Cicatrices- Marks That Remain

Suspect

Happy Sunday, Wonderful Fantastical readers!... I know I'm a week late. Yes, I am sorry. I've been very sick, on top of very stressed over my finals (I take summer classes, sue me). However! I'm here! With a chapter! It's not as long as I hoped, but it's something. I was able to put something out!

Since I try to post every other Sunday, I'm shifting my schedule as though I am not a week late. This means your next chapter will be in 2 Sundays as if normal (August 4th)

Some info for this chapter, as a reminder and an update, so everyone is on the same page: The auror team working on this case consists of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Mordecai Berrycloth, and John Dawlish (whom, up until now, only had the job of rotating with Harry to protect Draco).

And... Yeah! That's that! Thank you all for your patience! Please, let me know what y'all think, and, as always...Enjoy!

He got the call to the Ministry just as he'd tugged Teddy's shirt onto him to take him to Willow Buds. Ron's patronus glided into his flat, leaving Teddy fascinated with awe at the blue-glowing, floating, speaking dog (no doubt in a voice he recogized). Harry sighed, leaving Teddy to eat some biscuits while he changed into his auror uniform. Then, he went to drop Teddy off at Willow Buds.

Being in his full crime-fighting Auror regalia earned him more looks and whispers than usual. As he entered the yellow-cream-coloured building, one woman even approached him.

"Harry Potter?" She looked him up and down. "You have a son? At Willow Buds?"

Before Harry could even think about how to respond, Hannah opened the door to the waiting room of the center, looking tired, and more than a bit pale. She blinked, all professionalism clicking into place instantly.

"Good morning, Teddy!" she said with a smile. "How are you? Come, let's have a great day." She held her hand out to Teddy, who went to her obediently. Harry stepped forward, handing Hannah the backpack.

"Hey," he greeted. "Are you alright?"

"Oh, all good," she assured. "Just a bad night's sleep. I'm sure you understand."

"Yeah," he responded. Because he did understand, and he was startled to realize he hadn't thought that everyone else who had gone through the war clearly still struggled with some things. "Okay."

"How was your first evening with Teddy?"

"It was alright," he surmised. He figured his own lack of remembering what foods he eats didn't need too much of a mention. "He's a good kid."

"Nothing unusual? He was in a new place," Hannah pressed gently.

"Well, I'm not really sure what is or isn't unusual," he said honestly. Just then, another parent and his child walked through the door with a gasp.

"Aurors? Is everything alright?" He cut in. Harry backed away from the situation. "I've got to be off to work, Hannah. Thank you, for everything. I'll see you around."

Harry turned and left her to placate the now alarmed father. "He's simply dropping of my client. No need for alarm," he hear her voice as he left. He spared one last glance at Teddy, whose hair was yet again a spitting image of his own. His lips tugged themselves up into a small smile automatically.

As soon as he arrived at the Ministry, it was Hermione who met him with an "I'm not supposed to know this, but George has been hospitalized. Meet Ron at St. Mungo's."