Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Luna were all sat awkwardly on one of the many benches in the Great Hall. The Weasleys and Andromeda were both running late, Neville's Grandmother was getting overly comfortable with Terry Boots' Grandfather and Luna's father was talking to Mcgonagall about Wizdings and how Hogwarts had an infestation. Mcgonagall was trying to maintain a straight face but from the look in her eyes, Luna's father was rubbing against her breaking point. Thus the teenagers were awkwardly avoiding both Nevilles amorous Grandmother and Nevilles disgusted grimace.
Finally, a collection of redheads, a black-haired woman and a yellow-haired baby all appeared at the front of the hall and hurried over to the collection of teenagers all either staring at the ceiling avoiding one another's gaze in fear of bursting out laughing but Harry rushed forward at the sight of his Godson and enveloped him in his arms for him to wiggle and try to get down after a few minutes. Harry looked nervously at Andromeda who smiled reassuringly and said
"He's been trying to walk all week and he wants to show off" Harry nodded in understanding and dropped Teddy's socked feet onto the floor. Teddy's legs straightened and holding onto his Godfather's hands he face-planted onto the cold cobbles. Teddy began to sniffle and whine at this and Harry scooped him back into his arms continuing to listen to the discussion the Weasleys were partaking in.
Teddy snuggled tighter into Harry's chest and after a while he seemed to have quietened down, occasionally taking a sniffly breath as he practically attached himself to Harry's worn shirt and occasionally sucking or chewing on the buttons or the zip or anything he could reach. Eventually, the little boy grew tired of the menial talk and began to wriggle once again, this time managing to almost stand before crashing onto the table. Teddy began to cry in earnest now and his breathy sobs were piercing the air. Harry was at a complete loss and when Teddy wouldn't calm down he handed him back to Andromeda and decided on getting some drinks for the table from various pitchers of juice the house-elves had set up around the room.
Harry returned laden with Pumpkin juice and Teddy had appeared to have calmed slightly, however seeing Harry return he slipped onto the floor once again. Harry's dormant instincts kicked in and he thrust the tray he was holding into Ron's arms and knelt rapidly on the floor, holding his arms out to prevent the tiny boy from connecting with the floor yet again. However, there were no wails. The small baby's chubby legs straightened and he was standing unaided on the cold stone, wiggling his socked feet excitedly. Harry's eyes widened and the now dark-haired child wobbled slightly then took a shaky step forward. When he remained upright he took another shaky step before another and another as he shakily took his first steps into Harry's outstretched arms. When he reached Harry's chest he wobbled again and began to fall, only to be caught by Harry in a strong hug.
"Hawwy!" Teddy squealed as Harry hugged him tighter, well aware of the blurriness of his vision and the tears burning in the corner of his eyes. Harry could feel the eyes of the Great Hall all gaping at their 'Saviours' outward display of pure emotion as Harry had never allowed himself to cry in public if he could help it. Teddy seemed comfortable in his arms if not slightly confused. The tiny boy in his arms was growing and he was going to see it, all of it, and the boys slightly apple-scented hair, as well as his Molly Weasley jumper, were solid proof that he hadn't died in that forest and wasn't currently buried six feet under like his own parents or Teddy's. That thought caused him to cry for a completely different reason, for the fact that Remus and Tonks weren't here to hear his first words or to witness those first shaky steps, and the grief and guilt burnt heavy in his chest.
Eventually, he had calmed himself down enough to remove his face from Teddy's dark, messy hair and to look into his eyes, Remus' eyes.
"That was amazing Ted," Harry said earnestly and the toddlers' eyes lit up with excitement
"I'm so proud of you" Harry continued as he rustled the boy's hair with his free hand
"And I know your mummy and daddy would have been to" Teddy's head tilted and he responded
"Ma?"Harry had to blink away tears once again
"Yep, Ma and Da. They would be so proud of you" Teddy giggled adorably once again and Harry said with a smile
"Love you Teddy Bear" as he brushed the falling fringe out of the toddlers' Amber eyes. Teddy then attempted to follow his words and stumbled out in reply
"Wuv wu Hawwy" and once again he was in Harry's strong arms.
Harry stood up a few moments later, slightly shaking, with Teddy still nestled in his arms as he rested his head on Harry's shoulder as he babbled tiredly into the crook of his neck. Harry slid back between Ginny and Andromeda and grinned bashfully at the astounded group. The only motion from the entire hall was Ginny wiping some of the stray tears of his cheeks. Eventually, Andromeda broke the silence
"Hmph I don't think I qualify as his favourite" Harry chuckled slightly then replied
"I think we're even" with a lopsided smile. Ginny leant over and ruffled the toddler's hair causing him to giggle and bury his head further.
Thankfully the hall sank back into excitable chatter as did the group. While Ron and Hermione were recounting their first official date outside of school to the table Ginny turned to Harry with a soft smile
"You soft sap" Teddy had fallen asleep on Harry's chest and shuffled at the sound of his godmother's voice. Harry whispered over the boys now green hair
"I know but you love me for it" Ginny tapped her finger to her chin in faux compilation then whispered back
"Eh" but when Harry's eyebrow raised she giggled and continued
"I guess I'll take soppy love eyes over noble gitness"
"Shh" Harry hissed quietly gesturing to the small boy on his arms
"Oh he's asleep"
"I know but I don't want Andy to have my hide if he starts repeating what he learned from Auntie Ginny. Or Uncle Ron for that matter"
"Bloody Hell I'm not that bad" Ron interrupted indignantly
"Ronald that statement just proved Harry's point" Hermione admonished
"It's character-building" Ron replied defensively leading Hermione to start furiously whispering only to be interrupted by the occasional angry hiss from Ron when Teddy began to stir.
"Yes, I would rather he didn't start swearing before four. But then again dear Nymphadora copied Ted when he dropped a hammer on his foot and she went about the house singing it for a week" Andromeda continued with her facial expression clearly portraying the grief fighting a smile.
"Well let's hope we don't have around two of that" Molly interrupted
"I'm sure an afternoon with Uncle George at the shop-"
"George Weasley if you think that child is going to be babysat by you alone at that shop then you are sorely mistaken. If I see that poor boy with any joke products anytime soon I'll send you on the same task I gave you after you helped the gnomes into the house!" Molly yelled in an oddly quiet tone
"How can you yell so quietly?" Harry asked genuinely intrigued
"You learn dear when you have 14 years of napping babies as the rest of the children wreck havoc" Harry nodded in understanding knowing who most of the causes of havoc work.
All too soon Mcgonagall was back at the front of the hall declaring that all of those not currently residing in the castle were to leave. Teddy only half-heartedly screamed when he was removed from Harry's arms and back in Andromeda's but was so tired a few soft words from Andromeda he was soothed. They waved together before disappearing on the spot closely followed by the elder Weasleys after Molly had fussed sufficiently and told them all to be good. Hermione was in the middle of the two boys and swung her arms around both of them as they walked out of the hall with Ginny walking beside them.
"Right guys we can get at least three hours of revision in, maybe four if Harry spends more time studying and less time building a book tower" Hermione explained excitedly uttering a collective groan from the other three teenagers.
Happy Chapter 40! Did not think if get this far but here we are. Easter break next and then May Second then we're rapidly approaching the end of the school year. Any ideas for what you guys want to happen after the end of 'eighth year' would be greatly appreciated as there's going to be at least a year before engagements of our golden trio.