The first time Harry held Teddy, he promised his godson that he would always have a family that loved him. Now, however, Harry was really glad he didn't specify who it was that was going to love him, because he was sure he was going to die today. "Ginny is going to kill me," Harry groaned, as Hermione held the two year old in her lap.
"Probably," was all Hermione said, too busy entertaining the toddler. She was enchanting the scribbles Teddy drew with his crayons so they danced all over the page.
"Hermione, you're supposed to be helping me! What should I do?" Harry pleaded. "I've tried everything I could think of. Nothing worked!"
"Yes, Harry, I can see that. Unfortunately, I don't think there is a way to fix it." Hermione's eyes softened as she looked at her best friend. "It'll be okay, Harry. She'll be upset but I think she'll forgive you, after you do some groveling. It was only an accident." Hermione stood up with Teddy and went into the living room. Harry followed them, head down and shoulders slumped.
"But Hermione, how can I make this up to her? It was the quaffle she scored her first professional goal with." He leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms. "I think she even slept with it at night."
"Just tell her the truth. You wanted to get it encased for her birthday. When you brought it home with you today, Teddy wanted to play with it, you wouldn't let him, and he had a magic outburst and it exploded," Hermione said. She was sitting on the floor playing blocks with Teddy.
Suddenly, there was a burst of flames from the fireplace and Ron walked out. Teddy's face lit up and he dropped the blocks and ran over to Ron.
"Hey there, Teddy. How's it going," Ron asked as he picked up the boy. Teddy's hair instantly changed to Weasley Red, the shade it turns whenever Teddy sees any of the Weasleys.
"That's your advice? Just simply tell Ginny that it was an accident? That's brilliant," Harry scoffed.
"What happened," Ron asked as he put Teddy down and ruffled his hair.
"Ginny's quaffle exploded," Hermione answered.
"What? How did that happen? What are you going to do?" Ron sounded just as concerned as Harry was. He knew firsthand what it was like to be on the receiving Ginny's fury.
"Well, Teddy had a temper tantrum of magic when I said he couldn't play with the ball, and it exploded. I don't know what I'm going to do yet." Harry responded.
"On the bright side Harry, at least it wasn't your fault. And it was supposed to be a gift. She can't get too mad at you." Ron tried to comfort Harry with a shrug. "At least, she can't stay too mad at you."
"I hope you're right. C'mon, Ted, let's make you something to eat." Harry took his godson back into the kitchen to make him lunch.
Hermione smiled at Ron. "Why are you home so early? I thought you worked until five."
"I do, I'm just on my lunch break. I flooed home because I forgot my watch on my dresser." Ron walked towards Hermione and wrapped her in his arms. "It's a nice surprise to see you here, though. I assume Harry called you to help him find a way out of this?"
Hermione chuckled. "Yes, he did. But I'm glad I came over, I love spending time with Teddy. And seeing you early is an added bonus." She tilted her face up up to meet Ron's lips.
"Oi! It's like I'm having déjà vu. You guys snogging as I'm trying to figure out a way not to die!" Harry turned to Hermione. "Teddy wants you to make his drawings move again. He said I'm not doing it right."
Hermione laughed again and followed him into the kitchen. Ron made his way to his bedroom to get his watch.
At the same time Harry and Hermione heard the unmistakeable roar of the fireplace. Harry turned to look at his friend, eyes wide, and with a look of pure horror.
"Hey, Hermione! I didn't know you were gonna be here, too," Ginny said as she leaned down to kiss Teddy's head. "Practice ended early so I wanted to come say hi to Teddy."
Teddy squealed in delight when he saw Ginny. "Up! Up!" The two year old yelled.
Laughing, Ginny scooped up the boy and bounced him on her hip.
"Alright, got my watch. It really sucks, Harry. I'm just glad -" Ron stopped mid sentence when he saw his sister. "Hey Ginny! Nice to see you! Well, gotta run. An auror's work is never done." Ron gave a nervous laugh as he said goodbye to Teddy, kissed Hermione on the cheek, and quickly left the room.
"What was that about? And what was he talking about? What sucks?" Ginny looked at the remaining two waiting for an answer.
"Oh, dear! I forgot I have some more work to catch up on. House elves aren't going to free themselves!" Hermione hastily kissed Teddy goodbye and waved to Harry and Ginny before she disappeared into the fireplace.
Ginny raised her eyebrow. "Okay, what is going on? Why did those two leave so quickly and why do you look like you just took a big swig of Polyjuice Potion?"
"Err, well, you see," Harry started, "here, hand Teddy over to me." Harry took the child from Ginny's arms. "Maybe you should sit down for this," Harry suggested.
"Harry, what's wrong? What happened?" Ginny sat down and looked up at Harry with a look of concern.
"Okay, so, I'm just going to say it. Hermione took your 'First Goal' quaffle from your flat while you were at practice yesterday so I could go get it encased. It was going to be your birthday present. When I brought it home today Teddy wanted to play with it and I wouldn't let him. So he got really upset and accidentally exploded your quaffle." Harry told the story as fast as he could, hoping it was easier for her to hear all at once. He knew she was not happy by the way her jaw clenched and she concentrated on her breathing. But before she could yell, he followed Hermione's advice and groveled. "I'm so sorry, Ginny. I know how much it meant to you. I'll do anything to make it up to you. I'll polish your broomstick before every match. I'll make you dinner every night this month. I'll even do your laundry. Just please, don't hex me." Harry pleaded for forgiveness, his green eyes searching her brown ones.
Suddenly, Ginny started to laugh. She got up from her chair and rested her palm Harry's cheek. "Oh, Harry, it was only an accident. I was just about to say that there was nothing to be sorry for but then you kept talking. All of those things are just an added bonus." Ginny took Teddy back from Harry and kissed her boyfriend's cheek in the process. "Thank you for being so thoughtful. I'll drop my laundry off later tonight."