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The morning in Diagon Alley is always full of busyness, people from all over England crowded the place because there is the center of everything, children who want to buy school supplies, parchments, potions, magic wands, pets, even necessities and poisons can be found in the dirty corners of Diagon Alley.
Too crowded and noisy for every day.
The shop doors creaked, small bells rang every time the witch went in and out, and in the air mingled the smell of potions, new parchment, and the thin smoke from the fireworks shop that had been experimenting too often, the streets were muddy with the small specks that had somewhat subsided from the morning.
On the southwest side of the street stood one of the busiest and noisiest shops in the entire magic alley.
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes
Behind its glass windows full of colorful posters are children jumping up and playing with games provided by the shop owner, small leucons tucked into each game played, small fireworks erupting inside bottles, and candy boxes that can make one hiccup for ten minutes neatly arranged on tall shelves.
Inside the store, the sound of children's laughter mixed with the voices of adults who were half annoyed and half amused by what was being played in the store, cheers and laughter were incessantly in the store because of the jokes made by the king of today's greatest jokes, who else if not George Weasley.
Standing near the entrance the red-haired old man with a thin scar on his eyebrows was patting the shoulder of a boy of about 13 years old who was holding a chocolate joke.
"Gideon, if you give that chocolate to all your friends in hogwrats" George said holding back a laugh, "They'll look crazy for a few minutes."
The boy Gideon Weasley laughed out loud because he was affected by the chocolate he ate, a little crazy because he ate a lot, his eyes red from crying while laughing, thinking that he shouldn't believe anything given by his grandfather George a king of jokes who didn't look at his biological grandchildren or anyone else he was going to work with.
Gideon Weasley is the Only Child of Fred Weasley II and his partner Isadora Arabell, a mixed-blood witch.
Next to him stood another man who was much taller, his hair was light purple with a slight silvery hue that was strange if exposed to Light.
It's Teddy Lupin.
He bowed slightly with his slightly watery eyes seemingly done with what had been bothering him for the past few minutes, Teddy quickly tidied up his appearance and looked at George with a somewhat restrained laugh.
"Merlin Beards, How could you give that worst chocolate joke to your grandson? I swear it was the worst thing I've ever eaten other than dragon's breath before... and Uncle George please Stop giving Gideon such a thing" said Teddy with a slight sigh, "Your wife's Angelina will blame me too if her grandson gets into trouble"
George snorted.
"Ah, Angelina Weasley always blames someone, I'm the one who has years of experience to tame the Woman, oh what is the point of a joke if it's not played by a teddy, this old man just needs a little entertainment for his grandson" George replied with a smile.
Gideon Weasley, who had recovered, immediately picked up the joke box under the storefront, he returned to his grandfather and uncle while holding a small box of purple candy, never feeling satisfied before trying all the experiments his grandfather had made.
"Grandpa, I want to try this one now"
"Not in the store!" said George quickly. "Go out first, then you can do it."
Teddy opened the door of the shop, small bells ringing as they stepped outside, the air of Diagon Alley felt colder outside, but the streets seemed to remain crowded.
Some witches passed by with shopping bags, and there were a few children running around with candy in their hands, Some stopped to stick their faces to look at the window of the potion shop. There was one standing near the bookstore, and many children surrounded his shop at this time, the Weasley store was always crowded.
Gideon ran small and stopped right in the middle of the crossroads in front of the store, and ate the purple candy quickly before finally the effect that came on his body was a bit too extreme to be received, his small body began to circle to form a balloon, expand and float in the air like a balloon and finally began to deflate little by little which made the people around them notice them.
Gideon laughed giggling when he received the effect, just like the people around him, several children immediately gathered into the store interested in buying a joke that was promoted indirectly by Gideon, George beside him also laughed proudly at what his grandson did.
Teddy patted Gideon's shoulder gently.
"Alright, Gideon, I have to leave now."
"Now? But you promised to accompany me to the potion shop..." Gideon snorted childishly, he stepped one step to the side holding Teddy's left hand tightly not wanting to let go because Teddy was his favorite uncle besides James of course.
"I still have a lot of work has to do,"
Gideon made a disappointed face, the child hung on his tag and did not want to let go.
Teddy patted his head softly." Later we will eat ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, how about it?"
Gideon let go of his hand, the boy immediately smiled happily.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
George stood at the door of the store with his hands on his waist.
"If your grandmother and mother find your teeth hurt again, for Merlin's sake I'll let you take to the muggle dental hospital and pull out all your broken teeth."
"Grandpa!" protested Gideon angrily.
George laughed.
Some of the customers in the store turned their heads strangely towards them, George immediately carried Gideon who was grumbling in his front carrier and turned to Teddy who was going down two steps in front of the store.
"See you later, Gideon and Uncle George"
George raised his hand, and Gideon followed.
"Be careful on the road, Teddy!"
"Be careful on Uncle Teddy's way."
Teddy started walking away from the shop, raising his hands in return waves, His steps were relaxed and light, but his head was full of what he was going to do after returning to the ministry again, the work was piling up, the war was long over, but some old houses and old pureblood continued to advance into the political realm in the ministry to take some of the seats of power that they had long claimed.
The Ministry of Magic had long changed unlike the old days since the era of Cornelius Fudge, new laws had been established especially the laws about muggles and mixed bloods that had changed since the new era of Hermoine Weasley serving as the Minister of Magic. Many of Teddy's family and acquaintances are now in their ministry, taking over not to rule but to balance so that the law continues to run as it should.
Teddy thought about how the laws of magic would continue to change and be competent in the future because he himself was placed in the legal and supervision section for people of mixed blood.
But a few meters he walked and not far from George's shop, something made his steps slow down, his instinct told him to stop, the change in the streets made him pay attention around, the street that was originally noisy now turned quiet.
Some people who had been walking normally suddenly slowed down their steps and some others turned their heads.
There was a small whisper murmuring from some of the witches who got out of the way of the street
Slowly.
And doubts.
An old witch whispered to herself in the crowd "Who is that?"
At the end of the road, four figures had just walked out of the crowd after floo in one of the shops there, the aura around them felt heavy so that people stepped aside so as not to block their way
A young man with long curly hair dangling from the reins of a horse tail backwards with a clear graceful aura walked with his shoulders upright looking ahead with an extraordinary confident gaze, he walked through the crowd with a relaxed step, not in a hurry, yet every step of his foot felt so steady and weighty.
Together with a young woman who was no less graceful beside him walked straight forward, and two little children who accompanied them on their right and left respectively.
They didn't look flashy in the usual sense, There were no strange clothes, they were like ordinary moneyed witches, like a family of rich witches who were walking down the diagon alley to buy some things.
Yet there was something strange in the way they walked.
Like the old noble family, pure and ancient, the characteristics of an old witch noble that had begun to be forgotten, especially with the pale blonde hair of the children instantly reminded many people of the old pureblood family line. There were two children between them, one had pale blonde curls and striking green eyes, and the smaller had black two-look hair and curly blonde hair tied slightly behind the striking green eyes emanating from these two children.
Teddy stopped unconsciously.
His heart beat a little faster, feeling familiar with the person he was seeing.
Some witches began to whisper more clearly.
"Which family is the pureblood from?"
"Malfoy?"
"Merlin, do you think the child of the Malfoy family is married"
"The children... Malfoy's hair is so bad."
"And that man's eyes..."
"Doesn't that remind you of someone?."
Teddy looked at them.
Something in his chest felt strange.
He couldn't explain why.
At the door of the store, George ran to the teddy who was not far in front of his shop and also noticed the same direction.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Who is that?"
Teddy didn't answer.
He kept paying attention.
The young man walked over without paying attention to the whispers.
It seems that he is used to being observed.
As if the world wasn't important enough to make him stop.
However when the group passed Teddy and George there was a strange aura that made them stare for a moment, the green eyes moved for a moment before finally switching to Staring in the direction of continuing their steps.
Very fast gaze.
But it was enough for Teddy to see it clearly, And his heart was beating harder never like this, there was something familiar that slowly began to emerge from the base of his memory, the buried one that slowly wanted to rise as if wanting to awaken him to remember it.
George frowned.
"Strange."
Teddy finally spoke quietly.
"George."
"Hm?"
"That man..."
George was still staring at the road.
"Yes?"
Teddy didn't answer right away." It's okay," he finally said quietly.
George raised an eyebrow.
"Okay?"
Teddy shook his head slightly, still staring at the man's back who was walking further and further in the direction of the ministry." Just... His face felt familiar."
George snorted smallly.
"In Diagon Alley? Half of the people here have familiar faces, oh come on, don't act like you didn't grow up as often as you visit this place, teddy," George said as he hugged Teddy intimately, then let go after seeing Teddy relaxed.
Teddy smiled faintly.
"Yes."
But he kept staring until the group disappeared in the crowd on the way to the path to the magic ministry where Teddy wanted to go.
And for some reason...
that strange feeling didn't go away.
The crowd in Diagon Alley moved back to normal after the group passed. The people who had been whispering started to continue their steps, some went into the potion shop, others walked towards the bank or bookstore. The sound of conversation again mingled with the ringing of shop door bells and the small explosion of fireworks experiments in the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.
But for the two people standing in front of the store, time seemed to be held back by one second for too long.
George put his arm around Teddy's shoulder and dragged him towards the store. Again intended to persuade his nephew not to go to the ministry, because there were some things he needed to show Teddy.
But he stopped when his hand held the handle of the store door with his hand half raised. He was about to go back in but his movement just stopped. His body stiffened slightly, like someone who had just seen something that wasn't supposed to exist.
Beside him, Teddy Lupin also flinched, standing one step on the last rung of the stairs.
The crowd moved between them, but the two of them seemed to be standing in a strange little silent space.
George finally blinked slowly, then took a short breath as if he was conscious.
"No way," he muttered.
Teddy didn't answer.
He was still staring straight at the road, as if if he blinked just once, the memories that had just touched his mind would disappear, the thoughts moved deeper and deeper into the old memories that he was trying to forget, just like the other family members in front of him at this time.
A few seconds passed.
George finally stepped down the steps of the store, facing the teddy in front.
"Okay," he said half-laughing, a voice that was too forced to sound relaxed. "I must have drank too much Butterbeer last night."
Teddy shook his head slightly.
"George..." His tone was low.
Almost like someone who was afraid to say something out loud, yes they both started to realize, they knew him but were too scared to say that long-disappeared name, damn merlin, yes damn this fate is impossible if there isn't a significant change that can make all of this possible, there's no sign of this is a normal day even this isn't a new year, Christmas, or any other special day that Teddy knows. What makes it Back now? His mind conjures together possible possibilities that can make this plausible and a denial that he hopes is good for everyone involved.
George turned his head, Ah that's right, this is what he had been looking forward to for a long time and scared at least, don't ask him how he feels now because it will be the same as the rest of the family.
Teddy's gaze made the smile on his face fade instantly, that's right...
There was a very rare expression on the face of Teddy Lupin, his adopted nephew, doubts mixed with sudden sadness such as loss, an expression that Teddy always emitted when visiting his parents' grave, Professor Lupin and Tonks, from a young age George knew Teddy as a cheerful child who was filled with a smile seeing a little sadness that was rarely shown by Teddy made George's heart feel a little painful.
George followed the direction of his gaze again.
The crowd had already closed the road. People passed by as usual. There are no more groups that make people get out of the way.
Yet the scene was still too clear in their heads, in the heads of George and Teddy, how those green eyes stared at the two of them just a fleeting glance capable of evoking old memories of someone missing.
Very characteristic green eyes, George swallowed slowly.
"is it possible" He muttered again.
Teddy finally turned his head.
His eyes widened slightly, like someone who had just opened the door of an old memory that had been locked for too long.
"George... Do you remember-"
George raised his hand quickly.
"Don't."
Teddy stopped.
George stared at the road again.
His hands were now behind his neck, rubbing the skin like a person who suddenly felt uncomfortable, goosebumps all over his body.
"You know what you're thinking," he said quietly.
Teddy nodded slightly. "Yes... Albus" he whispered at the end of the sentence."
George took a deep breath. "And it's impossible... I mean it's been a long time, why did he come back? Albus Is Back? Why? After twelve years why did he come back, I mean come on, teddy is impossible isn't it hahahah" George laughed awkwardly letting go of their serenity.
"No way it's him, come on..."
Teddy turned his head again in the direction where the group had passed.
Old memories start to appear uninvited.
A boy with curly black hair stood in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place, holding a small green scarf while trying to look brave in front of his brother and cousin, who looked different from the rest of the family.
A child who is more quiet, and prefers to be quiet in a corner.
Who often stands behind the dining table, listening to adults talk.
Who has the same eyes as his father who is famous as a magic savior, sanagt is similar but different in some ways. Albus Severus Potter had been missing for over 12 years, ran away from his extended family home when he was 15 years old when he was in his fifth year at Hogwarts just as the OWL Exams were about to start, disappeared without a trace without giving any signal even though he was just a minor, there were many prejudices and prejudices associated with the disappearance of his nephew Albus, but the accusation was given to only one person closest to him, the child was Scorpius Malfoy who had always been Albus's friend since his school days at Hogwrats and occupied the same dormitory as him.
The intogration with Scorpius Malfoy took 1 full year to complete, the members of the Potter family who felt lost were very desperate and tried various ways to find whatever it was that was left behind, the signal or plan of where their child was going, the worst way to do it was to watch the memories of Scorpius Malfoy in the panssive that was in the ministry, and the repeated surveillance for almost 3 years due to the prejudice that never escaped whether there was a signal or not from the person who lost it.
No one knows where Albus went, the extended family has been looking for him with a great search for the size of the dive for years and even today the report of his disappearance has never been closed, Harry potter godfather Teddy is the most devastated person since the loss of his middle child. At worst until several times in the early years since Albus disappeared, he was treated at st mangos due to excessive stress and mental stress, the mental burden it carried.
Albus Severus potter is still very similar to his father especially with green eyes that are too bright to forget, yes only Albus inherited his father's famous green eyes even his two brothers only have a light brown color like their mother.
Teddy swallowed slowly.
"Merlin's Beard" he muttered.
George looked at him quickly, the man in his 50s rubbed his face roughly, his mind drifted out of nowhere, thinking of the changes that had happened so quickly, George thought maybe they should immediately move to report to the ministry or go straight to the potter's house to meet his sister Ginny and tell her right away. George shook his head vigorously while staring wildly at Teddy, he quickly climbed the stairs and held Teddy's shoulder firmly. "Ted, we have to go."
"Now!"
His voice was a little louder than before, Some people on the street turned their heads for a moment before walking again.
George lowered his voice again,
"We have to tell the potter family, Ginny will definitely be looking forward to this meeting, 12 years old albus finally showed his face not even a sign anymore as we expected, Ginny, Harry, James and even my little lily will definitely be happy."
"Uncle...-"
"All the family will be very happy ted, in fact this should be a good sign isn't it, do you see the two children beside him, and... And the woman was that his wife? Isn't my granddaughter's niece very cute, a great woman who can give birth to two very perfect children, did you see that child's face just now? Isn't it perfect to have two grandchildren, nephews at once... we should have be—"
"Uncle Geoge!"
George gasped.
"The man... Hey-"
He stopped.
Because before even those words were finished, both of them already knew the answer, Twelve years is not a short time, A fifteen-year-old can be a grown man in that time, the mature handsome man he saw was most likely his middle nephew who had been missing for twelve years, Merlin was kind enough to take him to England immediately, and for some reason they didn't care, he Returned, Albus Severus Potter the lost man had Returned.
And they were sure the blood magic that the potter and Weasley families had already placed would recognize their descendants, some family members would notice, because blood was thicker than water.
Teddy rubbed his face roughly, The green eye shadow appeared again but this time he had a pretty good feeling about this, his hunch was never wrong.
"Yes."
George shook his head slowly. "I've known him since he was a baby" His voice was softer now. "Merlin... I was even the first one to hold him when he was born."
Teddy remembered also, it was a very divisive day for all the members of the family the birth of rose Weasley his other nephew, 2 days after that albus was born in the evening in the middle of winter, people would be celebrating Christmas 1 month more and albus was born with Happy hope,
At the house out the family laughter of the family members, Uncle Harry stood with a panicked and happy mixed face holding his second child proudly and showing it off to several family members, And the little baby opened bright green eyes for the first time, the same eyes that his father had.
George rubbed his face. "If that's really him..."
Teddy looked at her.
George finished the sentence with a slow breath.
"... so Merlin helped us all."
"Hurry up, tell Harry right away"