I haven't read through this chapter because I was in quite a rush so I hope its okay. Thank you as usual to everyone who took the time to send me a review, it's really nice to read them and reply! Thanks to:

Audeamus,

The Lady Reaper of the Shadows,

The French Dark Lord- I haven't got enough time :-)

raul-1331,

maqiquill9,

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blueyblonde,

waytoobored,

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Bookwormluver3-I'm really glad it cheered you up I hope this one does as well!

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grimlock,

US2UK06,

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impteen16,

Rodrigo Black Potter,

mangagirl18,

Florrie,- thanks I was taking inspiration from my cousins- I hate it when people write teenagers like little children-argh!

keekers15,

Luthien Faye,

ShadowMoonDancer,

jumping-jo,

Kiaralight,

Mikee,

obvious oxymoron,

xRosePetalx,

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fraewyn

and

XcrimsonroseX

Chapter Twenty Six

Anton rocked Teddy as he fell asleep, the house was empty due to everyone else having gone to visit Mr Weasley. Lunch had been manageable for Anton, Teddy had stayed on his lap the entire time and Anton knew his mind was on Rhoan, no matter how much Sirius and the others had tried to engage with him.

One thing that Anton had noticed was how close Sirius and Mylee appeared to be growing, it made him even more determined to ensure that Sirius lived past this year, his Godfather deserved it.

Anton seeing that Teddy was finally asleep placed him gently onto the bed and covered him lightly with the quilt, he heard the door open downstairs and voices fill the house loudly.

Anton looked down at Teddy sleeping so innocently, Anton was putting him in danger by keeping him so close. He needed to search for the Horcruxes but how could he do that with a small boy to look after.

Dropping a kiss onto the child's head he left the room.

--

'Sirius.' Anton called the man over as everyone else dispersed through the house.

'Yup,' Sirius replied bounding over to where Anton was standing near the door to the basement 'what can help you with?'

'I was wondering where Kreacher might be?' Anton said quietly 'he was here the first time but not now.'

'That old sack of bones,' Sirius grimaced 'he's working in the castle kitchens, if I'm going to live here he sure isn't.'

'In the kitchens,' Anton mused, this would hopefully make things easier when it came to finding the Horcrux.

'Yeh, why did you need to know?' Sirius asked curiously.

'The difference was just nagging at me slightly,' Anton said hoping he sounded convincing.

Sirius appeared to have believed his story and he smiled at Anton.

'So how's Teddy?'

'He's devastated,' Anton admitted looking worried 'he and Rhoan were extremely close and Teddy's already lost so many people important to him.'

--

Anton fingered the pendant hanging around his neck, it was almost back to the deep red it had been when he had received it.

In the kitchen he could hear Sirius and Teddy as they screamed with laughter, his own Godfather showing he was well skilled with young children. It was as well amusing to watch just how well the two of them got on, Sirius had even spent one afternoon playing under a table with Teddy and now the two of them were firm friends.

Dumbledore himself had ordered that Anton not go after any Horcruxes but he couldn't deny he was anxious to get going, only two had been destroyed so far. A sliver of reservation crept into Anton, he couldn't keep Teddy with him while he hunted for them, it would put the child in danger. It would also possibly risk saving the future, something Anton wasn't willing to jeopardise. He needed to come up with an alternative.

--

A few days later Anton was standing in the corridor of the Department of Mysteries with Sirius, Sirius was yawning in sheer boredom and slouching against a wall. Anton was twirling his wand in his left hand in uneasiness as he considered what he was about to propose to Sirius.

Teddy had been less than impressed when Anton told him that he was going out to do a job for Dumbledore but the small boy had been won over by an offer of a night time from Hermione who had taken a strong liking to the boy ever since the events on Christmas Eve.

'So,' Anton whistled out 'how's it going with Mylee?'

'Brilliant,' Sirius said the happiness showing on his face 'and I mean brilliant, she's great, it's almost as if I was never in Azkaban, I feel so alive.'

Anton laughed quietly at the look on Sirius's face, this was how Sirius's life should have been the first time around.

'So any love interest in your life?' Sirius enquired a smirk playing on his lips.

Anton snorted 'no thanks, when Voldemort is dead then I'll go looking for love.'

'Teddy's a sweet child,' Sirius continued making sure his voice was no more than a whisper 'he really looks up to you.'

'Sirius I'm putting him in danger.' Anton said softly 'I have a duty to make sure the future doesn't happen the way it did, and to do that I can't have Teddy with me, we tried that the first time, he got kidnapped.'

'Anton…' Sirius began.

'Sirius I want to ask you a favour,' Anton said hesitantly 'I want to ask you of you'd be willing to look after Teddy, I would completely understood if you didn't want to, and it would just be during term time…'

'Anton.' Sirius interrupted him real emotion playing on his face 'I would never be more honoured to do anything in my life. Also you're my Godson, I have to look out for you, and that means I look out for Teddy as well.'

A look of pure relief crossed Anton's face 'thank you Padfoot, you don't know how much this means to me.'

'Actually I do,' Sirius said softly 'and it also means a lot to me as well.'

--

The last few days of the holiday practically flew by and as Sirius no longer felt he was being abandoned to his own company for the rest of the year 'bouts of sullenness' did not permeate the house.

As Teddy was going to be staying with Sirius for quite a large portion of time Sirius had wasted no time in roping Lupin and Tonks in to helping paint one of the bedrooms for Teddy, it had taken an unforgivable amount of time for Teddy to pick the exact shade of green he wanted in the reasonable sized room, but as Anton like the rest of them were just happy to see him excited they let him spend as long as he wanted.

Eventually the shade was picked and everyone got to work including as many of the teenagers that could fit into the one room at a time, Teddy was buzzing with excitement at getting his own bedroom, one which he could keep all of his new possessions in (Anton had felt it was possibly the longest shopping trip he'd ever experienced in his life). At least now Teddy had his own clothes and toys though he seemed to be more interested in playing with people than playthings.

'A'ton?' Teddy said cocking his head to one side like a little puppy and blinking huge purple eyes at his godfather.

'Yes Teds,' Anton answered pausing from his painting to look down at the boy.

'Is this going to be my room for a while?' Teddy asked quietly.

Anton smiled reassuringly at Teddy 'this isn't going to be like last time, we won't be moving all the time, and this will be your bedroom for at least a year.'

'You'll always have a bedroom here,' Sirius added smiling 'whenever you want to stay here you'll be able to.'

A huge smile filled Teddy's face 'thanks Padfoot it's going to be really great living here.'

Sirius face was a picture of pure happiness and it was as if he was having his chance once again to be a godfather to a young child, he tossed Teddy up into the air and roared with laughter as paint covered the pair of them, Anton thought it was just good that Mrs Weasley couldn't see the mess being made.

When Sirius eventually set the giggling boy down, Teddy turned to Anton.

'Can I have lumous moons on the ceiling?' he asked 'like you put on to remind me of Orion.'

Orion had actually been Lupin alias during the war, family relationships were not best advertised in those times so Teddy had been brought up knowing Lupin by name, it also made it easier to hide whose son Teddy actually was.

'Orion was a werewolf,' Anton shrugged in a non-committal way 'he was a good man, we…we found him near dementors.'

Though Anton didn't specify how in what condition they'd found him in everyone could work out was his underlying meaning was. He turned to Teddy and smiled.

'You can definitely have luminous moons.'

Mrs Weasley poked her head in the door, at the sight of the paint splattered pair she shook her head but she didn't say anything, her eyes sought out Harry and Anton,

'The headmaster would like to speak with you both,'

'With me?' Harry asked confused.

'Yes Dear, he's in the kitchen you'd better not keep him waiting.' Mrs Weasley replied.

Harry dumped his paintbrush back in the tin and followed Mrs Weasley from the room, Anton waited a few minutes before he put his own brush down and left the room.

--

As Anton neared the kitchen he heard Dumbledore's voice explaining to his younger self.

'Occlumency is a vitally important skill for you to master,' Dumbledore was saying calmly 'hopefully if you train your mind it should stop Voldemort from invading your sleep.'

'So it'll stop the dreams?' Harry said expectantly.

'That is what I expect to happen,' Dumbledore agreed 'but this will take a lot of work on your part if you truly want this to work.'

'Of course Sir,' came Harry's voice.

'Good, this will need to be kept quiet from the rest of the school, I think that would be for the best, evidently you will be able to tell Miss Granger and Mr Weasley but no one else, I will send details of when the lessons should take place.'

Anton rapped his knuckles lightly on the kitchen door and pushed it open,

'Anton there you are.' Dumbledore twinkled 'I was just explaining to Harry here the importance of Occlumency.'

'As long as it's not Legulimacy,' Anton grimaced 'never could get that branch of magic.'

'So Harry,' Dumbledore said turning back to the teenager 'I believe that is all, you probably want to get back to your painting, I will see you at school tomorrow.'

Harry left the kitchen and Anton took the seat opposite the headmaster that Harry had just vacated.

'So what can I do for you?' Anton enquired.

'I wanted to check how you were doing,' Dumbledore confessed 'and if you were feeling up to returning to teaching.'

'I think I'm pretty much back to my old self,' Anton informed him 'though my old self appears to still have a weak immune system, but I don't think that'll be a problem.'

'Ah yes,' Dumbledore nodded 'Severus is still brewing that potion for you, however Madam Pomfrey has told me to tell you she still expects to see you as soon as term starts.'

Anton scowled but he knew better than to go against Dumbledore,

'And you will be resuming your hunt for the Horcuxes?' Dumbledore said 'the Order is always here to lend a hand.'

'I appreciate that but I'm pretty confident I know where two of them are,' Anton admitted 'but I'm getting the feeling that there is something else you're going to say.'

'You're right,' Dumbledore acknowledged 'when those seventh years were found spying for the ministry, we knew then it was only a matter of time before the Minister acted again.'

'What has he done?' Anton said dreading the answer 'Cornelius has ordered a High Inquisitor to be stationed in Hogwarts to monitor if the school is being run correctly.'

A pool of dread settled in Anton's stomach as his mind flashed back to his fifth year, 'do you know who it will be?'

'Dolores Umbridge.'

--

'A'ton?' Teddy said sleepily.

'What is it Teds?'

Teddy was tucked up in his new bedroom in thick green sheets wearing blue pyjamas with snitch's on, the luminous moons were attached to the ceiling and all of Teddy's toys were packed into the new toy chest and all of his clothes were in the cupboard. A small night light glowed pleasantly (Teddy hated the dark), Anton was lying on the bed next to Teddy finishing reading to him.

'Am I still going to see you lots?'

'Of course!' Anton exclaimed 'it'll be just like it was a couple of years ago when you had to stay with Jenny for nine months while Rhoan and I were working, we still saw each other lots then.'

'That was fun living with Jenny and Arty,' Teddy announced 'but I think that it will be even more fun with Sirius!'

Teddy wrapped his arms around Anton's neck and squeezed it tightly,

'I'm going to miss you,'

'I'm going to miss you too,' Anton said kissing the top of his blue hair.

Teddy rubbed his eyes sleepily and snuggled into his pillow, Anton climbed off of the bed and pulled the covers over him.

'Night night, sweet dreams,'

'And tomorrow they'll be some Death Eaters to cream,' Teddy said slyly,

'Now who taught you that!' Anton laughed.

'Rho Rho,' Teddy replied giggling 'but he told me not to tell Jenny.'

'You'd better not let Molly catch you saying it either,' Anton grinned.

'Kay,' Teddy yawned his eyes flickering closed.

Anton stayed standing watching Teddy sleeping for a long while before whispering.

'I wish you were here Rhoan, to see what an amazing little boy our Teddy's become.'

--

Anton was making his way up to his room when Sirius stopped him.

'Is Teddy asleep?'

'Yeh I think so,' Anton replied leaning against the banister 'he was so excited about getting his own room, I don't know how I could ever thank you enough.'

'Trust me,' Sirius said quietly 'you've given me the best gifts of all, my freedom, my life, chances I would never have had if things had gone the way they did before, like I said before, its an honour to look after Teddy, and I love kids.'

Anton smiled at his own godfather 'thanks.'

'Hey, what are friends for?'

--

The next morning was nothing if not rushed, they were up at the crack of dawn with everyone rushing around looking for last minute supplies. Anton was eternally grateful he had packed the night before and was able to enjoy a fairly unrushed breakfast with Teddy who was excitedly telling Anton about how Sirius was going to teach him to read and write.

(At least it had meant that Anton had discovered how young magical children were taught before Hogwarts)

Lupin and Tonks were also eating breakfast and when Sirius joined them ten minutes later the conversation quickly switched to the war.

'Dumbledore must know how this is going to end,' Sirius said furiously 'the Ministry will attempt to get a firm foothold in the school.'

'It's only matter of time before his authority is called into question as well,' Lupin agreed 'yet he doesn't seem overly worried, it's as if he's expecting it all to blow over.'

'Dolores Umbridge though,' Anton grimaced 'she's a nasty piece of work, and it's not a secret that she hates half breeds.'

'She'll be watching Hagrid closely,' Tonks stated 'it'll make it harder for him to do any active work.'

'What I'm concerned about is how this will affect Harry,' Sirius said quietly 'the Minister doesn't believe Voldemort has returned, Umbridge will have her claws ready for him.'

'Not if I can help it,' Anton said looking down at the words still carved into his skin 'she'll come up against a lot of opposition if she tries to gain a greater control.'

'Anton you need to be careful as well,' Lupin said grimly 'with everything you've done your actions are going to be under close scrutiny, I'm sure Fudge would jump at the chance to get at you.'

'Moony's right,' Tonks nodded vigorously 'you can't be so obvious with what you're doing, if the Ministry gets wind of it…'

She broke of quickly as the kitchen door opened and Harry, Ron and Hermione walked in with Ginny arriving seconds later, Anton didn't miss how uncomfortable Harry looked with the conversation so obviously stopping.

When breakfast ended it was time for them to leave, Anton was travelling with them on the Night Bus, Sirius had wanted to join them but he had to take the next shift at the Ministry.

Sirius had still taken the time Anton noticed to supply Harry with the gift he had given to Anton the first time round. Harry stowed it safely in his trunk and joined the other Weasley's and Hermione now fully recovered from her ordeal (though the same could not be said for her parents).

Mrs Weasley was hugging everyone she could reach and Sirius was definitely happier this time around with the goodbyes, Anton knelt down in front of Teddy and looked into the boys tear filled eyes.

'Teddy promise me your going to be good,' Anton said smiling though his throat was feeling slightly constricted at the thought of leaving Teddy but it had to be done for his hunt for the Horcruxes to continue.

Teddy nodded his head furiously and wiped his nose with his sleeve. Anton pulled him into a tight hug and whispered in his ear.

'Teddy I love you so much, don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise.'

'I'm going to miss you,' Teddy gulped as tears streaked down his little face.

'Hey, don't cry,' Anton said gently rubbing the tears away 'we're going to see each at lots of weekends and it'll be fun with Sirius.'

'But you'll come back won't you A'ton?' Teddy said tearfully 'you won't leave me on my own.'

'You'll never be on your own,' Anton reassured him thinking of what would happen to Teddy if he did get killed 'just be a good boy and we'll be seeing each other in no time.'

Teddy hugged his neck tightly as Anton lifted him up hugging him as well.

'I love you A'ton.'

'I love you too.' Anton said thickly.

He laid one last kiss on Teddy's fuzzy head before passing the crying child to Sirius, who bounced the small boy up and down until he laughed.

'Teddy and I are going to have so much fun, aren't we Teds?' Sirius said cheerfully passing a look of understanding to Anton.

'Remember to be careful,' he warned.

Anton nodded his head and said his own rushed goodbyes to everyone else, as he walked out of the door he turned back and waved at Teddy.

'Be safe,'

'You too!' Teddy shouted back.

The door slammed closed and Tonks looked worriedly around the square as Lupin thrust his arm out.

'The faster we get on the bus the better,' she said under her breath.

The Knight Bus arrived with its customary BANG, Tonks quickly shut Stan Shunpike up and ushered everyone on board. Anton heard Ron say happily.

'I've always wanted to go on this thing.'

Anton smiled and followed them on, due to the familiar lack of space Anton found himself on the second deck while Lupin remained downstairs with the twins and Ginny and the other four went upstairs.

Anton sat down gingerly next to an extremely green looking witch and it was only with Stan's shout of, 'We'll have you of at the next stop Madam Marsh!' that Anton realised who he had the misfortune of sitting beside.

The bus gave jolted to its next location, and Anton was grateful he had remembered to hold onto something, at the side of him Madam Marsh dry heaved into a paper bag, Anton attempted to edge his chair away from her slightly as he dredged up the memory of what was to come.

Sure enough after what seemed like a never ending amount of BANG's Madam March gave a horrible retching sound and leaning forward she disposed of her stomach contents loudly, it splattered disgustingly to the floor centimetres from Anton's feet.

Anton dug the knuckles of his hand into his mouth as he attempted to look and concentrate on anything but the yellowish mess close to him.

A few minutes later they rolled up outside a pub and Stan helped the now sickly pale witch from the Bus, thankful mutterings filled the air and Anton waved his wand and vanished the sick from next to him.

The Knight Bus lurched forward and arrived rolling through a snowy Hogsmeade, they finally drew to a halt outside the gates of Hogwarts and Anton grabbed his bag as he went to meet the rest of his group.

After they had gotten all of the luggage off of the bus they said their goodbyes.

'You'll be safe once you're in the grounds,' Tonks said as Lupin muttered something quietly to Harry.

'We'll be fine,' Anton replied slinging his bag onto his back grateful that he didn't had to struggle with a trunk.

The seven of them made their way to the castle up the slippery drive with Anton possibly being the only one who was vaguely warm as he used his powers for his own advantage.

--

I hope it was ok, only six exams left!

Good luck to anyone else taking exams or awaiting results!

Luv SpikyStar x x