the family we choose | harry

[Deleted]

HARRY JAMES POTTER

teddy couldn't remember the last time he'd walked towards the pub that was owned by harry. it had been months since he'd stood in the doorway, sat at the bar and been enveloped by the atmosphere of the place. since before the fall of hogwarts. the last time he had been in the pub had been during the last conversation he and harry had had and it hadn't ended well. it had ended in words he regretted, truths that had never meant to be said and old wounds that should have long been healed. teddy had let his emotions get the better of him, the distrust he had of situations that had bled into his relationship with one of the most important people in his life and after the fight he had pulled back completely. he had seen harry only a handful of times since the fight, one of those being when they had passed each other in hogsmeade before the battle to try and save the castle and it's students.

since then teddy had retreated even further into wherever he'd been before it. the bottle had still been his best friend during the time he'd needed to take off work to let his injuries heal, the scars still a constant reminder that he hadn't almost been good enough that night. he'd found comfort in strangers but not in those he loved and he couldn't remember the last time he'd had something other than whiskey or coffee to drink. even now, he'd spent the evening before now drinking the golden liquid he'd come to rely on so much. to gather the courage to come and talk to one of the few people he knew could make him feel better.

he'd started trying to mend the fractured relationships he'd caused with the people he loved, ginny being one of the main ones. she'd been the first person he'd reached out to after the fall of hogwarts and he'd seen her a few times since but harry had been harder. he couldn't forgive himself for the words that he'd said to harry and that had been what had kept him away all these months. shame. but here he found himself walking towards the door to the hound & harries. he stopped short of the door, his hand resting on the door handle as he stood there for what felt like an eternity. it was then he lost his nerve, letting his hand fall from the door and his doubt that harry could forgive him seep into his brain and he stepped down from the threshold, turning his back and walking away from the door he still so desperately wanted to open.

[HARRY JAMES POTTER]

Harry had been spending more and more time at the pub, for a variety of different reasons. First, it was easier to escape the memories of Elaine and the turmoil she had rained down upon Hogwarts when he was busy serving drinks for witches and muggles alike. Second, his relationship with Ginny had been rocky at best, but had soured further upon his rescue effort. He could try to save the students of Hogwarts, to thwart Elaine, but he couldn't tell her that he was safe? Harry had never been the sort to run and hide, but Ginny was a sight to behold when angry.

The pub was mercifully packed this evening, full of buzzing patrons and the tinkling of glass on wood. Harry was wandering around the tables, checking in on those who were eating and drinking and all around having a nice time. There was nothing out of the ordinary. But something made Harry look towards the door. Was it the hand of fate, guiding him? Harry had to blink a few times, recognising the retreating form through the front windows. Without a word, Harry took off, following his godson's retreating back.

How many things had Harry said to Teddy that he had regretted? How like Dumbledore had he become - all this talk of for the greater good. Of putting his family second to the fate of the wizarding world. And how much had he lost because of his actions? If Teddy was here... that meant something had changed between them. "Teddy!" Harry called, jogging to catch up to his godson. Merlin, he looked so like his mother. There was only a moment of hesitation before Harry wrapped Teddy in a hug, holding onto whatever there was left of their relationship.

@edward