Chapter 19: Unexpected News

January 23rd, 2018

Training someone else to be an auror isn't easy, even if that person is your own godson. Now I know what Mr. Robbards went through when he was training Ron, Neville, and I. In the future, you were going to replace Ron because he was retiring as an auror and planned on helping George with his joke shop. You aren't near ready to take Ron's place, but you've only been training with me for only a year and four months. Honestly, you're doing wonderfully, and by the time Ron does retire in a year and a half, you'll be ready. I got a little worried earlier today, though, when an owl came for you carrying a concerning letter.

We were in the middle of a mock duel when the letter arrived. I was trying to get you to be more aggressive in your dueling, but you were having none of it.

"I don't want to hurt you, Harry." You said softly. "You are thirty-seven, for Merlin's sake…"

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

You 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."

I 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." I 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 deatheater, and you are afraid to even use the Cruciatus Curse, that deatheater will kill you before you even know what was happening."

"But that deatheater isn't my godfather." You sighed.

Just then, a barn owl landed on your shoulder. Curiously, you untied letter from the owl's leg, opened the envelope and began to read the letter. It was a good thing a chair was nearby, because you soon collapsed into it. For several minutes you stared in utter shock at the words on that single sheet of parchment.

"Teddy, is everything alright? Did something happen to Andromeda?" I was already assuming the worse. I figured something must be wrong with Andromeda. What else could make you react in such a way?

"N-No." You stammered finally. "Grandmum's fine, as far as I know."

"Then what does the letter say?"

"It's not the letter, Harry." You 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."

"Are you sure?"

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

"Alright, go get some rest." I replied, still not convinced that the reason you gave for collapsing was accurate. I was even less convinced when the auror office door slammed instead of closing quietly like it usually did. I quickly followed you out the door.

"Teddy!" I called. "Wait!"

You spun around, and I saw tears in your eyes. You, my normal strong-as-diamonds godson, were actually crying. "What, Harry?" you asked impatiently.

"What's the real reason your upset?" I 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?" You snapped. "I need to go home and… and clear my head." And with that you disapparated.

Something is up, and I'm determined to find out what it is. As your godfather, it's my responsibility to do so.

February 11th, 2018

Last Saturday, Ginny and I, along with the other Weasleys received letters from our children, explaining that for the first time ever, Hogwarts was allowing families to visit students the weekend before Valentine's Day. Parents would get to spend all day Saturday, February 10th – yesterday - with the students if the students wished. Also for the first time, parent-professor conference would be held. Ginny, the Weasleys and I, along with you decided to go. What happened next was something no one expected.

It was the first time many of the adults had returned to Hogwarts since they graduated, and kids like Roxanne, Lily, and Hugo hadn't even seen Hogwarts before yesterday, so excitement buzzed around the castle. When we entered the Great Hall, it wasn't hard to find the nine oldest members of the Weasley/Potter next generation, as they were the biggest clump of students waiting for family members, and half of them had the signature Weasley-red hair. After dozens of hugs and kisses, we all managed to find an abandoned hallway, so that we could eat our lunch as a family without being disturbed.

Throughout the meal, you and Victoire didn't say much. You both appeared to be extremely nervous, and it worried me. However, I was to only one who seemed to notice, so I didn't say anything. Suddenly you cleared your throat so loudly, that everyone turned to look at you and became silent. "Everyone," you said nervously, "Victoire and I have something very important to tell you. It will change all of our lives forever."

"Well, spit it out." George teased. "Don't take all weekend!"

Victoire took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant." She whispered but everyone still heard her. Grandmum Molly dropped her glass of fire whiskey on the floor, causing it to shatter. Fleur began swearing violently in French, while Bill looked extremely hurt and disappointed in his little girl. Dominique looked as though she had been punched in her stomach, probably because her older sister, her role model, had done something she would have never imagined her sister doing. Everyone else looked so shocked that they couldn't speak.

Why hadn't I realized this before? The letter, when you collapsed in the chair and seemed to be frozen in time, when you slammed the door, and when I caught you with tears in your eyes… they were all clues. The more I thought about it, I did notice that Victoire seemed to have put on a few pounds, but I assumed it was because she was Head Girl and got extra snacks and sweets from the house elves.

To me, I felt like I had failed you and your parents as being your godfather. You had gotten your girlfriend pregnant before you were married, before you had a job and paychecks, and right in the middle of your auror training. I was the closest thing to a father that you had, and this pregnancy made me wonder: had I failed at my job? I glanced at you, but you ducked your head and avoided my eyes.

Suddenly, Fleur got over her anger enough to stop swearing in French and start yelling in English.

" 'ow could you do zis, Victoire? We trusted you, and Teddy!" she snapped.

"I-I'm sorry, Mum." Victoire stammer. "We… we didn't mean to…"

"You didn't mean to? Zey always say zat. 'ow could you 'not mean to?' You 'ave brought shame to both ze Weasley family and ze Delacour family! You're not even out of Hogwarts yet!"

Victoire couldn't take it anymore. She burst into tears and buried her head in your shoulder. Instinctively, you began rubbing her back, attempting to calm her down.

"Fleur," Bill said softly, speaking for the first time. "Now let's not be unreasonable."

"I am not being unreasonable! You are taking her side, and I cannot take it!" Fleur snapped, and stormed down the hall.

Bill sighed. "Victoire?" he asked softly.

Victoire lifted her head from your shoulder for a second. "Yes?"

"Can I ask you just one question?"

Victoire nodded weakly.

"Did I fail you as a father?"

Victoire gasped. "Daddy, no… don't say that…"

Bill sighed again. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

Victoire nodded, and followed her father in the opposite direction that Fleur had gone in. Everyone was silent, not sure what to say after all that. Finally, I broke the silence.

"Teddy, will you come for a walk with me?"

You stood up silently, and we set off for a third hallway. We walked in silence, until I asked, "Is this was the letter you received about two weeks ago about?"

You nodded. "I still have in my pocket."

"May I see it?" I asked softly.

You nodded again, and handed me the letter.

Dearest Teddy,

I'm sorry I'm not telling you in person, but I cannot wait until I see you in person. 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

The letter wasn't long, but it was a major piece of your life. As I handed the letter back to you, I saw that you were crying. "Harry," you sobbed. "What am I going to do? I'm not ready to be a dad. I'm nineteen!"

I hesitated. "I tell you what you're going to do. As I told you before, when your mother got pregnant with you, your father left her because he was afraid you were going to be a werewolf, and he still thought he was putting you and your mother in danger. He came to Number Twelve and tried to join Ron, Hermione, and I in the hunt for horcuxes. I became angry with him, and called him a coward. I think that was what eventually made him return to your mother, along with his uncontrollable love for her. What I never want to see you do, is leave Victoire in the time that she's needs you most. Do you understand me."

You nodded weakly. "Actually, earlier on the day I received Victoire's letter, I decided that I was going propose to Victoire after she graduated from Hogwarts. The plan was to pick out a ring, and then propose to her right after she got off the Hogwarts Express. I was going to tell you about my plan after auror training, but then the letter came, and I never got a chance. I can't really carry out that exact plan now, because by the time June comes, Victoire will be about six months along, and people will think I'm only proposing because she's pregnant. But the thing is, I really do love her."

I smiled. "That's good. You're being extremely responsible."

You sighed. "Thanks, Harry. But... there's just no way I'm ready to be a dad. I won't even be done with my auror training. How am I going to support Victoire and a baby."

"Teddy Remus Lupin," I said firmly. "I will do everything in my power to help you become an auror as quickly as possible. Until then, I lend you money, and you can pay it back whenever you are able."

You smiled. "Thanks, Harry." You said, and gave me a hug.

It honestly isn't a problem. No matter what I will always take care of you. I am your godfather, and it is my duty to do so.

Author's note: Well, I just barely got my five reviews. And technically, it was four, but somehow, someone managed to post a review twice. Really, I shouldn't count it… but luckily for you, I'm anxious to finish this story and move on to a new one.

Also, next chapter is the last chapter. Sorry, but I have an idea for a new story buzzing around in my mind, and it won't go away! I'm really anxious to start it, so I'm going to bring this story to a close. Thanks for reading, and PLEASE CONTINUE TO REVIEW! I really, really want to get at least 45 reviews… that would be amazing.