Teddy Lupin: The Boy Who Remained

Chapter 2. Victoire Weasley and the Entrance to Diagon Alley

As the swirling sensation of Floo Powder faded, Teddy stumbled forward, feeling his feet land on solid ground. He blinked and took in the cozy, familiar warmth of the Potters' kitchen, bathed in the soft morning light streaming through the windows. The space smelled of fresh herbs, baked bread, and a hint of cinnamon, filling Teddy with a sense of home. Ginny Potter stood by the stove, her wand stirring a large, simmering pot that sent soft curls of steam into the air. She looked up as Teddy entered, her face lighting up with a welcoming smile.

"Morning, Ted!" she greeted, her voice warm and cheerful.

"Morning, Ginny," Teddy replied, grinning as he slid into a seat at the large wooden table in the middle of the room. The Potters' kitchen had a homey, magical comfort that felt as much like family as his gran's house. Little magical trinkets hummed and whirred around them—enchanted spoons clinked against bowls, and cups stacked themselves neatly on the counter.

Ginny poured him a steaming bowl of porridge, which he gratefully accepted. "Thank you!" he said, scooping up a spoonful as the warmth of the meal seeped into him. Ginny had always felt like family. She was a comforting presence, almost like a friendly aunt, and he loved the stories she told about his mum, Tonks. Ginny had often shared tales about how his mum hated her first name and insisted on being called only by her surname, a little rebellion Teddy could relate to. Hearing these stories made him feel connected to his parents, especially on mornings like these when he could almost imagine them watching his excitement about Hogwarts.

Just as Teddy was lifting another spoonful, there was a sharp crack of Apparition, and Harry appeared in the kitchen. Both Teddy and Ginny jumped at the unexpected pop.

"Harry! You're back earlier than I thought," Ginny exclaimed, hurrying over to greet him with a quick kiss on the cheek.

Harry sighed, slumping into the chair beside Teddy, his expression somewhere between frustrated and amused. "Andromeda and I... didn't quite agree this morning. She told me I could leave if I wouldn't let it drop."

Teddy looked up, curiosity flashing in his eyes. "What were you and Gran arguing about?"

Harry exchanged a quick glance with Ginny, clearly weighing his words. "Oh, just something we need her permission for... a family discussion," he said gently. His tone was cautious, his eyes thoughtful.

Seeing the hint of worry on Teddy's face, Ginny leaned over and gave him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Ted," she said softly. "We'll fill you in on everything when the time's right." Her face brightened as she added, "And anyway, aren't we supposed to be meeting Bill and Fleur soon? They're waiting at the Leaky Cauldron, aren't they, Harry?"

Harry's face broke into a smile, the tension fading. "Yes! And Teddy, Victoire's starting Hogwarts this year too! I imagine she's just as excited as you are."

Ginny gave Harry a playful nudge. "Oh, she's already told him all about it, haven't you, Teddy? She's quite fond of you, you know—already told me she plans on marrying you one day." She winked at Teddy, clearly teasing.

Teddy flushed bright red and looked down, suddenly very focused on his porridge as Ginny chuckled.

After breakfast, they stepped out into the Potters' back garden, where a sleek blue enchanted car awaited. Sunlight sparkled off the magical charms on the vehicle, which kept Muggles from noticing it. Harry climbed into the driver's seat while Teddy and Ginny settled into the seats beside him.

As they set off down the country lanes, the English countryside flashed past in hues of green and gold. Harry glanced back at Teddy in the rearview mirror. "So, Teddy, have you given any thought to which house you'd like to be sorted into?"

Teddy grinned, mulling it over. "Maybe Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, like my parents... but honestly, I think I'd be happy anywhere, just as long as it's Hogwarts."

Ginny shot him an approving smile. "You'll be brilliant, Teddy, no matter which house you're in," she assured him, then added with a grin, "But if I had to choose... well, I'm certainly hoping for Gryffindor. No pressure, of course!"

Once they arrived in London, Harry parked outside the inconspicuous front of the Leaky Cauldron. Teddy barely stepped inside before he was nearly knocked over by a blur of blonde hair and excited energy.

"Teddy! I missed you so much! It's been forever!" Victoire exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. Her face was bright with excitement, and her blue eyes sparkled.

"Victoire! You just saw him last month!" Aunt Fleur's voice came from behind her, the French lilt giving her words a soft musical quality as she chuckled. She gently pried her daughter off Teddy with an apologetic smile. "Apologies, Teddy. Victoire 'as been chattering about school nonstop all summer."

"Hi, Victoire," Teddy mumbled shyly, trying to hide his own excitement.

Fleur moved toward Harry and Ginny, greeting them with a warm kiss on each cheek. "'Arry, Ginny! It's wonderful to see you both." Her eyes twinkled as she added, "Bill had some work to attend to at Gringotts, but he's waiting for us at Diagon Alley."

Victoire, already bouncing on her toes, clutched Teddy's hand eagerly. "Have you ever been to Diagon Alley, Teddy?"

"No, it's my first time!" he admitted, feeling his heart race. "How do we get there, anyway?"

Victoire pointed dramatically toward the back wall of the pub. "Through zhere, of course! Papa showed me, but... 'Arry, could you do it for us, please?" Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at Harry, clearly fascinated.

Harry knelt down beside her, smiling as he took out his wand. "All right, Victoire. And Teddy, watch closely. You'll want to remember this for the future."

Teddy's breath caught as he watched Harry tap a pattern on the bricks: three bricks to the left, three up, two down, two to the right, and three back to the left. With each tap, the bricks seemed to come alive, shifting and sliding until, with a low rumble, they revealed an arched doorway that opened onto a bustling cobbled street.

"Oh... wow," Teddy murmured, his eyes wide as he glimpsed Diagon Alley for the first time. It was even more magical than he'd imagined. Shopfronts spilled over with enchanted wares; owls hooted from their perches, and cauldrons were stacked in display windows. Wizards and witches bustled along the narrow cobbled street, their voices mingling in an excited hum.

Victoire tugged his hand, her eyes dancing with excitement. "Come on, Teddy! There's so much to see!"

Teddy was entranced by the scene around him, so much so that he barely noticed Victoire leading him toward a shop. His gaze darted from one incredible sight to the next—brooms gliding in mid-air in one store window, shelves stacked with gleaming potions and shimmering robes in another. He couldn't keep the smile from his face, and his heart swelled as he took it all in.

They walked deeper into the alley, Teddy's head swiveling as he drank in every detail. He felt an electric thrill buzz through him from head to toe. Hogwarts had always been an idea, a dream—but now, here he was, standing in the heart of the magical world, his adventure just beginning.