So sorry about the late update but I've been so busy with last minute exams... I know I seem to have them all the time but I'm now on holidays so I'll be able to update more frequently. Please enjoy :) xx

14 January 2004

"Harry?" asked Teddy.

Harry, Ginny and Teddy were warming their toes by the toasty fire, Harry's hand on Ginny's slowly growing belly.

"Yeah, squirt?"

"Are you my dad?"

Harry and Ginny exchanged solemn glances. Harry had been dreading this question since he took Teddy in. He had always hoped that Andromeada would be the one to break the new to Teddy, but apparently, he only ever asked Harry these personal questions.

"Harry?" asked Teddy again, looking confused.

Harry gulped. "Ah, Teddy," he said in a dry voice. "Why don't you come over here?"

The five year old crawled over and snuggled between Harry and Ginny. Ginny found Harry's hand and squeezed it gently.

"Listen, Ted," Harry began, his voice struggling to stay even. "There's something you need to know. But first, why don't you get the photo album we gave you last year? You know, the one in your room?"

Teddy nodded and raced upstairs.

"Oh boy," sighed Harry, putting his face in his hands. "How in Merlin's name am I going to tell him? How, Gin?"

Ginny smiled and leaned over to kiss Harry's cheek. "Just make sure he doesn't forget how special he is and how much everyone loves him. That will make him feel better."

"What will make me feel better?" asked Teddy as he appeared around the corner and repositioned himself next to Harry.

"Ah..." Harry stuttered, glancing down at the inquisitive boy between his arms. His golden eyes were wide with curiosity and Harry bent to kiss his turquoise hair. "Why don't you open your photo book to the first page?" suggested Harry.

Teddy did so and smiled. "Your friends!" he cried happily.

Ginny made a small noise of discomfort as she glanced at Tonks, beaming up at the camera and clutching to Remus' hand affectionately. Harry squeezed her hand.

"They're not just my friends," said Harry gravely. "They're your parents."

Teddy's eyes narrowed in confusion as his fingers traced around the tiny, smiling figure of Tonks.

"My... parents?" he said slowly.

"Yes," said Harry, glancing at Teddy in concern.

Teddy's finger stroked Tonk's pink hair. "I've seen her before," he said softly. "There are pictures of her all around Grandmamma's house."

"That's your mother, Teddy. She's Grandmamma's daughter. And that's your father."

Again, Teddy's brow furrowed as he tried to comprehend what Harry was telling him. "So... they are my mum and dad. Like Bill and Fleur are Victoire's mum and dad?"

"Yes."

Teddy looked up at Harry, his face surprisingly void of any sorrow. Harry supposed he was too young to fully understand.

"If they're my parents, then what does that make you?"

Harry put his arm around Teddy's shoulders and hugged the boy tight. "I'm you're godfather."

"What's a godfather?"

Harry chuckled at his godson's curiosity. "Someone who is responsible for looking after a child when their parents... er..." Harry looked at Ginny for encouragement. She gave it with another squeeze of her hand and a supportive nod. "When their parents are no longer around to look after them."

"You mean when they die?" Teddy asked, his eyes glistening in the light of the fire with something Harry thought were tears.

"Well, yes."

Teddy dropped his head and his fingers began caressing the photo of his parents, waving up at him. They looked so happy as they held him, Teddy, in their arms. Teddy sniffed, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he regarded the family he never knew.

"Harry?"

"Yeah, Teddy-bear?"

"What were their names? My mum and dad?"

"Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin."

"Did they love each other, as much as you love Ginny?"

Harry smiled and kissed Ginny's cheek. "Just as much."

"Did they love me?"

Harry faltered and felt tears spring in his eyes. "Very much," Harry whispered, holding the boy tightly and kissing his hair. "They loved you more than anything in the world."

"Then why did they leave me?" asked Teddy, tears falling silently down his cheeks. Harry could feel his body trembling with each shaky breath he took. He looked across at Ginny, whose eyes were shining with tears.

"They didn't want to Teddy," Harry assured him. "They loved you so much that they died so that you could live in a better world. They died to protect you."

Teddy looked up at Harry again, his hair turning the same mousy brown as Tonks. It broke Harry's heart. He knew he needed to comfort his godson, be a proper godfather. He just didn't know how.

"Listen to me very closely, Teddy," said Harry seriously, cupping Teddy's face. "You are so special. There are so many people in this world that love you; me, Ginny, Grandmamma, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Ron, Hermione."

"I know," said Teddy sadly. "I just wish I knew them, that's all."

It was then that Harry remembered something that his own godfather Sirius had told him many years ago.

"The one's that love us never really leave us, Teddy," said Harry. "You can always find them in here."

He took Teddy's hand and placed it over his heart. Teddy looked down at his chest and he smiled.

"Are they in there?" he asked, excitedly.

"Sure are, squirt," chuckled Harry, ruffling his godson's hair. "And they'll always be there, watching over you and loving you just as much as we do."

Teddy threw his arms around Harry's neck and hugged him tight. "I love you, Harry."

Harry patted his back gently. "Love you too, squirt."

Writing this actually made me cry a little. Teddy :'( sniff sniff... I love that boy so much! Hopefully you love him as much as me. Please read and review! :) xx