Chapter One

Teddy Lupin gently unfolded and re-read his Hogwarts letter just one more time before he and his godfather landed. Travelling by muggle place was less exciting, much longer and much less sickening than international portkey. Teddy's stomach flipped at the thought. He never had liked travelling by portkey. He and his godfather, Harry Potter, were soon to land. Butterflies danced in his stomach as he thought about going to school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A nudge in his ribs brought him out of his thoughts and looking up at his godfather.

"Carefully Teddy, you'll make it snow," Harry teased, "come on, let's get off this plane".


Standing in the arrivals hall of the airport, Ron Weasley searched the throng of people looking for the familiar messy black hair of his best friend. It had been too long since they had last seen each other. 10 years too long. Of course, they had contact via owl occasionally but Harry had never connected to the floo network and it was painful to Ron not to see him again. A squeeze to his left hand reminded him he wasn't alone in his search. He looked down on his other best friend, to see her smiling broadly into the crowd. Following her gaze, Ron saw the person he was looking for. And a miniature version too.

Hermione Granger reminded herself that the butterflies in her stomach were simply because she was happy to have her best friend home again. Nothing to do with the fact that he looks gorgeous. Tanned, muscular, clearly works out. Merlin, he's good looking, she thought. Hermione knew Harry was interested in various sports and had taught Quidditch to wizarding children across the world. But she wasn't expecting the toned, lean, body in front of her. Pull yourself together girl, she chastised herself, it's just Harry.

It was then that she noticed Ron had let go of her hand and was striding towards their returning friend with purpose. When Harry had owled to inform them of his intention to return with Teddy after nearly 10 years away, she was stunned. As per Harry's request, only Ron and Hermione knew of their friend's return. Merlin forbid The Daily Prophet finding out that the Savour of the Wizarding World was returning after so long away. Only that morning, Hermione had read yet another article speculating on the whereabouts of Harry and his godson. Just why couldn't they let it drop?

Harry accepted his friend's hug when Ron got to him. He was grateful he'd kept in touch with him and Hermione. He hoped they'd kept him secret, especially his return with Teddy. Pushing his trademark hair out of his face, revealing the distinctive lightening shaped scar on his forehead, Harry rubbed the last of the sleep out of his eyes.

"Thanks for coming to get us Ron, how is everyone?"

"They're good thanks. Erm, I think you need to speak to Hermione. Stuff you need to sort out between you."

Puzzled, Harry looked from Ron to his other friend who had now joined them and pulled her into a long needed hug. A tug on his sleeve reminded him of Teddy's presence.

"What's up buddy? This is Ron and Hermione. I've told you about them before. Guys, this is Teddy Lupin, metamorphamagus extraordinaire, heartbreaker and Marauder wannabe". Harry introduced the child.

"Thanks Dad", Teddy responded, "where are we going? When do I go to Hogwarts? When can I get my books?"

"Woah, slow down buddy, we'll sort all that out later. First of all, I don't know about you, but I'm hungry".

Hermione smiled; somehow she was not surprised Harry was thinking of his stomach. Some things never change.


Apparating to the Burrow, Hermione, Ron and Harry stood for a moment to gather their thoughts. Teddy looked at the crooked building in front of him.

"How does it not fall down?" he asked, "I mean, look at it. Surely it shouldn't be standing?"

Ron smiled at the question many asked. "It's magic Teddy", he responded, "My dad built this. It's bigger on the inside too. I'll go in first, let everyone know Hermione's here."

"Thanks Ron", Harry replied as Ron trudged off towards the house. "When the apparition spot move? Much dried now I notice. Better than landing in the pond like I did last time" he asked Hermione remembering the last time he apparated into the pond just before Bill and Fleur's wedding 10 years ago.

"It's always been here Harry, you just need to concentrate more," Hermione smiled. "Look, there's something I need to tell you." She looked down at her shoes, inspecting an invisible stain on her toes. Taking a deep breath she spoke "Draco Malfoy is here."

Harry was confused, did she just say what he thought she did. Draco Malfoy was here, at the Burrow. Dark eyebrows rose questionly "Draco Malfoy? At The Burrow? Since when?"

"Well, for a while actually. He was there when I was in need of some help and we've got to know each other really well. He's changed Harry, and he's been a lot more accepting of things over time. I hope you can see that when you meet him again. And erm, there's something else you should know too..."

"Hermione, are you coming in or not?" Ron shouted from the house cutting Hermione off. She strode away from Harry and Teddy before Harry could ask her to continue.

"Stay close to me Teddy, I've ended up with many a soggy shoe walking round this house", Harry started to walk towards the house, before giving Teddy a tale from his many visits to the Weasley family home. As they reached the door, Hermione was there to greet them again. Taking Teddy's hand she led him into the house asking Harry to wait a moment.

Inside the door, Teddy stood clutching Hermione's hand tightly. She was pretty much the only person he knew there other than Ron and he was a little nervous of all the eyes now trained on him. Teddy took a moment to gaze around the kitchen he was stood in. Pots were being magically washed in the sink and caldron cakes were transferring themselves onto cooling trays next to the cooker. His grip on Hermione's hand tightened again.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Teddy. Teddy Lupin". He heard Hermione say as gasps were heard across the room. "Okay, you can come in now", she shouted to Harry.


Harry slowly pushed the door open, holding his breath as he faced the people he considered family for his teenage years.

"Harry Potter", came an astonished whisper from Molly Weasley before he was caught up in one of her bone crushing hugs. Harry let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. Molly pulled back to look at Harry properly. "Well young man, you're looking good. A little skinny, are you eating properly? Cauldron cake?"

"Erm, thank you Mrs. Weasley. I think we'll wait until after dinner though." Harry responded before turning to Teddy, "Teddy put that down. Wait until after your dinner."

"Sorry Dad", Teddy looked sheepish as he placed the cauldron cake he'd picked up back on the tray.


Harry looked up to see Hermione disappear into the lounge, she looked like she was talking to someone he couldn't see. Harry followed her, he was still curious about their conversation outside. He knew Teddy was well looked after as he heard question after question fired by the young boy being answered by George or Ron or Mr Weasley. Harry felt strangely contented to be back here. Like coming home. Pushing open the door to the lounge Harry heard Hermione asking someone questions. There, sat on the sofa was the unmissable platinum blonde Draco Malfoy, one arm draped over the back of the seat and the other around a child. Harry took a moment to listen to the conversation before he announced his presence.

"I don't know Hermione, do you think anything is any different? It's been nearly 10 years since you were last in the same room together. Don't you think he's going to guess there's something wrong? I mean, so much has changed here. He'll not be happy when he finds out what you've been keeping from him."

"I don't know Draco, he's still the same Harry in there somewhere. People change, of course they do, but... oh I don't know. Anyway, we'd better get back through there, Mrs. Weasley will be serving dinner soon".

Harry cleared his throat announcing his presence in the doorway. Hermione looked up with a smile and gestured for him to come to her. As he walked towards her, Harry noticed the child curled up on the sofa with her head resting against Draco's shoulder, eyes closed. There was something about her he couldn't quite place. Was is the cute button nose that was so much like Hermione's or the fact that she was clearly fast asleep on the shoulder of Draco Malfoy of all people. Harry would have never thought Malfoy would be a family man.


Draco slowly drew his fingers carefully through the raven haired locks of the girl he was caring for as he watched Harry slowly walk towards his friend. A wave of jealousy shot through him as he saw Hermione's reaction to her best friend's presence. He breath quickened, her pupils dilated, her smile was the broadest ever. Draco wished Hermione Granger would give him the same look she was giving Harry Potter now. It was a look a friend like Draco was never going to get from the brown haired beauty sat the other side of the room to him. Hearing the voice of Molly Weasley announcing dinner as being ready, Draco nudged awake the sleeping angel beside him. Blinking green eyes stared up at his silver-grey ones. She really was a pretty girl already and Draco could see Hermione's nose and chin on her. Draco thought about the 10 years since he'd last saw Harry Potter at his trial. So much had happened since then, his brief stint in Azkaban prison, his father's death, running the family business himself. His friendship with Hermione and subsequent acceptance into the Weasley family was something he took a moment to marvel at. It wasn't something his 11 year old self would ever have imagined happening. It was the child leaving the seat beside him that brought him out of his thoughts and he excused himself to follow her through into the kitchen for dinner.

"Harry, I want you to know that I love you dearly and I promise that I never wanted to keep anything from you. But I also need you to know that I have to put other people first. Specific people who do not need to be in the public eye constantly". Harry look confused at Hermione's crypt comment. "She's beautiful isn't she?" She continued, "Turns 10 in February. Heavily in to books, spends hours in the library. She's powerful too. Started showing her magic at just a year old. She's going to be a force to be reckoned with when she gets to Hogwarts."

"Why are you telling me about Malfoy's daughter Hermione?" Harry questioned.

Hermione giggled as she took Harry's hand. "No Harry, she's not Draco's daughter. She's mine."