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flutters for all
"Uncle Harry, how'd you know if you like someone? Like, really like someone," Teddy questioned, prodding at the sausages on his plate as if they had personally offended him somehow.
Harry froze, his fork held in the air as he struggled to comprehend the question being thrown his way. Surely Teddy wasn't old enough to actually fancy someone, surely Harry wasn't wise enough to be answering such important questions. He definitely didn't feel as if he was prepared for such an event.
"Uh, that depends, I suppose. Do you think you like someone?" Harry tried to ignore the way his voice seemed to squeak, the response barely making it past his lips as he struggled not to panic. "There's lots of factors I think."
"Well, I just want to know in general," Teddy murmured softly, dipping his head away from Harry's curious eyes. There was a strained tone to his voice, one that Harry had not heard since the time they had sat down and discussed why Teddy would no longer be raised by Andromeda and instead be moving in with Harry.
"I suppose, maybe you'll feel flutters, like butterflies when you talk to them? Perhaps, you'll just really enjoy talking to them and being around them. No matter what, they'll make you feel happy to be with them, that's important so remember that!" He tried to keep it tame, Teddy was only thirteen after all, Harry didn't want to scare him off with more complex descriptions and definitions. Heck, it scared Harry to think of such things.
"Huh," Teddy considered his words, once again toying with the food on his plate. "And, um, can you feel like that around anyone?"
Harry paused for a moment, struggling to see where the conversation could be going. He wasn't prepared for some things, but he knew a quick phone call to Hermione could have him armed with pamphlets and textbooks for all possibilities if needed.
"What do you mean by anyone?"
"Can I feel flutters when I'm with girls, but also when I'm with boys?" He choked the words out, as if pained, but for Harry, it was a relief. A relief that he didn't have to go into greater detail on the complexities of adult relationships, but also relief that Teddy felt comfortable enough to discuss such thoughts with him.
"Absolutely!" He nodded with a grin, watching as Teddy's head shot up in surprise, clearly having not expected such a response. "I mean, I do. I like both girls and boys, and you know what Teddy? That's okay, you can like whoever you want. You don't have to make any decisions now, but when you know, I'll be right there by your side kiddo."
"Thanks Uncle Harry."
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