It was never the same. The world was bleak, full of dark grays and dull browns. Except in the nightmares; no, the nightmares never came without bright and threatening reds, cruel greens, and sometimes, the never-ending blues of his previous mentor's eyes. Nothing was what it used to be.

Harry Potter, the wizarding world's savior, had not been seen for over three years. Hushed whispers could be heard, as witches gossiped over the possibilities. The Weasleys were rarely out in public; only the older children had continued with their lives.

A lanky frame leaned precariously against the railings, peering through the dust. Voices could be slightly heard coming from the kitchen. Grimmauld Place had changed very little since Harry's fifth year, and he refused to do anything about it. As he strained to hear Hermione's newest plan to convince him to get out, he grimaced. Nothing she had done had been able to make a difference. Every night, his nightmares took over, until he could see them when he was awake. He slowly walked back to his old bedroom. He had chosen to be in the one he shared with Ron many years ago. It had no bad memories tied with it-not like Sirius' bedroom, or the drawing room, or even the kitchen where he had first learned he would receive Occlumency.

"Harry?"

He slowly turned, his dull green eyes meeting Hermione's pitying face.

"Listen, Teddy is coming over today."

Harry blinked in shock. He had tried his best to not think about… Remus. How could he have forgotten Teddy?

"We won't leave him alone with you, but… I thought you may want to see him. I know you've never met, but I felt it was time to revise that." As she said this, Hermione nervously wrung her hands out, meticulously twisting them over and over. The deafening silence grew longer.

"Harry, please. Please talk to one of us. To Ginny, or to me- anything! We want to help you."

He slowly rose his head to meet her teary gaze. Her eyes- they were filled with grief, anguish, sorrow….Harry had tried to speak, but nothing ever came. He could only scream.

Hermione let out a deep, shuddering breath.

"I'll get your lunch for you. Don't let me catch you tossing out the window again, or I'll charm it to never open."

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- It could have been minutes, it could have been hours. Harry was yet again precariously perched on the railing, staring down. Teddy had arrived, even if he couldn't see or hear him. The air just seemed…. lighter. The sun had come out, and it was straining into the house, making everything less dull.

"Harry? Will you please come down?"

Hermione's piercing voice broke the rare peace Harry had found. He sighed, and shuffled to a standing position. As he slowly descended the stairs, he was met with five separate faces.

Hermione stood, her hand entwined with Ron's. Ron was awkwardly shifting his gaze to Harry, and then to the floor. Andromeda Tonks was wearily looking at the hole in the wall where Sirius' mother had once resided.

Harry's eyes halted when he saw them. Her fiery hair lit the entry up, her warm eyes seeming to stare into the depths of his soul. Tearing his gaze from her, he finally found Teddy. The young boy was standing next to Ginny, grasping her cloak with a fat fist. He looked at Harry, and his hair began to grow longer and darker, until it was an exact replica of Harry's shaggy look.

"Teddy, I'd like you to meet Harry. He's your godfather."

"Hawwy? Gin always talks about Hawwy. Hawwy knew daddy!"

Teddy ran towards Harry, tripping directly in front of him. Five separate sets of arms reached to catch him, yet no one was more surprised than Harry to find Teddy in his arms.

"Hawwy, can we go outside?"

The other exchanged glances, and Hermione began to reach for Teddy.

"Now Teddy, Harry is tired and-"

"Ok."

Everyone froze as Harry spoke. Teddy beamed, playfully kicking his legs in excitement.

"Yay! Let's go now!"

Harry smiled, his eyes filled pain and sorrow, yet there was something more-

A light.

Hermione grinned at the pair's retreating backs, as they exited.

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The world was alive again. The pungent odor of vendors and sounds of children's laughter reached Harry as he pushed Teddy's swing. The nightmares were almost gone.

They came rarely now, only on days when Teddy had been sick, or had to be punished. The boy was Harry's savior.

Harry looked at Ginny, who was attempting to buy food with muggle money, and grinned. It would never be the same, yet, he was whole again.