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Word Count - 542

Tears and Assurances

He lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He could hear Harry and Ginny outside, talking quietly as they relaxed in the sunshine. Teddy longed to go and sit with them, to ask Harry to kick a football around with him for a while perhaps, or even to chase the butterflies that were always in the garden in Godric's Hollow.

He didn't though. He stayed in the spare room alone. Harry always said this was Teddy's room, but Teddy didn't live with Harry full time so how could it be his room? Besides, Ginny was pregnant and Teddy wouldn't be able to see Harry much once the new baby arrived, because Harry would have his own kid to worry about.

He wouldn't want Teddy around then.

Tears fell from Teddy's eyes, sliding down the sides of his face into the pillow. He felt so alone, suddenly, but he didn't know how he could fix it. He couldn't tell Harry that he already didn't like his new baby and it wasn't even born yet.

Harry would hate him.

Before he knew it, Teddy would be invisible to Harry though. He knew that, because Jackson from his school had told him that that was what happened when new babies arrived.

"Hey Ted."

Teddy turned his head to see Harry standing by the door, a concerned look on his face.

"You wanna tell me what's wrong?"

Teddy shook his head emphatically.

Harry entered the room and sat down on the bed, holding his arms out for Teddy. With only a second hesitation, Teddy got up and climbed up onto Harry's knee, settling into his chest.

"Are you feeling lonely?" Harry asked quietly.

Teddy blinked. How had Harry known? He nodded slowly, burying his face against the softness of Harry's shirt.

"Is this about the baby?" Harry asked then, running a hand through Teddy's messy hair. Teddy nodded again.

"You know, even when the baby gets here, I'll still love you," Harry assured him, hugging him tightly. "You'll still be my little teddy bear, even when you're thirty and getting embarrassed by me. Ginny and I having children won't ever mean that we don't want you."

"Really?" Teddy sniffed, shifting so he could look up at Harry.

"Really, really," Harry promised. "So, how about we dry these tears and go and play football, huh? And I'm pretty sure that Ginny has some jelly and ice cream for you for when we're done. That sound good to you?"

"Uh huh," Teddy replied, rubbing at the tear stains.

Harry swatted his hands away gently and led him into the bathroom. Once Teddy was all cleaned up, Harry lifted him easily and pressed a kiss to his temple.

"I love you, kid."

"I love you too, Harry," Teddy replied. "I'm sorry. I'll like the baby, I promise."

Harry grinned. "You know, you're going to have to be around to teach the baby all the things about growing up."

"Really?"

"Sure, kid. Who else is going to teach them?"

Teddy tilted his head because that was true.

"I'mma do so good, Harry. I'll teach them everything!"

Harry's smile widened. "I'm sure you will. Come on, you can teach me to play football, I think I've forgotten the rules."

…

Written for;

Showtime ; 39. Teddy Lupin

Hamilton Mania ; Act 1, Prompt 1 - Lonely / Extra ; 24. Invisible.