Chapter Twenty-Eight:
Teddy glanced around the living area of the spacious British home. He froze and walked toward a picture hanging on the wall. It was of his mother with her arm around Harry tousling his hair. Harry watched as the boy ran reverent fingers over his mother's face. Harry placed a calm hand on the boy's shoulder.
"She was the perfect distraction for me sometimes back then. She knew how to make me laugh in spite of everything around me. Tonks was a good woman, Ted. She just fell in love with a man whose heart was already taken...who would have given his whole being to love her. He went about it wrong...but your father he's gentle man."
Ted nodded, his hair turning to a peaceful aqua, his amber eyes taking on a gentle glimmer. "I hope so. I imagine he'll need time..."
"Silly Pup, I won't turn you out until Remus and Sirius want to take you in. Come on we'll get you settled in the former guest room. Then tomorrow there will be a family meeting and I have to go see Remus and Sirius and hopefully by Christmas this'll all be calm. Let me do the worrying."
Ted sighed in relief and smirked slightly at the nonchalant man before him. "I...I haven't slept since...she was murdered...do you have a sleeping draught? Or something? Maybe I can sleep and settle in later?"
"Sure. Whatever you need," Harry grinned summoning the potion. He paused as Teddy's eyes flared amber. He glanced behind himself to see Annie investigating the situation. "Oh that's my girlfriend's familiar. She's an arctic wolf."
Teddy swallowed. "Yeah? Sorry...I get almost canine around the full moon. I'm not a full werewolf...I'm...it's more of a spiritual classification. Aboriginal and Native Americans would classify me as a wolf spirit...I commune with wolves close to the Moon...and have a calming effect on werewolves."
Harry handed him the potion. "Ah...so you're a glorified animagus with a wolf form."
Teddy chuckled. "Something like that." He watched as Rogue tried to paw the she-wolf. Annie pinned the pup and nipped his throat. "Rogue. Come to bed, buddy."
Harry exhaled as the boy's door clicked shut. Rubbing his face in exhaustion he trudged to the bedroom. His heart fluttered at the form cuddled in his bed. Sliding out of his shirt and into some pajama, he moaned in bliss as he snuggled into his girlfriend, spooning her.
"Mmm, how is he?" she yawned.
"Tired, depressed, nervous...I'll become more descriptive after at least six hours of sleep," he grunted.
Dell stretched into awareness. She needed to go tell Dad about her day with Hermione. She slid into he dressing gown. She scampered into his bedroom, patting Annie, and froze at the sight of her father sleeping with his arm over Hermione's stomach. Hermione was sitting up reading the paper with a cup of coffee in hand. She looked up and smiled, patting the duvet next to her.
The scene warmed her heart. It was like having a real mother. Mum never let her enter the master bedroom...not even when she was sick or scared. She grinned and bounded over to slip into the bed and snuggle into the woman.
"Morning. How did you sleep?" Hermione said in a sleep roughened voice.
"Really good. Daddy looks exhausted," she said softly.
"A new development has come up. We're having a family meeting tonight. But don't forget you promised to study this weekend," Hermione said calmly.
"I'll get right on it." Delilah stood and smiled at hr sleeping father. "Thanks for taking care of him Hermione. I don't think anyone ever really has properly."
Hermione watched the youngest Potter leave, smiling at what she had said. She turned her gaze to the sleeping bare back of her boyfriend. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. Harry hummed in approval, eyes blinking open. He grinned, his only visible eye twinkling tiredly.
The woman laid back down and let herself be pulled into his body. She cupped his stubbled cheek lovingly. "Are you alive, babe?"
"Yes...I'm the Boy-Who-Can't-Take-A-Hint-And-Die-Already," he rasped.
Hermione snorted, kissing him chastely. "I, for one, am benefitting from that character trait."
"I'm going to give you all of my time and attention one of these days. I promise." He looked regretful that he couldn't date her properly.
"I'd rather you be a brilliant father with very little time to pamper me than a cold statue who wears me as a trophy."
Harry smirked boyishly, then realization dawned on him. "The twins got in a fight, defending my girls' honor and they were worried you'd take their brooms."
Hermione sighed. "I don't know what to do...those two are out of control. If I can't find a way to have them center themselves and their magic...I may have a bigger problem than telling them apart."
Harry rose up on his elbow. "I have an idea..."
Harry swallowed as he gazed at all their children scattered around the living room. "Right so...a war friend of mine passed away recently. She left the custody of her son to me. Therefore Teddy will be living with us for a while..."
The other kids turned to watch the boy edge in cautiously. Harry pulled him to his side and placed a calming hand on his strong shoulder. His hair turned pink in embarrassment.
"Daddy...he looks just like Papa Moony," Gabby breathed as she stared wide-eyed at the boy.
"Yes...Remus is his biological father...and he has no idea Ted even exists. So make him feel welcome while I try to explain this to my godparents. As of today he is your brother, yeah?"
They all nodded, lunging forward without instruction to ask the boy a thousand questions. Hermione gave Harry an encouraging look as he squared his shoulders to go see Remus and Sirius. The man landed in the warm and cozy den of Grimmauld Place. The werewolf and his mate looked up in happy surprise.
"Harry! What do we owe the pleasure?" Sirius beamed, bouncing Finn.
"How much do you know about Remus' actions while you were missing?" Harry asked, his voice shaking.
Sirius frowned. "He had an ongoing affair Tonks...why?"
Remus was pale. He didn't like where this may be going.
"She was killed in the line of duty four days ago."
"That's sad. I like her, my baby cousin."
"She left me something in her will...Remus you have a son."
The werewolf was speechless. He stood and retreated without a word. Sirius watched him go. It didn't bother him really...it meant a bigger family to love. "Is he with you?"
"Yes so when he's ready to meet Teddy. Let me know."
Sirius watched the tired man leave through the fireplace. He glanced down at their baby. "It's gonna be a long night, Finn..."
