Teddy's Lullaby
A/N: sorry, i know i havent been updating my other stories, and i could be working on them but instead i wrote this. this plot would not leave me alone until i wrote it down though. (i am now ducking as people throw sharp and/or pointy objects at me) i hopefully should be doing some work to my other fanfics soon.
Disclaimer: i do not own Harry Potter. that was JK Rowling, not me. the song is called "lullaby" By The Remus Lupins. i dont own that either. they do.
on with the story!
Teddy's Lullaby
"Hey Uncle Harry Aunt Ginny I'm here!" Teddy called as he climbed out of the fireplace to the Potters living room.
Ginny came into the room, smiled broadly when she saw him and pulled him into a hug. "I can't believe your 17 in a few weeks time Ted! It seems so long ago when you were just a little baby…"
Teddy could feel himself blushing. "leave the poor boy alone Gin" came the familiar voice of Harry, Ted looked up to see him grinning at both Ginny and himself.
"Your just in time for dinner Teddy, come join us all in the dinning room" Ginny told him.
"Are you alright Ted?" Harry asked "and how's your Gran?"
"We are both great thanks!" Teddy replied as they walked though into the other room. "oh, and by the way, uncle Harry, Gran wanted to speak to you in private at some time today, if you could floo over there at some point"
He nodded. "Thanks Ted" puzzled as to why she wanted to talk in private.
Ginny walked out of the room to call the others down for dinner. What sounded like a stampede came racing down the stairs, and James skidded to halt into the kitchen, where Al and Lily promptly crashed into him, nearly sending all three of them to the ground. There was a sudden and chaotic scramble for food.
"Hi Ted!" Lily exclaimed and promptly hugged him before sitting down to dinner. James and Al both gave him a high five.
They sat down with their plates at the large dinner table and ate mostly in silence. Until James broke the silence. As usual. "why is it so quiet?"
Teddy answered him "its because, James, your mouth is so full of food, it has sent you incapable of human speech"
"He's got a point James" Al said.
"Well, anyway lets finish the food we have in front of us, then we can have cake for dessert" said Ginny, who had a knack for spotting the beginnings of arguments and ending them quickly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I'm full" said James, leaning back in his chair.
"Sorry?" said Teddy, a look of shock across his face. "can you say that again?"
"No!" he said indignantly.
Harry stood up and stretched.
"Where are you going?" asked Ginny, looking confused.
"Andromeda wants to speak to me apparently, I said I'd go over today. I'll be back in a bit" he walked over to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of floo powder from the pot on the mantelpiece, threw it into the fire and shouted Andromeda's address. The flames turned green and he waved at the room in general before stepping into the fireplace.
He landed in the living room of her house, and was met by Andromeda. Harry noticed she looked really upset.
"What's the matter?" he asked her.
She held a small parcel out to him, labelled 'Teddy'. The handwriting seemed familiar to him.
"They made a recording of themselves, before they -" she gulped and took a deep breath "there's a video and tape recording, along with pictures. I've only just found it, they put it in a safe place. But you knew Dora, it was a bit too safe. Let Teddy listen to it and watch it with you. Will you do that for me? I don't want Teddy to see me like this. Plus I know you have a tape and video player."
"Yes of course I will. I would do anything for both you and Teddy."
"Thank you." she said with a grateful smile. "could you do it nearer to his birthday? As a coming of age present? And could you put the photos in a nice album for him? Please?"
"You needn't have asked. Of course I will. I'll show it him tomorrow. Will you be alright?"
"Yes I will be absolutely fine. don't worry about me" she said, putting on a brave smile.
"You know I will anyway"
"I know you will but I feel better saying it. anyway, you had better be going home."
"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"
"I'm sure. I'm going to my friends house tomorrow anyway. I'll be fine, you go along now."
"Alright. I'll speak to you soon then" said Harry, who disguised the package before turning around to the fireplace to floo home.
"Speak to you soon." she replied as the flames turned back to green.
He went straight up to his study. He took the photos out of the packet to put into a photo album and hid the package in one of the drawers in his desk. He looked around at the walls of the study. They were covered in pictures and news articles dating from 30 years ago to last week. He looked at a few of the photos. He missed them. All of them. He remembered when he used to blame himself for what had happened on that day. He still did, but wouldn't admit that to anyone. He knew now that they chose to fight. He didn't make them do it. He knew he would have fought them by himself if they didn't. But wishing it didn't happen didn't change the reality.
He got up and went out of the study. He locked it before going downstairs (there were some things in there that he didn't want his children to know quite just yet as he didn't think they were old enough). He went back downstairs to the living room where he saw Lily and Al playing wizards Chess, Teddy and James were playing Exploding Snap and Ginny was reading a book. How she could focus on a book with all the noise Teddy and James were making was a complete mystery to him. They could get quite competitive when they got going.
He smiled and went and joined James and Teddy in their exploding snap game. He was never that good at chess.
THE NEXT DAY, AFTER DINNER.
He had already explained to Ginny about what he was going to do and what Andromeda had said. The others were occupied in their game, when Harry asked him to follow him upstairs.
Harry led the way down the long corridor towards his study. This area was forbidden to them, he had never been inside here before. Harry unlocked the door, which creaked open, dust rose at their feet as they stepped inside.
The room was covered in pictures and news articles. He gazed around at them.
"Come take a seat Ted." Harry said, pointing to a chair near to a television screen and radio player. "I've got something for you. An early birthday present if you like." he rummaged around in his drawers until he found the little package. He handed it to Teddy. Who looked unsure.
"Go on. Open it" he said in a strange kind of voice, almost eager and dreading at the same time. Teddy obliged and out fell a two tapes and a note. The smaller one was for a radio, the larger one a TV. The note read:
(Both Remus and Tonks speaking/writing. Remus writing tonks writing.)
To our dearest Teddy,
We hope you will never have to hear or see either of these, as it doesn't show either of us in good light. shut up Remus, you're just embarrassed. no I'm not. you are so, and you are blushing right now in fact haha! you laugh! I'm hurt! sorry Remus. ah I was only kidding. Kidding? I am appalled that you would do something like that to poor innocent me! I'm a marauder. Its my job. Anyway what we mean to say Teddy is that whatever happens we love you. Hopefully you wont be reading this note, if you are, you will know that one of us, or I dread to think both of us, are no longer able to be physically with you. But whatever happens we will always be there for you. Someone will be there for you. if Harry doesn't go getting himself killed. stop being so negative Remus. anyway, just watch the tapes, they are eventful, full of laughs and should give you an insight as to who we were, other than being told. Oh and listen to the tape recording first not the video, watch that second, it will all make sense then.
Teddy smiled and passed the note to Harry, who also smiled. "Remus sounds happiest I ever heard him."
"Do you want to listen to the tape?" He asked Teddy, who nodded. "would you like me to leave the room?"
"No, please, will you stay with me?"
"Of course." he reached over and grabbed the tape player. Teddy took the tape out of its case and pushed it into the player.
---
Remus
Tonks
Andromeda
All three
Remus singing.
---
He pressed the "play" button, and a voice came through the speakers.
Remus you know about muggles how do you turn this thing on?
I think it is on.
What? How do you know?
The little red light is flashing.
Oh right. I knew that. Anyway, Remus d'you think we should introduce ourselves?
Well why not? Teddy this is your mother Nymphadora…
Remus don't call me that. Teddy I think you should just stick to "mum" or Dora to everyone else. And this is you father, Moooooonneeyyyyyy!
You did that on purpose!
I know I did. I thought you were supposed to be smart Remus, you don't have to state the obvious!
Well Teddy, you can know me as "Dad", Remus and/or Mooney to everyone else. And no rude jokes please!
You know I wouldn't dream of it.
Anyway, there is a reason for this. There's a war on right now, and we thought that you might want something to errr, well, if things don't go as planned…
We just thought that Remus might want to show you his singing voice, before you get too old to tell him to stop singing. I'm only joking Remus, you have a lovely singing voice. Seriously. (whispered) he's a little sensitive about his singing voice.
Yeah sure I do. Hang on, I'm not sensitive!
You do have a great voice and you are sensitive! Your blushing! Look you agreed to do this so come on!
Alright. I don't think I'm that good. Don't judge me by this Ted. Please. This is your Lullaby, I swear it nearly always works on getting you to sleep.
Hem hem.
Alright I'm rambling now, so here we go.
(and with that, he began to sing)
Oh my dearest Teddy boy
You showed me never ending joy
Oh boy
And close your eyes don't watch the sky
Fall asleep to this lullaby
My boy
When you wake I will be there
To make sure life is more than fair
Oh boy
You stand as a reminder of
The victory of true love
My boy
Oh sleep you well
Oh sleep you well
Oh my little perfect son
Cant understand what you have done
For me
You showed me what my life was worth
Changed every colour with your birth
My boy
For many years from now you hear this song
Know I'm next to you, I'm never gone
Oh boy
You are who I'm fighting for
So let them come to our front door
Ill stand
Oh sleep you well
Oh sleep you well
Sleep you well my son
We'll be home for you when the battles done
Sleep you well my son,
We'll be home for you when the battles done
Sleep you well my son
We'll be home for you when the battles done
(there was a few seconds pause. Teddy and Harry glanced at each other, both of whom had tears in their eyes)
See Remus you are a good singer.
I'm not that good.
You must be good because it always works.
(a baby cry is heard)
Hang on, isn't Teddy with your mother right now?
Yes he is. Hang on a minute……
(a rustling noise is heard)
MUM! How long have you been standing there? And where did you learn to use a video camera?
Your father taught me how to use it. I have standing in here since you started recording. You're a very good singer Remus, why did we not hear this talent earlier?
You recorded me singing? (he sounded mortified)
Oh Remus it doesn't matter. In fact, its good, now there's two versions of us. I didn't even know we had a video camera.
Your father bought it to record Teddy. Its got some good recordings on it actually.
Well we shall have to have a look wont we Remus? ….. Remus?
Sorry I am listening honestly. I was watching Teddy, he keeps on changing his hair. Its yellow now.
It goes yellow when he sees you. Purple when he sees me, orange when he sees my mum, but it generally tends to be blue. (teddy noticed that his hair was blue at that moment,)
Teddy, Daddy completely loves you. And don't you ever doubt that.
Yeah. And I have a confession to make. I nearly left you. And your mum. In fact, I did leave you. Only for a few days and please don't take it that wrong way! I was trying to protect you! But after Harry gave me a talking to I finally came to my senses. I came back. And I wish I had never left. I wont blame you at all if you hate me.
I don't know what he said to you but it must have been good. But anyway,
We are the happiest we have ever been, and nothing is ever going to change that.
We had better be going now,
This is one of the random things I have ever done, well, not including the stuff I did at school with James and Sirius but they were random. I wish they could have seen you, and gotten to know you. They would have loved you too.
(by this time, they were both nearly in tears)
Love you Ted, Lots of hugs and kisses from both of us!
Yeah, you are now sending us very odd looks, so goodbye for now!
Love you Teddy!
And with that, the tape ended.
"Are you alright Ted?" Harry asked him.
"Yeah, yeah I'll be fine."
"If you have any questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them"
"Ok. Why did he leave me?"
Harry sighed "he left you because he wanted to protect you. He was a werewolf, and he was so afraid that because of who he was, he was scared that you would be a werewolf too. He was scared he might have passed it on to you, or he might accidentally bite you."
"He was that scared?" Teddy asked looking shocked.
"Yeah. He tried to come on a mission with me Ron and Hermione, instead of being with your mother. I told him it was a load of nonsense. Made him see that leaving you didn't change who he was, or your condition. If you had it, I told him he had to help you as best he could. I can show you at a later date if you want me too."
He nodded. "he was stupid to think I'd hate him. Sometimes I do, for leaving me. I mean why did he have to go and fight?"
"Remus was never one to sit around and let others do the fighting. Everything he did, he did to protect you. In an obscure kind of way."
Teddy nodded. He understood.
Harry looked at the time. "we had better call it a night tonight. Will you be alright?"
"I'll be fine Uncle Harry. I'm glad I got to hear this. Maybe we can watch the video together at some point?"
"Yeah. I'd like that."
"And maybe you can tell me a bit about what you knew of them"
"Just say when, and I'll tell you what I can"
"Tomorrow?" he said hopefully.
"Why not?" Harry laughed as he followed Teddy out of the room. The door creaked as he closed it. He locked it behind himself.
As Teddy went off to his bedroom, Harry heard a soft voice "Sleep you well my son, We'll be home for you when the battles done".
A/N: im sorry if that confused anyone. should i do a sequel with the video recording? i hope you all liked it, please read + review? i always respond to a review and i try to review the stories of my own reviewers if i can. and i love to hear what my readers think.