"Thank you for helping clean up, Harry. You know you didn't have to." Andromeda placed the last gift in the bag to be taken to Teddy's room later.
"It's no problem." Harry sat down on the couch.
"Teddy is passed out." Ginny walked into the sitting room after putting her fiancé's godson down for his afternoon nap. "The party really tuckered him out."
The party was Teddy's second birthday party. The guest list included a few friends of Andromeda's and most of the Weasleys. Both Ron and Hermione were there and if you didn't know there was a rift between them you wouldn't have been able to tell. Problem was Harry knew and Harry could tell. It was partly the reason he stayed after to clean up. It was that or go home to moody Ron.
"I'll be back here on Friday after work to pick up Teddy," said Harry. He stood up and headed for the door.
"Thank you, Harry. I know Teddy will have much fun." Andromeda patted him on the back.
"No problem. I love the kid."
Andromeda was taking a weeklong trip to visit friends and Teddy would be staying with his godfather. Harry took the entire week off just to spend time with his godson.
Stepping outside the house Harry glanced at Ginny who sent Harry a look.
"We can go back to my place. Hermione will most likely be there, but she locks herself in her room, so she shouldn't be a bother." Ginny sighed. "I wish they would stop being so thickheaded."
--
"I'm leaving work early today to pick up Teddy," Harry said as Ron shoveled the last bit of egg in his mouth.
"'E's sta'ing a 'eek 'it' us?"
Harry nodded.
Kreacher burst into the dining area to remove the dirty dishes.
"Kreacher is preparing Master Harry's favorite dish for the guest tonight."
"And you're taking a week off work?" Ron asked.
"Thank you, Kreacher. Whatever you make will be fine. He's a two-year-old. And yes, Ron, I am."
--
"One more, Potter, then you can go," Robins said.
Harry and his trainer stood on Diagon Alley's main street working on detection. Robins had planted wizards among the crowds and Harry had to pick them out. He had come up with all but one.
"Think about how you were able to spot he others," Robins urged him.
This was Harry's first time working with detection so Robins made it easy for him by making sure his help did obvious things to give themselves away, but after today, it would be hard work.
Harry watched the crowds around him as he stood in the middle of the street in front of Gringott's. He watched wizards and witches in various colored robes walk by. He spotted a seven-year-old licking a vanilla ice cream cone. The only place he knew to sell ice cream along the Alley was Fortescue's. But, Fortescue's had been closed since the owner's capture by Voldemort. Behind him was an older man in shabby green robes. The mad circled the bank, but did not go in.
"Aha!" Harry exclaimed. "It's him, the dark haired man in the shabby green robes."
Robins patted his trainee on the shoulder. "Dawlish!" He called out.
The green robed man made his way through the crowd. Harry did not recognize him as John Dawlish.
"Polyjuice Potion," he said. "I transfigured my robes to look as if they were owned by a beggar. Careful with that. Transfiguring robes does not last as long as the potion." He shook Harry's hand.
"Alright, Potter, we're done for the day."
Robins led the way to the Leaky Cauldron so they could floo to the Ministry.
Harry hurried to his cubicle to grab a few things. On his way out he ran into Neville and his trainer, William Uric.
"Leaving?" Neville asked.
"Yes, I told you I'm keeping Teddy this coming week. I'm heading over to pick him up"
"That wouldn't be Tonks's son, would it?" Uric asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Terrible shame."
"You'll be off all next week?" Neville asked.
"Yes. You should come by. You haven't seen Teddy since the Christmas Party at the Burrow a year and a half ago."
Harry left Neville with the invitation and headed toward the lifts. He ended up in one occupied by the Minister of Magic.
"Good evening, sir."
"Hello, Harry. I hear your training is going well."
"Yes, sir."
Harry knew Kingsley Shacklebolt. He reckoned he could say he was friends with him. But, right now, Kingsley was his boss, his boss's boss, the Minister of Magic. Oh, sure, he'd had many interactions with previous ministers, Cornelius Fudge and Rufus Scrimgeour, but he didn't admire and value them the way he did Kingsley and they certainly weren't his bosses.
"Harry, call me Kingsley. I may be the interim Minister, but we're still friends."
Harry looked at Kingsley's dark face, the golden hoop still residing in his ear, and relaxed. They were friends. He need not be nervous.
"Where are you off to now?" Kingsley asked, as the lift made it's way closer to the Atrium.
"I'm taking care of Teddy for a week while his gran visits some friends."
"I'm sorry I could not attend his birthday party."
"You were busy with work, I know. I'm not sure Teddy will understand though."
Harry exited the lift once the gate opened upon the Atrium.
--
"Hawwee!" Turquoise haired Teddy clapped his hands when Harry stepped out of the floo brushing soot off his robes.
"Teddy!" Harry picked up the two-year-old and swung him around the room. "Where's your grandmother?"
"Back here!" Andromeda yelled from her bedroom. "You wouldn't believe how much I still have to do. I've to finish my packing. I haven't even started Teddy's, yet, and the portkey's scheduled for 5:45," she said as Harry made his way to her bedroom.
"Teddy and I can pack his stuff. Right, Teddy?"
"Pack!" Teddy raised his hands in the air.
Andromeda smiled, pointed her wand at a pile of laundry and exclaimed, "Pack!" The blouses found their way into the suitcase and folded themselves. Tonks was right. Her mother was great with the spell.
"Thank you, Harry."
"This might take a bit longer for us. I'm not so good with that spell." Harry placed Teddy on the floor of his bedroom. "Let's begin with your clothes."
Harry found Teddy's bag next to the wardrobe and filled it with t-shirts, sweaters, trousers, socks, shoes, and pajamas. He made sure not to forget the Holyhead shirt. Teddy pulled out the shirts he didn't like.
"Shirt yucky!" He tossed a lime green t-shirt aside.
"No, no, Teddy. You need clothes to wear next week." Harry reached for the short, but stopped himself. "We don't have to take that shirt with us."
"No shirt."
"Let's move on. We're going to need to bring toys. What toys do you want to take?"
Harry watched Teddy walk around the room. After a minute passed Teddy reached for the box containing his building blocks. He handed the box to Harry.
"Is that all?"
Teddy stood there before picking up a book he'd received for his birthday from Hermione.
"Thank you." Harry placed the book with the box while Teddy went in search of something else.
"My bwoom." Teddy grabbed the wooden stick from against the wall.
"Can't forget that." Harry smiled.
Fifteen minutes later Harry helped his godson pick out a few more toys and books.
"I've all his toiletries, nappies, and things in this bag." Andromeda stepped into the room holding a small brown bag. "I need to get going. The portkey is on top of the hill."
Harry took the bag and placed it in Teddy's suitcase. He grabbed the suitcase and the toy bag magically enlarged by Hermione.
"Teddy, we're going to use the floo. After we say goodbye to your grandmother you'll need to hold on tightly to my hand as you do when you use the floo with your grandmother."
Teddy's eyes widened as he looked at his grandmother and Harry.
"Be a good boy, Teddy." Andromeda wrapped him in a big hug. "I'll miss you."
"Bye, Gwan." Teddy put his little arms as far as they would go.
"I love you."
The two males made their way to the kitchen where the fireplace was located when Teddy screamed.
"Wolfie!" He cried running as fast as his little legs moved to his bedroom, but he was not able to free the wolf from the cot. "Help!"
Right behind him, having abandoned the bags in the kitchen, Harry freed the plush animal and placed him in the arms of his owner.
--
"I invited Hermione," Ginny stepped into the house kissing Harry quickly on the lips. "Hey, Teddy. Nice hair." She patted the giggling still turquoise haired boy on the head. "I know she and Ron are going through a rough patch, but she had no plans for tonight. She's one of your best friends."
"Where is she?" Harry looked over Ginny's shoulder before closing the door.
"Right here." Hermione squeezed in before Harry finished closing the door. "Hello, Teddy."
"Heyyo."
"Come, Kreacher's done with dinner. Ron's waiting and you know how impatient he gets when it comes to food."
Harry led the crew through the front hall and down the stairs to the kitchen. He placed Teddy in his seat and sat next to him. Ginny quickly picked the other seat next to Harry.
"Pick a seat, Hermione, so we can eat," Ron, sitting directly across from his sister, barked.
Rolling her eyes so subtly Harry almost missed the action, Hermione sat in the seat next to Ron. Ron stole a glance at her, but tried to make it look as if he was watching Kreacher bring in the food.
"Master Harry needs anything?" The house-elf asked diligently.
"No, thank you, Kreacher."
The house-elf bowed before returning to the other side of the kitchen.
The beginning of the dinner went by smoothly. Teddy flung his parsnips on the floor and across the table earning a stern look from Hermione to which Ron laughed at. Harry decided he'd had enough and could be excused from the table. Both Ron and Teddy promised to be good so he was allowed to stay for desert.
Desert turned out to be treacle tart, which was Harry's favorite and Teddy's too, he declared. He eyed Harry and copied his every move, imitating his way of eating the tart.
"More!" He cried when he finished his piece.
"No more. You've had enough." Harry placed Teddy on the floor. "Let's get you cleaned up." The two-year-old had remnants of dinner and desert in his hair, on his nose, and on his fingers.
Ginny picked up Teddy and she and Harry made for the bath two flights up. Ron and Hermione followed, stopping on the first floor landing.
"You do not need to egg Teddy on," Harry heard Hermione say sternly to Ron.
"Blimey, Hermione," Ron responded.
Ginny and Harry exchanged a look.
"He's an impressionable two-year-old," Hermione's voice rang upstairs.
"Let's get you ready for your bath." Harry tickled Teddy so he wouldn't hear any more of the discussion he was sure would turn into an argument.
Harry and Ginny bathed Teddy together letting him play for a few minutes while things became louder downstairs. Harry tried to drown out the noise by keeping up a conversation.
"Where's your nose?" He asked Teddy.
Teddy reached up and touched his nose with his right index finger, giggling.
"That's right." Ginny scrubbed his back with a soapy washcloth.
"How about your ears?" Harry sat on the toilet with the lid closed having already done his job of washing Teddy's hair.
Teddy tugged on his earlobes with a questionable look on his face.
"You are very smart. Now can I see your feet?"
He leaned back in the tub raising his legs above water. Ginny gently scrubbed his feet.
"All done." Harry handed her the towel. She pulled the plug out of the drain to let the water out. Picking Teddy up she wrapped the towel around him and dried him off.
They brought him into his bedroom for the week, which had been furnished by Mrs. Weasley with a cot she had been saving for her grandchildren.
"Let's get into your pajamas!" Harry ordered after putting a fresh nappy on his godson. He held the blue footies.
"No!" Teddy shook his head.
"Yes!" Harry said.
Ginny picked up Teddy and while Harry held the pajamas open, placed him inside. Harry quickly snapped him up. Harry placed Teddy in his lap in a rocker he'd moved from another room.
"Daniel the Wizard," he read as Teddy snuggled close holding onto his Christmas wolf.
Ginny conjured up a chair to sit and listen to Harry read a short story about a young boy wizard flying on a broom for the first time. Harry finished to Teddy's eyes closing. Quietly they placed him in the cot. Ginny draped an old yell blanket with silver unicorns over the sleeping child.
"This was my blanket when I was his age," Ginny said as Harry put his arm around her shoulder. "I can't believe Mum saved it."
Harry led her out of the room, leaving the door ever so slightly ajar and led her down the stairs, running into Ron on the way.
"Hmph."
"I just put Teddy down for the night. Please be quiet."
Ron glared at him for a second before continuing to stomp up the stairs to his room. Harry shook his head.
"My stubborn git of a brother," Ginny said softly.
They made their way to the first floor and into the sitting room where they found Hermione sitting on the edge of the couch.
"I'm going home," she announced, her face red. "Good night, Harry."
Harry grabbed her arm as she made to leave the room.
"Let me take you home. It's not safe to Apparate into the alley at night by yourself." He looked into Hermione's eyes. This was something Ron should be doing.
"I do need to get home," said Ginny. "I've to be at the pitch early."
--
The next morning after Harry emerged from the bathroom he stopped by Teddy's room to check on him. He was very surprised at what he saw.
"Teddy!" He exclaimed, opening the door wider. "What are you doing?"
"Building." Teddy looked up at him with blue eyes. He held a blue wooden block in his right hand.
"I see that." Harry knelt to Teddy's level. "How did you get out of the cot?" He hoped he would say something a bout Ron letting him out, but he knew that wasn't the answer.
"I yet me out."
"Climbed out of the cot, did you?"
The boy nodded.
"Know what this means?"
Teddy looked up at his godfather with a nervous look on his face.
"Time to move you into a big boy bed!"
Teddy stared at Harry his lower lip quivering.
"You don't—you don't have to. I reckon since you're climbing out of the cot all by yourself you'd fancy a bed that's a bit easier to get out of." He put his arms around Teddy. "Let's try it tonight and if you don't fancy it, you move back to the cot tomorrow." Teddy nodded. "Let's write your grandmum."
Teddy followed Harry to his bedroom where Harry pulled out parchment, quill, and ink. While Harry wrote a letter asking about Teddy moving to the regular bed, Teddy watched Oberon clean himself in his cage.
"That's my owl, Oberon. Would you like to pet him?"
Harry put down the quill and stepped over to the cage. He opened the door and beckoned for the bird to come out. Oberon stepped onto Harry's extended right arm.
"He's a brown spotted owl. Eeylop's doesn't usually carry them, but someone brought him from America and wanted to get rid of him." He didn't think Teddy understood what he said.
"Ob-won," Teddy tried as he stroked his head.
"Would you like to add anything to the letter before I send it off?"
Teddy made for the desk, picked up the quill, and scribbled on the parchment. Harry placed Oberon on the top of the cage. He noted the scribble was from Teddy, sealed the letter, tied it to the bird's leg, opened the window, and sent him out.
"Bye-Bye!" Teddy waved out the window.
"Let's check what Kreacher made for breakfast."
Harry took hold of Teddy's hand and the two made their way safely to the kitchen. To their surprise, Ron was already enjoying a plate of bacon and eggs.
"Goo' mor'i' 'e'y," Ron said with his mouth full of egg.
Teddy giggled as he climbed into his seat.
Harry looked at Ron. He never cared much about Ron's ability to talk around a mouth crammed full, but he hoped Teddy wouldn't start imitating.
"You're attending the match?" Harry asked Ron after the three finished breakfast.
"Will Hermione be there?"
"She's Ginny's friend." Harry hoped his response had no bearing on Ron's answer. "Ginny would love for you to be there."
"Yes, 'm going."
"Hawpies!" Teddy squealed, clapping his hands together.
Before leaving Harry requested of Kreacher to take down the cot and put up a single bed in Teddy's room.
The three left a few hours later for the Holyhead Harpies stadium. Ron wore dark green robes, Harry in black the only color he owned outside the Ministry robes, and Teddy wore blue jeans and his dark green Holyhead Harpies t-shirt. They Apparated to the front. Today was the A-B match. First and second-string players were mixed up and placed on two teams. It was a warm-up to the beginning of the season in a few weeks and at the end captain Gwenog Jones would announce the first string team.
They met up with Hermione in the stands. She wore a set of pale yellow robes, not quite Holyhead colors, but close enough.
"Are you excited for your first Quidditch match?" She placed Teddy in her lap as they sat down. Harry sat next to her and Ron sat on the other side of him.
"Hawpies!" Teddy squealed in response.
"Welcome to the annual Holyhead Harpies A-B match," the Harpies commentator spoke. "Here comes the B team!"
Out from the clubhouse flew seven witches on brooms wearing yellow robes. The names of the players were announced with "Ginevra Weasley, Chaser" called near the end.
The four of them cheered as she flew onto the pitch. Harry watched her fly the circumference and stop near her team's side. Mesmerized with her every move he did not hear the rest of the announcements.
Harry watched Ginny swoop and swirl. She made brilliant passes and scored three times in a row. At one point, a Bludger grazed her right ear causing Harry to grip Hermione's hand. He earned a look from Ron.
Roughly forty-five minutes into the match, the score A 90 to B 50, Teddy became restless. He squirmed out of Hermione's lap. Harry caught him before he could run off.
"No, no, no," Teddy squirmed, but Harry held him firmly in place.
"Yes, yes, yes," he said to Teddy. "I reckon he's getting s-l-e-e-p-y," he said to Hermione.
"No!" Ron shouted.
Harry looked up at the pitch to see the Seeker in the dark green robes hold up the Golden Snitch.
"And the winners are Team A!" the commentator shouted into the golden megaphone.
"Congratulations Team A and good work Team B," captain Gwenog Jones said into the megaphone as she hovered on her broom. "And thank you fans. We promise to bring you great things this season. We won't stop until we're number one!"
The stadium erupted in cheers.
"Now, I bring you the moment some of you've been waiting for," Jones continued. "Announcing the starting team!" she paused for more cheers. "Keeper—Patricia Wood."
Harry wondered if she was related to Oliver Wood. He'd have to ask Ginny. Patricia flew around the pitch and stopped by the commentator's box.
"Beaters—Raine Fournier and me. Chasers—Sara Johnson, Sian Bevan, and Ginevra Weasley."
Harry felt his heart leap into his throat. Ginny made first string! He joined his friends in cheering. He let Teddy stand in between his legs so he could get a better view of Ginny next to Gwenog. They cheered so loud Harry missed the calling of the Seeker.
That evening Ginny lay against Harry on the couch in the sitting room of 12 Grimmauld Place, the wireless turned down low. They finally got Teddy to sleep in the single bed Kreacher put up. He was nervous, but willing to try. He was afraid he'd fall out of bed. Oberon had returned with a reply from Andromeda telling how proud she was for Teddy to try out the bed and that allowed him to overcome his fear and sleep.
"Congratulations, Miss First-String-Chaser." Harry ran his fingers lightly through Ginny's hair as he held her hands.
"Mmm," she replied.
He looked down at her face to see her eyes closed. She had a busy day and if she wanted to fall asleep on him he was fine with that.
--
"Harry?" Ginny called out Tuesday morning. As she had given Harry permission to enter her flat whenever he wanted he gave her permission to do the same at Grimmauld Place.
"Down here," Harry called up from the kitchen where he sat with Teddy eating breakfast. Ron had already left for work.
"Good morning." Ginny kissed Harry after making her way down the stairs.
"Mistress Ginny is liking Kreacher to bring her food?" Kreacher bowed before her.
"No, thanks." She turned to Harry handing him a letter. "Errol delivered this to you as I entered the front of the house."
Harry tore open the seal, unfolded the letter, and read.
Harry—We assume Ginny's with you. Bill just informed us Fleur has gone into labor and given birth to a girl named Victoire Gabrielle. Please come by and visit the baby. They are at Shell Cottage.
Love,
Mrs. Weasley
"They had the baby?" Ginny asked slowly.
"Apparently so."
"Oh."
Harry looked at Ginny.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, a baby!" She replied in mock excitement. She retrieved Teddy's spoon he dropped with her wand, cleaned with the scourging spell and put it back in his porridge. "Today's the second of May?"
"Yeah…"
"George isn't going to be happy about this."
"Wha—oh!" Harry realized what the day was. "Is that what's bothering you?" He put his arm around her.
"A bit, but no." She sighed. "I miss Bill."
"He's not going anywhere."
"It feels like he is." She placed her head in her hands. "He's starting a family and forgetting about me."
"Someday we'll start a family…" Harry trailed off. "Have you talked to Bill about this?"
"No."
"I think you should."
"All done!" Teddy squealed.
--
Harry and Ginny decided to visit Bill, Fleur, and Victoire after Teddy's afternoon nap. It would give the new mum a chance to rest as well. Before visiting, they stopped by Diagon Alley to pick up a gift and to visit someone else.
After picking up a balloon and a small plush bear from the stationary shop they made a stop at another shop.
"Good afternoon!" Angelina called out from behind a pile of joke items she was restocking.
"Who had a baby?" Verity asked, eying the balloon.
"Ginny's brother, Bill," Harry replied.
"How's George?" Ginny asked Angelina. George was currently not in the shop.
Angelina stepped away from the pile and motioned for the group to join her in a secluded area of the shop.
"George hasn't been in the shop all day. He owled Verity to open up." She paused. "Saw Lee before he left for work. George received the news about Bill and Fleur's baby and with today being—you know—he couldn't take it. Lee says he just left. He seemed fine yesterday."
"How are you doing?" Harry asked.
Angelina took a deep breath and straightened her magenta robes before answering.
"Fine. I just wish I could be there for George."
Harry glanced at Ginny. They knew something was up with this relationship.
"As a friend!" She quickly added.
Harry was about to respond when he heard a crash. He looked down to find Teddy no longer standing with them. He turned around to find Teddy standing among a mess of Wonder Witch products.
"Need to stop talking and get back to work. I'll clean that up."
"Are you sure? Teddy made the mess."
"Just a few flicks of the wand, Harry."
"Well, we do need to head over to Shell Cottage."
--
The threesome Apparated a few feet from Shell Cottage. Harry stood silent in remembrance of his last visit here.
"Before we go inside, I want to show you something." Harry led Ginny and Teddy to a gravestone.
"Remember I told you Dobby rescued us from Malfoy Manor? This is his grave."
Harry knelt down and placed his hands on the patch of earth lying on top of his friend's body. Teddy rubbed the stone marker.
"Here lies a free elf," Ginny read out loud, words catching her throat.
"Teddy," Harry sat down and placed the boy in his lap. "My friend Dobby was a house-elf."
"Wike Kweachah?" Teddy interrupted.
"Yes. Dobby was the kindest soul I know. He belonged to a family that treated him horrible, so horrible I tricked him into freeing him. No matter what Hermione says Dobby was the only house-elf I encountered who wanted to be free. A few years ago, I, along with Ron and Hermione, were in a lot of trouble. Dobby was the only one who could save us. He gave his life that day so we could live."
Harry stood up bringing Teddy to his feet. He wiped the tear from Ginny's cheek.
"We don't want to go inside crying."
He took Teddy's hand and walked to the front door of Shell Cottage. Holding the balloon, Ginny followed and knocked on the door. Mrs. Weasley opened it. She had been enjoying tea with Fleur's parents.
"Bill, Fleur," she tapped on the half-open door to their bedroom. "You've more visitors."
"Hello, Harry and Ginny," Bill greeted.
"Teddy." Fleur added.
Harry stopped short at the sight he saw. Sitting in an armchair close to the bed was George holding a pile of pink blanket. What got Harry was how George looked at his niece. She had him mesmerized.
"Congratulations," Harry greeted the new mother and father.
"Zank you, 'Arry. Er name eez Victoire Gabrielle. Gabrielle eez my sister's name, you know. Victoire eez French for Victory. We sought eet fitting wiss 'er birs being today."
Teddy handed Fleur the brown plush bear he'd been holding all this time.
"For baby."
"Zank you, Teddy."
Harry turned Teddy to look at the baby in George's arms. A tiny fist poked its way out of the mass of blanket wrapped around her. Her eyes closed, she sighed in contentment. Atop her head was a small tuft of silvery hair.
"She's beautiful," said Harry.
His words brought life to George, who thrust the baby in Harry's arms and ran out of the room.
Stunned, Harry placed his arm behind the baby's head and sat down in the previously occupied armchair. He was surprised she didn't wake up at the sudden movement. Teddy stood by the arm of the chair and stroked the baby's hair.
"Careful of her soft spot," Bill instructed.
"This is Victoire," Harry said to his godson.
"Victa," Teddy tried to say. "Pwetty baby."
"Already enchanted by her Veela charms," Harry joked.
"My Ginny, why are you standing by the door?" Bill asked his sister.
Ginny uncharacteristically walked timidly toward her brother and handed him the balloon.
"Thanks," Bill handed the balloon to Fleur and hugged his sister.
"Congratulations," she said," Dad."
He grinned, letting go of her.
"Bill, will you tie zis up somewhere?" Fleur handed the balloon back to her husband.
Ginny walked over to Harry.
"She looks like you, Fleur."
They stayed that way for a few minutes admiring the baby. On their way out they spied Mrs. Weasley and George crying over a cup of tea.