Cheating Death

Written by Christina Elizabeth Lupin

A/N: I feel so lucky to have you guys reviewing my story. You keep me going, feeding the fire as it were. I dedicate this chapter to all of those who are kind enough to review. You deserve to be recognized! Anyway, this chapter starts off with the month of August, when the story will start to decline. I have two more chapters planned before this story is concluded. I must say, though, that I will miss this story a lot. It was a lot of fun to write. But for now, enjoy this chapter.

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Cheating Death

Chapter Six

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After the excitement of Harry's 31st birthday passed, the house was a lot quieter. Harry was planning his lessons for the upcoming school year while Teddy did his homework and the Potters and Lupins were busy at the Ministry. Before they even got jobs or bought homes, they needed to certify that they were alive and capable of doing magic safely.

"It hasn't changed much since I was last here," James said as they emerged from one of the fireplaces in the Atrium. "Who is the Minister now?"

"We didn't ask," Remus said, feeling embarrassed. All he remembered was that the Ministry was taken over by Voldemort. "Though I hope it's someone who is trustworthy."

Tonks giggled. "Yeah, someone who isn't like Fudge."

"I guess we will have to find out," Lily replied.

The four walked over to the security desk and presented their wands. They were surprised when the man passed them back with hardly any shock or surprise. That thought occupied the group until they found themselves standing outside the Minister's office. Remus cleared his throat and knocked on the door.

"Come in," called a female voice.

Remus opened the door and the four entered. The room was done in a dark green with a splash of dark gray. It was rather tasteful, even if it was a lot like Slytherin colors. The Minister was seated at a dark cherry desk and there was a large stack of papers in front of her. She finished scanning one and looked up, smiling at the group.

"How can I help you?" she asked.

James ruffled the back of his hair nervously. "Um… we wanted to, um…"

Lily sighed. "Minister, we recently just recovered from coming back from the dead as we were victims of the Killing Curse. We were wondering if we could become reinstated as witches and wizards so we can get jobs."

The Minister smiled at them. "Of course, Mrs. Potter." Her smile widened when she saw their shocked faces. "The gravedigger at your cemetery fire-called me after you left. I know you have been at your son's house recovering." Her eyes looked at Remus. "I am especially glad that Professor Lupin has returned."

Remus looked at her. "We have met?"

She laughed. "You taught at Hogwarts while I was there, Professor. You might not remember me but I was in Slytherin. I also became close to Harry before we went to war with Voldemort. I was known as Daphne Greengrass before I married Blaise Zabini."

Minister Zabini watched as her former professor's eyes lit up. "I remember now. It certainly surprises me that you are Minister now."

"At least I am trusted," she said with a giggle. "I've been in office for four years now and the wizarding world has become more stable under my watch." Daphne drew out a fresh sheet of paper and picked up a fancy eagle owl quill. "Anyway, I will make out a letter to the Wizard Registry telling them to reinstate you. After that, you will have to go through a few tests to make sure you are up to date on your magic. Once you are done, you can go back home."

"Is there any way you can unfreeze our accounts in the bank?" James asked once he got his voice back.

Daphne nodded. "I will also compose a letter to the head goblin at Gringotts in the London branch to unfreeze your accounts." She finished writing the first letter and handed it to Remus. "Just so you know, I am very happy that you four came back." She smiled softly at them. "Harry was very distraught when Professor Lupin and Tonks passed on. Thank Merlin that Andromeda Tonks gave custody of Teddy to Harry or he would have broken apart."

The four thanked Minister Zabini before backing out.

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Teddy was thankful that his godfather let Victorie, Bill Weasley's oldest child, come over for a visit. She was only a year younger than him but they were still the best of friends. She had her mother's beautiful features along with a few facial features from her father.

"Looking forward to the upcoming term?" she asked as they took seats on the grass in the backyard.

"Yes," Teddy said. "I also cannot wait to get to know my parents. It still feels like a dream, you know? I feel like any second I'm going to wake up and they won't be there."

Victorie smiled softly. "But they are here, Ted. They are here to stay." Then she frowned. "Have you decided if you are going to go live with them?"

"I have, and yes I will live with them. Harry is fine with it."

She stared at his eyes and she knew he was keeping something from her. "But?"

He sighed. "But I don't want to leave Dad, Victorie." The Metamorphmagus winced and his hair turned black and messy, just like his godfather's. "I mean Harry."

Victorie placed a hand on his arm. "I understand, Teddy. You are torn between your godfather and your biological father. You are excited to go live with your true parents but yet you are reluctant to leave what you have known for years."

"He will be all alone, Vicky. Harry has refused every woman Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione has offered him. Ginny has even tried to get back together with him." Teddy rubbed at his eyes.

"Someday your godfather will find someone to settle down with. Give him time, Teddy. And it's not like he can't go visit you and your family."

"That's true." He leaned against his friend. "Thanks for listening."

She smiled. "No problem, Teddy." She wrapped an arm around him and pulled him closer.

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Harry was in the kitchen making lunch when he heard the front door open. He glanced at the clock and he smiled, noticing that four arms now pointed to 'home'.

"You're early," he called as he got more food out so he could feed his parents and the Lupins.

"We're legal again!" Tonks said, running into the kitchen and gathering him into a bear hug. "We can get jobs and live!"

Remus was laughing and trying to get his wife to let his cub (1) go as Lily and James grabbed hold of each other, laughing. Harry was chuckling even as Tonks squeezed him tightly.

"That's… good…" he gasped.

Tonks seemed to notice this and she reluctantly let him go, her husband pulling her back with him. "Sorry Harry," she said sheepishly.

"It's alright," Harry said, chuckling. "Now if you aren't going to help make lunch, I suggest you better get out of the kitchen." He winked at them and turned back to the stove. Lily joined her son as the other three migrated into the living room, where Teddy was playing chess alone.

"How did it go?" he asked as his knight took out the other player's pawn.

"We're able to find jobs now," Remus said, taking a seat next to his son (1). He stared down at the board. "Harry teach you how to play?"

He shook his head, grinning. "No. Harry is horrible at chess so Uncle Ron taught me. He's a much better chess player."

"Hmm," the werewolf said, tapping his chin. "I must have to play a game against him then someday. James and Sirius were never worthy opponents."

"Hey!" James cried indignantly.

"Maybe that's where Harry gets it from," Tonks said, giggling. "I never knew chess talent came from genetics." She yelped when James poked her side and squirmed away from him.

"It doesn't, Dora," her husband responded, looking amused.

"Yeah, look at what he had grown up with," Teddy grumbled. He didn't notice that the three adults froze.

"Bloody Dursleys," Remus and Tonks growled together.

"I hope they didn't hurt him too much," James said. "I knew they hated anything magical but I hope that familial ties would be stronger."

"Not a bloody chance, Prongs," Remus said. "They locked him in a store cupboard as a bedroom until he got his Hogwarts letter. When Harry didn't respond, Dumbledore sent Hagrid out to see what the problem was."

"A store cupboard?" James repeated quietly.

"Believe me, James, the situation has been taken care of," Tonks said fiercely.

Teddy leaned forward, looking eager. "What did you do?"

Remus and Tonks shared a glance before telling their companions about their little revenge they had taken on the Dursleys.

Tonks knew there was no stopping her werewolf boyfriend when he wanted revenge, especially when it concerned Harry. She had seen how close the two were and when Harry revealed his home life, Remus growled and got this feral light in his eyes. Even when he promised the younger man that he wouldn't hurt the Dursleys, the Metamorphmagus knew he wouldn't keep his word. She made him agree that she would go along. Harry was like a younger brother to her and, after all, she was dating his adopted godfather.

The two approached Number Four Privet Drive with their faces schooled into neutral expressions. Remus raised his fist and knocked on the door. His wolf wanted to take over, to break down the blasted door and attack his cub's relatives for the things they had done. Fortunately for the werewolf, he had remarkable control over his wolf and managed to hold the beast back, no matter how he wanted to release the wolf.

A skinny black-haired woman answered the door, a flowery apron tied around her. "Yes?" she asked, glancing at the two. Tonks had made herself look older so their age difference wouldn't be a problem.

"We were wondering if we could have a word with you and your family, Petunia," Remus began, knowing that she recognized him.

There was something in the man's eyes that made Petunia oblige. She opened the door to let the two in before calling in her husband and son to the living room. Tonks' hand found Remus' and squeezed it tightly. He squeezed it back and turned to face the three Dursleys.

"As you know, Harry is of age and has left your care for good," he said. His voice remained calm while he was seething inside. "But he revealed something to us that we want settled." The werewolf paused for effect before beginning. "He told us all about his home life, from what he first remembered." His golden eyes found Petunia's eyes and he glared at her. "How dare you treat James and Lily's child like that? You had an extra bedroom you could have spared but no, you just had to lock him up in a small store cupboard that could barely house an infant." Remus found himself pacing as he ranted but he found he didn't care. He was too angry to care. "As if that weren't enough, you denied him food and water at certain intervals, especially when he didn't get a chore done or he had exhibited accidental magic. You knew witches and wizards had no control over their magic while they are young, Petunia. Look at what you had for a sister. I, however, am glad that you stopped physically slapping him around or pulling his hair or you would be charged with physical abuse of a minor."

While Remus took in a breath, Tonks took over, wanting to give them a piece of her mind. "You also undermined him, calling him everything but his own name. It's remarkable that he even remembers his name. You never gave him love and you ignored him when he got sick. What did you think, that witches and wizards instantly heal themselves when they get sick?" She also was pacing, her hands clenching and unclenching, itching to hit something, particularly the Dursleys. "That's not all, either. You never gave him anything of his own, giving him whatever castoffs your son had. No wonder he barely had any friends, except for the ones who got chased off by his cousin. He barely dressed himself well enough to merit any kind of friendship."

"Your son is not innocent of any of this either," Remus picked up. "You have allowed him to continually beat up Harry and you encouraged him the entire time. Harry is not and has never been your personal punching bag and has not caused any kind of bad in your family. If anything, you caused it." He pulled a hand through his graying hair and glared at the family, who looked ready to sink into the couch and never return. "But now you will get what has been coming to you for the past sixteen years."

Petunia whimpered, staring up at the werewolf with fear in her eyes. She vaguely remembered meeting him at Lily's wedding and at other times after her son had been born. She knew what he was and what he was capable of.

Remus pulled out his wand and smirked when he saw the fear intensify.

"After that we just cursed them," Tonks finished, not wanting her son to hear what they had done to the family.

Teddy, however, looked disappointed. He wanted to hear what had been done to his godfather's relatives. "Are they in prison now?"

"No," Remus said. He took a drink of his tea that he had summoned. "We technically had no proof, as it all happened so many years ago. I assume that most of the charms have worn off."

"Most?" James repeated, grinning.

Tonks waved her wand and cast a privacy charm so that Teddy couldn't hear them and told James what they had done. Once she dissolved the charm, Harry's father had fallen off his armchair and was laughing, clutching at his sides. The Lupins' son glared at his parents and returned to his chess game.

"That's perfect!" he said, chuckling. "I knew it was a good idea to have you in the group, Moony."

Remus smirked and wrapped an arm around his wife.

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End of chapter

A/N: Wow… a longer chapter than normal. I bet you love me for that now.

(1): I wanted to explain this concept that Remus has so you hopefully won't be confused. Remus considers both Harry and Teddy his sons and cares for them deeply. When you see 'cub', for example, you know that he talking about his 'older son' and 'son' is just for Teddy. Hopefully that will clear any kind of question you have about the 'cub' and 'son' thing.

Thanks once again to my lovely reviewers and I will update the second to last chapter (author wants to cry) within the upcoming week. Have a great weekend and for those who read Blood Brothers, it will be updated either today or tomorrow, Sunday.