Remus was surprised when Harry had not returned to the house. He had been feeding Teddy a bottle when he had left that morning. They had both been confused when Harry had been summoned to the school. Remus had offered to go with Harry but Harry had turned him down It had been less then two weeks since the death of his wife and Remus was trying to cope. He had only left the house to attend the funeral of his wife. He knew Andromeda and Ted would be here soon. They had been reluctant to hand over Teddy to him as they weren't sure he was in any shape. He had pointed out they had lost their child too and Ted had just returned from being on the run. The couple had known they had no right to stop him but had been coming by every day. They were relieved that Harry was there for him and for Teddy. Remus knew he was relying too much on his cub and perhaps he should stay with the Tonks. But he couldn't seem to leave either of his sons, he considered Harry to be one.
He heard the door open and he was relieved that Harry had come back. He was starting to think he may have stopped to visit Hagrid on the way home. Or perhaps he had gone to visit Hermione. Hermione was staying with her parents for now who she had brought back after the battle.
He turned to look at his son. "How did it go?"
Harry ignored the question and bent to scoop up the baby. "He looks ready for a burp."
Remus was not backing down as he watched him. "Harry?"
Harry held Teddy to him and burped him. "Is Andromeda coming for tea?"
Remus sighed and looked towards the door. "She will be taking Teddy for the evening."
Harry smiled slightly as he adjusted the baby to rock him. "It will be quiet around here."
Remus stood and came to his side. "Perhaps a chance for us to talk."
Any response was cut off by Andromeda who came in. "Good afternoon."
Harry reluctantly handed over his little brother. "He is just drifting off."
Remus brought the carry seat. "He likes the motion of the bus, he should be fine."
Andromeda put her grandson in the seat. "I thought I could keep him for the weekend."
Remus cut her off. "I agreed to one night."
Andromeda sighed. "I don't want to fight with you Remus…."
Remus cut her off. "Then drop it. I agreed you could take him for the night."
Andromeda went to leave. "I have spoken to an attorney."
Remus was seething. "I am his father."
Harry tried to calm them. "You both love him."
Andromeda sighed and went to take him. "I just want what is best for her son."
"Our son." Remus reminded her. "So do I."
Andromeda left but the subject was not to be dropped. Andromeda had never quite approved when her daughter and Remus got together. Her husband had been more open to the relationship but not much. She had thought him only slightly better then Moody who she originally thought her daughter was involved with. She didn't think the man was fit to be a father to Teddy right now. He was mourning her daughter and she wasn't certain he was the most stable minded even before that. She was mourning but her and Ted were together and in a better position. The fact Remus couldn't even hold a job to support his child was a sticking point. She would have gone to an attorney already but her husband stopped her. Ted had reminded her their daughter was only dead ten days and this wasn't the time. Ted didn't agree with her and hoped she would see sense when she calmed down. But right now it seemed only a matter of time before she tried to fight for their grandson.
Harry looked at Remus who looked like he was about to punch a hole in the wall. Harry couldn't blame him at all. Remus had loved her daughter and was mourning the loss badly. The last thing he needed was to have the woman threatening to take his son from him.
Harry put a hand on Remus. "She will calm down."
Remus smirked. "She never liked me. If Tonks had lived she would try and convince her for a divorce."
Harry shook his head. "She was coming around."
Remus looked at a photo of his wife on the mantle. "She actually said she wished Tonks had married Moody after all."
Harry remembered when the woman had believed such rumors. "She reminded Ted was younger then him."
"But then Teddy would be an orphan and she could have him." Remus spat.
Harry reminded him. "There may be no Teddy if it was Moody. Even if the man didn't see her as a daughter."
Remus sunk into a chair. "She will use my wolf status….."
"Those laws don't exist. And you received an order of Merlin."
"Or the fact I cant hold a job. I have no way to provide for him."
Harry stopped him. "You have your texts, and you have a home here."
Remus looked up at him. "I cant afford an attorney….."
Harry cut him off. "But I can. I am not about to allow you to lose him."
Harry reminded the man that he was Teddy's daddy and he had done nothing to lose him. He made money writing text books. Living with Harry he didn't have to pay any rent or bills. If Andromeda wanted a court case she would get one. Harry had more money then he could spend in a life time even without the new found money. He would hire Remus an army of attorneys if he needed them.
Remus squeezed his hand. "Thank you."
Harry reminded him. "You and Teddy are my only family. I wont let you be hurt."
Remus pointed out. "Andromeda is your family. Your actual family thanks to Sirius and the blood rite."
Harry was reminded of that morning. "There are more important things then blood, blood rite at that. You are my family."
Remus pulled him into a hug. "You know I think of you like a…like Teddy."
Harry returned the hug. "Goes both ways."
Remus had held back a bit as he had never wanted to step on the toes of James or Sirius before. But he had always loved Harry as more then simply his friend's son and his godson. James may have been his best friend but Lily had been all but a sister to him. Harry meant his words as well. He cared about the Tonks due to their daughter and Sirius, and they were family. But that would never trump Remus to him.
Harry shook his head when Remus wanted to know about that morning. "Its nothing to worry about."
Remus had been so distracted he had not asked Harry about it. Harry knew though he needed to talk to someone. He would normally have turned to Hermione but she was in no shape. Like Remus she was in mourning for the love of her life. Harry wished he could just be as well. He wished he could focus on mourning those he had lost. Heck he wished he could focus on helping Remus with Teddy. But his mind kept going back to the papers he had signed. And when he received a copy of the paper work a day before the memorial service it hit home again.
Harry went into Diagon alley and sough out the twins. Fred and George had not reopened their shop yet but they were sure to be at the shop working. They were all finding ways of keeping themselves busy and the shop was it for the twins.
Fred was alone in the back of the shop when he came in. "Hey Harry, didn't expect you."
Harry looked around. "Where is George?"
Fred motioned him to sit. "He went to take Angelina some lunch."
Harry was reminded that she worked at the hospital. "Things are still busy?"
"Thankfully most of the remaining patients are being discharged but still."
An odd look passed across his face. "It's a miracle so few were lost."
The original team had remained close as they started graduating, not just Harry and the twins. Though they could have all played professional, only Oliver and Katie had gone professional. Katie had joined the United though most of what should have been her first season was lost to the war. Harry may consider professional quidditch but not this coming season with everything going on. The twins reminded him the United would have an opening in a year and he could make it a trio. Angelina was working as a nurse at the hospital but was considering becoming a healer. Her and George had been dating for a year. Alicia was working for the prophet and had been dating Fred for only a bit longer.
Harry looked around the store and was happy they were reopening. He wished he was so certain about what to do with his life. He could blame most on the war but not all. He once considered being an auror but he knew it was mainly for the war.
Harry looked around. "When do you plan to open again?"
Fred smiled a bit. "In a few weeks after everything settles down."
Harry picked up one of the products. "Laughter is the best medicine or muggles used to say."
Fred had to agree. "We are considering a second shop in Hogsmeade next year."
"The students would love it. With Zonkos closed there is one last stop for students." Harry reminded him.
Fred sighed. "All the money we are spending repairing this place, it may have to wait."
Harry cut him off. "You know you have whatever money you need."
It was Fred who cut him off. "You have invested enough. You never let us pay you back."
"And I never will."
"You are too stubborn. We can't ask for more."
Harry reminded him. "I have more money then I could ever need. And the marauders would approve."
Fred laughed a little at that. "May have to create the Marauders line."
"May help you open a dozen shops if you open the Snape line."
Fred was taken off guard by that. "Not that we don't hope to one day, but the Snape line? A line of pranks to be used on his Slytherins?"
Harry shrugged. "Thought it most fitting way to use what he left me. A line of disguise spells."
"What he left you? I must be missing something."
"He was my father."
Fred thought he was joking and didn't think it was a very good joke. He expected Harry to start laughing but he didn't. Instead Harry showed him the paper work that had come from the lawyers that morning. And told him about the meeting that had had taken place up at the school. Harry could admit that it felt good to let it out. He had not told anyone since he found out and it felt good to say the words to someone. Harry had also received a ring. It had the Prince crest on it and had been delivered with the paper work.
Harry looked at it and down at the rings on his hand. "I guess I should replace Potter but I cant seem to put it on."
Fred stood up. "You said it yourself James named you his heir."
Harry nodded. "I just wish he was around to ask."
Fred took him wrong. "I cant imagine finding out he is your dad after he died."
"I meant James."
"I am sure Remus would know. They were best friends. Even if he didn't know you were Severus' son, Remus would know James."
Harry sighed. "Remus is in no shape now."
Fred sat down right next to him. "You need to deal with this."
Harry shrugged. "That's why I am here."
Fred picked up the ring. "Maybe start with putting this on."
"I am not ready to think of that man as…he hid from me his entire life. He is dead and doesn't have to face it."
"I cant believe I am defending the man….."
"Then don't. He could have told me and hid it from Albus." Harry smirked.
"Maybe there is more to this. You need to find out. He made sure you got his estate."
Harry grumbled. "The money he didn't care enough to touch."
"He is dead but there are ways to find out. People who knew him."
"Malfoys? Like they would help. Draco was angry that he wasn't heir."
Fred shrugged. "He was the man's godson. They would know him."
Harry grumbled. "Not a family reunion I am looking for."
Fred looked at the papers. "Then maybe you go there."
Harry saw the deed for Prince Manor. "He never claimed the title. He never went there."
Fred shrugged. "Might not hurt to look. Maybe there is a painting or two."
Fred reminded him that most old blood families had paintings and they put their essence in them. Harry had seen Wallburga obviously but there were others at Grimmauld. And he was told there would be more if he had ever gone to the main manor as well. He had seen the one of Phineas in the office at the school and he was told there was a second one. Harry wasn't sure what he would gain from going there. He was sure Eileen who married a muggle would not have a painting. And the rest of the family had cast Severus out.
Fred reminded him. "It seems only his mother. Someone left him and you in that will. Maybe you can find out why."
Harry grumbling agreed. "But you are coming with me. With my luck, my new found family paintings will make Wallburga look friendly."
