Quick note: I'm amazed by how many people followed my story based on the first chapter, wow! Thank you to everyone who has read and enjoyed and a special thanks to Diddleymaz and Sweettooth321 for the reviews!

Chapter Two

Gone Away

When Teddy had caught sight of Harry coming down the corridor he had jumped up from the stuffed kneazle he had been playing with to scurry across the floor to greet him. He had flung his arms around Harry's neck as he had bent down to hug him and Harry had felt, just for a moment, that everything was right in the world.

The feeling hadn't lasted long.

Harry remembered the way Teddy had squealed in delight, using his vantage point over Harry's shoulder to look down the corridor behind.

"Draco! Draco!" He had called before breaking free of Harry's embrace and hurrying to give Malfoy a hug which had been as warm and accepting as the one he had given Harry. As Teddy connected with Draco, Harry watched as his hair turned a startling white blonde - Teddy had, Harry had known for some time, inherited his mother's abilities as a metamorphmagus but could not yet control his transformations; at his young age they were influenced mainly by his emotions. If the hug between Teddy and Draco hadn't let Harry see how close Teddy was to his cousin, the startlingly smooth blonde locks which covered his head told him all he needed to know.

As he watched the exchange, Harry's stomach had twisted uncomfortably for two reasons; firstly, there was an itching discomfort, an urge to tear Teddy away from Malfoy and keep him to himself, safe and protected. Secondly, there was the gnawing guilt rising once again as he realised that Draco was clearly a much bigger part of Teddy's life than Harry had ever known.

Harry had taken them both back to Grimmuald Place and provided a simple dinner of soup and bread. Harry had felt uncomfortable as he placed the bowl before Draco - although he'd been expecting Teddy, he hadn't been expecting anyone who may have an... Opinion on whatever it was Harry served. Thankfully Malfoy had remained silent, taking his spoon and bread and leaving nothing but at empty plate behind. As they ate, the kitchen had been filled with the loud, excitable chatter that only a child could muster in such sombre situations. After their plates had been cleared, Malfoy had announced that he should return to the Leaky Cauldron and collect his things. Harry had nodded, glad for the reprieve from Malfoy's presence. What had he been thinking, offering him a place to stay? He knew his decision had been fuelled by guilt but the... uncomfortable, Harry had settled on with no other word to describe the feeling, presence of Draco Malfoy in his house.

After Malfoy had gone, Harry had given Teddy a bath and taken him into the room which had long been Teddy's own; decorated just to his liking from the occasions he had slept at Harry's before. Even though he had not yet had opportunity to gather Teddy's belongings, Harry had been glad to be able to give Teddy a familiar space.

He sat down beside him, stroking the hair that flew wildly across his head, evidence of Harry's not so refined hair-drying skills. Within moments his eyes fluttered to a close and his breathing evened. Harry slowly rose from the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb the sleeping young boy. With a final stroke of his mousey hair, Harry smiled a sad smile to himself.

"Happy birthday, Teddy." He had whispered, vowing in that second that by the time Teddy's next birthday came around his happy birthday wouldn't be empty words whispered into the darkness, haunted by the death of his grandmother.

Harry had gone to bed not long after he had taken Teddy to bed, leaving a short note for Draco explaining that he could choose from any of the bedrooms on the second floor. He awoke early the next morning and, as the April sun shone through his window, allowed himself a moment of peaceful happiness. The serene mood shattered like a fine glass as Harry heard a thudding of feet – light, but purposeful – making their way downstairs. In that moment Harry remembered everything that had happened; the loss, the sorrow, and the… startling turn of events regarding Malfoy.

With a sigh he pulled himself up, sliding out of bed and into his slippers. He knew, from sharing his house with Teddy before, that those footsteps would have by now found their way to the kitchen, and with Kreacher away at Hogwarts, would be making a terrible mess of his kitchen. His glasses were, as always, easily located on his bedside table. Once his blurry vision regained focus, he quickly found his dressing down and tied the familiar, comforting fabric over his pyjamas.

Harry took the two flights of stairs from his and Teddy's rooms to the ground floor without giving a moment's thought to Malfoy; Harry presumed he was still sleeping behind one of the second floors closed doors. During the sixth year that he spent avidly watching Malfoy Harry had quickly learnt he wasn't the earliest of risers and, when he did arrive, spent most of the morning meal drinking coffee. The thought made him feel a little more relaxed – time for he and Teddy to enjoy a nice breakfast together before Malfoy's presence once again brought its unease.

However as Harry reached the kitchen door, left slightly ajar, he stopped in his tracks.

"I can't find any pumpkin juice, Teddy." Came Malfoy's voice, floating through the gap in the door. Harry carefully, silently edged up to the door frame and peaked through the gap. He saw Teddy was sitting up at the high kitchen table with a slice of toast, thickly covered in raspberry jam; most of which was now colourfully decorating the young boys face. Malfoy, however, was out of Harry's line of sight. "Lots of milk, it's good for you, that's one thing the muggles have got right. Try some." As Malfoy's voice continued Harry felt more and more as if he'd awoken in an alternate universe; Draco Malfoy was in his kitchen, serving breakfast to his godson, talking so casually about muggles of all things.

Harry's hand hovered in mid-air, frozen in the space between his body and the door handle. He had no idea what to do; after a moment of internal struggle he gritted his teeth and pushed the door open. He would not be made to feel like he was intruding in his own home. Especially not by Malfoy.

As Harry entered he was able to see Malfoy, his back to Harry as he poured Teddy a glass of milk, already dressed in a fine pair of robes. Harry suddenly felt self-conscious, picking at the fraying tie of his dressing gown. It wasn't that he couldn't afford fine clothes; he liked his once fluffy, now slightly threadbare dressing gown. It was homely, it was comfortable. Besides, it was his house! He could wear his pyjamas for breakfast, couldn't he? As Malfoy turned around to hand Teddy the glass he froze, Harry's keenly sharpened Auror observation skills noted the way his fingers tightened around the glass, his knuckles whitening as much as the already pale skin allowed.

"Uncle Harry!" Teddy called happily from his seat oblivious, as any three year old would be, to the tension between the two adults which had now frosted over the room. "Draco made me breakfast, but he says you haven't got any pumpkin juice. Can we get some? Please?"

Harry blinked, breaking his stare with Malfoy then turned to his godson, offering him a warm smile. "Of course we can. We can go later if you want. When you've eaten your breakfast." At the offer Teddy whooped happily, stuffing down his toast and adding more jam to his already red smeared face. The glass of milk, which Malfoy had now placed beside his plate, was drained in an instant before Teddy tore off out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

As Teddy left, the kitchen descended into a very awkward silence. After a moment Malfoy broke it, clearing his throat and saying "I hope it's okay. Making Teddy breakfast, I mean. I was already up and.." Malfoy trailed off, looking uncertain. Harry was once again struck by the ways in which he had changed so much; he could never imagine the Malfoy he'd known at school behaving like this. No, the Malfoy from school would have waltzed around Harry's kitchen as if he owned it, probably making some sneering comment about his chipped pots and lack of house elf.

Feeling, after Malfoy's words, that he had no right to complain Harry nodded his head. "It's fine, don't worry about it." He said, pulling the kettle toward him. Already hot, he noted. He took a spoon and began to heap grounds of coffee granules into a pot, pouring the water on top. He lost himself in the simple act of brewing the coffee until a whisper broke his concentration.

"He doesn't seem affected at all, does he?" The words were so quiet Harry didn't know if he was intended to hear. Either way, he had. He frowned, considering Malfoy's words. Harry, of course, had noted the way Teddy seemed perfectly at ease with his new living situation – and hadn't mentioned his grandmother once.

"He's young. I'm sure it hasn't really sunk in yet… Or…" Harry trailed off, his heart dropping like a stone. He suddenly realised, with the surprise of finding Malfoy in the office, he hadn't covered the most basic ground with Cairn's about what had happened to his godson in the day and a half after Andromeda's death before Harry had been allowed to collect him. He turned away from the pot to Malfoy, although from his position he could only see the back of his head. "Do you… Do you think they even told him?"

Although Harry couldn't see his face he could see the sudden stiffening of Malfoy's shoulders. There was silence for a moment then, even more quietly than before, Malfoy spoke again. "Surely they… Had to?"

"I don't know." Harry replied, shrugging although the gesture would be lost on Malfoy. "I've never been in a situation like this. They might leave it to the families… I suppose…" Harry trailed off, an awkward pause rising as he chewed on his bottom lip. "I suppose we'll have to ask him."

At these words Malfoy twisted in his seat, turning to face Harry. He eyed him for a moment and Harry suddenly felt hot under the intensity of his gaze. He realised that this was the longest conversation he and Malfoy had had without insulting each other in… well, ever. There were, of course, more important things to be thinking about.

As if sensing Harry's thoughts Malfoy nodded, standing to smooth down his robes. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, when Teddy burst back into the kitchen. "Uncle Harry – I haven't got any clothes! Just my yesterday ones, and my pyjamas. We'll have to go to grannies and get some."

The way Teddy spoke of Andromeda so casually made Harry's heart twist in pain. He gaze a long glance to Draco, who simply stared back. "Teddy…" Harry began, the hesitation clear in his voice.

"Yes, Uncle Harry?" His godson replied, looking up at Harry with wide eyes, innocent and trusting.

"Come here." Harry said, picking Teddy up – with some difficulty, he noted, when had the kid got so heavy? He was relieved to place Teddy down on a kitchen chair, taking the one next to him and placing a gentle hand on his leg. After a moments silence, during which Teddy looked between the two adults with his wide eyes, Harry cleared his throat. He had no idea how to do this, he realised, so he let instinct take over.

"When… Before I – er," Harry paused, flickering his gaze over his shoulder to where Malfoy say, silently overseeing the conversation. "Before we came to get you… Did the lady who was with you tell you anything about where Granny Andromeda was?"

"Yes Uncle Harry" Teddy replied, happily nodding his head. "She said that she had gone away and that someone special was coming to pick me up. Then it was you and Draco! It's so cool staying here for a bit."

"For a bit?" Harry repeated, his stomach sinking at Teddy's final words.

Teddy nodded slowly, looking at Harry as if he were stupid; a technique only a three year old could master. "Grannies gone away, so when she's home I'll go home. Like when you go away all the time Uncle Harry. You always come back."

Harry's heart seemed to stop beating, his throat suddenly and painfully dry. It was true; he often told Teddy he was 'going away' before he went on stake outs and long distance missions with the Auror department and, yes, he always came back. He pulled Teddy over onto his knee, needing the physical reassurance of his weight there as he delivered the next part of his news.

"I'm sorry, Teddy… But…" Harry broke off, his voice cracking. How did he tell a three year old, one who had already lost his mother and father, that the woman who had raised him ever since was dead too? He didn't know – he just knew he had to. "Can you remember when Victoire was born and you asked Granny Andromeda why you didn't have a mummy and daddy like her?" Harry asked, referring back to the sad conversation only a few months ago, when Teddy had met the bundle of life that was the then six month old Victoire Weasley. Slowly, Teddy nodded, his eyes clouding over as he held Harry's gaze.

"Well… Granny Andromeda wasn't very well. She was poorly. So she's had to go and… move on too. She's with your mummy and daddy now." Harry found himself blinking back tears as he spoke, desperately pleading with his body not to betray him; he couldn't let Teddy see him cry, not now, he had to be strong.

"Why?" Teddy asked, his voice barely more than a whisper and Harry's heart shattered. Such an innocent question; one that he longed for the answer to.

"I don't know.." Harry admitted honestly, burying his face into Teddy's hair as he held the youngster tightly. "But I do know that you can stay here and you'll always be safe. I'll look after you." Harry's tone strengthened as he continued as if he were putting the force of his emotions, of his desire to protect Teddy, into his words.

The young boy said nothing, simply clung to Harry for what felt like the longest time. After a while his grip loosened and he looked up at Harry. His eyes were still wide, Harry noted, but now… Clouded by sadness, a little more of their innocent chipped away.

"Why don't you go upstairs and put yesterday's things on? Then we can go… We can go to your grannies and collect your things." Harry said, a discomfort settling over him that had little to do with the heavier than expected weight of the three year old in his lap.

Teddy nodded mutely and dropped off of Harry's lap, silently leaving the kitchen. As Teddy's footsteps could be heard ascending the staircase Harry heard the sharp screech of chair legs against the stone kitchen floor.

He snapped his head up in surprise to see Malfoy; Harry had forgotten he was still sitting there. As he looked, he noticed the sad, worried look which had softened Malfoy's angular features and the way Malfoy's eyes were wet with unshed tears.

"I'll go and make sure he gets dressed ok." Malfoy said, slowly making his way toward the kitchen door. When he reached it, he turned over his shoulder, shooting Harry one last look. "You… You did well, Potter."

Harry swallowed thickly, looking up to meet Malfoy's gaze. Wet green eyes met wet grey ones and Harry found that any words died in his throat; what could he possibly say? Instead, he nodded, waiting until Malfoy had closed the door behind him and his footsteps had faded away to silence before he put his head in his hands and allowed the tears to overtake him, the pot of coffee cold and forgotten.

Returning to Andromeda's house had been difficult to say the least. Thankfully, Harry had taken two weeks leave from the Auror offices when he found out about Andromeda's passing and his new found guardianship of Teddy. Malfoy (who, of course, had nowhere he needed to be in England) had declined the invitation and, in all honesty, Harry had been glad he had. Teddy hadn't spoken a word as Harry had packed his wardrobe into a trunk, taking care to fold each item of clothing with care and precision. He had found the repetitive movements comforting and soon enough the trunk was full. Harry charmed it to become pocket size before pulling out another bag.

"This is for anything else you want to keep." Harry had explained to the silent youngster as he looked around the room for an example. His eyes had fallen on a small, stuffed dragon on his bed. "Like this, he wants to come and live with us too, doesn't he?" Harry asked, forcing a smile as he picked up the red cuddly toy.

Teddy had nodded mutely and Harry had placed the dragon into the bag. He had helped Teddy select a wide range of toys from his bedroom and pack them away, although Teddy offered no more than nods of approval to Harry's suggestions. Once all the toys had been sorted through they had descended the stairs and went into the sitting room. The breath caught in Harry's throat as he looked at the fireplace; a sight he had seen many times before but was now more painful than ever.

He had stepped forward, running his fingertips over the glided frame of the first photo he picked up. In it Tonks and Lupin we're beaming, proudly holding their new born son in their arms. It was, as far as Harry knew, the only photograph the three had taken before… Tucking the photograph under his arm and pushing the thought away he moved onto the next. It had been taken a year ago at Teddy's second birthday party. In it, Andromeda sat beside a beaming Teddy who was presented with a huge chocolate cake. Excitement swept the young boys features as he puffed out his cheeks and blew out the candles, Andromeda smiling lovingly beside him before the scene replayed itself. As Harry watched again he had stared closer, into Andromeda's eyes, trying to see the sadness he must have missed.

Why didn't you tell us? We could have helped. Harry had silently pleaded with the witch in the photograph before he remembered Teddy was waiting with him. He then crouched down, both photographs in hand to show.

"We can bring these and I can put them on your beside table." Harry had explained, allowing Teddy to carefully examine each photo although he'd probably watched them a thousand times before. "Then you can always have mummy, daddy and granny looking down on you. Keeping you safe."

Harry had watched as Teddy let his fingers ghost over photo-Andromeda before he looked up at Harry and nodded. A small, sad smile tugged at his lips, but it was a smile all the same. Harry offered one in return, pleased he had managed to get something right.

The rest of the evening had followed in a similar silence. Harry and Teddy had been at Andromeda's for hours without realising it, when they had returned home it had been time to prepare dinner. With no time left to go shopping after they returned home the meal had once again been a simple affair, and once again Malfoy didn't complain. Yet without Teddy's excitable chatter to fill the room as they ate the three sat in silence, Harry or Malfoy sometimes trying in vain to strike up conversations with Teddy which were met with little more than nods in response.

"This is my house now, isn't it?" Teddy asked that night, breaking his silence as Harry tucked him beneath his patterned sheets, the newly acquired photographs sitting proudly beside his bed.

"Yes," Harry whispered, smoothing back Teddy's hair and attempting a smile despite the emotion held in his innocent question. Teddy nodded in response, settling back against his pillow.

"Is it going to be Draco's house too?" Teddy asked, causing Hardy to freeze in surprise. It seemed Teddy, no matter his young age, had developed a keen ability to read situations. Harry sat in silence for the longest moment, wondering how to respond. Thankfully, the silence didn't seem to bother Teddy. "He's my cousin, you know." He informed Harry with a smile.

Harry had clutched at the turn in conversation, at the first real smile Teddy had offered since that morning, and nodded. "I know."

Teddy's eyes had slowly fluttered closed and, within no time at all, his breathing shallowed and he was fast asleep. Harry rose from the bed, taking a long look at his sleeping godson and the photographs which stood beside him before creeping from the room.

He quietly padded down the stairs, in search of the kitchen and a steaming mug of hot chocolate to ease his mind before he retired to bed. When he reached the kitchen he once again found Malfoy sitting at the table, a mug already clasped in his hands.

"I er- I hope you don't mind." He said, nodding slightly toward the drink in his hands.

"I already said I didn't," Harry replied as he headed over to the counter and poured steaming hot water from the kettle into a mug he heaped with coco powder.

"That was for… Never mind." Malfoy trailed off, looking down at the mug in his hands. Harry knew the words he hadn't spoken 'that was for Teddy' he assumed Malfoy would have said but Harry was glad he didn't. He didn't want any more awkward conversation, any more carefully chosen words.

Harry sipped his drink in silence, choosing to lean against the kitchen counter rather than join Malfoy at the table. After a moment of silence Malfoy stood brushing past Harry as he placed his used mug into the sink.

"Tomorrow I'll need to go back to France." He announced, breaking the silence between them. "Arrangements need to be made to sell the house… I'll have to pack up my things and… I'll have to find someone to take over my shop." Malfoy stopped and the tips of his ears reddened slightly as he realised he was listing his jobs aloud and that Harry probably didn't care. Which he didn't, not really; although he was intrigued to see Malfoy embarrassed. "I'll go in the morning, after I've said goodbye to Teddy, I don't want him thinking…" Malfoy trailed off, silence falling again as the pair recalled the painful conversation held in the kitchen that morning.

Harry nodded mutely to show he understood and watched as Malfoy swept from the kitchen. Staring down at the half filled mug in his hands he sighed and poured the contents down the sink, he wasn't in the mood for drinking. Not for drinking anything that weak, anyway. His eyes lingered on a bottle of firewhisky, high on a kitchen shelf way beyond Teddy's reach. After a moment he decided against it, shaking his head to himself as he dragged his tired body to bed.