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

Chapter 13 - Bedtime talks

Three children were happily playing around the garden and a proud father watched through the kitchen window while absently folding the laundry. A sight, Harry was sure Ron would hex him for would he be there to see it. While Hermione had to constantly nag Ron into any kind of housework, Ginny had actually tried to keep him away from it. She had once argued that he had done enough chores at the Dursleys. However with a household of six and both of them working, Harry had quickly taken her the illusion that he would allow her to do this by herself. Still in his thoughts he didn't notice Ginny's arrival from work and was taken somewhat by surprise as a pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind.

Taking in her familiar scent he moaned as she caressed his neck, her breath sending shivers down his spine.

"Missed me?" she whispered into his ear.

The laundry was forgotten and Harry spun around quickly, engaging her in a passionate kiss. Still holding on to his waist with her left hand, the right moved affectionally through his untidy hair, messing it up even more. She could feel his hands moving under her shirt and up on her back. As he reached her bra, she drew back.

"Harry the kids can see."

Realising she was right, he let go off her and groaned.

"Fucking tease you are and that after I spent an unjustified night on the couch." He pouted.

"Leaving me alone all night to wake up all by myself. So you did deserve it." She jokingly accused before turning to the kettle and making both of them a cup of tea.

"Any luck with Teddy?" she questioned.

Taking a steaming cup from her, he said:

"Well you could say so. You were right, he was pushing to test the boundaries. I finally took some advice this morning and fixed some ground rules for him. I threatened to withdraw my Hogsmeade permission or pull him off the team, which seemed to make an impact."

"Well, I would certainly hope so. He loves playing, is damn good at it too."

"All the more reason for him not to test me on this, because if he steps out of line Gryffindor will have to win without him for a while. It's a miracle he's still on the team anyway with grades and a detention record like his. Aside from that, he's also grounded for two weeks and I'm sending him over to Molly for degnoming or some other task at least once. I want him occupied. He's already brooding in his room enough."

Ginny gave a smile. All Weasley children had sent their offspring to their mother for degnoming or some other punishment at one point or another. She guessed it reminded them of their childhood and for Harry it was no different.

"He's also banned from flying for the holidays and..." Harry paused at this, still doubting his decision to some extent.

"I need your back-up on this and I hope you agree. I can't ignore his temper tantrums anymore. He has to learn to control his anger and I'm sick of being treated without any respect when he is in that mood."

"I agree Harry, but why..." Ginny didn't get to finish her sentence as Harry rushed his next words.

"I gave him an early bed-time for the weekend."

Harry's face clearly portrayed a cautious worry, but his wife only started laughing.

"Early bed-time? Isn't he a bit old for that?"

Harry shrugged.

"Maybe, but I didn't want to ground him any longer and I also believe if he dreads the punishment enough, it might make him think twice in the future."

"It's certainly worth a shot. And he accepted without putting up a fight?" Ginny wondered causing Harry to sneer.

"No, not quite. But after I made clear that he wouldn't get out of it, I reckon he didn't want to test if I would lower the time for him to join Lily's bed-time."

Laughing Ginny shook her head.

"Maybe that cactus book did teach you something after all."

Harry only nodded, he didn't see the need to tell her about Draco now. Instead he said: "You know I believe I understand now. You can't expect a teenager to make the choices of an adult. We discipline the children, because we believe that in doing so we teach them right from wrong and help them make better decisions. To not do the same to Teddy was putting him in the shoes of an adult at an age when life is confusing enough already."

For a moment Ginny contemplated this and nodded her approval to his thoughts, then a sparkle in her eyes erupted and she asked:"You know what that means?"

As Harry shook his head she leaned in closer to him and whispered playfully in his ear.

"With the children in bed we've plenty of time to make up for your night on the couch." She teased before leaving him back at the kitchen, alone with the remaining laundry.

...

At 8 o'clock that night there was a feeble knock on Teddy's door and a small red-head in blue pyjamas entered, followed by her father.

"Teddy, you come and read me a story now?" she asked and tugged on Teddy's shirt. Getting up from his desk chair, he let himself be let into Lily's room smiling.

"Sure Lily, any favourites?"

She paused for a moment, her face portraying some serious thinking before she answered.

"A princess story, a beautiful princess, one who saves the prince."

Teddy and Harry couldn't help but smile at the little girl's wish and the teenager picked her up, tucking her into bed.

"A beautiful and brave princess, okay let's see."

As Teddy settled next to Lily, Harry left the two of them, happy to have his content cheerful godson back. He just prayed once more this phase would be permanent.

A little while later Ted closed Lily's bedroom door, careful not to make any noise since she was already fast asleep. He went straight into Al's room, where the younger of the two Potter boys was fighting with his pyjama top. He had left the glasses on and now couldn't fit his head through the hole. Helping him to get into the shirt Teddy chuckled and handed him back the glasses that had come off while dressing.

"You ought to take them off before Al. Did dad never tell you?"

Albus grinned sheepishly. "Well sometimes I forget I wear them until I'm stuck and then it's too late."

Still laughing Teddy motioned for Albus to hop into bed and he complied instantly pulling up a book from the nightstand.

"Can we read this? I already started it."

Taking the book Teddy settled next to Albus. Last summer Al had only started learning the alphabet. Christmas he had already asked for a book and now although with struggle, he read on his own at every opportunity. Allowing Albus to read along, Teddy started with the story, but not long after the six-year old couldn't hold his eyes open anymore and Ted gently took his glasses off bidding him goodnight.

He could have just read all three a story together like he promised, but after separating from them for weeks, he felt that he owed them some attention. Therefore he now strolled into the living room and settled on the floor next to James with a board game that the 8 - year old had set up on the coffee table. Harry, sitting in the armchair reading, watched both of them with a smile on his lips and left them to it until the first game was decided and the clock showed five past nine. Ginny, who had gotten comfy on the couch just minutes ago, addressed her oldest.

"Jamie, it's time for you to get ready for bed. Dad comes up in a moment to tuck you in."

Scrambling up from the floor and grabbing the board game, he gave his mother a kiss and hugged Teddy goodnight. Another first for this summer, as the 8-year old usually considered himself too old for brotherly hugs.

As James disappeared upstairs Harry cleared his throat looking at Teddy, who still sat on the floor leaning against the couch.

"I believe it's time for you to get going too."

Teddy shot him a pleading look. "Really Harry?"

His godfather chuckled a little. "Yes really Ted, now please."

With a huff Teddy got up, wished them goodnight and followed James upstairs.

...

Coming out of James' room Harry noticed the light falling through the crack of Ted's room and on a whim he knocked entering into an unexpected scene. The curtains were already drawn and Ted was wearing his pyjama bottoms, a shirt in his hand and his hair still slightly wet from the shower. Looking over his shoulder as Harry entered, Ted quickly pulled the shirt over his head and then turned to face his godfather holding his hands up in mock surrender.

"Alright, alright I'm going. In fact, here ..."

Climbing into his bed and pulling the blanket up to his chin he continued.

"See, I'm in bed. Unless you're shoving a sleeping draught down my throat, please don't expect me to actually sleep at twenty past nine." He pleaded desperately.

Laughing softly at the boy's demeanour Harry shook his head.

"Good night Teddy."

"Night Harry."

And in turning Harry added: "Lights out please."

A groan followed, but darkness ensued second later nonetheless.

Back downstairs Harry was still shaking his head in disbelief as he settled next to Ginny.

"You won't believe it. When I checked on Ted he was in his pyjamas, just out of the shower and curtains already drawn. And now he's actually in bed without another argument."

"He seemed to have snapped out of that horrible mood of his, alright. If this keeps up, I think I have to write a thank-you note to Draco."

Harry grimaced at her words. He had told her earlier the real source of his advice and although she had been more than a little surprised, Ginny couldn't deny that Draco's words had helped her husband.

"I sure will have to thank him. He was right, I was blind. How come you never told me to be stricter with him?" he questioned.

Hesitating for a second Ginny replied, phrasing her words carefully.

"Well for the most time I thought you did fine anyway and the few times this summer that I thought you could have been a bit more...let's say ... persistent, I shoved it off, because after all you always could relate to him best."

Harry shrugged. "We're both new to this teenage thing."

...

It was late at night when the sound of bare feet echoed in the hallway. James pitter-pattered to the bathroom in a state of half-slumber. The house was eerie silent only interrupted by the whisper of small feet on the floor, but as he shuffled back to his room James heard a noise coming from Teddy's room. Tiptoeing to the door he listened closer and pressing his ear to the wood, James picked up the sound of sobs and crying. He froze in his position for a moment.

Why was Teddy crying? His big brother didn't cry. Scared that the older boy was hurt, James pushed the door open.

The sight shocked and stopped James in his tracks once more. Teddy was curled up in his bed in a foetal position. His hair was a mousy brown shade and his chest was rising and falling rapidly due to his heavy breathing. James hurried to the bed and kneeled on the floor so he was on eye level with the other boy. In this position he now realised the tears streaming down Teddy's face. Placing his small hand hesitantly on the wet cheek, James urged worried.

"Teddy, are you okay? ... Are you hurt? ... Teddy ... please ...say something."

Still no response only stifled sobs that escaped the teenager. James wasn't even sure Teddy was fully aware of his presence. Frightened by this for him most disturbing scene, James withdrew his hand and hurried to his parent's bedroom. Surely his dad would know what to do.

Again the sound of bare feet on cold ground, but this time the echo was hasty, reflecting the anxiousness of the 8-year old, who now shook his father's shoulder to get his attention.

"Daddy, daddy wake up please." He pleaded.

Harry stirred growling about the rough interruption of his sleep, but was wide awake and scrambling to a sitting position as he spotted James distraught face.

"Jamie, what's wrong? Are you sick? A nightmare?"

But James only shook his head tugging on his father's hand to get him going.

"No, it's Teddy. He's crying in his bed and he doesn't stop. Please dad, you have to come and help him."

Allowing himself to be led by James, they entered the other bedroom. Harry quickly took in the sight that had gotten James so disturbed and copied his son's earlier actions as he rushed to the bedside.

"Teddy, Ted are you okay? What happened?"

The curled up boy only let out another desperate sob, however checking him over Harry couldn't see anything hurting him.

"Jamie, I take care of this. You just go back to bed. Teddy will be fine."

Not completely convinced, but albeit complying James lumbered back to his room.

Scooping the miserable boy up in a sitting position, Harry seated himself on the bed and embraced Teddy in hug gently rubbing circles on his back. The crying got slower yet didn't stop, neither did the desperate choking for air. Harry cringed, what could have gotten his godson into such a distraught state? He had been perfectly content this evening. An idea struck him, but it stung. Teddy couldn't be this upset about his punishment, could he?"

Soothingly he spoke to the boy he still held in a tight hug.

"What's wrong Teddy, hm? You know you can tell me everything. I want to help you, but you have to tell me what's bothering you."

Teddy breathed in sharply and stammered.

"Everything is wrong ... can't do anything right ...so...so...sorry."

His head was buried again in Harry's shoulder and the tears resumed, dampening Harry's shirt."

Even more confused Harry just held his godson tightly, yet he had to find out what was up somehow.

"Teddy, please talk to me. You aren't still upset about yesterday, are you? I told you it's all forgiven. I'm sorry I had to punish you, but we're good now. No reason to cry."

He really didn't know what else to say, yet didn't have to as Teddy began to speak between his hiccupping.

"Shouldn't have to ... all my fault ... I mess everything up."

As the sobbing started again Harry took Teddy's face in his hands, gently forcing him to see eye-to-eye.

"Hey, what's this? You don't mess everything up. That's nonsense. So what's going on?"

With one deep breath Teddy calmed himself enough to answer the question although with a shaky voice.

"I'm just so angry all the time and I don't know why. I... I can't control my emotions and then you have to go and talk to the teachers or worry about me sneaking out and then I shout at you and disrespect you and Ginny and you are still there for me. I ... I don't deserve that. I'm just a burden." With another desperate sob he spat out: "My parents would be ashamed of me."

Hot tears rolled down Teddy's cheeks and he slammed down on the pillow, but Harry didn't allow him to turn away from him now. Taking him by the shoulders, he guided Teddy back up to face him.

"Listen to me Teddy. I am proud of you. Your parents would be so proud of you and no matter what, we love you. You don't need to do anything to deserve that. It's just the way it is, the way it will always be."

Teddy shook his head. "You be better off without me."

Harry grabbed his godson's shoulders in shock and shook him slightly.

"Hey, never, never say that again. Never think that again. I love you, I'd give my left and right arm and both my legs for you." A small smile tucked at Ted's lips as he listened to the words. Harry felt a little relief, the ideas Teddy had voiced hit a little too close for him. Very similar thoughts had once possessed his mind and he would do anything to erase those doubts from his godson's mind.

"And apart from me, what would James, Al and Lily say if their big brother would be gone. Do you know how much the little rascals miss you during term?"

The crying had stopped and only a few sobs escaped Teddy's attempt to level his breathing. Harry handed him a handkerchief that he gratefully accepted. Taking a moment to compose himself Teddy then said: "Thanks Harry, I think ... you know, I do know you care about me, just sometimes there is that feeling inside me... "He hesitated and in an understanding tone Harry offered.

"That you're angry, but don't know why. You feel you can't control your emotions and then feel bad about hurting others, especially those who care for you. So you conclude all will be better off without you."

Sheepishly Teddy nodded. "How do you know?"

Shifting so he sat next to the teenager rather than opposite him, Harry placed an arm around the boy's shoulders.

"One, I had pretty much the same feelings during my fifth year. Took Aunt Hermione nearly one year and some talks to my godfather to straighten me out and get those ridiculous" he emphasized the word on purpose" ideas out of my head. Secondly your dad had a certain tendency to feel responsible for things out of his control. You're 15 and your emotions run a bit wild. I understand that, but Ted it will get better. I promise."

"Thanks Harry!" Teddy flung himself at his godfather once more and then settled back against the wall, rubbing his red and from the continuous crying swollen eyes.

"No, don't do that." Harry said, gently prying Ted's hands from the puffed eyes. "Lie down and I'll be back in a minute."

Teddy complied and his godfather returned with a warm towel. Motioning for Ted to close his eyes, Harry placed it on his face. The warmth felt calming and made him sleepy, which was helped by the fact that Harry gently massaged his neck with one hand. A moment later the towel was removed and the sudden rush of air was cooling on the red eyes. Harry studied his godson, who looked so young now laying in his bed a sleepy expression in his puffed eyes and all morphing gone. With his mousy brown hair and his soft features, he was a perfect mix of Remus and Tonks, the image of his parents and Harry felt so grateful for being able to see him grow up and be there along the way. Brushing through the teen's hair, a motion Ted wouldn't allow him cautiously, he spoke softly.

"You weren't this upset because of the rules and your punishment, were you? You know I only discipline you, because I care about you?"

Teddy's eyes had been half-closed, but now he sincerely looked into the emerald eyes of the men above him.

"No, I know. It just all came out tonight. I've been feeling so confused and angry all the time. The rules, they ... they're good."

Smiling relieved Harry brushed Ted's fringe away and gently kissed his forehead.

"I'll always be there Teddy. If you need to talk, please come to me. You are family, never forget that." He said, before taking his leave. Pausing in the door, he saw his godson's eyes were closed and levelled breathing was audible. Sleep had taken the exhausted teenager.