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august.
It was the conversation that Harry never wanted to have with his kids. If he had his way, he would have never had it but he knew what the world was like. It was not until Ginny was pregnant with James, he realised that one day he would have to tell his children his beginnings and his defeat of Voldemort or they would have to listen to whispers at school, like he did about his own parents and he did not want that for them when he was actually there to tell the truth.
August 2003
‘I don’t want to tell him everything. The same with Teddy. They don’t need to know everything but I want to tell them enough that they know’ Harry said one night. Ginny was currently seven months pregnant and they were laid on their bed. There had been an article in the newspaper about her pregnancy and the next chapter of The Chosen One’s life.
‘I agree. They need to know the basics’ she sat up a little and he moved a pillow to support her back.
‘I want to tell them when they are individually eleven. I just hope they can keep it quiet until it is time for the next one to know’ his reply came.
She nodded ‘I will go with whatever you want. This is your choice and I will respect what you decide’
‘No horcruxes, hallows or me actually dying. I don’t want to scare them,’ he said. He was looking at her bump and started to lightly caress her bump.
‘They will be proud of you, regardless of what you tell them. They will love you because you are going to be an amazing father’ she told him. He gave her a small smile and slowly nodded. He leaned down to kiss the bump before leaning up to kiss her.
August 2010
When Harry thought back to the time he spoke to Teddy before he started to school, it was actually the easiest because with a mutual agreement with Andromeda, they always spoke about Remus and Tonks. Teddy always knew who his parents were, that there was a war and they died fighting for the good side but it still made Harry nervous to tell him more.
He knew if anyone was going to say anything, it would be more about Remus and Tonks opposed to him but Harry also knew being Harry Potter’s anything was going to come with trouble and talk. Being his Godson was definitely up there.
In the August before Teddy would start school, the Potter’s took a holiday to the South of France. At this point, James was six, seven in the October, Albus was four and Lily was two. Still too young to know anything.
Harry had already spoken to Andromeda who had said it was the right thing to do to inform Teddy as little as possible but enough so he was prepared. He put James and Albus to bed whilst Ginny put Lily to bed before meeting outside Teddy’s room. They had agreed earlier in the day that it was going to be that night.
‘Are you alright?’ she said to him and took his hand in hers.
‘Yeah. I just… in some ways it feels like forever ago but some ways,it feels like no time has passed. I thought we’d have longer. I want more time before…’
‘I know, love, I know. Remember, as little as you need’ she replied with a smile and gave his hand with a squeeze.
'Stay with me?’
‘Always’
‘I love you’
‘I love you too’ and she kissed him.
Harry exhaled before knocking on Teddy’s door. There was a small and soft ‘yes?’ and he opened the door. He walked over to the chair near the bed as his godson was already in bed. Ginny held back and stood near the dresser.
‘Uncle Harry, Auntie Ginny? Is everything okay?’ Teddy said, looking from the two of them.
‘Everything is fine, don’t worry, Ted but we, I… just need to talk to you about something,'' Harry replied and clasped his hands together. He was nervous and hoped it was not showing. It broke Ginny’s heart to see her husband like this and wished she could help but she knew it was something she had to allow him to do alone, despite how hard it was.
‘Okay, is it about allowing Al to swim earlier alone? I said…’
‘Don’t worry, it is not about that’ Harry leaned forward and gave his shoulder a squeeze ‘it is about… me’
‘You know we have always spoken about your parents losing their lives in a war and how brave they were?’ Teddy nodded as Harry spoke ‘Well, there’s more. I wanted to protect you all from it but I realised a long time ago once you start school, I can’t protect you as much anymore’
‘I’m confused, what happened?’ Teddy asked, his voice high and Harry hinted a note of fear.
'Well, you know it was a war between good and evil? There was a bad guy. He was called… Lord Voldemort. Don’t go shouting that name all the time though. There’s people who are still scared but I don’t want you to be scared because he’s gone…. Because of me’ Teddy’s eyes widened but Harry carried on.
‘He tried to kill me as a baby but failed. He killed my parents the same night. I might tell you why one day when…. Anyways, usually when someone tries to kill you, that is it but he couldn’t kill me and it backfired. He became a shell of what he was until one day when I was a teenager, he came back and I was his number one attack. We were at war for four years then there was a battle. Where your parents died. Where I finally defeated him. It had to be me. I wanted to tell you in case there are whispers in the hall. I want you to know it is not you. They will know who you are, who your parents were and that you’re my Godson. It might take a while but I don’t want you to put off by it. I want you to excel and have the best time. It is what they want and it is what I want’
Teddy remained quiet as he processed what had just been told to him ‘Also’ Harry continued after a moment ‘you will see a memorial near the entrance hall and there’s a plaque. Your parents' names are on it. Ginny’s brother is on it. Don’t be sad when you see it. Be proud’
Teddy nodded. He remained silent then hugged his godfather. Harry softly chuckled before hugging him back.
A few weeks later, Harry and Ginny received a letter from Teddy. They had seen him off to school earlier in the day.
‘What does it say?’ she asked and walked closer to him.
‘He’s in Hufflepuff and….’ his voice broke a little ‘he is proud to be my godson and he vows to make me and his parents proud’
August 2015
It had been five years since Harry’s talk with Teddy who was excelling in every subject and was about to go into his seventh year - as head boy.
It was now James’ time to start school. He was excited to be at school with his godbrother - even though it was for one year.
The whole family were at The Burrow celebrating little Louis Weasley’s tenth birthday. James was currently chasing Albus’ around the garden who was nine.
Lily, who was now seven, was recovering from a breakdown after realising she still had four years before she could go to Hogwarts. She screamed when her cousin, Fred (who also was due to start school) dropped a balloon of water onto her and ran into her father’s arms.
‘Ah, Lily-pad, your cousin is just having a laugh. He doesn’t mean anything by it’ Harry chuckled as Lily clung onto her father for dear life.
‘Daddy, so cold!’ she cried. He half laughed, half sighed and walked towards the house. Ginny came out of the house with Hermione and Rose.
‘What happened? I’ll take her’ Ginny said and tried to take Lily but the little girl clung to her dad like ivy.
‘No, Daddy!’
‘Just Fred. I’ll sort her out. Also, I want to do it tonight’ Harry looked at James who was still chasing Albus who now had taken to a tree for a shelter.
‘Okay, I better sort the boys out before Albus has an accident’ Ginny replied with a sigh.
Later on, Harry was worried he would not have time to speak to James because Lily had made him read her three bedtime stories. He hid a yawn and saw his little girl had finally closed her eyes. She looked so peaceful asleep. She had her mother’s hair and it fanned over the pillow just like Ginny’s did.
‘Goodnight, Princess’ he kissed the top of her head.
‘Love you, Daddy’ she mumbled
‘I love you too, sweetheart,’ he sighed and left her room. Four years and he would have to tell her. Out of all his children, he was the most worried to tell her. Because she was the youngest, his little girl and he did not want to scare her.
James, on the other hand, Harry had to admit he was worried that James would not understand how serious it was. Like his namesake, he loved to have a laugh and being less than three months older than Fred, the whole family agreed they would probably have another James Potter I and Sirius Black on their hands - or a Fred and George.
Harry envied his son’s laid back approach on life and feared that telling him about Voldemort would ruin his perfect fun childhood but he knew, as always, he had to be the one to tell him.
Ginny was quietly closing Albus’ bedroom door as Harry walked out of Lily’s. They walked over to James’ door and stood for a moment.
‘Are you ready?’ she asked and turned to him.
‘I’ve put this off as long as possible. He goes to school in two days. He has to know,’ he sighed and knocked on his oldest son's door. There was a pause and James’ voice came through saying they could come in.
‘Whatever Albus has told you, it is a lie. He started it’ James mused as he flicked through a Quidditch magazine.
‘He actually didn’t tell me anything, James. Your father needs to talk to you,’ Ginny replied. James looked at her then Harry then nodded. He put the magazine down and turned to his Dad.
‘James, I need you to put your serious head on for a moment. I need to tell you something important’
‘If this is about me and Fred at Hogwarts, I promise that I’ll only do pranks on a weekend!’ James exclaimed with a smile.
‘This isn’t about you and Fred but it is good to hear you are putting your studies first’ Harry half laughed and sat down on James’ bed.
‘Dad, you’re worrying even me right now’
‘I don’t want to worry you, son. What I am about to tell you, I don’t want to scare you but I need you to take it seriously’
James nodded. Harry glanced back at Ginny then spoke.
‘I… I need you to know that people may treat you… differently because of your last name’
‘Oh I know, because Mum is kinda a big deal. Fred and I have already said we will not be friends with anyone who just wants to meet her or just scream ‘big Quidditch fans’. I get it!’ Both of his parents chuckled.
‘I wish it was just your Mum, because yes, she is a big deal’ Harry replied and looked back at Ginny who rolled her eyes but smiled.
'Oh, is it Uncle Ron? He’s always saying he’s famous. But really, I think he is just cashing in on Mum’s fame’
Ginny snorted and muttered ‘Definitely my son’
‘No, it is me,’ Harry said .
‘Because you catch the big scary guys?’
‘Something like that. Listen, when I was younger. There was a really big scary guy. He killed your Grandparents. He tried to kill me as a baby. He failed. Then came back and I had to be the one to stop him. I had to… he’s dead. There was a war. That is how Teddy’s parents were killed. Your Uncle Fred. I just need you to know because…’ his voice trailed off.
‘Your dad is the one who is the big deal. To everyone’ Ginny finished for him. Harry gave her a grateful smile and nodded.
James stayed quiet for a moment and seemed to think then said ‘So you’re kinda like James Bond then?’
‘When did you watch James Bond?’ Ginny asked and narrowed her eyes.
James went white and shook his head before muttering something that sounded like ‘Uncle Ron’.
Harry laughed and pulled his son into a hug. James protested at first and Harry ruffled his hair. James groaned but then relaxed.
‘So both my parents are famous? Well that settles it. I need to be more famous than you both!’ James said as Harry pulled away and fluffed his pillows.There was a sniffle from the corner and both Potter boys turned and saw his mother was trying not to get too emotional.
‘Mum, are you crying?’
‘No, I just… I can’t believe you’re going to school already. I need a…’ she walked out of the room.
‘Why is she crying? I’m not moving to Australia!’ James sighed.
‘Oh, James!’ Harry hugged his son ‘Listen, I need you to keep this between us. Your brother and sister are too young to understand’
‘Dad…’
‘It is important. Please’ James nodded and then Harry walked out of his room. Ginny was in the hallway in floods of tears.
‘I’m turning into my mother!’ she exclaimed. He laughed and walked over to her to hug her.
‘Our firstborn is going to Hogwarts. When did we get so old?’ he said. She laughed through the tears.
August 2017
Albus was always going to be different. Harry knew he would ask questions and would not let it rest until he had satisfactory answers. It was proving a struggle to find a good time to tell him but it was Ginny’s thirty sixth birthday that proved it was time to tell him.
He knew he should not have blamed James for it. Not at all. But he did not help. It had started with a small birthday party for Ginny and Albus had saved a piece of his homework to give to his Mum. Both his parents had decided to put them in muggle school for their childhood to learn different things.
It was a piece about who was your hero and Albus had written about Ginny. It was a lovely piece but it made James roll his eyes. He grabbed the piece of paper and read it. He was now 13 and officially was a nightmare of a teenager at times.
'This isn’t fair, Al! Dad is awesome too’
‘Yeah but more people know Mum’s name which is cool’
‘You what? You wait until you’re at school. Everyone…’ James fell silent with one look from his Dad.
‘That was close earlier’ Harry said later on as he and Ginny were in their room, getting ready for bed.
‘He wouldn’t have said anything. Not too much anyways. He has had two years at school already. He probably hears all sorts about you. He is proud of you. He wants to talk about it. He doesn’t understand yet,’ she replied with a soft smile.
‘There’s nothing to be proud of. My fate was decided before I was born! I just did what I had to do because no one else could’
‘Well, I’m extremely proud of you. I was when we were teenagers. I am now. You know that’ she walked over to him as he sat on the edge of the bed. She sat on his knee and he sighed.
‘I want nothing more than to crawl into bed with you right now and forget everything but I think it is time to talk to Albus. At least then, James can’t mess up then we need to talk about how to make sure there’s no slip ups with Lily’
Albus was reading Hogwarts: A History as his parents walked into his room. He watched them come in and sit down near his bed.
‘Getting a head start there, bud?’ Harry asked with a reassuring smile.
‘Auntie Hermione said it was best to start as soon as possible so I’ll remember because not everyone reads it and I’ll have to quote it all the time’ Albus replied, got a bookmark and closed the book.
‘Of course, she did,’ Ginny murmured with a smile.
‘Listen, Al, I gotta talk to you’ Albus nodded and Harry went into a similar speech he had given to both Teddy and James years previously.
‘But why, Dad? Why was it you?’ Albus’ questions came thick and fast just like Harry predicted they would.
‘You’re too young. Maybe one day…’ and Harry suddenly felt like Albus’ namesake and mentally slapped himself.
‘Oh, okay. So, this Voldemort ’ Albus whispered the name.
‘Don’t be afraid of the name. He is gone. Forever’ Harry replied, with a soft smile.
‘Okay, Voldemort. What did he want? What was his end goal?’
‘What do you mean, Al?’
‘Well, at school, we learnt about the muggle World War II and that guy Hilter, he wanted to get rid of all Jews, what was this Voldemort trying to eliminate? The bad guy is always trying to eliminate masses of people’ Albus asked with great interest.
‘You are so smart, you know that?’ Albus pulled a face at his father when he said that ‘No, it is a good thing, don’t think it not’
‘Just please don’t turn into your Uncle Percy, one is enough’ Ginny added with a shudder.
‘Back to Voldemort, Dad, who was he trying to eliminate?’
‘Muggle borns, like your Auntie Hermione. Like my mum’
Albus’ eyes widened ‘But why? I think muggle borns are great. Hermione is the smartest one in our family and she’s probably going to be Minister For Magic!
‘Some people believe that that magic should be kept between wizarding families’
‘I don’t understand’ Albus’ reply came.
Harry and Ginny exchanged looks of confusion and not quite know what to say then Ginny spoke
‘So you have families like mine, who are what are called purebloods. Because generations only had marriages between witches and wizards. There’s people like your Dad who are called half bloods because legit half and half but your grandmother was a witch…’
‘Grandma Lily, who Lily is named after?’
‘Yes, the very same. Then there are people like her and Auntie Hermione who were born with no magical blood but were chosen to study at Hogwarts. There is some people who don’t think that should happen’ Harry told him.
‘And these are the people who are purebloods? Sorry Mum, I know you are one but what kind of name is that? What makes them so pure? Good for you, Dad, if you had to end this Voldemort, he doesn’t sound like a good person,’ said Albus and shook his head.
‘I sometimes I forget you are only eleven. You are going to change the world with your brains’ Harry said, proudly. He hugged Albus then Ginny did. They opened the door and in fell James’, who just so happened to be holding an extendable ear.
‘I told you Dad was awesome didn’t I, Al!’ James grinned.
August 2019
It was now time to tell his youngest. His baby girl. He knew a weight would be lifted off his shoulders but at the same time, he was scared. Scared that his children were growing up too fast and he could not stop it.
Ron and Hermione were over with Rose and Hugo and had agreed to play some Quidditch. Ginny was inside doing some much needed housework - she truly did feel like her mother these days.
In the middle of the game, Lily accidentally tore her top and instead of fixing it by magic, Harry said he would go inside and get one. He walked into her bedroom and found Ginny looking through all the drawers and wardrobe.
‘Erm, Gin, are you okay?’ he asked, confused and looked around at the state of the room. He then saw open school books and he understood. He sighed and walked over to Ginny, who was currently in Lily’s truck and stopped her by grabbing her by the wrists.
‘Gin, Ginny, darling, ook at me. It is okay. Nothing is going to get her. Everything like that is gone. For good’ she looked at him and burst into tears. He pulled her into a hug and tucked her head under his chin.
‘I looked with James and Al when they started but only once. I keep having dreams about Lily. Bad ones. And she’s there, in the cold and the damp’ she cried as she grabbed hold of his t-shirt.
‘Nothing is going to happen. She is going to be okay’ he hushed her and kissed her hair.
‘She’s so like me. She’s been waiting for years to go. Watched her brothers. I’m scared of that…’
‘She is like you’ he pushed her away to look at her ‘but wonderfully so. She is so full of life. She sticks up to her brothers. She doesn’t take no for an answer. When she smiles, she looks like you. She’s going to be a trailblazer like you’ he looked at her then started to wipe away her tears with the pad of his thumb.
‘I’m being silly aren’t I?’ she whispered.
‘No, not at all. You are worried about her. She’s our baby girl. She completed our family but now at school, her and the boys will complete each other. They will come home to us though’ he replied and then hugged her again.
Later that night, after Ron, Hermione, Rose and Hugo had left, Harry wondered if it was time to tell Lily but he did not want to worry Ginny anymore. He tidied Lily’s room for her and she had managed to calm down after some wine.
‘Dad, is Mum alright? She’s been so quiet all afternoon,’ Albus said, walking into the kitchen after dinner and helped him with the dishes.
‘Yeah, she is okay’ they cleaned up in silence before Albus spoke again.
‘Are you telling Lily soon? Harry turned to his now thirteen old son and then looked at his fifteen old son in the living room.
'I think I’m going to tell her tonight. I just don’t know…’
‘You don’t know how she is going to take it. She’s tougher than she looks. She is just like…’
‘Your mother, I know’
Ginny had had a bath to help fully calm her down from her breakdown earlier. She walked back into the master bedroom to find Harry waiting for her on the edge of the bed.
‘Are you feeling better?’ he asked and held out his hand.
She took it ‘Yes. I just hope the dreams stop now’
‘I’ll hold you until they do,’ she smiled at him and nodded.
‘I heard you with Al earlier. Are you ready?’ she then asked. He stood up and nodded. They headed to Lily’s room who seemed to be looking for something.
‘Have you lost something, Lily-pad?’ Harry asked as they walked in.
‘Dad, I’m about to go to school! You can’t call me that anymore,’ Lily sighed ‘And yes, I can’t find my Qudditch through the ages book!’
‘I packed it away for you, don’t worry. Can we talk?’ She nodded at her father and they all sat down. It took Harry and a moment but he told her the same story he had told three times before. Not too much but enough for them to understand.
‘So both my parents are famous? No pressure for us then!’ Lily’s response was.
'Do you understand….?’ Harry’s voice trailed off.
‘Yes, Dad, I do. How old were you when you had to do that?’
‘I was seventeen’
‘That is incredibly brave. Every girl thinks their Dad is a hero and can walk on water but you actually are’ she said with a smile.
‘Well, I don’t know about that last part…’
‘No offence, but can you shut up and take the compliment?’ Ginny snorted and coughed to stop herself from laughing more.
‘Exactly like you’ Harry said to his wife and shook his head but laughed.
They then went quiet as they could hear shuffling outside and noises…
'.... James, stop it! Just let them talk’
‘... Shut up, Al! I’m listening’
‘.... No, I won't’
Harry took his wand out of his pocket and pointed it at the door. James and Albus fell into Lily’s room.
‘So we all know now?’ James said and quickly stood up. Albus tutted and rolled his eyes before standing up.
‘Yes, come on, there is something I want to say to all you’ Harry replied. Albus and James walked forward and sat at either side of Lily.
‘How long is this going to take? All this pink, flowers and fairies is hurting my eyes, ' James said and gestured towards the room. Albus scoffed and Lily slapped him on the arm.
'I just want to say, this conversation I have had with each of you before you have started school, I used to drend because I didn’t want you to view me any differently, be scared or act a different way…’
‘We would never do that. I mean, you are always on my case but you still are the best Dad in the world’ James started to say.
‘Yeah, me and James don’t agree on a lot but that I have to agree with. If anything, it has made me respect you more,’ Albus added.
‘I haven’t had as long to understand as the boys but I agree. Thank you for telling us, Dad’ Lily finished with a smile.
‘I could not have asked for three better children. You are so different in your own ways. It is hard for your mum and I to see Lily go in a few weeks’ Harry took Ginny’s hand ‘but we are so proud of you and we can’t wait to see what you do. Have fun at school and please stick together’
‘Even if you are in different houses’ he added with a glance at James and Albus. James sighed and then laughed before pulling Albus into a hug. Albus protested but hugged his brother back for a moment.
‘I will say though, Lil, if you’re not in Gryffindor, I’m moving in with Uncle George. I can’t take it if you’re a Slytherin too’
Harry laughed before pulling all his children in for a big family hug.