Um, hello. So, I wrote this little prologue here at midnight last night when I couldn't sleep, and since then, I've written two other drafts. I've had this idea for a while, and now I've finally written it out. If all goes well, I suppose I'll make it my summer project. Actually, I really wanted to write a series of Remus/Tonks one-shots, but I also thought I should do something with a plot so I can actually have a stopping point. So, I slapped some plot in there and here you have... this fic.

Also, please don't kill me for the slightly poor quality. I wasn't as motivated to write this chapter as I am to write the rest, when it's actually kicked into gear. And I also spent three hours finalizing this so there aren't huge plot holes, because in the first two versions, there were several. So, I hope it's actually decent now.

Enjoy.


Prologue

He was missing Victoire's birthday. He promised her he'd go. He wanted to go — everyone would be there, and she was his best friend. He told himself to go, but somehow, it was a struggle to move from his position, perched on a tree stump at the edge of the forest.

"Teddy," Andromeda called. She stood on the porch with her arms folded across her chest. "I have something for you."

At first, he didn't respond; he wanted to be alone. Finally, though, curiosity got the best of him. "What is it?"

When she approached him, her eyes were bloodshot — she had been crying. But he didn't look at them for long. His eyes drifted to the glass vile in her hand. A long, silvery-blue string drifted about. "I was supposed to give this to you on your seventeenth birthday, but I think now's a better time." She placed the vile in his hand and walked away, leaving him alone with the mysterious substance.

He didn't have the slightest idea what it could be, but the glow captivated him. He lightly shook the vile, as if it would somehow reveal something to him. Suddenly, a loud crack sounded from behind him. He heard his grandmother say, "He's over there," and footsteps carefully made their way toward him.

"You're missing the party," Harry muttered. Teddy quickly shoved the vile in his pocket. "Everyone's looking for you."

"Well, you can tell them I'm here," he retorted bitterly. "Why should I celebrate the day my parents were murdered?"

Harry jumped a bit, taken aback by the last word. "You know, not everything that happened that day was bad. The entire Wizarding world was saved. They died to protect you." He sighed. "They wouldn't want you to be sad. In fact, I'm certain they'd rater you be out celebrating."

Teddy bit his lip, considering it. "Alright, I'll go," he agreed quietly. Harry squeezed his shoulder and walked by his side toward the house.


The crowd cheered as Harry entered with Teddy close behind. They greeted him happily, but soon left him alone. Once he wished Victoire a happy birthday, he sat down on the couch, isolated from everyone.

He grew so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear his godfather enter the room. When he looked up, Harry was in the chair across from him. "If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone," Teddy murmured. He squeezed the small tube in his pocket.

Harry didn't say anything more, but he also didn't leave. Finally, he asked, "Are you excited to start school next — "

"Can you tell me what this is?" He had barely listened to his godfather's attempt to make small talk; he had suddenly grown extremely curious about the "gift".

When Harry saw the vile, his bright green eyes grew wide and slightly alarmed. "Where did you get that?"

"Andromeda gave it to me," he explained. "Said I wasn't supposed to have it until I turned seventeen. I think it's from my parents — that's why she had it."

Harry continued to gape. "That - that's a memory." He blinked rapidly. "Have you ever heard of a pensieve?"

"A what?" Teddy leaned forward to listen more closely.

"A pensieve. It allows one to view memories as if they were there, at the scene."

Teddy took in the words carefully. "Are you saying my parents left me with memories before they died?"

Harry sighed. "I wouldn't put it past your mum," he admitted. "She must have saved them for you before she came to fight." His eyes were glossy; tears lingered in the corners, threatening to emerge at any point.

A silence lingered between them, not quite comfortable, but not quite awkward either. Teddy swallowed, then whispered, "I don't suppose you know where I could find one of these penstives, or whatever they're called?"

For the longest moment, Harry remained silent, thinking. "I might know a place."


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