Teddy Lupin's POV.
Chapter One
I looked directly at the red-bricked wall behind of me; the last time I had ran through the barrier was two years before, when I was on my way to my last term of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I turned around and looked at my family in front of me; they really were a funny sight. Aunty Hermione was on her knees, shouting at James whilst trying to flatten his matt black hair. It was blowing in the wind, going every way possible, just like Uncle Harry's did; Nanna Molly said he also got it off of his dad, James. Uncle Harry didn't want to get involved, he was holding little Lily-Luna's hand, showing her all of the different animals on wizard's trollies as they walked past instead, as people walked through the barrier onto platform 9 and 3/4 in dozens. Lily was awe-struck, she really couldn't wait to get to Hogwarts; she hated being the youngest child, she had to watch all of us start without her... She really didn't want to wait another two years before she got her letter; she was the most impatient Potter child, although James would always like to give her a run for money. Aunt Hermione and Uncle Harry really did have a handful; how they managed I'll never know.
I laughed again at the sight of them, I liked the feeling that I didn't have to say goodbye to them; I was a very dependant child growing up, leaving for school was always the hardest part for me... I turned, to walk towards the train, which was when I saw Albus; he was knelt on one knee, trying to tie his shoes. He had had several attempts, but his poor, little hands were trembling too much, the laces just fell from his hands. He was a year younger than James and was just about to start his first year at Hogwarts. The previous week he had been so excited, he couldn't wait to start, but as soon as he stepped onto the platform, the nerves struck. He looked so lost, like he didn't know what to do, or where to go; I knew exactly how he was feeling...
I looked across at Uncle Harry; Lily-Luna was no longer holding his hand, but had run over to Aunty Ginny, who was dropping off Alice and Frankie with her husband Neville; they were the same age as James and Al. The Weasleys were no close relation to us, although Uncle Harry had told me that his dad and his Godfather were distantly related to them, although all wizards were, especially purebloods. They had helped Harry raise me after my parents died in the War, and my grandmother a few years later; they really had been good to us all. James, Albus and Lily all treated them like I did too; it made Uncle Harry feel like he had a family as well, it wasn't just Aunty Hermione's parents, although they accepted me as well. Harry was watching the other people on the platform; most eyes were on him, people definitely made it oblivious... Everyone wanted a look at the 'Saviour of the Wizard World'; we'd all gotten used to it, it wasn't a rare occurrence, no matter where we went. That was when he saw me; I caught his gaze, made a concerned face and nodded my head towards Albus' direction. He was still on his knees, although now he had given up trying to tie his shoes and had his head buried in his hands. Uncle Harry saw what I had been motioning at; he smiled a thankful smile, before turning to Albus.
I walked over to Aunty Hermione; she had given up trying to tidy James' hair, and was trying to comfort Lily-Luna instead. She was still upset it wasn't time for her to leave yet; Hermione definitely wasn't, she hated watching her two eldest children leaving home. She really was an attached parent, even though when all three of them were together, they really did cause havoc. I wandered over to them and messed James' hair as I walked past. He grinned up at me, however Aunty Hermione didn't; she shook her head, making her pony-tail whip the sides of her head, and sighed. "I think I might just cut it all off at Christmas, maybe then it'll look vaguely tidy..."
James snorted, "Have fun with that mum! If anyone's going to cut it I'll do it myself! How about that..?" He winked at his mother, as he ruffled his hair; he really was a lady's man, he was always playing with his hair or perfecting his look.
"I think I may have finally found the perfect punishment! Thanks kiddo!" She gave in and ruffled his matt black hair, before he could smack her hand away. She looked at me and laughed; I nodded back in agreement, causing James to scowl in my direction. Lily was the impatient one, but James was easily the moody one out of the lot.
"Are you alright Teddy? Weird being back here without your school stuff?" she smiled at me sympathetically; her and Uncle Harry always talked about how they missed Hogwarts, although I still didn't understand why. From what I've heard, the trio spent most of their time in the school infirmary; Madam Pomfrey certainly knew them all quite personally! I definitely missed Hogwarts; my friends, my teachers... I even missed Peeves' sick sense of humour too...
"I'm fine; I'll get over it..." It was my second year being away from Hogwarts. Soon after I finished I started training to be a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher; Harry often went to Hogwarts to teach about it, but he chose being Head of the Auror office instead.
"Yeah, of course you will. All I'm worried about is Al, I don't think his older brother is going to be very supportive..." she muttered, before scowling at James, raising her eyebrows and placing her hands on her hips. She looked almost like Lily-Luna did when she had a temper tantrum over something silly like a hair clip; I always wondered where she got that from. The thought made me smile; Lily-Luna was just a mini Hermione, then there was James, just as similar to his grandfather as Al was to Harry.
All James did was sigh and shrug his shoulders; "I can't have him be a baby and make me look like the idiot with a homesick brother! I can't let him scare off all of my friends..." he muttered.
Aunty Hermione looked outraged. "You will look after him I know you will!" James looked down at his feet and shrugged; he did love his little brother, they were like best friends; it had been horrible for Al when James left. He looked up at his mother and smiled innocently; she let out a laugh, as she shook her head at her son.
"You love him James, you can't even try to deny it!" she continued shaking her head mockingly. "Anyway! Have you seen Harry or Al, Teddy? The train leaves in ten minutes; I don't want Al to miss it for the first time! We don't need him going all Uncle Ron on us, do we?"
I laughed at that; Aunty Hermione always told us that story, especially when she found out Uncle Harry didn't like that memory. She was always telling us embarrassing stories about him; we loved it, but he didn't! Although Uncle Ron quite liked it, he prided himself on it almost, especially since he started working with his brother Uncle George. He couldn't look after the shop alone after his twin died, so Ron helped him out a bit; he definitely enjoyed it, he tried to deny and use the whole 'he needs my help' excuse, he just didn't want his mum to know. He really was a funny man, no wonder he and Luna got married; they really were the perfect match!
"Oh..." I walked close to her and whispered, "I think Al was having some last minute nerves, you know, so Uncle Harry's talking to him about it..." James glared at me; the last thing I wanted him to know was that his little brother was nervous, he'd never let him live it down! James was such a hypocrite; he wrote everyday, and even cried before he left... He was a funny child!
Aunt Hermione nodded, and looked towards where Uncle Harry and Al were; they'd just finished talking, when Harry put his arm over Al's shoulder and pulled him in to a one-armed hug. Al hid his head into his dad's arm; he was so much like Harry; they had the same matt black, messy hair, (which James was also lucky to inherit). They both had the same, bright emerald green eyes, just like Harry's mum, and Al was even the only child to develop Harry's terrible eyesight; they looked like they could be twins.
"Right, I think it's time to get you two monsters on the train!" he smiled as he walked over; he was so proud of James and Al, he loved spoiling them; he spoilt us all. He always did whatever he could to give us the life he never got; my parents really picked the best Godfather for me...
He patted me on the back and smiled, "Ready?" he asked. He still had is arm over Al's shoulders, before placing his free arm around mine. I was slightly taller than him, but he had done the same since I was young, he never stopped. He never let me feel out of place, which when looking after four children, and being Head Auror, was quite an accomplishment. He had Aunty Hermione's help too, and the rest of the family's. None of them made me feel out of place, I really was a part of the family...
We stopped at the first open carriage; I looked across at Al, Harry did the same, before James smacked me on the arm to get my attention; "Well, I guess this is it..." he started. He looked uncomfortable; he was never one good with his words.
"James, I'm going to be right here when you get back... It's just school; you're going to be fine mate!" I said, laughing. "You love it; you'll love it just as much as you did last year! Well... maybe just a little bit more later on in the year..." I winked at him.
He chuckled too, however he still looked uncomfortable. "I know; I'll see you soon then! You will write too, won't you?" he asked, fiddling with his hands.
"Of course I will; I promise!" I grabbed him into a hug; it started sweet, but ended in him being stuck in head-lock, trying to stamp on my feet for a release. I laughed; he really was a brother to me.
Harry smacked my arm, laughing. He pulled James into a hug too, although his didn't quite end like mine did. "We love you mate; see you soon, okay?" he looked as though he didn't want to let go; James had always been the most independent child... Whilst Al and Lily sting clung for protection, James was happy to protect himself; he had ever since he'd been young.
He smiled, pulled from Harry's grasp, and knelt down to look at his sister. "I'll see you soon Lils..." he kissed her forehead before bending down again, only the second time he whispered something. "I left you something in the kitchen, so you can remember us when we're away..." She looked up at him and smiled; they were all close siblings. He stood up, quickly kissed his mother on the cheek, and jumped onto the train before she could make a fuss over him. She laughed, before turning to her other side towards Al. She smiled at him; "Good luck sweety, you'll have so much fun..." she started.
"I know mum, I love you guys..." Hermione pulled him into an embrace, whilst Harry kissed the top of his head. The three of them stayed like that for a while, before Hermione looked at her watch and noticed the time.
He looked up at me as he pulled away. "Good luck mate; you'll love it, I promise." I gave him a quick hug; it felt weird him going away... He quickly kissed Lily, who was beside me; she grabbed is arm and looked at him. She smiled for a moment, almost sadly. She had to wait a whole four months before Christmas came, and she'd get to see James and Al.
He smiled, as he left Lily and stepped up onto the train; Harry could barely shut the carriage door before the train began to move. Aunty Hermione blew the two a kiss, as Harry and I waved. They clutched hands, as I held Lily's; life really would be quiet without the two trouble makers. Boring almost...
