Cheating Death
Written by Christina Elizabeth Lupin
A/N: Wow… I got 11 reviews in one day. I also noticed that most of you were wondering about Ginny and the kids. I believe I told you guys in the first chapter that I wouldn't have Ginny with Harry. One of the reasons why I didn't have Harry married is to help solidify his bond to Teddy and just how important the two were to each other before I rose James, Lily, Remus, and Tonks from the dead. I also have no desire to write a Ginny/Harry fic (sorry… I'm a Harry/Hermione fan). So, with that matter cleared up (hopefully… please don't kill me people!), I will begin chapter three for you. You all inspired me to get another chapter up!
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Cheating Death
Chapter Three
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It was later on in the evening that Harry noticed that his parents, Remus, and Tonks were holding back yawns. He glanced at his clock and stood up, stretching.
"Teddy, do you mind if I have your parents sleep with you in your room for tonight?" he asked, looking at his godson.
"Sure," Teddy replied and he also stood up, gesturing for Remus and Tonks to follow. Harry turned to his parents, who smiled up at him with tired eyes.
"You can sleep in my room with me or in the guest room if you wish," Harry began, running a hand through his hair.
"We'll sleep in your room," Lily said. "But wouldn't we…?"
"You forget that I can do magic, Mum," he said, grinning.
"Right… wait! What about our wands?"
"In the morning I'll talk to Dumbledore and see what he can do."
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Meanwhile, Teddy showed his parents around the house and finally ended up in his room. Remus and Tonks drank it in, wanting to learn more about their son. Posters hung on the wall, few of them of different Quidditch teams and one that made them chuckle.
Teddy grinned. "Finally noticed that one did you?" His eyes slid over the poster of his godfather, who looked formidable in his robes. Harry's wand was out, his face set into an expressionless mask and his eyes were a brilliant green.
"Does Harry know?" Tonks asked, watching the motionless poster.
"He does, actually. At first he scowled at it but he let me have it. I tried to have him sign it."
Remus and Tonks burst out in laughter, with Teddy grinning at them. He couldn't wait to learn more about them.
After Teddy finished showing them his room, he noticed that his godfather was in the doorway, smiling at them.
"I'm just here to transfigure a couple of beds," Harry said, twirling his wand in his right hand. He pointed his wand at a pair of socks on the floor and turned it into a full-sized bed. With a final smile, the thirty-year-old left the Lupins.
"So, how good is Harry at teaching?" Remus asked, his eyes still staring at the spot Harry had been standing.
"He's the best. He broke the curse on the position, having been teaching for five years now. He told me once that he based his lessons off of yours, Dad."
Remus smiled, his heart filling with warmth when he heard his son call him Dad. He had always looked forward to hearing someone call him that and he found that he liked it a lot. He also was happy that Harry seemed to base his lessons from his when he taught back in 1993.
"Why isn't he with Ginny? I thought they were going out," Tonks said, sitting down on the bed.
"They were," Teddy replied, opening his dresser to pull out a couple shirts. He tossed two of them to his parents, who thanked him. "Harry was the one who broke up with her again. He didn't explain to me why he broke with her."
They got dressed and settled into their beds but didn't go to sleep right away. Though Remus and Tonks felt tired, they found they had still so many questions to be answered.
"Teddy?" Tonks asked softly.
"Yeah?"
"How do you feel, you know, the situation? Us coming back?"
"Truly, I'm very happy. Harry told me what he could but I always wished I could meet you. Every Halloween we would visit the graves and place flowers there." Teddy took in a breath. "I also asked Harry what he felt if I were to live with you. He told me that he would understand if I wanted to go live with you, should you find a place to live."
"Good," Remus whispered.
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Next morning, the rest of the house woke to find that Harry had gone, leaving a note to tell them that he wouldn't be around until later. Teddy made breakfast and the others spent the time talking. Teddy found himself drilled on what was going on now and about Harry. He couldn't help but notice that the four cared about his godfather very much, including his parents. Remembering how his own father had held Harry when he convinced the man of their identity, he couldn't hide a smile.
Harry didn't return until around afternoon and he had a large smile on his face, carrying four thin boxes with him.
"Our wands!" Tonks cried, standing up suddenly. Unfortunately, it made her unbalanced and she found herself on the floor. The Metamorphmagus blushed as everyone laughed at her clumsiness and accepted the hand her husband had held out.
The younger man passed out the boxes and began to explain where he went. He had gone to Dumbledore first and he used a Pensieve to verify that he did in fact see them. Afterwards, he managed to find their wands and also fill a couple bags of money so the four could go shopping for clothes.
"Also, Grimmauld Place is open for any of you to take, along with other Black properties," Harry said, pulling out a sheet of parchment. He passed it to Remus. "You don't have to choose right now, but think about it."
"Thanks," Remus said with a smile. Then he stood up. "Harry, could we talk for a second?"
The younger man nodded and followed the werewolf out into the backyard. The two took a seat on a couple benches that were placed out there beside a wizard's garden.
"What's on your mind, Remus?" Harry asked.
"I just wanted to talk. It's been more than ten years since we last spoke, you know."
The two men talked about a variety of topics, even about the battle with Voldemort. Remus looked alarmed when he learned that Harry was a Horcrux and he had died, only to be brought back to kill the Dark Lord. The werewolf admitted that he remembered being summoned by the Resurrection stone but nothing else after he died.
"I mean, hell, it still feels like I didn't miss anything," Remus said, raking a hand through his graying hair.
"But you're here now," Harry said, smiling. "Something I am very grateful for. I remember seeing you and Tonks in the Great Hall, looking so peaceful." His voice broke a little and he averted his gaze, not wanting Remus to know that his eyes were gathering tears. "It nearly broke me to see you like that. Here you were, married and you had Teddy and now you were gone, just like everyone else I ever cared about. Mum, Dad, Sirius, Hedwig…"
Remus moved from his bench and sat beside Harry, rubbing his back. He hated hearing the young man in pain but knew he needed to be silent for now, to let the man he loved as a son speak.
Harry took in a deep breath and continued. "I tried to convince myself that I would be alright. I broke up with Ginny and distanced myself away from her. She kept owling me back, begging me to come back."
"Why didn't you?" Remus asked softly, still rubbing his back.
"I was a wreck, Remus. I hardly let myself grieve for the losses of the war and I was helping the Aurors round up the rest of the Death Eaters. On one of our dates, I told Ginny that I didn't want to be with her any longer. I told her that the rogue Death Eaters would go after her should they find out of our relationship." He let out a dark chuckle. "The Weasley brothers sent Howlers at me for awhile and eventually ignored me. They finally mellowed out and accepted me back into the fold. I was there when Hermione gave birth to her first child and accepted to being Rose's godfather. By then, I had custody over Teddy, as Andromeda felt that he would do me a world of good."
Remus wrapped an arm around Harry, pulling him closer. He inhaled the man's scent, committing to memory. "And did he?"
"He did. Teddy was a lot of fun to raise. He would change hair colors quite frequently, which amused me to no end. He has quite a bit of your personality, Remus, including the mischievousness that belongs to any child of a Marauder." Harry grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief himself. Remus chuckled. "He likes to study and loves Defense and Transfiguration classes. I believe he is one of the top students in his year."
"What House is he in?"
Harry's grin widened. "I think you know, Moony."
"Gryffindor," Remus replied, smiling as well. "Figures."
"Must be a curse or something. Every child of the Marauders is immediately placed in Gryffindor, though I was almost placed in Slytherin."
The werewolf eyed him curiously. "Really?"
"Yeah, though I argued with the hat. Ron told me all about Slytherins on the train and I knew I didn't want to be in that House. I have always wondered what would happen if I went into Slytherin, what things would be different."
"Maybe nothing," Remus said. "You never know." He was silent for a second before he asked the one question that was nagging at him. "Are you really alright with Teddy living with me and Tonks when we find a place?"
Harry blinked. "Of course." He then sighed and his shoulders hunched a little. "I would be upset, naturally, but he deserves to know you both. It wouldn't be fair to keep him from you. Besides, I don't think you would want him to depraved of his godfather, now would you?" His eyes sparkled again.
Remus hid a laugh and plastered a fake thoughtful look on his face. Harry let out a snort and the two men lapsed into silence once more, neither of them moving. Remus loved holding Harry close, feeling their already close bond strengthen a little more.
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End of chapter
A/N: Yeah! Two chapters in two days! Keep on reviewing more often and who knows… I might update again soon. Thanks again to the 11 reviewers who reviewed the last chapter. Sorry if I disappointed some of you with Harry not being with Ginny.