The Dragon's Treasure

A Midsummer Bonding

Remus exited the Floo at Malfoy Manor with Teddy held in his arms. He felt incredibly awkward showing up unannounced, but it was an emergency. Regulus wasn't at home, and so he must be here. Teddy ran ahead of him towards the breakfast room.

Teddy beamed happily as he leaped into Luna's arms. She caught him with a bright smile, and offered him a slice of toast that he took happily. Remus entered a second later, drawing the attention of all those in the room.

"We have a situation."

Draco's posture stiffened, so slightly that none but Holly noticed.

"What is it?" Lord Black asked.

"Teddy bit someone."

Everyone's eyes snapped to him.

"He did what?!" Holly asked in shock.

"The little blonde girl he was dancing with?" Lord Black asked.

"Victoire!" Teddy signed cheerily.

"Yes, Victoire Delacour, Fleur's youngest sister. Their mates, soulmates. He bit her to mark her without her parents permission. She's eight and he mate-marked her on her shoulder, where everyone can see."

Luna broke into laughter as she wrapped her arms around Teddy.

"Possessive little thing, aren't you?" She asked.

"She's mine," he proclaimed.

"Will she change?" Lord Black asked.

"No. Mate-marking is different from other bites. It's instinctual. To let other members of the Pack know. Of course it's not usually done at the age of eight. We're lucky this isn't turning into an international incident."

"Well what happens now?" Holly asked.

"I've been trying to figure that out all morning. I've been writing Fenrir, Minerva, and Monsieur Delacour non-stop. We think we have a solution. The Pack is able to move, so we move. We relocate to France until they are of Hogwarts age. It's only a few more years. Monsieur Delacour has agreed to let his daughter return with Teddy to attend Hogwarts when Teddy attends Hogwarts.

It's a good compromise."

"So you'd have to give up your job?" Holly asked.

"I would, but Lord McKinnon has agreed to teach Defense for the time being. We will visit often, but I can't separate Teddy from his soulmate. Especially now that he's mate marked her. It would be painful for any significant period of time."

"She's mine," Teddy signed happily, uncaring of what his actions had set in motion. Such was the way of children.

"You want my blessing," Lord Black guessed.

"Of course I do. I left once without your approval, and I was wrong. I should have stayed. But now I think I have to go."

Regulus nodded, "You do. You have my blessing. We have the Paris townhouse, which you are welcome to use. Love is worth the effort. Even little baby love."

"I'm a big boy," Teddy protested.

Luna squeezed him tight in a hug, and tickled his sides. He forgot his outrage at being called a baby, and dissolved into giggles. Remus took an empty seat at the table.

"Well I guess that's sorted. Will you all take the train back to Hogwarts?" Remus asked.

"No," Holly responded. "Zach and Hermione have invited all of us to their Hogsmeade home.

We'll go the day before the term starts. We can return to the castle the next day."

"I'm going to miss all of you terribly, but I don't see a way around this."