Chapter 5:

"Oi Evans did you want to come for drinks with us at the Leaky Cauldron tonight? Some of our Hogwarts friends are going to be there as well, you could invite your sister if you'd like?" Locking gazes with Sirius, Harry had to push down the mountain of feelings seeing his godfather alive gave him. It had taken everything in him not to react the first time he met him a month ago. Knowing Sirius had made it a lot harder to see him alive then it had his own father. Truthfully he had liked the chance to get to know his father, but had kind of kept Sirius at arms length. He was constantly afraid that he'd somehow slip up and treat him like his godfather, instead of his fellow trainee who was actually younger than him.

So far Harry had dodged any invites to hang out after training, using the excuse that he had to catch up, but in the last couple of days it had become clear that Harry was on par or more advanced than most of his fellow trainee's. Sirius could clearly tell Harry was uncomfortable around him, so he only referred to Harry by his last name, but for some odd reason he wouldn't stop trying to befriend Harry. It was quite odd.

"My sister has plans tonight," he couldn't elaborate since those plans were with Mad-Eye, who needed her help to find suitable attire for a muggle wedding. Apparently Mad-Eye had a son who was a squib, although he hadn't offered anymore details then that, other then the fact that his son was getting married. Harry hoped that Mad-Eye's son wasn't one of the casualties of the first war. It seemed like the list of people they had to save grew every day.

"Come on Harry it will be fun, please. Besides you can finally meet Moony, he's frightened you see that we're going to replace him with a new and improved model. Once he meet's you he'll see there's no competition. Moony's a bit self conscious you see," James said in such a solemn tone that if Harry hadn't known Remus in the future, he'd believe it. Luckily knowledge of the Marauder's had made it so they couldn't actually prank him or guilt him into anything.

Yet he did want to see Remus again. He wanted to get to know him better for Teddy's sake. At times he wished that it wasn't so dangerous to reveal where he and Hermione had come from. Teddy deserved a chance to know his father. Remus deserved to know that he wouldn't pass on the lycanthropy gene to his future children, that he could have a normal family, that his furry little problem truly didn't define him. Yes it was a big part of who he was, but it wasn't everything.

"Fine if my sister agrees to baby sit Teddy tonight, but no pranks or matchmaking with any of your single friends." James had been trying to figure out Harry's sexuality since the day they had met. Offering to introduce Harry to his single friends. It was just too odd, for many reasons, one being that his father was trying to set Harry up, two Harry knew a lot of James's friend's future children, and finally Harry wasn't even sure what his preference was. Whether he was straight, gay, or bi. He decided that he wasn't going to actively look for a romantic partner, if he found someone by chance he'd give it a shot, but otherwise he was happy enough just trying to get his footing in 1977.

"Deal. Padfoot behave for tonight, otherwise Harry might decide he was right in not hanging out with us." Sirius pouted at being called out and opened his mouth, most likely to argue that James's was the one trying to matchmake but thought better of it, probably realizing arguing wasn't being on his best behaviour.

If he had been on his own Harry would have just sent her a Patronus message, but at the moment he had been trying to be careful not to show off his Patronus. He had used it to show he could cast one during his examination but hadn't used it around the other Trainee's. No matter how long he thought about it he couldn't come up with an explanation behind his Patronus. Since he had never seen James shift into his animagus form he wasn't sure how much like Prongs his Patronus really looked like. He was just hoping when the time came for him to reveal his Patronus that he could just brush it off, especially since he wasn't even supposed to know James was an animagus. It was the only plan he had sometimes the simplest plan was the best solution.

"An owl will take too long to arrive, so I'll need to Apparate home first to ask her. Shall I just meet you over there?"

"I'll wait in the Atrium for you, that way it's easier for you to let us know if she isn't able to take Teddy with her on her plans, or if you don't mind him being watched by strangers my parents wouldn't mind watching him. They love children."

Harry didn't really know anything about his grandparents, other then the fact that they had taken Sirius in when he ran away from home. They had died from dragon pox before he was born. Meaning that their death could be anytime now. If he allowed James to ask them to watch Teddy, it would give him an excuse to meet them. Teddy loved meeting new people, even if he was a bit shy at first.

"Are you sure they won't mind? Teddy's a pretty easy kid most of the time, but he's had a hard time adjusting to being in daycare during the day when 'Mione and I are both busy. I'm not sure how he'll be meeting even more new people, when it means that he won't be able to spend time with us. He's pretty attached to 'Mione and I. If he's with us meeting new people is fun, although he's a bit shy, but he has been on edge lately. Too many changes in his life."

Honestly being in the past was harder on Teddy then they had first anticipated. He missed his Nana Andy, GamGam Molly, and Gampa Arthur, not that that's how any of their names actually came out. The first time they had left him in the Ministry's daycare centre he had flooded the room with bubbles that were impossible to pop. Luckily as a magical daycare they didn't bat an eye at Teddy's accidental magic, just corralling the bubbles to keep them out of the children's reach. Harry had just been glad that it hadn't been a more serious bout of accidental magic.

James laughed, "I'm certain after mine and Sirius's antics over the years the nothing Teddy can do will scare them off. Besides might make mom stop hinting about grandchildren for a bit. I love her, but I'm too young to have kids of my own yet. There's just too much going on with the war, it seems a bit reckless to purposely bring a child into it."

Even though it shouldn't that stung, Harry wondered if James's mind changed in a few years or if he had been an accident. A happy one surely, since his parents had loved him enough to lay down their lives for him, but still the thought that his father hadn't wanted kids right away just seemed to hurt. It was ridiculous, but Harry found he had a lot of ridiculous reactions when it came to James Potter.

"If you're sure, then yeah, I'd appreciate it. I doubt 'Mione's friend would want her to drag Teddy along on their shopping trip," although Mad-Eye did love Teddy, shopping with the toddler along could be a nightmare at times. More because Teddy got too into it and tried to insist that Harry or Hermione try on half the store. He'd toddle up to something that caught his eye and tug on the pant hem of whichever of them he wanted to try on his find. Although getting Teddy to try on clothes in his own size was quite the hassle.

"Just be prepared Ma Dorea might not want to return Teddy at the end of the night," Sirius said in a rather serious tone. There was a sparkle in his eyes, but the quirk of his lip told Harry that he was also being truthful.

"Honestly might be best to still send your sister a note, my Mum might keep us all at the Manor tonight, she doesn't like us flooing too often well drunk. We have enough spare rooms that she can easily fit all of my friends and not even have to put us all in the same wing."

When James talked about the Manor it made Harry wonder why he had never seen it. Sirius, his Sirius rather, had spoken about it with fondness a lot before his death, but he had never said what happened to it. Surely something must have if no one had brought Harry there.

"Prong's mate I'm sure Pipsy won't mind sending a note to Evans's sister, this way we can be certain she receives it before she tries to send a search party out for Teddy if not Evans." It was odd how Sirius seemed to know how Hermione would react before he had even met her. Although not worrying about him would be more because she knew he could handle himself, but if he didn't let her know that Teddy wouldn't be returning home for the night, she would turn him into a pincushion for worrying her.

"You just don't want Harry trying to escape Padfoot."

"Can you blame me; he's gotten out of any of our bonding activities because of his son. It can not stand!"

It was nice seeing Sirius being a drama queen without the underlaying darkness he had from Azkaban. Nice to see just how well his father and Sirius had gotten along. Their friendship was kind of like his and Hermione's, best friends for life who were basically siblings, it wouldn't surprise Harry to find out James and Sirius had done the same sibling ritual.

"Well I guess we should all head down to the daycare centre with Harry, this way he can't make a last minute escape. Besides every other time we've seen Teddy he's been sound asleep, and we haven't been able to introduce ourselves."

"You certain you aren't feeling baby fever with Lily Flower Prong's mate? Just a warning even if Ma Dorea wants grandkids, she would prefer that you and dear Lily Flower are married first." James was turned away from Sirius making him miss it, but Harry could see the wince cross James's face when Lily was mentioned. Were things not so great in his parents' relationship?

"Lils and I aren't at the point of marriage yet Pads."

Sirius turned around with a gasp a rather strange expression on his face. "What do you mean Prongs, wait are you even Prongs? Tell me what Pop Charlus gave you after graduation last year!"

"A cottage, so that I didn't have to live at home if I didn't want to, I decided to stay with Mum and Dad until I was married. Honestly Pads what about that makes you doubt I'm me."

"What makes me doubt you ask, honestly Prongs how could you ask me that, you've only just been saying since we were wee firsties that you were going to marry Lily Evans one day. Now you're sitting here saying you two aren't ready for marriage. If anyone who went to school with us heard you say that they'd question you. Is everything ok between you and Lily?"

A melancholy look passed over James's face at the question, one that wasn't quite heartbreak, but more saying that things didn't work out the way he planned. Oddly enough Harry didn't feel panicked at the thought his parents' might no longer be together, or at the very least might be near the end of their relationship. Maybe them breaking up before he was born meant that even if he and Hermione failed they wouldn't die this go around. All Harry had ever wanted for his parents was for them to be happy, even if that wasn't with each other.

Seeing how anxious James looked at answering the question Harry decided to intervene. He knew that it wouldn't stop Sirius in the long run, but James deserved to tell his friends what was going on with his relationship on his own terms. "Oi Sirius, I thought we were supposed to be heading for a pint, not sitting around gossiping like old society ladies."

Sirius's mind was still as one tracked as ever. The moment he was compared to a gossiping old society lady a spell zipped out of his wand, missing Harry by mere inches as he decided to only just tilt slightly out of the way, kind of to mock his godfather about how slow his reflexes were compared to Harry's.

"Those are fighting words Evans," the next moment Harry saw Sirius holding a bubble sword, "draw your weapon sir!"

"We aren't going to duel with bubble swords Sirius, now let's go grab Teddy, so we can drop him off with James's parents."

Sidestepping Sirius as he tried to rush Harry anyway, Harry and James made their way to the lifts. Both of them ignoring Sirius's grumbling on the way up. Sometimes the best way to deal with Sirius was to ignore him.

"Da!" Teddy squealed with happiness the moment they entered the doorway, he toddled over cutely with a wide smile, his hair turning turquoise with his happiness.

One thing Harry was definitely thankful for was that whatever forces brought him and Hermione into the past deigned to let Teddy come with them. Harry probably would have been a wreck worrying about what had happened to him if he hadn't. He would have felt like he had failed Teddy, even if he still had no idea how they had ended up in the past.

It was nice being back here, knowing that he wasn't famous for things he felt he had no control over. Here he was just another faceless Auror trainee. Not the Boy Who Lived or the Man Who Conquered, he could finally be just Harry.

"Hi cub, do you remember James and Sirius?"

"Mes n Sus, hi!"

"Good eve to you young Teddy, did you have fun today?" James asked with a bow as if he was greeting someone of high status.

"Ye Dy cowor, wa fun!" He was still learning words, but most of the time Harry could understand what he was trying to say.

"Coloring was always one of my favorite things to do too Teddy, tonight we're going to meet some new friends. They're James's Mum and Da."

"Ay. We go."

Well at least he seemed excited. Harry just hoped that Teddy would remain that way.

"The floo's warded, so we'll have to take you both separately through apparation, I don't think either Sirius is interested in trying to side along three people for the first time with a toddler, I certainly am uncomfortable at the thought." Just saying it had James looking like he wanted to puke. Harry couldn't blame them, remembering when Ron had accidentally ended up splinched when Hermione had no choice other then to side along the three of them. He never wanted to see Teddy covered in blood especially from a mistake he caused.

"James can take Teddy, I'll go with Sirius," even though Harry knew Sirius would never purposely do something to harm Teddy, Harry just felt more comfortable with James taking his adopted son. Maybe something showed on his face because Sirius looked put out even as Harry passed Teddy over to James and took a hold of Sirius's arm.

A chuckle beside him was the only warning Harry had before he was yanked into Sirius's side his hand slipping off of Sirius's arm at the motion, the other man's arm going around him trapping him which was probably for the best because Harry jolted from the motion. Glaring at Sirius he didn't even realize that they had apparated until he heard a loud booming laugh, turning towards the source Harry found an older man with the trademark Potter hair looking at them with pure amusement across his face. Turning red, Harry tried to pull himself out of Sirius's arm, but the arse just held him tighter. His face went even redder when he felt the berk nuzzle his head against Harry's hair, Harry was certain that Sirius was trying to make it seem like he had brought a significant other home, rather then a friend.

"You have 5 seconds to let me go before I hex you and leave with Teddy," he hissed directly into the other man's ear. Trying to ignore how he felt the shiver go through Sirius's entire body. A part of him wanted to note down that Sirius's ears were sensitive, which just made him flush even redder since this was his godfather he was thinking about!

Even without seeing his face Harry knew Sirius was pouting as he released him. In any other circumstances Harry would have looked up and then teased Sirius about it, but he was just feeling way too overwhelmed at the moment. At the fact that he was finally meeting his grandparents, but also because he realized that he thought Sirius was attractive and not just in that abstract you notice someone is fit kind of way. Harry actually had the hots for his godfather! Of course this was his godfather a year and a half younger then Harry himself, but still it was just odd. Harry could never let Hermione find out, she'd never let him live it down, but she'd also try to matchmake and Harry already knew that things couldn't become more then friendship with Sirius.

"Dad this is Harry Evans and his son Teddy, I believe I've mentioned Harry? He's an Auror Trainee with Sirius and I. Harry my father Charlus Potter." James's voice broke through Harry's thoughts, saving him from mortifying himself if he lost his filter and said what he was thinking out loud.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Potter," he squeaked feeling even more embarrassed, but it was just so odd calling someone else Mr. Potter.

"Have James or Sirius been filling your head with horror stories about me? I assure you I'm only so strict with the two of them because I doubt they'd leave anything left standing in their wake if they didn't have strict rules they aren't allowed to cross."

"No sir nothing like that. I'm just a bit on edge today, I apologize," the knowing gaze Charlus sent at Sirius spoke volumes.

"No need to Harry, may I call you Harry? You may call me Charlus as well, I unlike many of my peers don't stand on formalities. I find it stuffy to be called Mr. or Lord by those who haven't earned my ire."

His smile was so warm. It made Harry regret the fact that he had never been able to know Charlus as just his grandfather, that he had to meet the man as a stranger instead of as family. Only Hagrid had given Harry such a warm feeling from the start. No offense to Arthur, but when he had first met the man, he'd been terrified that he'd be kicked out, so it took him a bit of time to look at Arthur without that edge of unnecessary fear.

Now Harry had another fear in his heart, not towards Charlus, but seeing just how much he resembled both his father and grandfather Harry was afraid Dorea might jump to conclusions. That his grandmother's first impression of him was that he must be his grandfather's illegitimate son! It was one thing that Harry couldn't contest because of how he'd have to prove it. The charm would prove he wasn't Charlus's son, but would instead reveal he was James's, which no matter how much Harry wished it was different, he couldn't reveal. There was just too much danger behind anyone knowing the truth. Even if it meant he lost out on knowing his family.

"What brings you lads here tonight? I thought you all had plans at the Leaky Cauldron?"

"We do dad, but you see Harry's sister has plans tonight and Harry doesn't have anyone to watch Teddy. We've been bugging Harry to come out with us after work for ages, it's just harder for him to manage when he doesn't really have many people he can rely on to watch Teddy. I kind of volunteered you and Mum for it."

"Go get your mother then, I can't agree without her knowing as well. Besides I reckon she'd like to meet Harry as well."

It took a lot of will power for Harry to not squirm as James ran off to get his mother, Teddy still in his arms, he probably believed that his mother wouldn't be able to resist his request after seeing Teddy. Not that Harry could blame anyone for that. He was always worried that he'd spoil Teddy to much when he got older and end up with a mini Draco Malfoy on his hands. Yet it was difficult for him to fathom saying no to Teddy. He was glad he had Hermione with him to help him temper his spoiling impulses.

Sirius was still being oddly quiet, but Harry couldn't bring himself to look at him. Too afraid of what he'd see on Sirius's face or what would show on his own. He was going to kill this attraction before it turned into something more. There was no future where he and Sirius would ever be together. No matter how much that caused a deep ache in his heart.

"Good evening Mr. Evans," a regal voice sounded as Dorea Potter practically glided down the hallway. Teddy was already curled up in her arms looking fascinated at the way her diamond earrings swung with every step she took. She resembled Andromeda a great deal but had crystal blue eyes instead of the silver-grey of the Black family. Luckily Harry would never mistake her for Bellatrix.

Dorea was also a lot sharper than anyone else Harry and Hermione had met since they came to this time, that or she was the only one willing to let her suspicion show on her face. Harry could see the way her eyes darted between Harry, Charlus, and James. Yet instead of scorn or anger there was only welcome on her face. Harry wished she'd speak what she was thinking, so he could know if she'd be willing to give him a chance, that her welcoming gaze wasn't just for her son and husband's sake. He wanted to be able to open up all of his hopes and fears to his grandmother. It was odd, how quickly he seemed to want her acceptance and affection.

"Mrs. Potter, it's a pleasure to meet you." Harry said not able to stop the little half bow, he couldn't help it he was nervous. Even with the warm look on her face and the way she was holding Teddy like he was the most precious thing in the world.

"It's Dorea please."

"Then please call me Harry as well. I see you stole Teddy from James."

"Oh yes this little guy seemed excited to see me, kept calling me Gama it was adorable," Harry hadn't even thought of the fact that Teddy would look at Dorea and see Andromeda. At least he only called Andromeda Gama instead of Gama Andy, it would have been hard to explain how Dorea looked like Teddy's actual grandmother. It did explain why he was so comfortable around the other witch already, and as long as Dorea and Charlus were ok with watching him Harry doubted Teddy would throw a tantrum, not when he was certain he'd gotten his way and got to see his Gama.

"He loves meeting new people, but usually it takes him a while to warm up to those outside of our family."

"I'm glad I'm an exception then. Charlus and I would love to watch this little guy for you. It's been so long since we had a young child in the house. With how James was always going on about marrying Ms. Evans, sorry Ms. Lily Evans not your sister of course, I thought he'd marry young and give me grandchildren to spoil right away. Unfortunately he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to propose, meaning I need to get my cuddles from other little ones. Anytime you need a babysitter if I'm free I'd love to help."

James was groaning beside him at the thought of having children just yet, but all Harry felt was joy. His grandmother had accepted him and Teddy so quickly it was so much better than he had expected. Teddy would actually get loving relatives. People who would always be in his corner no matter what happened to Harry. He might think it a lot, but with Harry's luck he had always worried what would happen to Teddy if his luck ran out. Hermione of course would take him in, however if the past was any indication Hermione would most likely be right by Harry's side when his luck ran out, although that might change now that he was an Auror. There was less chance for him to drag Hermione into danger with her being a healer trainee.

"Thank you Dorea, I appreciate it. Hermione and I have been struggling a little figuring out childcare after our shifts when the ministry daycare closes."

"You'll have to bring your sister along to meet us soon."

"I'll try, but she's pretty busy with her training as a healer and with helping our uh roommate," he hesitated not sure exactly how to explain his relationship with Mad-Eye. He still didn't want any of the other Auror trainees to think that he was getting special treatment.

"Bring her when you can, our doors are always open for James's friends. I think however that we have kept you from your evening plans long enough, although are there any allergies or other requirements we need to know about Teddy's health?"

"Not that we're currently aware of. Although he won't eat yogurt at all." Maybe Harry should create little cards proclaiming Teddy allergy free, but that he wouldn't eat yogurt. Any responsible new babysitter would check in to make sure the child they were watching didn't have any allergies the first time they met the child.

"James will you be staying at the Leaky Cauldron all night? I don't foresee any issues, but if there is it would be best to know the easiest way to get ahold of Harry."

"As far as I know, if we leave, I'll make sure one of us floo calls. Oh Pip before we go could you send a note to Hermione Evans? Just so she doesn't worry when she can't find Harry or Teddy tonight."

"Yes sir Young Master James, Pip will make sure to deliver the letter," Harry had barely pulled out the note he'd written before the house-elf had snatched it out of his hand. She didn't even stay long enough for Harry to greet her. Only seeing she was wearing a pink dress before she vanished. He just hoped she could find Hermione with the name Evans, since it wasn't Hermione's legal or magical name, although with their ID's here it could easily have become her magical name without them realizing.

"Now that all that's taken care of stop dawdling James and get going," Dorea shooed them away.