"Cronus Rising"

"Chapter Twelve: The Holiday"

Teddy lounged on the couch in the living room, Moony dangling from his fingers over the side of the couch. The stuffed wolf's nose grazed the floor. Teddy was royally and thoroughly bored. His head turned towards Ginny who was curled up in the armchair reading a book. Harry had left for work hours ago, grabbing a banana for breakfast on his way out the door.

"Ginny…" Teddy spoke up.

"Hmmm?" Ginny replied, reaching for her bookmark on the end table next to her.

"When I stayed at Victoire's house, Bill gave me a picture of the old Order he was in and you and Harry weren't."

Ginny sat her book down, her attention fully on him.

"I know, I saw it sitting on your nightstand. You know, Teddy, if you want a picture of your parents for your nightstand, you are more than welcome to go through my photo album and take whatever you want. I guess I should have told you that earlier… I just didn't think about it."

Teddy sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the couch. Moony was pulled up and laid next to him.

"Really? Anything I want?"

"Yeah. Maybe we can get a few pictures framed for you. I know your grandmum had pictures on her fireplace. The house belongs to Harry right now… nothing's been touched. I'm sure Harry will go get them for you too."

Teddy thought for a moment. He remembered a picture of him as a baby in his mother's arms and his dad's arm around her. They were smiling at the camera, laughing and they looked so happy. He wouldn't mind that photo on his nightstand.

"I'd like that a lot. When can Harry go?"

"I'll ask him when he gets home. Maybe he can swing by tomorrow after work."

Teddy smiled, his heart racing.

"Harry told me about how he took you into his memories in his Pensieve," Ginny said as she shifted in her chair. "I've been thinking for awhile about allowing you to see a memory of mine. I thought… I wanted to get a good memory of your mum. I thought about, well, the day that your parents brought you to meet us. I thought if you'd like to see it with me, we could."

Teddy was up on his feet in seconds and very enthusiastically nodded his head. Ginny smiled softly and unfolded herself from her armchair. She ambled over the cabinet where Harry housed his Pensieve. She sat it carefully onto the coffee table, her wand pointing at her temple.

"Now, I have to warn you, Teddy, you will not be at the Burrow. You see, after the Easter holiday, my family and I went into hiding at my Aunt Muriel's. So, my parents, Fred, George, and I were all there. Your parents came… Merlin, maybe three or four days after you were born to show you off."

The memory swirled in the Pensieve. Teddy looked at it and saw a younger Ginny holding a pile of blankets. He walked around the coffee table until he was standing next to her. He reached out a hand for her to take.

"Was Harry there?"

"No, Harry wasn't there."

"Do you think that Harry would show me his memory of when my parents introduced me to him?"

"Well, Teddy, sweetie, Harry didn't get to meet you until after your parents died."

Teddy frowned but tried to push that thought out of his mind. He was excited to see Ginny's memory and chose to focus on that.

Ginny and Teddy leaned forward over the Pensieve until the familiar falling sensation hit Teddy like a ton of bricks. He looked around in the unfamiliar house. He quickly spotted Ginny curled up in an armchair looking quite miserable. The Weasley twins were chatting in quiet voices on the couch. Mrs. Weasley was knitting although it looked like she wasn't entirely paying attention. Mr. Weasley seemed lost in thought next his wife as he stared at a wall. Ginny's Aunt Muriel did not seem to be in sight but he heard clanking in the kitchen and assumed it was her.

There was a knock on the door that startled all the Weasleys in the living room. Mr. Weasley was up at once, his wand by his side as he inched towards the front door cautiously.

"It is I, Remus Lupin, werewolf, husband of Tonks, brand new father with his wife and his new son – who I am happy to report is awake with all ten fingers and toes."

The collective group seemed to relax and Mr. Weasley strolled towards the door with a smile planted on his face. He quickly opened the door and ushered the small family inside. Teddy let go of Ginny's hand and peered at his parents. His mother was beaming, her hair a very sunny yellow. His tired looking father had a wide smile on his face.

Mrs. Weasley was rushing forward as her kids followed. She peered into the pile of blankets in his mother's arms, squealing in surprise.

"Did his hair… did his hair just turn red?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"He's got my genes," his mother said excitedly.

"I suppose if he was going to inherit one of our abnormalities, I'm more than happy it was Tonk's," his father spoke in an even, amused tone.

Teddy stood on his tip toes, trying to catch a glimpse of his baby self. Ginny must have noticed because he was instantly snuggled into her arms. He saw his baby face with red hair that was quickly turning into a soft blue.

"Oi, Remus," George spoke with a glint of laughter ringing in his voice. "You sure he didn't get your little problem? He's all rolly and wrinkly like I'd expect you look in your wolf form."

"Honestly, George!" Mrs. Weasley hissed. His father just laughed.

"Bit more hair though," his father said with a smile that reached his eyes.

"Can I hold him?" younger Ginny spoke up.

"Of course," his mother said sweetly. "Now, you got to hold his head or else-"

"Or else his head will fall off," Fred spoke up. "You don't want to be known as the baby killer."

The teenage Ginny shot her brother a look, her arms held out. His mother carefully transferred the pile of blankets to Ginny. She supported his head with one arm and curled the other one under his bottom. She smiled down at him.

"Yes, as much as I like you, Ginny, I might have to sever ties if you make my baby's head fall off," his mother sang in a cheerful tone.

"Honestly, can we not joke about that sort of thing?" Mrs. Weasley snapped.

"I think we could all do for some jokes and laughs right now, Molly," his father said thoughtfully.

"Does Harry know?" younger Ginny asked as she glanced up on his parents.

"Yes… I, uh, ran into him the day Teddy was born actually," his father spoke slowly as all the Weasleys eyes were on him. "I was going around telling everyone the news and Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all at Bill and Fleur's cottage."

"They were where? Why? Are they alright?" Mr. Weasley spoke up, concern lacing his words.

"They're fine. I suspect they're gone now. Anyways, I told Harry about Teddy. I asked him to be his godfather."

"Remus said he was so happy and excited," his mom added. "I wish I could have been there when he was asked. I know how much it meant to Remus to ask Harry."

Teddy smiled and wondered if his godfather would show him that memory. It was one he'd like to see.

"Well, come sit down you two," Mrs. Weasley ushered them into the living room. "You must be exhausted with a newborn. Up all night."

The group made their way to the couches and chairs. Ginny let Teddy slid out of her arms. He trailed after his parents. His father sat down on the couch, his elbow propped up on the armrest and his cheek resting in his hand. His mother took the other side of the couch. There was a small space in-between them. Teddy walked cautiously over and sat down between his parents.

He watched teenage Ginny sit down slowly with baby Teddy in her arms, her face never leaving his. His Ginny stood next to her younger self; a smile spread across her face as she looked down at the baby. The other Weasleys took various spots around the room.

"How's parenthood treating you?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"Oh, Merlin, I'm so worried I'm going to run into something while I'm carrying him and drop him," his mother admitted. "I make Remus follow me around like a little puppy when I'm walking with him so he can save him."

"Well, you haven't dropped him yet so that's a good start," his dad replied.

"I'm on day four, no tripping with Teddy," his mum smiled brightly. "Must be a record for me."

"Oh, Ginny, you've had him too long," Mrs. Weasley said. "You have to share him. Everyone wants to hold him."

"My turn," said George.

"No, my turn," said Fred.

"I'll fight you for him!"

"Remus always liked me better in school. Told me I was the smarter twin."

"Tonks always liked me better, said I was the more handsome twin."

"A Muggle's duel then, let's go!"

The twins had rammed into one other, falling to the ground. They were rolling around, laughing and throwing playful insults at one another. Teddy couldn't help but laugh at their antics. He glanced up at Ginny to see she was crying silently, a tear rolling down her cheek. Teddy's smile faded.

"Ginny, are you okay?" he called out, part of him wanting to hug her and part of him wanting to stay on the couch with his parents.

"I'm fine," she responded as she wiped away the tears with the back of her hand. "I forgot how bloody stupid they were together."

"Merlin, those two remind me so much of James and Sirius when they were in school," his father murmured.

"Enough! Both of you, get up! Neither one of you will hold the baby if you can't act like mature adults," Mrs. Weasley snapped as she crossed the room to Ginny with her arms out to take the baby.

"Oh, I thought we'd start taking bets soon, Molly," his mother spoke up in amusement. "I was placing my bets on the handsome one."

"Oi, you see, more handsome!" George shouted in victory and Fred pushed him. "It's the lack of ear, that is. Shows I got heart, risking my life on the battlefield, losing an ear in an epic battle of good versus evil."

"What can I say? I like my men to look a little rough on the edges," his mum said with a smile as she glanced over his father. "Scars look good on a man."

Teddy turned to look at his mother closely. She looked so young, so happy, so vibrant. She reminded him a little of Ginny. Both women joked around a lot, had nice smiles, had sparkling eyes. Teddy wanted to reach out and touch her but knew that wasn't an option. He remembered trying to touch his father's arm while he was in Harry's memory. It had glided right through him.

"He is an angel," Mrs. Weasley whispered. "Arthur, look how precious he is."

"You sort of forget how tiny they are when they're first born," commented Mr. Weasley. "It seems so long ago."

Teddy leaned back in the couch as he listened to the Weasleys fawn over baby him. His gaze bounced between his mother and his father, never quite knowing who to look out. He was only vaguely aware that he had been smiling the entire time but certainly noticed once his cheeks began to hurt. It seemed like forever he sat there, listening to normal conversations with his normal family. His heart ached for the normalcy, for a mom and a dad who would be happy to spend an afternoon with him chatting about Quidditch or the weather.

At last, Teddy watched his parents stand up, his father cuddling the mass of blankets in his arms. They bid farewell to the Weasleys. Teddy followed them to the door, watched as they exited. He even went as far as to press his nose against the window and watched them disappear with a soft crack! Ginny's hand was suddenly on his shoulder and he found himself being pulled out of the memory.

When they arrived back into the living room of the flat, Teddy noticed his godfather was home and waiting for them. He sat in the armchair, his head resting in his hands. He smiled softly in greeting when the two appeared.

"What are you doing home so early?" Ginny questioned.

Teddy, however, did not complain. He went bounding towards his godfather and quickly climbed into his lap. His arms threw themselves around his neck and he launched into his adventures with Ginny in the Pensieve. Harry listened intently, nodding his head and asking questions.

"… And then we left the memory and saw you," Teddy finished breathlessly. "Can you show me your memory of when you first met me?"

"I can another day. Right now, I got some news."

"What's wrong?" questioned Ginny.

"Nothing's wrong," replied Harry pleasantly. "You know, Teddy, Ginny and I have been looking for a house. I think I found a good one. Would you like to go see it?"

"YES!"

Teddy soon found himself walking in-between Ginny and Harry with his hands clenched in theirs. They were making their way to the parking garage beneath the flat. Harry led them to an alcove tucked away in the shadows. Harry's hand was on his shoulder and suddenly, Teddy felt himself being sucked through a vacuum.

They landed in front of a two-story house in a suburban neighborhood. The houses were fairly far apart and not at all like Grimmauld Place. The three of them walked quickly into the home before they could be seen.

Teddy glanced around the living room – a large fireplace situated in the corner, a glass door leading to an office, a grand staircase, an open doorway that led to the back of the house. Teddy was in awe. His grandmum's house had been half the size and Harry's flat suddenly felt like a cupboard compared to the new house.

"I wanna show you something, Teddy."

Harry motioned for Teddy to follow him up the staircase. Ginny grasped his hand in hers and walked up the stairs. There were five doors and Harry led him to one on the right side of the house. Opening it, he beckoned Teddy inside.

Teddy took a step him, his eyes immediately falling on the bay window. Images of his grandmum's house flooded his mind, his plush werewolf collection had always been displayed on his window. When his grandmum died, he had only taken Moony with him to his godfather's flat. He wondered if Harry could grab the rest of the plush wolves so he could put them back where they belonged – with him on a window seat.

"I thought this could be your room." Harry spoke softly.

"I love it!" Teddy said breathlessly as he turned around to give his godfather a hug.

Harry showed them the rest of the house – four bedrooms and three baths. The most impressive part of the house was the backyard. It was massive and perfect for playing Quidditch. It was private too. Trees lined the backyard and towered into the sky. No one would be able to see in the backyard. He listened to Harry as he told Ginny it was in a Muggle neighborhood and he doubted that any wizards lived nearby.

"I got one more surprise," Harry announced as they stood in the massive eat-in kitchen. "I've arranged with Kingsley and Vidar about leaving the country for the weekend. Fleur's family owns a cottage in France on the water. I thought we could go Friday night and come back Sunday night. Be able to walk around a bit, get out of the house. I've arranged with Hermione and Professor Flitwick to come to the house and ward it while we're away. They're going to make it unplottable amongst other things for the time being. When we get back, we can move in."

"You're going to take a vacation?" Ginny sounded skeptical but Teddy was smiling.

"Kingsley's arranged two international portkeys for us without registering them officially. I've also given him an old DA coin so that if anything happens – if Cronus attacks, I can activate the portkey early and get back to London."

"I'm just shocked is all," Ginny replied.

"Look, Teddy's been housebound for too long. You're now under house arrest because of the pregnancy. We can't very well go out anywhere in England with Cronus about. I thought it'd be a nice few days. To get some fresh air and go out to eat."

"Who all knows about this trip?"

"You, Teddy, and me of course. Kingsley and Vidar at the Ministry. Ron, Hermione, and Flitwick so they can fix up the house. Fleur, Bill, and Fleur's parents. Fleur's parents are adding extra wards to the cottage today for us. I've thought this out. We'll be safe."

Two days later, Teddy was beyond excited. He rushed around his room packing a backpack with a few toys, books, and Moony. Ginny was pulling out a couple of outfits from his closet and folding them on his bed. She was grabbing socks, shoes, underwear, pajamas, and his Harpies fleece blanket.

Teddy had never been so happy to leave London before. In fact, he couldn't even really remember ever leaving the United Kingdom before. He wanted to get away with Harry and Ginny, get away from the Order of the Phoenix, get away from Cronus, get away from everything. When they got back, he'd have another exciting week of moving into their new house.

"Hey," Harry greeted in the doorway to Teddy's room, causing Ginny to jump and withdraw her wand.

"Blimey, Harry, you scared me!" Ginny sighed as she put away her wand. "Can you make some more noise next time?"

"I had a meeting at Gringotts with Bill and a few of the head goblins. They've agreed to increase their staff by twenty percent and allow no more than two Aurors within the lobby of Gringotts at a time. They're not to interfere with business, not to talk to anyone, and basically just keep an eye on the door. It's a start," Harry spoke calmly as he sat down on Teddy's bed, careful not to disrupt Ginny's packing. "So, I came home a little early after the meeting."

Teddy dropped his backpack onto his floor. It was becoming much too heavy to walk around with anymore. He strolled casually to his bed and took a seat next to his godfather who immediately reached out to ruffle his hair.

They arrived at the small house by the ocean via the portkey (it was an old rusted ladle) by seven at night. The house was decorated in sandy tones and baby blues. It reminded Teddy a great deal of the ocean. Windows covered all the walls. Running to the back of the house, Teddy pressed his nose against the glass and watched the ocean roll onto the sandy beaches.

They had a late dinner in, chatting about their days. Teddy talked excitedly about the new house, about being at the beach, about finally being able to do something that didn't involve Grimmauld Place.

The next morning, Ginny laid on her bed, an arm over her eyes and the other resting on top of Teddy's head. His own head used Ginny's flat stomach as a pillow. He concentrated, trying to hear the baby or feel the baby move. Nothing happened at all. Teddy began to think they were mistaken about the baby and, perhaps, Ginny had just been sick for the past couple weeks.

Shortly after breakfast, Ginny had run out of the kitchen to the bathroom. She had been there for a half hour while Teddy sat behind her chatting about Quidditch, the Burrow, Victoire, anything he could think of. Harry sat behind her, rubbing her back and shoulders. When Ginny finally moved to the bed, Harry went to the living room to send a Patronus to Fleur to get the morning sickness directions off her.

Teddy stayed silent. His eyes focused on the door as he waited for his godfather to return. He heard Ginny's breathing even out and he wondered briefly if she had fallen asleep. Before long, his godfather wandered into the bedroom. He gave Teddy a brief smile before sitting down next to Ginny and him on the bed.

"You feeling better?" questioned Harry.

"Mmm…" Ginny groaned. "I just can't eat. That's it, I can't eat until this baby comes out. I've made up my mind."

"I can try the spell. Fleur gave me very clear instructions."

Teddy sat up to look at Ginny. Her arm was still covering her eyes. Reaching out a hand, he grasped her hand into his. He wanted to show her he was there for her. It's what Harry always did when Teddy was upset – he'd hold his hand and give it a little squeeze. Teddy squeezed and noticed that Ginny squeezed back.

"Okay, do it. Try it. I'm desperate, Harry. I'm ruining our weekend."

Harry chuckled.

"You're ruining nothing."

Harry muttered an incantation, flicked his wand sharply, and they all held their breath. Very slowly, Ginny took her arm off her eyes and looked around the room. She slid her hand out from Teddy's and slowly sat up.

"Well?" Harry pushed.

"Yeah, well?" Teddy mimicked.

"I think I'm going to go shower and we can go out exploring. Maybe we can stop for a snack or something. I threw up all my breakfast," Ginny replied as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.

"We're going out?" Teddy half shouted, excitement building up inside of him.

"Yes, but only in the Muggle portion. We're not going to go to any Wizarding parts here, understood?" Harry stressed. "You're to hold mine and Ginny's hands the entire time. We do not separate. We watch out for each other."

They wandered around a Muggle village, grabbed lunch, went shopping, and laughed. Teddy couldn't remember the last time he had had so much fun with Harry and Ginny. He supposed it was before his grandmum died, before Cronus had made his unfortunate appearance. This was the Harry and Ginny Teddy remembered – when they'd go out to the Muggle cinema, go out to dinner, go shopping. Teddy had no problems staying in the Muggle portion of France. They always seemed to stay in the Muggle portion of England anyways when they used to go out. Harry avoided the Wizarding parts like a plague, and Teddy supposed it was because he was apparently so famous.

That evening, they sat out on the back balcony of the cottage. Ginny's elbows were propped on the railing and her gaze was focused on the ocean. Harry promised they could spend the day at the beach the next day before they headed home that night. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow on the ocean. Harry tugged Teddy by the arm, pulling him back a little. His godfather got down on one knee and motioned for Teddy to do the same. He did, feeling silly, and Harry pulled out the ring box that he saw ages ago. The box was flipped open and held in one hand. His free arm snaked around Teddy's shoulders and pulled him close.

"Ginny?" Harry called and she turned around.

Upon seeing them bent down on one knee in front of her, her hands flew to cover her mouth. Her eyes were wide, tears threatening to fall off her eyelashes. Teddy wanted to get up and hug her but he didn't think that's how asking someone to marry you was supposed to go.

"Ginny, you are the most kind, gentle, smart, funny, radiant woman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in my life," his godfather started. "You have been an amazing mother figure towards Teddy, treating my godson as though he were your own. You've been an amazing woman towards me. You make me want to be better. You make me want to be stronger. You make me happier than I have ever been in my entire life. I can't imagine going on without you, having a single day where I don't see your smile and hear your laugh. So, here I am, on one knee, with Teddy, to ask you not just to marry me… but to marry us both. I ask you to be my wife and I ask you to be a mother to my godson. We're sort of a packaged deal, but I think you already knew that. I ask you to make us an official family."

Harry paused. Ginny stood in shocked silence. Teddy thought he out to say something.

"Ginny?" Teddy's small voice squeaked. "You're the coolest person ever. I mean, you're a Quidditch star on the best Quidditch team there is. I think you're super funny and nice. I wanna marry you too! I want you to be my godmother! We can have a happy little family. You and me and Harry and the new baby. We can play Quidditch all the time at the new house. I'll help you cook dinner and help take care of the baby when it comes. We can get a dog. Or a cat. Or even a fish. I don't really care, but can we get a pet? I think it's in the rules. You get married and you get a pet. I'll take care of it."

Ginny was laughing as tears were pouring down her face. She collapsed onto her knees in front of them. She wrapped one arm around Teddy and one arm around Harry and drew them both to her chest.

"Yes, yes, of course," Ginny cried.

She pulled away. Teddy felt Harry's arm leave his shoulders. He reached into the ring box and lifted the diamond out of the box. Ginny held out a shaky hand. Harry slid the ring on her finger. She grabbed either side of his face and the two kissed. Teddy's knee started to hurt so he adjusted until he was sitting on his bottom, his legs crossed with one another. When they parted from their kiss, Ginny turned towards Teddy.

"Come here," she motioned for him to embrace her.

Teddy gladly did just that. He wrapped his arms around her neck and squeezed as tightly as he could. He felt her lips brush against the top of his head. Teddy felt a wave of happiness fill him. He could not remember the last time he had been so happy. They pulled away from the embrace and Ginny's smile turned into a look of surprise.

"Teddy, your hair…" she trailed off.

He frowned, his eyes rolling upwards to catch a glimpse of his hair but he could not. He frowned slightly in confusion.

"It's red," Ginny supplied. "You changed your hair color! You look like a Weasley."

He changed his hair? He actually transformed? It had been months since he could transform anything about himself. He had lost the ability when his grandmum died. Teddy licked his lips, the corners of his mouth tugging upwards. There were no thoughts of Cronus or Order meetings at Grimmauld Place. There were no fears of Harry and Ginny getting hurt or worse. There was just a small ball of joy that filled his heart.

Please, don't forget to review! Up to chapter 17 is finished so I will probably update Wednesday/Thursday.