Disclaimer: Don't own. Not making any cash from it :)
Note: Gabrielle is 30, Teddy was born a bit after Harry's fourth year and Edward Teddy's first name in cannon. I use Teddy and Edward swapping because he goes by Edward professionally and normally and Teddy is a nickname and what he went by as a child/teen.
Harry swore as he woke up confused and with a migraine. The sun blinded him and he tried to think. He was in his New York house. He flooed there after a date with Luna. Edward called because he needed a break and to see Harry. He spent the weekend off, getting the green light from his boss, in order to prepare the house with a house elf.
His godson was coming over. It was a year since he last saw Teddy. After Andy had been badly injured in the car accident he was put into Harry's care. She was in a coma, brain dead, but kept alive by machines. They lived in the same house for three years. He took a break from professional quidditch to care for the teen looking into the Potter and Black investments and businesses. There was no magical or mundane cure for Andy and after a year, with Teddy's permission, the machines plug was pulled.
She thought of them as her boys and they were. Grieving together it was a cold comfort she was free. Harry made the arrangements for her funeral. It was a rocky relationship between him and his godson. Harry wasn't ready to become a real parent but Edward wasn't a child after her death. Harry was Teddy's guardian, male parental figure, and a best friend and they made it work. He moved to the states after Edward moved out.
He fell in love with the house after a quick search. The house was located in a gated magical community. It was bigger on the inside then it was on the outside. A large two story house that had a mansion in it's confines. He enjoyed the privacy when he wasn't on the road or training. It was his main address even though he stayed in Vegas instead of New York. He had been celebrating his team chosen for a camp made up of the top five teams in North America. The camp had the team plus two reserves with fifteen wild cards. He wasn't proud of his behavior but he was proud of them. He could have had a better first impression after not seeing Luna but he was happy in a weird way it turned out the way it did.
Teddy tumbled through the fireplace. The six foot three auror had bulked up. His hair was to his back without any grey like his father. He was rarely in his natural form as he was usually undercover. He caught the look on Teddy's face. There were several bags under his eyes and the look in his eyes scared him. They were feral and pissed off with his lips in a hard line. He was ready to kill. Seeing Harry he relaxed, his eyes lit up and he seemed to be holding back a smile.
The auror launched himself at Harry's midsection. The tight grip on his chest made it hard to breath. Seeing Teddy latch onto him like his life depended him made him panic on the inside. He was the first werewolf auror in Britain for years. Tonks would have been proud to see him follow her footsteps. The fireplace sparked again and Gabrielle stepped out of the fire place. He couldn't help that he let a fly in his mouth and swallowed it. She was as beautiful as ever and laughed at his green and blue face. Coaxing Teddy to let go Harry nodded gratefully to Gabrielle. The blonde simply grinned but Teddy fell asleep on the hard floor.
"Edward is just overwhelmed, Harry, a lot has happened lately," she said at his questioning and worried look.
"What happened?" he asked.
"He was captured by some French criminals and tortured for one week. His girlfriend promised a romantic vacation in France but betrayed told them about Edward and where he stayed. We were supposed to meet but he didn't send an owl when he stood me up. I located his girlfriend and she helped me locate his general area," she said.
"Where is that bitch and the bastards that did this to him?" he demanded.
"Nursing burn wounds in the custody of the French aurors. She's probably wishing she was dead. As for the others... in pieces because Edward didn't leave enough of them to be identified without DNA," she said.
"What did they do to him?" he said his eyes glowing green.
"Everything short of killing him. They broke his shields and..." she said.
"Please no. Please tell me they didn't make him relive Andy..." he whispered brokenly.
"They did. The implanted one where he killed her after she got out of the coma," she said.
"That's when Teddy lost it, transformed, and killed them" he said the horror apparent on his face.
"Yes. He went crazy and slaughtered them all. Everyone in the area felt his fury as he changed. I had to stand in front of the door to stop the aurors from going in," she said.
"I'll need at least a week off then. He needs me more than my team..." he said.
"I have some time off as well. He needs us right now." she said.
He agreed and hugged her expressing his gratitude for everything she did but especially for saving Teddy and the Aurors. They weren't in love with each other but they were family now. She had helped him raise Teddy when he lived with Harry. Quitting the league broke the facade of dating but not their bond with each other or Teddy. She couldn't replace Andy but they were close to each other. Teddy often confided in her when couldn't got to Harry.
The next month was spent comforting Teddy and reconnecting with Gabrielle. She missed "dating" him because people were pushy now that she was single. They seemed to think she could use a few one night stands before finding the one. She hadn't event slept with Harry. He wasn't ready for that step. They had gotten close several times . Sex didn't ensure bonding like her parents but it was final. If they did engage in sex the risk was there. In the end it was delayed until it wasn't an option for Harry to be her first. He was family, and a better friend than lover and husband.
Eventually Edward got better. He was getting restless and needed to do something. He was on the mend and being busy helped. He was under strict orders to "seek help" and to take it easy at work for a while. Harry and Gabrielle would be informed if he didn't. Harry went back to work and Gabrielle with two weeks off left stayed with him in Vegas. Since dating Luna often meant staying in Vegas he rented a two bedroom apartment. He offered her his guest bedroom for her time off.
Luna met Gabrielle because they had a breakfast date. He had a day off scheduled despite the family emergency. She had visited her place before. They were going to have breakfast at his apartment then go to New York for a walk in a park. Harry was cooking breakfast when Gabrielle came out of the shower in a towel. Luna was sitting at the island counter which had room for three. Luna looked between Harry and Gabrielle and smiled as Gabrielle rushed to the room to change. Harry set down three plates on the counter and Gabrielle came out of the room dressed. Sitting down as Harry greeted her before sitting down himself. Breakfast was peaceful and they exchanged small talk and safe conversation topics. They seemed to get along fine with Harry around. After the food was gone both Luna and Gabrielle got up to do the dishes at the same time. Harry looked between the two and declared that he was going to his room to change and might be a while. Shrugging Luna offered to dry the dishes if Gabrielle washed them. Harry left the main area while the two women talked.
"Thank you," Luna said suddenly looking at Gabrielle.
"Your welcome but for what?" Gabrielle asked surprised.
"Taking care of Harry and his godson. Harry means a lot to me and his godson means a lot to him. He's lucky to have someone like you in his life-they both are," she said.
"You really love him, don't you?" she asked.
"In school he was a hero. Slaying a basilisk, saving Ginny. Then he saved me by befriending me. I really like him but we're different people now. It might work or it might not but I want him to be happy and loved. He deserves happiness and someone to love that loves him back," she said.
"You make him happy. I haven't seen him this happy since he played professionally." she said.
"I've always admired him. I know it takes more than happiness for a relationship to work but he makes me happy too. Whatever happens he'll always have my support," she said.
"You're good for Harry too. We... I love him but he always held back a part of him. He's afraid of opening up and letting go," she said.
"The war changed all of us. You were mostly safe and sheltered. He was alone in the front lines. I was at Hogwarts then... Malfoy manor..." she said as a haunted look appeared in her eyes.
"Yes. I had to convince him to get help. Have you gotten help for..." Gabrielle said concerned for the older woman.
"My dad encouraged me to. He is... was a good man despite all his quirks. I love him- but I wish the war didn't cost all of us so much." Luna said.
Gabrielle nodded, "Nobody is left unchanged."
"He's been scared for a long time of the things he's done, seen, and thought of doing," Luna said.
"You've done something no one else could do" Gabrielle said.
"I haven't done anything special" Luna said.
"He's told me a lot about you. You're special to him. Be patient and don't give up," Gabrielle said.
"He needs to be patient with me too, Gabrielle, physical wounds heal but some aren't and don't for a long time. I still suffer nightmares sometimes," Luna said.
They were silent for a while, "Can we pretend that I didn't walk out of the shower in a towel? I'd like a start over and formal introduction." Gabrielle said.
Luna smiled, "Sure! I'll start. Hi, my names Luna and it's nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot of good things about you," she said as she held out her hand to Gabrielle.
"Hello, my name is Gabrielle and likewise. I've heard many good things about you as well." Gabrielle said as she shook Luna's hand.
They shared a laugh and smile. They really only had blonde hair, blue eyes, and dating Harry in common but he was important to both of them. Luna genuinely liked Gabrielle. She turned out to be as good of a person Harry said she would be. She was close to Harry and if she didn't like Luna it would cause a rift between them. She would do anything for Harry. She didn't want him to have to chose between her and Gabrielle.
Harry appeared dressed and ready to go. They shared a glance and Luna joined Harry as Gabrielle left the apartment. The trip from his Vegas place to his New York one was quick. They went to a magical safari that had a park with many magical creatures. They wouldn't attack without being seriously provoked and there was magical protection because no wands or weapons were allowed. Harry watched Luna's eyes light up in surprise. She told him the names of the animals they encountered. It was wonderful for both of them. Returning to Vegas after the park and a quick snack, he kissed Luna for the first time. She tasted like brown sugar and strawberries. They only stopped the kiss to breathe as Gabrielle banged on the door behind them. Blushing Luna left his apartment to Gabrielle's wide grin. Before the door closed Gabrielle called out to owl her sometime. Luna wanted to be friends with Gabrielle so she she did a few days later.