Author's Note: Enjoy!

Hogwarts: Assignment #9, Write about a child/teenager caring for a parent.

Disclaimer: The following characters belong to J.K. Rowling, and this story derives from her original works, storylines, and world. Please do not sue me, I can barely pay tuition.

Warnings: NA

Worry Wart

In times like these, Teddy wished that he could borrow Jamie's invisibility cloak—but his cousin was usually up to his own trouble. It was also just as risky to sneak his way to the Gryffindor Common Room as it was to sneak into the Defense Against the Dark Arts hall. Besides, ever since he'd been hauled to McGonagall's for taking Leo Flint's features and sneaking his way in, the Fat Lady was out to get him and had most of the school's portraits helping her cause.

Teddy just hoped for the best, as he did every month, and reached his father's office undetected. He knocked on the door once, twice. As he paused before knocking again, he wondered if maybe his dad had gone off to see Madam Pomfrey—if maybe something had gone wrong with the Wolfsbane potion or if he'd hurt his bad shoulder while transforming again… then the door opened and there was Dad. He looked worse for wear, as he usually did, but Teddy's relief outweighed his concerns.

Well, mostly. Even with the Wolfsbane that came with his teaching contract during the school months, Teddy couldn't help but notice that the transformations seemed to take more of a toll every time. He wasn't sure what either of his parents would say if he brought it up, despite their usual policy of honesty. Even Harry or Uncle Sirius may keep things hushed…

The weight on Dad's shoulders seemed to lift for a moment when he noticed it was Teddy, and then he tried to be strict again. Still, Teddy couldn't help but notice the way he wrapped his cardigan closer to himself as if he was cold or holding something that hurt...

"Edward Remus Lupin," he said, trying to sound stern. "It's barely twilight, curfew is still in effect…"

"Yeah, you better let me in," Teddy said.

"Now you're simply being flippant. What would your Head of House say?" Dad scoffed.

"I just wanted to check in, I…"

Then Teddy heard it. The tell-tale whistling of Peeves zipping his way towards them. He could tell Dad heard it too, because he stepped back and ushered Teddy in. The door closed before the poltergeist arrived.

"You know you can't do this, Teddy," Dad said.

"I just wanted to check on you," Teddy said. He reached out and held his hand to his father's forehead—still feverish; something about the internal temperature of wolves and their coats made this happen..? Teddy didn't really understand.

"Teddy, I am fine," Dad said. "All I need is some rest."

"Sit," Teddy agreed. "I'll make tea. You said last year that it was soothing…"

Dad looked like he wanted to argue, but then a wave of fatigue seemed to hit him. Guiltily, Teddy realized that he must have gotten up and rushed over to the door quite quickly. He slipped an arm around Dad and nudged his head towards the sofa. Dad's quarters at Hogwarts were rather barren, but the sofa by the fireplace, facing his desk and bookshelf, was comfortable.

For a moment, Teddy thought his father might fight him, but then he allowed Teddy to help him to the sofa.

"Thank you," he said, sinking down into the cushions. He closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. Teddy threw a blanket over his lap. "You need to go; Headmistress McGonagall or Madam Pomprey may be here soon."

"I've got time to make you tea," Teddy said. "Why's the fireplace empty?"

"I was just getting to that," Dad explained.

"Let me," Teddy said. "Flitwick showed us a new spell the other day…"

"There will be no experimenting with fire magic at this time," Dad said.

"Fine. Matches?"

"Teddy, I'm alright," Dad said. "You can't do this every time I transform."

"I hear it's monthly," Teddy said as he circled back to go fiddle with the kettle. Dad had enchanted it so that it would heat its own water, sort of like a Muggle one, for convenience's sake. "Something about a bite?"

"It's for fun, actually," Dad said. Teddy grinned as he retrieved a teabag from the box and got everything ready. In the corner, Teddy saw the pile of blankets that he'd always assumed was where Dad slept when he was turned into a wolf.

"Biscuits?" he asked.

"I'm not quite ready to eat yet. Also, you need to go back to bed."

"Okay," Teddy said. He scooped some sugar into the cup preemptively. "Do you need another blanket?"

"Edward Remus…"

"Remus John," he said. He turned back to look over his shoulder with a smirk on his face and sure enough, Dad was smiling back—completely against himself.

"You're impossible," Dad said. "What did I say?"

"Not to worry every month," Teddy said. "But you're my only Dad. I have to take care of you; how often doesn't change that."

Dad's face softened for a moment and then he smiled.

"Well then, come sit with me," Dad said. "Being a wolf for hours on end gets lonely. Tell me about your day—I know I missed a Quidditch game…"

"Oh yeah, Slytherin beat Ravenclaw into next week," Teddy said. As he described how spectacular the loss had been, he put another cup on the countertop. Then he went to join his father on the couch.

Stacked with: MC4A; Hogwarts

Individual Challenge(s): Cuppa; Black Ribbon; Black Ribbon Redux; Gryffindor MC; Hufflepuff MC; Seeds; Times Go On; Old Shoes; Location, Location, Location; Themes & Things A (Family); Themes & Things B (Joy); Theme & Things C (Blanket); Themes & Things E (Cardigan); True Colours; Rian-Russo Inversion; In a Flash; Yellow Ribbon; Yellow Ribbon Redux

Word Count: 882