A/N I am reloading the corrected chapters 1-12. Then I will start updating again weekly. Nothing has changed but grammar and spelling. The grammar-Nazi in me wants to get everything right before continuing. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Ch. 1
Saturday 2 May 1998
Harry opened his eyes and groaned. His whole body ached and he groggily wondered why, then he remembered. Last night he had battled Voldemort to the death—and won. Voldemort was dead. It was truly over. He could relax. As he got off the floor where he'd been sleeping, he looked over to see his best friend and, what he had realised last night just before he died was, the love of his life, curled up in his bed. Looking around, he was surprised to find that none of his roommates were in their beds.
Last night, after the final battle, Mione and he left the dead and mourning in the Great Hall and went to Gryffindor Tower to sleep. They had been awake for more than 48 hours and were shattered. As they left, they saw the Weasley family gathered around the dead body of Charlie. They saw Tonks and Sirius sitting there holding Remus' dead hands, tears coursing down both their faces. They walked past the dead body of Colin Creevey. So much loss, so much pain, he thought as he continued rummaging for clean clothes in Hermione's little bag.
"Harry just summon it, you're a wizard." Hermione smiled as he jumped a bit at realizing she was up.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." He apologized as he summoned clean clothes.
"You didn't." She assured him as she got out of bed
"So you and Ron?" He asked as his heart sunk.
"No. I don't think so." She smiled at Harry as she let herself believe, for the first time since the ride on Buckbeak, that he might care for her the same way she did him.
"But I saw you kissing!" He replied.
She decided to be completely honest with him, even if she lost his
friendship, because seeing his dead body being brought back by Hagrid tore her to shreds. It was in that moment of clarity that she realised that it was always Harry. It would always be Harry, no matter how long she lived, she'd always love him.
Ron was just a way to bury her feelings so she didn't lose him as a friend. "Yes we did. But I don't love him." She sat down on the bed and patted it so
he'd sit next to her. She took his face in her hands as she looked him in the eyes. "I love you Harry. More than you'll ever know. I've loved you for a long time but I was scared. Ron was safe so I pushed myself to like him instead. If I lost you as a friend, I'd be heartbroken. It's okay if you don't love me. We can still be best friends. I know I'm not pretty like Ginny or Cho but I needed to tell you—for my own piece of mind." She got out in one breath like she did when she was excited. It was one of the cute things she did that made him love her.
He put his finger over her lips. "Sssshhhh. I love you too, my Mione. I think I always have but was too afraid to lose your friendship as well. And I think you're beautiful so I'd appreciate you not denigrating my girlfriend." He smiled at the look of happiness that came to her face. The next thing he knew, he'd been pushed down on the bed and was receiving the best kiss of his life. As his brain finally engaged, he kissed her back with all the love he had.
There was a knock on the door and Harry and Hermione jumped apart as Sirius came in. Looking at how close they were sitting, he said with a small grin, "So Remus and I were right, you two are a couple."
"Now we are." Hermione answered as she went to Sirius who was sitting on a bed. She put her arms around Sirius. "How are you doing Sirius?"
"I'm fine." He said quietly.
"Yeah right." She responded sarcastically. "Tell me how you really are."
"My 2 best friends are dead. How am I supposed to be? Teddy is without a father. How am I supposed to be? I can't believe he's gone" Sirius choked out as he started to cry. Both Harry and Hermione wrapped Sirius in their arms until he was done. He looked up at them sheepishly. "Thanks guys. I needed that. We have to be here for Tonks and Teddy." He took a deep breath and became business-like as he stood. "You two need to take showers and get dressed, there's a lot to do today. Meet me down in the common room in 30." He said as he left.
They looked at each other and smiled shyly. "We probably shouldn't tell anyone about us before I tell Ron." Hermione sighed.
"Yeah. I'm a little nervous about his reaction. I'm a little worried that we'll lose him as a friend but after abandoning us on the hunt, I'm not really happy with him right now." He scowled at the memory.
"Why don't you take a shower while I organise this?" she waved a hand at the bag she always carried.
"Sure." He replied getting up as he kissed her forehead and went to the shower.
After taking a nice, long, very hot shower, he got out to shave and get dressed. He walked out and she kissed him before she walked to the showers. "Be back in a few." She said.
About 20 minutes later they walked downstairs to see Sirius and the Weasleys all sitting around. "Ron, can I talk to you?" Hermione asked, gesturing to a quiet corner.
"Yeah." He got up and followed her.
She took a breath and let it out slowly, seriously afraid she'd lose him as a friend in the next few minutes. "Ron, I think we need to clear the air." She began, sitting down on a chair.
"Why? We kissed last night, isn't that great?" He sat down on the arm of her chair and took her hand.
"That's what we need to talk about. I really like you Ron. And for the longest time I thought I loved you but last night when I saw Harry's dead body coming out of the forest, I realized that it was him I truly loved. It's not that I don't love you Ron but as a brother, not the man I want to spend the rest of my life with." She said in a rapid-fire breath.
HP
As Harry and Hermione separated, Hermione to talk to Ron and Harry to talk to the Weasley's and Sirius, Harry was a little apprehensive about the Weasley family's reaction. He sat down and noticed Ginny curled up on Dean's lap crying. Well, at least she's not waiting for me, he thought.
He looked over at Fred and George who both had puffy eyes from crying. "I'm sorry about Charlie, guys." Harry said somberly.
"Thanks, mate" George replied. "It means a lot that you care with everyone you lost."
"I guess it hasn't really hit me yet. If there's anything your family needs, just let me know."
"Harry," Arthur spoke up. "Could you be a pall bearer for Charlie? We don't have enough children and I know I can't do it." Arthur's voice was a whisper as he ended.
"Of course Arthur. I'd be honored to. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask." He stood up and gave Arthur a hug. He looked down at a clearly devastated Molly, sat down next to her and let her cry. It was the least he could do for the woman he'd grown to love over the last years.
It was as he was murmuring nonsense to Molly that everyone in Gryffindor Tower heard Ron yell, "SO I'M JUST A SUBSTITUTE FOR HARRY! HE GETS EVERYTHING, FAME, MONEY AND NOW MY GIRLFRIEND! THAT'S JUST GREAT. I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT LIFE."
Arthur stood up and in just a few strides was next to Ron. He grabbed ahold of Ron's hand which looked like it was about to hit Hermione. "How dare you Ronald." Arthur said in that low, deadly voice that each Weasley child knew to fear. Arthur was usually a very genial, low key man; however, when he was truly angry his voice took on a tone that had every Weasley cringe. Arthur pulled Ron's arm behind his back and turned him toward Arthur rather than Hermione. Arthur noticed that Harry had moved Hermione away from Ron but was furious. "I can't believe you were about to hit a woman. Have I taught you no better than that?!"
"Dad! She kissed me last night and now says she's in love with Harry!" Ron yelled petulantly.
"So that gives you the right to hit her? No Ronald that does not. I can't believe a son of mine would even think of such a thing." He took a deep breath and counted to ten. "Ronald, go back to the Burrow while we get Charlie's body for burial." Arthur said pointing to the portrait hole. Ron turned on his heel and gave Harry a dirty look as he left.
As everyone in the common room watched Arthur reprimand his youngest son, Harry took Hermione in his arms and let her cry. "I can't believe he almost hit me." Hermione whispered as she stopped crying. "We've lost him Harry. There's no coming back from that for me." She looked at Harry apologetically.
"Don't apologise Mione. He's lost me as well. I just don't want to loose the Weasley's too."
"You haven't Harry." Bill said from behind him. "You're our brother too so, even if Ron's being an arse, you're welcome at the Burrow or Shell Cottage any time."
"Yes Harry." Molly stood up and took one of his hands. "I've already lost one son today, I'll not lose another."
"Thanks Mrs. Weasley."
"That goes for you too Hermione." Hermione smiled her thanks.
"Sorry to butt in" Sirius said, "But we need to go see McGonagall, Harry and Hermione."
"Sure Sirius." Harry turned to the Weasley's. "Please let me know when you need me for the funeral—that is if you still do."
"Of course, we do." Percy answered for everyone. Harry gave Molly another hug before they started up to the Headmaster's office. Sirius turned into Padfoot as they left.
"I guess, technically, you're still a fugitive so it's safer if you walk around as Padfoot, eh?" Harry smiled down at his Godfather. "We've got to get you released from that. Maybe with a new Minister we'll be able to do that."
"I wonder who the new Minister will be?" Hermione asked. "Merlin, I hope it's someone that isn't corrupt." She muttered as she opened the door to the Headmaster's office. There, sitting next to the fire, were Minerva and Kingsley. Padfoot became Sirius.
"Well, I certainly hope so too Miss Granger as he is me." Kingsley laughed as he stood up to shake the three newcomers' hands.
"That's brilliant!" Harry smiled hugely. "Congrats Kingsley! Couldn't have gotten anyone better!"
"Thank you, Harry. That means a great deal." Kingsley said seriously. "Please have a seat everyone. Tea?" They nodded and sat down as Tea and biscuits were brought in. "We have a few things to discuss with all of you."
"Will you two be returning to school next year to finish your NEWTs?" McGonagall asked.
"Are you the new Headmistress?" Harry asked. "Or are they going to appoint some ministry flunky?" At this Kingsley laughed heartily.
"We have no designs on Hogwarts, Harry." Kingsley answered after he stopped laughing.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other, only communicating with raised eyebrows and hand gestures. At this Sirius couldn't help looking at Minerva and asking, "Their behavior remind you of someone?" before he started giggling.
"Yes Sirius." Minerva said before she too started giggling. As Harry and Hermione continued 'talking' in this manner, Sirius and Minerva went from giggling to outright laughter.
"Mind filling me in?" Kingsley snarked.
"Jamie and Lily used to do the same thing." Sirius answered as he tried to stop laughing. "It made them great while on missions for the Order but drove us mental any other time they did it."
"Oh." Was Kingsley's reply.
As the room quieted, Harry stated. "Yes Headmistress, we will be here next year. We really don't want to be apart and we'll need our NEWTs for employment."
"Great. That makes some decisions easier." Minerva muttered.
"We also need to talk about your freedom Sirius." Kingsley began as he conjured a piece of parchment. "Here is a Pardon signed by myself and Chief Witch Marchbanks." He handed it to Sirius. "I submitted my memories of you fighting in the DOM and here last night. We also found Dumbledore's memories of you telling him what happened in Harry's third year in Fudge's office. It seems he tried to talk Fudge into giving you a trial but Fudge refused. Bloody bastard."
"That's great Kingsley. Thanks." Harry said as Hermione bent down in front of Sirius as he just stared at the parchment, stunned.
"Sirius, this means you can come out of hiding." She prompted softly.
"Yes. But I never thought it would happen. Now it has and I don't know what to do." He whispered as he looked at Hermione.
"Well, we'll figure that out as a family." Harry confirmed.
"Sirius, I would like to talk to you about the Wizengamot." Kingsley stated.
"What about it?"
"Well, you and Harry both hold seats in that body. As a lot of those seats will be disqualified because the Head of House has the Dark Mark, we need as many light families to take up their seats as possible. Are you and Harry willing to?"
"You want me to be a politician?" He shrieked as he looked around like a caged animal.
"Yes, Sirius. We need people who understand how the purebloods think but won't act like them. You're the only name I can come up with."
"Oh bloody hell." Sirius whispered before he said resignedly, "Fine. But Harry you're joining me. I'm not doing this alone."
"I have no idea what I'd be doing." Harry warned frantically.
"We'll figure it out love." Hermione whispered.
"I'll use this summer to train you, maybe bring your friend Neville in too, he's about to be Head of House and have a seat on Wizengamot." Everyone could see that Sirius was deep in thought.
"Kingsley, do you need us for anything else? We need to find Tonks and help her with arrangements for Remus." Harry stood.
"No. You can probably find her in one of the chambers off the Great Hall where the bodies are." He looked at his watch. "Lunch will be served in 20 minutes." He replied as a way of dismissal.
The three new family members left Kingsley and Minerva. As they walked down the stairs, Hermione took charge. "Let's go find Tonks and get her to eat something. Where have she and Remus been living all this time?" She wondered.
"With me at Grimmauld. Her parents don't have the room and Grimmauld is safe." Sirius stated, coming out of his planning.
"So where was Teddy born?" Harry asked.
"At Grimmauld. It was strange watching another birth. I never thought I'd see one after yours." Sirius grinned. "Teddy's was as much a mess as yours." As he said this, they walked into a room of bodies and spotted Tonks next to one. She was sitting on the floor next to Remus, just holding his hand and crying.
Harry went to her and sat across from her to take Remus' other hand. "He was an amazing man and would have been an even better father. I can't imagine how you feel because I can't imagine Remus not in my life." He looked over at Tonks as she just nodded.
"I've been sitting with him ever since the battle was won and I still can't comprehend that he's not coming back. It felt as though it took forever for us to get together and now, he's dead and I have no idea where to go." She looked up at Harry with dead eyes.
"You come back to Grimmauld and we raise Teddy as Rem wanted us to. As a family Dora. You, me, Harry and Hermione if she's willing." Sirius stated firmly.
"Of course, I'm willing." Hermione cut in. "Although why don't we find a house that's more conducive to kid raising? You never know, maybe Harry and I'll have a kid of our own someday." She smiled as Harry blushed.
"Sounds great." Harry and Sirius agreed.
"Come on Dora, let's eat and pick up Teddy. Where is he?" Hermione took her hand and helped her up.
"With my mum but I've got to go get him."
"Alright. After we eat." Hermione said as she sat down at the table.
HP
After lunch, everyone floo'd to the Tonks' residence to find the newest member of the family. As Harry stumbled out of the floo, he heard what sounded like screaming from a banshee coming from the kitchen. He hurriedly entered the kitchen to see Sirius holding a bundle in his arms while Tonks was sitting at the table doing something he couldn't see with her shirt.
"Sirius, hand him here please." She yelled over her son. Sirius handed him over in a fluid motion Harry hadn't believed Sirius could manage. Soon, the house was quiet as Harry assumed his godson was eating. He daren't look because he might see something he didn't want to.
"So, how is everyone doing?" Andromeda asked hesitantly.
"Look at your daughter Andi." Sirius said sharply. "Does she look like she's doing okay?"
"Sirius. Peace." Hermione put her hand on his arm. "She's just concerned."
Andi came over to Sirius and hugged him. "I'm sorry, Sirius. I know you must have had a horrendous twenty-four hours. I know how close you three were. If you need to talk, I'm here."
"Sorry Andi." Sirius looked sheepishly at her.
"Is Voldemort really dead?"
"Yes, he is." Harry confirmed. "I killed him."
They fell into silence as Tonks finished feeding Teddy. She situated a burp cloth on Harry's shoulder, settled Teddy in his arms and said, "You better burp your godson." as she smiled at the bewildered look on his face. She began to pack the nappy bag as Hermione showed Harry how to coax a burp.
"Harry, you have to pat him harder than that." She scoffed. "It won't hurt him."
"He's so small. I'm afraid I'll break him." He whispered back.
"You won't. He's a hardy kid." Tonks added as she came back in as Teddy belched loudly. "There ya go little one." Tonks cooed as she took Teddy out of Harry's arm
"Wait!" Harry whined. "I just got used to him, now I can't hold him?"
"Harry, I've seen you floo. You are NEVER allowed to floo with him. You'll drop him or smash him or something." She smiled as Harry pouted and the others laughed. Tonks turned to her parents. "Thanks for taking care of him, mum and dad. I'll see you in a few days."
With that, the newly forming family floo'd to Grimmauld Place. "Where are we sleeping?" Harry asked Sirius as he got his balance.
"Well, you, Hermione and I are all on the third floor. I'm in the Master as I didn't want my old room back—too many bad memories. There are five other bedrooms with baths for you to choose from. Rem, To—I mean Tonks and Teddy have the fourth floor to themselves."
"I'm going to put Teddy in the nursery. Where will you be Cuz?" Tonks asked.
"I'll be in the study. Come down after everybody settles in. We need to have a family meeting as soon as possible." Sirius stated in a firm voice.
"Okay." Everyone agreed as they went to their respective floors. Harry and Hermione found two rooms next to each other. One was decked out in Hermione's favorite color, purple. One decked out in Harry's favorite, blue.
"Seems as though Sirius did the decorating with us in mind." Hermione smiled as she came from her room into Harry's.
"Yeah. I think he wanted us to move in with him after the war and was ready. Although I'd prefer not to live here, I'm glad I have a home to go to." He smiled as he took her hand as they walked downstairs to the study.
Sirius was sitting behind the large, ornate, oak desk in the center of the room. There was a fireplace to the left of the door with couches around it. It also had a toy box in the corner. Obviously, Sirius spent time in here with Teddy.
Harry was starting to notice an anxious, tense and possessive feeling when it came to Sirius and Teddy. Was he actually jealous that Sirius got to spend time with his godson? I'll talk to Hermione about that later, he thought as he saw Tonks come in and sit down next to them on the couches. She pulled out her wand and sat it on the occasional table between them and the fire.
"Why are you putting your wand there?" Harry asked curiously.
"I'll hear Teddy cry if he wakes up."
"A spell?" Hermione asked.
"Yep." Tonks replied as Sirius came over with a bunch of parchment in his hands.
"I found Rem's will." Sirius began, waving the parchment. "It leaves everything to Tonks of course but it isn't much. However, it does specify to be buried in Godric's Hollow near the James and Lily. I guess he already bought the plots, is that right Tonks?"
"Yeah. We did it right after Christmas. The service will be held at the funeral home there but I have to talk with them." As she said this, he went rifling through the papers again.
"Here it is. We'll go in a while, yeah Dora?"
"Sure Sirius." She responded quietly as tears ran down her face.
"Another thing Dora. I'd like to bring you and Teddy back into the Black family. I've talked to your mum and she wants to come back too. Is that okay?" Sirius asked softly.
"What would it mean?" Tonks asked.
"It means that Teddy would eventually become Lord Black. After Harry and I both die. Unless he kills us, then he's disqualified." Everyone chuckled at that.
"That's fine I guess." Tonks agreed.
"As to this house, I'd like to sell it and get one out in the countryside if that's okay with everyone. And I'd like to do it soon."
"My parents still own their house in East Grinstead near Crawley. Maybe you could move there. We own several acres on our lot. That's common around there." Hermione suggested. "I need to get my parents from Australia soon too."
"Yes, we'll get portkeys and go find them after most of the funerals. I'm thinking maybe Friday or Saturday."
"You'll come with me?" Hermione asked hopefully. She had thought she'd have to do that alone.
"Of course. How many times do I owe you my life? The least I can do is help you find your parents." Sirius just shook his head at the idea that he wouldn't help. "We are all going to have to get formal robes tomorrow morning for these funerals. Harry, you and I need to be fit for our Wizengamot robes because I'm sure we'll have to be there at least on Tuesday or Wednesday to take up our roles."
"I didn't know that I even had a seat on Wizengamot." Harry muttered.
"I wasn't allowed to tell you until you turned 17 and by then it didn't matter—the war was going full blast."
"Who kept you from telling me?" Harry asked, afraid he knew the answer.
"Dumbledore. He didn't want you bothered and I saw how you dealt with your own trial. You would've been even more upset than you were. I thought we were doing what was right." He looked a little nervous at Harry's reaction.
"That's okay Sirius. Do I wish I'd known? Yeah. But it's done now. The problem is, I have no idea how it works." He sighed.
"Well I do. I learned at my father's knee. You will be shadowing me and watching how it works. Once you've learned what you need, you'll start leading any alliance we make in the meantime."
Harry looked at Hermione, "I'm gonna need your help love." He gave her the lopsided grin she loved.
"Of course." She smiled.
"Oh Merlin. Kreature died a few month ago, so I was wondering if you could hire that elf that tried to break your arm a few years ago." Sirius grinned.
"Sure, Sirius but we're going to have to pay him." Harry laughed at the look on Hermione's face.
"Of course, of course." He smiled at Hermione. She was such an amazing girl. Why do all the Potter men get the good ones? Sirius wondered. "Well, we ought to take off for the funeral home. Can you two watch Teddy?" Sirius asked.
"Sure, but we'll need some directions." Harry retorted. Tonks then gave them both directions about what to do when Teddy woke up. She showed them where everything was and showed Harry how to do the baby monitor charm.
Tonks looked a little worried about leaving her son with two newbies. "Remember Harry. Please don't floo with him. If you have to floo, have Hermione do it."
"Okay, okay." Harry grumbled good naturedly as they floo'd away. They went into the library and sat down. Harry laid down and put his head in his girlfriend's lap. After a few minutes of silence, Harry sat up and looked at Hermione. Her head was laying back on the divan with her eyes closed. As he sat up, one of her eyes opened.
"What's wrong Harry?"
"We should call Dobby and offer him the job." He replied hesitantly. He didn't want to upset her and it showed on his face. She put those fears to rest.
"Harry, are you going to enslave him?" she asked." Are you going to make him punish himself? Are you going to overwork him?"
"No. I'd never do that." Harry answered emphatically.
"Then hiring Dobby is a good idea. Dobby?" she called as a loud pop was heard and the little guy started to bounce.
"How can I serve Harry Potter sir and his Grangy?" he asked with a beaming smile.
"Well, Dobby. My Godfather's elf died a while back and wants to hire you. Would you be willing to work for him?" Harry asked.
"Of course, Harry Potter sir. I would loves to work for yous dogfather. Is this his house?" Dobby asked.
"Yes, for now." Harry smiled at the dogfather comment.
"Then I be making dinner." Dobby popped away. He popped back a moment later. "This be in the kitchen for you." He said as he handed Harry a piece of parchment and disappeared again. Harry looked down at it. It was from Arthur asking them to be at Charlie's Funeral at 12.30 tomorrow. The funeral was at one.
Harry looked at his watch and couldn't believe it was only four. "It's too early to be this tired." He groaned.
"Why don't we go upstairs and nap?" Hermione suggested as Harry just nodded and followed her up to his room. There, she sat down on his bed, pulled her shoes off and laid down, patting the bed next to her. He did the same and they fell asleep.
HP
A little while later, Harry heard crying. As he became more conscious of the world around him, he realised it was Teddy. He popped up off the bed like a rocket and ran up the stairs to the nursery. As he walked in, he noticed Teddy was wiggling around in his cot.
"Hey Teddy." He cooed as he gently picked him up. "How're you doing little guy?" He strode over to the changing table, laid Ted down, and started to try to change his nappy. Teddy just cooed and giggled as Harry tried. "You think this is funny, do you? Well, let me tell you, it's not. Now please stay still, I can't get this thing pinned together if you don't stay still! Really Hermione should be doing this. I know she's at least read a book about this." The new Godfather grumbled. Teddy just kept wiggling and waving his arms as Harry grumbled on. "There! You're all nappied up!" He grinned at his adorable Godson as he buttoned up his clothes and swaddled him back up. Picking him up, the raven-haired Godfather turned towards the door to see Tonks, Sirius and Hermione trying very hard not to laugh. It didn't last long because Hermione began to chuckle which led the others to chuckle until they were all laughing hysterically.
"Oh Merlin! That was the cutest thing ever." Hermione got out through her laughter.
"The look of pride on his face was priceless." Tonks added.
"At least he got it right the first try. I didn't. By the time I was done changing him for the first time both he and I were crying and James had to check it out to make sure it was done right." Sirius laughed.
"Here's your son Tonks, freshly nappied." Harry said as he handed Teddy over and walked past everyone in what he hoped was a dignified manner. "I'm going to the drawing room to relax before dinner. You guys can join me when you're done laughing."
When he got to what he was beginning to think of as "my seat", he noticed there was a Butterbeer sitting on the table next to it. Looking at it, he could only think of one person who'd do that. "Thanks Dobby." He said to the air.
"Your quite welcome Harry Potter Sir." Dobby replied as he popped in. "Is there anything else I be getting you sir?"
Harry looked at his diminutive friend "No but I haven't had the time to thank you for getting us out of Malfoy Manor, so thank you for saving our lives Dobby."
"Yous be welcome Harry Potter Sir. Bad old Master wouldn't hurt Harry Potter Sir if I coulds help it." He answered with a big smile.
"You're truly an amazing friend Dobby."
Dobby popped out as Harry heard him crying. Knowing how emotional the elf was, he expected as much. At that moment Tonks came in with Ted. Harry got up and held out his hands for his Godson.
"You want to feed him?" Tonks asked as she handed him over.
"I don't have the equipment needed." He laughed.
"That's why there are these inventions called bottles." She waved her wand to summon one. "I keep several filled so Remus and Sirius can feed this little monster too." She sighed. "I guess I won't have to keep as many now that Remus is gone. Let me show you how to do it, yeah?" Harry nodded as they settled in their seats and Tonks coached him through his first feeding. As he was nearly done, Sirius and Hermione came in.
"Here Hermione. You can burp him." The young Godfather handed Teddy over.
"So, you did your first feeding, yeah?" Sirius commented.
"Yep."
"Much easier than nappy-time isn't it?" Sirius laughed as Harry nodded fervently. "Whenever I was at their house, James would fob nappy-time off on me. You and I had some very fun conversations as I struggled with the nappy. You would giggle uproariously when I tried to nappy your head rather than your bum."
"Well, even I must've known where the nappy went Sirius!" Harry laughed at the image. "I may try that with little one over there." Harry said as they all heard a huge burp come out of that tiny boy.
"That's my boy!" Tonks reached over to pat her son.
"What'd you guys decide for the funeral?" Hermione asked tentatively as she stood to rock Teddy.
"It's Thursday morning at nine at the funeral home in Godric's Hollow. He will be cremated. There will be a wake afterwards that will have brunch foods. They'll take care of putting everything together. We just need to show up." Sirius said. "I'm giving the eulogy because Dora couldn't do it. Do either of you want to speak?"
"I'd like to, if that's okay?"
Tonks burst into tears. "Thanks Harry. He would've wanted that. You may not realise this, but he loved you as though you were his own." Harry moved from his seat to next to Tonks and took her in his arms. "Every night this last year we would both include you in our prayers. He was so worried when you didn't come back from the ministry. He and Sirius were prowling the floors wanting to go after you. Only Arthur turning up letting us know you got out got them to calm down. Wolfie was terrified you were gone. Now he's the one that's gone. How is that fair?"
"It's not Tonks. But you have us now and we'll do Remus proud in raising Teddy. You're not alone" Harry promised as Sirius and Hermione joined the hug. As Teddy was squished in the hug, he burst into giggles. At that everyone pulled away.
"There's too much sadness here." Sirius declared as he pulled Hermione and Teddy up and began dancing to unheard music.
"Sirius! I have a baby in my arms, I can't dance" she mock scolded.
"Dinner is being served." Dobby announced as they headed to the dining room. Sirius did everything he could to lighten the mood in the house to make sure they all went to bed in a better mood than they woke up.
At the end of the night, Harry and Hermione shared a passionate good night kiss at Hermione's door and they each went to bed.