Disclaimer: I own nothing recognisable.
Harry squinted down at the scattered files that lay in disarray across his desk. The artificial light from his lamp was dim, yellow hued and in need of a light bulb change. He'd been sitting at the desk for so long the words in the reports had all blended into one long mess. With a heavy sigh, Harry began to pile up the files into a haphazard stack. He was mentally preparing himself to get up just that little bit earlier the next morning to finish off his case reports when a scream filled the air.
He hurried out of the room, files falling to the floor, Teddy was the only other person in the house. Teddy was the only one who could be crying, and nothing panicked Harry more than the thought of his godson being hurt.
Harry had put Teddy to bed earlier that evening. He had tucked the little boy up under his duvet, stroking his turquoise hair as he read to him. Teddy had a love for Muggle stories, so Harry told him the tale of a lion and a witch (the Muggle interpretation) and a magical wardrobe that allowed children to enter a magical world. He had struggled to keep his eyes open, enamoured by the words Harry spoke and the world he weaved with them, until finally sleep won out and Harry had slipped back down to his awaiting files.
"Teddy, are you alright?" Harry called as he made his way up the stairs.
"It hurts!" The cry pierced through his chest as he hurried into Teddy's bedroom, quickly seeking out the turquoise bundle of joy that had stolen his heart all those years ago.
"Oh Teddy," Harry murmured softly. The little boy was sitting on the carpet, clutching at his forehead with a tiny hand, while tears trickled down his cheeks, his chest heaving from his sobs. "What happened?"
"I just wanted to play," his voice shook with tears. "I tried to get my cars from the shelf, and I fell."
"You weren't meant to be playing Teddy, it's night time, you were meant to be sleeping," he spoke softly. He tried to be stern, but as soon as he saw Teddy's lip begin to tremble, he caved. Scooping him up Harry held him close to his chest, reassuring him that everything was going to be okay.
"I know, but I shut my eyes really tight, and I didn't fall asleep Uncle Harry!" He struggled to contain his laughter at how earnest Teddy sounded.
"Well, how about we both shut our eyes really tight and try to go to sleep, otherwise we'll be too tired to go to the zoo tomorrow," Harry smoothed back Teddy's hair, gently poking at the bruise already beginning to form on his forehead before kissing it softly. "Now, how about we put a bit of Bruise Removal Paste on your bump, and by morning it will all be better?"
"Maybe another story too?" A pair of big emerald eyes looked up at him pleading, Harry could do nothing but chuckle as he nodded in agreement.
"One more story, and then it's time to go back to sleep."
"Okay, I love you Uncle Harry."
"I love you too little wolf."
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