Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. No money is made from this.

Chapter 3 - The quiet before the storm

For the remainder of the weekend school was unspoken. Although Teddy was quieter than usual, he still enjoyed spending time with James, Albus, Lily and their cousins when they went over to the traditional Sunday lunch at the Burrow. To Harry it seemed that Teddy was settling in just fine for the summer.

Harry would sit down with him every night after dinner to help out with any questions Teddy would have. Of course along with revision help he was also checking on him too, although he tried not to make that more obvious than necessary.

In fairness to Teddy, after Harry had made his godson redo all his work on the first night for it wasn't done up to standards, there had been no need to complain any further.

So two weeks into the holidays Harry found himself in bed next to Ginny who had picked up his parenting book.

"You have stopped reading this." She stated.

"Yes, well I've come half through and as it works out alright at the moment..."

Ginny interrupted:"You figured you needn't finish it. Seriously Harry you're very lucky Hermione was kicking your ass in Hogwarts so you actually got stuff done."

Harry grinned:"Ah come on. I'm not that bad, besides you were the one laughing at the book."

"True, anyhow with James being the prankster he is and two more rascals to come to that age eventually I better be prepared."

Harry took the book out of her hands and placed it on the night stand. Then he leaned over his wife and gave her a gentle kiss. "I love you, you're an amazing mum, a wonderful wife and perfectly capable of handling our children. If anything I need remedial parenting lessons since I can't really draw from experience." He pulled an awkward face before continuing:"So please stop worrying so much."

"I love you too and I stop worrying if you will." With that Ginny extinguished the lights.

A week before the exams Teddy was sitting yet again in his room brooding over his books. Not that there was much else to do since he was practically confined to the house until after the resits. Therefore it was not without excitement that he noticed an owl outside his window. That must be for him since Harry received post in his study and family letters usually arrived in the kitchen.

He quickly let the owl in and untied the message. The owl, apparently not instructed to wait for an answer, took off immediately.

"Just as well." Teddy thought as this would give him all the time he wanted to reply with his own owl. Unrolling the message he recognised his friend's handwriting.

Hi Teddy,

Hope you're keeping well with the family. They sure can't be more boring or annoying than mine. All they do is order me around or give lectures about my so important future and that I am wasting my time. The other day I pointed out that talking about wasted time would include all those stupid chores they make me do since I have no intention of becoming a gardener or housewife.

That didn't go down too well and I'm still grounded for two days.

So you see I really need some fun and get away from here for a day. Mark suggested meeting us in London on Friday. Laura is in as well, so I fully expect you to show up.

Get back to me asap

Alex

PS: Can you believe it, just as I finished this mum came in yet again without a knock or a warning. Doesn't she know what she might just run into? Urgh ... and then she says my name in this weird way. ALEXANDOR – I mean what the hell, I bet the healer was drunk or sth. and just misspelled the birth certificate. There shouldn't be an O in my name.

Teddy grinned, Alex hated his full name and who could blame him. Teddy didn't really fancy being called Theodore either, it never really happened though. His grandmother had occasionally used it to reprimand, but his teachers or Harry preferred to use TED REMUS LUPIN (yeah all capital, when the two names came they were mad enough for shouting), not that he was fond of the use of the double name either. Those occasions never made the happiest memories.

Thinking back to the content of the letter Teddy got anxious. More than anything he was longing for some time away from the house. He missed his friends and the freedom Hogwarts could provide them with.

He would have to ask Harry tonight. After all he hadn't actually grounded Teddy, not ever really. Although Teddy reminded himself, his godfather did want him to study, but then again it was only a day, an afternoon even and he could make it up on Sunday. Surely Harry wouldn't object, especially since he always pointed out the importance of friendship. Leaving the note on the window board Teddy resumed his studies. Getting on the good side of his godfather couldn't hurt.

Later that night...

"Harry..." as Teddy packed up his books the dark-haired man opposite gave a small yawn. It was rather late, but he had wanted to make sure that Teddy was well on track with his resits. Now he looked at the boy who suddenly had a certain gleam in his eyes.

"I got this owl from Alex today and he and two others are meeting in Diagon Alley this Friday. I haven't seen anyone since the start of the holidays. So can I go along? Even for a couple of hours or so?"

"Hmm Teddy I don't know. It's the last week before the exams."

"But I studied loads and besides I can make it up on the other days, Sunday even." He gave Harry a pleading look.

"I talk to Ginny and we'll decide tomorrow, okay?" Harry said not unkindly and continued:" It's late now and..." he could feel tiredness overrule him when Teddy interrupted him.

"No, I need to owl him back, why can't you just say yes now? I had no fun for weeks." The teenger puffed his chest and crossed his arms.

Harry's face got sterner but he said softly:" You brought that on yourself, didn't you? It's not my fault you have to retake exams next week. Besides I didn't say no Teddy, I simply want to make this decision when I've talked to Ginny and am not half asleep. So you'll have to wait till tomorrow evening."

With those words he left the table and ushered the 15-year old to his room.