Chapter 1
1. Chapter
When one door closes another one will open
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prologue
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Right after the war, everything was still in chaos. Many Death Eaters were still on the loose, and those who had been captured were held at the Ministry of Magic, awaiting their trials to determine their fate. Yet, for now, people spared little thought for those who had brought pain and torture upon the wizarding world.
Some were celebrating, while others mourned the loved ones they had lost in the Second Wizarding War.
Harry, however, was confused and couldn't quite wrap his head around what to do next. One thing he did know, though, was that he didn’t want Teddy—the newborn son of Remus Lupin and Tonks—to grow up in an orphanage or without a family. And Harry was Teddy’s family. After all, he had become his godfather. He knew he had to do what Sirius Black had once wanted to do for him: give him a home and be his family.
Harry didn't quite know how to take care of a child—especially not a newborn—but he knew he would get the support he needed from his best friend's family. No, they were his family as well. And they knew how important young Lupin was to Harry. They would understand that Harry saw himself in Ted.
He had promised himself that he would take care of Teddy and give him the life and childhood Harry had never been able to have.
He was sure that raising a child at such a young age, without even having his N.E.W.T.s, would ruin his chances of getting back together with Ginny—for now. But that was alright, he thought. After all, he didn’t want the boy to grow up alone, nor did he want to disrupt the career of his now ex-girlfriend, Ginny Weasley. He loved Ginny. He still did—he really did. At least, it was the strongest love he had known so far.
For someone like him—a child who had first been introduced to love at the age of eleven, even if it was mostly platonic and built on friendship—it felt like the strongest way of loving someone. And he loved Ginny in that way.
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Harry was staying over at the Weasleys', though not with his godson yet. Teddy was still under the care of the Ministry while custody rights were being reviewed. Harry hadn't brought it up to any of the Weasley family members yet; they were all still grieving over the loss of Fred. Harry was too—after all, Fred and so many others had died because of him. At least, that's what he had been telling himself ever since it all started.
Hermione looked at Harry, shook her head, then tilted it slightly to the right, gazing straight into his eyes. "What's bothering you, Harry?"
Harry hadn't expected the question, and it took him a few seconds too long to answer. When he did, his voice was shaky. "Uh—nothing, don't worry, 'Mione! I was just a bit lost in my thoughts."
Molly, who stood across the room, looked at them both with sadness in her eyes.
"Oh, Harry dear, please don’t blame yourself for what happened. You’re just a child. It’s horrible to think of what you all had to go through!"
As she spoke, she stepped closer to them and pulled Harry and Hermione into a warm embrace.
Ron, who had been talking to his brother George about plans for the shop, now joined the conversation.
"Mom’s right, mate. It’s not your fault. You shouldn’t blame yourself! You did everything right. There are others who should take the blame—like Malfoy, that bloody traitor! How could he betray Hogwarts like that?!"
"Ron!" Hermione said sharply. "I know you’re angry, but please, let’s not talk about that now. There are still so many things to discuss and so much to take care of. For now, let’s give Harry some space."
Harry could feel his chest getting heavier. Caught off guard by this unexpected turn in the conversation, he had to fight to hold his tears back. They all got it wrong—not entirely, but right now he was thinking about what he should do once Teddy was there, where they'd live, and how he should tell everyone that he requested the custody of Edward Remus Lupin.
Would he need to give up his dream of becoming an Auror in order to take care of his godson? Would Ginny be mad that he decided to not go back to Hogwarts? Would she be mad that they couldn't spend his last year in Hogwarts together as a couple? That he would get his education done? Would he lose her?
Sensing that Harry is drifting off in his mind, Hermione quickly changes the subject. "So," she said in a sing-alike tone, "have you already decided what to do now that the war is over and we finally have our lives back?
Ginny, who just came down the stairs, was excited that she came down at the right moment „That's a good question, Hermione!! Will you all come back to Hogwarts?!" She asked enthusiastically.
- Oh bloody hell—Harry thought, knowing that he soon had to speak about his plans for the future.
Ron spoke first.
"I think it's pretty obvious that I won't go back to Hogwarts, I promised George to help him in the store! It's going to be brilliant!"
Hermione chuckled at his "Oh, we all know that, Ron; after all, you seem pretty excited about it. For my part, I of course will go back to Hogwarts—no big surprise, I suppose. What about you, Harry? I'm sure you want to go back to Hogwarts as well, right?" Hermione smiled at Harry; it was pure and calmed Harry a bit.
Harry tried to speak a few times. And while trying to, Ginny stared at him, waiting for his answer—which caused Harry's throat to close up and make it even harder to speak up. Nervously he said, "Actually—no. I won't be going back to Hogwarts."
The room was quite in shock.
They weren't mad, just surprised since Hogwarts was like a home for Harry. A home he would leave behind now.
A bit disappointed yet teasing, Ginny asked, "What will you do then? Any plans yet?"
"Yeah—yeah. Actually, I do. I want to be an Auror."
"That's amazing!" Hermione said, her voice filled with excitement.
"Yeah mate, that's a pretty good choice, but don't get too busy and forget about us!" Ron said in a serious tone.
"Now now, Ron! Don't be so foolish; Harry would never forget about us, right, Harry?" Ginny asked Harry smiling
"Of course I wouldn't. I'm glad you all aren't mad at me for not going back."
George now speaks up. "Now little bro, you seem like there's more to tell! Now do tell, after all, that's what we deserve after you just publicly announced you won't help running the family business!" Saying that, George laughed and poked Harrys side.
There was silence in the room for a minute.
"I requested custody for Teddy Lupin." Harry said quickly, not knowing if that was too bold.