Hello everyone! It's been quite a long time since I last wrote but, here I am again! Back with another story, only a one-shot though. It's not as sad and soppy as my other stories but there are a few tears involved since this is a "Godfather Harry" storyline. Make sure to leave a review so I know what to improve or keep doing. All feedback is greatly appreciated. Hope you enjoy it!
Just Like Me, A Harry Potter Fanfiction
Synopsis: Andromeda Black brings her orphaned baby grandson, Teddy Lupin to the Burrow weeks after the Final Battle. Things get quite emotional as everyone realizes Teddy was just the light they needed during these dark times.
NOTE: This is somewhat related to my "One Song" story. If you haven't read it, it involves a musical side of Harry and a couple of other details that might be mentioned here. I don't own any of the characters here and of course I don't own "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith.
Everything at the Burrow seemed normal these days, if you looked from the outside, that is. On the inside, however, the still silence that was quite unusual—for a house with so many people—would be very noticeable. It had just been three weeks since the Dark Lord, Voldemort—whose name used to be feared by witches and wizards alike—had met his downfall by a seventeen-year-old boy named Harry Potter.
However, though Harry Potter had won, him and many other people had lost quite a bunch. There had now been a special room built in Hogwarts full of plaques bearing the names of the Fallen Fifty who fought bravely during the Battle of Hogwarts.
The Weasleys, for a start, had lost Fred, George Weasley's twin brother, a son, and friend.
On the outside, life would seem normal. Ron Weasley, Harry Potter's best friend, came and went from the Burrow with Harry and his other family members to help fix Hogwarts little by little, piece by piece. They'd go on alternate rotations, as per Mrs. Weasley's orders, he didn't want everyone to go at once, what with the trauma of losing someone else in the family still tugging at the back of her mind. Hermione Granger was out in Australia looking for her parents whom she had modified the memories of. Today, however, no one in the family had left the house, except Arthur Weasley and Percy Weasley, who had to fix some things in the Ministry, Bill Weasley and Charlie Weasley who still insisted on helping fix Hogwarts. All four of them had promised to come home by lunch, to baby-proof the house as a certain Teddy Lupin and his grandmother, Andromeda Black, would be arriving in the house.
Teddy Lupin was Harry's baby godson. He was made godfather by Teddy's parents, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. This afternoon was the first time the family would be meeting him in person. What with the war and all.
Harry woke with a slight hesitance this morning. He had been thinking of how he'd react seeing his favorite professor's son. He already knew he'd be quite emotional but he wasn't ready for the memories that might be ready to come back and show. He only woke up by the thought of holding a baby in his arms. Harry was excited at the thought of being a godfather. It only broke his heart knowing the boy would grow up like him, with the exception of a grandmother. No parents, both of whom died fighting.
Harry also noticed that Ron, whom he shared his room with, was already awake. Surely, I'm not that late, am I? Ron was one of the last people to wake up in the got up, dressed himself, and went down to the kitchen with the smell of Mrs. Weasley's amazing cooking.
"Morning, Harry dear," she said once he got down.
"Morning, Mrs. Weasley. Have you seen Ron?" he asked as he seated himself at the table, along with Ginny who smiled at him. He blushed quite a bit, smiling back. "He's out helping George set up Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. They'll be back soon, earlier than the others, I suppose," Mrs. Weasley replied.
"They're opening back up already?"
"Yep. Mum and dad talked George into it and Ron offered to be his partner for a bit while he's doing his Auror training," Ginny explained, "George wasn't quite ready to start on his own. Although he's slowly coming to," she added with a sad smile. Harry still felt a little guilty whenever he sees the Weasley's expressions when Fred is mentioned, or even just implied.
Harry simply nodded at this answer.
Ginny and Harry both didn't notice that Mrs. Weasley was dressed up rather nicely. It was only when she had brought her handbag and was standing by the door did they look up at her. "I'll be in Hogsmeade buying a few gifts for Teddy and Andromeda. Do you need anything, dears?"
"Oh, no, not really, Mrs. Weasley. I've already prepared a gift for Teddy and Andromeda," Harry said.
"Alright then," she said with a small smile, "Ginny?"
"Nothing mum, I've got everything."
"Alright, I'll be going then. You two best start baby-proofing. It might take off a bit of work to do from the boys when they're back," she said. And Mrs. Weasley Disapparated outside the house.
Harry and Ginny finished their breakfast and put their dishes in the sink for it to wash (magically, of course). They looked at each other with quite awkward looks. They both liked, each other, you see. This might be one of the rare times they were left alone together. At last, Ginny broke the awkward silence.
"So, where do you reckon we should start?" she said.
"Er, I don't know. Here, I suppose? Get rid of things that'll hurt him or break, probably?" Harry replied.
"Good thinking."
And with that, they started hiding the knives and forks, putting the plates and utensils in places Teddy won't reach.
Next, was the living room. Harry replaced the flower vase with an old teddy bear from the storage room and leaned its back toward the books. Ginny started cleaning the floors, by ordering their magical house things to sweep. The broom only came to a halt suddenly under their magical clock, when it apparently came across a sticky thing and can't get itself out.
Ginny moved to pick up the thing that was making their broom stick, only to find it was an old Puking Pastille, one of Fred and George's old inventions. Ginny dropped to the floor as tears came fast through her cheeks. Harry ran to her as she broke down, sobbing. Harry hugged her and rubbed her back as she cried. He got quite better at comforting people now.
"I miss him, Harry," she whispered through her tears. Harry only knew who she meant as tears threatened to form in his eyes too as he stared at the Pastille. He quickly blinked them back.
"I know, I know. I do too," he said, managing to disguise the lump in his throat.
After a few minutes or so, the pair of them went back to baby-proofing. Moving from indoors to outdoors. Hey, who knows where the baby can go?
It was nearly lunchtime when Mrs. Weasley came back, finding Harry and Ginny talking and laughing on the couch. Mrs. Weasley looked around, smiling at the work the two have accomplished. Smiling, also, as she found them finally laughing.
"Oh, hey, mum," Ginny said, "Harry was just telling me about a rude thing Ron said in their fourth year to Professor Trelawney," she said, unable to contain her laughs.
"You shouldn't have told her that. Ron's going to kill me," Harry muttered. Ginny laughed again. Unusual though it seems, Mrs. Weasley didn't ask about the rude thing her son had said ("Can I look at Uranus too, Lavender?"). She simply smiled and was satisfied that Harry and Ginny were having a normal conversation.
The two continued talking as Mrs. Weasley moved to the dining room and called out Harry and Ginny. She unloaded a bag of sweets from Honeydukes, some toys, and a bag of money from Harry's vault which she had gotten for him.
"Ginny dear, can you help me wrap these things before our visitors arrive? Accio wrappers," she muttered, "Oh, and Harry dear, I got these from your vault. I daresay you'll need some right now," she added giving the bag of money to Harry.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said with a smile.
"No need to thank me, dear. Can you set the table, Harry? The others are arriving," she said. Harry glanced at the clock to see all the Weasley hands pointing to a small text reading, "Travelling." He then moved to set the table.
One by one the rest of the Weasleys came home. First were Bill and Charlie, looking thoroughly dirty and exhausted ("Professor McGonagall asked us to add a few arrangements to the castle."). Next came Mr. Weasley and Percy ("I've never seen so much paperwork in my entire life!"). Last, surprisingly, were George and Ron. For the first time in weeks, George had smiled. A real smile as he came through the door followed closely by Ron.
"I never thought that many people would come in on our first day back," George said with a small smile, moving to kiss Mrs. Weasley on the cheek as she motioned them to sit with the rest on the table. "Told you people missed you," Bill grinned.
"I have to say, it was fun working in the business like that," Ron said.
"Now don't you go telling me you'll be quitting Auror training for this, Ronald Weasley," Mrs. Weasley replied with a playful glare.
"Hey! I ne'er said I wa', mum. I on'y said it wa' fun," Ron said, stuffing some chicken into his mouth, accidentally spraying Harry with some.
The Weasleys ate and had normal conversations for the first time in what seemed like ages. Mentions or implying of things from the Battle would make them silent for a few minutes but back to talking again.
"Alright, everyone, it's nearly time. You lot clean yourselves up while I toss these in the kitchen," Mrs. Weasley said, collecting everyone's plates from the table.
"Do you need some help, Mrs. Weasley?" Harry hesitantly asked as everyone went upstairs. "Oh, no thank you, dear. I'll be fine. You need a shower, Harry, go on up now," she added with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Harry walked away, feeling a pang of guilt once again because deep inside, he knew everyone was still grieving. It may not seem like it, but they are, thought Harry. He's had too much experience with grief that he's basically a human detector now.
Harry was the last to come down to a sea of red hair waiting downstairs for the arrival of their special visitors.
The others were quite relaxed. Percy and Charlie were having a debate about dragons ("Dragons are too dangerous to be set loose!"), Ron, George, and Bill were playing chess, and Ginny and Mrs. Weasley finalized the wrapping of the other presents. Harry, though, was anxious. He was tapping his fingers on his thighs and kept looking by the door. Mr. Weasley, who had been reading the Daily Prophet, seemed to have noticed because he walked over to Harry and motioned for them to go in a corner.
"How are you, Harry?"
Harry, looking surprised though relieved to hear what Mr. Weasley had asked him, quickly shook himself back to reality as he had thought he was there to talk about him and Ginny.
"Oh, I'm fine, Mr. Weasley, thanks."
"You can't be fine. For Merlin's sake, you're Teddy's godfather! No one's ever thought of that this entire day, I suppose?"
"Er—" Harry couldn't think of an answer to that because he knew Mr. Weasley was right. He had absolutely no idea what he was going to do when Teddy arrived. Was he going to give him a toy? How in Godric's name was he supposed to carry the small child?
What if he starts crying? What was he to do? And by 'he' meaning both him and the baby.
Mr. Weasley only smiled at Harry's anxious expression as though he read every single one of his thoughts.
"You'll be fine, Harry. We'll be there to guide you. Just relax, eh? Deep breaths," he said and Harry took deep breaths, "Expect to get emotional, it's your first time holding your godson. Pretty big moment. Other than that, don't worry too much. You'll be fine," Mr. Weasley said patting Harry on the shoulder. These words made Harry relax a bit, but it still didn't change the fact that he was meeting not just any baby, but his godson.
"Boys, they're arriving! Come out of that corner, what in Merlin's name are you two doing there? Out now, come on!" Mrs. Weasley anxiously said.
At long last, a woman with dark hair and a kind face arrived at the Burrow door. As Andromeda Black entered, Harry had to rid the thoughts of Bellatrix Black because Andromeda greatly resembled her sister. It was only when she smiled and thanked Bill for taking the bags she was holding that Harry immediately forgot about Bellatrix.
"Welcome, Andromeda."
"Molly, thank you. It seems like little Teddy here's been anxious to get here all morning! He's been fussing and crying all day and only stopped when we were leaving the house," she said, shaking hands with the Weasley children and hugging Arthur.
Everyone's eyes suddenly moved to the tiny human in her arms. Harry suddenly forgot all the world around him. Teddy Lupin was a Metamorphmagus like his mother, but he still greatly resembled his father and mother. His eyes were colored hazel like his grandmother's and his hair was dark, like Andromeda as well.
"Harry?" a voice startled him. It was Ron Weasley.
"What? Yeah, sorry. I just got lost in thought."
"Yeah, you were. Andromeda was asking if you'd like to hold Teddy. Mum said we'd take turns to see who he likes but we thought we'd start with the godfather, right?"
Harry was a bit anxious because he didn't know how to carry a baby! Apparently, Andromeda noticed his face because she moved toward him, carrying Teddy.
"I'll help you, dear, don't worry," she said, handing Teddy over to Harry as he received the baby quite awkwardly, "Here, support his head, just right there, yes, and his butt, very good. You're a natural, Harry!"
Harry stared into the baby eyes and as he did so, Teddy's eyes changed into a bright green color, just like his, and his hair changed a tad bit darker, like Harry's. Everyone laughed at this, not quite believing that Harry was holding a baby. Mrs. Weasley sniffed and as she did so, Mr. Weasley embraced her.
"Hey there, Ted. Can I call you Ted? Oh no, sorry, Teddy, then," he hastily added as the baby almost cried, "I'm Harry. Your godfather, though I reckon you don't know what that means. You'll be calling me Uncle Harry, I suppose or Harry, if you wanted," he said as Teddy curiously looked up at his face. But then, Harry felt a slight pressure on his thumb and saw that Teddy had gripped his thumb rather tightly.
"Oh, he loves you, Harry," Ginny whispered.
Tears immediately sprang to his eyes knowing that Teddy and him were surely going to have an interesting time together as he grew. Harry gave a sad laugh, as Teddy's grip was getting tighter mixed with the thought that this baby would never meet his parents. Just like him.
He looked up at Andromeda and managed to choke out, "He's beautiful." Harry's throat was now constricted by a painful lump. Everyone was getting quite emotional now and Harry could've sworn he saw Ron's eyes water.
He took a deep breath and smiled as he saw Teddy smile back at him. He then said, looking around, "Who wants to go next?"
"No one's going to beat that, mate," George said. Harry smiled at him because he made his first joke after Fred had died.
Harry passed Teddy to Mrs. Weasley, whom Teddy seemed to love as she sang him a lullaby because he started crying almost immediately when Harry let him go. Then to Mr. Weasley, who was a natural at carrying a baby, to Ginny, who surprisingly knew what to say when he started fussing again, to Ron who awkwardly took Teddy and didn't know what to do when he started crying and quickly passed him to Percy who was more awkward than he was. Percy quickly passed a crying Teddy to Bill who accidentally put some strand of hair to Teddy's face which tickled Teddy and made him and everyone laugh. Then to Charlie whose beard was scratched by Teddy's curious hands. Lastly, Charlie passed him to George who Teddy loved as he made bubbles come out of his wand.
"Well, at least now we know who Teddy doesn't quite like," Ginny said nodding to Ron and Percy. Ron rolled his eyes because he doesn't really like being compared to Percy. Especially a similarity.
The sky was getting darker and it was nearly dinnertime. Everyone moved to the dining table to eat Molly's delicious pumpkin soup and carrot cake. Andromeda had conjured a baby chair for Teddy so he wouldn't disturb anyone eating.
Then, everyone moved to the living area to have a chat and receive each other's gifts. Percy had to leave early due to an urgent Patronus from Kingsley Shacklebolt, the new Minister of Magic. Charlie also left after Percy as he had to return to Romania.
Mrs. Weasley had given Andromeda some sweets form Honeydukes and a fake wand she had gotten free from Ron and George. Harry had gifted Andromeda a framed goofy picture of Remus almost falling to the ground while carrying Tonks. The picture moved so it showed Tonks laughing face as Remus struggled to carry her. This brought Andromeda to tears and she introduced Remus and Tonks to Teddy and told him the story behind the picture.
Tonks was pregnant with Teddy and Remus tried to carry her but she was far too heavy and Mr. Weasley had playfully taken a picture of them and gave it to Harry after the Battle.
Harry also gave Teddy a broom that flew two feet above the ground.
When it came time for Teddy's sleeping time however, Andromeda couldn't conjure his bed because the Burrow was too small! She also tried setting him up on the couch but little Teddy won't stop crying.
"Oh, Teddy, sleep now. We're going to go soon. He just won't stop crying, I don't know what else to do!" Andromeda panicked, as Mrs. Weasley tried singing him a lullaby but it doesn't work.
"Calm down mate. Our couch's old but it isn't that bad!" Ron complained. At this, he received a blow to the head from Mrs. Weasley. Everyone laughed at this but Teddy didn't seem to stop crying.
Suddenly, an idea popped into Harry's head.
"Wait here. I might have an idea," Harry said as he stood from his chair and raced up the stairs. Ginny grinned as she quite knew what Harry was up to.
Harry entered his and Ron's room quickly looking for the thing he had tried to hide from the Weasley family when he brought it into the Burrow. But Ginny had caught him with it one night outside their house.
Taking out the contents of his trunk and realizing it wasn't there, he started scratching his head. Then, he realized he bewitched it to become invisible under his bed.
Quickly reaching for it, he raced back down the stairs and everyone's confused looks suddenly shifted to the black guitar in Harry's hands. Andromeda's eyes lit up as Harry slowly walked back to his chair.
"Is that…James' guitar?"
"Yes, it is. My dad's guitar," Harry said, glancing at the slightly fading guitar, "Sirius, Remus, and the others surprised me with it on my 15th birthday, along with my mum's piano. It's in Grimmauld place, and I'll probably move it once I have my own place."
"Harry, you play the piano and the guitar?" Andromeda asked in astonishment.
"I played the piano growing up, but Tonks taught me to play the guitar," Harry said with a sad smile as everyone remembered Tonks. Andromeda's eyes filled with tears being reminded of her only daughter.
"He also sings, by the way," Ginny said with a grin. Harry smiled at her.
"And he's bloody brilliant, mind you," Ron said. Harry rolled his eyes at him as he tuned the guitar.
Bill who was about to leave to go back to his own house to Fleur, sat back down in the chair, sensing what Harry was about to do.
"Blimey, if Harry's about to play and sing, I'd better stay and watch, then," he said excitedly.
Teddy was still crying and Harry faced his chair to him. Finishing the tuning, he said to Teddy, "Alright, Teddy. This is going to be really amateur, don't expect much—" Harry said but Ron cut in.
"He's being modest, mate," Ron added. Harry rolled his eyes again as everyone laughed. "I'll be singing you a Muggle song, but I think you'll like it. It's a song called 'Stay with Me.' I'll try to do my best, alright? Here goes." Harry cleared his throat as everyone shifted their attentions to him.
"Guess it's true, I'm not good at a one-night stand..."
Andromeda and Bill looked astonished to hear Harry's voice. They had never heard him sing. The others simply smiled as they had heard Harry sing by the piano before and he was a natural performer.
A few more lyrics later, Teddy's wailing slowly turned to soft hiccups.
"Oh, won't you stay with me?
'Cause you're all I need..."
Harry briefly closed his eyes. Andromeda had silent tears pouring down her face as Harry deeply reminded him of James, who used to sing during Order meetings, or to simply entertain Lily and other girls at school.
"But darling, stay with me..."
He smiled at Teddy who stopped crying and looked intently at Harry who got pulled more and more into the song. It was always easy for him to get lost while playing or singing.
Harry added a few riffs and changed some notes to go higher. The people who had met James were reminded of his rather husky, low, angelic voice just like Harry's.
Teddy started babbling along to Harry's singing and he gave a brief chuckle. Andromeda laughed through her tears and as usual, Mrs. Weasley teared up hearing Harry sing for the first time in a few years.
Harry closed his eyes as he sang the riffs and nailed the higher falsetto parts. Ginny was looking at him with such love as she loved hearing him sing and sometimes they did duets together. Teddy's eyes started fluttering and closing and opening.
Ron and George raised their eyebrows simultaneously, surprised at Harry's high note. Not many people knew Harry liked to sing in secret. It always brought him comfort.
Harry smiled at Teddy who was now sleeping peacefully on the couch. Ron started applauding but everyone said, "Shh!"
"Sorry," Ron whispered. Andromeda moved to hug Harry. "Thank you, Harry, thank you for that. Oh, I remember your father so much," Andromeda said releasing him from the hug.
"Do you remember, Molly, Arthur, when James sang during Order meetings? And it used to piss off the others when Sirius sometimes danced goofily along," Andromeda said with a sad laugh as they remembered the two Marauders.
"'Show offs' Remus sometimes said," Mr. Weasley added.
"Oh yes," Mrs. Weasley laughed for the first time in weeks, "And sometimes Lily played the piano and they'd do a duet. You should hear Ginny and Harry together, they sound just like James and Lily," Mrs. Weasley added, smiling sadly as Harry listened whenever his parents were talked about.
"I suppose when Teddy and I come back, we can hear them, eh?"
Ginny blushed at this. Harry just gave a soft laugh. Seeing everyone reminisce and laugh about past stories about the past years made Harry think that Teddy was just the light everyone needed. He looked fondly at his tiny godson who slept rather cutely with little tear tracks on his cheek.
He's just like me, he thought. This baby would never know his parents and someday they'll reach a point when he, Harry, has to tell the truth to his godson. He promised himself that he'll be the best godfather he can be. He learned from the best after all. He swore to himself he'd help raise Teddy to be a brave and kind young man, just like him.
Thanks for reading! I hoped you enjoyed this little story and if you want a reference or want to hear what Harry's voice might sound like, at least in my head, search for the term, "Stay With Me Sam Smith Cover by James TW." You're welcome to try other videos if you find some or feel free to imagine Harry's voice however you like it. Don't forget to leave a review as it's always greatly appreciated! :))