A/N: I am so so so sorry for the long delay! No excuses, I know it's not what you want, here is the next chapter!
Harry, having been prepared for the eventuality of Teddy making a run for it, whipped out his Marauder's map so that he could wait for Teddy to settle somewhere, and then catch up with him there.
Harry watched Teddy wander aimlessly for ten minutes or so, before settling for the grounds between the lake and the edges of the forbidden forest. Harry sighed. The boy never thought about his own wellbeing.
Picking up a spare cloak, Harry made his way down to the grand entrance of the castle, where he spotted Teddy sat against a rock, hugging his knees into himself. He looked so small vulnerable, it broke Harry's heart just to look at him.
Walking slowly over to Teddy, Harry knew that Teddy was aware he was there. Dropping down beside him, Harry wrapped the cloak around Teddy's shivering shoulders, and pulled the boy against his chest. It was like this simple act of embrace was all Teddy needed to let the flood gates break. He sobbed into Harry for what felt like hours. Harry simply rocked him a little, and held on to the boy tight, giving him the time he needed. Harry knew he would have questions, and was determined to wait with Teddy, and talk for days if they had to, to make his godson feel better.
Eventually, Teddy became aware of his surroundings. He was cold. He was sat outside on damp grass, with Harry's arms wrapped tightly around him. His sobs had quieted to the occasional hiccup. He was exhausted. It was like he had finally released all the pressure from behind his eyes, the constant worry. Knowing that Harry was there, and that he would keep him safe, Teddy closed his eyes, and slipped into his first good sleep in weeks.
Harry first noticed that Teddy was sleeping when he heard a slight snoring. Sighing, Harry wordlessly levitated the sleeping boy, still wrapped in his cloak, being careful not to disturb him. Damned if any ward of his would be sleeping outside and catching his death of cold.
He slowly levitated Teddy back to his chambers, dropping Teddy in to Harry's own massive bed, and wordlessly using his magic to pull the duvet up to Teddy's chin, allowing the child's slumber to remain undisturbed.
Harry dropped into a chair, and sat with his head in his hands. He had handled this so badly. But he would be there for Teddy now. He would make sure Teddy never doubted that Harry loved him, no matter what he was. Harry wished now more than ever that Teddy was his own real son, so that Teddy would believe Harry when he said he would always love him.
Moving over to sit on the other side of his bed, above the covers, Harry allowed himself to slip into a light doze, waiting for Teddy to wake.
Minerva McGonagall was having a relaxed morning. She had begun the day sipping green tea (good for the joints you know – they were not so good these days) and had slipped her long, pewter coloured hair into it's signature bun. Her morning ritual complete, she dressed and departed for the great hall. From there on, her morning was significantly less relaxed.
Aaron watched the owls delivering the morning post with interest. He loved the creatures, and as soon as he had saved enough money planned to buy one of his own. Jordan was sat with him at the Ravenclaw table, and both boys were wondering where their third member was.
Jordan continued with his breakfast regardless, but Aaron was the first person in that particular area to notice the front page of the Daily Prophet that day. Within ten minutes the hall was in total uproar, and Minerva's morning was well and truly disturbed.
Later that same day, Dudley and Kate were interrupted in their 'make up after an argument routine' by an owl tapping at the window. Both parties grumbled, and Dudley received a playful smack on his way to let the bird, who could never un-see what he had just seen, in, to deliver the letter.
It was from Aaron.
It simply said: "I think Uncle Harry could use some friends right now. Love lots, Aaron. "
Neville Longbottom had had the same thought, upon seeing the front page. So had Ronald and Hermione Weasley. So had Arthur and Molly Weasley. So had Ginny. So had many, many other people. By mid morning, the path to Harry's door was well beaten. But all had been refused entry.
Harry was waiting for Teddy to awake. He would, from now on, put no other before his Godson.
Harry's friends and family regrouped in the great hall. Students were in lessons, with both Harry and Neville having theirs covered by the numerous apprentices' Hogwarts had started taking in recent years. They all sat, mumbling to each other, occasionally referring back to that day's headlines.
"Ministry has power to cull baby werewolves – first on the list: Theodore Lupin!
It has come to light in recent days that the Ministry of Magic, has, and always has had, the power to kill the young of Werewolves, to prevent them from becoming dangers to society. Most famously, Theodore Lupin, son of war Hero Remus Lupin, is the son of a werewolf. Our sources say that the young Mr Lupin is not yet presenting any risk of being a wolf – but how long? How long are the children of Hogwarts safe? The Daily Prophet, in it's crusade against dark beings, wizards and creatures alike, appeals to the Ministry to use it's power and make our children safe again.
Turn to page 11 for in depth explanation and history of werewolves, and how best to protect oneself against their dark magic. Turn to page 12 for ex-ministry employee Horace Slughorn's insider tale on how the ministry tried to cover this up, and page 13 for the personal story of Theodore Lupin."
Everyone who knew Harry and Teddy was seething. There was no way that anyone who knew Teddy could possibly call him a monster, and they all knew that they would be behind Harry every step of the way in fighting this. The law, and what could happen to Teddy was laid out in full, exaggerated detail for all to read in the pages of the Prophet.
Including Madam Bones, Minister of Magic, who distinctly recalled not two days earlier firing Horace Slughorn for suggesting this very thing. She was seething. It clearly didn't take the man very long to find someone else who would treat him how he was accustomed – in the manner of a portly, pampered royal.
She crumpled the newspaper in her hands. She had to put a stop to this. Removing a sheet of parchment from the pile on her desk, she began to pen a note.
"Dear Hermione…"
It was after noon when Teddy finally stirred. This being the first deep sleep he had had in weeks, he fell victim to that strange phenomena where you wake up more tired than when you fell asleep.
Teddy knew that to cure this, all he would need to do would be get up, get some air, and shake the sleep from his eyes, but he had not the motivation to do it. Everything from yesterday hit him in one swoop. What he would one day be. What the ministry could do. How people would see him now.
His breath escaped him and he leant back against the headboard in a sigh of depression. It was only when his back hit the soft headboard that he realised he was not in his own room. His bed was made of wood….this was some sort of velvet.
Teddy very quickly realised he was in Harry's room, and in bed in his full uniform, including shoes. Harry was a doting father figure, but sometimes missed the things staring him in the face.
Teddy sat up straighter, and began taking his shoes off, just as Harry came in the door carrying a steaming cup of milky sweet tea, just how Teddy liked it. Teddy blushed, and accepted the cup with a quiet thank you. He was still embarrassed that he had cried last night, in front of the one person whose opinion of him mattered.
Harry smiled and ruffled his hair, beginning to open the curtains and then hastily closing them again when he realised how many owls were circling the space outside his window. He didn't know what that was about, but now was not the time.
Now was Teddy time.
Harry plonked down on the bed next to Teddy, taking a sip from his own, black coffee.
"So, Teddy. How you feeling?"
Teddy said nothing, simply raised an eyebrow at Harry.
"Right, I know, stupid question. I'll be more specific then. What's worrying you?"
Teddy opened his mouth, ready to give a sarcastic retort, but nothing came. Swallowing, he realised something. Harry was probably the one person who he could talk with this about, who would be honest, and have the best advice to give him. Harry knew him best. So he tried again.
"I'm confused about when I'll become a werewolf. I'm worried I'll hurt someone. And I'm worried they won't let me live with you anymore."
It was spoken in a small, quiet voice, but Harry knew it was a start. And a massive improvement on yesterday.
"Ok. Not to worry. We can stay here all week if we have to, and I will explain everything I can. Sound good?"
Teddy smiled and nodded. Everything wasn't good, but Harry was here, and that helped.
"As far as I know, puberty is what triggers the change from non-wolf to wolf. You're eleven now, and we've had this talk before, so you know that could come any time between now and when you're about sixteen. That's as accurate as I can be in terms of when it will happen. You probably also won't notice until a few days before the first full moon – you'll be grouchy and notice more wolf like tendencies in yourself. Preference for red and raw meat, etc."
Harry paused to check Teddy understood. He nodded, so Harry continued.
"As far as hurting people goes, there are things we can put in place. You can use the willow if you so choose, or I can get permission from McGonagall for a couple of places in the castle. There is a chamber under the school, which no one can access other than I, and a room called the room of requirement which I will explain another day. As you well know, I am an animagus, so I can be with you and make sure you don't hurt yourself. There is also a potion you can take, which will mean that while you are in the body of a wolf, your mind will be your own, and you will not have to follow through on every wolf instinct you feel, such as hunting and finding a pack. Your Dad had similar things in place while he was at school….and to my knowledge he never hurt anybody." Harry decided on the spot to leave out the near miss with Snape. That hadn't really been Remus's fault anyway.
"As for living with me…."
Harry took Teddy's hands in his own.
"You need to believe me when I say that to me, you are my son. I would never, never let anyone take you away unless you wanted to go. You mean too much to me. If we needed to go into hiding then we would. But you should know that if the ministry decide to act on this, then I and others will be fighting them every step of the way. You are safe with me, I love you, and that will never change."
Teddy didn't reply to this. He simply sat up and hugged Harry. They stayed like that, for a long, long time.
A/N: So, that's it! Please review