Chapter 2:
Potions is the last class of the day this year, so after that, I make my to Remus's Classroom. Snape set us a grueling potion, so a breather is needed. This year, I get a lot of free periods. I'm only taking Potions, DADA, Transfiguration and Charms.
It was told to me that to take more than 4 NEWT classes was insanity.
When we reach the door for DADA, I knock on it.
"Come in," Remus says.
It still feels so weird being of age and being at school, but I wished to return for my Seventh Year so I could actually have some pull in this world without being the Girl Who Lived. I want my own support. I want to feel good about being where I am going to end up. I want to be there based on merit and not simply because I defeated Tom Riddle.
As I open the door, I hear the sound of a Toddler's giggles.
I look and see Dora and Teddy here. She must've just flooed. Paget must have let her through after Mcgonagall's permission.
"A — EEE!" The toddler squeals.
"Hey, Teddy!" I tell him with a giant smile on my face. He's so adorable. With a little squint of his eyes, his hair turns the exact shade of ginger as mine.
I give Dora a hug. "Wotcher, Annie!" she says.
I let the name slide. I have let her use of it slide since their marriage.
My godson reaches out for me. Dora hands him over to me with a smile. I give him a hug and set him down on the floor. He just clings to my leg and looks up at me.
"I was beginning to wonder when you'd come visit me," Remus says greeting me.
"You feeling lonely, Moony?" I ask him. "You can give me detention," I say with a shrug and smile. "Then again, how can you feel lonely with this adorable little one!" I say, rubbing Teddy's head.
"So no detention yet?" Remus asks me.
"Not yet. But don't hold your breath. The day isn't over yet," I say as I laugh.
Remus joins me in my laugh.
"I'm glad you're finally going to be a regular student, Annie," Remus says, suddenly getting serious.
"I don't think I'm ever going to be a 'regular' anything," I say, mocking myself.
Remus just laughs again. "Probably not."
"Do you mind if I take him out and about?" I ask his parents. They might need some alone time.
"No flying," Remus tells me sternly with a long finger pointing at me.
"Yes, Professor," I tell him studiously.
"You wanna go walk around your future school?" I ask the little bundle of energy around my legs.
He just squeals as I tickle him. His hair then turns yellow.
Remus and Dora just laugh.
"We'll be back," I tell Remus and Dora as Teddy and I wave at them as we exit the office.
When I exit back into the corridor, Andrew is there waiting for me.
"I knew you'd be here," he tells me with a smile.
"Look who came to visit," I say.
"Boo!" Andrew says and Teddy's hair then turns pure white in mock fright. This little guy is fearless.
"Do you have to do that every time you see him?" I ask Andrew.
"Maybe," he tells me impishly. "He doesn't mind. Do you, buddy?"
Teddy just giggles.
"I didn't know you snakes were known for your sense of humor," I tease as we walk around the school. The students obviously don't know who Andrew and I are carting around between us, but I don't care. Word will spread around fast enough that this is Professor Lupin's son.
"I think it's an Andrew Stanton exclusive."
I just laugh.
I love the way Andrew handles him. He'd make a great father someday. We've never really talked about it. We might be of age now, but we are still in school.
Just before sunset, I go out to the Quidditch Pitch. I haven't been here since Sixth Year. It almost seems too long. I have my Firebolt in my hand, but I don't automatically soar into the skies on it like you thought I probably would. I just stand here and take in the space. I remember all the good memories here. This is the place I produced my corporeal Patronus on what I thought were true dementors at the time.
This is the place where Gryffindor won its first Quidditch Cup in years.
This is the one place I felt like I was ever really free.
With a deep breath, I finally mount my broom and take off. I can't help but to smile as I zoom across the sky. It's been a while since I've been able to do this.
After I have my thrills, I just hover on my broom and stare at the beautiful sunset.
In between everything that was going on, I never stopped just to see how beautiful this place is. When I graduate at the end of the year, I'm going to miss it.
