Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. No money is made from this.
Chapter 19 – Of Fences
It hadn't taken long for the party to return to normal although the atmosphere was somewhat tainted, especially among the children, who were now playing together at the back garden. The oldest of them though had settled next to her mother and father and was pouting in silence. Still keen to find out what had happened, Harry parted from his conversation with Ron & Neville and moved to take a seat opposite her.
"Victoire, what happened back there with Teddy and Jamie?"
Her expression not changing one bit, the blonde girl huffed: "Now you listen?"
Harry, surprised by her hostile response, remained silent while Fleur chastised indignantly.
"Victoire, remember your manners please."
"Oui maman." The teenager replied, but then turned to Harry, hostility still obvious in her voice.
"You didn't even give them the chance to explain. Teddy didn't do anything or at least he didn't mean to and you treat him like a criminal."
Softly Harry interrupted: "Why don't you tell me what happened and we clear this up."
Her face brightened considerably, but still slightly suspicious, she questioned: "And he can come back down then?"
Here Harry hesitated, he didn't knew what happened and while he had no intention to spoil the party for Teddy and Victoire, if something serious had transpired he couldn't just let it slide either.
"I won't make any promises before I heard what happened." He said finally.
Victoire, although not happy with the response began to tell them about the events earlier in the afternoon.
"Ted and I were talking in the back of the garden close to the others playing football. After a while Al came back and wanted Teddy to fly with him, because you know, he isn't allow to fly on his own and I think James was teasing him about it earlier. Anyway Teddy said no and Al kept pestering him, but we told him not today since obviously Teddy couldn't say yes."
Harry was surprised that she knew about his punishment. Of course Ted would tell his partner in crime Alex, but that he had willingly supplied this piece of information showed great trust towards the younger girl. He motioned her to continue and without a blink she went on.
"So by then most of the cousins were around us and Fred, Roxanne and Dom were pestering us too, because they wanted to play Quidditch. We nearly had them at the point of giving up and leaving, when James, the idiot, announced to everyone that Teddy couldn't fly because you had taken his broom. You can imagine the reaction that got ... anyway I told him it's none of his business and to get lost. Unfortunately at that point I think Lily decided to cheer Teddy up and get him to play with the others telling him that flying was stupid anyway. I tried to dissolve the situation, but I was still arguing with James and Al. When she started to pull at his shirt, he lost it. Told her to sod off and gave her a shove. It all happened so fast. She stumbled and fell and suddenly was on the ground crying. We both immediately tried to check on her and Teddy was apologising, but she ran inside and then Jamie went mental punching Teddy and shouting at him that he couldn't hurt his little sister. That's when Ginny turned up. You know the rest. So yeah, he shouldn't have lost his temper, but Lily is fine and he is probably in his room now beating himself up about it."
With this last remark Victoire finished her long explanation and settled back into her chair waiting for a response. Harry however had only gotten more confused by her words. The whole scenario sounded rather unusual, but there was no reason for the blonde teen to lie.
With a sigh he said: "I better go and talk to Ginny to see if we're on the same page here."
He didn't wait for a response, especially from Victoire, because he didn't want to be pressured into any promises before talking to his wife and the boys. He found Ginny in the kitchen clearing away dishes with Hermione's help. They were happily chatting to each other, but Hermione fell silent as she saw him enter. Sensing why he had come in, she quickly made her excuses heading for the garden with a stack of plates for dinner in her hands.
Ginny, who still faced the dishes in the sink, hadn't acknowledged him yet, but as the silence continued for another minute she said without turning to him: "If you plan on talking them out of punishment you can save your breath."
Nervously Harry's hand went through his hair.
"Actually, I do want to talk to you. Victoire told me what has happened. I'm sure they didn't mean to upset Lily."
"I don't care. Do you know that James was punching Teddy when I came out? I will not have violence in this house Harry." She exclaimed loudly.
"And we will talk to him about it. I'm only asking you to not blow this out of proportion."
"Excuse me? I'm not blowing anything out of proportion. You're the one who is too soft. Not this time though." Ginny angrily shouted at him and now Harry took a step closer to her and his words were a barely audible hiss.
"Will you keep it down. No need for the whole garden to hear you."
Ginny blanched and her hand automatically went over her mouth. "Of course, of course. I'm sorry."
Harry, who had immediately calmed down again, said with a hopeful expression.
"So, I'm going to go up and talk to the boys and tell them they can come back down for dinner."
Resolutely Ginny shook her head, although this time her voice remained controlled.
"Absolutely not, they had their chance. I'm not giving them the opportunity to ruin the party a second time."
"They didn't ruin anything." Harry exclaimed desperately.
"They can stay upstairs tonight and that's my last word. About anything else we can talk after the party." Ginny said with a tone of finality, before she took another set of plates and followed Hermione outside.
Back in the garden Harry didn't have to wait long for Victoire's questioning. To say she was not satisfied with his response would be an understatement.
"But I told you, he didn't mean to and Lily is fine. You're so unfair." She accused furiously and once again Fleur reprimanded her.
"Victoire watch you your tone. If you can't behave, we can go home."
"Let's go then, this is boring anyway." She shot back.
Bill sensing that the argument between mother and daughter could easily escalate said: "Tori, why don't you go over and sit with the others. It's nearly time for dinner."
Although scowling Victoire complied her father's request that she knew was an order not a question anyway. As she had gone out of earshot, Fleur apologised to Harry.
"I'm sorry about her. I don't know what's gotten into her lately."
Harry however waived if off. "Don't worry about it. Actually it's rather a relief to see I'm not the only one struggling with a teenager."
Their conversation continued for a little while, but when dinner started Harry grabbed two plates loading them with food and making his way upstairs. The first door he knocked on belonged to his godson and upon entering he found said teenager quickly leaping to his feet.
"Is Lily okay? ... I'm so sorry Harry. I didn't mean to. How is she? Where is she?" Teddy rushed to say.
Placing the plates on the desk, Harry raised a hand to stop Teddy's rant.
"Whoa, calm down. Lily is outside and just fine. She was just a little startled."
"I'm so sorry." Teddy interjected again.
Harry gave him a weak smile and continued: "I'm sure it's already forgiven and forgotten."
Relief washed over the teenager's face and he slumped on the desk chair.
"Can I go talk to her and apologise?" Teddy asked looking up to his godfather, who with a pained expression shook his head.
"I don't think that would be a good idea."
"Ginny is still mad then?" Teddy asked resigned.
"She'll come around, you know how important this party is for her."
Miserably Teddy nodded: "I know and I'm really sorry for ruining it and losing my temper. Again. But Harry, please don't fight. I heard you shouting earlier. Please don't ..."
In a calming gesture Harry put a hand on his godson's shoulder.
"We aren't fighting and you didn't ruin anything. Don't beat yourself up about it. We're going to talk about it later, but for now I have to go get Jamie some food and get back to the party myself. I'm sorry you have to miss it, but feel free to go over and spent the evening with Jamie." Harry offered, because he still felt a bit sorry for both boys. He was startled though by his godson's words.
"He hates me."
Frowning Harry replied: "He doesn't hate you."
"Then why would he tell everyone about my ban on flying. And he should, I hurt Lily."
Suddenly Harry grew stern. "No, he had absolutely no right to attack you and I don't know what possessed him to resort to violence, but it's not your fault."
Gently he added: "Go on and have some dinner, we talk later."
...
Later in fact turned out to be the next morning as the party went on longer than expected and then Harry had wanted to talk with Ginny first. A conversation that had indeed not been easy. Ginny had been set on grounding both boys and only Harry's reasoning that it would be highly impractical since they would leave for their holiday the same day, had swayed her. She had even agreed to let him do the lecturing, however not without telling him that he best made sure the message would stick.
Harry had thought the whole situation through several times last night and what really concerned him wasn't his godson, but James' behaviour. Not that he was happy that Teddy had failed to reign in his temper once more, but he hadn't expected a miracle cure for the teenager's mood swings and yesterday must have been a test on his patience. James behaviour was odd however. He hadn't said a word when Harry had brought him dinner and his earlier actions were even more unusual. His oldest was not particularly malicious, especially not towards Teddy, who he adored as an older brother. The whole thing just didn't make any sense.
In hope of some answers Harry went into his son's room first. What he found was his oldest son sitting on his bed quite obviously pouting He had been sent back to his room after breakfast, where he hadn't said a single word. Still not speaking he locked eyes with his father and then moved a little to accommodate Harry sitting down next to him.
"Jamie, I want to talk about what happened yesterday."
Silence – the 8-year-old now stared at the wall opposite, ignoring the conversation.
"Look at me please." Harry instructed softly and as James complied his face portrayed anger and annoyance. A sight Harry hadn't expected.
"What happened yesterday?" he tried again.
"Teddy went mental and pushed Lils and hurt her. I defended her and now you're punishing me." The boy bit out.
Frowning Harry asked again: "Is that the whole truth though?"
For a split second and expression appeared on James' face that showed that indeed they both knew it was not, but instead of acknowledging this, he cried out: "Yes it is! And it's not fair, I'm punished when it's all his fault."
The whole thing was just getting weirder and weirder. Harry thought observing James. The boy seemed obviously upset, but tried to conceal it with anger. Try as he might though, James was not as sly as he thought. In fact Harry could read him like a book. His behaviour now however was strange and Harry tried to calm him as he said: "Mum sent both of you to your room and there was a good reason for it. I'm going to talk to Teddy as soon as we're finished here."
Despite these words the 8-year-old didn't calm down, instead he started shouting.
"You favour him, you always favour him. All of them."
Startled at first Harry quickly regained composure and said sternly: "Stop shouting at me! I don't favour any of you and you know that. Now I want to know what is really going on here. Victoire told me you were taunting Teddy about his flying ban and then attacked him for something that we both know was an accident on his part."
Sheepishly James lowered his gaze at his father's stern words.
"Silence is not going to cut it James. I want answers."
Mumbling to the floor the oldest Potter child said: "I just wanted it to be someone else. Just this once."
It may have been hard to hear, but Harry strained himself enough to comprehend the whisper, although it did little to dissolve the confusion and so he questioned further: "Wanted it to be someone else, what Jamie? I don't understand."
Now James had brought up the courage to look up and Harry could see a small tear hanging on the rim of his eyes. Barely audible James said: "To get into trouble. It's always me and ... I just ... I just wanted to be the one not in trouble for once."
A single tear slid down the boy's face and Harry sighed. Pulling his son closer to sit on his lap he said.
"Come here Jamie." And wiping the tear from the small face with a gentle stroke he continued.
"Jamie you know you're not the only one getting into trouble. We all make mistakes and that's okay. Mum and I wouldn't want to have you any other way."
"But Teddy's never in trouble and neither is Al." James hiccupped.
Righting the small figure to look him square in the eyes Harry replied: "I think you know that isn't true. Half the time your brother and you get into mischief together and I know he has his fair share of the blame even if you take the responsibility."
James blushed at these words, but overall looked much more content, so that Harry decided to refocus on last night.
"Now this may explain some of what happened, but why did you punch Teddy? You know better than to use violence."
"Sorry dad." James replied chastised.
"Sorry is not an answer to my question James." Harry said sternly putting a finger under James chin to guide his eyes back to him.
"I knew it was a full moon and you said Teddy is not himself then, but I didn't think he'd get so angry and then Lily cried and I was so mad and ... it just happened. I didn't mean to." James explained with as much consistency as he could muster. It suddenly dawned on Harry what his son had really been thinking.
"You were angry at yourself, because you knew you caused him to shove Lily. And you said those things to rile him up knowing full well it was a full moon."
Glancing at the calendar on the other wall that marked the moon phases James nodded miserably.
"I'm sorry dad. I didn't think this would happen. I just wanted everyone to see that I'm not the only one to get into trouble."
Sighing Harry pinched his nose contemplating his next words. It was obvious to him that James had not intended for this to happen and that he was truly sorry. However he couldn't ignore the malicious nature of his son's actions.
"And you should be sorry James Sirius. I'm disappointed. I told you mum and I love you no matter what, causing a bit of mischief does no harm, but you do not use other people to make yourself look better. Especially in such a vile way. It was cruel and mean to take advantage of Teddy like you did. Never mind that you had no business knowing about his ban or telling anyone about it."
James, who had been moved to stand in front of Harry holding on to his shoulders for the lecture, looked thoroughly dejected and tears were falling to the carpet one by one as he mumbled another apology.
"I'm sorry dad ... didn't mean to ... won't do it again. I'm sorry."
Harry pulled him closer once more and cleaning the boy's face with his handkerchief he said: "I know Jamie and you're forgiven, but I need you to understand that what you did was very naughty. Not just the punching. You know words can hurt much more."
James nodded solemnly, his crying now ceased, but his breathing still too hitched to speak properly. Searching for his son's eyes once more Harry continued: "I want you to apologise to mum and Teddy. We're going on our holiday as planned, but when we're back no flying for a while."
Again James nodded, being no stranger to a ban on flying himself and the apologies on the forefront of his mind anyway.
"And I think until we leave you should spent some time in the study." Harry finished and with these words James chastised expression changed slightly as he whined: "Really dad?"
Putting a hand on his son's back and guiding him out of the room Harry replied: "Yes really. You can use the time and think about how you ended up there."
Leaving James on a single chair in the otherwise for an 8-year-old pretty boring study to think, Harry moved to his godson's door. Their conversation was the complete opposite to the talk with James. For one there was no guessing around about what had caused Teddy's behaviour and the teenager knew it himself having apologised to both Ginny and Lily at breakfast. There was not much left to say to the dejected boy that was now sitting next to him. There was still a lesson to impart on both boys, but right now his focus was on reassuring his godson, who still looked pretty miserable about the whole situation.
"You know Lily has long forgiven you, especially after that box of chocolate frogs you gave her this morning. I promise you'll be the one to put her down for a nap when she's on a sugar rush." Harry tried to joke, but there was not even a faint smile from Teddy who was still moping on his bed.
"Ginny's not mad anymore either."
Nodding Teddy said: "I still shouldn't have lost it though."
"No, probably not. But it happened, you apologised and we move forward trying harder next time. Can you do that for me?"
A little surprised Teddy looked at Harry. "But what about ... you know ..." he glanced over to the rules stuck to the wall on the other side of the room. Following his gaze Harry realised his concern and shook his head.
"I think an evening in your room was punishment enough. I want to show you something though. Come on." He said standing up and Teddy followed him down the hall to the study, where James still sat starring at the wall his back to the door.
Clearing his throat Harry called out: "Come here for a moment Jamie."
Jumping a little and quickly turning his head James saw his father and god brother standing in the door frame. Automatically he complied with the request and as he halted in front of both men, his eyes locked with Teddy's. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told anyone. I knew you wanted it to be a secret. I didn't mean to punch you. I was just so angry at myself. I'm really sorry, please don't hate me."
Crouching down to James' level Teddy said kindly. "Thank you. That apology means a lot to me. And of course I don't hate you, silly. I was hurt you exposed me like that, that was not cool."
"I'm sorry ... really Teddy." James begged and the other boy smiled faintly.
"I know and it's all forgiven. You're not mad about Lils anymore either?" Teddy questioned with a hint of worry, but James resolutely shook his head.
Harry, who had watched the scene, a content smile playing around his lips, now interrupted: "Right you two, follow me."
Confusion written on their faces both boys followed Harry more than a little wary out to the garden and heeded his instruction to move to the very back, while he himself went to the garden shed. That action certainly did nothing to assure Teddy. It was not just incredibly weird, but also left what was in Harry's mind totally unpredictable. Arriving at the very far end of their garden, where a battered fence marked the property border, they stopped and waited for Harry, who arrived moments later with a hammer in one hand and a box of nails in the other. Teddy furrowed his brow further. What the hell was going on here? If he was meant to fix the fence, he'd rather do it without the help of an 8-year-old. However fixing the fence was not what Harry had in mind as he spoke.
"Right, so I want you to think about the people you hurt with your actions and put one nail into the wall for each person. Ted, you first."
Hesitant, while still wary of where this was going, Teddy took the hammer and picked up four nails. Interpreting Harry's questioning look he said: "Yourself, Lily, Ginny and Jamie."
Harry nodded, which he took as his cue for action, and shakily drove the nails into the wood, careful not to smash his thumb. When he had managed to put the nails in, more crippled than straight, he handed the hammer over to James, who nearly dropped it not expecting the weight. Taking two nails less than Teddy he mumbled two names. "Teddy and Lils."
Then he turned to the fence and Teddy rushed to his aid that James gladly accepted. Done, the 8-year-old handed the tool back to his father, who cleared his throat and said: "And now pull them out again."
The authority in Harry's voice was unyielding and so Teddy complied even though he was seriously doubting Harry's sanity by now. Six crippled nails lying flat on his palm, Harry spoke up once more.
"I want you to remember this, boys. Each nail is an action that hurt someone. You apologised, so the hurt is gone and we pulled the nail out."
Taking a step closer to the place, where the nails had left obvious holes, Harry continued: "But as you see something always remains. Your nails left marks, your actions are not undone by a sorry, so what you really need to do is stop and think before you act. Will you remember this for the future?"
Both boys nodded taking in the lesson.
"Good, I will hold you to this. Let's get back inside. You have some more time to spend in the study James."
All three of them headed back inside and since Harry took the lead, he noticed neither Teddy frowning at his last words nor James groaning at his prolonged punishment. Back upstairs Harry let James back to the study, while Teddy lingered in the hall in front of his room. As Harry closed the door to his office, his eyes met his godson's concerned and guilty face.
"Harry, I..."
"What's up? Harry asked sympathetically.
"I ... it's not right. You punished Jamie ... he's in the study now and I ..."
"Have been punished enough by last night as I told you." Harry interjected.
"James spent the same time in his room though." The teenager responded his eyes rooted to the floor. Harry sighed, he knew Teddy was sorry and it was more than obvious that he felt guilty. He had promised the boy consistency and consequences should he break the rules, which yesterday he certainly had done. Closing his eyes for a split second Harry decided to give Teddy the consistency he was loudly demanding by his current action. The teenager was practically asking for punishment for his mistake and he hoped doing this would get rid of his godson's guilt.
"You're right. Take a seat on your desk." Harry said stepping into Teddy's room, where the teenager quickly followed. A quizzical look on his face he still complied the order without hesitation. Continuing Harry instructed in a deliberately put on stern voice.
"I want you to take out some parchment and write 50 times, I will not lose my temper. Start now and get it done before we leave in two hours, otherwise you'll finish it in the apartment while the rest of us start their holiday. Alright?"
"Yes Harry." Came the quick response from a chastised but somehow relieved Teddy.
AN: A big thank you for beta-reading goes to PenMagic. The idea for the nails & fence comes from an Esl site that I can't remember the name of. I read is as a lesson story on so you know I actually borrowed that idea. Hope you like it, feedback and reviews very welcome as always.
Crunchy Nuggets: While I do appreciate your feedback, I have the feeling to have to get one thing straight. This is a story and its characters are flawed. So, yes Ginny's reaction was unreasonable, if you didn't think so after the two chapters than I would be surprised. It should be clear though why she was overreacting. As for Lily, she is 4 in this story and the perception of a 4-year old isn't the best. I agree that there was very little Ginny & Teddy interaction so far, but I defintly don't see her bullying him. Of course your entitled to your opinion and it's absolutely fine, I just want to make sure everyone understands that I write a story, not an advise book, so it's alright to find fault in the character's actions.