Harry trailed nervously through the corridors. McGonagall had requested him, wanting to talk about Teddy, who was currently on Harry’s hip gurgling happily while waving his hand at anyone they passed. Harry’s lips rised a little in a smile at his god-sons antics.
“Teddy I love you but did Remus and Tonks have to up and die after naming me godfather?” He asked the 1 year-old.
Teddy brought his attention back to Harry. “Pa,” Harry froze, eyes widening. “What did you just say?”
“Pa,” Teddy said once more. “Yeah that’s me, that’s me, I’m Pa!” Teddy started giggling, he tugged Harry’s hair in his little fist. “Pa!”
“I’m a father! I AM INVINCIBLE!” Harry screamed, the cool late September air streaming in through an open window.
“PA!”
Harry danced around, holding Teddy while the stuff in his backpack clinked around. Someone cleared their throat. Harry paused and turned around slowly.
McGonagall was standing there with a soft smile gracing her face, she nodded her head slowly.
“Such a touching scene, his first word I assume?” Harry nodded. “Well Theodore is who I called you here to talk about, Potter, come in.” She gestured to her new office.
“Right, sorry.” Harry quickly followed her up the winding staircase to a heavy wooden door. McGonagall opened it and walked through, Harry right on her heels. The room smelled of cinnamon and had a much more happy aura than it had months prior.
Harry slumped down into an incredibly soft chair, placing Teddy on the carpet next to him. Harry opened his bag and pulled out a stuffed fox that Hermione had knitted for Teddy, setting it down next to him before patting his head.
He straightened himself up, meeting eyes with McGonagall, who looked as if she was about to talk. “Professor, I know I shouldn’t have him here but I just can’t leave him alone, I mean he’s an orphan of the war and I’m his godfather. It’s my responsibility and when Tonks’ named me godfather they put their ultimate trust in me. I know I could leave him with his Grandmother but I feel she has grief of her own to deal with, you know? I mean losing her husband and her child in the same year has got to have put a lot of weight on her shoulders and she’s not that young mind you.” Harry rambled on, finally stopping to take a breath before starting right up again.
“Honestly I just don’t think I could handle not having Teddy right now, he’s one of the only reasons I haven’t attempted or drank myself to shit already, it’s my job to take care of him and I promise I will do it as long as I live. He is so important to me, please, I have a crib for him here. I found it in Grimmauld place over the summer. I painted it yellow because Tonks’ always reminded me of the colour yellow and because I just like the colour, Draco and I painted Teddy’s name onto it with little red foxes around them and he’s getting all proper nutrition and everything. I promise you I’m taking care of him. And-” McGonagall cut him off.
“Potter, I’m not worried about the health of the child. I know he’s in good hands. I’m worried about your health, it's a lot of stress taking care of a baby while being a student at the same time and even though your grades don’t matter this semester they have been falling. You’ve also been late on the regular, Miss Granger informs me it is because you go to check on Teddy?”
“Yes, Professor, I feed him, change his diaper, burp him, sometimes I enlist this one 6th year to read to Teddy during their free period.”
McGonagall nodded. “Yes, Potter, very well, but you have already missed a number of classes to take care of Teddy, which yes, babies should not be left unattended for long and your classes are quite long, so I have a compromise to offer you.” She clasped her hands together. “Hogwarts Daycare.”
Harry thought for a second, looking down at Teddy. “Professor, I don’t mean to be rude but what do you mean?”
“Well, Potter, if you must know. Professor Flitwick’s classroom is always full of cushioning and has a side room right in it. You and Miss Granger practised there for the Triwizard tournament, we have gathered a few children's board books from the library and stuffed animals donated by Poppy.”
“What I am saying is, Flitwick will watch Theodore,” She gestured towards Teddy. “While you catch up on your studies, and when you practise charms in his class you are allowed to go in there to visit Teddy. You may also visit him during your lunch hour and during free periods. Then, you simply pick him up at the end of the day. Hogwarts Daycare, if any other students somehow land themselves with children we may allow them and their kids in there.”
Harry perked up. “Seriously? Like that’s actually gonna happen? And Teddy will be taken care of properly, right?”
“Yes, Potter. We have just about everything set up for Teddy, but we were wondering if you want the room arranged a certain way?”
“Can I paint the walls? And decorate it? I have the perfect idea, I think you’d love it.” Harry said, practically shaking from excitement.
“You may decorate it, but don’t stay up too late doing it, you have Friday and the weekend to do it all, then if anything is unfinished it would be Flitwick’s job.”
Harry nodded vigorously. “Yep, right, I understand, thank you so much, thank you, Professor.”
McGonagall smiled gently at him. “It’s my pleasure, Potter. You are excused.” She stood up, brushing up her robes, turning quickly on her heel to leave through a door that Harry assume led to her quarters.
Harry looked back down at Teddy, who was babbling nonsense while hugging his fox. Harry smiled, scooping Teddy up and setting him on his hip. “C’mon lil man, you wanna tell Uncle Ron and Auntie Mione about this? Let’s go!”
And with that, he turned around too, backpack in one arm, baby in the other.