Chapter 4
Nymphadora Lupin was looking at the tearful little boy, Teddy, but all she could hear was the conversation between her husband and Arthur Weasley.
"It's inhumane, " Arthur asserted quietly, "He's clearly no threat. Just because you want to know who his parents are…"
"That's not why, and you know it," Remus growled, although his voice never raised above a whisper, "We need to know more before we can find a why to send them back, and he clearly won't tell us like this. " He added, more firmly. Tonks sighed. Her husband was right, but they would get nowhere fighting like this. She approached the boy, eyes bright with unshed tears, and knelt down besides him.
"Do you know what Veritaserum is, Teddy?" She asked softly, surprised to see that he nodded his head almost immediately.
"It's a truth potion. Uncle Harry always keeps some in his coat pocket," He seemed to consider something for a moment before adding, "You can use it on me, if you like. I won't mind. I trust you." Tonks nodded, thanked him and returned to Arthur and Remus.
"He wants us to use it. He knows what it is and he gave his permission. I think we should." She informed them, smiling at the relieved looks on their faces.
The three of them approached Teddy, and Remus held out the vial containing the serum.
"Are you sure about this? It can be a little scary, you know," He asked Teddy, who shrugged and grinned.
"I'm brave like my daddy." Was all he would say on the matter. He took it and downed the entire substance in two large gulps, before his eyes took on a glazed over appearance and they knew it had taken effect. Remus got straight down to business.
"What is your full name?" He asked, since 'Edward' gave them no clues at all.
"Edward Remus Lupin" The eight year old's voice was so devoid of warmth or emotion that it sent shivers down Tonks' spine. Then she realised what Teddy had said and froze. Edward was her father's name, which wouldn't have bothered her out of context, but when it was put together with Remus and Lupin, she knew without a doubt that this was her son, and Teddy's parents were dead…
"What are your parents called?" ANother voice came, and Tonks didn't have to look to know that it was Arthur.
"Mummy and daddy" There was a pause and then he added, "but i live with Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny and Gromeda"
Tonks snorted at the nickname. She couldn't quite imagine her cool, calm slytherin mother letting anyone call her something as ridiculous as 'Gromeda'. She turned to Remus.
"He's ours then?" She stated, pretending not to notice the slightly nauseous expression on his face. Remus shrugged and turned back to Teddy.
"Are you a werewolf?" He ignored the stiffening of the others around him and stared instead at his eight year old future son.
"No," Came the immediate reply, "but i am a meta-meta ummm…" Teddy's face crinkled as he struggled to pronounce the word, but Tonks was beaming with pride. This was her son. This was her and Remus' little boy and he was a metamorphmagus. She had never been prouder.
Molly Weasley set a plate of food in front of her future grandchild and gazed at her contemplatively. The little girl, who couldn't be much older than six, rather reminded Molly of a blonde Ginny Weasley. Victoire (and wasn't that such a perfect name?) had long, pale blonde hair which seemed to catch in the light, and vibrant sapphire blue eyes which practically screamed 'Weasley'. Her pale skin and adorable button nose were presumably from her mother, but she had about a dozen tiny freckles sprinkled over the bridge of her nose that were clearly inherited from her father. Most of her hair was down, but the strands at the front had been pulled into two neat braids; a hairstyle Bill had given to Ginny on countless occasions
Victoire ate quickly, swallowing the food in single gulps, in a very Ron-esque fashion, however there was a certain grace to her eating. She refused to speak with her mouth full, a she politely asked for anything that she couldn't reach (Molly suspected Fleur had had something to do with that). When she was finished, she climbed down from the chair, wandered over towards the sofa and curled up there.
"Est-ce que Teddy reviendra bientôt? Il n'a pas mangé non plus." Victoire murmured, rubbing her eyes blearily. Molly blinked and stared in shock at the six year old. SHe supposed she shouldn't be surprised. Fleur was french after all, and she couldn't see a woman that headstrong disregarding her own culture and background for that of her husband's. No, she was more surprised when another voice responded with just as much ease.
"Parle anglais, Victoire. Que dirait oncle Bill?" Victoire scowled at the response, but looked delighted to see her friend and companion again.
"Sorry Teddy, mais je suis fatigué." She responded, rubbing her eyes again and looking rather put out. Teddy smiled and nodded.
"Gra-Mrs Weasley, may Victoire go to bed? It's been a long day, and i don't think we can get home this evening." Molly nodded her ascent and showed them both upstairs.
"Teddy, Est-ce que maman peut me lire pour dormir?" Victoire asked, once she had been dressed in some of Ginny's old clothes and tucked into bed.
"Maman n'est pas là, mais je peux vous lire. Dois-je vous parler de la princesse aux cheveux roses qui est tombée amoureuse d'un dragon courageux?" Came the soft reply.
Molly and Tonks stood quietly in the doorway, listening as the eight year old made up a story for his younger friend, changing his hair as he voiced each character. They couldn't understand what he was saying, since he mostly spoke in french, but the sleepy giggles erupting from the girl in the bed told them all they needed to know.
"I don't care what future Harry says about Teddy being a gryffindor," Tonks said finally, a broad smile lighting up her face, "That kid is a Hufflepuff, through and through."
A.N: Victoire's hairstyle is the one from Harry's second year in the bookshop scene
Translations:
Est-ce que Teddy reviendra bientôt? Il n'a pas mangé non plus.- 'Will Teddy come back soon? He didn't eat either.'
Parle anglais, Victoire. Que dirait oncle Bill?- Speak English, Victoire. What would Uncle Bill say?
Mais je suis fatigué- but i'm tired
Teddy, Est-ce que maman peut me lire pour dormir?- Teddy, can mummy read me to sleep?
Maman n'est pas là, mais je peux vous lire. Dois-je vous parler de la princesse aux cheveux roses qui est tombée amoureuse d'un dragon courageux?- Mummy isn't here, but i can read to you. Shall i tell you about the pink haired princess who fell in love with a brave dragon?