The Charms corridor seemed to be breathing in a single breath. There stood James Potter and Sirius Black glowering at a fifth-year Hufflepuff boy. Remus Lupin was trying to gather enough courage to firmly put his foot down and tell his two best friends not to hex the Hufflepuff boy just because Sirius and James wanted to. Peter Pettigrew's jaw had slightly dropped, as usual impressed with the power his three friends held.
Lily Evans stood at the entrance to the Charms classroom with Mary McDonald. A group of Hufflepuff's stood behind the boy James was glowering at.
"Look! I didn't do anything to trouble you! Why don't you just leave me alone?" Ryan shouted.
"Leave you alone?" James bellowed. Lily was certain that James was bullying Ryan. But then Remus spoke, "James…."
"No, Remus! I will not let Connors use Greens as a punching bag!"
"As a prefect, you should be the first one to step up and stop such harassment, Remus!" Sirius Black said, "Don't worry, Greens! We will see to it that Connors knows his limits!"
Lily, who had been totally convinced that James and Sirius were the ones bullying Ryan Connors, was surprised.
"My life, my rules!" Ryan screamed
Remus Lupin stood up to his full height. "Five Points from Hufflepuff, Connors! And if you are found going after Greens one more time!"
Greens was grateful, "Thank you so much, Lupin, Potter, and Black." and ran away.
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Ginny was afraid of the idea of facing the school. She slowly walked away from the Hospital Wing. A lot of people gave her terrified looks and pointed fingers at her. Ginny's eyes welled up so often, and she decided to go into a corner to avoid all those accusing stares.
"So? Want a game of Exploding Snap?"
She looked up and saw Harry looking at her like a friend. Those intense green eyes that made her weak in the knees did not hold pity. Instead, he spoke like a friend. He played Exploding Snap with her, true to his word. (Check my fanfiction "The Game of Exploding Snap" s/14041710/1/The-Game-Of-Exploding-Snap )
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Lily Evans sat for dinner in the Great Hall with Mary. They were enjoying their beef casserole. Just then, Lily heard a sniff. Diagonally, Sirius Black sat in between Remus and James. Peter Pettigrew sat directly opposite Lily, but his attention was on Sirius. Sirius had red eyes!
"P-Padfoot…" James said.
"Prongs, you are the bestest friend in the world! And it is so kind of Mr. and Mrs. Potter! It's been almost a year since I ran away and came to the Potters! And you took me in willingly. I'm so grateful!"
"Anybody would have done this in my place. And anyone in your situation would've run away. It's not your fault." James said, patting Sirius' back. Lily had never seen any of the Marauders showing raw emotions like this.
"Not everyone takes in their best friend after they run away from an abusive home, Padfoot." Sirius wiped his eyes. "H-How do I repay…." But Remus cut him. "How shall I repay you for becoming an Animagus for my sake, Padfoot? Prongs? Wormtail?"
Sirius looked up, shocked. "What? No, Moony! Anyone would've done that for you!"
James nodded, "Yeah, Moony. Remember what Padfoot and I told you on the last day of term during the second year? That we would do anything for you! And we became Animagi for you!" He turned to Sirius, "Padfoot, we would do anything for you! Please don't hesitate to ask Mum and Dad or me."
Sirius nodded. "Thanks, Prongs!"
"Hey! Friends don't say thanks, you prat!" James laughed. Remus patted Sirius' back. Just then, a younger boy who looked like Sirius came up to them from the Slytherin table.
"S-Sirius…"
"Reg! What is it? Come to laugh at me or something?" Sirius said sharply, his eyes welling up, "You and your Death Eater values will take you nowhere! You mark my words!"
Regulus Black started to cry, "Brother, please! You and I were so close! Please come back!" This rather reminded Lily strongly of Petunia and herself. Instantly, a wave of pity erupted inside of her for the two Black brothers.
"Too late, Reg! Mum and Dad will not give up all archaic and outdated belief's and to make things worse, they have been making my life hell! Oh, and you're one of them!"
"Please, Sirius. It has been almost a year." Regulus cried. "Look! Mum and Dad are by no means more or less important to me than you! It hurts me to see you and Mum and Dad on opposite ends!" Regulus cried.
"Maybe try telling Mum and Dad that. Leave me alone, Reg!" Sirius stood up and went. "Padfoot!" James, Remus, and Peter dashed out after him.
Regulus bent his head and returned to the Slytherin table.
The entire day, Lily noticed something apart from Sirius' dull mood. Remus Lupin looked tired and worn out. Severus Snape even pointed it out to her later in Potions.
"You see those guys, Lily?"
"Stop it, Severus. I told you, it's too late! I'm nothing but a 'Mudblood' to you, ain't I?" Lily snapped.
Snape said, "Lily, please. Okay, I apologized for that, didn't I?"
"Too late! Like I told you that day back in fifth year, I've made enough excuses for you over the years! But you still hang out with those Death Eater wannabe guys! Now, don't even try and act like nothing's ever happened!"
"I won't let you hang around them!" Snape said rather roughly. Lily scowled at him.
"Go away, Snape!" She left, leaving a jealous and frustrated Severus in her wake. But she knew even as she left that Severus would go back to his Death Eater friends, and he did just that.
"Avery! Mulciber! I'm here!"
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Harry looked at the Chocolate Egg Ginny had given him for a moment, and a lump rose in his throat. "It's not Cho I want to talk to. I want to talk to Sirius." He admitted.
Eating her Chocolate Egg, Ginny loudly wondered if this can't be done. She said, "When you grow up with Fred and George, you realize anything is possible if you have got enough nerve!"
Harry stared at the redhead, not sure what was going on inside of him. Something rose within his chest and he watched as Ginny looked at him.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING? Chocolate in the library!" she screamed. "Out — out — OUT!" Madame Pince chased the two teenagers out of the library.
Ginny leant against the wall, panting for breath. Harry saw as her flaming red hair fell across her face. The freckles on her nose and cheeks were pulsing with life. Her chocolate brown eyes twinkled with mirth and mischief. Harry suddenly wished he had more time in the library with Ginny.
Ginny stopped laughing after a while and looked at Harry, who was still grinning. His green eyes were lit with mischief and joy. But it soon went back to being dull because Harry really wanted to talk to the only family he ever had, Sirius Black. Ginny's heart went out for him. Even as she looked into those brilliant green eyes, she got lost in them.
"I-I think we should go, Harry." Ginny said.
Harry's heart sank for reasons he didn't know himself. "B-But w-why… I mean…."
"Micheal Corner." Ginny shrugged, and went in the opposite direction. Harry had the sudden urge to hex Micheal Corner into the next week.
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Lily had just finished helping Professor Sprout with some Mandrakes for the Herbology lesson the following day and was returning to Gryffindor Tower. At the Entrance Hall, she froze. "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot! Coast clear!" James called out. Remus Lupin was transforming into a werewolf!
"I think it's time." James nodded with concentration. Sirius pushed his wand further down his robes. Peter Pettigrew seemed to be waiting for something.
Then, it happened. Pettigrew turned into a rat and followed the werewolf outside the castle. They were followed by Sirius, who had transformed into a shaggy black dog. "I'm coming!" James said and transformed into the most elegant, handsome, and vigorous stag Lily had ever set her eyes upon. Prongs shone in the moonlight.
"Nalini! (Flower in Sanskrit)." Lily told the Fat Lady and entered the Gryffindor Common Room. She went straight to the sixth-year girls' dormitories and lay down on her bed. But even as she closed her eyes, the image of the stag she saw earlier came up in her mind. Try as she may, she couldn't get it out of her mind.
She went to the table near the window and poured herself some water. She glanced out of her window and saw a werewolf running around happily with a shaggy black dog. A small figure was on the dog's head, which Lily assumed (correctly) was the rat. But, where was the stag?
She looked around in anticipation and worry. Then, out of nowhere, the stag jumped from the bushes, and she heard a faint sound of merry laughter from them. The stag, dog, and rat transformed into Prongs, Padfoot, and Wormtail, respectively, while the werewolf slept contentedly. Lily could hear, "Dear old Moony with his furry little problem!" said repeatedly. The tone was one of fondness.
Even as James fell back laughing, the image of a certain red-headed girl with brilliant green eyes the shape of an almond floated in his memory. Without even realizing it, his right hand went up to his messy black hair and made it messier. He had had a crush on Lily Evans since that Hogsmeade trip in third year when Lily was dressed in a dark green dress that matched her green eyes perfectly.
"… Isn't it, Prongs? Prongs? PRONGS!" Sirius' voice shook James out of his reverie. Looking around, he saw Sirius and Peter grinning at him knowingly. He began blushing, "W-What? Nothing, I just thought we should go for a ride. Moony won't be asleep for long, and he will fancy a walk."
And sure enough, Remus Lupin awoke just then. Lily Evans watched from the window as James Potter transformed into that handsome stag and Sirius Black transformed into that shaggy black dog, and presumably Peter Pettigrew had also transformed into the rat. She watched as the four of them went in the direction of Hogsmeade village.
"Evans? Will you close that window? It's getting cold!" The voice of Natalie Brown brought Lily back to where she stood. "S-Sorry, Brown." She grinned sheepishly and shut the window even as Brown gave her a knowing look. By now, Lily was sure everyone in her dormitory knew she had a crush on one of the Marauders. What they didn't know was that that boy was James Potter.
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Dean Thomas had crushed his glass, Romilda Vane looked mad, Hermione Granger was beaming, and Ronald Weasley's mouth was open. When Ronald nodded as if to say, "Well, if you must." Harry took Ginny with him outside the Common Room.
Ginny couldn't believe it. Here was the boy she had had a crush on since Merlin knows when and he had finally noticed her! His green eyes looked at her with so much love that she melted in his arms. They sat by a tree. Harry leant against it and Ginny sat in between his legs. The back of Ginny's head rested on Harry's chest as he wrapped his arms around her.
Harry stared at her chocolate brown eyes. Merlin knows he was an ignorant git! How had he not noticed these eyes or the lovely freckles on her face or her flaming mane red hair earlier? He had missed out on so much! The chest monster inside of him roared in triumph as he captured her lips in a passionate snog.
"Wait a minute, Gin. Have you been studying?" Harry said, a while later.
"You sound like Hermione." Ginny frowned.
"Can't help. Don't care. Are you studying or not?" Harry asked sternly.
Ginny had a guilty look on her face. "That greasy git of a professor has given me a boring Potions essay. I haven't completed it,"
Harry laughed at the 'greasy git' part but quickly became serious. "Gin, it is important that you study. Your O.W.L.'s are coming up!"
"I don't want to!" Ginny buried her face in Harry's shirt.
"Okay, how about we play a quiz? I ask you questions and you answer them." Harry offered, patting the back of Ginny's head. Ginny nodded into his chest. Harry grinned. At least this way, Ginny and him could spend more time but without compromising on one of the most important exams in Ginny's schooling.
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James Potter was an amazing Chaser! He flew gracefully with the Quaffle and earned Gryffindor yet another score. Lily had to marvel how James was playing despite having not slept well the previous night, which had been a full moon. Potter, Black, Lupin, and Pettigrew had returned from the grounds at half-past four in the morning! How were they this active even with only about two and half hours of sleep?
Lily loved watching James play Quidditch. His jet black hair flew with the wind, his face betrayed pure happiness and distinct concentration, and his body was bent at the right angle to steer the broom. Lily sighed. She was falling for Potter, and she knew her friends would surely notice this soon! Just then, the Gryffindor Seeker caught the Golden Snitch, and Gryffindor won!
"POTTER! POTTER! POTTER!" The crowd cheered. James was clearly the hero of the match, and his skills were legendary. Lily got so carried away that she found herself cheering despite herself, "POTTER!"
James turned towards her at her voice, and Lily saw his face flush with such radiant joy! Red in the face, happy that the girl he fancied finally noticed him. Lily found herself blushing furiously as well!
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"I've had enough trouble for a lifetime," Harry told Ron and Hermione. Moving up to Gryffindor Tower, he saw his best friends engage in a passionate cuddle and snog.
Just as he entered the Common Room, by the window, she sat with her legs pressed against her chest. She had her arms around her legs and was leaning towards the window. There was no one else at the Common Room and Harry took slow steps towards her. He couldn't believe it. He had never imagined she and him would survive. He always thought he could only dream of such a future — a future with Ginny in his arms and lots of redheaded children with green eyes running around them.
When they broke up in June last year, when he went to the Burrow in July, during the Horcrux Hunt…. There wasn't a moment Harry did not miss and yearn for Ginny. He would stare at Ginny's name in the Marauders Map for hours. He would long for the scent of her fiery red hair, the warmth of her chocolate brown eyes, the taste of her lips against his, and the feel of her in his arms.
Her cheeks were gashed, her eyes were bloodshot, her arms were covered in bruises, and her shoulders were hunched.
"G-Ginny?" He croaked. Ginny jumped. She stared at him, her eyes welling up.
"You prat! I thought you were dead there!" She ran up to him and began punching his arm and broke down. Harry gathered her in his arms and held her close. "I am sorry, Gin. But I had to do that last bit to defeat Voldemort. I am sorry. For keeping away from you for so long." He muttered into her red hair from where he could inhale that familiar flowery scent that so reminded him of Ginevra Weasley. Ginevra Potter. Oh, how that made him blush.
But even as all of Ginny's fear, hurt, sorrow, pain, anger, frustration, and guilt bled through her eyes into Harry's shirt, Harry remembered with a jolt.
FRED WEASLEY!
Ginny had lost one of her brothers in the Battle of Hogwarts. Fred Weasley had died in combat. Harry mentally kicked himself for taking so long to remember this. Not only had he been away from Ginny for so many months, he wasn't chilling out but was trying to defeat Voldemort but still, but there had also been a full grown battle immediately!
Ginny pulled back and wiped her eyes, "H-Harry. I-I missed you."
"Ginny!" Harry said, holding her shoulders, "I need to apologize. For everything! For being away from you for so long, for the breakup. You know I broke up with you keep you safe. W-Will you give me a second chance? To date you, to be a proper boyfriend instead of what I was."
Ginny shook her head, "Harry, I'm glad you're back safe and that's what matters to me. I was so ready to die when you had apparently died…." She burst into tears again.
Harry cupped her face in his palms and wiped her tears with his thumbs. "I know. I frightened all of you. But that was an important step to defeat that pathetic monster. So many people died fighting him in both Wizarding Wars and especially today. I had to stop him. I-I'm sorry about Fred, Gin. Remus, Tonks, Colin, so many of them." He pulled her in closer and she wept into his chest.
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"Tuney!" Petunia turned around and saw Lily jump into her arms. "Mum…. Dad…."
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, LILY!" Petunia pushed Lily away, venom dripping from her eyes and mouth. "GET OUT OF HERE!"
"But, Mum, Dad…." Lily sobbed. James Potter came behind Lily just as Vernon Dursley stood next to Petunia.
"Yes! They died because you are a freak! Now get out of here! You and your boyfriend!" Petunia sneered.
"P-Petunia, p-please!" Lily sobbed. But Petunia made to push Lily. Just then, James stepped forward, "I will not let anyone shove Lily!"
"THEN GET THE RUDDY HELL OUT OF HERE!" Vernon Dursley roared.
Stunned by the rudeness and unwelcome nature, Lily and James stepped back, "Fine!" James said. Lily kept looking back even as James held her and walked out slowly. Just as they stepped outside, they heard Petunia shriek, "YOU ARE A FREAK, LILY! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AND YOUR BOYFRIEND EVER AGAIN! Mum and Dad are dead, so I'm under no more obligation to entertain you! freaks!" The voice followed them out of the graveyard.
Lily buried her face in James' chest as all the pain, sorrow, and heartbreak bled out of her eyes, soaking through his shirt. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and glared at Petunia. But his eyes met Vernon's cold eyes. Petunia was sobbing into Vernon's chest, and he had his arms around her. "S-She is such a freak, Vernon!" She kept saying. Vernon turned away haughtily towards Petunia. The view was blurred, and James realized he was also crying.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans were dead, and Petunia wanted nothing to do with Lily anymore. This went through Lily's heart like a cold knife, and she sobbed harder as James held her close.
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Hand in hand, Harry and Ginny went to the Great Hall. All the Weasleys were there. By now, even Hermione, Angelina, and a brown-haired young witch Harry had never seen before stood as part of the Weasley group. Molly was the first to see them. She went up and pulled in her daughter and Harry for the signature Weasley hug.
Harry looked around. This was his family. Molly and Arthur Weasley. Bill and Fleur. Charlie and Fred. George and Angelina. Ron and Hermione. Percy and…. The brown-haired girl?
"This is Audrey, Ginny," Percy said. "Audrey, remember I told you about my only sister? Well, here she is. Ginevra Molly Weasley."
"Potter," Ginny said suddenly.
"S-Sorry?" Percy said. All the Weasleys stared at Ginny.
"Yes, Harry and I are getting engaged," Ginny said, and Harry put an arm around her. Just then, Ron spoke too. "Right. Hermione and I are getting married as well."
A split-second silence later, all the Weasleys cheered for the new couples. Harry shook hands with Audrey, who seemed to be trying very hard not to gawk at his lightning bolt scar. Evidently, Percy had told her Harry didn't like people gawking at his scar.
Harry was met with Neville and Luna just then. Luna and Neville grinned and hugged Harry. Soon, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny joined the hug. The six teenagers hugged and cheered one another. Neville pulled back and cleared his throat.
"Well, now, time to introduce someone special to me." He beckoned Hannah Abbott, a Hufflepuff girl, to her. Neville and Hannah then turned towards Neville's friends.
"Yes?" Harry asked, even as Hermione grinned knowingly at Neville, Ron and Ginny exchanged knowing looks, and Luna beamed at the pair.
Neville rolled his eyes. "Harry! You know Hannah Abbott?"
"Yes, I do. HANG ON! You don't mean….?" Harry's face split into a wide grin as he understood. Soon, everybody shook hands with Hannah, and she and Neville blushed.
"So, Luna. Your turn. You wanted to tell us something?" Neville asked Luna. Hannah looked curious. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were interested in what Luna had to say. She cleared her throat.
"Well, first of all, I'm not returning to Hogwarts for my seventh year."
Harry felt the excitement visibly drain from Ginny. He found he was no longer grinning. Ron and Hermione's eyes were wide open. Neville's jaw had dropped, and Hannah had a slight frown. "Why, Luna?" Hannah asked.
Luna shrugged. "I'm moving to the Egyptian School of Magic. We will be staying there for a couple of years. I want to be a Magizoologist. I'll get one of the best opportunities there. Newt Scamander's family stays there, you know?"
"The war is over…." Ginny said, clearly struggling. "You're one of the fewest friends I have, Luna. And I know for a fact the same holds true for Hermione too."
"It's not about the war, Ginny. Trust me. Besides, I'm going to be writing letters to all of you frequently. That's a promise!" Luna added brightly. When everyone looked at each other sadly, Luna said.
"Fine. Harry. Number 4, Privet Drive, Surrey. Right?"
"No. You could write to the Burrow." Harry said.
"You can contact me at the Burrow as well," Hermione said.
"Wow! Four of you in one place! Makes my job easier" Luna smiled.
"Neville? Number 30, Longbottom Manor. Is that correct?"
"Yes, Luna. Hannah will be living with me there." Neville smiled.
Luna went and hugged Neville. "I'll miss you, Neville. And Hannah! We should certainly get together some time!" She said as she hugged Hannah. "Sure, Luna!" She smiled.
Luna hugged Hermione and Ginny. "Girls, I already miss you!" Ginny and Hermione gave watery smiles.
Luna hugged Ron. "You are such a loyal friend, Ron!" Ron said, "I'll miss your witty comments the most, Luna."
Luna hugged Harry, "Harry! You are the bravest man and among the most loyal friends, I have ever met! We will stay in correspondence!" Harry said, "Y-Yes, Luna!"
Harry noted that Luna was shorter than most of them but could give the warmest of hugs. He wasn't alone in thinking so. Luna left. Soon, Neville put an arm around Hannah, and they left too.
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James woke up that morning feeling a dull pain within. He wondered why he was feeling so.
"What's wrong, Jamie Love?" Lily asked sleepily.
"Something I can't explain, Lily. I don't know why my love!" James shook his head.
Soon, Sirius, Remus, and Peter visited the Potters
"How are Mr. and Mrs. Potter now?" Sirius asked with concern.
"I'm so worried, Padfoot." James shook his head.
"Let's pray everything goes well," Remus said.
"Yeah, Moony. Even so, I have this foreboding feeling in my stomach." James said.
"Okay, here's what we will do. James, Lily, you get ready and come slowly. I'll be at St. Mungos till then." Peter supplied.
"Thanks, Wormy," Lily said. "Yeah, Wormtail." James nodded.
"I'll come with you," Sirius told Peter. And so the pair left.
Lily and James ate breakfast with Remus.
"Moony, I'm telling you. You should consider shifting to the Potters." James said.
"Prongs, I can't be a bur…."
"DON'T," James hissed, "SAY THE WORD!"
"You are not a burden, Moony. Nor is Padfoot or Wormy." Lily said kindly. Remus smiled in gratitude.
"I think we should go now," Remus said after wiping a tear. He was so thankful to the Potters, to Sirius, and Peter.
James' gut twisted uncomfortably even as they entered St. Mungos. Finally, Wormtail stood in front of them.
"P-Prongs! James! Lily!" He sobbed. "Moony, help me tell this. I'm too scared."
"W-What is it, Wormtail?" James asked, suddenly feeling his stomach drop. Lily looked on the verge of tears, and Remus bit his fingernails out of fear.
"G-GONE!" Peter burst into tears. "Mr. and Mrs. Potter!"
"No! No! NO!" James said, shaking with emotion. "Wormtail, this is no joke! We aren't pranking anyone here, so you…." Just then, Sirius came into view.
One look at the young Potter couple and Sirius burst into noisy tears, confirming James' worst fears. Mr. and Mrs. Potter had indeed succumbed to Dragon Pox! Remus and Sirius were crying into each other's shoulders. Lily had covered her face in her hands.
James let out a howl and collapsed on the floor. Lily went to her knees and held James close as James wailed, wept, and sobbed into Lily's chest. Lily held him tight as James poured out all his emotions into her T-shirt.
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Just as Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron walked out into the Entrance Hall, they were met by none other than Andromeda Tonks with a newborn baby with bubblegum pink hair. Harry's heart sank. Another orphan! Remus and Tonks were dead! Remus Lupin! Sirius Black! James Potter! Lily Evans Potter!
Without a word, Harry moved forward and took the infant from Andromeda. Andromeda looked surprised but gave him a knowing look. By now, everyone knew Harry was Teddy Lupin's Godfather.
"H-Harry, after you're done, can you give the child to his Godmother?" Ginny said. Harry looked at her. "Godmother? Wow! I think we should hold the baby together, then!" Ginny moved in to hold the baby, and Harry held Ginny and the baby in his arms.
"I swear, Teddy! I'll give you the childhood I was denied thanks to the Dursleys, Voldemort, and the war." Harry whispered. Ginny smiled at him. Andromeda was crying softly. Ron and Hermione pretended onions were lying in random around the place. After all, the House Elves had fought the battle with kitchen instruments. Surely some onion residue would've been left behind?
Andromeda suddenly said, "Cissy!" and went up to the Malfoys. Just as Narcissa and Lucius talked to Andromeda, Draco Malfoy came up to Harry.
"He is so cute!" Draco said, looking at Teddy. "I could give my life for him."
"Will you?" Ron said, rather aggressively.
"I know things won't be the same between any of you and me, Weasley. But I've had enough of the rivalry. If we can't be friends, we could at least not, you know," Draco said.
"Right," Hermione said. "Malfoy. Harry and Ginny are Teddy's Godparents. Not to mention Teddy also has Ron and me. So, before anybody tries to get at Teddy…."
"NO!" Malfoy looked horrified. "I swear, Granger! I do not wish harm or intend to hurt Teddy or any of you. All I ask is just one thing. Let our rivalries not extend to them." He looked tenderly at Teddy. Ginny, Ron, and Hermione glared at Malfoy, but Harry shook his head.
"You are right, Malfoy. Teddy Lupin shouldn't grow up the way we did. Prejudice, hatred, enmity, bias, discrimination, and old pureblood values are never good. That's what caused these wars. Teddy's parents died to make a better world for Teddy, and we should respect that." He gave the child to Ginny and extended a hand. Malfoy looked surprised but shook Harry's hand nevertheless.
"C-Can I come and visit Teddy sometime?" Draco asked.
"Of course, you can. But if you're talking about the Burrow, you have to ask the Weasleys." Harry said.
"Weasley. Weasley. Granger." Draco looked at them. Harry took the baby from Ginny's arms as Ginny shook hands with Draco. Hermione followed soon after. While the girls glared at Malfoy while shaking hands, Ron practically bit his lips to avoid retorting as he shook hands with Malfoy.
"We would love to visit!" Narcissa and Lucius had come with Andromeda.
"Your grandson… Nay, my grandson, looks so adorable, Andi!" Narcissa cried. She made to take the baby from Harry. Harry hesitated and looked at Andromeda, who wiped her eyes and nodded encouragingly at Harry. Harry gave Narcissa the baby.
"Can I hold him too, Potter?" Malfoy asked. Harry laughed. "Sure, Malfoy."
Narcissa and Draco took turns holding, cuddling the baby close, kissing the baby all over, and whispering sweet nothings into the baby's ears before Draco finally handed the baby over to Ginny.
The Malfoys thanked Andromeda, Harry, and Ginny. Draco even smiled politely at Ron and Hermione. Andromeda went with Narcissa while Lucius decided to find a seat and sit for some time. Draco, however, blushed furiously and went to a Slytherin girl sitting next to Daphne Greengrass in the chamber leading off the Great Hall.
"That's Astoria Greengrass," Hermione said.
"Blimey! Daphne Greengrass's sister?" Ron said.
"And it seems like Malfoy fancies the younger girl!" Ginny said.
"I'm just happy for them." Harry shrugged. "Come, guys."
Next chapter is coming up soon! Stay tuned!