A few days ago, I was wondering what Teddy's life would have been like if his parents and Sirius hadn't died, and what his relationship with Remus would be like. And this was the result. I know it's not very likely but... whatever!

Remus was sitting at the kitchen table, his head in his hands. He sighed. The moon that would soon appear outside was stressing him out. He knew he would have to leave his wife and kid soon, or he would be putting them in danger. But he was reluctant to leave the safety of his house and his family.

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to meet the eyes of his wife.

"Don't worry, Remus. You've taken your potion so you can't harm anyone. And Sirius is coming with you," Tonks said with a little smile.

"Nevertheless it's a very painful transformation," Remus sighed, although he was happy for the distraction Sirius would bring. He remembered the first night Sirius had come with him after the war. The first time Sirius had seen him under the influence of the amazing Wolfsbane potion. His friend had been grievously disappointed when he found out that Remus could think reasonably, and afterwards he claimed that 'the fun was gone now'. However, he had kept accompanying him.

"I've got to go now," Remus suddenly said, snapping out of his thoughts. "I want to be gone before night falls. Teddy doesn't need to see this." They had never lied to Teddy about his father being a werewolf. But it would be different if he actually saw Remus like that. Remus feared it might make him scared.

"I'll take care of you when you come back," Tonks promised, and Remus smiled. He quickly kissed her goodbye and went to the hallway.

Nowadays, he didn't go to the Shrieking Shack anymore. With Sirius' help, he'd built a tiny hut in the forest behind his backyard. It was protected by plenty of defensive spells, and could only be entered through a passageway that started in the cellar of his house.

As he was about to descent the staircase that led to the cellar, he heard a small voice behind him.

"Are you going to the Hut again, daddy?" his ten years old son asked.

Remus nodded. "Yes, I gotta go now, Teddy. Don't worry about me. Be a good boy and don't trouble your mother, okay? I'll be back tomorrow morning."

He forced a smile and was about to close the door behind him, but Teddy's quiet "Wait!" stopped him for another second.

"I don't want you to go alone, daddy."

"I won't be alone. Uncle Sirius is coming with me."

"That's not what I meant. I want to come with you."

Remus sighed. "It's too risky, Teddy. Even if I can control myself, I cannot promise your safety. I would never put you in danger. Your life won't be like mine."

"But daddy, I won't be in danger," Teddy objected.

"Of course you will be in danger. I understand that you can't think of me as being dangerous, but this is something different."

"I won't be in danger." Teddy insisted. "Uncle Sirius isn't in danger, and he taught me how to become an animagus like him."

Remus stared at his son, speechless.

"Can I come with you now, daddy?"

"Sirius taught you how to become an animagus?" he asked incredulously, and Teddy nodded excitedly.

"But you can't come until you've managed it, Teddy. It took James and Sirius three years, and they were a lot older than you." Sirius will have a lot to explain to me on the morrow, he thought.

Teddy's lower lip started trembling and tears started to well up in his eyes. "I have managed it completely. Uncle Sirius said I mastered it quicker than he did because I had a good tutor. I did this as a present for you, daddy. I had hoped you would be happy."

Remus sighed. Of course Sirius would consider himself a good tutor. And then it hit him. "You've… you're saying you've managed it?" He had completely forgotten the moon by now. The only thing that mattered was his ten year old son claiming to be an animagus.

Teddy grinned and nodded. "You want me to show you daddy?" he asked. And when his father nodded slightly, he closed his eyes and an look of utter concentration spread on his face.

And then, seconds later, a small prairie wolf cub was standing in front of Remus, looking at him with adorable eyes – Teddy's eyes. Disbelief spread across Remus' face. The prairie wolf - Teddy - looked so much like a wolf. Remus had always despised his wolf patronus, because it reminded him of his condition. But he had to admit it, Teddy was simply adorable.

When his father hadn't said a word for a while, Teddy changed back to his human form. "Don't you like it, daddy?" he asked, and his face fell.

"No, that's not it. I- I can't believe it, Teddy. It's, well, you're really young, and… I don't know what to say. It's amazing. You're amazing."

"Can I come now, daddy?" Teddy pleaded.

Remus hesitated again, but then he slowly nodded. There was no risk for Sirius, so as long as Teddy remained a prairie wolf he would be safe. A smile spread on his face. "Come on then, kiddo. It's time for me to go."

Teddy cheered.

"But first," his father interrupted him, "you'll go and tell your mother about this. I'm going ahead already, because it's getting late. I want to be in the Hut by the time the moon comes out. You know how to follow me."

Teddy nodded and ran off to the kitchen, smiling widely as Remus descended the stairs leading towards the cellar, thinking about his adorable son.

But Sirius still owes me an explanation, he thought, following the tunnel that led into the Hut. Sirius would apparate inside right before the moon appeared. Maybe they would have a couple of minutes to talk.

When he was halfway, he heard quick footsteps behind him. Teddy was running to catch up with him. Remus stopped and waited for him.

"Mummy allowed me to come," he said with a bright smile. Remus hugged him and took his hand as they continued through the tunnel. "Don't be scared," he whispered to his son, and Teddy shook his head. "I won't. You can't scare me."

Remus smiled. This night wouldn't be as bad as the others.