I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Note: I am still on my nonsense in writing tougher feelings and not doing pure fluff and lightness. I listened to this song for the first time not too long ago and it really resonated with me and thought about making a story related to it. Then I remembered a while back when I finished Ruthless Devotion, a few people asked if I would do another Honks story. At the time I didn't, because I wanted to challenge myself in doing different stories and pairings. Then I heard the song and thought I could write a good story with them showcased. I try my best to have different feels for characters from story to story, and thought this turned out rather well. Hopefully you enjoy the story. As always, thank you for reading and commenting, it means so much to me. All my best to you.

Edit: I was unaware that song lyrics could not be written out so I removed them. Do find the song where you can, it is a good one.

-0-0-0-

Grace

Song: Grace by Lewis Capaldi

"Shh, it's okay baby, don't cry."

Nymphadora Tonks Lupin bounced Edward Lupin in her arms. The baby fussed and cried as she tried to soothe him. "Please don't cry Teddy," she begged softly, ignoring her own building tears. "It's okay." After a while he listened, still fussing but no longer crying out loud.

"Dora?"

Dora plastered a smile onto her face and looked up, wiping the tears away. "Yes Mum?"

Andromeda Tonks sighed softly, not believing the smile for a moment. "You do not have to hide for my sake Dora," she said sadly but kindly.

The smile melted away and the tears returned. "I'm not hiding," she said unconvincingly.

"It is okay to cry." Andromeda sat beside her daughter and drew her into her arms.

"What about you?" Dora sniffled, melting into her mother and letting her tears fall.

"I cry too," Andromeda murmured, rubbing Dora's back. "Merlin knows we have plenty to cry about."

It was barely a week after the end of the Second Wizarding War. Lord Voldemort, Tom Riddle Junior, was dead. He, along with his Death Eaters and supporters, had attacked Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He met his end there and the majority of his followers had met their end as well. Those that survived were in the process of being dealt with by a rebuilding Ministry of Magic.

The survivors of the other side, the ones that opposed him, were trying to rebuild themselves. The jubilation in winning and surviving the war had started to fade now that everyone saw the magnitude of the destruction. The Ministry had been burnt to the ground in terms of governing. Many places had literally burnt to the ground as well. Everyone had lost someone, family and friend.

Edward Tonks had run to try and spare his family from harm. Targeted for his Muggleborn status, he left to spare them from being harassed and persecuted. He died far from home and family. Remus Lupin had joined the fight at Hogwarts and died there, fighting against Voldemort and his ilk. Dora had left to join him, leaving her infant son with her mother. She could have easily died with him. She almost did, saved at the last moment and spared.

It took her days to heal and she was still suffering from the injuries inflicted by the battle. Her body still ached and she was having trouble with her magic. She tried to push away her physical pain as much as she could. She was having difficulties taking care of Teddy and Andromeda, much less herself.

She and Andromeda were doing their best but she knew they were struggling. They were so wrapped up in pain, physical and mental and emotional, and were doing their best for each other and Teddy. She also knew their best was waning.

"Oh Mum, what are we going to do?" Dora whispered.

"Our best," Andromeda said but her voice was also slightly desperate. "We will do our best, however we can." She looked up all of a sudden, making Dora flinch. "Someone's at the edge of the property," Andromeda said. "I can feel the ward."

"Are they trying to get in?" Dora asked, hugging Teddy close.

"No…" Andromeda's fear became curiosity. "They did but stopped when they felt the resistance."

"That's decent of them," Dora said snarkily and was gratified to see Andromeda smile weakly.

"Quite. I suppose we should go see who it is." Andromeda walked out of the bedroom with Dora following, still carrying Teddy. Mother and daughter looked out the window and they both looked surprised. "Is that-"

"That's Harry," Dora breathed out. "I wonder what he wants."

"He looks a bit worse for wear still," Andromeda observed. She opened the door and held her wand at the ready. Motioning for Dora to stay indoors, she walked into the garden cautiously. "Mister Potter?"

Harry Potter grinned sheepishly. "Hello Mrs. Tonks," he said politely. "Harry's fine. Mister Potter makes me think I did something wrong at school."

Andromeda chuckled dryly. "Very well, Harry. How may I help you?"

"I'm here to see you and Tonks…your daughter I mean." He flushed a little but his smile remained. "I have a few things for you and wanted to talk, if that's okay."

Andromeda looked back at Dora who shrugged, their confusion mirrored. "I suppose that will be fine," Andromeda said slowly. She brushed a thumb over the stone in her pocket and the magic around the home flexed slightly. "You may enter."

"Thank you." Harry walked through the gate and saw Dora standing in the door. "Hi Tonks." His eyes widened. "Is that Teddy?"

"Hey Harry. Yup, this is Teddy alright." She propped her baby up a little so the two could get a better look at each other. "Say hi Teddy."

Teddy gurgled and burped.

Harry laughed. "Hi to you too. It's nice to meet you." He awkwardly held a finger out and his smile grew warm when Teddy grabbed it. "Good handshake," Harry said softly. "It's important to make a good first impression."

Dora felt like her smile was the first real one in days, the same as Andromeda. They led Harry into the house and sat around the kitchen table together. "What brings you by, Harry?"

"A few things. Sorry it took me a while to come by. I had a lot of stuff to catch up on and take care of. Lots of meetings at the Ministry unfortunately." His face twisted slightly at the word and he shook his head. "I really wanted to come sooner. Been meaning to send a message but..." his face fell and he had to take a deep breath, "I'm sorry. No excuses really."

"You have understandably been busy," Andromeda said. "However, why did you mean to come by?"

"Well, uh, I'm sure you know this, obviously," he stammered and Dora and Andromeda shared another smile at his sincere awkwardness. "I'm godfather, Teddy's godfather. That's what Remus told me at Shell Cottage."

"I do know that," Dora smiled. "We talked about it before and I agreed."

Harry grinned. "Oh good. I mean I'm sure you two did. Just," he laughed again. "I'm making a mess of this aren't I? I'm really nervous, sorry."

"We could not tell," Andromeda said insincerely and the three of them chuckled.

"Well, that's why I'm here. I want to be the best godfather I can be and I had to take care of a few things and here I am." He opened his rucksack and pulled out a roll of parchment and handed it to Andromeda.

She took it and unrolled it. As she read, her eyebrows rose higher and higher. "Is…what…are you sure about this?" she asked, her voice faint and wondering.

Dora took the parchment and gasped as she read.

"Yeah. Sirius gave me everything and well, I knew you were part of the Blacks by birth and by rights, most if not all belong to you too," Harry said. "So I went to Gringotts and after a lot of negotiation and things, I divided things up. You and Tonks and Teddy will have the majority of things. I kept Grimmauld for now if that's okay. Staying there right now but will move if you want."

"Harry, Sirius gave it to you," Andromeda said softly. "He was your godfather."

"Right, and I'm giving it to you and I'm Teddy's godfather," Harry said stoutly. "I'm okay on money, thankfully, and I wanted to make sure you all were taken care of."

Dora blinked slowly. Money was a concern of theirs, with her injured and having not gone back to work. Andromeda had saved and managed their finances well but they knew times would be tough for them going on. Harry's gift wiped away all fear of that completely and utterly. "Wait, what do you mean you're okay thankfully?"

Harry grew more sheepish. "Well, uh, I was expecting Gringotts to kinda…take everything."

"What makes you say that?" Andromeda asked, frowning.

Harry gulped. "I uh…broke Gringotts right before the battle at Hogwarts."

The two witches stared at him. "What do you mean, broke Gringotts?" Dora asked.

"Riddle had a thing in one of the vaults, something we needed to break to defeat him. Hermione and Ron and I…broke into Gringotts and broke out."

"I heard that!" Andromeda exclaimed. "Something about a dragon?!"

"Yeah. We flew it out of the bank."

Dora started laughing. It felt good to laugh and the story was so absurd she felt the need to. "That's amazing." She winced. "I can see why you thought you'd lose everything."

"Yeah but after some talking, they were actually pretty cool with it. I paid them back some from the Potter vaults and we're good now. Though they did say that I'll have to be escorted whenever I step in for any reason but they'll still let me do business with them so, there's that." Harry shrugged.

"You got off lucky." Andromeda smiled. "They have banned others for far lesser slights."

"Yeah. They told me that a lot of them were unofficially impressed with what we did." Harry shook his head. "Then they said some really scary stuff about what they'd do if I tried to do anything like that again but once is more than enough for me."

"Thank goodness for that. I would not want my grandchild's godfather to make a habit of breaking into and out of banks," Andromeda said dryly but with a smile.

"Like I said, once is more than enough. Oh and I brought stuff for Teddy." He started taking more things out of the rucksack and laying them out on the table.

Dora and Andromeda's eyes widened as more and more things were taken out. Some things he put on the ground and unshrunk them and more was still coming. "Harry, we uh, we have a crib," Dora said, fighting a laugh.

"Oh, right. I'm really sorry but there's a chance I have no idea what I'm doing and I panicked." Harry flushed at their open laughter but he joined their laughter. "I went to a few stores and just bought things."

"Teddy is far too young for this," Andromeda said kindly, holding up a toy broom.

Harry's smile turned sad. "I should have known. I uh, found a picture of me when I was a baby on a broom and I guess…"

Andromeda laid a hand on his arm. "It is okay, we appreciate all you are doing." She hesitated. "You did not have to do all this."

"Of course I did," he said frankly. "I'm his godfather and I want to help. All of you. Tonks was really nice to me when I needed someone in fifth year and uh…this is a long time coming but I'm really sorry for pulling my wand on you that night."

"You pulled your wand on Mum?" Dora gasped.

"Oh think nothing of it," Andromeda said, waving her hand. "Tensions were high that night and I do not blame you for mistaking my sister for me at the time." She gave him a look. "If you do so now however, we may have to exchange words."

"No risk of that I think," Harry said hurriedly. "You're a lot nicer and on closer look, a lot more…sane-looking."

Dora did not realize how much she missed hearing Andromeda laugh until recently, when there was not much to laugh about. She sounded lighter than she had in days, something Dora felt in her own chest too. "Thank you, Harry," she said softly. "I really appreciate it."

"It's the least I can do," he said. He kept looking at Teddy. "I'll do what I can." They spoke for a while longer, Dora and Andromeda enjoying his company and they could tell he enjoyed theirs. After a little while he left and the women looked at the pile of things.

"That's so nice of him," Dora murmured.

"Indeed. He gave us the lion's share of the Black estate," Andromeda said wonderingly.

"Makes sense. He's a Gryffindor," Dora said with a small smile.

Andromeda hummed. "Well, with his generosity, we are well secured."

"We'll have to think of a way to thank him the next time we see him," Dora said.

"It might be a while before we do," Andromeda said.

-0-

The next morning, Andromeda stopped and turned to look out the window. "Surely not," she murmured. She opened the door and stepped out into the garden. "Harry?"

Harry looked up from where he sat against the gate. "Good morning, Mrs. Tonks."

"What are you doing sitting on the ground?" she asked, blinking slowly.

"I didn't want to wake any of you too early."

"Thank you," she said, a little lost still. "I mean, what are you doing here?"

"Oh I said I'd see you tomorrow yesterday." Harry frowned a little. "I really meant that I want to be the best godfather and I have a lot to learn about taking care of a baby so I thought I'd learn from you two. I'm sorry, I should have made myself more clear."

Andromeda blinked more.

"I'm sorry." Harry looked down. "Did I overstep?"

"No, I mean, I am just surprised. After all you brought and gave us, that was so much and quite generous of you. I did not think to expect more," she said. "I…surely you have better ways to spend your time."

"Better than taking care of Teddy and helping you and Tonks? No, not at all," Harry said.

She stared at him for a moment. "I…believe you," she said at last. "My apologies."

"Nothing to be sorry about." He held up a tray and a bag. "I brought coffee and tea and pastries."

Andromeda smiled. "Well, that makes you even more welcome. Come in. If you are going to stop by often, I will add you to the ward scheme."

"You don't have to," he said as he entered the garden.

"It will save you from waiting for one of us to let you in. And, well, I think you can be trusted." She blinked again at his open smile.

"Harry?" Dora walked into the kitchen a little later, carrying Teddy. "What are you doing here?"

"Doing my part," he said cheerfully.

"Cleaning?"

"Yup. I'm here to help out and do what I can, like I said." He waved his wand once more and the counter top gleamed. "Cleaning with magic is a lot easier though."

Andromeda smiled at him, having taught him some of the charms earlier. "Imagine my surprise when Harry started cleaning by hand."

"I never learned any of the nicer spells," Harry said. "Tonks said you were really good at them."

"I did, didn't I," Dora said, sitting at the table, still holding Teddy. "Gosh, that felt like forever ago." Her face fell a little, thinking of the time she and Remus and a few others went to Number 4 Privet Drive to take Harry to Grimmauld place years ago. Remus and Alastor Moody and Emmeline Vance had died in the war.

She looked up when Harry set a steaming cup of coffee in front of her and a pastry on a plate. "I miss them too," he said softly at her look.

She nodded, and took a hurried bite out of the pastry to keep the tears at bay. "Oh I love these," she said after tasting the sweet cream cheese and strawberry preserves.

"I remembered when you gobbled them up at Grimmauld," Harry said. He kept sneaking glances at a sleepy Teddy.

"Do…do you want to try holding him?" Dora asked.

"Are you sure?" he asked nervously. "What if I do it wrong?"

"You do it until you do not," Andromeda said warmly. "You do want to learn, now is as good a time as any."

Dora took a deep breath and relaxed her arms. "Here you go Harry. Support his neck and just hold him like this." She carefully passed him over and watched carefully as Harry settled the baby in his arms.

"Wow," Harry breathed softly. "He's really small and light and heavy at the same time."

"An apt description," Andromeda smiled. "You do look good carrying him."

"I do?"

Dora smiled at his soft expression. "Yeah you do. Almost a natural."

"Brilliant," Harry said softly, still looking down at Teddy. The baby looked up at him and his hair turned black. "Whoa! Takes after his mum," Harry praised.

"He does that," Dora said proudly. "Matches who's carrying him or who he's looking at."

"That's so cool. You're really cool Teddy," Harry said softly.

Dora felt something in her chest tighten and release before she could identify what it was. She did know that she felt a little more relaxed however. That things did not seem so bleak anymore. Seeing someone else there, for her and for her son and her mother, was incredibly comforting.

"Oh no, did I do something?" Harry looked panicked at the face Teddy was making.

"Nope, but he is," Dora said. She smiled. "Ready to learn the next part about caring for a baby?"

Harry froze for a moment. "You don't mean…"

"She does," Andromeda said. When she smiled, it was apparent that she and Dora were kin. Their smiles were broad and full and they both enjoyed Harry's mild discomfort.

"Well, I always did learn better hands-on," Harry said wryly.

A little while later, Dora snickered. "How do you feel about your hands-on learning?"

"Happy that Mrs. Tonks taught me a sanitization charm as well as cleaning and scrubbing ones," Harry said and the Tonks women laughed. "Is it always that much and that…like that?"

"That disgusting you mean?" Andromeda's eyes danced. "Yes, but you get used to it."

"Wonderful," Harry said, his smile softening his eye roll.

Andromeda chuckled. "And since you are Teddy's godfather and will be here often, you may call me Andromeda. No need for such formality between us. Or Andi if you like, Andromeda is a bit of a mouthful."

"Andi," Harry said slowly. "I guess I'll get used to it too."

"You still can't call me by my first name," Dora said.

"I know, I learned that lesson," Harry laughed.

-0-

"Harry?" Dora saw him standing in their sitting room, wearing formal clothing. She too wore formal dress robes in mourning black. Her hair was still short and brown, her eyes brown as well. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm accompanying you three," he said awkwardly but warmly. "If that's okay."

Andromeda's smile was small and a bit strained. "Of course it is. I was not aware you knew."

Harry's shoulders bowed slightly and he looked exhausted. "I did. I've been going to a lot of funerals for the people that died at Hogwarts. I…have a list and well, I'm definitely not missing this one and I figured you wouldn't mind the company."

"Thank you," Dora whispered.

They left together and apparated to Godric's Hollow. Dora felt like with every step, she was slowly shaking apart. If she did not have Teddy in her arms, if she did not have Andromeda at her side, she knew she would have fallen apart completely. Her baby helped keep her grounded, numbing her grief for a little while.

She found Harry's presence at her side to be soothing as well. For the last few weeks, his constant presence had become a comfort she craved, a solidity that she depended upon. With her mother, her son, and him, she had not felt truly alone.

Standing in the small cemetery, watching Remus be lowered into the earth, made her feel incredibly alone.

There was a surprising amount of people there to pay their respects to the man. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Hestia Jones, Arthur and Molly Weasley, Bill and Fleur Weasley, Aberforth Dumbledore were there. Ron and Ginny Weasley and Percy Weasley, Hermione Granger, and a few other former students from Hogwarts were there as well.

"He was a great professor, one of the best we ever had," Dean Thomas said.

"Pretty sure he saved me during the battle," Parvati Patil said.

Dora nodded numbly when people murmured their thanks to her. She felt like crying, feeling the tears build but never emerge, never fall. Pressure kept building in her chest and she trembled as the warm meaningless words were said over and again.

She felt Harry touch her shoulder. He patted her shoulder clumsily but his touch was welcome and warm. "I'm here," he said softly. "We're here with you."

She felt the pressure ebb ever so slightly but the tears fell normally as she nodded, no longer numb.

Once the earth was smoothed over his grave, the others left them to their grief. All except for one.

Harry coughed awkwardly. "I uh, I hope this is okay."

"We, never knew his wishes," Andromeda said at last. "We…it was never discussed. I think Remus would have liked knowing he would be resting alongside your parents and Sirius." She had been shocked to see a small plot beside the Potters with her cousin's name on it. Shocked, and heartened.

"Yeah, he would have liked it a lot," Dora said, scrubbing her eyes. "Thank you. Did…did you make the arrangements?"

"I did." He looked horrifically embarrassed at the moment. "And uh, I really really hope I'm not overstepping here but I also did…for another." He led them to an adjacent plot.

The name etched in the gravestone made Andromeda gasp and Dora whimper. "Oh Harry," she gasped.

"I tried but I couldn't find what happened to his…" Harry gulped, "what happened to him after. So I…he deserves a resting place. He was really nice to me that night and he left too soon like Sirius and Remus and…my parents. So I thought he might like it here." He looked at them nervously. "Is…is this okay?"

Andromeda hugged him tightly. "My dear boy," she sobbed. "This is more than okay. How can we ever thank you?"

Harry looked relieved and slightly uncomfortable all at once, patting her on the back. "No need to thank me. Really. You two are helping me so much right now too and well, I'm glad I could do it."

Andromeda let him go and sank to her knees, pressing her head against Edward Tonks' gravestone, her tears washing the stone clean.

Dora hugged him hard while holding onto Teddy. "Thank you," she gasped.

Harry gently took the baby from her. "Go on, I got him."

She hugged him once more before joining her mother and they mourned him together with Harry watching sadly, bouncing Teddy in his arms.

Later that night, Dora put Teddy in his crib and watched him fall asleep. He was unusually quiet that day, as if he too felt the loss and atmosphere like they did. She caressed his cheek, smiling a little when he did in his sleep. "You're such a good boy," she murmured softly. "Thank you, Teddy. I promise to try and make things better." Leaving an alert charm around his crib, she quietly left his room and walked back to the kitchen.

She joined Andromeda at the table and they watched in comfortable silence as Harry cooked. The women had been surprised that Harry cooked the first time he did, and were more than willing to let him cook when he wanted to.

"What did you mean by that, earlier?" Andromeda asked finally. "When you said that Dora and I are helping you? Because quite honestly, I do not see how we are compared to what you do for us and Teddy."

"Oh, uh, it's kinda silly and selfish," Harry demurred.

"Selfish? This I have to know," Dora said.

Harry grinned. "I mean…I've really enjoyed being here. Being able to help you two and take care of Teddy, it really gives me something to look forward to. I've been able to dodge things like being shown off at the Ministry or giving interviews or all the other bollocks. I feel like I'm doing something important."

"And fighting Riddle was not important?" Andromeda asked with a sardonic tone.

Harry snorted. "Yeah well, no it was. But I had to fight him. I…didn't have a choice really. But I want to help you and Teddy. I want to spend time with you and well, I really like it."

"We like having you around too," Dora said, smiling for the second time that day. "You're a good cook."

Andromeda gave Dora a look and shook her head. "Among other things of course," Andromeda said. "I know I said before that surely you have more important things to do, and I still remember your response very fondly, but do you really have nothing else to do?"

"Well, I am helping Hermione with something and I've been helping rebuild Hogwarts a little and helping the Weasleys, but they need their space right now too. If I was left on my own, I'd probably be going mad thinking about everything. With this, I'm doing something worthwhile and it's just been really nice. It feels…nice." He colored. "That's why I said it's a bit selfish. I feel like I'm using you."

"You're not," Dora said quietly. "No more than us using you anyways. You've helped us a lot Harry. Like, more than you know."

"I guess if we're using each other, we're not using each other at all," Harry said. "And I'm glad that I can help and like I said, you're helping me more than you know too."

They did not speak much as they ate the dinner he made. The silence was not awkward nor unbearable. It was soft and kind and they enjoyed the warmth they had in that moment, together.

-0-

"Are your injuries still bothering you?"

Dora shook her head. "Not really. Still achy but that's almost gone. My magic is almost back to normal too."

"Is it?" Andromeda asked kindly.

Dora looked at her mother. "Yes," she said defiantly.

Andromeda observed Dora's short brown hair and brown eyes. "You would know best of course. Why do you look so irritated then?"

"I don't know," Dora sighed. "Just…kinda grumpy I guess." She gave her mother another look. "What's that look for?"

"I think I do know," Andromeda said knowingly. "I confess I also feel a little out of sorts." She made a pot of tea and poured out two steaming cups. "I miss Harry too."

His absence now had really driven home how used they had gotten to his presence. He was a daily visitor and never missed a day, even if coming over to share a meal briefly. However, a few days prior, he had told them that he was accompanying Hermione to Australia to look for her parents and would be gone for some time. The two witches had been very sympathetic when they heard what Hermione had done to keep her parents safe and had wished them luck. Andromeda had even made a suggestion of a charm that might help them with recovering memories, though she did not tell them that it was originally one designed by the Blacks for more nefarious purposes.

Dora had been on edge ever since he left and she might have had an idea why and was trying to not think too much of it. Now with it laid bare, she was forced to. "I guess I miss him too."

"Do not be coy," Andromeda said. "He is not here for you to be coy to."

Dora snorted. "You're a coy."

"That makes no sense," Andromeda said with a long-suffering sigh. "It is okay to miss him. He has become an important part of our lives in a very short time and it is normal enough."

"Isn't it a little…much?" Dora asked. "We depend on him so much and he's a lot younger. He just stopped a war for fuck's sake."

"Language," Andromeda chided.

"Harry's not here and Teddy's napping," Dora said cheekily. "Besides, he still doesn't understand what we say."

"When Teddy's first words are very inappropriate, I will remind you of this," Andromeda sniffed. She smiled at Dora's snicker. "You are not wrong however. I have wondered to myself if we are…asking too much of him. I know he does what he does for us willingly and happily, but I am worried a bit as well."

She sipped her tea. "I might have mentioned as much to Molly, since she knows Harry a little more than we do. She laid some worries to rest. Harry does what he must but he strongly wishes to help us. She says he has thrown himself into helping and caring for others, but we are always the first of his priorities."

"Really?" Dora's heart throbbed slightly.

"Really. He speaks fondly of us and Teddy." Andromeda smiled warmly. "I think we should discuss his and our plans for the future when he returns. Before, everything was still a little too uncertain and raw. Now I think we can have a good conversation."

"Oh right. I don't even know what he wants to do. I know he wanted to be an Auror in the past but I don't know if that's still the case."

Andromeda looked at her. "And you?"

Dora shifted in her chair. "I…I don't know. I know Aurors are needed, especially now. All the bad ones are gone and most of the good ones are gone. But…" She looked down the hall at Teddy's room. "I…it's one thing when I didn't have a baby. And with Dad gone… I don't want to leave you or Teddy alone."

"I am sure I can care for myself during the day," Andromeda said sardonically. "I am no helpless babe unlike Teddy who actually is. I know you are still healing and I certainly do not want to pressure you. We have money in plenty. I just…I want you to have your life, love. You are still very young."

"I don't feel like it," Dora said softly.

"War and loss have that effect on people," Andromeda sighed just as softly.

They looked up at a tapping on the glass. Andromeda rose and walked to the window, opening and taking a letter from the owl sitting there. After drinking a bit of water, the tawny owl flew away. Andromeda walked over and looked at the envelope questioningly. "It is from the Ministry. I wonder what it is." She opened it and her eyes widened. "It is from Harry!"

"Really?! What does it say!" Dora tried to grab the letter.

Andromeda playfully smacked her hands. "Ah, I got the letter so I can read it." She chuckled at Dora's sour look and read it. "He and Hermione found her parents and they succeeded in bringing their memories back! He said the charm was very helpful. He also says Hermione wants to ask me how it was made because she apparently tested it on Harry and found its original application."

"Oops, poor Harry," Dora smiled.

"Indeed. He is rather embarrassed by the memory that Hermione revealed of his, but it was nothing bad luckily. He is staying a little longer to help them but he wanted to send us a letter. The Australian Ministry passed it along for us to our Ministry. He will return soon and said he found us many souvenirs and toys for Teddy. He promises not another broom and no creatures of any kind." Andromeda released a breath, feeling relieved. "Good for them. Poor girl."

Dora took the letter and read it, her smile growing at the slightly messy scrawl. "Hey!" she exclaimed, after reading. "I don't need a cane! I don't hobble!"

"Not anymore," Andromeda agreed.

"If he brings a cane, I'm breaking it over his arse," Dora grumbled but her smile remained fixed.

Andromeda snorted and her expression mellowed. "There is your smile," she said. "It has been missing a bit lately."

"Don't know what you mean," Dora said, looking away.

Andromeda smiled knowingly and sipped her tea, saying nothing.

-0-

"He's missed you," Dora smiled.

"Really?" Harry looked down at a wiggling Teddy. "You missed me?"

Andromeda softened at the wondering tone in his voice. "Oh yes. His hair and eyes would change when he looked around for you," she said warmly. "He looks quite happy right now."

"I thought that was because of the plushie," Harry chuckled. The women had laughed when Harry revealed the koala plushie that was bigger than Teddy and the baby had latched onto it fairly swiftly. "Well I missed you too Teddy. And you two of course."

"We missed you as well," Andromeda said sincerely. "How was Australia?"

"Hot and kinda frightening. Their mundane animals are terrifying and their magical ones are legitimately horrifying. Good pies though." He grinned at their laughter. "They're a lot less formal and more casual over there too. Took a bit getting used to but it's nice."

"How's Hermione and her parents?" Dora asked.

"Doing okay. It took a little bit for them to fully get their memories back and they were a little sick for a day or two. They weren't happy with Hermione either." Harry sighed. "Not that I blame them but it's a good thing I went too. We told them everything and I even shared a few of my memories of things with them. They really understood after that."

Harry closed his eyes. "I told them that at least they survived and they had a relationship they could try and rebuild," he said wistfully.

Dora closed her eyes too and Andromeda looked off in the distance for a long moment.

He coughed. "But I left first because I wanted to get back. Hermione is going to stay there for the next few weeks and I think they're going to move back to England too so she'll help them and she'll be back in time to go back to Hogwarts to finish her last year."

Andromeda and Dora looked at each other and Dora felt her chest become tight.

"How about you?" Andromeda asked, seeing Dora looking incredibly nervous. "May I ask what your plans are?"

"I…well, I'm kinda glad you asked because I could use your advice. I thought about going back but I think it's still too early for me." He looked haunted. "When I was at the castle to help repair it, I kept seeing spots and having bad memories. It's too raw right now."

"Do you still want to be an Auror?" Dora asked.

"I don't," Harry said frankly. "I knew I wanted to before but…I've seen enough death and fighting for the rest of my life." He blushed. "Don't mean to denigrate your profession at all, sorry. Just don't think it's for me anymore."

"No offense taken," Dora smiled.

"What about you?" he asked.

"I'm almost fit again for active duty but I don't think I want active duty that much anymore," Dora said. "I've been thinking about it and just…the idea of leaving Mum and Teddy alone scares me. But there's going to be a need for trainers and instructors. Going to need to rebuild the Corps and Robards, he's the head of the Department now, said he's more than happy to have me on as an instructor."

"That's great," Harry smiled. "You still get to be an Auror however you want."

Dora's smile matched his and she felt better, but her chest was still tight.

"May I ask what you did before everything went…"

"Tits up?" Andromeda laughed at Harry's shocked expression and Dora's snort. "I made potions for people here and there. Nothing major or consistent. More for something to do. Ted…Ted happily provided for us to prove he could." Her eyes glittered. She smiled gratefully when Dora took her hand and Harry patted her other.

"With your generosity, I do not need to do anything major for employment but I was never one to sit around and spend money needlessly. Idle hands invite trouble after all. Perhaps I will see if I can expand on making potions for those in need. I imagine they will be needed right now. That way I can still work and mind Teddy."

"I'll be helping with Teddy too," Harry said stoutly.

Dora's chest relaxed in pressure slightly. "You will?"

"Oh yeah, I'm not going anywhere. You guys will factor into whatever I do," he said. He looked down and smiled at the gurgling Teddy, missing the looks of warmth and relief on Dora and Andromeda's faces. "Only if you want me of course," he said hurriedly, looking up. "If that's okay, I mean."

"I've missed your cooking," Dora said airily. She jumped and glared at Andromeda when the older woman pinched her leg.

"I have missed your company," Andromeda said honestly. She smiled. "And your cooking."

"I guess I missed you being around too," Dora sighed insincerely.

Harry laughed. "I'm glad. I missed seeing you too and being here. I realized it during the trip to Australia. Hermione commented on it later after we found her parents. Said I would be preoccupied sometimes."

"Oh, and what'd she say about that?" Dora asked.

"She thought it was cute." Harry rolled his eyes. "Made a comment about how domestic I was." He joined their chuckles. "But she's happy for me. Said it was nice that I could do something more normal for once and that I want to do it."

"Then, what do you want to do for your future?" Andromeda asked.

Harry blinked. "I'm not used to being asked what I want to do." He looked thoughtful as he bounced Teddy up and down.

"I have a suggestion, if I may," Andromeda continued. "You can continue with your schooling outside of Hogwarts. You can study on your own and take the N.E.W.T.s later. I did well, as did Dora. We would be happy to aid you there. That way you still have plenty of options for careers later on. You do not have to confront Hogwarts yet and you will have plenty of time to spend with Teddy and us."

"That sounds wonderful," Harry said, breathing a big sigh of relief. "And I can help with that potions business you want to do. I'm sure we can find a spot for it, get materials, and find people that need them."

"Sounds like a plan. How is your brewing?"

Harry winced. "I had Professor Snape for five years and Professor Slughorn for one."

"Abysmal then." Andromeda laughed brightly with them. "I can teach you but I will handle the initial brewing for customers first then."

"I'm getting better at cleaning," Harry said proudly, making them laugh even more. As he and Andromeda laid out plans for their idea, Dora felt the tension in her chest release completely. A warmth took its place and she felt more at peace than she had in weeks. She had missed how it felt.

-0-

The bell rang sweetly as the door opened and Dora walked into the small store. She nodded in a friendly way at a customer looking through a book and made her way around the counter. "Hi Mum."

Andromeda finished wrapping a few potion vials in paper and securing them in a bag, handing it over to a customer. "Hello Dora," she said warmly. "You left work early, is everything okay?"

"Yup. I wiped out the trainees in the early session and they're spending the afternoon recovering with coursework." Dora grinned. "Nothing like outrunning and outdueling a bunch of kids to feel better."

Andromeda snorted. "Says the crone of twenty-six winters."

"If I'm a crone, what're you?" Dora asked cheekily. She yelped at the stinger Andromeda shot at her.

"That is what I thought," Andromeda sniffed, a smile hidden just under her expression.

Dora put an arm around her shoulders. "Business looks good."

Harry and Andromeda had found a small place on Diagon Alley for them to set up shop. The storefront was smaller than most stores but they turned it into an advantage, putting out books of the potions they made for people to order. They maintained a small supply of the more common potions for people to buy as needed, but the others were all special ordered. They kept the more dangerous and volatile reagents and ingredients at the store and brewed the more complicated things there while doing the easier and safer ones back at the Tonks home or Grimmauld. Their business was small but steady and they catered to people who needed their wares.

Andromeda and Dora insisted on calling the store The Pot Luck as a joke by shortening Potions and as an homage to the luck that Harry brought them and his family name. He had fought valiantly and fruitlessly, finally letting the witches have their way, something that happened more often than not.

"It is," Andromeda agreed happily. "We have steady clientele with a few regulars now. I do not feel compelled to overwork for profit or to pay debts. We can work comfortably and consistently with plenty of balance for home and family."

"Hard to believe that we'd ever be here a few months ago," Dora murmured.

"No, I had little belief back then," Andromeda said softly. A sound from the back made her smile return in full. "Your son has been especially clingy today."

"Poor thing," Dora smiled.

"Which?" Andromeda asked, laughing.

Dora went into the back and sighed softly at the sight. Harry stood at a cauldron, frowning at a book that hovered in front of him. Teddy bounced in a sling that hung over his chest babbling contentedly. Harry looked down at the cauldron and back at the book, flicking his wand and summoning a vial of powdered material to him. As if feeling her gaze, he turned and his frown dissolved into a smile. "Hey Tonks!"

"Wotcher, Harry!" She crossed over and lifted Teddy out of the sling. "And there's my baby, did you miss mummy?" She smiled as his hair went brown and he waved tiny fists at her. "Aww yes you did." She inspected his head critically. "Did you drop anything on him while brewing?"

"Spill a little flour on him while cooking and you never let me forget it," Harry smiled wryly. "No, I made sure I was brewing simple stuff today. That and a tiny umbrella charm helps keep things from hitting him."

Dora grinned. "It was more than a little flour."

"Well he upset the bag the second time," Harry laughed.

"Don't blame my son for your mistakes!"

"He got into it on his own! He's quite the trouble-maker."

"Yeah, he is," Dora said proudly. "Takes after his mum. I was a terror at school."

"I've heard. Andi tells me all sorts of stories while we work."

"Oh does she?" Dora glared out the door at her mother. She growled slightly when Andromeda winked.

Harry grinned. "Sure does."

"That means you'll have to share your secrets one day."

Harry hummed softly. "Sure, maybe one day," he said softly. He shook his head and smiled broadly once more. "How was work?"

"Pretty good. Ran the trainees into the ground again. Have to assert dominance, you know."

"How's Ron doing?"

"Not bad actually. He's top of the class for exercises and field work. I can still outduel him though and the others are middling to pathetic. Finnegan was one of your classmates, right? Cheeky bastard tried hitting on me."

"Language!" Andromeda called through the door.

"That's barely a bad word!" Dora called back. She turned and looked at Harry. He had a funny look on his face. "Everything okay? What's wrong?"

"Oh! Uh nothing." Harry looked away. "Yeah, Seamus was in my year and a Gryffindor. He tried asking you out?"

She snorted. "Said a bunch of shi-shlock that was cheesier than a toastie. I didn't even let him get to asking me out. He's worse than some of the other blokes, especially Blythe. Fellow instructor and giant ego."

He relaxed, his smile returning. "Oh?"

"Yeah, I ignore them. I much rather hang out with Teddy, and Mum, and you then go out and get leered at by them."

"That's good, as long as you rather," Harry said quietly.

Dora opened her mouth to ask something but stopped when Teddy started fussing. "Oof, what's wrong little bear? Need a nappy change?"

"That's his hungry sound," Harry said.

"What, no it's not. He needs to be changed."

Harry gave her a look. "I'm pretty sure he's hungry."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't tell me what my son needs, Harry."

Harry faced her, ready to argue but stopped, his jaw dropping wide. "Tonks…look!"

Dora looked down and gasped, seeing Teddy's hair a light pink. "Oh! He's never done that before. You look good in pink little bear!"

Harry pointed. "Tonks!"

"I see Harry, I'm literally holding him."

"No, I mean, look." He summoned a mirror and held it up in front of her.

Dora looked and froze, eyes and mouth opening wide. Her own hair had turned soft pink as well. She raised her hand and tugged on a lock, pulling it down over her eyes. She ran the pink hair in between her fingers. "It's…pink," she said faintly.

"Your abilities, they're back!" Harry said happily.

"Uh…maybe," Dora said hesitantly. In the days and weeks after the battle, she had found herself unable to transform like she used to. She had thought her injuries from the fight were what prevented her from changing, with her magic in flux and recovery. Once she regained her full measure of magical strength, she still was unable to shift her features about. Andromeda and Harry had been incredibly supportive and after a while, she stopped thinking about it, content with focusing on work and helping the Pot Luck and taking care of Teddy.

She focused hard, imagining a color in her mind. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and her hair did nothing. She let out a sad breath.

Harry took her hand. "Hey, you got this. If Teddy can do it, you can. You're just a little older than him and have a little more experience."

"I'm more than a little older than him," she snarked.

"I meant maturity wise." He smiled at her snort and look. "Try again. You can do it."

She squeezed his hand and closed her eyes. She focused on the image once more and summoned her magic inside of her. After a few moments she felt Harry squeeze her hand hard. "Teddy looks awesome by the way," he said happily

She opened her eyes and looked down, smiling wide at Teddy having bright bubblegum pink hair. Her vision swam as she looked into the mirror, seeing her hair as a short pixie cut and bright pink as well. "I did it," she whispered.

"You really did," Harry praised. "Knew you could do it! Hey Andi! You've got to see this!"

Andromeda poked her head in and gasped. She smiled and tears grew in her eyes seeing Dora stand there with her transformed hair. She burst out laughing at Teddy with his bright pink hair. "He looks ridiculous!"

"I think he looks great," Harry said. "Very punk chic."

Dora handed Teddy to Andromeda. Her arms free she wrapped her mother and Harry into a tight embrace. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"You have done so well," Andromeda said, her voice trembling just as much. "So incredibly well, love." She bounced a squirming Teddy. "Right Teddy? Mummy has done so well."

Harry pressed his cheek against hers. "Really well," he said, agreeing. "Good job, Tonks."

"You can call me Dora," Dora said softly, her cheek hot and red. "I liked it when you called me Tonks like before but…I think I want you to call me Dora."

"Alright, Dora," Harry said with a smile.

They eventually broke the embrace and the silence was soft and warm.

"I think I'll get Teddy a little leather jacket," Harry said. "Since he's sporting the punk hair now."

"Not you too," Andromeda groaned. "First Sirius, then Dora, and now you. What is wrong with proper robes may I ask?"

"Leather jackets are cool," Harry protested. "Right Dora?"

"Right," Dora said, laughing. She picked up Teddy. "Do you want to have a cool little leather jacket, little bear?"

"Please spare your poor grandmother's heart and say no," Andromeda begged the baby. She smiled when he passed gas noisily. "There! A no if I ever heard one."

"I guess we can wait until he's a little older," Harry laughed.

"We can always stun Mum if she tries to stop us," Dora winked.

"Please, I can take you both on with one hand stuck to my back," Andromeda said, eyes narrowed playfully.

"I know better than to get between the both of you," Harry chuckled.

-0-

"It looked like a holiday book exploded here!" Dora gasped.

"Did I go overboard?" Harry asked sheepishly.

"Do not mind her," Andromeda said, hugging Harry. "I think it looks wonderful."

The Tonks sitting room was ringed in floating magical lights. They glinted and shimmered, dancing in the air. Magical snow constantly fell around the mantle, dissolving into nothing when it hit the ground. The air smelled of fresh pine and citrus and cinnamon, scents wafting from a floating bubbling cauldron that drifted high out of a baby's reach. Little silver bells floated in the air, occasionally ringing and filling the air with silvery music.

"Where did you find some of these charms?" Dora asked, looking at everything with interest.

"I found a book when I was looking for a reference book for my studies. Holiday Household Charms. It looked fun and well…festive so I wanted to give it a try." Harry smiled at Teddy reaching for things from Dora's arms. "I wanted to make sure Teddy had a great first Christmas." He looked at the women. "A good Christmas for everyone."

"Thank you, Harry," Dora said softly. She looked over at the mantle and felt a pain shoot through her. Pictures of her father, Remus, and Sirius stood there and after a moment she had to turn away. "Thank you," she repeated. "I…I don't think Mum and I were going to do any kind of decorating or the like this year."

"I had no plans to," Andromeda confessed softly. "I…that would have been very unfair to Teddy."

"I get it," Harry said. "I do. I just…" He glanced at the pictures at the mantle. "I really get it. I just wanted you to feel a little better."

"We do." Dora hugged him with Teddy. "Thanks to you."

Andromeda hugged him too. "Tell me Grimmauld looks like this. The idea would make Orion and Walburga roll in their graves."

"Just the kitchen," Harry grinned. "It's where I spend the most time when I'm at Grimmauld. Kreacher tried to decorate Walburga's portrait but she wasn't happy about it. She's not happy about a lot of things but you know what I mean."

"What are you doing for Christmas?" Andromeda asked.

"I was going to see the Weasleys for a bit and then visit with the Grangers," Harry said. "Then go back to Grimmauld."

"You're not spending it here with us?" Dora frowned.

"I wanted to make sure first," he said weakly.

"You're here all the time normally!"

"I know! But the holidays are different…"

Andromeda frowned at him. "Harry, you are essentially family. We of course want you here at any time, especially on the holidays."

Harry gaped at her, his jaw working slowly. "R-Really?"

"Harry, what's wrong?" Dora asked, worried.

"You…want me here?" he repeated in a whisper.

Andromeda and Dora looked at each other before looking back at him. "Duh?" Dora said, incredulous. She winced when Andromeda pinched her.

"We do," Andromeda said firmly. "Or at least I most certainly do and I'm fairly sure Teddy does as well." Teddy's hair was black and eyes were green as he looked at his godfather, chewing on his thumb.

"Well I want you here more than Mum does," Dora said hotly.

"It is not a competition," Andromeda huffed.

"You know people who say that are the ones losing the competition," Dora said frostily.

The women turned to a laughing Harry.

"Sorry," he said, his face creased with a large smile. "I just, it's been a while since people…want me to be with them. A lot of people expect me to be somewhere or think I'll go somewhere without really asking me to. They just tell me to. It's…nice to be wanted."

"Kind of like I just did," Dora winced. "Sorry."

"Well, yes and no. I'm glad you thought I'd be here because I've been here so much and I really like being here. I just didn't want to wear out my welcome or didn't want you to think I'm only here for Teddy," he said lamely.

"Harry, trust me when I say that if we found your presence bothersome, you would have known well before now," Andromeda smiled. "We also know it is not just for Teddy or else you and I would not be running a business together. We have made the same assumptions because we are so used to you being here but please know that we appreciate every moment."

"You've made our lives so much better," Dora said softly.

"Same here," he said gratefully. He looked utterly content at that moment. "I'll definitely be here after I visit the Weasleys and the Grangers then."

"We will be waiting," Andromeda said warmly.

That night Harry sat on the couch with Dora sitting alongside him. "I don't know who looks happier," Dora smiled.

Andromeda had fallen asleep on the ground beside the fire with Teddy lying on her chest. Both were sleeping deeply with smiles on their lips.

Harry gestured with his wand and a blanket floated over them. A twirl of the tip settled the blanket gently over them and the edges tucked around them.

"You're getting better with that," Dora praised.

"Thanks! Lots of practice and it's nice to use spells for…gentle things like this. Practical things. In school it's all about jinxes and hexes and turning animals into objects. Who still uses snuffboxes?" He grinned as Dora laughed. "It's nice to use magic like this."

"You're such a softie," Dora teased, bumping his shoulder with hers.

"That's not a bad thing, is it?"

"Not to me. I like it."

He looked happy at her assessment.

"How was it at the Weasleys and the Grangers?" she asked gently.

Harry rubbed his face. "It was good. Things at the Weasleys were a little…you know. At first it was really quiet and strained but then I sat on something that exploded. Blew me right off the couch." His laughter joined Dora's. "Apparently it was something Fred left a while ago and well, it set things off. We started sharing stories about Fred and things got a lot better. Everyone was smiling and talking after that and when I left."

He rolled his shoulders. "The Grangers were nice. Everyone there was pretty happy and I think they finally smoothed things over. Hermione tells them almost everything now and I think they like that, despite being horrified over what we did at school. She's a lot more relaxed now though, even with her parents teasing her a lot."

"You're like a Christmas elf bringing cheer," Dora said warmly. "Making everyone have a nice Christmas."

"I don't know about that," he said, flushing lightly. "Did you have a nice Christmas?"

"Do you even need to ask?" She leaned against him. "Seriously, I never imagined we'd want to do anything today a few months ago. But…I'm glad you decorated and prompted us to do it. It wouldn't have been fair to Teddy."

"Or to you and Andi," he said gently.

"Or us," she softly agreed. "And…seriously, thank you Harry. For everything. You really helped us and I wouldn't know what I'd do without you, what we'd do without you." She gestured at her mother and son and herself. "I'm so thankful you're here."

His smile was shy and sincere. "I'm thankful I'm here too."

They listened to the crackling fire.

"Did you have a nice Christmas?" she asked after a while.

"Probably the nicest I thought I could have," he said after thinking. "I also didn't think I'd be so enthusiastic about it. But, getting to spend it with you and Teddy and Andi, seeing Ron and his family and Hermione and hers, it's been wonderful. It's hard still of course, after all we've been through. But, it's nice that we can still celebrate and be together."

"Who had the best gathering?" Dora asked, eyes twinkling.

"Do you even need to ask?" he said with a smile. "Here of course."

"Really? I thought ours would be the most boring," Dora laughed.

"Nah. It was really good and I like how it feels here. Don't get me wrong, I love Hermione and Ron and their families, but I like being here with you." He looked at the slumbering pair on the ground. "Being with Teddy and Andi."

Something in Dora's chest clenched. "I'm really glad you do," she said softly. She rested her head on his shoulder. She sighed when he rested his head against hers. The feeling in the moment was something she missed and craved.

"Happy Christmas Dora," he whispered.

"It really was," she whispered back. "Happy Christmas, Harry."

-0-

Harry pushed the book away. "I cannot wait until I'm done with these tests," he groaned. "Why did I decide to still do my N.E.W.T.s again despite not going back to school?"

"Because Mum insisted," Dora said, grinning at him.

"Yeah, that'll do it." Harry smiled tiredly. "She usually gets her way, doesn't she?"

"For most things," Dora nodded. "Still, you're doing really good. I think you'll definitely get an Exceeds Expectations on most if not all of them."

"Thanks to you and your mum," Harry said. "If I don't get an Outstanding on Potions, I'll riot. After all the brewing I've done this year and learning things about potions, I deserve it. I've learned more from Andi in months than I did from Snape in years."

"Yeah, he was pretty rubbish," Dora snorted. "I mean, I've learned how to be a teacher this year since becoming an Auror trainer and I know teaching isn't easy, but still, he really sucked as a teacher."

Harry nodded. "My brain feels like mush."

"How's that different from normal?" Dora asked cheekily. She giggled at his affronted look. "You're so easy."

"I wish," he snorted.

"You do?" She looked shocked. "I mean, you weren't already?"

"What? No! Not like that." He threw a couch cushion at her while she rolled about laughing. "Hermione says I get too into my head too much. Lots of baggage and things up here." He tapped his head. "Sometimes I wonder what it's like to worry less."

"Yeah, must be nice to be simple," Dora said softly.

"So what's it like?" he asked. "You know, being simple," when she looked at him confused. He started to laugh when she hit him over and over with the cushion.

"You're a jerk," she said through a smile. "I'm telling Teddy and he'll throw up on you."

"He's better about that, thank goodness," Harry smiled. He yawned.

"Don't do that," Dora yawned. "It's contagious."

"It is late and we worked all day and studied the night away," Harry yawned again. "Well I studied and you tutored."

"We did do a lot." She pushed Harry over on the couch. "You can sleep here. No need to splinch yourself getting back to Grimmauld."

"The couch sure is comfy," Harry said sleepily. "I do like napping here."

"I'll get you some pillows and things." Dora got up and soon returned. She slipped a pillow under his head and draped a few blankets over him. "How's that?"

"Great," he said, his voice even softer and slower. "You're good at taking care of others."

She snorted. "I hope so for my son's sake." She gently brushed the hair from Harry's face, putting his glasses on the side table. "Sweet dreams, Harry."

"Thank you, Dora," he said and fell asleep.

For some reason, she did not move away. She remained beside him, sitting on the floor and kneeling over him. Her fingers continue to card through his hair slowly. She marveled at how different he looked when he slept, how much younger he looked. "Thank you, Harry," she said softly.

She made to rise but stopped. He looked so peaceful sleeping there. Slowly, tentatively, she climbed onto the couch beside and lay next to, not touching him. She just wanted to lie there for a moment beside him before sleep claimed her.

Hours later she woke. She grumbled, pressing her face down in a vain attempt to go back to sleep. Her cheek rested against his shoulder and she tightened her arms around him for a few moments, relishing his warmth, before reality returned in full.

She sat up, completely awake. She was on the couch with him, the blanket falling off of her. Her eyes were wide and she gasped softly. Harry groaned in his sleep, turning beneath her slightly to avoid the cold air. As gently as she could, she climbed off the couch and tucked the blanket around him before hurrying back to her room.

The door closed behind her and she clutched her chest, breathing hard. She had no idea when and how she joined Harry on the couch. Glancing at the clock, she realized she had slept with Harry the entire night. She had slept incredibly well and had no nightmares. A peek into the mirror showed that her hair was shoulder-length and black, her eyes light blue.

She checked on Teddy, calming slightly at how sweetly he slumbered, his hands clutched onto one of the plush animals in his crib. Her eyes traveled up and focused on the picture of Remus that hung over Teddy's crib.

She sank to the floor, her back to the picture. She buried her face into her hands and she started to weep silently so she would not wake her son.

-0-

Dora blinked a few times and looked up. "Sorry, what?"

Andromeda sighed. "We need to have a talk."

"Oh, uh, sure, but I think Teddy needs me-"

"He does not. Harry took him to the park for a little bit to give you and I some time to talk." Andromeda's look made Dora squirm just like when she was a little girl and her mother had caught her doing something she should not have. "Is everything okay?"

"Fine," Dora said shortly.

"Dora, you need not hide from me," Andromeda said softly.

"I'm not," Dora said.

"Nymphadora," Andromeda said sternly.

"Don't call me that," Dora muttered.

Andromeda sighed. "There is a tension between you and Harry. What happened?" Andromeda rolled her eyes at Dora looking away. "Does this involve you sleeping with him on the couch that night weeks ago?"

Dora's head snapped around. "You knew?!"

"I saw you next to him." Andromeda sighed. "I walked out that night to get a drink and saw you two. I tucked you in, checked on Teddy, got my drink, and went back to bed."

Dora stared at her. "Why did you do that?!"

"I did not want you to catch a cold from the chill." Andromeda looked at her daughter. "You know it is okay."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do. I did not raise a fool."

They glared at one another.

"Everything's fine," Dora growled. Her hair became long and turned dull red.

Andromeda shook her head. "Fine. If that is how you wish to pretend, I will ignore it for now and try to let you reach your conclusions on your own time." She hugged Dora who automatically hugged her back, surprised by the sudden expression of affection. "You still deserve happiness," Andromeda whispered. "None would begrudge you. And we both know how cruel circumstances can be."

She got up and gave her daughter a sad and complicated look. "Nothing lasts forever. You and I know that full well." She walked away, leaving Dora's head swimming.

-0-

Teddy's first birthday was a good day.

They decorated the home with fairy lights and dancing bells since Teddy loved them at Christmas time. The Weasleys and the Grangers came to celebrate with them and the small home was full of people and light and laughter.

Things felt like they were before the incident to Dora. The tension and awkwardness were gone and she was happy and content, watching her son grow, having a fulfilling job, having peaceful moments with Harry and Andromeda. How she felt now was a far cry different from how she felt the year prior. She still had her father and her husband then, and she was of course overjoyed with the birth of Teddy.

But everything was under the shadow of Voldemort and his reign. Fear was only a step behind with dread only a step removed. They were safe together at the time, but safe was not happy, nor was it lasting. Her father ran and was killed. Then the call to arms came out and Remus left her to fight at Hogwarts. She had followed right after, desperate to keep him safe and to fight for her infant son, well against her mother's wishes.

This birthday though had no shadow, no pall. Dora was able to be happy with her family and Harry. She relished it.

Then the anniversary of the Victory came. The grim reminder of Remus' death, her father's, and so many others.

She was so caught up in the memories of losing them, of how she felt during that time, of waking up and realizing that she lived but Remus had died. The terror and the pain from a bare year ago sunk their claws into her and refused to let go. Andromeda did her best to help Dora, fighting through her own demons in the process.

Her conflicted feelings about Harry, ones she thought were dispelled a few weeks ago, returned in full. She saw that he suffered too and despite it, he was there with them. He soldiered on, alternating between retreating into his own head and trying to ignore his pain by helping theirs.

She craved his presence and his help and the comfort he represented.

She hated herself for how she felt about him, about his aid.

Every day she woke up either crying or screaming. She learned to cast a silencing charm after the first time so she would not wake Teddy. The nightmares returned in full force. Seeing Remus dying in front of her, seeing him look at her with judgmental eyes. Seeing herself and her mother when they learned of Ted's death.

The worst was the night Remus had left her. They could not find him and had feared the worst. He had returned much later, quiet and withdrawn. He only said that he had found Harry, Hermione, and Ron and that they were okay. It had taken days for him to treat her like he did before he left. She remembered feeling the fear, her nightmare bringing those feelings to the fore with greater impact. Then the panic, the temporary relief when he returned, the anguish and confusion of the days after.

Her feelings and thoughts curdled and festered, lurking beneath the surface, ready to erupt. Like most things, they did at a terrible time.

-0-

"Oh, hey Harry."

Harry looked at Dora. "Hey Dora. You look…really nice but you don't look happy."

She looked at the dress she wore and turned her face away. "Yeah, well, it happens."

"Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. I thought you weren't going to be here today."

"Just wanted to drop something off and ask you and Andromeda something." He sighed as she refused to look at him. "Is it something I did? I feel like I did something wrong lately."

She felt terrible, knowing full well it was nothing he did directly. She knew him feeling bad was her fault and she hated it. The shame goaded her. "No, nothing you did. I've just been nervous and out of sorts. It's…I went on a date today."

Harry paled. "Y-you did?"

She looked at him, her eyes narrowed. "Yeah, I did. Something the matter?"

He flushed. "No, not at all. I just didn't know."

"You didn't need to."

He looked at her levelly. "You're right, I didn't. I just thought…we usually talk about all sorts of things so I was just surprised." He coughed awkwardly. "W-was it nice? Did you have a good time?"

"Does it look like I had a good time?" she bit back.

"Not really," he replied as calmly as he could. "I'm trying to be your friend and supportive."

"Well, thanks," Dora said shortly.

"Who was it with, If I may ask," Harry said, a touch sharply.

"Blythe."

"Blythe?! I thought you hated him!"

"Yeah well, he was persistent and I thought he might change my mind. And boy was I wrong. Still an arrogant tosser that doesn't know how to treat anyone that isn't his ego." She glared at him, seeing his relief and feeling incredibly nettled by it. "You don't have to look so happy that my date was terrible."

Harry did feel bad considering he was happy her date was bad. "It's not like I'm happy knowing you're not and had a bad time. I'm glad you aren't sticking with him though. Don't know why you went out with him in the first place. You can do better."

She laughed mirthlessly and hollowly. "Can I? I don't exactly have a lot of prospects. No other blokes are asking me out and no I'm not counting your mate Finnegan. Besides, who wants me? I'm damaged goods."

"You are not!"

"I am!" Dora's hair turned bright red and spiky. "I have a baby and a whole host of problems. No one wants me." She waved her hand. "I'm not like you."

Harry's eyes went cold and he stiffened. "And what does that mean?"

"You have loads of girls throwing themselves at you. I see them at the Luck. Trying to chat you up."

"Doesn't mean I want to chat them up," he replied coolly.

"Why not, you might as well." Dora felt like she was watching herself act from an outside perspective, hating every moment. She knew what she was doing and felt helpless to stop herself. "You don't have to hold back on my account."

"Is that what you think I'm doing?"

"Makes sense to me. If you're getting jealous about me going on a date."

His jaw clenched. "I am jealous," he admitted, "but not for the reason you think."

"Whatever. Maybe you should go get a few dates. Live it up a little."

They glared at each other for a long terrible moment.

"If that's what you want," Harry said quietly.

"Maybe," was all Dora said. She walked away from him, no longer able to look at him. She closed the door to her room behind her and sank to the floor, silencing it to prevent him from hearing her sob.

-0-

"Dora?"

"I'm fine!" Dora said unconvincingly through her sobs. "Teddy's fine! Leave me alone!" For a moment she thought she had succeeded. Then she heard the lock click and the door open. She glared up at her mother, tears running down her cheeks.

"Every door in this home can be unlocked by me," Andromeda said, looking down at Dora. "What if you were truly ill or hurt and I could not get in? You could cast the strongest locking charm and I would still be able to undo it in here."

Dora looked away.

Andromeda sat down on the ground beside her with a soft grunt. She reached out and pulled Dora to her and after some resistance, Dora relented. She melted into her mother, sobbing fitfully. Andromeda said nothing, simply holding Dora and letting her cry. When Dora's sobs subsided, Andromeda wiped her tears with the sleeve of her robes. "What happened?"

"I don't know," Dora said, feeling like a child.

"I think you do," Andromeda said gently but firmly. "Harry was very worried, you know. He sent me a message at the Luck, asking me to check on you."

Dora buried her face into her hands.

"Is this about your feelings for Harry?" Andromeda asked.

"Is it that obvious?" Dora ground out; voice muffled.

"To me it is, but it is because I am your mother." Andromeda rubbed her shoulders. "I had thoughts before but then seeing how you reacted after sleeping beside him that night more or less confirmed them, and that little talk we had after of course."

"I feel so confused," Dora said finally. "I…I do like Harry. He's so sweet and nice and having him around is so wonderful. He's really helped us and I think he might like me but I don't know if it's because I'm Teddy's mum or if he likes me for me."

"It is both, but more so the latter these days."

"I don't know that!"

"I do." Andromeda raised an eyebrow at Dora's shock. "What? Harry and I talk a lot, dear. We can only talk about work and Teddy for so many hours. We have our own friendship and we chat about all sorts of things."

"And he just told you that he likes me?!"

"No, that took a long time and a lot of wheedling on my part." Andromeda looked insulted. "I worked very hard to learn that, thank you very much."

"But…what…I…when were you going to tell me?!"

"Well I was hoping he would tell you himself or that you would act on your own feelings. Just because I like to meddle occasionally, does not mean I should. Especially at the beginning of a relationship. I have some tact."

Andromeda sighed. "Then you did all this and I still cannot believe you went on a date with Blythe. Were you trying to make Harry jealous or drive him away out of pride?"

"What does that mean?!" Dora pushed back, incensed. "You think I would do something like that to him because of my pride?!" Her hair became bright red and her eyes followed after.

"You did and yes, I do." Andromeda looked utterly unimpressed at Dora's look, both physical and literal. "If I had to guess, you were trying to protect yourself because you feared rejection and let me tell you, you have nothing to fear about that from Harry. At least before you did this."

"No! I didn't do that because I was afraid of rejection!"

"Then why?" Andromeda glared as Dora wilted. "Dora, I will not watch you two lose your friendship much less anything else over this! Tell me!"

"I'm afraid!" Dora shouted. "I'm afraid something will happen and Harry will leave and we'll be alone again! That…I'll be alone again! I can't take it again, I can't survive it again." She started to sob once more.

"Oh, my poor girl," Andromeda murmured, hugging her close.

"And what if things get bad?" Dora sobbed into Andromeda's shoulder. "What if I drive Harry away and he won't want to have anything to do with any of us? With Teddy? And with you?"

"I sincerely doubt Harry would do that, even if the worst were to happen," Andromeda said. "He is far too kind for that. And normally, you would not be like that. At least before this stunning display at self-sabotage." She wiped Dora's tears with her thumbs. "However, fear does make us do terribly stupid things." She looked deep into Dora's eyes, watched them fade from red to brown, and watched her hair change to short brown locks. "That is not the sole reason, is it?"

"What would Remus think?" Dora whispered.

"I would hope he would want you to be happy," Andromeda said through compressed lips. "I surely hope he would not expect you to pine for the rest of your life."

"But, it's Harry. Remus was like an uncle to him or something, he was friends with Harry's parents. Would Harry even want me knowing I was with Remus?"

"That…might have been a concern in the beginning for him," Andromeda said slowly. "But he did get over that as time passed."

"Really?"

"Like I said love, we talk about many things. He is surprisingly cynical about some things and delightfully naïve about others. But anyways, in normal situations I can see your reluctance but nothing about the situation now is normal, for any of us. We endured a terrible war and suffered extreme pain and loss. Change is a part of healing and things change. We must change alongside or wither away."

Andromeda held Dora's face still. "Surely, my sweet and oblivious girl, surely you have noticed how Harry treats you, how he has treated you as you have gotten closer."

Dora nodded, eyes downcast.

"And I like to think you feel the same in some ways. I still remember when you regained your abilities to change your form. Your magic had long healed but like all magic, there is intent and emotion to it. Your heart had healed to where you could do that again. And Harry was a large reason for it."

"He was," Dora whispered.

"So what is the problem aside from you feeling guilt over what Remus may or may not wish? The Dora I know would not let what a person thinks of her to hold her back from what she wants or else you would not have become an Auror."

Dora closed her eyes and trembled.

"Dora, tell me," Andromeda begged.

"What if Harry doesn't want me?"

"I think we have established that he does."

"What if he…stops wanting me?"

Andromeda stared at her.

"I couldn't keep Remus from leaving," Dora whispered. "I begged and cried and pleaded for him to stay. He didn't choose to stay with me. He didn't…want to stay with me"

"Oh, my poor girl." Andromeda pulled Dora to her. "My poor sweet girl." She rocked Dora as the tears returned in greater force. "Remus…" she said slowly, carefully choosing her words, "was a good man but he had his flaws, just like everyone. And just like everyone, he let his fear dictate his actions."

"What do you mean?" Dora struggled a little in Andromeda's arms. "He ran into battle! That's not being a coward!"

"No, it is not." Andromeda tightened her arms. "However, he was afraid of the consequences of his actions. I do believe he loved you, truly. And I know he loved Teddy but he was consumed by his fear. I too remembered when he left the first and the second time. He was brave and put his life down for what he believed in, but he still left you. You are well within your right to be upset by that. He put a different priority over you. There is nothing wrong with saying that he abandoned you."

"But…he did it for-"

"-reasons that were solely his own," Andromeda said firmly. "He could have discussed things with you. He could have done so many other things, but he did not. Yes, he ultimately paid the gravest price for what he believed in and to secure a future for Teddy, but he still abandoned the both of you to do it. One can do the right thing for the right reasons but still be wrong."

Dora stared up at her mother. "Oh…is that how you feel about Daddy?"

Andromeda smiled sadly. "I did, a little bit. I was so very upset that he ran. He was safe enough here with us. We could have withstood whatever the false Ministry would throw at us. However, he did not want to entertain the chance of us failing and he did what he thought best for us. He still chose to leave us and I am still sad about it. I understand, but I am still upset. And I think that is okay."

She ran her fingers through Dora's hair, feeling the locks become long and soft and watched them turn black as she brushed her fingers through. "I felt like you when Harry arrived. Here he was, barely a man in age but a considerably old one in experience, saying he wanted to do what was right. I fully expected him to not come by anymore after that first day. Giving us all that money and things was already more than many would do. Yet he showed up every day. He did so willingly, eagerly. He grew to care for Teddy instead of taking care of Teddy. He started showing us the same kind of care: sincere and warm."

She smiled wryly. "You know how I do not like to be proven wrong but in this case, I was perfectly fine with it. Happy for once even. I realized that keeping him at arm's length was a disservice to him and to myself."

They sat there together, Dora feeling warm and safe in Andromeda's embrace.

"What if…I only like him because I'm scared of being alone?" Dora whispered. "That it's him because he's here?"

"I did not raise a fool despite you doing foolish things," Andromeda said. "You grew closer to him as time passed and I see an affection that is purely something you have for Harry." She hesitated. "It is one you did not have with Remus."

"I…I think you're right," Dora admitted. "But I loved Remus."

"I know you did and I know he loved you," Andromeda said. "Love changes with a person and there are different kinds of love."

"But I'm so much older than him and have a baby," Dora protested half-heartedly.

"And I sincerely doubt he cares about either of that. Especially with how much he adores Teddy. Besides, do I have to point out how much older Remus was than you?"

"Yeah yeah, I'm a hypocrite," Dora growled, trying to ignore Andromeda's chuckles. "What…what if…" she gulped, unable to finish the dreadful thought.

"If Harry leaves you?" Andromeda finished softly. She sighed when Dora nodded. "Since we are not seers, we cannot say if it will happen. That being said, getting to know him, Harry is not one to walk away from things lightly and will fight hard for who he cares about. You saw what he did for Hermione and her parents, what he does for the others. You know what he has done for us."

She smiled gently. "He is exceptionally stubborn, something you and he share."

Dora felt her chest grow tight before relaxing. She looked up at the crib where Teddy napped. Her eyes traveled up to the picture of Remus. She did not hear any incriminating words like she did in her nightmares. She no longer felt panic and fear and remorse from looking at the picture.

"Thank you, Mum," she said, hugging Andromeda tight. "I love you."

"I love you too, my darling daughter."

Dora sat up and rubbed her eyes. "I better go find Harry and hope he didn't listen to what I said last."

"What did you say?" Andromeda asked, eyebrows rising.

"I told him that he was jealous that I had a date and maybe he should go date around." She flushed at Andromeda's disgusted look and snort. "I was being petty, okay?"

"Clearly," Andromeda said dryly. "Yes, you better go and find him. Do not wait on this or things may fester and be irreversible. He is at Grimmauld."

"He is?" she asked hopefully.

"Yes. I tried to Floo him after I got the message and found out it was closed."

"What...what if he doesn't want to see me?" Dora asked.

"Be your stubborn self and apologize however you can. And if he is with a date, pull her off of him and apologize to the both of them after."

"Mum!"

"What? I did something like that with your father once."

"Okay, I want to hear about that later. Or maybe I don't." She rubbed her eyes once more. "I really hope I didn't fuck things up."

"Language!" Andromeda hissed, looking at the crib.

"There's a one-way silencing charm. Sound goes out of the crib and not in," Dora said.

Andromeda rolled her eyes. "Of course there is. Well go on then."

"Wish me luck?"

"Something tells me you will not need it."

"Seriously, how do you have these conversations with him?"

Andromeda smiled smugly. "You do not have the time to be jealous."

-0-

Dora pounded on the door. "Harry! Please! Let me in!"

The door remained closed.

Dora knew she was risking a lot by coming to Grimmauld like this. The Floo had been blocked and the wards kept her from apparating into the building. She could feel them tingling, still allowing her to get to the door but not past it. She looked around for a while, probing the wards before finding a tiny opening in the wards. "There. I bet it's big enough for me to squeeze in."

With some wandwork, copious swearing, and physical exertion, she was able to open a window and crawl into it. Before she could cry victory, the moment her foot touched the floor inside she felt herself be yanked deeper into the room and flung into the air. She screamed in alarm and started casting spells: a shield charm and a barrage of stunners and impediment spells.

"What's going on?! Kreacher!" Harry ran into the room, his wand at the ready. He gasped when he saw Dora dangling in the air and managed to deflect a stunner sent his way. "Dora?!"

"Harry! Sorry! I didn't mean to cast that at you!" Dora dangled in the air. "I uh, nice security system you have."

"She is intruder," Kreacher hissed, poking his head out from behind a smoldering wardrobe. "She broke through the wards!"

"She's also family and allowed to be here," Harry said, not looking at Dora, "usually."

"Master Harry insisted no visitors!" Kreacher argued.

"You're not wrong," Harry sighed. "Well, she's here now so it's okay Kreacher. Let her go please."

Kreacher glowered and snapped his fingers. Dora screeched as she fell, her body spinning so she fell onto her rear. She grunted from the impact and glared at Kreacher who looked smug.

"I meant gently," Harry said, covering a smile with his hand.

"Master Harry did not say gently," Kreacher said mulishly.

"Again, you're not wrong. Thank you, Kreacher, for defending Grimmauld. I can handle things now."

Kreacher glared at Dora before turning his head. "Summon Kreacher if Master needs to remove unwanted things." He popped away.

"Cheeky bastard," Dora said, rubbing her rear.

"He's not that bad…now. He was but got a lot better," Harry chuckled. He waved his wand and set things right, putting out the smoking wardrobe and rearranged things. The entire time he did not look at Dora directly. When he finished, he looked over her head. "Are you okay?"

"Physically I'm fine," Dora said softly. Her hair turned brown and short. "Otherwise, I'm…well…I'm really sorry Harry." She gulped and wrung her hands. "I'd really like to try and talk to you about stuff."

Harry was still for a long moment before he nodded. He sat down beside her but looked away from her. "Sure, uh, go on then."

"I'm a mess," she said without preamble. "Like a legitimate mess. You saw me almost at my lowest and you saw how bad I was then."

"Almost your lowest?" he repeated but not unkindly.

"Yeah." Dora gulped. "When…when I found out Remus left me to go fight at Hogwarts, that was my lowest. He told me he was going and I had a feeling he wasn't coming back. I begged him not to go. I told him I needed him and that Teddy needed him." Her face went red from shame. "I knew you needed help fighting Riddle but I…I wanted him to stay with me. I was so scared of losing him, of Teddy losing his dad. But…he went anyway."

Dora felt her tears fall. "I…went after him thinking I could keep him safe. Maybe if he saw me there…he'd have a better incentive in fighting and staying safe and coming back. I…I think he died saving me. All I remember was us fighting a bunch of Eaters, a spell coming for me. Remus blasting the ceiling down and getting hit from behind. Then the next thing I knew it was a couple days after the fight. I was hurt and he was dead."

She cried harder when she felt Harry take her hand, when she saw him looking at her sadly. "And…that wasn't the first time…he left me," she said brokenly. "When I first found out I was pregnant, he left for a while and I panicked. I thought he'd be happy, he told me he wanted children but when I had my baby…he wasn't there."

"I know," Harry said softly.

"You do?!"

"He found us, me and Ron and Hermione. He offered to join us in hunting the Horcruxes. I, uh, well," it was his turn for his face to turn red, "I might have bitched at him and refused and made him leave us."

"You did?"

"Yeah. When he told us that you were pregnant, I might have called him…a coward." He winced at her gasp. "I accused him of abandoning you and Teddy and said some things I kind of regret."

"Oh…wow," Dora breathed softly.

"I mean, in the end, he went back to you so I don't regret it really. I didn't like doing it but…you deserved to have him nearby. Teddy deserved to have his father."

"You didn't want Teddy to be like you," Dora whispered.

Harry shook his head. "No, I didn't," he whispered.

They sat there in shared pain and silence, wrapped in memory, dreaming of what could be versus what was.

"I'm really sorry with how I've been treating you lately," Dora said. "It's not fair to you. I was so panicked that you'd leave us and seeing how wonderful things are now, I didn't think I could survive being left alone again like that. Daddy left us to protect us but that didn't help. Remus left to fight for us and he's gone forever too. I couldn't bear thinking about you leaving us and if something happened where I ruined things between us, I…wouldn't know what to do."

"What makes you think you'd ruin something?" Harry asked, his lips twitching.

"Harry, I'm a mess. We've established that."

"I'm a mess too," Harry said quietly. "I've lost so much and I think I feel like you do, that people left because of me, things around me. It really messes with your head, blaming yourself." He sighed deeply. "I was worried too. I was worried I'd ruin something and you and Andi wouldn't want me around anymore and I've gotten so comfortable and content around you two and Teddy and…that scared me. Scares me."

He looked at her, his own eyes wet. "I'm…happy when I'm with you. Like, actually happy. And I didn't want that to change."

"I'm happy when I'm with you too, and I never thought I'd be happy again," Dora whispered. "I feel safe with you. I think that's why I could use my metamorphing again. Because you helped us, helped me feel safe and alive again."

They looked at each other.

"Harry, I like you," Dora said finally. "I like how you make me feel. You make me feel cared for, important. You make me feel safe. You make me happy. I love seeing you take care of Teddy and I know you actually want to do it. I can tell. I can tell you like being with us and…you make me feel good." Her lips twitched. "You're also kinda cute."

Harry's smile made her smile. "I like you too Dora. I always have, when I first met. You were so bubbly and happy and always tried to break me out of being moody and broody. And seeing you right after when things went…tits up," they chuckled, "seeing how hard you had it really hurt. It felt really good knowing I could help you and Andi and Teddy, help you all smile and be safe and happy. And I like how I feel around you."

He took her other hand in his. "I wasn't kidding when I said it felt really nice to be wanted. You all want me, like truly want me. Not want me for my fame and my name, but me. It's something I can't say a lot of people do and that alone is worth so much to me. I look forward to seeing all of you, especially you. You make me feel wanted, needed. I really need that, appreciate that." He blushed. "You're also kinda beautiful."

She blushed and laughed. "Harry, you've seen me get out of bed with my hair terrible and covered in drool. You've also seen Teddy get sick on me."

"And? You're still beautiful," he said shyly.

"Thank you," she whispered, feeling a warmth grow from deep in her chest and spread through her whole body. "I…I want to try. If you do."

"More than anything," he said. "If you do."

She smiled. "I do."

"Brilliant!" He grinned before looking sheepish. "I'm sorry for being jealous and being a little happy that your date didn't work out."

She threw her head back and laughed, heartily and sincerely. "Don't feel too bad. It was a really terrible date and I'm glad it sucked and didn't work out." She looked sheepish. "I'm sorry for being a bitch and not talking and stuff."

"We're both guilty of not talking I guess."

"You're really okay with all of me? With Teddy and my history with Remus?" she asked.

He nodded. "I love Teddy and well, Andi said the difference between godfather and father is only three letters and it's not like I have god complex or anything." He loved seeing and hearing her laugh. "I'll admit when I first realized I had feelings for you, I was worried about what Remus would think. But, I think he would be happy that you were happy and that you and Teddy would be taken care of. That's what's important."

Dora smiled warmly and kissed his hands. "You take incredible care of us, and I want to return the feeling." Her smile turned wry. "You and Mum really do talk about a lot of stuff huh?"

"Yeah, she's a great listener and gives really good advice. It's my fault for not taking it."

Dora sighed gustily. "I do the same I guess." She pulled him to her and felt immensely better when he hugged her as strongly as she hugged him. "I'll make up for this, I swear. I promise to talk to you about things before I go crazy bitch again."

"I promise to do the same," he laughed. "Are you really okay with all of me?" he asked.

"Well, like I said, you're kinda cute." She loved his laugh. "You're kind Harry. Unfailingly kind even when others aren't to you. You're sweet and warm and you care. You don't hide that you care. I love that. I need that. I like knowing that you give it your all and I want you to feel like how you make me feel."

He kissed her hands. "You do."

"Not yet, but I will," she promised.

"You don't mind how much younger I am?"

"I did for a moment but when you think about how much older Remus was than me, it doesn't matter. The gap between us isn't nearly as much. You're what, eighteen?"

"Nineteen," he corrected.

"Really? Wait. When did you turn nineteen?" She watched his face redden. "Harry?"

"Uh…today."

She went pale. "Today's your birthday?"

Harry nodded.

"Oh. Oh I'm the worst person." She crumpled to the floor and curled in a ball, trying to hide her shame. "I pulled this shite on you on your birthday?! I was a bitch to you for the last few days and did this to you on your birthday of all days?!" She groaned when Harry patted her back. "Why do you put up with me?!"

"You're usually not like this," Harry said, grinning when she looked up at him. "It's okay."

"No it isn't! Wait, I can make this your fault. Why didn't you tell us today was your birthday?" She looked horrified. "How have we been together for a year now and we never knew?!"

"My birthday happened when I was traveling in Australia and I didn't think to mention it," he said lamely, shrugging. "And I did come to ask you and Andi something earlier, before we got into that fight today."

"What were you going to ask?"

"If you two and Teddy wanted to have dinner and cake together."

"But, wait, where's Hermione and Ron and everyone else?"

"I told them I wasn't feeling great and wanted to try and spend some time with you and hopefully figure out what I was doing wrong to upset you."

Dora buried her face into her hands again. "I'm the absolute worst person."

"Dora, believe me when I say this, this doesn't remotely rank up there for bad birthdays. Despite the fight, it was mostly pleasant and us making up right now really helps."

She stared at him in horror. "Okay, we're coming back to that statement one day because it's honestly fucking terrible but not right now. I'm fixing this. Come on." She got to her feet and pulled him up.

"Where're we going?" he asked.

"We're going home and we're celebrating your birthday together and I'm going to figure out how to massively make it up to you. Kreacher?" Kreacher appeared before her and gave her a look of intense displeasure that she reflected. "Can you please take Harry's birthday food to our home and join us in celebrating it with him?"

Kreacher looked at Harry first and rolled his large eyes when Harry happily nodded. "Yes Master Harry," he said and disappeared once more.

"Ready to go home?" she asked.

His eyes sparkled. "Ready." Still holding hands, they apparated together, landing in the Tonks garden. They walked indoors where Andromeda sat on the couch and glared at Dora with Teddy sitting in a carrier beside her.

"On his birthday?!" Andromeda shouted and Dora flinched slightly.

Dora glared at Kreacher who smugly arranged the food in the kitchen with a large birthday cake on the counter. "You didn't know either!" Dora blustered at her.

"That is not the point!" Andromeda's cheeks were pink and she sniffed at Dora's eye roll. Her eyes focused on Dora's hand in Harry's and her expression lit up. "I suppose that you two had a good talk then?"

"Yes," Harry said, smiling and flushed. "I, uh, hope it's okay."

"Of course it is. Like I told you ages ago, I firmly support this and think you two together is a wonderful thing."

"When were you going to talk to me about it?" Dora grumbled.

"I was waiting for you to come to the realization, foolish of me really. Well I suppose you had come to the realization, you were trying to ignore it, foolish of you really." She shook her head. "Make sure she pays for this and makes up for it," she said to Harry.

"She will," Harry said confidently, cutting Dora off. "She said and I believe her. Not necessary maybe."

"Yes it is," the witches said together, looking at each other with surprise.

Harry laughed. "Well, if you insist."

Andromeda smiled and shook her head once more. "I cannot believe you did this on his birthday of all days. I will never let you live this down."

"Oh that's how you want to play this? Hey Harry, let me tell you all sorts of dumb and gross things Mum and Daddy did."

"Oh fuck off," Andromeda snapped, making Harry and Dora snort.

"Phock!" Teddy exclaimed.

Harry, Dora, and Andromeda looked down at Teddy who beamed up at them. His hair shifted from black to pink and black again, never ceasing as he wiggled happily.

"What…did you say?" Dora gasped.

"Oh, oh no," Andromeda groaned. "Teddy, love, please, please do not tell me you said what I thought you said."

"Phuck!" Teddy exclaimed.

Harry laughed and laughed. Teddy was the first to join and soon Dora and Andromeda's laughter joined theirs. Harry scooped Teddy out of the carrier and held him close. "Not here for a bit and they're already teaching you all the bad words," Harry said. "I guess I have to stick around to make sure no more harm's done. Isn't that right, Teddy?"

"Fack!" Teddy agreed.

"Fack indeed," Harry nodded. "Do you see the cake Kreacher made for me? Isn't it tasty looking? I bet if we ask Kreacher nicely he'll give us a slice to share. Let's go ask him." Harry's shoulders shook from laughter as he carried Teddy into the kitchen.

"I can't fucking believe you taught my son to swear," Dora said, laughter breaking every word.

"With you as his mother, it was only a matter of fucking time," Andromeda retorted, wiping tears of merriment away.

-0-

Teddy's laughter was sweet and Dora resisted the urge to join in. She watched as Harry chased Ron around the orchard, carrying Teddy on his shoulders. Bill joined in, carrying his little Victoire with him and they ran around, shouting and laughing.

"Ron's going to develop a fear of babies if they keep this up," Dora said, with a big smile. "His screams of terror are really convincing."

"He's just being dramatic," Molly laughed. "He likes the attention, let me tell you."

"He loves his niece," Fleur said warmly. "He cuddles with her often. Not too used to the other parts of caring for children yet, but he will get there eventually, I am sure."

"Harry jumped right in," Dora said proudly.

"Born to be a father that one," Molly said warmly. "You can see it in his face. He loves Teddy."

"It did take a little for him to get used to it too, to be fair," Andromeda chuckled.

"That's only normal of course." Molly gave Dora a considering look. "Any special news to share?"

"Not yet," Andromeda sighed in an overly dramatic suffering tone.

"We're taking it slow," Dora muttered, face red, hair long and black, eyes blue. "Nothing wrong with that, is there?"

"Not at all, we were just teasing," Molly said soothingly, patting her arm. "And commenting how lovingly he looks at you too."

"He's good at that too," Dora said proudly and shyly.

"Hard to believe how things can change in such a short time," Fleur said softly. "And how beautiful things look now."

"I know what you mean," Dora echoed.

-0-

"Hey, ready for gesture of making up for things number four?"

Harry snorted and smiled at Dora. "You've really made up for things already. I hope you really aren't taking it to heart."

"Well, let's just say I'm having fun thinking of things still so yeah. I got a late birthday gift for you." She slowly revealed a large cage from behind the couch.

Harry's eyes went round when he looked at the small snowy owl sitting inside.

"I, uh, I went to Eeylops, obviously," Dora said nervously. "I know how you felt about Hedwig and this by no means is a replacement for her but I wanted to get you an owl because I know you really miss having a friend like that. When I walked in, this little thing attached herself to me. Like literally. She flew up to me and sunk her talons into my jacket and wouldn't let go. She really wanted to leave with me. The clerk said that the owl normally doesn't give anyone any attention. He was shocked when she flew to me."

Harry gently stuck his fingers through the cage bars. The owl immediately waddled down the stand and started nibbling on his fingers. "Wow, she's friendly," he whispered.

"She wasn't to anyone else there, seriously. Wouldn't get in the cage until I asked her to and promised I was taking her. Got lots of attitude and spunk. Think you can tolerate that in a gal?"

Harry laughed. "I might." He opened the door and the owl immediately flew out and landed on his shoulder, fluffing up next to his face and cooing softly.

"Hey, wait a sec, you're looking awfully possessive," Dora said, frowning at the owl. "Stop that."

The owl turned her head away and started tugging on Harry's hair.

"Are you jealous of her?" Harry asked, eyes dancing with delight.

"Maybe," Dora grumbled. She smiled when Harry pulled her close and kissed her on the lips. "So you like your gift?"

"I do. I have been missing having an owl and…I don't think I'd ever go looking for myself. Thank you." He kissed her again.

"You can keep thanking me like that," she murmured against his lips, enjoying the feel of his laugh. "What do you want to name her?"

Harry thought for a few moments. "Delilah," he said at last.

"Fancy for an owl," Dora commented.

"Because she is a lot like you, a delight." He kissed her a third time, a long kiss that held Dora in place and enthralled. He put his appreciation, his love into the kiss. He injected every warm thought and feeling he had into it.

"It's growing on me," Dora admitted when they parted for want of air; her lips warm and cheeks pink. "What do you think?" she asked the owl.

Delilah cheeped and fluffed up contentedly.

-0-

"Hey, you okay?" Dora asked softly.

Harry's smile was a little uncertain. "I think so. It's a little…weird to hear it out loud like that."

Teddy had started using more words, thankfully more than the hilarious disastrous word he learned but never quite got right. Dora had been overjoyed when Teddy started calling her "Mama" and Andromeda was next to be called "Nana". Shortly after that, he had called Harry "Dada".

Harry had frozen for just a second before congratulating Teddy and hugging him warmly. Teddy proudly used his expanded vocabulary for the rest of the day before his bedtime. Harry had sat on the couch, lost in his thoughts, until Dora sat next to him.

"You want to be called that…right?" Dora asked nervously.

"Oh! I love it, I do! I just, for a long time I thought of him as my godson and not like my son…if that makes sense. Then I guess when he called me Dada, I realized I haven't thought of him as my godson in a really long time. I was shocked because I've been thinking of him as my Teddy for a while now."

Dora kissed him sweetly on the lips. "You really are his father. You take amazing care of him and of course he'd think you were his daddy."

Harry smiled. "I'm glad it wasn't presumptuous of me to think of him like that."

"You talk to Mum too much, using words like that," Dora sniffed. She curled around him. "As long as you don't mind me thinking of you as my Harry."

"Never," he said, wrapping his arms around her.

Dora's eyes drifted to the mantle, looking at the three pictures there warmly and wistfully. "I don't think Remus would be upset."

"I hope not," Harry said softly. "What will we tell Teddy in the future?"

"The truth," Dora said. "That doesn't change how you feel about him and what you do for him, not in the slightest." She sighed. "Hopefully he'll understand."

"I think he will."

"What makes you say that?"

"He's your boy," Harry said. "Stubborn and beautiful and very understanding."

She kissed him. "He's our boy," she murmured.

-0-

(A few years later.)

"Well, what do you think?"

Andromeda looked around. "I do like the place," she said. "It feels very open and there is plenty of space for garden plots and the like. The home does look very nice too. Are you sure you wish to leave Grimmauld?"

Harry nodded. "It's too…well grim. Lots of memories there and not many of them are nice. It'll be good to move out and have a fresh start. We'll make this place more than safe with plenty of wards and spells."

"And are you sure you and Dora want me here?" Andromeda asked.

"Of course," Harry said. "You're family. I mean, literally of course but I've really come to love spending time with you. Not to mention working with you obviously. There'll be plenty of room for all of us. I don't want you to be alone."

She hugged him tightly. "You are a wonderful young man, thank you Harry. Truly." She wiped her eyes. "Dora, Teddy, and I were blessed with luck that day you visited."

He hugged her back. "Are you okay with moving out of your home? You lived there for a long time."

"I will always have fond memories of it," she said wistfully. "But how things came to be while we lived there, that has soured them somewhat. I agree with you, a fresh start will be wonderful. If things change later, then they do but for now, I think this will be wonderful." They stood and watched Dora showing Teddy around the garden and the property, listening to Teddy ask all sorts of questions and Dora replying cheerfully to them.

"Will there be a swamp for a hinkypunk?" Teddy asked.

"There might be! We can turn a corner into a swamp," Dora mused.

"We are not making a swamp for a hinkypunk," Andromeda said severely.

"Don't you need plants that only grow in swamps though?" Dora asked cheekily.

"We can ask Uncle George for a temporary and portable swamp," Harry grinned. "No hinkypunks though. I'll enchant a lantern for you though, okay Teddy?"

"Thank goodness you're the sensible one," Andromeda sighed.

-0-

"Hi Mum!"

Dora caught Teddy, whirling him around. "Oof, you're getting so big little bear! I have to call you little big bear soon."

Teddy's hair turned wild and messy and brown, his eyes amber. He pretended to growl and bite Dora's arm.

"Ahhhh! I'm being eaten by a wild bear!" Dora wrestled with him on the ground before hoisting him over her shoulder. "What's the matter, Daddy didn't feed you properly?"

"No he did," Teddy protested. "I just wanted to bite you."

"That's fair. Let me guess, he's in the kitchen with the baby? Let's go see if we can get something to nibble on so you can spare me." She carried him into the home and found Harry carrying a wriggling little girl while he stirred something in the pot.

"Welcome home," he said warmly, kissing her when she came to him. "Did you bite Mummy?" he asked Teddy.

"Almost," Teddy said. "I'll get her later."

Dora put him on the counter with a snort and lifted up her daughter. "How's my little Rina?"

Noreena Marigold Potter gurgled contentedly, looking up at her mother. She laughed when Dora kissed her cheeks. Patting her mother's face with clumsy hands.

"She had a good day. Fussed only a little but I think that was a ploy for me to carry her most the day," Harry said fondly.

"She's a tricky one," Dora said. She smiled, watching her daughter's hair change from black to blonde to match Dora. Dora changed her hair color and laughed when Noreena's followed suit.

"I'll never get tired of that," Harry grinned. "You got that blue down yet, Teddy?"

Teddy's face twisted with concentration and his hair became a dark blue that lightened at the tips. "Almost I think."

"Looks pretty good to me," Harry said, ruffling it.

"Any snacks for little bear so he doesn't gnaw on me?" Dora asked.

Harry sliced a fresh loaf of bread and buttered it lavishly. "Don't want you ruining your appetite for supper but then again, you have your Mum's appetite so I shouldn't worry."

"Thanks Dad!" Teddy hugged him and hugged Dora, running off snickering when she yelped after he bit her hand.

"I'm so glad that you had him live up to his bear nickname," Dora said, poking Harry.

"You love it," Harry chuckled.

"Okay, maybe I do. Why doesn't he ever try to bite you?"

"Andi told him to never bite the hand that feeds him and since I'm the one that cooks most of the time, he took it to heart."

"I need to get him to go after Mum," Dora grumbled.

"I'm sure that'll end well for everyone," Harry smiled. He leaned in when Dora pulled him to her, enjoying the kiss. "What was that for?" he asked, slightly breathless. "Not that I ever mind kissing you."

"Just saying thank you," she said huskily. "For everything. I was thinking over lunch and well, yeah." She smiled when he kissed her back. "What was that for?"

"For breaking into Grimmauld that day," he said and she laughed. "For talking to me. For giving it a try, us a try."

"Best thing I ever did," she said emphatically. She pressed her forehead against his. "Thank you for saving us," she whispered

"Thank you for saving me," he whispered back.

Fin