A/N: Hey. I realized that I'm pretty sure I only updated once yesterday. It's not my fault. I was waiting for more reviews but I got less than usual :( Lol. Anyways, I'm glad you all liked Teddy in the last chapter. I just love little Teddy. Also, I had a comment from someone about him seeming to be older than five years old. I agree, I do. He did seem like he was older than five but let's say it's because of the situation. He has no parents, his grandmother doesn't particularly want him or care about him, he knows he might get to live with his godfather who he's never met, and he's meeting Harry and Severus for the first time. I think anyone would act older (or younger, depending) in that situation. He acts more his age in this chapter anyways. So, yes, it was just that situation that made him act older than five. Lol.

So, I hope you all enjoy this next chapter and please review. Thank you. :]

Warnings: Very brief allusion to child neglect. Slight Molly bashing.

Three Months Later

"Harry!" Teddy shouted, running into the hospital wing where Harry was currently treating a couple burn patients from an accident in a common room.

"Teddy, we told you not to run and where's Severus?" Harry said, looking up from where he had been spreading the Burn Salve on the sixth year's leg.

"I know, I know, sorry, and I don't know. He was behind me," Teddy said.

"Until you started running, you terror," Severus growled as he walked into the hospital wing and over to Teddy.

"Sorry, Sev'rus," Teddy said as Severus pulled him up into his arms, settling him on his hip.

"No dessert tonight for running and not staying in my sight," Severus said and Teddy pouted.

"But, Sev'rus," he whined.

"No," Severus said and Teddy huffed.

"What has you so excited?" Harry asked, continuing to put the salve on the sixteen year old Gryffindor.

"You got a letter!" Teddy said loudly, bouncing in Severus' arms and waving an envelope around.

"You broke the rules and ran away from Severus because of a letter?" Harry said, staring at his now six year old godson. Teddy gave a small nod. "This had better be a good letter."

Severus snatched the letter from Teddy's hand and held it out to Harry. Harry took it and ran a hand over Teddy's back as he looked down at the seal.

"It's from the Ministry," he said, his gaze snapping up to Severus who nodded.

"They finally made their decision it seems," Severus said.

It had been three months since the custody hearing. They had been anxiously awaiting a letter letting them know the next court date where Teddy's custody would be announced. During the time, they had stuck to the scheduled visits. Andromeda was not as hostile towards them but she still lacked feelings towards Teddy who still continuously asked to stay at Hogwarts with Harry and Severus. It hadn't taken long for the child to warm up to them and they both found themselves falling into the positions of parents easily.

Andromeda had been right when she said that full moons were hard. Teddy had been with them a couple times that fell on the nights of the full moon. He was very irritable and usually cried a lot. However, Harry and Severus managed to make the nights bearable for the child with potions and distractions.

They didn't talk about the boy's parents a lot, usually only when he asked. They had all connected deeply through their lack of parents. Both Harry and Teddy lost theirs before they could know them and Severus' were abusive. Well, his father was. His mother was weak and didn't try to help him. He lost both of his parents before he was sixteen.

"Are you gonna open it?" Teddy said, breaking through Harry's distraction.

"Right," Harry said and broke the wax seal. He pulled out the letter and unfolded it.

To Mr. Harry Potter,

The Wizengamot has come to their decision regarding the custody of Ted Remus Lupin. You are asked to be at the Ministry of Magic in Courtroom Nine at ten-thirty a.m. on the nineteenth of June.

Sincerely,
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Minister for Magic

"The court date is set for June nineteenth at ten-thirty," Harry said. "What day is that?"

"Next Thursday," Severus said, letting Teddy slide back to the floor.

"I can get Elijah in here," Harry said.

"I will cancel my classes for that morning," Severus said and Harry sighed. "What is it, love?"

Harry glanced at Teddy who was talking to the injured Gryffindor and cast a Silencing Charm around them. "What if we get him?"

"Then we've won," Severus said, confused.

"Severus, this is huge. If we won, I've got custody of Teddy. He'll be living with us."

"I still don't follow your concern," Severus said.

"It won't just be visits, Severus. He'll be living with us," Harry said.

"Yes, he will and we're ready for it. We have been for these past three months. He's ready for it as well. Teddy wants to stay here or do you not hear his complaints about going home every week?"

"I know he wants to stay. I'm just thinking about how much it'll change everything. We'll have to change our work schedules so that we can take care of him otherwise we'll never be with him and we have to handle his schooling and—"

"Harry, slow down and calm down. We knew all of this when we started this trial. Teddy will go to school in the primary school just outside of Hogsmeade. Elijah is graduating and will be focusing on just his apprenticeship while he goes through Healer school. He will be able to be in here more. I have already told Minerva to find another professor to teach the first through fourth years while I take the fifth through seventh years. For the times that we cannot watch Teddy, he will go to Kingsley or Dean or Luna or Bill or the twins or someone in the school," Severus told him.

"But the year ends in a week and a half. Teddy will be settled and comfortable here and then we'll be uprooting him and dragging him to Iceland," Harry said. "It'll seem like being moved to the other side of the world for him."

"He'll be fine," Severus assured him. "You've told Teddy all about Iceland and he wants to go. He wants to see the place and, quite frankly, so do I," he said, kissing Harry lightly. "He'll be fine."

Harry nodded and cancelled the Silencing Charm. They turned around to face Teddy again and found him talking animatedly with the injured Gryffindor.

"Teddy, it's time to go," Severus said. "We need to let Harry work."

"Aww," Teddy whined, pouting adorably. "But I'm talkin' to Anna."

"Anna needs to finish being treated," Severus said. "Come along, child."

"Okay," Teddy said dejectedly and walked over to Severus who ran his fingers through the now bright blue hair. It had become obvious that turquoise was Teddy's favourite hair colour. He would revert back to his natural sandy hair whenever he had to return to Andromeda's or he was upset. His hair would be a deep blue or green if he was sad or concerned. He had also taken to copying Harry's and Severus' hair when he missed one of them or was being comforted after a nightmare.

"Hi, Harry," someone greeted and Harry looked up from Anna's leg to see Elijah who was in his uniform.

"Elijah," Harry said, somewhat surprised. "Are you in today?"

"Yes."

"Now?"

Elijah raised an amused eyebrow. "Yes."

"I completely forgot," Harry said and Elijah laughed.

"I've noticed."

"Well, I suppose I can take off then," Harry said, still trying to sort his now messed up thoughts. "Anna needs her leg wrapped. She should be out of here by dinner. Just check her leg once in a while. The others should be fine and also out around dinner. Except Sam, he'll be out in about an hour. I think that's it."

"Even if it's not, I'm sure I can figure it out," Elijah smiled.

"Hi, 'Lijah!" Teddy exclaimed, waving animatedly at the to-be Healer.

"Hello, Teddy," Elijah smiled at the boy. "All right, Harry. Time for you to get out of here and spend some time with your family."

Harry smiled at the term 'family'. "Thanks, Elijah."

"You're the one teaching me. You've got nothing to thank me for," Elijah said, already beginning to wrap up Anna's leg.

Harry chuckled. "See you later.

"Bye."

Harry left the infirmary with Severus and Teddy. As they walked, Teddy broke free of Severus' hand and walked a bit ahead of them, staring at pictures that waved at him. Harry and Severus watched him as they walked at a slower pace, hands entwined, and quietly talking. They would nod, smile, wave, or greet students that passed. It was as students said hello to Severus that Harry once again realized how much the man had truly changed over the past few years.

The man still had his reputation as being the strictest and harshest professor at Hogwarts, and he still instilled fear in the students, but only in the classroom. Apparently he had mellowed slightly outside of class in the past five years, and now that he had Harry, he was more likeable. Though they weren't demonstrative in public, the students had observed the two of them together and the love they had for each other, proving that the heartless bastard of the dungeons wasn't so heartless. Once Teddy had made an appearance, Severus' new reputation as a 'happy, loving family man' was created much to his dismay, though Harry knew he was secretly pleased that his students no longer despised him. Not only had the entirety of the student population fallen in love with the little boy but Severus' interactions with Teddy showed that he did care and would never hurt anyone, especially a child.

To Severus' horror, he was now one of the most liked and respected professors at Hogwarts. Harry silently laughed at this fact, remembering just how much Severus Snape had been hated five years ago.

Looking at Teddy and Severus, Harry smiled at the changes he had allowed in his life.

"Teddy!" Harry suddenly shouted. "Don't you dare leave that landing and run on these stairs."

Teddy immediately stopped at the top of the stairs and looked at Harry, contrite. "Yes, Harry."

Harry sighed and shook his head. He looked up when he felt Severus chuckle. "What?"

"You are not one to lecture about these stairs," Severus said and Harry rolled his eyes, grinning.

"It's because of the trouble I got in that allows me to lecture," Harry said and Severus laughed again, putting his arm around Harry's neck, Harry's slipping around his waist.

"And what trouble did you get into on these stairs?" Severus asked as they walked with Teddy down to the first floor.

"Oh, you know. Being led to a three-headed dog, getting stuck in a trick stair while the fake Moody talked to Barty Crouch and then you came by, falling down them a few times, helping Fred and George torture Umbridge. The usual," Harry said and Severus snorted.

"I knew you were there somewhere when I found that Golden Egg," Severus said.

"Of course," Harry grinned and Severus rolled his eyes.

"It also wasn't the fault of the stairs that you found Fluffy," Severus said.

"It definitely was. Well, the stairs' and Filch's," Harry said.

"And it has nothing to do with your insistent nosing around?" Severus raised an eyebrow.

"Not at all," Harry shook his head seriously before he burst out laughing at Severus' expression. "Libertas," he said to Connor who swung open. "All right, what does everyone want for lunch?" he asked, pulling off his Healer robes.

"Pancakes!" Teddy shouted from where he was sitting on the floor with Lileen.

"Lunch, Teddy, not breakfast," Harry smiled at the child. "What about you?" He turned to Severus. "What do you want?"

"You, but I'm assuming that's not what you meant," Severus said casually and Harry rolled his eyes. "Just make something small. He ate a large breakfast."

Harry nodded and headed to the kitchen, his thoughts briefly drifting over how domestic his life was as he heard Severus pick up Teddy who squealed happily.

One Week Later

Harry nervously tugged at his tie as he stared into the mirror until Severus came up behind him, grasped his hand, and pulled him from the bedroom. He didn't say anything as he handed Harry his cloak and then took Harry's hand again, leaving the sanctuary of their rooms. They walked silently through the corridors of the school, Harry giving weak smiles and Severus nodding his head as students wished them good luck. They walked down to the village where Severus pulled Harry against his chest to Apparate, obviously knowing that Harry was in no condition to travel this way on his own. They appeared in front of the Ministry and Harry briefly gave into the urge to just hide himself in Severus' robes once he set eyes on the building. Severus indulged him before gently pushing him away with a pointed look. Harry sighed and faced the Ministry again, taking Severus' hand to calm himself.

They walked into the Ministry of Magic and through the Atrium after handing their wands over for registration despite the fact that it really wasn't necessary. They stepped into one of the lifts and Harry nervously jumped when it jerked into motion and again when it jerked to a stop at their floor. Once off the lift, they were alone in the corridor and Severus kissed the back of Harry's hand in comfort. They walked down the corridor and around a corner where they found Courtroom Nine on the left. Pushing the door open, they entered the dark, circular room. Unlike the last time they had gone to court, there were hardly any people within the room.

Andromeda was already present and sitting at the table on the right with Mrs. Weasley next to her. Severus led Harry over to the table on the left where they sat down. Kingsley was sitting in the center chair up where he and the Wizengamot sat. The amount of Wizengamot members had decreased from the last trial. Last time the chairs had been filled. This time there were only about ten or fifteen scattered among the empty chairs. Kingsley was sorting through all kinds of parchments and documents, none of which Harry could see but neither did they ease his nerves.

There were still a couple minutes before the hearing was to begin so everyone sat in silence as they awaited ten-thirty. Harry was unknowingly beginning to crush Severus' hand in his own as he wrestled with his nerves.

Severus allowed it until it began to ache and he leaned over to whisper, "I know you're nervous, love, but try to refrain from breaking my bones."

Harry immediately let go and looked at Severus in concern as the man flexed his fingers. "Sorry," he whispered back.

Severus gave him a small smile and took his hand once again. "Everything will be fine," he said quietly and brushed his lips across the back of Harry's hand, making the younger man smile.

"We will now begin," Kingsley said, his deep voice echoing in the nearly empty room. "We are here on this nineteenth day of June of 2003 at ten-thirty a.m. to bring the case of the custody of Ted Remus Lupin to a close. The Wizengamot has reviewed the testimonies of all the witnesses as well as those of Mr. Harry Potter and Mrs. Andromeda Tonks nee Black. The last will and testament of Mr. Remus John Lupin and Mrs. Nymphadora Lupin nee Tonks has also been reviewed and taken under careful consideration in the final decision."

Here he stopped and looked up at Harry and Andromeda.

"This was not an easy decision though it was easier than it could have been. Many things were brought against Mr. Potter and many things were brought against Mrs. Tonks. However, there are some things that we were not able to dismiss as insignificant. One of these things was the will and the other was the discovery of the neglect being inflicted on the child," Kingsley said. "Mrs. Tonks, we are aware that you are probably not a bad guardian but it has been brought to our attention that you do neglect your grandson and do not treat him right. The will of Mr. and Mrs. Lupin is very clear and also very legal.

"Mr. Potter, we understand why you left and we know that you did not abandon your godson. We are, of course, aware of the choices you made after the war in regards to saving the life of Professor Severus Snape. We cannot and will not hold it against you; no one should. As Professor Snape said in his testimony, it only showed what you will do for those you care for. You obviously have many around you that care about you and are willing to help you raise a child. We can also see that Professor Snape is a large part of your life and he is a good man. Never would we base our decision based on his presence."

Harry smiled and wrapped his right arm around Severus', hugging it affectionately, making Kingsley and some Wizengamot members smile at the interaction.

"Mrs. Tonks, due to the revelations of your treatment towards the child, you will be fined four thousand galleons for child neglect," Kingsley said and Andromeda nodded.

Harry frowned. Did she really care that little about her grandson?

"The Wizengamot's decision is final and cannot be changed except through legal action under different circumstances if so chosen by the guardian," Kingsley said and the room seemed to hold its breath as they awaited the revelation of the decision. "It has been decided that full custody of the child, Ted Remus Lupin, will go to Mr. Harry Potter."

Harry felt his breath catch. They had won? Teddy was his?

"I demand the decision be made again!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "You are biased, Minister."

"I was not a part of making this decision, Mrs. Weasley, because of my relationship with the side of Mr. Potter. This decision was made strictly by the Wizengamot members. I did not have a say in this decision," Kingsley said and the woman seemed to deflate even as she turned and glared deeply at Harry. "Congratulations, Mr. Potter," Kingsley added and then smiled as he said, "It's a boy."

Harry rolled his eyes at Kingsley who chuckled.

"You will have to sign some forms and then you may take the child home," Kingsley told him and Harry nodded, staring blankly down at the documents that had appeared before him with a self-inking quill.

"Harry?" Severus said quietly and Harry looked at him. "What is it?"

"We won," Harry said and Severus nodded. "We have Teddy."

"If you sign the forms, yes," Severus said, handing Harry the quill.

Harry took a deep breath and went to begin signing the papers but then stopped.

"Something wrong, Harry?" Kingsley asked, having left his seat and was now standing in front of them.

"Can I have another person be a primary guardian for Teddy along with me?" Harry asked and Kingsley nodded with a small smile.

"Yes, you can. Anyone in mind?" he asked even though he knew the answer.

"Severus," Harry said and saw Severus' shock. He looked at him.

"Harry—"

"This way, if something happens to either of us, he has someone else to go to," Harry said. "Besides, he loves you."

Severus didn't say anything, only nodding.

"Godparents?" Harry said, once he got to the four empty spaces for godparents.

"Yes," Kingsley nodded. "Two sets."

Harry turned to Severus again. "Luna and Dean?"

"They are acceptable."

Harry filled in the first two spaces with the names of Luna and Dean. "What about Bill and Fleur?"

"Also acceptable."

Harry smiled and rolled his eyes as he filled in the last two spaces. He had reached the end where he and Severus had to sign and Teddy would legally be in their custody. He shakily signed his name and handed the quill over to Severus who signed his own name. The documents glowed briefly before disappearing.

"Congratulations," Kingsley said again. "Will you be changing his name at all?"

Harry thought about it. He wasn't sure he wanted to add 'Potter' onto the end of Teddy's name. Maybe 'Potter-Snape'? No, that made it sound like he and Severus were married. He didn't want Teddy to lose any part of his name as it was a reminder of his parents who had loved him enough to die for him.

"No, I think we'll leave it as it is for now. Maybe down the road we'll change something or if we ever adopt him or something like that. I don't want to take away any part of his name so it'll stay the same for now."

Kingsley nodded.

"Is he here?" Harry asked.

"Of course. One of the Wizengamot members went to get him," Kingsley nodded and he had just finished when a back door flew open and a little boy was running across the room.

"Harry!" Teddy shouted and jumped into Harry's arms. He gave him a hug before jumping over to Severus and hugging him as well.

"I will send his things to you," Andromeda said, walking up to them.

Harry got to his feet and nodded. "Thank you. You're allowed to see him whenever you want. I won't deny you your grandson," he told her all the while knowing he was allowing her what she had denied him.

"Thank you, but it is not necessary," Andromeda said and Harry nodded.

"Regardless, the offer will always remain open," Harry said. Andromeda gave him a tight nod before leaving with Mrs. Weasley who simply gave Harry another glare. Harry sighed. How could even good moments remind him of why he had left Britain?

"Harry?" Teddy's young voice reached him and he turned around to see Severus standing up with Teddy on his hip and Teddy's arms around his neck. "Are we going home now?"

Harry smiled at him. "Yes, we're going home now."

"And I get to stay this time?"

"You get to stay this time," Harry nodded and Teddy grinned. "Let's go home," he said, taking Severus' free hand and they left the Ministry.

Apparating to Hogsmeade, Severus put Teddy on the ground and the three of them headed up to the castle, Teddy running ahead of them and all over the grounds in his excitement.

"Have your nerves calmed yet?" Severus asked Harry.

"They're worse but also better," Harry said and Severus raised an eyebrow. "I'm still nervous about how we're going to make it all work but I'm also better because I can see how happy he is. He doesn't have his parents, he had no friends, and his grandmother doesn't want him. He should be miserable but he's acting like Christmas is coming everyday for the next year."

"Because he now gets to stay where he can know about his parents, where his friends are, and where he is wanted," Severus said, putting an arm around Harry's waist, pulling him closer as they walked. "We'll be able to make it work. We'll be fine."

They continued to walk in silence, watching as their new ward ran around the grounds with Lileen, who had appeared from seemingly nowhere, beside him and racing him.

"Severus?"

"Yes?"

"I'm glad I came back to England."

Severus gave a small smile and hugged him closer, kissing the top of his head. "Me too, love."

A/N: I'm aware that it probably wouldn't take 3 months for a decision to be made regarding custody of a child but let's say that it took that long because of the people involved and the situation. Lol. So, I hope you liked it and please review. Thank you. :]

Thank you so much to HeartsGlow for pointing out my massive failure at the time skips at the beginning of this chapter. It had originally said things about Harry and Severus having had scheduled visits with Teddy during summer holidays and for six months when there was supposed to be nothing about summer holidays and it's only been three months. Like I said at the beginning of the story, I made major mistakes with the time skips and all when I wrote this story. I forgot to go through this chapter before I posted it and make sure nothing was wrong with it. :P Thanks for catching my failure :P

And thank you to Riddle Potter 23 for, once again, catching my mangling of the Latin language. "Licentia" was supposed to be "Libertas" which it has now been changed to. I'm having all the issues in the world with this chapter. Good grief. :P