Molly had spoken to Harry, to try and smooth things over. She knew Ginny had been at fault and needed to watch what she said. Ginny knew Harry was adopting Teddy and she was just going to have to deal with it. Molly didn't understand her daughter, Teddy was a sweet child and Ginny always said she wanted to have kids. She had told Ginny in no uncertain terms, that acting like a child would not solve any problems. It was one thing when Teddy acted like it, he was two, she had no such excuse at the age of nineteen. She had tried to convince Harry to come back for dinner but he had turned her down. She had been upset but Arthur tried to calm her. He reminded her that he had just adopted Teddy, and likely had plans to celebrate before. She had been a bit surprised to learn he was at the coast.
Harry didn't feel too bad when he said no to Molly. He loved the woman, but he hated how much she meddled. He had agreed to dinner the next evening, but had said he had plans for the rest of the day. He hadn't been lying about that though.
Andromeda smiled when he and Teddy arrived at the restaurant. "Have a good day at the park you two?"
Teddy shook his head. "No park."
Ted lifted an eyebrow. "Did Ginny not wish to join?"
Harry shook his head. "Teddy and I ended up at the coast instead."
Andromeda went to take her grandson. "The coast?"
Teddy smiled. "Sandcastle. And Mr. Toby tell story."
Ted looked at Harry as they sat. "Mr. Toby?"
Harry saw George and Angie coming in, and Neville and Luna behind. "A colleague from work. Teddy met him briefly."
Luna kissed him on the cheek. "All was well?"
Harry returned the kiss. "Yes. Sorry we cut our visit short."
Teddy looked at her. "Swing, Aunty Luna."
Luna bent and kissed him. "You'll have to come and swing with me soon."
Andromeda looked ready to say something but motioned. "Sit down. We should order dinner."
Angelina sunk into a chair. "I'm famished."
George looked at Harry. "Ginny floo called looking for you."
Harry groaned. "How am I not surprised."
George pushed gently and Harry told him what happened. George and Angie had been the only two not at breakfast that morning. Harry wished he had been. Though Bill and Percy were usually good, George was his only real back up, and the women. Angie, Penny and Fleur were all quite welcoming to him. It seemed they had all faced so much from Molly, they understood. Hermione was the favored daughter in law of course. Molly seemed to think none of the others were quite good enough for her sons. Fleur always had it the worse.
George was happy that Ginny hadn't got her way. He shared a look with Andromeda and his wife, knowing that they agreed. As did Luna and Neville. Other friends like Katie, Oliver and Alicia would as well, who he'd see later.
After dinner George looked at him. "Coming out with us?"
Harry shook his head. "I should take Teddy home."
Andromeda kept him. "Ted and I will. Have fun with the guys."
Angelina reminded him. "I can't go out. I need you to keep my husband honest."
Harry laughed and kissed his son. "Be a good boy for Grandma please."
Luna saw his surprise she was coming. "I'm not too far along like Angie."
Harry looked at George. "Where are we going?"
George grinned. "Hogsmeade, to the new club. Oliver and the others are waiting."
Neville reminded Harry. "One of the new businesses opening since the war."
Harry knew the town had more than tripled. "Not trying to set me up are you?"
Luna shook her head. "You need a good night out."
George whispered to Neville. "Would try it, if it would work."
When they got to Scotland Harry looked around. "I'm still always amazed how much this place has grown."
Oliver with Katie and Alicia were waiting. "Glad you decided to come."
Katie who was his girlfriend agreed. "Even got Alicia's new beau to come."
Alicia blushed but she admitted he was coming. She and Fred had been nearly engaged when Fred had died in the final battle. They had been dating since their last year in school. She had finally moved on and had been dating a mind healer from the hospital. George was happy for her and assured her, that Fred would have been as well. It was the first time any of them were to meet him though.
Harry was chatting with them when he groaned. "How did she find us?"
Ginny came to his side. "I'm so glad I found you."
George shared a look with Oliver. "She can't take a hint."
Harry kissed her cheek. "Gin, this was kind of a night for the old quidditch group."
Ginny practically sat in his lap. "Nev and Luna are here. Besides we missed our date this afternoon."
Harry nearly pushed her out of his lap. "You chose not to come along last I looked."
Ginny pulled him from his chair. "Come and dance with me."
Harry shook his head. "No. I was having a drink and getting to know Mike."
Ginny glared. "Hooking up under my brother's nose? Then again George is your stooge."
Harry ground his teeth. "Mike is Alicia's new boyfriend. Not that I owe you an explanation."
Ginny put her hands on her hips. "I'm your girlfriend. First your son, and now this."
Harry pointed at the door. "Leave, before I decide my son has the right idea."
Ginny was irate. "You can't kick me out."
Katie took her by the arm and whispered. "Leave, before you embarrass yourself anymore."
Ginny stormed out of the bar, and Harry apologized as he sat back down. He had no idea why she had bothered him so much tonight. He would have normally just allowed her to stay. But somewhere in the back of his mind were Severus' words about kids. The man had told him that kids were an amazing judge of character. Harry had pointed at his own reaction to Severus, but maybe the man was right.
George clapped him on the back. "Should have encouraged my little nephew much sooner it seems."
Harry wasn't sure about going to the dinner at all. He knew Molly was already likely not happy with him about Ginny. If she had heard about the night before though, it would only increase. He thought the daughter in laws had it much easier than he ever would have it. Molly loved her sons but she had five of them, even if Charlie wasn't home often. She only had one daughter and was very protective of her. He had heard rumors Charlie was moving back to the UK and might have a boyfriend in tow. He had returned to Romania when the war was over.
Harry had one stop to make. He knew he had been to see Severus the day before but he was going. He hadn't told the man, but he was planning on speaking to Horace. He thought there was perhaps a way the man could brew potions again.
Teddy spotted him as he was about to go. "Daddy, daddy."
Harry knelt. "I'll be back for you Teddy bear. I just have to run an errand."
Teddy shook his head. "I come."
Harry kissed his head. "I am taking you to dinner I promise."
Teddy pulled out a book. "I found book."
Harry smiled a little. "How did you know?"
Teddy smiled a little. "Go to beach daddy?"
Harry lifted his son. "I guess it would save me an extra trip."
Ted had come. "I thought you needed to run errands."
Harry agreed. "But nothing Teddy can't come along for."
Ted had an odd look but nodded. "I'll see you boys later then."
Harry looked at his son when they got to the coast. "I'm not sure how he'll react to seeing you."
Teddy held the book. "He read me story."
Harry looked down at the book. "Well it is about snakes."
Teddy grinned. "I like snakes Daddy."
Harry went to go into the room. "So does he."
Severus was actually by the window. "Both of you?"
Harry smiled a little. "It seems you have a fan."
Teddy spoke up. "Story."
Severus turned to look at him. "I told you, I know no stories."
Teddy headed straight for the man and climbed into his lap. "I have book."
Harry almost took his son, but the man said nothing. He had an odd look on his face but Harry wouldn't call it angry. He was a bit worried, since his son crawled into the man's lap, but Severus took the book. He did shoot Harry a look when he saw the book was about snakes. Harry shrugged, he had thought it an odd choice, but his son picked it. He wasn't sure even where the book had come from.
Severus noticed as he read, a note in the front of the book. It was from Draco to the little boy. He had to wonder if this was a setup from Harry. Another way for the boy to take another dig at Severus, about not telling his godson he was alive.
Harry sat on the edge of the bed as he finished. "We should be going."
Severus smirked. "Forgot how to read? It seems a long way to bring him for a story."
Teddy grinned. "You tell good."
Harry shook his head. "Thought I'd come see how you were doing after yesterday. Teddy insisted on coming."
Teddy looked at him. "Make sand castle tomorrow?"
Severus groaned. "Tomorrow?"
Harry laughed. "Maybe not tomorrow, but some time on the beach would do good. Might pick up your spirits."
Severus smirked. "I would melt in the sunlight, dungeon bat and all. Even without my potions."
Harry was reminded. "I am trying to see about that as well."
Severus handed Teddy over. "You can't make me stand, for the potions table. So don't even promise."
Harry didn't get his hopes up. "Indeed."
Severus called as he left. "Great from lion to parrot."
Harry called over his shoulder. "Maybe you just caused a trend in school."
Teddy was sad to go and part of Harry was too. Not for the same reason of course or so he told himself. Teddy wanted to stay with the man for another story. Harry on the other hand was dreading going to this dinner. He wasn't anxious to face either Molly and Ginny, or Ron for that matter. He knew his friend would be in a bad mood, especially if he knew about the night before.
Molly smiled when they came in. "I'm glad you came. We do want to celebrate with the two of you, we're happy."
Harry kissed her on the cheek. "I know you are at least."
Molly sighed. "I know Ginny was a brat yesterday, but it was just stress."
Any comment was cut off by Ron who appeared. "Came back did you? I hope you plan to apologize to my sister."
Harry looked at him. "For what?"
Hermione was by her husband. "She told us about last night."
Harry shrugged. "I repeat, for what?"
Arthur tried to calm things. "The dining room is almost ready."
Ginny came when Harry was sitting down. "I have made reservations tomorrow night at the French place I like."
Harry knew it, one of the most expensive places. "Going with friends? You must be celebrating something, to go there."
Ginny was simmering. "For us. An apology."
Harry hid a smirk. "No need for an expensive dinner, I accept your apology."
Ginny glared at him. "I am not the one who should be apologizing."
Molly shot her daughter a look. "Ginny, we spoke about this yesterday."
Ginny stewed. "That was before last night."
Harry had to wonder what that conversation had sounded like. He knew Molly would have tried to convince Ginny to apologize to him. She wanted Ginny happy and her to be with Harry. He dug into his food, and he focused on the friendly members around the table, and his son. When he wasn't looking, his son was making faces at Ginny the entire time. She ended up leaving dinner, long before desert was on the table.
Ginny got up and went to leave the table. "I have suddenly lost my appetite."
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