AUTHORS NOTE:

Just wanted to say 'Thank you to those who are reading and enjoying this story! A special thanks to my guest who has given me such positive reviews!

4/14/15

Chapter 4

After breakfast Ron began clearing away the dirty dishes to the sink. Ginny went with Hermione to her room to help finish her with her cleaning. Mrs. Weasley offered to teach Harry some spells that might help him with Teddy.

"Scourgify is the incantation for creating a water based, soapy clean." She stated pointing her wand at a cast iron pan sitting in the sink. "Like this Harry." She flicked her wand, made a few small circles in the air and uttered Scourgify. The pan rose about an inch in the sink and slowly more and more bubbles were forming, with water dripping from the pan. After a few seconds the pan was spotless but still sopping wet.

"And Tergeo is the spell needed to clean up this watery mess. Very useful really. Cleans up dirt, stains, any liquid…even blood…although it can be tricky at first…" She trailed off aiming her wand again at the pan swiftly flicking it upward and said 'Tergeo'. In an instant the water vanished from the pan which was still hovering in the sink. "Wingaurdium Leviosa." She finished with a swish and flick; guiding the pan to the cabinet across the room.

"I've actually used Tergeo before; I think I've got the hang of it. Scourgify will be useful I imagine." Harry said grinning at Mrs. Weasley. "Do they offer any classes at Hogwarts that err…prepare you…for children?" He ended choosing his words carefully.

Mrs. Weasley nodded her head in agreement. "Why of course dear, let's see there's the mandatory sexual health and education class, Madam Pomfry teaches that once a week to each house….Professor Flitwick offers a charms class centered around what spells you'd need in daily household life Percy took that class I'm sure of it, there's-"

"Mrs. Weasley." Harry interrupted. "I've never had these classes offered to me before."

"Well you hadn't been able to attend your seventh year had you?" She stated matter-of-factly. "Had you gone you would have chosen from lots of classes not previously available to you. Coffee dear?" She asked him pouring herself a glass.

"No, thank you." Harry replied politely.

"Professor McGonagall met with you during your fifth year to discuss career paths didn't she?" Mrs. Weasley asked Harry.

He nodded his head. "And again in my sixth year. She recommended I take the classes needed to begin training as an Auror."

"I'd agree with her." Mrs. Weasley smiled over her coffee mug. "You've already got such a checkered resume!" she laughed heartily.

"Yes, well…how would I have the time to take classes like those if I've already got Transfiguration, Potions, Defense against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Herbology?" He asked furrowing his brow trying to work out a schedule in his head. He wished Hermione were down here instead of upstairs with Ginny.

"Seventh Years have already learned so much since they started their education at Hogwarts. This year, is the year for practical usage of what you have already learned, how well you can recall it, and mastering the most difficult aspects of your respective classes. So you can pass your N.E.W.T.s of course! There's plenty of down time for Seventh Years, sort of as a reward for how much they've already accomplished, and an incentive to keep going." She smiled grabbing his shoulder. However her smile faltered as Teddy began crying at that moment.

"I've got him!" They heard Ron bellow from upstairs. Harry grinned picturing Ron changing Teddy's diaper. That was something he was going to have to get used to himself!

"Harry you're not planning on returning to Hogwarts this year? What will happen to Teddy?" Mrs. Weasley whispered as if the baby could hear them.

"I'm going to try my best." He nodded. "I haven't worked it all out yet with Professor McGonagall but….Ron, Hermione and I got to talking last night after dinner while we were waiting for Teddy to arrive. We think that, if Professor McGonagall will allow it, we may be able to work out our schedules so that we can take care of Teddy in shifts. Hermione's already offered to help us both with our lessons if we fall behind. And-"

"You mean bring the BABY to Hogwarts with you?!" She shrieked. "Oh Harry I just don't think that's a good idea. Hogwarts isn't safe for a baby!"

"It's the safest place there is." He began patiently, not wanting to her to scream again. "And he'll be with me. It's only for a year!" He added quickly noticing he wasn't swaying her.

"And what happens after that year?" She asked placing her hand on his. "When you three graduate and come back here, do you begin your Auror training? What happens to Teddy then? Do you, Ron and Hermione, and maybe even Ginny, take turns going to work so that you can be with him? He needs a parent Harry. You more than anybody should know that sweetheart." She added tenderly not wanting to burst any more of his bubbles.

"If we have to." He said quietly. Harry looked devastated. He hadn't thought through exactly how he was supposed to be there for Teddy, and to also provide for him. He had two friends willing to devote their time to raising Teddy just as Harry was ready to do. But how were they going to be able to make it work?

"You don't have to decide anything today." Mrs. Weasley said comfortingly trying to cheer Harry up. "You have a good while before a decision has to be made, why don't we just enjoy the day and see what we can accomplish in this house eh?" She finished standing to her feet.

While he had been clearing the morning dishes Ron realized his mother was preparing to give Harry a lesson in spells and decided his services might be more needed helping his sister and Hermione clear out her room. He walked up the stairs and passed by Teddy's room. The sunlight was barely poking out from behind the curtain but blanketed Teddy in warmth all the same. He slept soundly in his crib, not stirring since his godfather had cradled him to sleep hours before. Ron smiled to himself and trudged to the next floor where Hermione's would be housed.

"I'm just not sure your mother is going to allow it…not after everything." He heard Hermione say worriedly from down the hall. "This is the last summer she's going to-" She continued but stopped mid-sentence when Ron emerged in the doorway.

"What?" He said dumbfounded looking from Ginny to Hermione who were staring back at him like they'd rather he left them alone. "What?!" He exclaimed throwing his arms behind him in very Ron-esque fashion.

"Nothing!" Ginny yelled back at him slamming a rather large book she had found down on the bedside table. "Contrary to my brothers' beliefs you don't have to be told everything that I say you know." She ended turning her back to him and waving her wand at a pile of wood and dirt causing it to tidy itself.

Ron looked hopefully toward Hermione, who only shrugged her shoulders. Thankfully; for Ron's sake; Teddy began to wail from downstairs. Assuming, or rather hoping, that Harry was still preoccupied with his mother Ron quickly made way to the door. "I've got him." He bellowed panicked so that Harry would hear him.

With Ron gone, Hermione waited patiently until Ginny was calm enough to speak again. She busied herself with summoning all the loose pieces of fabric scattered across the room.

"I won't see him for a whole year." Ginny finally offered while watching Hermione quickly make work of the mess. "You'd think especially after everything we've gone through, she would want me to be happy and have peace of mind." Ginny ended solemnly hoping Hermione could validate these feelings that even Ginny only halfheartedly thought were good enough reasons.

"Ginny; like I was trying to say before Ron came in…it's the last summer your mum is going to have one of her children living in her home." Hermione said soothingly. "Not to mention her only daughter."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "It always comes down to that doesn't it? 'Ginny, you're the baby do this.' 'Ginny you're the girl, do this for mum.' 'Ginny, be a good little girl and do as you're told…"She trailed off when she accidentally sent a piece wood across the room smashing the window.

"Repairo." Hermione uttered lazily allowing Ginny to continue venting.

Ginny mouthed 'sorry' and went on. "You three have never done what you're told." Ginny said timidly unsure of Hermione's response.

"We never had a choice in the matter!" Hermione said almost laughing. "Besides Ginny it won't be that long until you see Harry again. We're trying to work it out with Professor McGonagall still but…It might be possible for Harry to finish his last year at Hogwarts with us, if he can bring Teddy with him." She finished eagerly.

Ginny hadn't even a moment to comprehend her excitement at this notion when Hermione pointed out of her bedroom window. "Look!" She exclaimed excitedly. One large unfamiliar owl was nearing the window. He landed on the windowpane and tapped the glass with his beak. Ginny rushed over to the window and the great big owl soared into the room and landed on the bedframe, sticking out his leg. Attached were three letters from Hogwarts addressed to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"My letter must be at the Burrow!" Ginny stated disappointedly. "It's not even the end of May! What do they say?" She urged Hermione to open her letter. "Ouch!" Ginny exclaimed when the owl nipped at her hungrily. "Find the kitchen downstairs, they'll give you water and food; there isn't anything to give you up here." She ended forgivingly stroking the birds head.

Hermione neatly broke the official Hogwarts seal and began to read aloud. "Dear Ms. Granger."