Teddy is mine!

"Teddy!" Draco exclaimed when he saw the little boy in the living room.

"Dwaco!" The child with blue hair attempted to say Draco’s name, in a playful effort that made the older man smile and pat his head.

"Where’s my aunt?" he asked the elf.

"In the bedroom, just like last week."

Malfoy nodded, unsure of what to say. Maybe he should thank the elf, but that felt strange. He pushed the thought aside, trying to focus, and made his way toward Andromeda’s bedroom, leaving Teddy with the elf.

The Tonks house wasn’t much to look at; it was modest but charming. It felt like a home filled with memories, a real family — nothing like the cold, imposing Malfoy Manor. That’s what Draco liked about it. When the war ended, Andromeda had appeared, and Draco couldn’t have been more relieved. But now, seeing her in a worse condition than his bedridden mother, it felt as though everyone he cared about was slipping away.

"Draco, you’re here," the older woman said, her dull and tired voice making it hard for Draco to tell if she was asking or simply stating the fact.

She was always lying in bed now, her brown eyes lifeless, her brown hair falling around her face, which had aged beyond its years. Two years ago, Draco wouldn’t have recognized her in the street. But now, she was his family. And family meant everything to him.

"Dromeda, how are you feeling?"

After the trial, though Draco still couldn’t quite believe he’d been found innocent, his father was imprisoned, and the family’s wealth was confiscated, leaving Draco and Narcissa directionless. That’s when Andromeda stepped in, offering help and a shelf. She had lost her daughter and son-in-law in the war and regretted distancing herself from her sister, Narcissa, and consequently from Draco.

It had been two years since the war ended, and Draco had visited Andromeda and Teddy regularly. A few times, he’d even bumped into Potter. The Gryffindor always seemed like he wanted to say something, with those damn "lost puppy" eyes, but never did, beyond a brief goodbye. Maybe he was expecting a thank you since he’d testified on Draco’s behalf, probably the only reason Draco hadn’t ended up in Azkaban.

"Are you listening, Draco?"

"Of course, ma’am. You were talking about Teddy" Draco couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at his lips. The last time he’d been distracted by thoughts of Potter seemed so long ago. But, at the same time, it always seemed like Potter was still on his mind.

"It wasn’t anything specific, I always talk about Teddy. But anyway, I was saying he really likes you, and he’s two years old. He needs a lot of attention. Do you have a job?"

"I’m not sure how those two things are related, but I like him too. As for a job, I’m still focusing on my studies."

"Forget it. It’s very difficult for an ex-Death Eater to get a job." Andromeda interrupted herself, as though fearing she might offend him. "What I’m trying to say is that, since I’ll be gone soon, it’s better if you don’t have a job. That way, you’ll have time to take care of Teddy."

It was rare for a Malfoy to need to work. They usually held political positions or acted as advisors, like Lucius had. But after the family lost everything, Draco felt a strange need for independence. That’s why he’d joined St. Mungo’s student program, studying to become a healer. The problem was no one wanted to hire a Death Eater. Even though two years had passed, the Dark Mark was still on his arm, and people’s memories of what he’d done were still fresh.

"What nonsense, Aunt. You still have so much life ahead of you." Draco took Andromeda’s hand, a gesture meant to prove to himself that she was still here, her hand warm and alive.

"Stop interrupting me, insolent boy!" There she was, the grumpy old woman. Draco smiled, knowing she still had the energy to scold him.

"I’m sorry, go ahead."

"I can feel the magic draining from my body. I know I’ll be gone soon. And I want you to take care of Teddy." Her eyes were serious, and for the first time, Draco could sense the finality in her words.

"Are you done? You’ll get better soon. Don’t be dramatic." Draco said with a sneer, but deep down, he knew it wasn’t true. "Why me? Wouldn’t it be better for your beloved grandson to be raised by the savior of the wizarding world, rather than a Death Eater?"

"Potter will have custody of Teddy too."

"Is this a joke? You’re not seriously suggesting..."

"Don’t be silly. You and Potter wouldn’t work out, even with Amortentia."

"Thanks, Dromeda." Draco gave her a sarcastic smile. Andromeda was always so direct.

"I know you like him. Don’t make that face, Draco, everyone knows." She gave him a look that almost conveyed compassion before continuing. "Potter’s an Auror. He lives on missions and trips. He won’t have time. Plus, he has no idea how to care for a child."

"Ask Potter to quit his job! I have no idea either."

"Great. Maybe the two of you together can figure something out." She said with all the strength she had left, though it wasn’t much.

"Rude, Aunt. Derogatory." Draco smiled slightly, though he’d never admit it.

"We both believe family comes first. You and Potter will be Teddy’s only family." Draco knew that was true, but he couldn’t just accept that his aunt was dying. He had only just found her again, and now he was going to lose her. Moreover, he would have to take care of a child when he didn’t even know how to care for himself.

Andromeda coughed lightly before continuing. "There are so many things I would like to say."

Before she could go on, the older woman started to cough violently.

"Don’t worry, Aunt. If that’s your wish, I’ll do it."

How sadistic the universe could be. Draco was studying to cure people, but he couldn’t save the ones he loved. His mother remained bedridden, trapped in her own mind, and now his aunt was facing an incurable illness.

When his mother had fallen ill, Draco had taken her to every healer he could find. Dozens of tests had been performed, but they all had the same result: there was nothing physically wrong with her. But she slept nearly all day, didn’t want to get out of bed, ate very little, and spent hours staring into space. Even when someone tried to make her talk, it was as though she couldn’t hear them. At that time, it had been Andromeda who supported him the most. It wasn’t easy for her to watch her little sister in such a state, but despite the years of distance between them, they were still family.

Not long after, it was Andromeda who needed to be admitted to the hospital. And unlike her sister’s results, they had an answer for her: cancer. But it was already in its final stages, and there was no cure.

Draco didn’t want to believe it, but he knew there was nothing he could do. He felt a rush of anger at the entire situation. It was ridiculous. The only thing he could do was ease her pain until the inevitable came. But Andromeda didn’t seem afraid. If anything, she seemed almost calm, accepting her fate with some level of peace. She had made her peace with leaving the people she loved behind.

As expected, when Teddy was two and a half, Andromeda passed away. There was no wake, just a simple black coffin being lowered into the earth. She hadn’t wanted a fuss. The only friends she had were the Weasleys, and Draco, a coward, couldn’t bear their stares. So it was just Malfoy, Teddy, a gravedigger, and a coffin.

Draco returned to the Tonks house, where he’d been living for the past few months to help Andromeda. He put Teddy in his crib and quickly began writing a note. He wasn’t sure how to break the news.

Teddy was crying, and it made Draco feel frantic. He knew that this time, Aunt Andromeda wouldn’t come up with some way to distract him. His note felt too cold, but there was no time to think about it.

"Andromeda Tonks passed away today. You and I are Teddy’s guardians. I’m at Tonks’ house, by the way."

He barely had time to tie the note to the owl before he felt a small hand on his leg.

"Have you learned how to escape your crib now?" Draco picked up the baby,who stopped crying immediately.