Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Star Trek or Harry Potter. They belong to J.J Abrams, Gene Roddenberry and J.K Rowling.

Warnings: Slash (male/male pairings), threesome, AU, violence, language, angst, character deaths, psychological/anxiety disorders, sexual situations, etc.

Pairings: Spock/Harry/Kirk, hints of Sulu/Chekov and Scotty/Uhura

89. Pet

"Teddy, where did you get that?"

"Aunt Ny gave it to me. She bought him off a vendor on the last star base and said that since I don't have many friends, I should have a pet. Isn't he cute? I call him Dusty cause he's brown and looks like a dust ball!"

Harry blinked slowly as he stared down at his son as he cradled a cooing ball of fluff. He knew what the creature was, he had learned about it in passing and while he loved Uhura like a sister he was surprised by her ignorance. After all, Tribbles were cute and soothing creatures, but they ate constantly and bred just as much. The wizard couldn't remember correctly how many offspring a single tribble could have, but he was sure it was somewhere between ten and twelve.

"It's a tribble Teddy and they're dangerous," Harry explained. Teddy frowned glancing down at his pet then back at his father. Tilting his head to the side he questioned, "He doesn't look dangerous."

"For the most part tribbles are harmless, but they breed rather quickly and in large litters. If we kept it here, it could overrun the ship if we're not careful," Harry stated. Teddy took a moment to think this over before his shoulder's drooped. Frowning more, he murmured, "Does this mean I have to give up Dusty?"

One of Harry's major weaknesses was Teddy and while he worked hard to never spoil his son, it didn't mean he could stand seeing him sad. He realized it was hard for the young boy to live on a star ship without any sort of friends his age to play with and although he was able to talk to Joanna, it wasn't the same. And even if he could have a pet, most animals don't cope well in space. Really, Harry would give anything to make Teddy happy and combat the loneliness his only child felt.

"Well… perhaps if we're careful in how much we feed it and maybe even have Leonard neuter it, maybe it'll be safe to keep aboard," Harry coaxed hesitantly. After all, if the good doctor could prevent it from reproducing then it wouldn't be as much of a threat. Teddy instantly perked up a smile stretching across his face, "Really?"

Harry nodded, "But we also have to run this by Jim since he is the Captain and this is his ship."

"Okay! I'm sure Papa will let me keep Dusty!"

"Maybe… just don't get your hopes up Teddy. It's possible Jim will let you keep Dusty if I explain my plan but there is also a chance he might not."

"Okay Dad."

"Well lets go find Jim and talk to him about this alright?" Harry stated as he held out his hand. Teddy immediately latched onto it allowing his father to guide him out of his room and into the hall. He smiled as he walked along cradling Dusty to his chest, humming in tune with his pet's cooing. Harry smiled slightly hoping that perhaps Jim would allow Teddy to keep his new friend if only to keep the child happy. Having a pet, a companion was gratifying if you formed a close bond with it. Hedwig had been Harry's closest friend growing up in Hogwarts, his owl had always been there to comfort and listen to him especially when times got hard and he felt alone. Just because she couldn't speak didn't mean she didn't understand or listen to him; she was always there to hoot for him and nip at him in comfort, offering what she could.

"I miss her," he thought sadly as they stood in the turbo lift, "Still can't believe how long it's been since she died, sometimes it still feels like yesterday when I first got her. My very first present… but it's for the best. It's not like I would have been able to keep her on the ship anyway although it would have been funny to see her interact with the crew, especially Jim and Spock."

Smiling slightly, Harry perked when the lift doors opened and he stepped out making his way toward the mess hall where he was sure his wayward lovers were at the moment. Gaining entrance to the area, it didn't take long for Harry to find who he was searching for and easily weaved through the crowd of crew members, smiling and nodding to them in greeting as he passed. Finally he stood before Spock and Jim who turned to him as soon as he stepped into their line of sight.

"Hey babe, what's up?" Jim questioned smiling. Returning the smile Harry nudged Teddy forward, "Seems a certain cub received a special gift from Auntie Ny."

"Oh yeah?" Jim focused on Teddy who shyly ducked his head before holding out the tribble, murmuring, "Can I keep him Papa?"

"Isn't that a tribble?"

"Correct Jim," Spock replied. The blond captain frowned, "I heard they can be a real nuisance."

"They can if they're not properly cared for and monitored," Harry explained, "But I have a plan if you're willing to hear it." Jim stared hard at the furry creature in his son's hands knowing the extent of damage those things could cause. But Teddy obviously wanted to keep it and he knew the boy was lonely being the only child on the ship. And if Harry had a plan, then he was willing to listen.

"Alright, tell me," Jim prompted. Harry nodded as he explained his idea of allowing McCoy to neuter the tribble in order to prevent it from reproducing and to monitor its eating habits carefully. With these two factors the tribble would be easier to care for and there would be less likely of a chance of anything happening. Spock nodded in agreement, "Harry's logic is sound."

"Yeah," Jim murmured before turning to Teddy again, "So you really wanna keep him huh?"

"Yes sir."

"Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility Teddy. That tribble's going to depend on you in order to live so you need to remember to feed it, give it water, bathe it and make sure it doesn't get into any trouble. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir, I promise I'll take good care of him Papa," Teddy exclaimed petting Dusty. Nodding Jim reached out and ruffled his hair smiling, "Then you can keep him. But if you can't take proper care of him or if he causes trouble we'll have to get rid of him alright?"

"Uh huh!"

"What will you name the creature?" Spock inquired. Teddy beamed, "I named him Dusty cause he's brown and he looks like a dust ball!" Jim burst into laughter while Spock and Harry smiled in amusement. Teddy giggled and hugged his new pet close, grateful that his parents allowed him to keep Dusty. It was the happiest moment of his life.

Please review! Thanks!

~Seth