Author's note: From now on, after the date, in parentheses will be week and then a number. [example: (week 5)]. This represents how far along Victoire is in her pregnancy.

Chapter 2: The Letter

Monday, 29 January, 2018 (week 5)
Teddy Lupin had been training in the Auror program for about a year and four months now. He was quite good at it so far, and all of the aurors in the department thought that he would be very successful one day. The best part of the auror training, in Teddy's opinion, was that he was training under his godfather, Harry, who was the Head of the Auror Department, and that meant he could spend more with him. Unfortunately, that also meant that Teddy often didn't try to successful compete a jinx or curse aimed at his godfather as hard as he should have.

"I don't want to hurt you, Harry." Teddy said softly during one of their mock duels. "You are thirty-seven, for Merlin's sake…"

"Did you just call me old?" Harry asked teasingly.

Teddy grinned deviously. "You could call it that. I mean, let's face it, you're probably not as fit as you were when you defeated Voldemort almost twenty years ago."

Harry laughed. "That may be true, but I'm still way more experienced than you, and therefore, I could easily destroy you if I wanted to." he paused, suddenly becoming serious. "In all seriousness, though, you can't be afraid to hurt me. I can take a few minutes of pain for a good cause. You know how much I've been though, I can take it. If you come face-to-face with a death-eater, and you are afraid to even use the Cruciatus Curse, that death-eater will kill you before you even know what was happening."

"But that death-eater isn't my godfather." Teddy sighed.

Just then, a barn owl landed on Teddy's shoulder. Curiously, he untied letter from the owl's leg, opened the envelope and began to read the letter.

Dearest Teddy,
I'm sorry I'm not telling you in person, but I cannot wait until I see you in person to tell you the news I have. By then it will be too late to tell you. You need to know now. Teddy… I'm pregnant, and about five weeks along… I'm scared, and don't know what to do. But I love you Teddy, I really do. Please help me. I need you.
Love,
Victoire

It was a good thing a chair was nearby, because Teddy soon collapsed into it. For several minutes, he stared in utter shock at the words on that single sheet of parchment.
"Teddy, is everything alright? Did something happen to Andromeda?" Harry was already assuming the worse. He figured something must be wrong with Andromeda, Teddy's grandmother. What else could make the nineteen-year-old react in such a way?
"N-No." Teddy stammered finally. "Gran's fine, as far as I know."
"Then what does the letter say?"

"It's not the letter, Harry." Teddy said softly. "I've been feeling weak all day. I must be dehydrated or something. That's probably why I collapsed. I should go home." This was a lie, but Teddy was too far in shock to tell Harry the truth.

"Are you sure?"

Teddy nodded sadly. "Yes, I'm sure. I don't want to get you sick."

"Alright, go get some rest." Harry replied, still not convinced that the reason Teddy gave for collapsing was accurate. He was even less convinced when Teddy slammed the auror office door shut instead of closing quietly like he usually did. Concerned, Harry quickly followed him out the door.

"Teddy!" Harry called. "Wait!"

Teddy spun around, and Harry could see visible tears in his godson's eyes. Teddy, Harry's normally strong-as-diamonds godson, was actually crying. "What, Harry?" he asked impatiently.

"What's the real reason you're upset?" Harry asked softly. "Come on, Teddy I know you better than that. You know you can't lie to me."

"I just don't feel my best, alright?" Teddy snapped. "I need to go home and… and clear my head." With that, Teddy disappeared down the corridor.

Once back at his flat - where, thankfully, he lived alone - Teddy angrily paced back and forth. How could this have happened to him and Victoire? He was nineteen, and in the middle of his Auror training, with no time and very little money to raise a child on. Even worse, Victoire was only seventeen and still in Hogwarts! What was he going to do? After a few minutes of thinking, Teddy had his answer, and it was clear that there was no other option than what he was about to tell Victoire. Sighing, Teddy grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment and began to write.
x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Wednesday, 31 January, 2018 (week 5)
Three days after Victoire's discovery, she and Jenna were eating breakfast with some girls from their dorm when the owls flew in. In fifth year and above, the girls ate with Teddy and their friends from his year, along with a boy in the year in between them. But after the end of fifth year, Teddy, Alex, Amanda, and Michael graduated, and the following year, so had Nick, so Jenna and Victoire were left to sit with girls from their own dorm, who they weren't as close to.

Just as Victoire was about to take her third chocolate chip muffin, the barn owl she had sent to Teddy flew in the window. Eagerly, Victoire untied the letter to read Teddy's reply.

Dearest Victoire,
Wow, that was really surprising news. I just want you to know though, that I love you, and I'll always be here, ready to help if you need me. Although, I really think we should tell our families. In person would be best, but we really shouldn't wait until the Easter holiday to tell them. Do you know if there will be an opportunities before then to tell the entire family? Having this baby will be a big challenge for us, but I know we can do it.
Love,
"Teddy Bear"

"What does it say?" Jenna asked curiously. Giving her friend a small smile, Victoire handed over the letter. After thoroughly reading it, Jenna handed it back.

"Well, that's good news." Jenna said.

Luckily, the three other girls from their dorm were engaged in their own conversation, and weren't even paying attention to Victoire's letter. "So, do you have any idea when I can tell my family?" Victoire asked, keeping her voice low.

Before Jenna had a chance to reply, Headmistress Clearton, who had taken Headmistress McGonagall's place just two years previous, called the Great Hall to order. "Good morning, Hogwarts," the Headmistress called, "Today, I would like to announce an exciting and new event. This Valentine's Day weekend – the tenth and the eleventh – the parents of all students will be allowed to visit their children here at Hogwarts. In addition, for the first time in Hogwarts' history, parent-professor conferences will be held. If you have any questions, please contact your head of house. You may continue with your breakfast."

Headmistress Clearton sat down, and the Great Hall was once again filled with noise. Victoire and Jenna looked at each other and grinned. "That settles it. You're telling your family on the tenth." Jenna said.

Victoire agree. She may not have been looking forward to telling her family about her pregnancy, but she knew there wouldn't be a better time. As soon as she was able to, she'd write a reply to Teddy and tell him all about it.