Family, Secrets, and Wards Strong Enough to Break a Small Army
By this point, Harry should’ve seen it coming.
Ned was already a fixture in their lives.
If he wasn’t at school or at home, he was either at Peter’s apartment or here, sprawled out on Harry’s couch, eating his snacks, and playing video games with Teddy.
Teddy, of course, had decided weeks ago that Ned was his second big brother.
Harry didn’t argue.
Because, somehow, along the way, he’d started taking care of Ned too.
Harry met Ned’s parents exactly once.
It happened after Ned had stayed at Harry’s house too late one night, and Harry insisted on walking him home.
When they got there, Ned’s mom had looked Harry up and down, pursed her lips, and said, “So you’re the one keeping my son out all night.”
Harry, completely unbothered, had responded, “Ma’am, if I wanted to get rid of him, I’d have dropped him off hours ago.”
Ned’s dad had burst out laughing.
Ned’s mom had nodded approvingly.
And that was that.
A few days later, Ned nearly had a heart attack.
Because Harry casually pulled out a second key and handed it to him.
Ned froze.
Peter, sitting next to him, choked on his drink.
Teddy gasped dramatically. “BIG BROTHER NED, YOU’RE PART OF THE FAMILY TOO!”
Ned gaped at the key. “Wait. Wait. WAIT. Are you serious?!”
Harry smirked. “No, I’m pranking you.”
Peter snorted. “Oh my God.”
Ned grinned. “Dude, I am so honored.”
Then he gave Ned a serious look.
“But keep it to yourself. No one else needs to know you have it.”
Ned nodded instantly. “I solemnly swear I won’t tell a soul.”
Peter squinted. “This is feeling very exclusive.”
Teddy beamed. “It’s because you’re both big brothers now!”
Ned whooped. “I love you kid.”
Harry just shook his head, amused.
What Peter and Ned didn’t know was that a normal key wouldn’t do anything.
Harry had warded the house beyond reason.
If anyone with ill intent approached, the first layer of protection would act as a Muggle-repelling ward, making them feel as if they have something to do like forgetting to lock the door.
If they ignored it?
The second set would knock them out, tie them up, and teleport them directly to the American Auror holding cells.
From there. If they were magical, the Aurors would take charge.
If they were Muggles, they’d have their memories erased and be dumped at the police station with a cover story.
If they don't have any I'll intention the most they could do is knock the door. If they try to breach then we'll..they will find out why he's so feared.
Even with a key, you couldn’t get inside unless Harry keyed you into the wards.
Which is why, when he gave Peter and Ned their keys, he had also quietly keyed them—and May—into the protections.
Because he trusted them.
And Harry Evans did not trust lightly.
Harry used his basement often.
Unlike the rest of the house, which looked completely normal to Muggles, the basement was a fully magical space, hidden and undetectable.
Down there, he had:
- His personal study and magical library.
- A potions lab, where he regularly brewed supplies for himself and sometimes the trainee Aurors.( He lost count of how many times those idiots needed emergency first aid)
- A training area, both for himself and, eventually, for Teddy when he got older.
- Multiple hidden compartments for storage.
If Harry wasn’t upstairs, he was down here, working through Auror case files, brewing potions to never run out of stock, or refining his spells.
And when Teddy was old enough, this would be where he will learn magic.
Already, Harry was introducing small lessons, letting Teddy hold a practice wand and learn the basics—spelling his name with sparks, floating feathers ( teddy was a bloody genius), and showing off Harry's magic while telling him stories.
Teddy loved every second of it.
After getting his key, Ned went all in on the big brother thing.
If Teddy wanted snacks? Ned got them.
If Teddy wanted to play games? Ned let him win.
(Okay, sometimes let him win.)
And whenever Teddy dramatically declared war on Peter, Ned was always on his side.
Which led to chaos.
For example-
Teddy dramatically pointed at Peter.
“You, Big Brother Peter, are no match for me and Big Brother Ned!”
Peter scoffed.“Oh yeah? And what’s your plan, huh?”
Teddy grinned. “BIG BROTHER NED, ACTIVATE THE SECRET WEAPON!”
Ned smirked. “You got it, little dude.”
Then, without warning, Ned grabbed a pillow and chucked it directly at Peter’s face.
Peter, took the hit like a chump.
Teddy giggled wildly.
Ned cheered. “VICTORY!”
Peter groaned. “I hate both of you.”
Harry, standing in the doorway, shook his head.
“This,” he said, “is what you get for adopting a chaotic little brother.”
Peter sighed dramatically. “Why am I always outnumbered?”
Teddy beamed. “Because we’re the best team ever!”
Peter rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”
But, despite his grumbling, he wouldn’t change a thing.
Because
They really were family.