The following day after the incident with Kingsley, he had been called into the Head Trainer's office. Auror Thomas had reprimanded Harry of his actions, telling him how much of an embarrassment the Auror Program looked now that their top trainee mouthed off to the Minister for Magic in front of fifty people no less. He knew what he had done was wrong, but who else was going to speak up for the wizarding community if not him?
"I'm afraid I have to give you a month's suspension, Potter. I can't let your actions go unjustified no matter how much I like you." Auror Thomas told him, slumping in his chair.
Harry nodded his head in agreement. "I guess that's better than a sack."
"Believe me, the boys upstairs were contemplating it, had not Minister Shacklebolt stepped in. He told them how much of an asset you were to the Auror Program and you were just having an off day." Thomas told him honestly.
Harry's head snapped up, eyes widening. 'Kingsley stepped up for me. Even after I made an arse out of myself?' Harry exhaled, letting out all his pent-up frustration. Even now his former mentor still looked out for him.
"Thanks Thomas." Harry told him, standing up from his chair as he held out a hand to the other man.
"No worries, Potter. Think of this as a vacation rather than a punishment. I hear you have a wedding to plan, so use this time wisely. Spend some time with that godson of yours that you never shut up about." Thomas smiled at him, shaking Harry's hand before his favorite trainee walked out of his office.
Harry had taken Thomas' advice. He had picked up Teddy that evening from Andromeda's, explaining to her he had the rest of the month off and would like to keep him if that was alright with her.
The next day, Ron had sat him and Hermione down, explaining that Luna had agreed to marry him and planned on registering their engagement the following morning. Harry clapped his best mate on the back, congratulating him. Hermione hugged her friend tightly, threatening to hex him if he ever so much as called Luna barmey once during their marriage. "She's a sweet girl, Ronald. Don't take her for granted."
Now two weeks later, Harry was standing outside the Burrow with Roger as they watched Teddy hover around on his toy broom stick. Roger was in awe as he watched the two-year-old glee in excitement, his hair changing from auburn to a light blue.
"That's incredible!" Roger exclaimed excitedly, watching as the young tyke flew around on his own. "Karen would have had a heart attack if I had put Hermione on a broom so young."
"Which is exactly why I'm out here with Teddy now, while Hermione is occupied with the wedding plans." Harry laughed, his heart fluttering as he watched his godson glide happily around the backyard. "She detests flying, has so ever since our first flying lesson at Hogwarts."
"Did she have an incident with a broom?" Roger asked him, concern filling his voice.
"No, she didn't. However, one of our good friends didn't have much luck on a broomstick and sprained his wrist."
"Ah, I see. Does his hair always change color?" Roger asked, Teddy's hair changing once more from light blue to dark purple.
"Since he's still very young, he doesn't have a lot of control over his appearance. But as he gets older, I'll be able to help him control it. Luckily, it's only his hair that changes as of now, but as he continues to grow, he'll be able to change his whole appearance at will."
"Amazing." Roger smiled, his eyes never leaving Teddy. "Would it be alright if Karen and I buy toys for the lad for holidays and his birthday? Karen is so smitten with Teddy. She's already showing pictures to our friends and clients of our 'first grandchild'."
Harry smiled fondly at Roger's words." Of course, you can." Warmth spread throughout his body, happy that Teddy has gained two people who love him unconditionally as much as Harry did. Teddy continued to squeal with laughter, his high-pitched voice filling the air. "Uncle Harwy, I fast!"
"You are, aren't you?" Harry laughed.
"Harry James Potter! What the hell is Teddy doing on a broom?!" a voice boomed behind him, causing Harry to wince slightly as he turned to face his fiancée. Hermione stood outside the front door of the Burrow, her hands placed firmly on her hips, as her lips pursed together, eyes glaring at him.
"Shit." Harry muttered to where only Roger could hear him. Roger turned to look at Harry, giving him a look of sympathy. "'Mione, 'it's just a toy broom. It barely goes ten miles an hour." Harry told her calmly as he walked towards her.
"He's only two Harry! What if he falls off the broom and breaks his arm? What if he smacks into a tree?!"
"Hermione, the broom is only two feet off the ground. I assure you; nothing will happen to Teddy as long as I'm around to protect him." He told her softy, placing his hands on her shoulders. Hermione looked deeply into his eyes. She knew deep in the pit of her stomach that Harry was right, that she was overreacting due to her own fear of brooms.
"I know." She told him softly as she rested her forehead on his.
"It's cute." Harry smirked, placing a kiss on her cheek.
"What's cute?"
"How concerned you are for Teddy's wellbeing. Motherhood suits you." Harry winked at her, before turning his attention back to Teddy who was laughing gleefully as Roger ran alongside Teddy, challenging him to a race.
Hermione blushed heavily at Harry's comment. Sure, she was in no rush for her and Harry to have a child of their own, but she knew without a doubt that Harry would be a wonderful father. Hell, he was immaculate with Teddy, yet she was terrified she'd somehow mess up as a parent.
Karen stood in the doorway of the Burrow, watching as her daughter gazed upon her future husband, Teddy and her father. When Teddy had first come to her home two weeks ago, she knew right away her daughter would be the perfect mother. The way she handled Teddy and looked at him with so much love, brought her great joy.
The elder woman couldn't understand why Harry and Hermione hadn't admitted their feelings to one another yet. She had watched them carefully, noticing the stolen glances they would take when the other wasn't looking, the longing glances as they held eye contact with one another. Karen promised her daughter she'd stay out of her relationship with Harry, no matter how much she felt obligated to shove the pair together.
"He's right you know." Karen told her daughter as she stood by her side, causing Hermione to jump slightly.
"Mum! You startled me." Hermione exclaimed as she placed a hand over her fast-paced heart.
"Sorry, love." Karen chuckled. "You'll soon learn soon enough how to sneak up on your children when they're not paying attention."
"Uh huh." Hermione told her as she rolled her eyes playfully at her mother. "What exactly is Harry right about?"
"Don't be daft, Hermione. I can see it in your eyes, the way you look at Teddy. Motherhood definitely suites you."
"Not you too."
"That's not a bad thing love. After all, you don't have to have children of your own to be a mother. That little boy thinks the world of you, just as much as you do him. You may not want to admit it, but you're the closest thing he has to a mother." Hermione went to retort, but Karen stuck up her hand, signaling for her daughter to remain silent.
"I know what you're going to say but hear me out. Yes, he lives with Andromeda, but she is his grandmother. She loves him, teaches him, coddles him the way a grandmother does. Whereas you and Harry treat him as if he's your own child. I heard you not a few minutes ago scold your fiancé for letting him ride a broom, a broom you know damn well won't hurt him. That's your motherly instincts kicking in darling. Don't be afraid to raise Teddy as if he's your own. You told me a couple days ago that Harry wants your help with Teddy's upbringing, so do it."
"What if I'm terrible at being a mother?" Hermione whispered to her mother.
"Sweetheart, being a parent isn't something you learn overnight. It's something you learn to be as each year passes. There will be times when you will feel as if you're at your lowest point, but then there will be the times that outweigh the bad. Take today for example. Look at how happy that little boy is, he's full of so much life and love. You, Harry, and Andromeda have helped shape him into the fun, adventurous little boy that he has become. Don't doubt yourself so much, darling. I'm still learning parenting myself, especially the part when I have to force myself to stay out of my only daughter's love life and let her find her way to the man she loves." Karen told her, nudging her playfully at her side.
"Thanks, Mum." Hermione told her, a crooked smile resting in her lips.
"Any time, love. Just think, in two weeks' time we'll be right back here for your wedding. When the love of your life will officially be a part of your family." Karen told her, before walking towards her husband who was tossing Teddy high into the air, causing him to belly laugh.
Hermione took her mother's words at heart, feeling better about raising a family with her best friend, the love of her life. She knew that no matter what happened in the future, she'd be fine if she had Harry by her side.