They sat in an upper room at The Three Broomsticks, Dumbledore, Sirius, Teddy, Victoire and the boys. Rosmerta provided ice cream for everyone, overjoyed that the newly innocent man had chosen to grace her pub as his first public outing. Victoire, Scorpius, and Al were delighted to meet Sirius, while Teddy could only think of what the newspaper reported.
Dumbledore cast several charms on the space to ensure privacy. Teddy stared at his godfather's godfather, one of his father's best friends, and had nothing to say. Sirius appeared charmed by the boys, who he addressed by their correct names. Victoire wore a polite smile, so like her maman's, that was neither trusting nor disbelieving, which showed up when Sirius kissed her hand in greeting. Teddy knew it was the proper, pureblood way of doing things, but he hadn't expected that from Sirius Black.
Then there was the blasted way Sirius kept referring to Teddy as 'Moony Jr.' No one called him that.
They were changing too much, even if it meant Sirius was free a few years early.
"Sirius has been informed of your identities," Dumbledore began without preamble. "He knows everything you told me, Teddy, including your predicament. He's willing to offer all of you his assistance."
"Assistance?" Teddy said weakly. Victoire found his hand and squeezed it once before letting it go.
Sirius took a swig of firewhisky and nodded.
"The paper helped." His voice was hoarse from disuse and he cleared his throat. "Had to give them some of the 'truth' before we fixed it up."
"You have three sons?" Al said eagerly. "How come Harry never said anything?" His face fell momentarily. "Did they die?"
Sirius arched a brow at Al. "Best get on with it, I suppose. You lot—" he pointed at Al, Victoire, Scorpius, and Teddy "—need protection and a roof over your heads. The young ones I'll pass off as my sons and the older ones—"
"—we're way too old to be your kids," Teddy argued, "and I'm not morphing to look like one, nor will I pretend Vic's my sister."
"We weren't going to ask you to do that, Teddy, or you, Miss Weasley," said Dumbledore, as Sirius examined Teddy and Victoire pensively.
"So like your father," Sirius murmured. "I wouldn't have believed it, but it's all over your face and manners."
"I can't really fix that, so . . ." Teddy crossed his arms over his chest and groaned. "What am I to you? A long-lost brother?"
"Nephew of sorts." Sirius hissed after another drink. "Stronger than I remember—but you'll be their older cousin." He pointed back to Al and Scorpius. "I could've had a one-time thing with a witch called Marlene. She was killed in '80, before the Potters went into hiding. She was best friends with Lily, had a heart of gold and was beautiful to boot. Just a shame that she died so young, like the rest of them." A faraway, mournful look overcame Sirius's crystalline grey eyes. He cleared his throat and set his hands on the table.
"Anyway . . . we'll have her be their mum. She was a pureblood—" Sirius made a face at this. "—my parents would be so proud." He gazed at Al and Scorpius and chuckled drily. "As for Teddy, Marly had an older sister, Miranda—she was killed with the rest of them, but she could've had a kid in . . .?"
"1972," Dumbledore supplied. "Teddy is 19."
Sirius nodded along. "Miranda would've been around your age then. She could've had a kid. Unknown father, dead mother. It'll work."
"Then who raised me?" Teddy challenged. "And what about Victoire?"
"An old aunt, gran, or great-gran, we'll say, and we'll get to your girl," Sirius replied easily, as Teddy's ears grew hot. "You were homeschooled. Unusual, but not unheard of, especially if your 'mum' died in the war and the rest of her family was killed off. We'll say the twins went to the old aunt or their elderly great gran, so you were raised like brothers, though you were technically cousins. The old aunt 'croaked' a couple years ago and you've been in charge ever since."
"You expect people to believe that I was homeschooled," Teddy said flatly, focusing his efforts on the backstory, rather than the insinuation that Victoire was his. "And that I've been raising my 'brothers' for two years?"
"Cousins, and yes," Dumbledore answered calmly. "Sirius can be uncle to you and father to your cousins."
"You're all related to me in one way or another," Sirius continued, "we're just stretching the truth of how related you are." He shuddered as a strong, chilly draft blew through the room. Teddy wondered how it was possible that the man before him was released from Azkaban that morning and was speaking so coherently. The cold reminded him that the poor man was still struggling.
"Here, have some chocolate." Teddy reached into his pouch and produced a bar from Honeydukes.
Sirius stared at it for several seconds. Scorpius took it instead, split the slab apart, and handed a bite-sized piece to the ex-convict with a toothy smile.
"Eat," Teddy insisted. "You'll feel better."
A strange expression came over Sirius, but he ate the chocolate, savoring it on his tongue before he swallowed.
"As for Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said, nodding at Sirius. "We are concerned that making her unrelated to you will create a difficult problem. Teddy, am I correct in assuming neither you nor Miss Weasley want to be separated from Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy?"
"If Harry and Draco aren't here, I'll be responsible for them," Teddy said fiercely. "I won't let anything happen to them."
"I'm with Teddy." Victoire sat back and crossed her arms over her chest.
Sirius raised his brow and made a sound that was almost like a scoff, but Teddy ignored it.
"Miss Weasley can be your friend," Dumbledore continued, "but given your unique situation, it may be better for you to marry."
"Marry?" Victoire and Teddy said simultaneously.
"An unorthodox solution, but if you'll bear with me."
Dumbledore waited a moment while Teddy looked into Victoire's wide, fearful eyes. He'd dreamt of marrying Victoire since he was a little boy. It wasn't supposed to be like this.
"Let's hear what he has to say," Victoire said shakily. Teddy turned to the Headmaster.
"It will offer you a level of protection with the Ministry, and explain the close bond you already share. You are close friends, are you not?" Teddy and Victoire glanced at each other and nodded at Dumbledore. "With Teddy as Sirius's 'nephew', it would permit you both to live at Grimmauld Place without raising any suspicions. A young girl, unrelated to two bachelors, might raise questions about her role in the family."
"Nanny?" Teddy asked, confused.
"Governess or tutor?" Victoire tilted her head.
" Mistress ," Sirius mouthed, putting a hand around his lips to prevent Al and Scorpius from seeing.
Victoire gaped, horrified, while Teddy shuddered.
"My nephew and his wife would be family. There's nothing unusual about family arrangements like that in pureblood circles," Sirius said, a bitter edge to his voice. "Victoire would be my niece. Not to mention . . . it's not like you're going to be sowing your wild oats, now is it?" He swirled amber liquid in his glass. "If you decide to date, who will it be? Your parents' exes?"
Teddy frowned deeply. A delicate, rosy blush appeared on Victoire's face.
"We do not expect you to behave as other married couples might, but this may allow you to stay together more easily. Should something happen to Sirius, the Ministry will be kinder to a married couple than a young, single man. It's a suggestion, Teddy and Miss Weasley," Dumbledore explained. "Do think on it."
"What about my dad?" said Al, gazing at Sirius. "Is he coming to live with us? You're his godfather."
"All in good time, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore replied. "Sirius has been released from Azkaban. We'll get him situated and make an arrangement for Harry to meet his godfather, but he will continue to live with his aunt and uncle before the term begins."
"We won't get to see him?" Al's shoulders drooped.
"Al, we've got to be careful not to mess with the timelines any more than we already have," Teddy murmured. "Harry will manage with Sirius. We've got our own issues."
"But we'll see him at Hogwarts?"
"It depends," Sirius said, averting his gaze. Teddy narrowed his eyes at Dumbledore.
"Are they going to Hogwarts?" asked Teddy, with his eyes darting from Al to Scorpius. "What happens if they're sorted into Gryffindor or Slytherin and spend seven years with their parents? I told you, I don't want them risking their lives."
"Teddy." It was Sirius who turned to face him. "Albus already told me that the timeline has changed. I will do everything in my power—as will he—to ensure nothing happens to any of you. As for the boys' sorting . . . they can convince the Hat."
"We can?" Scorpius's jaw fell open. "I can be anything?"
"Within reason," Teddy corrected. "Some kids, the Hat barely touches their heads and they're in a house. Others take a while. It took me about half a minute. If the Hat touches your head and decides on a house, you don't have a choice."
"The Hat takes your opinion into account," Victoire added. "I was the oldest Weasley and the Hat wanted me in Gryffindor at first, but I asked it to take its time. That's how I became a Ravenclaw."
Teddy remembered her sorting clearly, her tiny strawberry-blond head almost fully obscured by the old hat, and when it shouted "RAVENCLAW!" she'd beamed brightly and waved at him from the neighboring table.
"Does that mean we have to be Hufflepuffs or Ravenclaws?" asked Al, his forehead creasing worriedly. "Mum, dad, and James were all Gryffindors."
"My parents were Slytherins." Scorpius looked as worried as Al was. "But if I'm a Slytherin and you're a Gryffindor—"
"—we can discuss this later," Teddy interrupted, sighing. "What about me and Victoire? What will we do with all our free time?"
"Have you considered teaching?" Dumbledore asked, with that now-infuriating twinkle in his electric blue eyes.
"Not really, but if I didn't have a choice, I s'pose I'd do it," Teddy said, tilting his head back and forth, "I'd rather be a Healer. It's what I'm trained to do."
"I don't want to teach," Victoire agreed. "I had plenty of fun with my cousins. I love kids, but no."
Sirius blinked at Teddy and Victoire and grinned. "I've got an idea. I've got loads of gold—why not make a sizable donation to St. Mungo's and get Moony Jr. hired?"
"I'd rather be hired on my own merits." Teddy shifted in his seat, disliking the idea of getting something he didn't earn. "And please don't call me Moony Jr," he added, in a small voice.
"As you wish," said Sirius, making an uncomfortable grimace. "You were a Healer trainee in your time though, weren't you?"
"Well, yes, but the standards are probably different—"
"—I'll arrange for an interview and practical, whatever you need to do." Sirius looked back at Dumbledore. "If you're hiring, I'll take the teaching job, unless it's Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"History of Magic—we'll find a way for Cuthbert to move on," said Dumbledore. He appeared to be entertained by the idea of removing the ghost, as his mustache twitched as his lips fought their way to a smile.
"I just took my N.E.W.T.s!" Victoire lamented. "I worked so hard!"
"We can arrange for last minute, alternate exams," Dumbledore offered. "I apologize you'll have to do it over, but I trust you're prepared."
Victoire muttered something about timetables and study schedules, and chewed one of her nails.
"We should change your names." Sirius sat forward and put his scraggly chin in his hand. "You can't be Lupin, Weasley, Potter, and Malfoy anymore."
"If we're your sons, then we'll be Blacks." Al looked to Scorpius. "Al Black and Scorpius Black!"
"Scorpius we can keep," Sirius said slowly, "but Albus we should change . . . Alphard, perhaps. He was my favorite uncle. You can go by Al."
"And me? I'm not old enough to be your kid," said Teddy.
"Or me," Victoire added, gazing at Teddy. "If we're married . . ."
The vision of Victoire, promising her life and magic to Teddy, sent a thrill down his spine. He had to calm himself; even if they did get married, it wouldn't be real. He couldn't forget the look of dread on her face when Dumbledore suggested the idea.
"Pick any name," said Sirius. "If you've got an unknown Muggle father, anything'll do." He shrugged and lifted a brow. "Unless you want to go by McKinnon? That was Miranda and Marlene's family name."
"Howell," said Teddy. "That was Dad's mum's maiden name."
"You're sure? When Moony meets you—"
"— if he meets me."
Sirius grimaced. "He's my last friend. He'll want to see me and I want to see him. We've got things to discuss."
"Just don't involve me, okay?" Teddy grunted. "I don't want to prevent my birth."
"Teddy, bearing in mind all we've already changed, you may wish to reconsider," Dumbledore suggested. "I believe your father will benefit from knowing you."
A sense of shame, guilt, and anger surged through Teddy. He felt guilty he wanted to avoid his father, as he'd always wanted to meet the man, but there was safety in having never met him: Remus Lupin had disappointed Teddy by dying prematurely. Teddy didn't know if he could handle any more disappointment, or whether he'd forgive him for any future wrongs.
"You should do it, Teddy," Victoire said softly. "We could've changed everything by now. You'd be a fool not to meet your parents."
"I'll be polite," Teddy conceded. "If he's going to know me, he'll be like everyone else and see the resemblance between us. If I take Howell as a surname, then he can be convinced we're long-lost relatives and won't think twice about the similarities."
"Very well," Dumbledore agreed. "Sirius, the group are staying at The Hog's Head. You have your key to your home?"
"Unfortunately, yes." He turned to Al, Victoire, Scorpius, and Teddy. "I've heard you know about Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place?"
"I was to inherit it from Harry," answered Teddy. Seeing Sirius's surprise, he added, "It's had years and years of renovations. It looks nothing like it used to."
"Well, that's where we're going. Did you know Kreacher?"
"He died when I was thirteen, I think." Teddy shook his head at the memory of the ancient, crusty elf. He was never very pleasant, but he had a begrudging respect for Harry.
"The elf?" Victoire asked. "That one with the hairy ears and permanent haunted face?"
Sirius winced and shivered. After Teddy gave him another piece of chocolate, Dumbledore decided it was a good time to end their meeting. They agreed to see each other again in another week; by then, they'd be Grimmauld Place and have new, legal identities.
The Ministry Records Office was hot and stuffy. Teddy sat before a Record Keeper, an Unspeakable, and presented his paperwork.
"Theodore John Howell," the Unspeakable said, looking over Teddy's documentation. "I'm Broderick Bode. I'm sure you know this is an unusual request."
"I do, sir."
"Your uncle's donation was generous."
"It was."
Silence stretched on. Teddy had never precisely liked Unspeakables. They often spoke in riddles or refused to give details. This one, Bode, was just as unhelpful, but he needed the Records Office to cooperate.
"Let's see," Bode continued, humming over the paperwork. "Theodore John Howell, son of Miranda McKinnon and Muggle John Howell. Date of birth, 7 April 1972. Mother's date of birth, 4 March 1954. Father's date of birth, 24 May 1952. Quite young, your parents."
"Yes, they were."
"Miranda McKinnon was killed in 1973, less than a year after your birth. John Howell . . . died as a civilian casualty during the Northern Irish Troubles in 1974."
"That's correct, sir."
"You have no memory of him?"
Teddy shook his head. "None at all."
Bode flipped to the next page. "You seek a license to wed?"
"Yes, sir. My fiancée's birth certificate and French citizenship papers are there. We already arranged for her work permits."
"Very interesting," Bode murmured. "Very interesting indeed."
Teddy tapped his foot impatiently. Scorpius and Albus's identities were changed within a day. With Sirius presenting himself as their father, and both boys having Black blood in their heritage (though in Albus's case, it was rather weaker), their case was accepted at once. It didn't hurt that the Ministry had wrongly imprisoned Sirius for over a decade, and they were willing to let many unusual requests through without another look.
Al became Alphard Sirius Black, while Scorpius became Scorpius James Black, twin sons of Marlene McKinnon and Sirius Black. They were added to the family tapestry without fanfare. They showed up in the Book of Acceptance the next day and received their Hogwarts letters.
Victoire's identity was changed easily. With the help of Mr. and Mrs. Nicolas Flamel, the famed alchemists and friends of Dumbeldore, the Flamels presented Victoire as a descendant. If the French Ministry was suspicious, they said nothing, and readily granted documentation for Victoire Isabelle Flamel.
Only Teddy struggled to get his documentation settled.
"Where is your fiancée?"
"At Hogwarts. She's taking her N.E.W.T.s. She was homeschooled in France and wants to work here, in Britain."
"Victoire Isabelle Flamel," Bode read, seeing her paperwork next to Teddy's. "A distant relation of the alchemists, I assume?"
Teddy nodded.
"How long have you known her?"
"Forever," Teddy said truthfully. "Her parents knew my parents. My great-gran knew them too. We visited often as kids."
Bode began signing various papers with his long, colorful quill. Teddy breathed a sigh of relief, seeing the Unspeakable stamp the Ministry seal across their documents.
"I'll need a drop of your blood," Bode said casually, "to confirm the identity change. The old identity, however unusual it is, will be kept in strict confidence."
"You can tell my identity based on blood?"
"With at least one magical parent, yes. It takes weeks to get the Muggle samples, but we manage."
"Do I have to?"
Bode gave Teddy a withering stare.
"This is the Department of Mysteries. If you believe someone can break into this place, steal records, and leave without a trace, you're mistaken. Only I will know your old identity and I'm bound by an Unbreakable Vow not to reveal any of my work. From this day forward, only you and I will have access to these records. Your uncle already proved the relation to your 'brothers.' I will not question your purposes or intentions."
Teddy groaned but allowed Bode to prick his finger. The drop fell onto an enchanted parchment. Before Teddy and Bode's eyes, a giant, ancestral tree formed.
"You weren't lying about the Howell," Bode said, tracing the Howell line that connected with the Lupin one. "Though I recommend changing your middle name or your false father's name. John Howell was your great-grandfather, your father's grandfather, and it wouldn't do to have such a similarity in case you meet."
"What do you suggest?" Teddy said drily, decidedly unamused by Bode's reaction.
"Jack?"
Teddy made a face.
"James?"
"No, we've got one of those already."
Teddy glanced at the ancestry that filled out around his blood drop. Remus John Lupin. Nymphadora Andromeda Tonks. Lyall Conan Lupin. Hope Margaret Howell. Edward Joseph Tonks. Andromeda Vulpecula Black. The branches extended farthest where the Blacks and Lupins were, both being pureblood families.
"Joseph," Teddy decided. "I'll be doubly named after my granddad, but he's got one of the only common Muggle names."
Bode tapped his wand on a large file cabinet. Several tiny dots, like stars in the night sky, lit up within it.
"There were loads of Joseph Howells," Bode said, flicking his wand on the parchment. "Easy name to trace. You'll be Theodore Joseph Howell and your father will be Joseph. All other dates can remain the same."
With one final, aggressive stamp to the record, Bode handed him the paperwork.
Teddy had a new name and a license to marry Victoire.