Uncomfortable Truths

Chapter Eighty-Four - Time Heals All Wounds

Professor Washington finds Harry having lunch with his son Kyle and a baby with the same raven locks Harry has. He's bouncing the child on his knee listening to an older woman speak. Ron and Hermione have joined in the conversation. Mr. Steadforth from Gryffindor is there as well. He hates to break up this domestic scene but he needs the boy's help.

"Mr. Potter." Washington nods at the group.

"Professor?" Harry hands the baby to Ron. The child's hair starts changing from black to red.

"Fascinating, may I?" He waits for Harry's nod before touching the baby's hair, "Is he a metamorphmagus?"

"He is." The older woman beams at the child.

"I've never met one before, he's incredible. Is he yours?" He smiles.

"My daughters." She answers, her smile is sad enough he doesn't need to ask why she has the boy.

"He's lovely." He lets go of the completely red lock, "Mr. Potter, I was hoping you could assist me with a situation."

"Of course, Professor." He wipes his hands on a napkin before standing.

"Are you finished?" He points at his half empty plate.

"I'm not that hungry, Sir."

"If you're sure."

"I am, Sir." He turns to Andromeda, "Don't leave before I get to say good-bye... please?"

"Of course not, Harry. I still need to see my nephew. I can't believe no one has found those two yet. His mother will find a way to kill me from France if I don't have a full report on her son."

"It's weird, yeah." Harry agrees. He looked on the map, Draco and Greg are nowhere to be found. "I'll be back soon... Kyle."

He looks up from his plate, his eyes half lidded as if he was almost asleep. "Yeah, Harry?"

"Go take a nap." He smiles, "Ian, can you take him to Ravenclaw?"

"Yeah, sure." Ian nods.

"Bye, Teddy." Harry shakes the little boy's fist.

"No, no, upid fuck, upid, upid." Teddy squeals.

Washington barks out a laugh, "Sorry, I'm sorry, Mr. Potter." He coughs, "I was not expecting that." He looks at the woman who's staring daggers at Kyle. Kyle won't look up from his plate, but the boy's ears are red.

"After you, Professor." Harry's trying very hard not to smile, he knows as a father he shouldn't be smiling.

"Your family's delightful." Washington's smile engulfs his whole face.

"Yeah, they're pretty great." He beams, "Where are we going?"

"The hospital." Washington leads the way, "Most of the children have been released. There are three that Madame Pomfrey wants me to look at. Curses can be tricky for healers; she wanted to wait until she could release everyone else. It was very crowded in her infirmary, as you know. I was sorry to hear about Mr. Malfoy. I was sorry to hear about all of them, but I know he's special to you."

"Thank you, professor, but he was the least of the hurt."

"Magical draining is nothing to be scoffed at, Mr. Potter. Too much and he could have made himself a squib. Mr. Goyle is lucky as well; they were both very drained."

"I think they felt it was worth it."

"Totally, Mr. Nott is lucky to have friends like them."

"We're all lucky... for all of them." Harry holds open the door to the hospital wing, following behind the professor. The waiting room has students and parents sitting quietly. He nods at them as they complete the rest of the trek in silence. Washinton holds open the door to the infirmary. Three beds are occupied, much better than the 14, well 12, since Draco and Greg buggered off without asking, when Harry left with Kreacher.