Next Generation: Their Story

Teddy

`I'll never know them. All I have is stories, and pictures.'

Teddy Lupin, while he may be generally happy, he could never truly shake the melancholy that held on tightly to him. As much as he wanted to see the sacrifice in his parents decision, all he could think about was the way that they were never there to see him grow up. To see him grow up. In their minds, he would always be that little, smiling baby. He cried. He cried for hours in the room that he'd lived in since he was a baby. He loved Grandma Andy, he really did. Uncle Harry to. His godfather had answered all his questions without sugarcoating. Honestly, and without giving out his opinions. He loved hi for it. But he knew that nothing could replace that knowledge that your parents could give you. He was an orpahn for life. It was something that his godfather could understand. He looked at one of the few pictures that he had of both his parents with him as an infant. Though his father was pale and tired looking(was the full moon far away?) he was happy. Teddy could see that. His mother was just the living image of laughter, of beauty, in his eyes. Hre hair was dark purple and pixie-cut, her eyes a vivid green(though he knew that naturally they were brown). He took a breath shaky breath and let it out. He sat for a few moments silence before he heard his grandmother knocking on his bedroom door.

"Teddy? What are you doing up so late? You need to get some sleep. The train is coming tomorrow."

Teddy observed her graying hair. Her wrinkled face. Her dark eyes. This was not his mother. He thought of Harry, who had dark, messy hair. Green eyes. He was not his father. He had no parents.

Just an orpahn. Never a son. Just an orphan.

He gave a weak smile smile for his grandmother.

"Aw, c'mon Grandma Andy. I'll be alright. I'm a big boy after all."

His grandmother rolled his eyes.

"Teddy. I know you. What bothering you? You've never been so quiet at dinner." she sat down next to him and put her arm around his shoulders. She gaave him a lingering kiss on the temple and looked at him.

"I just...I'm am orphan Grandma Andy. My parents died long before my first birthday and they'll never know if I like pulling pranks, or if I like treacle tart, bloody hell they don't even know if I love them or not!" he was breathing heavily now his hair turning dark and his eyes were moving across the color spectrum. Normally swearing like that would earn him some kind of tongue-tieing curse but his grandmother seemed deaf to his words.

"C'mon. We're going. Get up, and put on some clothes." She stood up and waited for Teddy to get his pants on. He froze on his bed and looked at his grndmother, wondering if his pranks had finally drove her mental.

"Where are we going? What are you talking about?" She gestured for him to stand up adn waved her wand. A par of pants sailed into his face.

"C'mon. Get movin' we're going." her insistence was getting on his nerves but he got ready.

"Seriously, Grandma Andy, it's the middle of the night. Where are we going to go?"Teddy furrowed his brow and, like anytime when his emotions were starting to run away with him, his hair changed colors.

"We're going to Harry's. I see you've finished getting dressed. Let's go." While Teddy was against going to Harry's in the middle of the night, he couldn't argue with his formiddable grandmother. So, the went throught the halls of the house and arrived in the living room and stood in front of the fireplace.

"Really grandma Andy, this isn't necessary. Besides Harry and Ginny probably want to sl-"His grandmother cut across him.

"No I think he will appreciate me telling him this. He probably wants to speak to you as well."

Teddy sighed as he grabbed a handful of Floo powder and stepped into the fireplace, calling for Harry's home. He was sure the ruckus would wake Harry and his family. He felt like a misbehaving child.

He heard Harry's footsteps coming toward him. As he rounded the corner, Teddy saw his wand first. Teddy rolled his eyes. After peace for thirteen years, he should have more confidence in the safety of his house.

"Oh, Teddy it's just you. What are you doing here? Are you causing trouble?" Harry's voice was ruffled from sleep and he let out a yawn. Teddy felt a pang of guilt. If he wasn't so bleeding difficult Harry could ahve sleep and Andy wouldn't be so grayed and-. His thoughts were interrupted by Harry's worried tone. He covered it up with humor.

"`Just me' C'mon Harry. You can't be bored of me already! I'm awesome, right? Can't get enough of me." He even gave a short bark of laughter, but knew that Harry could see through his deception.

"Teddy. Really? What's wrong?" Harry stepped forward and all signs of exhaustion disappeared. Teddy collapsed onto the couch and covered his eyes and supported himself on his knees.

"I guess I already know, huh?" Harry sat next to his godson, and looked at him.

"It's just...I wish I knew them. I want them to raise me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate and love all everyone's done for me, but...it's just not the same. I mean, you wanted your parents, right? You weren't ever just content having everyone else?" Teddy's voice was getting hoarse with emotion and his eyes were watering. He looked up at his godfather, not even concealing his tears, knowing that to Harry it made no difference.

"Yeah, I wanted my parents to. At the same time, I just couldn't help but think that it could have been worse. I could have gone through my entire life being unloved and ended up no better than Voldermort. But I didn't. I had people who loved me and I loved them too. I know that it's easy to just look at th dark side of things and not think positively. But that not what it's about. It's about understanding the sacrifice that your parents made so you could have a happier life. They did it for you Teddy. I know that they want to be with you and raise you themselves. But if the choice lay between you being in a safe happy world, or them alive, but you seeing the worst things the world the world can offer." Harry's voice was thoughtful and sad. Teddy knew that Harry missed his parents just like Teddy. Teddy smiled lightly and gave Harry a hug.

"Thanks, Harry. You really know how to cheer up a bloke." Teddy grinned as his godfather blushed.

"Nah, that's Mione's department. I just talk too much." Harry rubbed the back of his neck.

"I should get some sleep. Gotta go back to Hogwarts looking great as usual." Harry gave a chuckle and patted Teddy's back.

"You better get to it, or Andy'll have my hide."

"Are you scared of her Harry. Really? Wow, Harry, you don't have any guts at all do you?" Before Harry could protest, Andy's voice penetrated the quiet room.

"I can be quite frightening Theodore." Teddy gave a start, and for a moment his features were wrought with fear. He coughed to hide his embarrassment.

"Hello, Andy!" Harry said pleasantly giving Andy a wide smile. Obviously he was finding Andy's sudden appearance entertaining.

"Hello Harry. James and Albus still giving you trouble?"

"You bet," Harry answered, laughing "though, I'm sure Angelina and George have more trouble with Fred."

"Naturally."

"Well, as much as I'd like to stay and chat, I do have work tomorrow." Harry started to look tired again.

"Of course. C'mon, you first, Teddy. Harry needs his sleep."

"Okay, okay. G'bye Harry!" And Teddy left for his home.

"He went to his room, and changed out of his jeans, and got into his bed, with his heart and mind feeling so much lighter.

"Teddy?" Andy called poking her head in the door.

"Yes?"

"If you stay up this late, curse, or get cheeky like that again, I'll hex your tongue to the roof of your mouth for a week."

Teddy groaned."Sorry Grandma Andy."

Andy gave a sweet and loving smile."Forgiven. Good night Teddy."

"Goodnight, Andy."

`Goodnight mom and dad.'