Reposting to correct date!

A Surprise for Teddy

April 2005

It was early April and Edward "Teddy" Lupin was on cloud nine. Tomorrow was his 8th birthday and his Godfather, Harry Potter, was taking him to one of his favorite places to visit this morning, Diagon Alley. He spent a lot of time with Harry who treated him more like a son than a Godson. He loved it when they went the Burrow to see the heads of the Weasley clan, "Aunt Molly" and "Uncle Arthur" because he got to fly a broom around the orchard, chasing and being chased by Harry and Ginny. And sometimes Victoire was there which made it all the better. She was his favorite cousin.

"Nana, do you think Harry is going to buy me an owl for my birthday?"

"No, I don't think so Teddy. Harry has already told you he'd buy you an owl when you got your letter to Hogwarts and not before so don't ask him again."

"Awe Nana. Do you think he'll take me to Georges Joke shop?"

"Now you listen to me young man if you go there and you bring home dung bombs again there will be hell to pay. I'll ground you and won't let you spend time with Harry for a month or three!"

"Awe Nana, you take out all the fun."

"And while we are at it, no Canary creams and ten ton toffees, I really don't want to get called down to your school again. You manage to get in enough trouble without the help of your Godfather and his brother-in-law George."

"Maybe he'll buy me a Firebolt or a Nimbus broom?"

"You already have a Comet 100 which is plenty enough for a young wizard your age. Don't go asking him for a new broom. You take advantage of him sometimes."

"Awe Nana. Can't I ask for anything for my birthday?"

"Listen to me young man. You behave yourself with your godfather. I'm sure he has something special in mind for you. And remember to say thank you young man."

"I won't forget Nana. Is it almost time for him to be here? He's late!"

"No he isn't late, he told you to be ready for 9:00 a.m. and it's only 8:30, so eat your breakfast or you're not going anywhere today."

"Awe Nana."

Teddy sat down and looked out the window and ate his toast with jelly. He was daydreaming about an ice cream cone or a large banana split from Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor and looking in the pet shop windows. Harry had told him that when he got his invitation to Hogwarts he'd get him an owl for a pet. Teddy had heard stories about Harrys' first owl Hedwig. And Harry let him take care of Artemis his new owl. He just didn't want to wait another three years. That seemed like an eternity! The clock seemed to take forever to strike nine o'clock. Just when he was about to burst the clock began to chime and there was a knock on the door. Teddy ran and opened it and was swept up in his Godfathers arms.

"And how is my favorite Godson Teddy Lupin today?"

"I'm so glad you're here. I'm great! I've been waiting for hours Uncle Harry!"

Andromeda walked in drying her hands on a dish towel. "He barely slept last night knowing you were coming today!"

"Are you ready to go Teddy?"

"Oh he is Harry. He's been dressed and being a pest since 5:00 a.m. this morning. Take him away! We will meet you for lunch at noon."

Harry took Teddy outside, picked him up and apparated directly to the front of Gringotts bank. "Let's go walk Teddy."

Hand in hand they walked down the street stopping often to look in the windows and occasionally going in one to browse. Harry bought them treats from Josephine's Fudge Shoppe and they enjoyed them as they strolled. But Teddy was surprised when they stopped in front of Ollivander's wand shop. "Let's pop in here for a bit Teddy," said Harry as he opened the door and shepherded Teddy inside.

Teddy looked about in wonder and Harry smiled at him. "Best you don't touch anything Ted. You might blow something up!"

"Harry Potter, what a pleasant surprise said Ollivander as he shuffled out of a back room. It's good to see you Harry and you have young Master Lupin with you. Hah Harry, he wears his hair just like you! So what can I do for you today?"

"Well, Garrick, I want to buy my Godson a birthday present and thought it would be his first wand."

"REALLY UNCLE HARRY!"

"Hmmm, I did not realize Master Teddy had turned eleven?"

Harry just looked at Garrick.

"Oh," said Garrick looking startled. "Harry, despite his rather tall frame, you do understand he's a bit young for a wand and that Ministry regulations tell me I'm not supposed to sell to an underage wizard?"

Harry continued to just look at Garrick.

"And you understand the magical ability becomes much stronger in the ninth and tenth years so a wand that is appropriate today may not be so when he's ready for school, necessitating the expense of a new wand."

Harry just looked at Garrick. Then said, "Cost is really not an issue."

"I suppose there is no deterring you is there Harry?"

Harry just looked at Garrick.

"Why the hurry Harry?"

Harry cast the muffilato charm to ensure Teddy could not hear him.

""His magic is already very strong. I need to start training him now. None of the multitude of wands I've confiscated work for him. I don't want to wait until he's eleven. He just gets excited and blows things up! And Garrick, you know what's going to happened when he goes to school. He's going to attract unwanted attention because I'm his godfather and his ties to the Weasleys. Then the fact his father was a werewolf. He's going to have to be prepared and I'd not be much of a godfather if I didn't look out for him."

"Humph! You know he will be fine at school. You don't think your exaggerating the risk?"

Harry just looked at Garrick.

"But Harry, he's only eight!"

Harry continued to stare at Garrick.

"Oh, you know I cannot say no to you Harry". "Will you at least assure me that this remains between us and that you will supervise the boy. I can't have it known I sell wands to underage wizards. The ministry will put me out of business."

Harry smiled. "Now Garrick, my office would handle a call like that". And with that Harry and Garrick laughed.

"Like you'd ever change Harry, you were never one for rules. OK Harry, I'll fit him, but I do expect you to supervise the boy."

Harry nodded his head in the affirmative.

With that Ollivander set to work with Teddy. "You know Teddy I sold wands to both your Mother and Father. I remember them quite clearly. I think I have just the wand for you. I've been holding for about seven years."

With a wink at Harry, Ollivander handed Teddy a box. "Hmm. It's cypress, 10 and a quarter inches, with unicorn hair core. Take it out and give it a swish."

Teddy opened the box and picked up the wand.

"Harry, my arm is tingling. And it feels warm;" said Teddy as a big smile crossed his face. He swished his wrist and pink stars burst out of the wand.

"Teddy, are you like your mother"? asked Ollivander.

Teddy looked at him and then Harry and back to Ollivander with confusion on his face.

Harry spoke up. "Teddy, he means are you a Metamorphmagus like Tonks"?

"Yes sir I am," and in that instant changed his hair to a multi colored Mohawk.

"Ollivander smiled. "I ask you Teddy because the wand you are holding is very powerful. And your mother and father had very powerful magic. The wand your father had was 10ΒΌ" long, made of cypress, and contained a unicorn hair core. The wand your mother had was 12 inches, willow and had a Welsh green dragon heart string. Very good for charms and defense. The wand you hold is like your mothers. It's the same size and wood but with a unicorn hair for core. It combines both your parents' traits. I think a wand has found your godson Harry."

"Go ahead Teddy, levitate the box. Just like at my house. "

Teddy concentrated and pointed his wand at the box, whispered "Wingardium leviosa" and swished his wrist and the box rose in the air and then flew across the room to crash against the wall.

"Well you'll have to work on controlling that but it's plain to see the wand has taken to you Teddy," declared Ollivander.

Teddy was now the proud owner of wand, a forearm wand holster and a small can of polish. The wand safely tucked in Harry's robes, the pair set off up the street towards the leaky Cauldron where they were to meet Ginny and Andromeda for lunch.

"Harry can I order a steak for lunch?"

"Sure Teddy, no problem."

"And can we have ice cream for dessert?"

"I've got a better idea Teddy. Why don't we stop and get a cone right now and eat it while wait for your Gran and Aunt Ginny. Just promise me not to tell them we had dessert first!"