Cheating Death
Written by Christina Elizabeth Lupin
A/N: Woohoo! 11 reviews for the last chapter! Thanks to all of those who reviewed. I love hearing your thoughts as to how the story is going. Um, I have given more thought to the idea of bringing someone else back from the dead and then I decided not to bring anyone else back, including Sirius. I got the idea from adge9631, really. If I did bring someone else in, it would ruin the focus, just like Ginny and the kids would've done. So, even though it would be nice, it's not going to happen. Also, the story will kinda pick up a little, since I want to get July over and done with, so I can move into August, when big decisions are made and then I will wrap the story up with Teddy going to Hogwarts.
One last thing before I bring you into the next chapter. I have decided that I might go ahead and try to do another challenge response. It's either gonna be Severitus' challenge or Tia Evans' Werewolf challenge. Either way, Harry's dad is gonna be Snape (since the responses to Tia's challenge mostly have Remus as his dad) and one way he will be a werewolf. Who knows… I might even make a challenge up myself. It all depends on the kind of mood I am in.
Anyway, thanks again to the lovely reviews, whether you have reviewed the story before or not! I am sure that most of you would love it if I kept updating every day.
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Cheating Death
Chapter Five
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Teddy shifted on his feet as he stood by his godfather's bed. In the past couple of days, the others (including the Weasleys and Harry's other close friends) had decided to throw a birthday party for Harry. It was Hermione's idea, however, that the Potters and the Lupins would design the party since none of them ever really celebrated Harry's birthday longer than the others had. That delighted the two couples more than anyone could imagine, though Teddy had a clue. He had come to realize that his parents had a close relationship with Harry, especially his father. Harry had never truly revealed just how close the two men had been but Teddy could definitely see it.
When he noticed that the electric alarm clock on Harry's bedside table showed that it was now ten o'clock in the morning, he opened his mouth wide and said, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!"
The Metamorphmagus giggled when he saw his godfather jump a foot into the air, yelping as he was rudely awakened. At least it was a better idea than what James had in store (dumping a bucket of ice cold water on him).
"Merlin, Teddy," Harry moaned, throwing one of his hands onto his chest. "Don't scare me like that. My body ain't what it used to be."
"Sure Da… Harry," Teddy blushed when he almost let his customary title for his godfather slip. "I'll go wait for you to get dressed." He closed the door behind him, not knowing the look Harry was giving him.
Teddy slid to the floor, clutching at his hair, which had now turned black with dark brown streaks. Merlin, what was wrong with him? He knew he shouldn't have called his godfather Dad… that title now belongs to Remus Lupin, his biological father. But then why did his heart hurt so much when he would call his dad Dad?
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Harry's jaw dropped when he noticed the gathering of people inside his living room. He recognized his parents and the Lupins at first, then he saw the Weasleys (all of them, including the children), Minerva McGonagall, Cho Chang, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and a few of the old DA members.
"Happy birthday, son," James said, pulling his son into a hug. Lily wrapped herself around him too, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
Harry hugged them back enthusiastically, happy that he could finally celebrate a birthday with his parents. After he released them, he also went to Tonks and Remus, pulling them into a hug. The hug shocked the two but they hugged him back as well. Hermione found that she had to stuff her fist in her mouth to stop herself from letting out the 'aww' her mouth began to form.
"Happy birthday," Remus whispered, his nose buried in Harry's hair, breathing in the scent of his cub.
Harry smiled broadly, a look of joy on his face. "Thanks," he said and he also eyed everyone else so they knew he was talking to them as well. The others smiled back, happy that they could be there.
Tonks kissed his temple and withdrew her arms, beaming at him. "Lily and I made breakfast for you." She giggled at the skeptical look he donned on his face. "And no, it's not burnt."
Remus laughed and wrapped an arm around his wife's waist, pulling her against him. "I'm quite proud of her too." He kissed her deeply and ignored the cat-calls and wolf whistles they received.
"I would too," Bill replied, grinning.
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Breakfast passed without an incident. Even Tonks seemed to be less clumsy, much to everyone's amusement. That is, until she got up to put her dishes in the sink and her foot hooked onto the chair and she fell, taking the chair with her. She blushed bright red, the contents of her plate scattered on the floor but the plate remained unbroken. Harry shook his head as he waved his wand, clearing the floor and the plate landed in the sink.
"Thanks," she said as Harry pulled her up. "I think I should keep you." The Metamorphmagus ruffled his hair, causing him to cry out in outrage and he attempted to reorganize it.
"Sorry, Tonks, but he's ours," James joked. "You'll have to fight us."
"You'd lose, Prongs," Remus replied, winking. "I'm much stronger than you are."
"While you were roaming around for years down here, I was training to take down any opposition who dare take my son. I doubt you could tackle me if you tried."
Everyone at the table tried to stifle their laughter as the two friends bantered good-naturedly. Harry continued to look amused as he gathered plates. Unfortunately, he was sent out to the living room by Lily and Tonks, who said they would do the dishes.
"It's your birthday, Harry," Lily said. "You shouldn't be doing any work until tomorrow."
Harry finally relented and let himself be pushed into the living room. He fell into conversation with George Weasley about how the joke shop was going. Even after the death of his twin, George continued to run the business as his wife, Angelina, took care of their kids at home. When the older man talked about his son, Fred, the man's face lit up and the younger Gryffindor couldn't help but feel happy for him. Fred Weasley Jr was a lot like his namesake.
The rest of the afternoon was spent talking, catching up on the times. For Remus, Tonks, James, and Lily, they got reeducated on what was going on in the wizarding world. Neville and Harry eventually talked about the upcoming Hogwarts term with McGonagall.
"Who is the current Potions professor?" Remus asked, as he had heard that Severus Snape died and he wasn't sure if Slughorn returned to the post or not.
"Still Slughorn," McGonagall replied. "No one's applied yet."
"Horace doesn't seem to mind," Neville said.
"Of course he doesn't," Harry responded with a grin. He and Neville held in their laughter as McGonagall stared at them disapprovingly.
"Honestly you two. He's your colleague."
"Sorry Minerva," the two thirty-year-olds chorused. Everyone else, who had listened in, burst out into laughter.
"Humph," McGonagall said. "At least you two didn't call me Minnie, unlike a certain group of boys." She stared pointedly at James and Remus, both of whom were clutching at their sides.
"Minnie doesn't suit you," Harry said charmingly. "Minerva is a strong name, referring to the goddess of wisdom and of the hunt."
"Oh Merlin," Hermione choked, leaning against her husband. "There he goes again."
"Like father, like son," Lily muttered, sending everyone into laughter again.
"And Teddy's picked it up too," McGonagall said, leveling a glare at the younger boy but it turned into a fond look quickly. "I just hope he doesn't call me Minnie or something as embarrassing."
"Of course not, Professor," Teddy said innocently.
Neville and Harry snorted, whistling when Teddy and McGonagall looked at them.
"I swear you two are as immature as the Marauders at times," the older woman replied.
"Hey!" James and Remus protested.
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The rest of the day passed and soon both Harry and Neville began opening their presents. It was revealed that the others also roped the Herbology professor into the party as well so they could celebrate his birthday too.
"Thanks Hermione!" Neville exclaimed as he uncovered a book that Hermione had given him. "I've been looking for this book for ages!"
"You're welcome, Nev," Hermione replied, smiling. "Harry told me that you've been searching around for it."
Harry had received some more Dark Arts books from Ron and Hermione, as well as a handmade card from his two godchildren.
After presents were unwrapped and cake was passed around, conversation once again fell upon the houses occupants. Hermione was talking to the Potters and Lupins about how they were going to get a hold of homes while most of the men gathered to chat about Quidditch. The three Hogwarts professors talked about their syllabuses while Teddy played with the children, feeling content and at peace.
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End of chapter
A/N: Sorry for the past couple of days. I got lazy and the weather didn't help. I still cannot believe how much snow we got here in Iowa. I want it all to melt so I can go on walks again.
On a much sadder note, this story is on the verge of being completed. I have two or three more chapters planned and then I will close it. I really do appreciate that you all love this fic and I especially love to hear your comments. Stay tuned for chapter six, which starts off in August, to when the Potters and Lupins begin to search for homes.