Learning to move on
I don't own 'Harry Potter'
"Harry!"
He felt the wind get knocked out of him as the seven-year-old ploughed into his legs, holding on tightly. Teddy was adorable as usual and he was sporting his favourite shade of blue hair.
Harry grinned at his hyperactive godson and leaned down, wrapping his arms around him before lifting him off the ground and twirling around.
"Careful, Potter! He's just eaten, and if he pukes everywhere, you'll be cleaning it up!"
The man smirked at the voice from the hallway and slowed down despite Teddy's moaning. The boy was now pouting, but even he was aware not to challenge the owner of that voice.
"Mum! I'm not going to be sick!"
"That's what you said last week before you threw up on Charlie's shoes."
Harry snorted at the mental image and put Teddy down as his mother walked in. He smiled at Tonks and offered her a drink, which she took after ruffling her son's hair, smiling as he ran off.
The war hadn't been kind to anyone, though Harry had been so relieved when Tonks hadn't been dead as presumed. Though he'd still cried at Remus' death, there'd been a weary relief that his godson wouldn't have to grow up as an orphan.
He couldn't help but admire Tonks. She'd lost both her dad and her husband, yet she'd picked herself up and set about looking after her son immediately. There was no doubt that she'd grieved, but she didn't let it affect her parenting.
Harry had also been relieved that Tonks let him look after Teddy. He'd wondered if she would blame him for being a single mother and ban him from seeing her son. He wouldn't have blamed her if she did.
Voicing those thoughts got him nothing but a slap to the back of the head and a lecture.
"Harry, Remus and I both named you Teddy's godfather. We never would have done it unless we thought you could look after him. I'm not about to revoke that because Remus is gone. His death was not your fault. This was not your fault.
"None of this was because of you. This was because of one crazy old man who couldn't do us a favour and stay dead. I'm not punishing you for something someone else did, okay? Besides, I'll need a babysitter from time to time."
He grinned at the memory. He'd thrown himself into looking after Teddy and helping Tonks, even when others didn't agree. Ginny hadn't understood why he was doing so much, but she'd never grown up missing one or both parents. Their relationship had been stretched too far in the war and this had been the last tug before the bond broke. Not that he cared much anymore.
Tonks' voice broke his musing. "So, how was work?"
He shrugged. "Okay."
"Okay?" The woman looked unimpressed with his answer.
He tapped his fingers on the side before letting out a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair.
"Fine, it sucks. I actually hate being an Auror, and I think about quitting every single, bloody day. Happy?"
"So quit."
Harry gaped at her. "But …"
"Listen Potter, you don't owe anyone jack shit, so if you want to quit, go for it. Do what makes you happy."
"I … I already am."
She blinked at him. "What do you mean?"
"… Looking after Teddy and helping you makes me happy."
"Harry."
He kept his eyes down, feeling the heat on his cheeks. He knew falling for the widowed mother of your godson wasn't a good idea but apparently his emotions had decided to do their own thing over the past few years.
He looked up in time to see Tonks lean in and he froze at the feeling of soft lips on his. Warm hands held his arms, and he tensed before he relaxed into the kiss with his eyes closed.
When he opened them, it was to the sight of pink hair and green eyes.
"You're not betraying anyone, and it's okay for us to do this and move on."
"How is it you always know what I'm thinking?"
She smirked. "I'm just that awesome."
He huffed a laugh, tightening his grip around her.
Suddenly she grinned at him salaciously and he got a sense of foreboding.
"So, how many Heirs do you need anyway?"
"Tonks!"
He covered his reddening face to the sound of her cackling.
Why did I fall for this woman?