A/N: This story covers Teddy growing up with his grandmother Andromeda, surrounded by his godfather Harry and his adopted family. Although he's surrounded by love, Teddy still has enough to give to two special people.
Sorry for any grammatical errors I may have missed. If I catch any, I'll reload this chapter.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"Grandma, what colour do you like more? Neon green or sunshine-yellow?" The young boy walked up to his grandmother who was standing in the kitchen, changing his hair as he said the colours.
"What's wrong with your hair now?" she asked the boy.
"I'm bored of it again," the boy replied simply.
Andromeda sighed, looking back to the dishes she was washing. It was getting hard to keep track of Teddy's tastes. "I'd try neon green this time."
Teddy then suddenly said, "Hot pink!" His hair then changed and then heshouted, "Thanks Grandma," and ran off.
Seeing the flash of pink hair run off brought back memories for Andromeda. Memories of her little girl running through this very home laughing. He acts so much like Nymph. She sniffled a little.
Andromeda was slowly healing but every time she saw Teddy, the tears in her heart would open a little wider.
It had been 6 years now, 6 years since she lost her daughter and her son-in-law. 6 years since Teddy came into her life.
A small smile graces her features. She may have lost Nymph but she still had a part of her in the form of her son.
Snot flew out of the young boys nose as he was thrust forward from the force of the sneeze. His hair changed to a shocking orange colour as he fell bad painfully against his propped up pilows. His grandmother Andromeda wiped the young boys nose with her hankerchief before ladling another spoonful of chicken soup into his mouth.
Swallowing the soup, Teddy said stuffily, "I hate being sick grandma."
Andromeda chuckled, "I know you do Teddy."
Teddy started to mope but then another sneeze came, turning his hair to red and yellow stripes. Teddy saw himself in the mirror across from his bed and pointed at his reflection, "Look grandma, I'm in Gryffindor!"
Andromeda added, "Now all you need is a Gryffindor tie."
They heard someone enter the house through the fireplace. Andromeda jumped up startled at the sound, wondering who entered her home. Only certain persons could floo directly into her home without her permission but they usually notified her before doing it. Andromeda put the bowl of soup on Teddy's night table. "Teddy, drink some more soup. Grandma's going downstairs to bring up your next dose of medicine."
Teddy made a face, "Oh Grandma."
Andromeda left the room and locked the door behind her magically. She wasn't going to let anything happen to her Teddy. Holding her breath, she slowly made her way down the stairs.
She let out the breath in relief when she saw Harry Potter in her living room. Then she went over and started scolding him, "Do you think its funny to scare an 80 year old woman Potter." She lightly smacked him on the head and he brought up his arms in defence.
Laughing, he said, "Sorry Andy, but I had a surprise for Teddy."
Andromeda smiled at Harry, "Oh alright then. Let me just grab something off the table and we'll go up together."
Grabbing the medicine from the kitchen counter, the pair ascended the stairs to Teddy's room.
Andromeda entered the room, "Teddy you have a visitor."
"Who?" Teddy asked excitedly. Harry burst through the door, "Hey Teddy".
"Uncle Harry!" Teddy jumped out of the bed to hug his godfather, his head barely reaching the man's waist. Harry ruffled his hair. "How are you feeling today?" Harry asked softly.
Teddy frowned, "Not too good." Teddy sneezed again, causing his nose to turn into a pig snout. Harry laughed while Teddy just changed it back.
Harry smiled down at him, "Well, I brought something that may make you feel a bit better" Harry withdrew a small object from his back pocket and then pointed his wand at it 'Engorgio'. Before Teddy's eyes, the object grew into a small stuffed wolf. The wolf had small scratches across his face and body. Teddy knew who it was supposed to be. He slowly took it from Harry, examining it closely. He noticed a small locket on a collar around the wolf's neck.
Harry carried Teddy back to his bed while Teddy fondled with the locket. Harry and Andromeda drew up two chairs and sat next to Teddy's bed. Teddy opened the locket and saw a moving picture of his mom and dad smiling back at him and waving. Teddy was quiet while he stared at the picture. Then he looked over at his uncle, "Thank you Uncle Harry."
Harry reached over and hugged his godson, "Anytime Ted."
It was the seventh anniversary of Nymph and Remus' death. The couple was buried among all the dead that had fought in the Battle on a small hill on the grounds of Hogwarts. It was open to all to pay their respects to those who had given their lives to the war. Andromeda and Teddy had come to visit the graves. They did this every year, just the two of them. It was a private moment for them to share together.
Now they stood in front of the graves of Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin and Remus Lupin. Teddy grabbed his grandmother's hand as he looked at the pictures that had been placed in the couples headstones. Teddy's black hair fell down over his face as a silent tear rolled down Teddy's cheek.
Every year he tried not to cry but grandma said it's okay to cry, because it shows that you love them. More tears flowed down Teddy's soft cheeks. Teddy loved his parents and he was so proud of them, but sometimes he wished they were still here.
Andromeda knelt down and placed a wreath of white flowers on each grave. Then Teddy knelt down and placed a red rose on each grave. Andromeda and Teddy said a small prayer and then they left the cemetery.
Today was Teddy's 10th birthday, one more year until he started hogwarts. He had his party outside his grandmothers home and all his friends were
invited: His uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny brought James, Albus and Lily; Aunt Hermione and Uncle Ron came with Rosie and Hugo; Uncle Percy came with Molly - he said Aunt Audrey was coming later; Uncle George and Aunt Angie brought Fred; and Uncle Bill and Auntie Fleur came with Victoire and Dominique.
Teddy looked out at the party from his bedroom window while his grandmother brushed his hair.
"Come on grandma, can't I just go downstairs?" Teddy whined. "My hair will just get messy again." Teddy quickly shifted his hair through many colours, trying to catch his grandmother off-guard, but all he was doing was irritating her.
"Just hold still Teddy. I need to at least look nice for the pictures. And don't you want Victoire to see how handsome you look?"
Ted paused his colour changing and his whole face turned red. Andromeda laughed at him, "Exactly. Now hold still."
She dressed him smartly, and then said, "Go downstairs and talk to Uncle Harry so you can get your picture taken. Then you can go have fun."
Teddy ran out to the backyard and straight to his friends, 'forgetting' what his grandma had said. Harry chuckled, knowing that Teddy was to come straight to him. Harry just snapped pictures while Teddy ran around with the other kids.
George had started entertaining the kids with his latest products from the shop. Then Aunt Hermione organized a sack race. After going over the rules for the third time, they were finally able to have a few races, with James being the overall winner. "No far, his sack was smaller 'cause he's smaller. That's cheating." Before there could be an all out brawl, Andromeda came outside with the cake.
All the children crowded around the table as Andromeda placed the cake in front of Teddy. There was a picture of a dragon moving as it blew orange flames across the cake. Ten sparklers stuck out of the cake. Harry crouched in front Teddy and Aunt Ginny said, "Make a wish". Teddy closed his eyes and then blew out the sparklers.
The cake was served and then Teddy got his presents. Each of his friends came up and handed him a wrapped present but Grandma said he couldn't open them until after the party. Victoire came up, "Happy Birthday Teddy!" It was wrapped in turquoise blue wrapping paper. "Thanks Vicki" She then leaned over and pecked Teddy on the cheek and handed him the present. She skipped off before she could see his face turn bright red.
All the guests had left and Teddy was up in his bedroom with all his gifts on his bed. Andromeda came into the room with a slice of cake.
"I've got another slice of cake for the birthday boy. Are you ready to open your presents?" Teddy nodded, taking the cake from him grandmother.
Teddy got some chocolate frogs, sugar quills and a muggle fairy tale book from Rosie and Hugo; he got a pack of cards for exploding snap and a Remembrall from James, Albus and Lily; Harry had gotten him a new broom - the card said 'practice so you can get on the house team'; Uncle Percy got him everlasting quill; Uncle George gave him a couple of Skiving Snackboxes, which his grandmother quickly confiscated, and then he came to Victoire's present.
Slowly unwrapping it, he looked down in the box and saw a miniature bird shaped from wire. There was a small card that said 'Say "fly" to start, and "land" to stop'. Teddy placed the bird on the floor and said 'Fly'. Soon the bird went up into the air, flapping its wings like a real bird. It flew in circles around his room, chirping happily. Teddy smiled at the bird and then said 'Land'. The bird then flew near to Teddy and landed on top his pile of presents on the bed.
Andromeda saw the bird land and asked, "Who got you that?" Teddy blushed a bit and said softly, "Victoire". Andromeda smiled, "It's a really nice toy."
Teddy scooped all his present off his bed and put them down on the floor. He'd put them away tomorrow but he was suddenly feeling tired. Andromeda tucked Teddy in bed and whispered, "So what did you wish for Teddy?"
Teddy yawned and said, "No telling Grandma."
Andromeda chuckled, "They say if you tell your grandma your wish, she can put in a good word to get it to come true." She dimmed the light in Teddy's room.
Teddy looked up at her and then said, "I wished Mom and Dad would be proud of me."
Andromeda scooped Teddy up in her arms, putting him in her lap. "Teddy, they would be very proud of the boy you've become."
"But how do you know that Grandma?" Teddy asked quietly.
"I know because when your mum had you in her tummy, she was just so happy. Your daddy couldn't stop talking about you and rubbing her belly. They were proud of you even before you were born. No doubt they would be proud of you now. They loved you Teddy and they love you even now."
Teddy remained silent.
"Teddy, you didn't open my present yet." Andromeda presented Ted with one more wrapped present.
Teddy could tell it was a book from its shape, which diminished his excitement, but he still opened it quickly. It turned out to be a sketch book, the cover full of clippings from the newspaper, the images moving slowly due to their age, the magic was wearing off. Teddy opened it and at the top of the first page in swirly writing it said 'Nymphadora Tonks'.
Andromeda said, "That was your mum's art book. She always wanted to be an artist when she was a little girl. Now I'm giving it to you."
Teddy looked at his mom's name in the book, tracing it with his finger. "Thank you grandma," Teddy whispered back, kissing his grandma on the cheek.
Andromeda kissed him back and left the room. Teddy stayed up looking through the sketchbook until early in the morning. Andromeda knew whenTeddy finally went to sleep at 3 in the morning.
Since that day, the sketchbook was never far from Teddy's grasp.
Teddy was standing next to the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 3/4. He was the first of his friends to go Hogwarts. The train was so big and every now and then, there was a loud toot of the horn drowning the chatter of everyone milling about on the platform. The air smelt of coal and steam from the train.
Teddy had been so excited when he got his letter on his birthday in April. In the summer, he and Grandma went to Diagon Alley with his Uncle Harry to pick up all his school things. They had a lot of fun picking up his books, his school robes, his potion equipment, they even got him a grey owl which he named Thorn. But his favourite part of the day was getting his wand. The wand itself was not impressive. It was an 8" oak wand with a dragon heart string core, but it was his wand and that made it special. It emitted blue sparks when he touched it.
The last stop on their trip was to the Quidditch store.
"Uncle Harry, you already got me a broom last year. I don't want you to buy me another one." Teddy said, holding his godfather's hand. Andromeda stood outside the shop sitting on an nearby bench.
"We're not here to get a broom, Teddy," Harry said, pulling Teddy along through the shop.
He walked up to the short girl standing at the check out counter. She had a dazed look on her face.
"Hello, I'm picking up something for Harry Potter?"
She barely focused on them. "Pitter?"
"Potter."
"Lemme check in the back"
A few minutes, the girl came back with a small black box. "Here you are, Mr Patter."
Harry took to box and handed it to Teddy, "You know, just in case"
Teddy opened the box and in it was a golden snitch. It stayed in the box, glistening. Harry plucked it out and the wings unravelled and began fluttering.
Harry grinned, "Now I'm saying anything, not one thing, but you know, if someone owned a snitch, then they would be inclined to practice with it. And if someone practiced enough with the snitch, then they'd be pretty good at catching it. Enough to become seeker on the house team." Harry was smiling widely now, Teddy's own matching. Harry's face suddenly dropped and he placed the snitch back into the space in the box as its wings pulled back in. "Not that I'm saying anything"
Teddy just grinned up at his godfather.
"Did you pack everything, Teddy?" his grandma asked getting Teddy's attention. "Yes I think so grandma"
Andromeda pulled Teddy into a hug, "My Teddy is a wizard now. Great things lie ahead for you. I'm so proud. And you're parents would be too. I love you. Teddy" Andromeda kissed his forehead.
Teddy replied, "Love you too grandma"
As he walked away from her, Andromeda called out, "And don't get into any trouble."
He turned to her, walking backwards, "When have I ever gotten into trouble, Grandma?" He walked into another student's truck. Their owl cage that was on top of the trunk fell to the floor, ruffling the orange owl's feathers.
Teddy's face and hair turned bright red.
Fifteen year old Teddy was staring outside his bedroom window on a rainy day. He could see the large tree in the backyard, puddles forming at its base from the water sliding off the leaves. It was their tree.
He remembers what happened just two days ago.
Victoire had come to visit him that day. She was about to go on vacation and wanted to spend the day with him. It was such as nice day that the two of them decided to just go outside and sit under the tree. Pouring a glass of lemonade for the two of them, Teddy led the way.
"That cloud looks like an elephant!" Victoire laughed and pointed at the cloud.
Ted pointed to another, "And that one looks like a duck."
"No it doesn't"
"Ok it looks like duck in a rabbit-costume"
Victoire giggled and slapped Teddy lightly on the arm, "Stop it Teddy" She rest her back against the tree, sipping on the last of her lemonade.
"My family will be staying with my grandma in Paris for a week." Victoire said.
"That's great Vicki"
"You'll write to me, won't you?"
"Well you'll only be gone a week Vicki."
Victoire blushed then said, "Well I like when you write to me."
Teddy tentatively grabbed her hand and said, "Then I'll write toyou everyday." He smiled at her and she smiled back.
He had told his Uncle Harry about his crush on Victoire last year, but he had this crush from since he was 8. His uncle had offered some encouraging words about knowing when the time is right and not rushing anything. But then his Uncle George stumbled into the conversation saying, 'Just snog her senseless and get it over with!'.
Now looking at her, he could feel his heart beating so hard in his chest, he wondered if she could hear it. Her blonde hair flowed down to her waist as her blue eyes looked into his. His breath caught in his throat as he thought of how long he might have been staring at her.
Listening to Uncle Harry's advice brought me this far, let's try Uncle George's.
Teddy leaned over and placed his lips over Victoire's. She was surprised but she had liked Teddy for a long time, but was too shy to say anything. She kissed him back and they stayed like that under the tree. If she had opened her eyes, she would have seen Teddy's hair change to turquoise, her favourite colour.
Teddy just completed his final year at Hogwarts. He got sufficient grades on his NEWTs and now sat in the Great Hall with the other Hogwarts graduates at the graduation ceremony.
Professor McGonagall began calling the names, "...,Maurice Gallager, Reginald Hardy, Paula Jones, Edward Lupin".
Teddy rose from his seat among the graduating Gryffindors and walked to the front of the stage. He could see the people that came out to see him: Uncle Harry, Ron and George, Aunt Hermione, Ginny and Fleur and his grandmother. His friends were also sitting with the other students: James, Molly and his girlfriend, Victoire. His other friends were too young for Hogwarts and had to stay home. Tears stung his eyes but he wouldn't cry now. He accepted his diploma from Professor and looked out at his Uncle Harry who was snapping pictures then headed back to his seat.
After the ceremony, he rushed to the adults who came to see him. His uncles swatted him on the back while his aunts pulled him in for hugs. But he saved the biggest hug for his grandma. "I'm so proud of you Teddy." Now the tears fell, "Thank you grandma."
His friends ran over to the family now, and Victoire straight into his arms. He kissed her strongly on the lips and held for awhile until his uncle George came up and clapped loudly near their ears. They jumped back, "Don't swallow her now", which made everyone laugh.
Andromeda and Teddy walked out the cemetery, Teddy still in his hat and gown. He held his diploma in one hand and two red roses in the other. The pair stood in front of the two graves, their pictures still moving in the headstones.
"Hey mum, hey dad. You're little boy's all grown up now. I graduated today." While he said this, he held up his diploma, showing it to the two pictures. "I did my best and I think you'd be proud of me. I love you guys so much, and I miss you too. I'll keep making you proud." He placed a rose on each grave and stood up beside his grandmother. They held hands, both silently crying. They loved them so much.