Ten of Coins
Title: Family
Spoilers Alert: DH-spoilers!
Author: rubymiene
Type: Fic
Length: 3000
Characters/Pairings: Harry/Ginny, Teddy, Andromeda
Card: Ten of Coins
Interpretation: "A man and woman beneath an archway which gives
entrance to a house and domain. They are accompanied by a child, who looks
curiously at two dogs accosting an ancient personage seated in the
foreground."
Rating: G
Disclaimer: This piece of fiction is non-commercial and constitutes fair use under copyright and trademark law
Warnings: Canon compliant through DH, epilogue included. May induce sniffles.
Summary: After the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry faces his greatest responsibility of all, his godson.
Betaed by: sergec
Harry came down the stairs from the Headmaster’s office, Ron and Hermione beside him, and found Arthur Weasley waiting.
“Dad!” A look of alarm passed over Ron’s face, before Arthur held up a hand.
“Harry, may I have a word with you?”
A silent look passed between the three friends before Harry nodded and followed Arthur. He knew Hermione and Ron would be waiting for him in Gryffindor tower.
Arthur looked like Harry felt, exhausted. “I’m sorry to ask this of you, Harry, but I thought Remus would have wanted-” He stopped and coughed.
Harry’s chest tightened at the mention of Remus’s name. “What is it?”
Arthur ran a hand through his hair. “Kingsley just sent me a Patronus. Someone needs go to tell Andromeda that-” That her daughter and son-in-law are dead. Arthur could not finish the sentence. “He’d go himself, but the Ministry is in chaos and-”
“I understand.” He thought of the look on Mrs. Tonks face after he and Hagrid crashed into her garden, the fear when she realized that her daughter was out there somewhere, being chased by Voldemort. He knew how she must be feeling now, at home waiting for news, wondering why, why, if Voldemort had been defeated, no one had come home.
“Do you think she’d want to see me?”
Arthur seemed to sag suddenly. “No, I imagine not, but you’re her grandson’s godfather. She needs you, whether she knows it or not.”
And for the first time since the battle began, Harry thought of little Teddy Lupin, who, like Harry, would now grow up without a father or mother. How could he have forgotten that he was a godfather now, with the responsibility to love and care for a child? He thought about Sirius and what it would have been like to grow up with his godfather in his life. When he was sent to Azkaban, Sirius had not been that much older than Harry was now. But he, Harry, was not going anywhere. He was going to be there for Teddy, in whatever he needed, every birthday and Christmas and everything in between.
Harry straightened. “We should go then.”
They Apparated just outside of the wards in front of the Tonks’ house. Harry had never seen the front before. The house was two stories of red brick with a wide, open yard, surrounded by an iron latticework gate. The sun was still high in the sky. It was far too bright and warm for the news they had to bring.
As soon as the two men stepped past the wards, the front door was flung open, and Mrs. Tonks ran out. She knew as soon as she saw their faces. A keen, inhuman wail filled the air as she collapsed on the front stoop.
“Andy!” Arthur ran to her, gathering her into his arms.
Harry stared at the two huddled figures: Arthur with a vacant look on his face, and Mrs. Tonks sobbing into the front of his robes. He was in a daze, and as if he were watching someone else, he saw himself walk up calmly and take Mrs. Tonks by the arm. “We should get her inside.”
It was difficult to lift her, and Arthur had to cast a Weightless Charm before they could carry Mrs. Tonks and settle her on the sofa.
Arthur looked paler than Harry had ever seen him. “Stay here. I’ll go get some Calming Draught.”
Harry kept patting Mrs. Tonks’s arm as reassuringly as he could. “I’m sorry. It’ll be alright.”
“Why? Why did she-” She clung to his arm, shaking it as she sobbed.
Harry did not know. The last time he had seen Tonks alive, she had left him at the Room of Requirement after hearing Remus was dueling Dolohov.
“She was very brave,” he said instead.
Arthur returned with a dark cup of tea. “Drink this, Andromeda.”
She swallowed obediently, and her gripped on Harry softened.
Mrs. Tonks looked up at Arthur. “They’re dead, aren’t they?”
Arthur nodded. “Yes.”
“How?”
Arthur seemed frozen. “Andy…”
“How?” She demanded.
He looked away. “Dolohov got Remus, and Dora was…killed by Bellatrix.”
“Bella-” Mrs. Tonks seemed ready to jump up and charge out the door, but Arthur’s hand on her arm stopped her. “She’s dead too,” he said firmly. “My wife killed her.”
The words seemed to steal all the energy from Mrs. Tonks. “And Cissa?” She asked tonelessly, as if she did not really care.
“Alive.” Arthur confirmed. “Draco too.”
“She helped me,” Harry added. “She lied to Voldemort and told him I was dead.”
Mrs. Tonks’s eyes flicked to him at this revelation, but she said nothing.
Arthur laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Come on, Andy, let’s get you to bed so you can get some rest.”
Harry watched Arthur lead Mrs. Tonks up the stairs. His mind jumped to the tapestry at Grimmauld Place, the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. There weren’t many left now, just Draco Malfoy and…his eyes fell on the simple white crib on the far side of the room. Teddy Lupin.
Harry walked over and looked down. He had never seen the baby in person before. Teddy was sleeping on his back, his blue hair spread about his head like a halo.
“Hi, Teddy.” Harry reached down and stroked the tender skin on the back of one tiny fist.
And then he was staring into bright amber eyes. The fist closed around his finger and squeezed, surprisingly tight for such a small hand. Teddy stared at Harry for a moment. Then, as if realizing he was in the presence of a stranger, scrunched up his nose and opened his mouth to cry.
Harry scrambled to pick him up, cradling the baby gingerly. Holding a baby was…odd.
Teddy was now looking at him with curiosity, all thoughts of tears forgotten.
“Hey, there, Teddy.” Harry rocked him experimentally. Teddy didn’t seem to mind, so he continued. “I’m Harry, your godfather.” The words sounded good as he said them. Harry grinned.
Teddy grinned back, his hair brightening.
Harry chuckled, and Teddy gurgled back at him, waving his arms impatiently as his hair turned turquoise.
“Remus made a good choice.”
Harry turned, and there was Arthur standing at the bottom of the stairs, smiling.
“I’ve never taken care of a baby before,” Harry murmured, rocking experimentally.
Arthur came to stand next to him. “I hadn’t either, when Bill was born. But you won’t have to take care of him yourself, Harry. This is a terrible time for Andromeda, but she’s a tough one. And Molly and I and the rest of the Order will be here to take care of Teddy too.”
Harry nodded. “I get that.” And he did. Teddy did not need the protection of his mother’s sacrifice to keep him safe; he could be raised by a group of people who loved him, including his godfather.
Harry climbed down the stairs wearily. It had taken three stories to get Teddy to sleep. After the day running about the zoo, it was astounding the boy had any energy left. Harry certainly didn’t.
Andromeda was just finishing up with the wash when Harry stepped into the kitchen.
“He’s asleep, finally.”
Andromeda smiled. “You look like you need to be tucked in yourself.”
When Harry moved to help put away the dried dishes, she shooed him away, so he dropped into one of the chairs. A flick of his wand later and the kettle was boiling merrily on the stove.
“How many stories did it take this time?” Andromeda asked with a knowing smile.
“Three.”
She sat down across from him and summoned teacups from the cupboards and the steaming pot from the stove. “I never knew the Muggle zoo had so much.” She poured out the tea. “I’m glad you took him. Did you find out about it when you went out yesterday?”
“No, I went to the zoo as a child. Yesterday I went to Gringotts.” Harry set his cup down and turned it about in his hands.
Andromeda waited patiently for him to continue.
“I went to look at my vault.”
“Were you looking for something in particular?”
“No, I…” Harry sighed. “I got a letter from Gringotts. It said that I gained access to the Potter vaults on my twenty-first birthday. Things my grandparents left me.”
Andromeda nodded. “In a trust.”
“Yeah. There was a lot of stuff. Furniture and paintings and whole shelves of books. Hermione’ll love it when I take her there.” Harry rubbed the back of his neck. “And I found my grandmother’s jewelry box. It was full of really expensive-looking necklaces and earrings, and…” He reached inside his shirt pocket and pulled out a small ring. “And this.”
Harry held it up and it twinkled in the light. A round diamond sat nested in delicate platinum lacework with small diamonds scattered throughout. “I think it must have been her engagement ring.”
“It’s beautiful.”
Harry played with it, turning it so that it caught the light. “I might ask Ginny to marry me.”
Andromeda smiled. “You should.”
“What if she-” Harry worried his bottom lip with his teeth. “What if I screw it up?”
“Asking?”
“No! I mean yeah, I’ll have to come up with the right way and stuff, but-” Harry sighed. “What if I’m no good at it? Being a husband and father, I mean?”
Andromeda heard his unvoiced fears. Harry had grown up without loving parents. How would he know how to be one himself?
“You’ll do wonderfully,” Andromeda said firmly. “You’re already a great father to Teddy.”
Harry blushed. “But I had you! And everyone else.”
Andromeda patted him on the hand. “And you’ll have Ginny, and me, and everyone else.”
That was true. He would still have all of them.
“I always wonder if this is what it would have been like if I grew up with Sirius.”
Andromeda’s eyes misted. “We would have all loved you very much, and we would have all watched you grow up.”
“What if Sirius had gotten married?” What would have happened to me?
“Then he and Remus would have raised you together,” Andromeda said firmly.
“Remus-Oh.” He hadn’t expected her to say that. “I guess Hermione was right about that.” Harry thought about that scene in the hospital room and Remus’s protests. He scrunched up his nose. “Did Tonks-?”
She nodded. “Everyone knew. I thought she was being foolish, but people can love more than once in a lifetime, if given the chance.”
He didn’t want to pry, but… “You haven’t…dated anyone since Mr. Tonks died.”
Andromeda gave him a sad smile. “Sometimes it takes a little longer than others.”
Harry tried to sort out all the thoughts in his head, but they didn’t line up clearly. “Ginny’ll want a house in London or somewhere. I won’t be living here anymore.”
Andromeda nodded. “That’s okay, you know. You can come by anytime.”
Harry frowned, resting his elbows on the table. “But if Sirius was supposed to raise me, then-I mean, I’m not in Azkaban. Aren’t I supposed to…be here?”
Andromeda looked at him very seriously. “A godfather is supposed to make sure his godchild has everything he needs: Love, attention, a good home, clothes, food, an education. If your parents had lived, Sirius would have done all that too. And if Sirius had lived, he would still be your godfather, even though you’re no longer a child.”
If they had lived…
“Remus and Dora didn’t name you godfather because they expected a seventeen year old wizard to raise a baby by himself, they picked you because they trusted you to watch out for Teddy, always.”
“But I didn’t,” Harry whispered. “I got his parents killed.”
“Oh, Harry.” She reached over and wiped a wet streak from his cheek. “That’s not true. Remus and Dora knew the risks when they joined the Order.”
“If I had just figured it out a little faster…”
“And if you hadn’t done it at all, he would have hunted them down and killed them and their son.” Her words chilled him. “This wasn’t just about principle. Neither of them were purebloods. They both knew they would have never survived in a world where Voldemort won.”
“They wanted a world where their son could have a happier life,” Harry murmured.
“Do you understand, Harry?”
He looked up at her, and suddenly, he did. Remus and Tonks had made a choice, the same choice his parents had made, the same choice he had made, to walk into battle and face death, backs straight, head held high. And in the end, they had won.
“Yeah. Yeah, I do.” Harry tucked the ring in his pocket. Tomorrow, he would take Ginny to the Lake, and ask her.
“Uncle Harry, Uncle Harry!” A blue blur dashed down the steps of the front stoop and streaked across the lawn towards his target.
Harry laughed squatted down, arms spread. Teddy bowled into his arms at full speed, nearly knocking him over. “Hey there, Teddy!” Harry kissed the boy on the forehead and ruffled his hair.
“Hi, Aunt Ginny!” Teddy darted over to Ginny, who had slowly made her way out of the car. He squeezed her legs, and she patted his head, laughing.
Just as quickly, Teddy ran back to Harry. “Uncle Harry, there’s something I’ve got to show you!” He jumped up and down, tugging on Harry’s hand, unable to contain his glee.
Harry shot a look at Ginny who made a shooing motion. “Go, I’m fine.” She patted her enormous stomach with an exasperated look.
Taking this as cue, Teddy took off for the house, pulling Harry at such speed that he had to run to keep up.
“GRAN! Uncle Harry’s here!” Teddy announced as they tore through the foyer.
“So I see.” Andromeda stepped out of the kitchen, still wiping her hands on a towel. “Hello, Harry,” she greeted him with a smile.
“How are you, Andromeda?” He leaned over and pecked her cheek.
She patted his cheek fondly. “Good. How’s Ginny?”
“Waddling down the lane. I told her she should stay home, but she insisted she was fine.” Harry looked to Andromeda for sympathy, but got none. “She’s due in two weeks!”
Andromeda chortled. “I’ll fetch her, then. I’m sure she’s sick to death of your fretting by now.” Indeed, with each passing month of pregnancy, Harry had begun to resemble Molly Weasley more and more.
Andromeda turned to Teddy. “Don’t you have something you wanted to show Harry?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Teddy nodded so enthusiastically Harry thought his head might shake off. “In my room!”
Harry hurried up the stairs after him. By the time he got to the door, Teddy was already on his bed, his drawings spread around him.
“Whatcha got there?” Harry asked as he sat down on the bed, avoiding the scattered sheets of paper.
“Here!” Teddy pulled large sheet from the top of the pile. “I drew it this morning,” he said proudly.
Harry tilted his head to study it.
“There you! And Aunt Ginny.” They stood on the left, standing beneath the arch of the large iron gate at the property’s entrance. Harry’s scar stood on his head rather prominently. “You’re coming to see me.” Teddy grinned up at Harry. “I knew you were coming today.” He pointed to the middle figure on the page. “And there’s me, with Rex.” The blue hair was a rather good giveaway, though the puppy was only recognized by the fact that it had four legs. “And there’s Gran, in her rocking chair!” Andromeda sat to the right, with the outline of the house above her.
“It’s us,” Teddy summarized. “As a family.” He looked up at Harry, expecting confirmation.
Harry nodded solemnly. “Yes, that’s right.”
Teddy turned back down at the picture, his hair darkening as it did whenever he was deep in thought. “Gran said Aunt Ginny’s baby is coming soon.”
“That’s right.” Hearing the boy’s serious tone, Harry resisted the urge to ruffle his hair.
“Gran says you’ll be a father.”
“I will.”
Teddy stared at the picture, and his hair fluctuated. “If you have a baby, will I be you godson anymore?” Teddy glanced over, his face scrunched up with concern.
“Of course, Teddy.” Harry bent over so that his eyes were at the same level as his godson’s. “I’ll always be your godfather, and I’ll always be here for you.”
Teddy did not look fully convinced. “Will you still come around?”
“Yes, every week, just like now. And you’ll come to my house.”
“What about your baby?” Teddy asked.
“I’ll bring him with me. And when he gets older, you can play together.”
“And we’ll still be a family?”
“Yep.” Harry smiled. “You’ll just have a new little brother.”
“Oh.” Teddy blinked up at him. “A brother.” He stared at the drawing between them and his hair brightened. He grabbed one of the crayons scattered on the bed and, his tongue sticking out in concentration, drew in a small dark figure with messy black hair that stood between Teddy and Harry.
Spoilers Alert: DH-spoilers!
Author: rubymiene
Type: Fic
Length: 3000
Characters/Pairings: Harry/Ginny, Teddy, Andromeda
Card: Ten of Coins
Interpretation: "A man and woman beneath an archway which gives
entrance to a house and domain. They are accompanied by a child, who looks
curiously at two dogs accosting an ancient personage seated in the
foreground."
Rating: G
Disclaimer: This piece of fiction is non-commercial and constitutes fair use under copyright and trademark law
Warnings: Canon compliant through DH, epilogue included. May induce sniffles.
Summary: After the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry faces his greatest responsibility of all, his godson.
Betaed by: sergec
Harry came down the stairs from the Headmaster’s office, Ron and Hermione beside him, and found Arthur Weasley waiting.
“Dad!” A look of alarm passed over Ron’s face, before Arthur held up a hand.
“Harry, may I have a word with you?”
A silent look passed between the three friends before Harry nodded and followed Arthur. He knew Hermione and Ron would be waiting for him in Gryffindor tower.
Arthur looked like Harry felt, exhausted. “I’m sorry to ask this of you, Harry, but I thought Remus would have wanted-” He stopped and coughed.
Harry’s chest tightened at the mention of Remus’s name. “What is it?”
Arthur ran a hand through his hair. “Kingsley just sent me a Patronus. Someone needs go to tell Andromeda that-” That her daughter and son-in-law are dead. Arthur could not finish the sentence. “He’d go himself, but the Ministry is in chaos and-”
“I understand.” He thought of the look on Mrs. Tonks face after he and Hagrid crashed into her garden, the fear when she realized that her daughter was out there somewhere, being chased by Voldemort. He knew how she must be feeling now, at home waiting for news, wondering why, why, if Voldemort had been defeated, no one had come home.
“Do you think she’d want to see me?”
Arthur seemed to sag suddenly. “No, I imagine not, but you’re her grandson’s godfather. She needs you, whether she knows it or not.”
And for the first time since the battle began, Harry thought of little Teddy Lupin, who, like Harry, would now grow up without a father or mother. How could he have forgotten that he was a godfather now, with the responsibility to love and care for a child? He thought about Sirius and what it would have been like to grow up with his godfather in his life. When he was sent to Azkaban, Sirius had not been that much older than Harry was now. But he, Harry, was not going anywhere. He was going to be there for Teddy, in whatever he needed, every birthday and Christmas and everything in between.
Harry straightened. “We should go then.”
They Apparated just outside of the wards in front of the Tonks’ house. Harry had never seen the front before. The house was two stories of red brick with a wide, open yard, surrounded by an iron latticework gate. The sun was still high in the sky. It was far too bright and warm for the news they had to bring.
As soon as the two men stepped past the wards, the front door was flung open, and Mrs. Tonks ran out. She knew as soon as she saw their faces. A keen, inhuman wail filled the air as she collapsed on the front stoop.
“Andy!” Arthur ran to her, gathering her into his arms.
Harry stared at the two huddled figures: Arthur with a vacant look on his face, and Mrs. Tonks sobbing into the front of his robes. He was in a daze, and as if he were watching someone else, he saw himself walk up calmly and take Mrs. Tonks by the arm. “We should get her inside.”
It was difficult to lift her, and Arthur had to cast a Weightless Charm before they could carry Mrs. Tonks and settle her on the sofa.
Arthur looked paler than Harry had ever seen him. “Stay here. I’ll go get some Calming Draught.”
Harry kept patting Mrs. Tonks’s arm as reassuringly as he could. “I’m sorry. It’ll be alright.”
“Why? Why did she-” She clung to his arm, shaking it as she sobbed.
Harry did not know. The last time he had seen Tonks alive, she had left him at the Room of Requirement after hearing Remus was dueling Dolohov.
“She was very brave,” he said instead.
Arthur returned with a dark cup of tea. “Drink this, Andromeda.”
She swallowed obediently, and her gripped on Harry softened.
Mrs. Tonks looked up at Arthur. “They’re dead, aren’t they?”
Arthur nodded. “Yes.”
“How?”
Arthur seemed frozen. “Andy…”
“How?” She demanded.
He looked away. “Dolohov got Remus, and Dora was…killed by Bellatrix.”
“Bella-” Mrs. Tonks seemed ready to jump up and charge out the door, but Arthur’s hand on her arm stopped her. “She’s dead too,” he said firmly. “My wife killed her.”
The words seemed to steal all the energy from Mrs. Tonks. “And Cissa?” She asked tonelessly, as if she did not really care.
“Alive.” Arthur confirmed. “Draco too.”
“She helped me,” Harry added. “She lied to Voldemort and told him I was dead.”
Mrs. Tonks’s eyes flicked to him at this revelation, but she said nothing.
Arthur laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Come on, Andy, let’s get you to bed so you can get some rest.”
Harry watched Arthur lead Mrs. Tonks up the stairs. His mind jumped to the tapestry at Grimmauld Place, the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. There weren’t many left now, just Draco Malfoy and…his eyes fell on the simple white crib on the far side of the room. Teddy Lupin.
Harry walked over and looked down. He had never seen the baby in person before. Teddy was sleeping on his back, his blue hair spread about his head like a halo.
“Hi, Teddy.” Harry reached down and stroked the tender skin on the back of one tiny fist.
And then he was staring into bright amber eyes. The fist closed around his finger and squeezed, surprisingly tight for such a small hand. Teddy stared at Harry for a moment. Then, as if realizing he was in the presence of a stranger, scrunched up his nose and opened his mouth to cry.
Harry scrambled to pick him up, cradling the baby gingerly. Holding a baby was…odd.
Teddy was now looking at him with curiosity, all thoughts of tears forgotten.
“Hey, there, Teddy.” Harry rocked him experimentally. Teddy didn’t seem to mind, so he continued. “I’m Harry, your godfather.” The words sounded good as he said them. Harry grinned.
Teddy grinned back, his hair brightening.
Harry chuckled, and Teddy gurgled back at him, waving his arms impatiently as his hair turned turquoise.
“Remus made a good choice.”
Harry turned, and there was Arthur standing at the bottom of the stairs, smiling.
“I’ve never taken care of a baby before,” Harry murmured, rocking experimentally.
Arthur came to stand next to him. “I hadn’t either, when Bill was born. But you won’t have to take care of him yourself, Harry. This is a terrible time for Andromeda, but she’s a tough one. And Molly and I and the rest of the Order will be here to take care of Teddy too.”
Harry nodded. “I get that.” And he did. Teddy did not need the protection of his mother’s sacrifice to keep him safe; he could be raised by a group of people who loved him, including his godfather.
Harry climbed down the stairs wearily. It had taken three stories to get Teddy to sleep. After the day running about the zoo, it was astounding the boy had any energy left. Harry certainly didn’t.
Andromeda was just finishing up with the wash when Harry stepped into the kitchen.
“He’s asleep, finally.”
Andromeda smiled. “You look like you need to be tucked in yourself.”
When Harry moved to help put away the dried dishes, she shooed him away, so he dropped into one of the chairs. A flick of his wand later and the kettle was boiling merrily on the stove.
“How many stories did it take this time?” Andromeda asked with a knowing smile.
“Three.”
She sat down across from him and summoned teacups from the cupboards and the steaming pot from the stove. “I never knew the Muggle zoo had so much.” She poured out the tea. “I’m glad you took him. Did you find out about it when you went out yesterday?”
“No, I went to the zoo as a child. Yesterday I went to Gringotts.” Harry set his cup down and turned it about in his hands.
Andromeda waited patiently for him to continue.
“I went to look at my vault.”
“Were you looking for something in particular?”
“No, I…” Harry sighed. “I got a letter from Gringotts. It said that I gained access to the Potter vaults on my twenty-first birthday. Things my grandparents left me.”
Andromeda nodded. “In a trust.”
“Yeah. There was a lot of stuff. Furniture and paintings and whole shelves of books. Hermione’ll love it when I take her there.” Harry rubbed the back of his neck. “And I found my grandmother’s jewelry box. It was full of really expensive-looking necklaces and earrings, and…” He reached inside his shirt pocket and pulled out a small ring. “And this.”
Harry held it up and it twinkled in the light. A round diamond sat nested in delicate platinum lacework with small diamonds scattered throughout. “I think it must have been her engagement ring.”
“It’s beautiful.”
Harry played with it, turning it so that it caught the light. “I might ask Ginny to marry me.”
Andromeda smiled. “You should.”
“What if she-” Harry worried his bottom lip with his teeth. “What if I screw it up?”
“Asking?”
“No! I mean yeah, I’ll have to come up with the right way and stuff, but-” Harry sighed. “What if I’m no good at it? Being a husband and father, I mean?”
Andromeda heard his unvoiced fears. Harry had grown up without loving parents. How would he know how to be one himself?
“You’ll do wonderfully,” Andromeda said firmly. “You’re already a great father to Teddy.”
Harry blushed. “But I had you! And everyone else.”
Andromeda patted him on the hand. “And you’ll have Ginny, and me, and everyone else.”
That was true. He would still have all of them.
“I always wonder if this is what it would have been like if I grew up with Sirius.”
Andromeda’s eyes misted. “We would have all loved you very much, and we would have all watched you grow up.”
“What if Sirius had gotten married?” What would have happened to me?
“Then he and Remus would have raised you together,” Andromeda said firmly.
“Remus-Oh.” He hadn’t expected her to say that. “I guess Hermione was right about that.” Harry thought about that scene in the hospital room and Remus’s protests. He scrunched up his nose. “Did Tonks-?”
She nodded. “Everyone knew. I thought she was being foolish, but people can love more than once in a lifetime, if given the chance.”
He didn’t want to pry, but… “You haven’t…dated anyone since Mr. Tonks died.”
Andromeda gave him a sad smile. “Sometimes it takes a little longer than others.”
Harry tried to sort out all the thoughts in his head, but they didn’t line up clearly. “Ginny’ll want a house in London or somewhere. I won’t be living here anymore.”
Andromeda nodded. “That’s okay, you know. You can come by anytime.”
Harry frowned, resting his elbows on the table. “But if Sirius was supposed to raise me, then-I mean, I’m not in Azkaban. Aren’t I supposed to…be here?”
Andromeda looked at him very seriously. “A godfather is supposed to make sure his godchild has everything he needs: Love, attention, a good home, clothes, food, an education. If your parents had lived, Sirius would have done all that too. And if Sirius had lived, he would still be your godfather, even though you’re no longer a child.”
If they had lived…
“Remus and Dora didn’t name you godfather because they expected a seventeen year old wizard to raise a baby by himself, they picked you because they trusted you to watch out for Teddy, always.”
“But I didn’t,” Harry whispered. “I got his parents killed.”
“Oh, Harry.” She reached over and wiped a wet streak from his cheek. “That’s not true. Remus and Dora knew the risks when they joined the Order.”
“If I had just figured it out a little faster…”
“And if you hadn’t done it at all, he would have hunted them down and killed them and their son.” Her words chilled him. “This wasn’t just about principle. Neither of them were purebloods. They both knew they would have never survived in a world where Voldemort won.”
“They wanted a world where their son could have a happier life,” Harry murmured.
“Do you understand, Harry?”
He looked up at her, and suddenly, he did. Remus and Tonks had made a choice, the same choice his parents had made, the same choice he had made, to walk into battle and face death, backs straight, head held high. And in the end, they had won.
“Yeah. Yeah, I do.” Harry tucked the ring in his pocket. Tomorrow, he would take Ginny to the Lake, and ask her.
“Uncle Harry, Uncle Harry!” A blue blur dashed down the steps of the front stoop and streaked across the lawn towards his target.
Harry laughed squatted down, arms spread. Teddy bowled into his arms at full speed, nearly knocking him over. “Hey there, Teddy!” Harry kissed the boy on the forehead and ruffled his hair.
“Hi, Aunt Ginny!” Teddy darted over to Ginny, who had slowly made her way out of the car. He squeezed her legs, and she patted his head, laughing.
Just as quickly, Teddy ran back to Harry. “Uncle Harry, there’s something I’ve got to show you!” He jumped up and down, tugging on Harry’s hand, unable to contain his glee.
Harry shot a look at Ginny who made a shooing motion. “Go, I’m fine.” She patted her enormous stomach with an exasperated look.
Taking this as cue, Teddy took off for the house, pulling Harry at such speed that he had to run to keep up.
“GRAN! Uncle Harry’s here!” Teddy announced as they tore through the foyer.
“So I see.” Andromeda stepped out of the kitchen, still wiping her hands on a towel. “Hello, Harry,” she greeted him with a smile.
“How are you, Andromeda?” He leaned over and pecked her cheek.
She patted his cheek fondly. “Good. How’s Ginny?”
“Waddling down the lane. I told her she should stay home, but she insisted she was fine.” Harry looked to Andromeda for sympathy, but got none. “She’s due in two weeks!”
Andromeda chortled. “I’ll fetch her, then. I’m sure she’s sick to death of your fretting by now.” Indeed, with each passing month of pregnancy, Harry had begun to resemble Molly Weasley more and more.
Andromeda turned to Teddy. “Don’t you have something you wanted to show Harry?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Teddy nodded so enthusiastically Harry thought his head might shake off. “In my room!”
Harry hurried up the stairs after him. By the time he got to the door, Teddy was already on his bed, his drawings spread around him.
“Whatcha got there?” Harry asked as he sat down on the bed, avoiding the scattered sheets of paper.
“Here!” Teddy pulled large sheet from the top of the pile. “I drew it this morning,” he said proudly.
Harry tilted his head to study it.
“There you! And Aunt Ginny.” They stood on the left, standing beneath the arch of the large iron gate at the property’s entrance. Harry’s scar stood on his head rather prominently. “You’re coming to see me.” Teddy grinned up at Harry. “I knew you were coming today.” He pointed to the middle figure on the page. “And there’s me, with Rex.” The blue hair was a rather good giveaway, though the puppy was only recognized by the fact that it had four legs. “And there’s Gran, in her rocking chair!” Andromeda sat to the right, with the outline of the house above her.
“It’s us,” Teddy summarized. “As a family.” He looked up at Harry, expecting confirmation.
Harry nodded solemnly. “Yes, that’s right.”
Teddy turned back down at the picture, his hair darkening as it did whenever he was deep in thought. “Gran said Aunt Ginny’s baby is coming soon.”
“That’s right.” Hearing the boy’s serious tone, Harry resisted the urge to ruffle his hair.
“Gran says you’ll be a father.”
“I will.”
Teddy stared at the picture, and his hair fluctuated. “If you have a baby, will I be you godson anymore?” Teddy glanced over, his face scrunched up with concern.
“Of course, Teddy.” Harry bent over so that his eyes were at the same level as his godson’s. “I’ll always be your godfather, and I’ll always be here for you.”
Teddy did not look fully convinced. “Will you still come around?”
“Yes, every week, just like now. And you’ll come to my house.”
“What about your baby?” Teddy asked.
“I’ll bring him with me. And when he gets older, you can play together.”
“And we’ll still be a family?”
“Yep.” Harry smiled. “You’ll just have a new little brother.”
“Oh.” Teddy blinked up at him. “A brother.” He stared at the drawing between them and his hair brightened. He grabbed one of the crayons scattered on the bed and, his tongue sticking out in concentration, drew in a small dark figure with messy black hair that stood between Teddy and Harry.