
Chapter 3
Harry took a moment to gather his courage, as he stood outside Hermione’s home. He stared at the door for a moment, before finally knocking. Even outside, he could hear the squeals of excitement of his godson. He smiled slightly, before realizing just how mad Hermione was going to be at him. He knew she was hurt from his absence, but she's going to be enraged for neglecting his godson. Taking in a deep breath, he knocked on the door. The pitter-patter stomping steps of a toddler approached the door, Hermione's frantic footsteps following after his, as Teddy opened the door and grinned up at him.
"Uncle Harry!" He shouted, wrapping his little arms around Harry's legs.
"Teddy, how are you?" Harry asked, grinning down at the toddler and ruffling his hair.
"Mommy is making lunch. Do you want some?"
Harry took the opportunity to look at his best friend, seeing the stony look in her eyes, he thought through his next words carefully. "Only if your mom is ok with it."
Teddy quickly turned towards Hermione, looking up at her expectantly. "Please?" He begged.
Harry watched Hermione take a deep breath, before nodding. "Alright, go wash up while I show your uncle to the table."
Teddy, squealing in delight, rushed back inside to wash his hands. Harry stayed where he was, smiling sheepishly and rubbing the back of his neck. "It's good to see you." He said softly.
Hermione nodded, looking his up and down, before turning and heading inside, the door remained opened as she passed through it. Harry, gathering his courage, followed her inside and shut the door behind him. Harry realized he hadn't been here often. He had helped them move in and set up Teddy's room, but other than that he only stopped by to pick up Teddy to take him out. Looking around, he spotted several wizarding and muggle photos hanging on the walls. Some in picture frames that sat on the end table or on the mantel. It was cozy, he realized, the perfect home for a child. He followed Hermione into the kitchen, spotted the mac n cheese sitting in the pot on the stove, along with some grilled chicken. Harry, unsure what to do, stood awkwardly in the doorway.
"What are you doing here, Harry?" She asked, pulling out plates and silverware for the three of them.
"I saw Remus and Sirius today."
Hermione nodded, but didn't say anything.
"They told me about how you had already been to see them. How Teddy wouldn't talk to them, how he clung to you. I told them about the attack and that's why he clings to you around new people." He paused, watching her tense as he spoke, but remaining silent. "They told me how much of a jerk I haven been since I hadn't seen you in the past year. I didn't even know it had been that long, I swear I just saw you two the other day, but they told me otherwise. I didn't know what was happening." He whispered.
Hermione shook her head, just as Teddy's racing steps barreled into the room. Hermione turned around, squatting and scooping him up into her arms. Laughing softly, Hermione placed him on her hip and handed him the smallest plate that contained his food. "Don't drop anything now." She warned him, grabbing another plate, and nodding for Harry to follow her towards the table. She set Teddy down in his booster, while setting the plate in her hand down in front of the chair to his right. She gestured for Harry to sit, and moved back into the kitchen. With a flick of her wand, Teddy's sippy cup was filled with milk, while a glass of pumpkin juice was filled for Harry. Another flick and they were sent out towards the two, while she gathered her own plate and poured a small glass of wine. When she sat at the table, Teddy was regaling Harry with their adventures from the last year. Hermione only speaking up to correct or add to the story. Sitting there, she studied him. She watched Harry, analyzed him. She knew she would have to say something to him after they finished eating, but couldn't with Teddy in the room, so she waited. When everyone finished, she stacked the empty plates and headed back into the kitchen, she set the dishes to wash themselves, before heading back.
"Teddy, why don't you go watch a show while your Uncle and I talk for a minute." She said gently.
When Teddy nodded, Hermione scooped him up and took him to the living room. Putting on a muggle cartoon show, she headed back towards Harry. Gesturing towards the guest room she had been cleaning up earlier for Remus.
"I'm going to say this nice and slow. I'm not going to sugar coat it, because I have a kid to look out for. That being said, you either need to start showing up again, or stay away. I don't know what it is about Ron and Ginny that you can't say no to, but I don't really care. Maybe it's when Ron throws tantrums he reminds you of your uncle. Or Ginny just doesn't care either way. I honestly don't care what it is, but I have had to deal with my son asking when Uncle Harry is going to come over again for the last year. I don't care if Ron doesn't like that fact I have a child that goes with me when we hang out, because I know that part of his problem. I don't care that he has a problem with me being your friend. I will not stand for your level of disrespect towards me any longer. I let it slide as kids, because I had no one else, it was just you two. Now? Now I have a son who lights up my life, and it just got complicated now that his father is alive again. You have two options, you either buck up and stand up to Ron, or you stay the hell away from my family." Hermione spoke clearly, keeping her voice low so she didn't bring any attention to Teddy about how pissed off she was with his uncle.
Harry stared at her, and the anger flickered for a moment, at the accusation, before it flickered out just as quickly. She had a point, she always has a point. Thinking back on it, it was Hermione who was always there for him, looking after him. Ron walked all over him, and Harry let him. Ginny didn't fight anymore, and he didn't understand why. Watching Hermione scold him was nothing new. Seeing Hermione Granger hurt by his actions, wasn't new. Seeing Hermione Granger like this, was new to him. Hermione has stood up to him before, mainly to protect himself from something, but he knew this was to protect Teddy, and to protect herself from him. It threw him off.
"I'm so sorry, Hermione." He whispered.
"Sorry isn't going to cut it this time Harry." She continued to organize the bedroom, but she threw one more comment out to him. "Go spend time with Teddy, you have thirty minutes, then you need to leave." With that said, she walked into the connecting bathroom and and shut the door. She was done talking. With a sigh, Harry moved back into the living room, sitting beside Teddy and watching the cartoon with him. Teddy curled up into his side, clutching his cloak in his hand. Harry held him close and kissed his head gently.
"I missed you." Teddy whispered.
Harry's heart broke even more in that moment. "I missed you too, buddy."
When it came time for Harry to leave, he hugged Teddy tightly and whispered that he would be back soon. Teddy, grinning at him told him that he couldn't wait, before plopping back down on the couch to continue watching the cartoon. With one last look around, he spotted Hermione watching him from the hallway, and with a decision already made, he left.
Harry sent a patronus to Ron to meet him at Number 12, before apparating home. The anger burning in his gut as the day, and the decision, sank in.