Yay! I've actually posted another chapter :D i've no idea why this has taken me so long - sorry.

Enjoy...

Chapter 9

Teddy Lupin woke up to the sun streaming through the cheap nylon curtains. He rolled over and pulled his duvet over his head, attempting to dull the light. However, his efforts were futile and he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His Dad wasn't in the room and Teddy's heart quickened suddenly when he thought he may have gone out again. But he managed to calm himself down when he realized that he'd probably just gone downstairs for breakfast..

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. He grabbed a jumper of the floor from a pile of clothes and pulled it over his head before exiting the room.

As he walked along the upstairs corridor he tiptoed quietly, knowing Grimmauld was an old building and that the floorboards could sometimes make some very interesting noises. He was also aware of some light snores coming from the rooms he passed, knowing full well that most of the Weasleys would not be up until lunchtime. He did not want to wake up a Weasley unnecessarily, that was just asking for trouble.

He silently made his way down two flights of stairs into the kitchen, where most activities went on.

James and Remus were both sat in the kitchen, talking quietly over a cup of tea, they hadn't noticed Teddy who had silently slipped into the room.

"The only way in is the main entrance," said Remus, "there's no way we would be able to get past that wall."

"If you were undetected under my cloak you could probably get through the charm then," he said. "All that we'd have to do is wait for someone to leave or enter Malfoy manor, and you could sneak in after them."

Teddy stepped further into the room. "What are you talking about?" He asked.

Both Remus and James were startled out of their conversation.

James stared at the small boy before him, what could he say? We were just discussing how to break into Malfoy Manor because your mother is being held captive there?

He suddenly wished his wife was there, because she was always able to play down a situation. The amount of times Harry had stumbled onto order business and Lily had merely passed it off as a map of Diagon alley, not the secret plans to the underground levels of the ministry.

"Ted…" started Remus and then ran his hand through his hair. "Come and sit down."

Teddy, not sure what to make of his father's behaviour did just that, sitting in the chair next to him.

"Ted," Remus started again, "We've found your Mum, she's being held captive at Malfoy manor."

Teddy stared back at his Dad, "you've found her?" His mind was suddenly racing, was she alright? Where had she been for so long?

"Are you going to get her out?' Teddy asked his Dad.

A ghost of a smile appeared on Remus' face, "of course we are."

"Is she alright?"

"She's fine," Remus replied, perhaps too quickly and unsure whether it was reassurance for Teddy or himself.

"Is that where you were yesterday?" Teddy asked, his eyes darting to Remus' arm and then back again. Remus merely nodded in answer. "When did you find out?" Ted's voice dropped slightly, how long had his father known the whereabouts of his Mother whilst Teddy was potentially clueless.

"Since last night."

Teddy was slightly relieved about not being left out of the loop for too long. He then looked up at his father determinedly, "I want to help," he said.

Remus looked down at the kitchen table in front of him, frowning slightly, "Ted, you're a bit young…"

"I can help though," Teddy cut through his father, "I'll be a lookout or something…"

"Ted, I don't think that's such a good idea," Remus shook his head, and even though he didn't raise his voice, Teddy could see it was his no mess face. This didn't seem to stop him from persisting though.

"Please?"

"No," Remus replied, "it's too dangerous for you. I won't risk losing both of you."

Teddy averted his gaze, scowling slightly. It was his Mother after all, he wanted to help. He had a right to help, surly. "But…" Teddy started.

"No buts."

Teddy pushed his chair back, scraping it against the stone floor and standing up, a scowl still visibly apparent on his face. He stormed out of the room, his turquoise hair turning a visible red at the ends.

Remus sighed once his son had left, running his hand through his hair again.

"Don't worry Remus," said James, who had stayed silent throughout the entire interaction. "You did the right thing."

Remus rested his head in his hands and nodded his head in agreement, even though he didn't look thoroughly convinced.

"You look completely knackered," said James who hadn't averted his gaze from his friend.

"Didn't get much sleep last night," Remus replied.

It was then that Lily entered the room whilst pulling her hair up into a ponytail. "Is Teddy alright?" She asked. "He just ran upstairs, his hair was red."

"I told him about Dora," Remus replied. "He wanted to help and I said no."

"Oh right," said Lily, sitting down in a seat opposite him. "It was the right thing to do," she added. "I wouldn't dream of letting Harry come along with me if I was in your position."

"Yeah, and Harry wouldn't be too happy about it either, would he?" Questioned James.

***[:]***

Teddy ran up the second flight of stairs, pushing past Fred and George, who called out after him concernedly. He ran along the landing until he reached his room, slamming the door shut. He grabbed a near-by set of draws and dragged it across the floor, barring the entrance. He then sat down on the floor, pulling his legs up to his chest, and started to cry quietly to himself.

He didn't know why he was crying, and it made him angry, which just seemed to make him cry more. It was pointless, surly, crying? What good would it do? He could cry all he liked and the world would not change.

Teddy took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. Crying was for babies after all, and he was six now. But he couldn't manage it and he soon burst into tears again.

"Hey Ted? Are you alright mate?" It was one of the twins. They were stood outside the room.

Teddy didn't reply. He just wanted them to go and leave him alone.

"Let's give him some space George," said Fred. Teddy could hear their retreating footsteps.

He shut his eyes, and his mind wondered to his Mother. The Mother he knew barely anything about. He tried to picture her, thinking about the photo he kept of her. Her bright pink hair, her smiling face. That weird sisters tee-shirt which he knew his Dad kept, and the long bright red coat. He remembered something vaguely that uncle Padfoot had once said. "…that coat was part of the auror uniform Ted, your Mum was one of the best you know. Not many spells that could catch her off guard…" Teddy pushed his fists into his eyes. If there weren't many spells that caught her off guard then how did she get captured in the first place? If she really was that good wouldn't she be here with him now? Had Sirius lied to him? Teddy only ever heard positive things about his Mum. People only ever told him the good things, and there had to be some bad, right? If Teddy had learnt anything in his short life span it was that not everyone was perfect, especially not in this world.

He knew his Dad missed her too. Ted was always careful around his Dad when mentioning his Mum. He very rarely asked questions about her. He knew it was a subject that should be avoided most of the time. Remus was more open about being a Werewolf to his son than he was about his wife… his Dad clearly loved his Mum a lot…Loved her as much as he loved Teddy…or perhaps more…

It was a thought that had occurred to the young child several times, did his Dad love his Mum more than him? He didn't like it, and he would often divert his attention whenever it sprang to mind, but it was always lurking in the back of his head. Now that they'd found her, what would life be like when she was rescued? Would they be the perfect happy family…or would it just be his Dad and his Mum…how it was before him…

What if his Mum didn't like him? She didn't know him, she had never had a conversation with him. Everyone Teddy knew had known him from an early age, he'd never met any strangers, especially with being on the run, so who was to say his Mum would like him?

He didn't like these thoughts. He fisted his hands in his hair, tugging at the roots. She was his Mum, therefore she would like him, why would he ever think otherwise… Why couldn't things just be simpler?

There was then a quiet knock on the door. Teddy froze, quieting his jagged breaths in an attempt not to be heard. "Teddy…can I come in…" It was his Dad.

Teddy didn't reply, instead he just concentrated even harder on staying perfectly silent.

"Ted, I know you're in there…"

"Go away!" Teddy snapped. "I don't want to talk to you!"

"Ted, please, I can understand why you're upset but there's no need to lock yourself away."

"Yes there is," he mumbled, knowing his Dad could probably hear him through the door. Being a Werewolf meant his hearing was much sharper.

He heard his Dad sigh on the other side of the door. "Teddy, you know I care for you a lot, I love you. That's why I can't let you come to Malfoy manor. It would be too dangerous. I can't loose you as well Ted…Please understand that…"

Teddy rested his head on his knees, staring blankly at the dimly lit room. He did understand, that didn't mean he didn't want to go though…

"Can I come in Teddy?"

Teddy didn't move, letting his Dad's words sink in. He then stood up, turning to face the door. He shifted the chest of draws slightly and then pulled the door open, slipping out into the corridor.

He stared down at the wooden floor of Grimmauld, knowing his Dad was just stood a couple of paces away. Remus crouched down in front of his son in an attempt to catch his eye.

Teddy glanced at him quickly but then averted his eyes. He was almost embarrassed. Remus sighed again and then hugged his son. Teddy reacted instantly, wrapping his arms around him and burying his head into his shoulder. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"It's alright Ted, we all have our moments," Remus replied quietly whilst rubbing circles into his back. Teddy's hands fisted into Remus' t-shirt as he started to sob into Remus' t-shirt. Remus picked him up and shifted slightly, sitting down in the corridor with his back against the wall. They sat like that for a few minutes until Teddy had calmed down slightly.

"Better?" Remus asked once his son's breathing had evened out. Teddy nodded. "Shall we go back downstairs?"

"No," Teddy replied, shifting his head and looking up at his Dad. "When are you going?" He asked.

"…to get Mum?" Teddy nodded in reply. "…not a hundred percent sure Ted," Remus said, shifting slightly. "There's no plan yet…"

"Are we going to move to France when you find her?"

"I guess so," Remus replied. It was where most of the order kept permanent residence due to the Death Eaters that ruled over England.

"Sirius says the French are stuck up and rude…"

Remus chuckled slightly, "Some of them can be…but obviously the whole country isn't like that."

Teddy looked up at his Dad, "We'll be okay there though because we speak the language," Teddy added. His Dad had taught him how to speak fluently from an early age. "Does Mum speak French…?"

A slight smile appeared on Remus' face. "No, I'm afraid not. You can teach her though if you want, I tried once but I wasn't too successful."

"Why not?"

"She was easily distracted." The smile remained.

"Who taught you how to speak French?" Teddy then asked.

"My Mother taught me," Remus replied. "She was from Marseilles in France."

"What happened to her?" Teddy asked quietly. He knew all his grandparents were dead but he didn't know under what circumstances.

"She was Muggle, and she got a Muggle disease that was incurable…"

"Oh," Teddy replied. A silence fell between the pair for a few minutes until Teddy broke it.

"Dad?" He muttered.

"Yes?"

"Will Mum…will Mum like me…?"

Remus looked down at his son, a slight frown on his face, "of course she will Ted… why would you think otherwise…?"

"She…she doesn't know me…" Teddy averted his gaze from his father.

Remus tilted his son's chin up so he could look him in the eye. "Theodore Lupin, your Mother loves you very much, she begged for your life to be spared…don't you ever think otherwise, okay?"

Teddy nodded.

"You're more like her than you know," Remus said pulling his son closer and kissing him on the crown of the head.

Aww some Remus and Teddy Fluff. I really enjoyed writing this - i hope you enjoyed reading it :D I have the next chapter ready so i'll post it in a few days to keep you lot occupied :) Please R and R :P

Millipher Steerus Xx