A/N - Andromeda reminisces about Teddy as he is about to head off to Hogwarts.

Characters: Andromeda, Teddy, Harry

Rating: K

Word Count: 2543

This was also written for the Bouncy Castle Ride at the Hogwarts Fair on HPFC.

Andromeda sat at the kitchen table, finishing her tea, as Teddy moved about upstairs, checking his room for any last minute things he had forgotten to pack. She couldn't believe that he was off to Hogwarts today. The last eleven years had passed in the blink of an eye.

She remembered how angry she had been at first with both Nymphadora and Remus for dying, but mostly with her daughter for leaving her newborn son and running off to battle. After she had gotten the news, Andromeda had held the tiny boy and watched his hair lazily shift colors, tears running down her face. Her grief at losing first her husband and then her only child, was made all the worse by the thought that her beloved grandson would never truly know his parents.

Harry had been a godsend to them both. He had been one more person that Teddy knew loved him unconditionally. And Harry had been the support that Andromeda needed to work through her own grief while still caring for Teddy as he deserved.

She smiled as memories from Teddy's childhood flitted through her mind. Her grandson had been a true joy to raise, despite his somewhat mischievous nature. But, given whom his parents were, that part was not a surprise. She had truly loved every moment of it.

"Look sweetheart, there's your Mummy," Andromeda said, as she flipped the page in the photo album. Nearly two year-old Teddy stood at the coffee table, Andromeda sat behind him on the sofa. He stood between her legs and she had one arm around his middle. She had spelled the pages of the album so they wouldn't tear nor allow Teddy to leave any sticky fingerprints behind.

His hair was currently brown, matching Andromeda's own, which had become a common occurrence. When he was with Harry, it was nearly always black, unless Ginny came along and then it quickly cycled to red. It had been much the same with Nymphadora at this age.

Teddy pointed to the picture and smiled as a teenaged Dora waved back at him with a grin. Andromeda's breath caught for a moment before she kissed the top of her grandson's head.

The Floo chimed and she scooped both Teddy and the photo album up and carried him into the kitchen. Securing him into his high chair and settling the album back in front of him, she turned to the Floo.

"Hello Harry," she said.

"I'm just calling to check on this weekend," Harry explained. "I can pick him up just before lunch if that's all right."

"Yes, that should be-" Andromeda, who had been keeping one eye on Teddy as she spoke to Harry broke off abruptly with a gasp. Her hand trembled as she brought it to her mouth and Harry began craning his neck to try and see into the room.

"Andromeda," he said in concern. "Andromeda!" When she didn't respond, Harry pulled his head from the fireplace and came through, wand drawn. He immediately looked around the room for whatever the disturbance was, but saw only his godson sitting at the kitchen table, giggling. Harry knelt down in front of Andromeda and grasped her upper arms.

"Andromeda, what's the matter?" he demanded. She stared at Teddy for a few more seconds before shaking her head as if to clear it.

"His hair," she managed to whisper. Harry turned back to Teddy again. His hair was bubblegum pink. Harry's mouth dropped open as Teddy looked up at the two of them and smiled.

"Mama," he said and pointed to the photo. Andromeda's eyes filled as she stood. She walked to Teddy and ran a hand over his head.

"Yes, darling, that's your mama," she said.

The Floo activated and Harry stepped out with Teddy in his arms. The three year-old caught sight of Andromeda and grinned.

"Mummy!" he said excitedly. Andromeda stopped short and looked at Harry. He looked just as surprised as she. Ever since he could talk, Teddy had called her Nana.

"Hello darling," Andromeda said as she recovered. She took him from Harry's arms. "Did you have fun?" They had spent the day at the Burrow.

"Yes, Mummy," Teddy answered.

"Teddy, why are you calling me Mummy?" Andromeda asked.

"Cause you is my mummy," Teddy replied.

"No darling, I'm your grandmother," Andromeda said gently. But Teddy shook his head.

"No you is my mummy," he insisted. Andromeda glanced at Harry but he shrugged helplessly.

"Why do you think that?"

"Cause Grandma Molly telled me," he said. Andromeda's eyes narrowed in confusion. She couldn't imagine the Weasley matriarch would say something like that.

"What do you mean Teddy?" Harry asked.

"Grandma Molly telled George no sweets before lunch," Teddy reported. "And George said he's a growed man and he has sweets if he wanted." Andromeda bit her lip to keep from laughing at Teddy's pronunciation. "And Grandma Molly said she's George's mum and she said no sweets." He looked at the two adults as if that explained everything.

"And that made you call me mummy?" Andromeda asked. Teddy nodded. "But why?' He sighed.

"I asked Grandma Molly cause George is big and only little kids has mummys," he explained as if exasperated. "And Grandma Molly said that everyone has a mummy and mummys take care of you and make sure you don't gets too full with sweets before lunch even if you is big." He looked at his grandmother. "That's what you do, so you is my mummy." He smiled triumphantly. Andromeda met Harry's gaze over Teddy's head. He smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry," Harry mouthed. But Andromeda just shook her head. She walked to the kitchen table and sat Teddy down on the top of it then sat in a chair in front of him. She took his little hands in her own.

"Teddy," she said. "You are right, I do all of those things that Grandma Molly said. But I am not your mummy."

"You isn't?" Teddy asked in confusion.

"No, sweetheart," she said. "Little boys and girls do not always grow up with their mummys or daddys. Sometimes they live with their grandparents or aunts or uncles or even someone not related to them. You know that your mummy and daddy died when you were just a tiny baby. So even though I love you and take care of you and do all the things that Grandma Molly said, I'm your Nana, not your mummy."

"Oh," Teddy said softly, his small face falling. She gathered him into her arms and hugged him. He sniffled a bit and Harry stepped forward and rubbed his back.

"Nana?" Teddy asked.

"Yes," Andromeda replied.

"Can I call you Grandmummy instead?" Andromeda choked on a sob.

"Of course you can," she told him.

Andromeda and Teddy stepped from the Floo into St. Mungo's. Teddy held her hand tightly as they made their way to the labor and delivery floor. Andromeda glanced down at her grandson, whose hair was now solidly black, short and messy. If she had to lay odds, she'd say his eyes were green as well. She squeezed his hand gently to reassure him.

They stopped at the door of Ginny's room and looked inside. Ginny was sitting up in bed, holding a small bundle and Harry was perched on the edge looking down at his son. Teddy hung back, but Andromeda gently pulled him into the room.

"Hello Harry, Ginny," she greeted. "Congratulations."

"Andromeda," Harry said with a smile as he rose. He hugged her and then squatted down in front of Teddy. "Hey mate, I'm glad you're here. Would you like to meet James?" Teddy looked up at Andromeda and she saw that his eyes were indeed green. Andromeda nodded and Teddy let go of her hand.

"Okay," he said a bit reluctantly. Harry ruffled his hair and led him to the bed. Ginny leaned over a bit, so Teddy could get a better look at the baby. Teddy wrinkled up his nose as if he weren't very impressed.

"He's really small," he said. Harry chuckled.

"I remember when you were this small," Harry told him with a grin. Teddy gave him a doubting look.

"Would you like to hold him?" Ginny asked. Teddy shook his head.

"Well I would, if you're offering," Andromeda said. Ginny held the baby out to her and she took him in her arms. She sat down in the chair next to the bed, allowing Teddy to have a better look at little James. Teddy watched him for a moment before turning away and looking at Harry again.

Andromeda knew that Teddy was feeling insecure and wondering just where his place lay with Harry now that he had his own son. But nothing she had said seemed to convince him. She knew this was something the two of them would have to work out on their own.

"So what do you think?" Harry asked. Teddy shrugged his shoulders.

"He's okay," he said. Harry glanced at Ginny and she gave him a reassuring smile. Harry squatted down next to Teddy again.

"Well, you know," he said. "James here is going to need someone to teach him all kinds of things." Teddy looked at Harry solemnly. "Like how to ride a broom or catch a Quaffle or play Exploding Snap."

"You taught me those things," Teddy said quietly.

"I did," Harry agreed.

"So you can teach James," Teddy continued, scuffing the toe of his trainer against the floor.

"I could," Harry said

and Andromeda saw her grandson's shoulders slump. "But I was thinking maybe you might help me." Teddy's head snapped up.

"Me?" Teddy questioned.

"Sure," Harry replied. "Who's the best six year-old flyer I know?"

"I am," Teddy said confidently.

"That's right mate, you are," Harry returned. "So I need your help. And James will too. What do you say?" Teddy looked at his godfather and then back to the baby sleeping quietly in his grandmother's arms.

"Sort of like a big brother?" he asked. Harry smiled and paused to get his emotions under control.

"Yes, Teddy, exactly like that," Harry replied softly. Teddy grinned and threw his arm around Harry's neck.

"Okay," he agreed.

Andromeda was pulled from her reverie as she heard Teddy's footsteps on the stairs. She looked up and smiled at him as he came into the kitchen. He looked at her a bit nervously before continuing on into the dining room and stopping in front of the large mirror that hung on the wall.

Andromeda followed and watched as his hair changed from its customary shade of blue to a sandy brown, very similar to what Remus' color had been. She looked at him questioningly, but he just shrugged.

"It's the first day," he said by way of explanation. She smiled and put an arm around his shoulders and gave them a squeeze.

"Don't ever be afraid to be yourself," she said as she looked at him in the mirror.

"I'm not. It's just that, well," he trailed off, worrying his lip between his teeth.

"It's just what darling?" she asked in confusion. Teddy looked at her for a moment.

"I look more like Dad this way," he finally blurted out. Andromeda smiled again.

"I think you look very handsome this way," she said as they both examined his reflection in the mirror in front of them. "Now come, we do not want to be late."

"Uncle Harry is still meeting us there right?" Teddy asked.

"Of course, he told you that he was, didn't he?" she questioned.

"Yeah, but you know sometimes with Lily now, he's a lot busier," Teddy replied. It was true. With three children under the age of five, Harry's life was completely mad at times. But he had only had to cancel plans with Teddy once and that was only because both the boys were sick and Ginny was eight months pregnant and exhausted.

"Teddy, Harry has never cancelled plans with you unless it was for a very good reason," she chided gently. "Why would he start now? Especially today of all days?" Teddy shrugged, but Andromeda could see the quiver of his lip. She pulled her grandson into her arms. "What is it?"

"Do you think," he paused and took a breath. "Do you think they would be proud of me?" Tears instantly filled Andromeda's eyes.

"Oh my darling, they would be extremely proud of you," she managed, resting her cheek on the top of Teddy's head. "They are proud of you, as I am." They stood there in silence for a few moments. Andromeda pulled back from him a bit.

"I cannot believe you are old enough to go to Hogwarts," she said. "It seems like just yesterday you were giving me jam-covered kisses."

"Grandmum," he complained with a roll of his eyes. He smiled at the special name he had just for her. She thought that as he got older and understood more, he would change it, but he never had, simply shortening it from Grandmummy to Grandmum. She laughed.

"All right, let's go, we're going to be late." She waved her wand and shrunk his trunk, tucking it into her pocket. She wrapped her arms around him once more. "Ready?" He nodded and she spun and they disappeared.

They waited on Platform 9 ¾, Teddy looking around anxiously for Harry.

"He'll be here," Andromeda assured him. "He still has fifteen minutes." She glanced back at the barrier. "Look, here he comes now." Harry was hurrying down the platform towards them and she felt Teddy relax.

"Sorry I'm late," Harry said breathlessly as he reached them. "James and Al had a food fight at breakfast and Lily dumped an entire bag of flour in the kitchen." He shook his head as Andromeda chuckled. While she did wish Teddy had had siblings or even Nymphadora for that matter, she was sometimes quite glad that she'd only had one child to deal with at a time.

"Ready?" Harry asked Teddy and Teddy nodded, but bit his lip at the same time. Harry put his hands on his godson's shoulders. "I'm so proud of you Teddy."

"Thanks Uncle Harry," Teddy said shyly. Harry grinned.

"Don't give Professor McGonagall too much trouble, yeah?" he said.

"I won't," Teddy laughed.

"Well, maybe a little bit of trouble," Harry winked.

"Harry," Andromeda admonished. "Don't you dare listen to your godfather Edward Lupin." Teddy laughed and Andromeda hid a smile. Harry could always calm Teddy and make him laugh. "All right on to the train with you." Harry helped him with his trunk and Andromeda gave him another hug and kiss before Teddy climbed up the steps and took his trunk from Harry.

"Be sure to owl tonight after you've been sorted," Andromeda said.

"I will," Teddy assured her.

"Good luck mate," Harry said. "I know you'll have a fabulous time."

"See you at Christmas," Teddy called as the train belched out more steam.

"Good bye," Andromeda waved as the train began to move.

"Bye Ted!" Harry called. Teddy waved and Andromeda blinked rapidly to keep the tears from falling.

"He'll be fine," Harry said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Andromeda nodded.

"I know he will," she said with a smile.