AN: Please continue to read and give feedback, it helps move the story.
Harry was worried and trying not to go into a panic attack as he went to apparate. He was going to send his owl with George but George had refused to go. He wasn't about to leave Harry in the shape he was in. Harry instead sent his new owl home with Kreacher. He could admit he was relieved George insisted on coming with him. Harry was never good in admitting he needed help and this was no different. George knew that and why he had not given his brother a chance to argue with him. Fred would understand when he found out why George had not returned.
Harry was breathless when he entered the hospital. He had been told by Kreacher where he could find Remus but that was the only thing he knew. Things kept running through his head and his worries for Remus and Teddy were both making him anxious.
He found an anxious Remus in a waiting room. "Moony?"
Remus turned to him. "Kreacher found you."
Harry looked around. "What is wrong? Where is Teddy? Where….."
Remus motioned to a room. "The healer is looking at him."
Harry's heart dropped in his chest. "What happened? He was fine this morning."
Andromeda had come into view. "This is your fault."
Remus turned to the woman. "My fault? Interesting considering whose care he was in."
Harry looked back and forth. "What do you mean? What happened?"
Andromeda shot Remus a look. "My husband would never harm our grandson."
Remus saw Harry's confusion. "Ted came to pick up Teddy and spend some time with him. He fell on the stairs."
Andromeda was stewing. "My husband is in a bed because of you."
Harry tried to calm her. "It's not Remus' fault. If Ted fell….."
Andromeda was not calming down. "He wouldn't have lost his footing. You have something to do with this."
Remus was spitting mad. "I would never harm Ted. Even if he had not been holding my baby."
Andromeda wasn't calming. "You want revenge for me fighting you."
Remus sighed. "He is Teddy's grandfather. Even if he wasn't, Dora loved her father. I would NEVER wish harm on him."
He reminded the woman that Ted had been supportive of Remus unlike her. Ted had refused to go to court to fight Remus. And he had done his best to convince his wife to drop it. Unlike Andromeda he had been visiting his grandson since they lost the custody battle. Even if Ted had not supported Remus, Remus would never wish the man any harm. And not simply for the sake of his son who needed his grandfather. His wife had adored her dad, much closer to him then her mother. She had been crushed when she had believed he had been killed, why they named Teddy after him. As angry as he was at Andromeda, Remus would never even wish harm on her either. Teddy needed them both.
Ted had come to take Teddy for a visit but he had been napping so Ted had tea with Remus. He was to have taken Teddy for the weekend. He had gone up when they heard Teddy wake. Remus had heard a crash, and had found them both at the bottom of the stairs.
A healer came out and looked at Remus. "You can come in."
Remus headed for the door. "How is my son?"
The healer in the room assured him. "He is okay. A little bruised but his grandfather shielded his head."
Harry let out a breath. "Thank Merlin."
Remus looked at the healer. "And his grandfather?"
The healer sighed. "We are still running tests."
Remus picked up his son. "You can let his grandmother in."
Andromeda came into the room. "How is he?"
Harry told her. "He will be fine. He can go home."
Remus looked at her. "Ted?"
The woman spat. "Like you care."
Harry tried. "How is he?"
Andromeda turned to look at Harry. "I am still waiting."
Remus went to take his son. "I should get him home."
Andromeda tried to stop him. "You aren't taking him."
"We have been over this Andromeda." Remus spat.
"You are pulling this while my husband is in the hospital?"
Remus reminded her. "This is no place for a baby. Ted was bringing Teddy home for the weekend when he fell."
Andromeda was shocked as she had not been told. Ted had visited his grandson but until now he had not taken Teddy from the home. But Remus had offered to let the man have him for the weekend. Ted had hoped that it would help Andromeda calm and they could both enjoy time with the baby. He had sworn to his son in law he would make sure Teddy was brought home Sunday. Remus hadn't needed him to swear. He had the papers but he had also known he could trust Ted to bring his son back. And not simply as Ted would not want to be arrested.
A healer came in and told Andromeda that she could go and sit with her husband. It would be some time before she had news about how he was. She watched Remus take off with his son and then she turned to go and see her husband. George left with Remus, assured Harry was okay, but Harry remained.
She sunk into a chair next to his bed. "You can't leave me again."
Harry cut in. "He is a fighter like Tonks."
Andromeda didn't look at him. "You can go."
Harry took a seat instead. "I will wait."
"I am sure Remus would be happy for company."
Harry stopped her. "I would like to stay and find out how Ted is."
Andromeda looked at him. "You chose Remus. You made that clear."
"I supported him. But you are my family as is Ted. I care about you both."
Andromeda grunted. "Ted would be happy."
Harry put a hand on hers. "I will call Draco if you prefer but I don't want to leave you alone. And I do care about him."
Andromeda sighed and nodded. "I guess I could use the company."
Andromeda didn't speak to him but Harry stayed with her. He was happy she would let him remain. He would not have left even if she told him but just gone into the waiting room. He did love Ted and was worried. He knew Draco could have been here but Andromeda barely knew him. He was surprised about an hour later when the door opened and Draco had come into the room.
Andromeda saw him. "How?"
He looked to Harry and back. "Remus sent an elf. He thought I should know."
Andromeda smiled a tad. "Thank you."
A healer came into the room. "I have the results."
Harry and Draco both were at her side when she asked. "How is he?"
"He had a stroke. Likely what caused the fall."
Andromeda was shocked and Harry was grateful she was seated. The healer explained they wouldn't know how bad until he woke up. But it seemed he likely had a stroke which caused him to take the fall. They were grateful he had protected the baby even during the fall. Andromeda had known her husband had heart issues since he had been on the run during the war. But she had thought that he was doing better. He had been pale before the memorial and she had not fought him about not going. But it seems he wasn't. The healer told her the next forty eight hours would tell them if he made it and how badly he was affected as well. The healer left but he promised to come back in a few hours to check.
Harry shook his head when Andromeda said he could leave. "I am here."
Harry had left but only because Draco had been with his Aunt. They swore during waking hours one of them would be with her at least when Ted was out. Draco was already interning with his dad and preparing for law school so he was busy in the day. Harry had another week before his classes started so he could be there in the day. It took two days but the man had woken up. Ted had weakness on one side of his body but he was talking and the healers hoped that he would make a full recovery in time. But he would be in the hospital for a few weeks.
The day Harry was to start his first classes he headed to the hospital first to see him. He had been visiting Ted every day. Andromeda had not protested him coming but she was still not very welcoming to Harry.
Ted smiled a little when he came in. "You don't have to come every day."
Harry bent and kissed him. "I am on my way to the ministry. But I brought you a surprise."
Remus came into the room with his son. "We thought you could use a smile."
Ted beamed when he saw his grandson. 'He is okay?"
Remus brought the baby over and sat the carrier on the bed. "He went home the same day."
Andromeda had come into the room. "What are you doing here?"
Remus realized she didn't see the carrier. "I thought you could both use a smile."
Andromeda was shocked when she saw Teddy. "You brought him?"
"I knew Ted would be worried. And you Both would like to see him."
Andromeda reached for her grandson but stopped. "Thank you."
Remus motioned. "He is ready for a bottle, if you'd like to do it."
Andromeda scooped him up and took the bottle. "Its not warm enough."
Ted looked at Harry. "I am sure you should get to class."
Harry watched the other two. "Are you sure?"
Ted assured him. "They will behave at least for the sake of the baby."
Harry bent and kissed the man on his head and hoped he was right. He knew Remus would as long as he was not pushed too far. Other then the comment about the bottle temperature, Andromeda seemed to be on her best behavior for now. He doubted the issues with the woman would end any time soon over her grandson. But it seemed that at least in the hospital room she was willing to be calm for the sake of her grandson.
Harry got his mind into classes as he had two that day and then he had a special session after lunch. He was excited when Kingsley told him he could take it. He had been told many aurors trained to be animagi. He didn't think as he was only part time he would, but Kingsley allowed it.
Kingsley handed him a bottle. "You will need to take this."
Harry knew. "It will show me my form."
"If you have one you will receive training."
Harry was reminded that not everyone could take a form. If it took him too long to turn or it lasted only a flash he would not be trained either. But he hoped that he would be one. Ever since he saw Minerva and later knew about the marauders he wanted to be one. When he drank down the potion it took a few moments but he did take a form and it lasted for longer then a flash. He took the form of a peregrine falcon. He was amazed as he turned back. He knew they were the fastest animals on the earth and considering his flying it seemed fitting.
Kingsley agreed with the thought. "You will be even quicker. You will join the course two afternoons a week."
Harry was so happy. "Thank you."
Kingsley came out with him. "Heading home?"
"No, I thought I would take some food to the hospital."
Kingsley knew about Ted. "How is he doing?"
Harry sighed. "Doing better. Hopefully he will be home in a few weeks."
He was about to leave when he ran into the last person he hoped to see. "Great."
Albus smiled. "Harry my boy, I was hoping I may see you."
Harry went to go around him. "I have places to be."
Albus stopped him. "Filius or the auror who is teaching defense would be happy to apprentice you."
Harry pulled his arm free. "I am happy with the auror academy."
"You never wanted to be an auror." Albus said.
Harry smirked. "Like you would know. I don't plan to, but quidditch is not for a year."
Albus reminded him. "You could be involved in the school quidditch teams and when your season starts…."
Harry cut him off. "You never know, I may take my seats on the school governors."
Albus tried to hide his shock. "Oh I didn't know you…."
"The bank didn't inform you? Oh well yeah those scrolls you have kept are useless. Those are MY seats."
Albus stopped him. "I only used them for good when you were too young. I could have been ousted as headmaster."
Harry agreed. "In war time that was a bad thing. You keep meddling that might not be so bad."
Albus went grey. "You don't know what you speak of. Things needed to be done."
Harry smirked. "Like keeping me from my family including a grandmother, so you could keep power?"
Albus blanched. "She died when you were….."
"Ten, I know. Ten years I could have had with her. Or at least two when my father learned."
He didn't know if he would have ever been happy to call that man his father. But if he had known him when he was young that may have been different. But he deserved the chance to know his father and more then that he deserved to know his family. He should have more then a painting he could speak to in a manor. He should have more then someone else's memories in a penseive.
Harry went to leave. "You never did try and help Remus get me."
The old man didn't deny it. "You were safer."
He turned back to look at the man. "And Sirius?"
"I thought he was the secret keeper. You don't believe I left him in prison?" Albus demanded.
"I am starting to wonder. You did a lot more to hold on to me. You could have proven his innocence back in third year."
Albus grabbed him. "You don't know what you are talking about. I wouldn't be spreading lies."
Harry pulled away from him. "Wouldn't look good if people found out what you did to a heroic auror would it?"
Albus held him in place. "There is a lot of good the two of us could do together. You need guidance."
"Oh I have another source in mind. You keep to the school and your Job and I will keep out of your way."
"Quidditch is not forever and you know you want to teach. You need me."
Harry smirked. "We both know you needed me. You wont be headmaster forever."
"I don't plan to retiring "
"Better toe the line or you wont have my votes to save you next time."
"Harry come have dinner with me and we can talk. You misunderstand."
"Sorry I have dinner plans and company." Harry spat.
Lucius appeared. "Am I interrupting?"
Albus spat. "Stay out of this Malfoy."
Harry hadn't been expecting him but he decided to use Lucius. "I thought I was meeting you for dinner."
If Lucius was shocked he played along. "I thought to walk you down."
Albus sputtered. "You are dining with him? Him?"
Harry went to leave. "You did suggest I needed advice. Who better then the head governor?"
Lucius waited until outside but he turned. "Decided to use me as an excuse or inviting me to dinner?"
Harry laughed a little. "Sorry you just had good timing."
Lucius chuckled a bit. "Happy to help. Wouldn't mind dinner company."
Harry was surprised. "I am headed to the hospital. I was going to pick up some food."
Lucius shrugged. "You could bring some after we leave."
Though Harry never imagined this he shrugged. "I guess I am hungry."
He and Lucius did head to a restaurant just off Diagon alley. It was nothing fancy but Harry was ravenous from class and his animagus. He found himself telling Lucius. He was surprised to learn his new found father had been an animagi like his adoptive father, but in his case he had been a viper. Lucius explained they were both snakes and he actually looked like the snake on his cane. Harry did order some food and it was ready for him to take when they left after they finished their own dinner. Lucius had heard updates from his son on how Ted had been doing.
Harry thanked the man before leaving. "For dinner and some company."
Lucius smiled. "I wouldn't be opposed to it again. For advice or just some laughs."
Harry smirked. "What would my father say?"
Lucius returned his smirk. "It's dinner."
Harry laughed a little. "May just have to take you up on the invite to rile the painting up."
Lucius watched him leave. "I would be lucky a painting can not curse me."
He had Severus in his head as he watched Harry leave. Severus had warned him about looking at Harry. As Harry headed for the hospital he couldn't deny that he had a good time over dinner. And it wasn't simply because it upset Albus though that was certainly a perk for him. But maybe it was not the only perk. He could admit the man made him laugh. He was surprised to find Remus with Ted. He had expected Remus to leave hours ago after allowing the man to see his grandson. He had not come before today as he respected Andromeda didn't want him in the room. He was not surprised Teddy was gone and wondered where Andromeda was.
Remus accepted the dinner and admitted. "She took Teddy home. It was the one way to convince her to leave and get some real rest."
Harry was relieved. "Some time with Teddy, and her bed, will hopefully do some good."
Remus looked at Ted who was asleep. "At least I know as long as I am here, she will bring him back without the aurors."
