questioned, stammering a little. Harry nodded.

"Yeah and, you know, he'll look up to you, kind of like Vic does." Teddy smiled a little bit more.

"You mean it?" Harry nodded emphatically.

"Of course I do." Teddy stood still for a minute before throwing both his arms around Harry's neck. Harry laughed and lifted him off the floor, easily swinging him round so that he was sitting on Harry's shoulders.

"Alright up there Monkey?" Teddy laughed.

"Yes sir!"

"Do you fancy staying the night and I can introduce you to your little god brother in the morning?"

"Yes please!"

Suddenly they heard the sound of James' screaming from upstairs.

"Well." said Harry. "Sounds like you can meet him early, what say we go calm James down then we head to bed? Sound like a good idea?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, head down." Harry carried Teddy out of the living room and hurried up the landing. "Ginny." Ginny was just about to go into James' room. "We'll handle this." Ginny looked at the two of them, a little surprised.

"Alright." she said, stepping away from the door. "

Great. Also, can you tell Andromeda Teddy's going to stay the night." Ginny nodded, patted Teddy's arm and went back downstairs. "Ready?" he asked.

"Yep." Harry went into the room and James was lying in his cot screaming his head off. Harry quickly put Teddy down and picked him up. James squirmed a lot still crying. Harry sat down in the rocker and began to rock back and forth. James began to quiet slightly.

"Is he okay?" Teddy moved over him his hair changing colour from yellow to a strange pale version.

"I think so." said Harry. "You did this sometimes, you'd sometimes burst into tears for no reason." Teddy's hair changed colour as he smiled. James caught sight of it and immediately fell silent. Teddy scrunched up his face and his hair changed colour again. James stared at it, his little eyes wide. Teddy did it again and again and James let out a gurgle of a laugh. By the time Teddy had gone through every colour he could think of James had fallen back asleep.

When Harry had settled him back in his cot he retook his seat.

"Come here." he said, beckoning for Teddy to come and join him. Teddy curled up on his lap.

"Did I do the right thing?" he asked. Harry kissed the top of his lightly.

"Yes. Looks like you have a new job." Teddy leaned his head back into his chest.

"Do you think my parents would be proud of me?" his question was whispered as if afraid of the answer. Harry smiled and thought of both Remus and Tonks.

"Yes, I think they'd be very proud of you. You're very mature for a sever year old, you know."

"But I ran away." Harry smiled softly down at him.

"You got upset and you felt hurt and rejected, everyone does stupid things when they're upset. Out of interest why did you run away from your grandma, I thought you were only cross with me?" Teddy scrunched his face up and looked away from his godfather.

"I thought if you didn't want me then nobody would."

"Oh Teddy, I might have to take what I said about being mature back." he laughed softly into Teddy's bright blue hair.

"I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to upset grandma."

"I know. She's not really mad at you, more upset that you ran away."

"I promise I won't do it again."

"Good." they fell silent again until Harry asked. "Why the park?"

"Because if you go up to the top of the tree you can see mum and dad's graves. I felt closer to them up there without being in the garden." Harry smiled.

"I promise you that you won't ever feel like that and if you do just shout or something but please don't run away, it scares us all to death."

"I won't." his voice was growing soft and when Harry opened his mouth to talk he noticed Teddy had fallen fast asleep. He smiled and a second later he was fast asleep.

Harry was woken by the soft noises. Opening his eyes he saw Teddy crouched over his sons cot, his hair changing colour rapidly. He heard Harry get to his feet and turned around.

"I've been changing my hair colour for the past half an hour but he won't stop." Harry blinked, surprised.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Teddy shrugged.

"I was just trying to be a good brother." Harry read between the lines easily and saw what he was worried about.

"Remember what I said yesterday, I love you like my son, you don't have to prove anything to me." Teddy nodded and Harry bent down and picked up James. "And it's no wonder he's still crying he's hungry, let's take him to his mum."

When Ginny came into the kitchen 10 minutes later she was pleased to find Harry and Teddy 'cooking' breakfast. What was actually happening was they were having a flour and water fight in front of the stove. They were both laughing very hard and didn't notice Ginny come in and take a seat to watch them. When Harry had run out of flour he scooped Teddy into his arms and began to tickle him. Teddy began to scream with laughter his hair turning a blindingly bright shade of yellow.

"Mercy." he begged, wheezily. "Mercy." Harry released him and looked at the surrounding area, not turning around to see Ginny watching them.

"Ginny is going to be so mad." he commented and Ginny couldn't help it, she burst out laughing. They both spun on the spot and stared at her, open mouthed.

"It was him!" they cried, pointing at each other. Ginny laughed even harder.

"He's a Monkey." said Harry. "Naturally it was him who started the mischief."

"But I'm mature." protested Teddy, Ginny shot Harry a look that said 'really?' and Harry just winked. "He's an adult and it was his idea to get all the ingredients out." Ginny raised an eyebrow at her guilty looking husband. Shaking her head she said

"You're an awful role model Potter."

"Oh I don't know." he said, scooping Teddy off the floor and sitting down in a chair was him on his lap. "I get the feeling I've gotten the hang of this parenting lark. Now who's up for a trip to the Burrow? I get the feeling everyone wants to see you and James." he directed the last part at Teddy.

"Will Vic be there?" he asked and Harry smiled.

"Yes, I imagine she will be."

"Does she know I ran away?" he questioned quietly. Harry pulled a face at his wife, looking for help. Ginny shrugged.

"I don't know." he said, shaking his head. "But first we need breakfast. You sit there and don't touch anything breakable Monkey." Teddy smiled, a little cheekily at him and Harry knew it was no good. Whilst Teddy was quite quiet and serene like Remus he had inherited Tonks' unfortunate ability to break and knock over things. For that reason Hermione had felt it necessary to cast unbreakable charms on every glass that they owned so that Teddy didn't break them and accidentally hurt himself.

The Burrow was indeed crowded. Little James had woken up but he seemed to enjoy being passed around and examined and cooed over by his relatives. Teddy had gotten a warm reception too. Mrs Weasley had practically smothered him in her arms and insisted on making him his favourite hot chocolate. Vic, who did know about the running away, had run over to him and hugged him very tightly, quietly begging him never to do it again. Teddy, who had been trying to drink his hot chocolate, had hugged her back as best as he could and promised he wouldn't. He'd then told Vic to get another mug, if he tried it all the shelves would come down, and poured half the hot chocolate into it and gave her the marshmallows floating on the top.

Then he'd organised a game of 'Quidditch' in the garden. Seeing as they couldn't fly properly, they passed the ball to the other team member and tried to throw it into one of the flowerpots, which were unbreakable. It was normally him and Fred versus Vic and Dom but Vic refused to leave his side so they had to swap teams. Him and Vic did very well, getting a total of 10 points, whereas Fred and Dom only got 4 because Dom kept throwing the ball to Vic by accident or randomly sitting down when she got tired.

When it got late and James had fallen asleep, Harry let Teddy sit with the new born James on his lap whilst he stretched a bit. Molly, who was a couple of months old, stared at the new baby with fascination as she sat on Vic's lap and Louis kept trying to poke it. Teddy held his little god brother protectively, however, and Vic distracted Louis with a small ball that he chased around the floor on his knees. Roxie had curled up around Teddy's feet and had fallen asleep and when Louis got tired of chasing the ball he curled up next to her and slept with his head on her back. Fred jumped up and down on the sofa over and over again until Dom pulled him off and the two of them rolled around on the floor. All the adults watched, with smiles on their faces, as Molly curled up into Vic's small arms and Fred scrambled back onto the sofa and helped Dom on. The two of them play fought a little until Dom dropped off. Fred poked her for a long while until he, too, fell asleep. Then it was just Vic and Teddy. The two of them talked quietly for a little while until Teddy's late night and early rise made him yawn and fall asleep. Vic, with Molly still in her arms, laid her head on his shoulder and dropped off in five minutes.

"Come here." Harry had been standing in the doorway for half an hour watching the cousins slowly fall asleep. All the other adults tiptoed over to where he was standing they all smiled and 'awed' at the sight before them. Molly picked up her camera and took several shots of the sleeping children.

"That's really sweet." said Hermione who was watching them with slightly watery eyes.

"You're the only ones without kids." said Harry and she nodded.

"Maybe soon, we want them."

"Be warned, they're rarely like that." Hermione smiled.

"Oh I know, I spent enough time with Teddy to realise kids are hectic but.." she trailed off and Harry knew what she meant. Nothing really compared to having your own child and watching them and feeling proud of them and loving them.

"Harry, dear." he turned round and saw Molly holding out a copy of the photo she'd taken. "I thought Teddy might want this." Harry smiled and took it, all the adults knew why Teddy had run away and Harry knew that something like that would prove to Teddy that he was, really, a part of this family.

Harry managed to get Teddy back without waking him up. He'd assured Andromeda he could more than handle Teddy for another day, he wanted to make sure Teddy was staying happy and Teddy got used to James. It wasn't like he had to work, he'd taken a two month leave unless something incredibly serious came up. He had made it quite clear that he didn't want to be disturbed unless they were having an uprising of some sort or some person was trying to take over Britain.

Teddy woke up and was surprised to find he was in his room in Harry's house. Stretching he turned his face to the bedside table on which he had always had a picture of his parents, both here and at home, and he greeted them every morning. Often, if Teddy couldn't sleep, he'd turn onto his side and talk to his parents smiling faces, telling them everything that had happened in his life, spilling his thoughts, fears, ambitions and desires to them. He also had one photo of him and Harry. He was balanced, as he always seemed to be, on Harry's shoulders and they were both smiling at the camera. Occasionally the Teddy would take his hands away from Harry's neck and wave, two handed, at the camera with huge enthusiasm. Harry would also let go of Teddy and wave and blow a kiss at the camera, which meant Ginny had it, and then run around in a circle.

No one ever touched Teddy's bedside table, not even his grandma, because they all knew it was special to him. This was why he was surprised to find a wrapped package on the table. Carefully he took it and unwrapped it. There, in the plain brown paper, was a photo frame. Inside was a photograph of, Teddy realised instantly, last night. They were all fast asleep, centred around him as he held James protectively. They didn't do much, occasionally shifting or making faces depending on what they were thinking but it made Teddy smile. Turning it over he saw a message on the back.

Dear Monkey,

Add this to your collection and just know that all these people love you like family. I think they'd all be very sad if you ran away but don't worry, they don't know why you did it, only the adults do. I get the feeling you'd get an earful from Vic if you did.

With love from, your always proud Godfather,

Harry.

Teddy bit his lip as he fought the tears that had crept into his eyes. Harry had gone out of his way to prove that he loved him. Prove that he wanted him. Prove that all Teddy's insecurities were miscounted. Teddy loved his godfather second only to his grandma. He should have known Harry would never abandon him. He should have remembered.

"Harry." the five year old Teddy had just been rescued from the tree which he'd climbed but hadn't been able to get back.

"Mmm." Harry was staring around the park, his hand gripping Teddy's very tightly.

"I'm really sorry I climbed the tree, I couldn't help it. It was so easy." Harry looked down at him, his shining with silent laughter.

"I'm not mad at you. I was just worried that you might have fallen."

"That's why I couldn't get down. I was suddenly so far off the ground and I could so easily slip." He looked very worried so Harry knelt down before him.

"As long as I'm around, I won't ever let you fall. In fact I'm impressed with the way you can climb trees. Maybe we should call you Monkey." Teddy laughed. "Monkey mischief maker, that's a good name." Harry picked him up and swung him onto his shoulders. "Got a good grip up there Monkey?" Teddy just laughed.

"My name's Teddy." he said, only a slight protest in his voice. They stayed silent as they wondered through the park, staying on Harry's shoulders. "Harry."

"Yes."

"Why did my parents leave me?" Harry froze. He'd known that one day he'd have to answer that question some day soon. He'd known that, eventually, Teddy would want to know more than just, 'your parents had to leave, they didn't want to but they had to', but how do you tell your five year old godson that his parents were murdered? "Harry?" he asked, confused.

"Your parents were very good people." said Harry, unable to move, or put his godson down to look him in the eye. He wondered what Andromeda would do in this situation.

"I know." replied Teddy. "But why did they leave me. They must have had a choice." Harry contemplated it.

"They didn't, not really. See Teddy, five years ago there was a war going on. You were born in it, near the end in fact. Your parents were fighting on the good side of the war. They were fighting the greatest evil of the modern era. They had to fight otherwise we might not of won. They fought because they wanted you to live in a world of piece, without the terrifying force of evil that they'd experienced. They died to make the world you live in a better place." he heard a sob and realised that Teddy was crying. He put him down and bent down before him. He small shoulders were shaking.

"They left me to be killed." he sobbed.

"No!" he exclaimed. He turned Teddy's face so he was looking into his eyes. "They didn't want to leave you. They were made to. They were planning to come back to you but they were stopped." Teddy continued to cry.

"But-but they must have known they might not have come back!" Harry put both his hands on Teddy's small shoulders and was aware his hair had wilted and turned a grey colour.

"It was a risk that they were willing to take to try and make your life better. Teddy they wanted nothing more than for you to live a safe and happy life and if they had to sacrifice themselves for that then they would. Teddy the 'secret' part of your grandma's garden houses their graves." Teddy's eyes went wide. "Your were probably too young to remember when we went to their graves. Last year you were ill, remember you'd caught chicken pox so you missed the ceremonies and anniversaries but this year, tomorrow we mark the end of the war, we were debating whether to take you but now I will. You'll see that your parents are heroes." Teddy had stopped sobbing but his eyes were still very misty. "And, you know something." Teddy shook his head. "The ones that love us never really leave us. They live on inside of you." Teddy's eyes went wide. "You know, every time I see you, every time I see you change your hair, or when you knock something over or when you sit calmly and say something intelligent, I think of them. You remind me of them a lot. You are them." Teddy swallowed.

"Can I see their graves?" Harry nodded.

"Tomorrow, when your grandma is back." Teddy nodded and Harry wiped the tears off his face. Taking his hand they continued to walk until Teddy asked him another question.

"Will you leave me?" Harry's eyes went wide. He looked down at his godson, squatting once more he was met with wide, pale brown, eyes.

"No." he said. "I promise you I will never leave you." Then he wrapped his arms around Teddy and Teddy held tightly to him until Harry hoisted him back up onto his shoulders. "I will always be there for you Monkey. I will always be there. Understand?" Teddy nodded.

"Yes."

The next day Harry told Ginny that she should go to her parents house to gather at Fred's grave before they went to Hogwarts for the memorial service of five years since the war ended, but that he was going to Andromeda's with Teddy. Ginny had looked a little sad but understood that this was a big deal for Teddy. This was the first memorial service he was alert for. This was the first one he would really remember. So she kissed him on the cheek, because Teddy was there and he was incredibly sad and worried looking.

"Okay Teds?" he asked and Teddy shook his head. "Hey, I really understand what you're going through. My parents are dead, too." Teddy nodded and took a firm hold of Harry's hand. "You're going to be alright." he said. Stepping out of the house he gripped Teddy's hand even tighter. He disapparated.

They arrived in Andromeda's front garden and Harry went round to the gate that led into the garden. He went through the gate and in the garden, in all black robes, was Andromeda. She took Teddy's other hand and the three of them walked through into the back of the garden where his parents graves were.

Teddy looked down at the large headstone which was inscribed with

Remus John Lupin~Nymphadora "Tonks" Lupin

1960-1998~1973-1998

Loyal friends, loving partners and parents in life

Heroes in death

Teddy stared at the graves his face showing absolutely no emotion. Harry couldn't tell what he was thinking. His hair had returned to his natural brown colour, like Remus' had been and his face was suddenly heart shaped. He shared a look with Andromeda who simply pursed her lips, fighting back the tears that came each time she remembered her daughter's untimely death.

"Can we go?" asked Teddy and Harry looked down at him and then at Andromeda. She nodded and Harry pulled on his hand to lead him back out of the garden and round to the front where they promptly disapparated.

The road up to Hogwarts was full of people in black with mournful expressions as they walked up the drive to the castle. Harry nodded and even shook hands with a couple of people that he knew or at least recognised.

They were seated in the front row at the end of a long row of Weasley's, even Charlie was there. Teddy swung his legs from his seat between Harry and Andromeda but when the speeches started, the first one by Kingsley, he began to clutch tightly onto Harry's arm. By the time Professor McGonagall had finished speaking Teddy was sitting in his lap, his hands clutching Harry's arms very tightly.

"Now our next speaker is the hero of the battle; Harry Potter." Harry made to stand up but Teddy was clinging onto him tightly.

"Teddy!" hissed Andromeda. "Let go of Harry." Teddy was shaking his head, his hair suddenly white and his face too pale. Everyone was watching and Harry knew there was only one thing he could do.

"It's okay Andromeda." he said to her and turned to Teddy. "You are a real monkey, Teddy, you know that." he hoisted him onto his shoulders and carried him, Teddy's face buried in his hair, onto the stage. Quite a lot of people, who had been crying before, smiled at the sight of a five year old clinging onto Harry Potter, his face buried in his messy hair.

"Right." said Harry once he'd got onto the podium. "Sorry for the delay, I got an unexpected friend joining my today. For those of you who don't know this is Teddy Remus Lupin, son of two heroes, with out whom we wouldn't-I wouldn't-be here today; Remus and Tonks." there were lots of sad smiles and Professor McGonagall blew her nose loudly into a handkerchief. "Having Teddy here is actually an added bonus because it explains a lot of my speech. Five years today the war ended. Five years today we killed Voldermort and I say 'we' for a reason because it wasn't just me who killed him. Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione and Neville all destroyed a part of his soul, but I'm not even talking about that. We killed Voldermort with our love. As long we loved one another we would be prepared to fight, and for as long as we fought we would continue to destroy him. Someone would pass on the message of how to destroy his body but we all killed the message he was spreading. We all destroyed the hate that he felt with our ability to love. So whilst Voldermort will undoubtedly gain a legacy, ours will far outstrip it. We were the people that stood up against a tyrant, a ruthless murderer, a man without the ability to love or feel remorse. Today isn't just about the lives we lost, it's about looking round and seeing how far we've come. Today is my niece Vicotrie's third birthday, very aptly named as it means victory." Bill and Fleur both beamed up at him and Vic just squirmed at the mention of her name, she'd been falling asleep. "My godson." he moved his shoulders up and down so Teddy was bumped slightly. "My godson up there is proof that the ones that love us never leave." Teddy's head went up as he remembered Harry saying this to him yesterday. "We leave our legacy in our children, our family. We must remember that, whilst they have died, they are still very much alive in our memories and hearts." the audience burst into applause and there were lots of sniffles blown noises as Harry lifted Teddy down into his arms and held him very tightly. He carried him all the way back into his seat and sat down as the crowd began to disperse, walking away towards the memorial or back out to the gates so they could mourn in private. They sat there together, Teddy in his lap, head resting against his chest whilst everyone else walked off. McGonagall came over to Andromeda and the two of them walked away. The rest of the Weasley's also moved off. Percy and George went together to the lake and Ron, Hermione and Ginny went over to Neville and Luna. Bill and Fleur took their sleeping children home and Charlie stayed with his parents as they knelt before the memorial.

"See Teddy." said Harry eventually. "I won't ever leave you."

"Teddy." Teddy put the frame down, hurriedly, onto his bedside table as Harry came in.

"Harry." he said, sitting upright.

"Everything alright up here?" Teddy nodded. Harry looked at the picture and smiled. "Like it?"

"Yes." he breathed. "Harry I'm so-"

"You don't apologise for anything, understand? Never." Teddy nodded solemnly until a twinkle of mischief appeared in his eyes.

"So if I destroy the living room, I don't have to say sorry?" Harry began to laugh.

"Oh I'm going to get you Monkey." Teddy leapt of the bed and slid between his Godfather's legs. He hurried off down the stairs, undoubtedly drawn by them smell of food. Harry turned and chased after him, catching him when he was halfway down the stairs to the kitchen. Ginny looked up at the sound of a commotion and smiled as she saw Harry come in, his arms around Teddy's chest, holding him off the ground.

"I rounded up the last one ma'am." he said, mock saluting. Ginny laughed at him and James gurgled in imitation.

"Breakfast is on the table." Teddy jumped onto his chair and promptly slipped right off.

"I'm okay!" he cried, leaping back up a second later. "I'm fine!"

"Of course you are." said Harry as he began to butter Teddy's toast. "You're as bouncy as Tigger."

"As bouncy as who?" Harry looked between his wife and godson.

"Forget I said that."

"Done and done." said Ginny and Teddy laughed.

"You do know that half the things that you say are discarded anyway." Harry looked offended and James made another gurgle. "See James agrees." Harry sighed and rolled his eyes.

"One day you've known him and you've already turned him against his old man, you're good at this!" A bright smile lit up Teddy's face when he heard that and Harry allowed himself a private one of his own, silently acknowledging that all the gold in Gringotts wasn't worth that smile.