Edited Dec 2015

After Wars.

Harry woke with a start. By looking at the window he concluded he only slept two hours at most. The other beds in the dormitory were all occupied except for Ron's — he ought to be mourning with his family somewhere nearby. With a sigh he gave up his attempt to a restless sleep and rolled out of bed. The way down to the Great Hall never before had seemed so gloomy and hollow; even the portraits were unusually quiet (and dare he say, solemn?). Not only was it sad, but it gave the same impression of spooky anticipation the Shrieking Shack would.

Once he stood before the doors of the Great Hall, his feet refused to step inside. The cries of battle, the taunts and the horrified screams still rang in his ears. He wasn't ready to confront those memories so soon —one part of him doubted he'd ever be.

He turned around to hurry through the entrance gates. He found what was left of the night tranquil and with a nice, humid breeze, as though it wasn't aware of the recent tragedy, as if it didn't care. How could something so life-shattering mean nothing in eyes of eternity?

A call of "Harry! Harry Potter!" interrupted his pace. Harry's first impression was that it was Bellatrix's ghost coming for revenge, but as the figure drew closer, he distinguished the small differences that made her Andromeda Tonks. She had a bag over her shoulder and a bundle of blankets in her arms — Teddy, he realized with a pang of sorrow in his chest. Reality hit him with the strength a full steam locomotive; Teddy'd be just like him, an orphan.

"Mrs. Tonks?" croaked out Harry.

"Where are Nymphadora and Remus? Someone told me the war is over but they wouldn't say where Nymphadora is." Harry sensed she was frenetic, but she was doing a good job at hiding it.

He gulped.

"Mrs. Tonks…they…" — how was he supposed to tell her that her daughter died without hurting her too much? — "they fought bravely and they…"

Mrs. Tonks began shaking her head to the sides.

"No," she said (or maybe pleaded).

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Tonks."

She shook her head more vigorously, as though avoiding the words to register. Suddenly, almost leaping, she shoved Teddy into Harry's unexpecting arms, threw the nappy bag to his feet and ran to the castle.

Harry froze. He had never held a baby before. Somehow it was scarier that it was Remus' son — his godson. He slowed his breathing and went as stiff as possible. Teddy was so small and light, it seemed like any sudden movement could break him. And Harry wouldn't be the one to break him.

It was a while later that Teddy stirred. He opened his eyes, a bit unfocused. The brown irises turned to blue as they landed on Harry.

"ummh…hello?" said Harry, uncertain.

Teddy squirmed and pulled a face. Harry didn't know if he was cold, stretching or just didn't like him.

Teddy began whining, still he wiggled. Harry hunched down careful and steady.

"Please, don't cry, Teddy," he hushed, reaching one trembling hand to the nappy bag. "Are you hungry? Let me find your bottle, ok?"

It turned out rummaging through a bag one-handed while balancing his weight not to upset a baby in his other arm was much harder than he expected. When Teddy was about to truly cry, Harry got hold of a full bottle and popped it into the baby's mouth, who resisted for a few seconds before sucking greedily.

Harry bowed his head with a sigh of relief. The immediate crisis was taken care of; however, he didn't want to push his luck, so he took — with considerable effort — the bag, swung it over his shoulder and walked to the castle. The brief journey took much longer than usual due to the several stops made whenever Teddy squirmed in the sightless.

Luckily, the doors were opened. The immense room would have been empty hadn't it been for the lifeless bodies left by the former day's battle, and a wailing Mrs. Tonks.

Harry hesitated before he stepped closer.

"Mrs. Tonks?" he called.

She didn't seem to hear anything, kneeled next to her daughter. She wiped her eyes, stood and sent Harry an icy and distant glare. It was disturbing to say the least.

"When will be the funeral?" she said, coldly.

Harry blinked, trying to process her reaction.

"I-…I don't know. Maybe McGon-"

"Send me an owl when you know."

With that she turned around and elegantly headed for the doors.

"Mrs. Tonks! Wait!" Harry followed as fast as he dared with Teddy in his arms. "You forgot Teddy!"

Mrs. Tonks stopped to look over her shoulder.

"You're his Godfather, aren't you? Take care of him yourself," she stated.

Harry was stunned; Teddy still sucked on his bottle.

Mrs. Tonks left without looking back. Harry made to follow her, but by the time he got out of the Hall, she was already gone. He couldn't begin to shake off the numbness of the shock. Surely Mrs. Tonks would be back any minute. She wouldn't leave her grandchild — practically her last family member — with a seventeen year old who knew near to nothing on babies, now, would she?

Minutes passed by; Teddy still drank and to Harry it became obvious Mrs. Tonks wasn't coming back that day. Perhaps she only needed time to sort her feelings. Hopefully.

Still, even if it was only for a day, she had abandoned — and rejected— Teddy… Just like the Dursleys had done with him all his life, simply for existing.

A chilly breeze set inside his chest. No one should have to grow up like that, resented and, therefore, lonely.

Subconsciously, he tightened his hold on Teddy, who had just finished his breakfast. Suddenly taking care of a two-week old baby didn't seem so bad.

That is until said baby got fussy and whinny. Harry's panic came back tenfold, now that he wouldn't be able to shelter in the knowledge that it was only for a few minutes, not a lifetime.

"Don't cry, Teddy. Come on, it'll be fine, you'll see," he soothed.

He deeply wished Mrs. Weasly or Hemione or even Madam Pomfry to rescue him. But just like all those times he wished to be rescued from the Dursleys, he painfully realised he was alone in this. He'd need to rescue himself once again.

It was obvious he'd have to care for Teddy on his own — it was implied in the whole Godfather thing. Though, in his mind he had considered there would always be someone to help. Now, gently (and rather shakily) rocking his crying godson back and forth, with no idea of what was wrong, it downed on him just how difficult it would be.

Slowly, he shifted his hold on Teddy, placing him a bit higher, near his heart.

Surprisingly something did happen. Teddy's wails quietened down. Harry was about to thank his lucky stars when Teddy's brief silence turned to gurgles and, then, slightly thicker milk poured out of his mouth.

"Eww! Oh, Teddy."

Teddy's eyes welled up in tears and his lips quivered before resuming his loud wailing.

"No, no, Teddy, don't cry."

Harry kept rocking him as he walked.

It felt like hours, but Teddy finally calmed down. He stared unsure up at his Godfather with purple round eyes.

"That's right, mate. See? No need to cry," said Harry. "Let's clean that stuff off you, mmh?" He reached the bag's zipper, but stopped abruptly. Having a baby near the Great Hall at its current state and contents wasn't a good idea. It wasn't probable Teddy'd remember that day, let alone seeing his parents in such a state, but Harry didn't want to take any chances. After all, didn't he, himself, recall that Halloween night sixteen years ago?

"Let's find a place to clean you up."

They went to the second floor. Harry reasoned they could still be attacked, so the second floor would allow them more time and options to escape.

The way upstairs was tricky, ascending with both arms busy and pieces of walls and roofs covering the steps.

Thankfully the boys' loo had been nearly spared of hexes.

Harry put Teddy in a sink, supporting his head and shoulders with one arm whilst he looked for paper in the bag with the other. He found a thin wooden box with wipes. They were cold and humid, so Harry expected Teddy to cry again, but apparently it was actually refreshing as Teddy cooed and leaned into the touch.

"Feels nice, eh?"

Teddy's face was now clean, but his jumpsuit was still a mess and smelled funny (not good funny, though). That brought another problem. How was one supposed to dress a baby?

As far as he could tell, there were two buttons in his… nappy area and another two in the back. The thing was Teddy looked so fragile, Harry was tempted to leave him in those clothes until he found someone who knew exactly what to do. But then everyone would question his aptitude to care for a baby and then, where would Teddy end up?

He took a couple of deep breaths to gather his wits and proceeded to unbutton the lower part. Teddy observed him in awe. Somehow it made him feel better; encouraged, even.

"That's right Teddy, I'm not hopeless at this, after all," said Harry, carefully pulling off the jumpsuit.

Teddy seemed to look for something in his Godfather's face. He probably found it for he offered him a gummy smile.

Something warm blossomed around Harry's heart. It was a mixture of pride and light-headedness. With a sense of something akin to happiness, he put the bag on the nearest sink and took out the first clothes he saw.

"What do you think? You like these?" he said, holding up a grey and blue wool trousers.

Teddy cooed.

"I'll take that as a yes."

When they left the loo, the sun was coming out from behind the forest. Harry had been up for quite some time and was starting to feel his gut calling out for breakfast. There was only one place he knew might be open in the current circumstances.

Before taking off, however, he pulled out his wand and chanted, "Expecto Patronum." A glowing stag formed in front of them awaiting directions.

"I'll be at the Hog's Head," he said and concentrated on Hermione. He hadn't been away from Ron and Hermione in months, so he was a bit anxious to go alone, but, at the same time, he didn't think he could bring himself to explain about Teddy just yet.

"Wanna meet Hogsmead, Teddy?"

#

Aberforth quickly served coffee, eggs and toast for Harry and himself, and warm milk for Teddy.

"I'm too used to rise at dawn. Might as well do something useful," he had said.

"What're you planning to do with a baby?" he asked, digging in his own breakfast.

"Honestly? I've no idea."

Teddy chose that moment to become fussy.

Seeing that Harry was clueless, Aberforth offered, "Perhaps he needs a new nappy."

Harry felt his eyes widen and his face heat up.

"How am I suppoused to do that?"

Aberforth shrugged.

"Take off the nappy and put on a new one."

Harry huffed.

"Yeah, but exactly how would I go about it?" he said, slightly annoyed.

Aberforth shrugged again. "And how would I know that? I never had a child of my own."

Harry hesitantly rose to his feet and took the nappy bag.

"You can use a room upstairs," said Aberforth through a mouthful of toast.

A while later, inside the bedroom, Teddy laid on the bed wiggling his limbs, crying for all it was worth. Harry felt like both a jerk for having him crying so much in the little time he had him, and an inept at not knowing how to help him.

"Don't worry, Teddy, I'll figure it out…I hope."

He pulled off Teddy's trousers and examined the nappy, trying to discover how it worked despite Teddy's howls. Giving up, he took a new nappy, expecting it would be easier to operate. But no such luck.

Teddy's cries and his lack of sleep were getting to him, so he tore off the sides of the dirty nappy, mindful of not scratching Teddy accidentally, and was met with the most awful smell he had ever come across.

"Eww, just what was in your milk? A troll's rotten socks?"

He held his breath and pulled the nappy from underneath Teddy, leaving it aside, quickly replacing it with a clean one; he figured Aberforth wouldn't be thrilled if they left a dirty comforter. Then he wrapped some wipes around the dirty nappy, in hopes it'd diminish the smell and threw it in the rubbish bin.

Teddy still cried, but Harry was unsure what was next. He remembered peaking from behind the armchair to watch the telly at the Dursley's. Some cartoons showed women wiping and putting baby powder. He might as well give it a go. He didn't know what the baby powder was for, but at the current time, a cartoon knew more about babies than him, so who was he to question it?

After a few — around five — attempts to close up the nappy, Harry casted an "accio scotch tape" that came flying from some drawer and taped it up.

"Well, taped is taped, right?"

Somewhat calmer, he picked up a sniffing Teddy. The pitiful sight made his insides twist painfully. He definitely liked it a lot better when Teddy smiled.

He rocked him as he repeated "'s alright". Once both of them had calmed and Teddy had his trousers back on, they went to the dinner.

"How was it?" said Aberforth from behind his cuppa. Harry could clearly picture his smirk.

"Not bad," he lied, taking a spoonful of his fairly cold eggs to his mouth.

Aberforth snorted.

"Sure it was," he muttered.

They ate without another word, comforting themselves in the odd silence. Soon Teddy got hungry and finished his bottle in what must have been a record time.

"You might want to make him belch," said Aberforth, suddenly.

"eh?"

Aberforth gave an annoyed sigh. "Put him on your shoulder and pat his back until he burps."

"Why?"

Aberforth shrugged — yet again. "I've seen a few women who've come here doing it."

Harry sent him a dubious look but did as he was told, slowly and a tad clumsy. At first he was reluctant, not wanting to hurt his godson by patting him too hard, but soon enough he got the hang of it and Teddy let out a loud belch.

"Whoa, didn't know babies could do that!"

Aberforth rolled his eyes, amused.

#

Before leaving the Hog's Head, Aberforth taught Harry how to prepare Teddy's bottles and a quick charm to warm them up to the perfect temperature. Apparently tending a well-known inn and pub required knowledge of all sort of drinks.

For a while Harry felt lighter and cheery; to watch Teddy fumbling with his blanket was a reminder that life went on and there were still things worth struggling for.

The castle came to view, and so did the ghosts of the war's memories. A weight that set in his stomach grounded him back down from all the hopeful lightness he had felt.

He had to face his new life. Though later on, he'd be ashamed to admit he almost turned around.

They made it to the entrance gates by mid morning. It was no longer gloomily silent, but the voices and rushing of feet were not exactly joyous, either.

Harry took a deep breath and let himself in.

Inside, everyone ran from one side to the other. No one seemed to notice him.

At that point, Charlie rushed in, looking sideways as he went. He nearly tripped himself when he made a double take on Harry. He stared for a bit, a little unnervingly. When he was satisfied with what he saw, he shouted in the general direction, "He's here!"

Immediately they were surrounded by redheads.

Harry grew uncomfortable.

Mrs. Weasley hurried to his side and took his face between her hands, reassuring herself that he was indeed there or, maybe, inspecting him.

"Thank Merlin you're alright," she said in such a grateful voice, Harry felt guilty, even if he wasn't sure what for. But just as fast her hands had flown to his face, they went to her hips, her face darkening. "And just where have you been, young man?! Do you have any idea how worried we've been?! And-"

"Mrs. Weasley, I was at the Hog's Head. I sent a patronus to Hermione before leaving."

Everyone turned to Hermione, whose blush was still noticeable through the dirt and dried blood.

"I thought it had been a dream," she said, sheepishly.

"Who's that?" Ginny asked Harry.

The Weasleys stared utterly surprised.

Harry flushed but answered, "This is Teddy."

"Remus' kid?" asked Bill. He looked worse for wear — just like everyone else — but perhaps his weariness stood up thanks to his scars.

"Yeah, Andromeda was here before dawn."

"Oh, the poor dear," said Mrs. Weasley. "Where is she?"

Harry's eyes sullied.

"She left," he said cuttingly.

"And when will she be back?" said Charlie, apprehensively.

"I don't think she'll…" Harry looked away, allowing the hanging sentence speak for him.

"Oh." They all caught up with what he meant.

Mrs. Weasley looked too tired and desolated to manage to feel something else. Harry understood that her son's death took a lot out of her, but he couldn't help but be disappointed. There was no anger or sadness. She didn't even try to reach for Teddy.

She sighed exhaustedly and walked back to the Great Hall.

Everyone followed suit, except for Harry. He stood there for a while. At lost for what to do he said, "Shall we go take a nap?"

#

"Harry, wake up. Come on, wake up, we're leaving in ten minutes."

"Wha-…What's…Hermione?" said Harry, shaking off the sleepiness and looking for his glasses on the night table.

"We'll wait for you next to Hagrid's hut," said Hermione. All Harry saw of her once he put on his glasses, was the tips of her frizzy hair when she closed the door. She was usually more persistent and lively, recalled Harry, wondering if anything would ever be the same.

He rubbed his eyes and looked down to his right, where Teddy's tiny belly demarcated his peaceful breathing. There was something enthralling about someone so small and innocent having an untroubled rest and that had been entrusted him — however arbitrary it had happened. If he was honest with himself, Harry was tempted to envy Teddy's care-freeness.

Harry lifted the shield he had casted so Teddy wouldn't fall off, gathered his godson in his arms, with more confidence that time.

"Shhh," he whispered when Teddy stirred. He had no idea where that came from, but it worked; Teddy's rest was again untroubled.

With Teddy wrapped in a blanket and the nappy bag over his shoulder, Harry made his ways out the castle, perhaps for the last time; he doubted he'd ever grow the courage to face all the memories held in there.

Crossing the entrance doors, knowing he might not do it again, left an empty feeling, but in an ineffable way, it was liberating, too. Ensuring Teddy's blanket covered him well, Harry got a glimpse of a, not only good, but a better future for all of them. And that was everything he needed to bravely confront whatever life would throw their way.

A. N.: I've wanted to post this story for two years now, but time and circumstances weren't very kind to me. Hope you enjoy and would love if you'd review to tell me ways to improve my writing or grammar.

I've got a way bigger plot stored in my mind that I'd love to actually write, but circumstances are still against me, so let's treat this as a one-shot for now. Hopefully in the near future I'll be posting another chapter.

Thanks for reading.