Teddy's body lengthened quickly over just one year. He grasped onto Tonk's devilish wit at only three and became a passive manipulator with his charming half-tooth filled mouth. He had every characteristic of his parents perfectly blended so at any given point he would intrigue those around him with recollections. He was a walking, talking memory of his parents.

Andromeda, who was older now, began traveling to different countries for no particular reason except to forget all of her losses. Harry had asked once if he, Ginny, and Teddy should join her sometime, but she only waved a withered hand and shook her head. With every pain she had suffered in the world, she only wanted to be alone.

Harry took Teddy to see his mother and father's graves sites nearly weekly. Ginny never felt it was appropriate for her to visit with them, so she only let Harry accompany Teddy. Teddy would play on the soft earth with flowers Harry had grown over the green mounds. The child would giggle, dig his fingers into the dirt that had settled long ago, and throw rocks and small pebbles he could find into the hedges. Harry left him alone during his exploring escapades and would walk over to his parent's graves not ten paces away. The solitude of the cemetery became overwhelming after about an hour, so Harry would lift Teddy from the ground into his arms which had now developed into a mans' and take him home.

Harry's depression had taken full swing by Teddy's third birthday. He watched solemnly as Teddy would play, never joining in on the innocent fun. It was not until Teddy had reached for Harry's hand in an early afternoon in September. His hand was so small compared to Harry's. It hit him like a truck: oh yes, Harry was taking fairly well care of this child, but was he really bonding? Teddy understood everything, so why didn't Harry just let the child fix what had been broken years ago? Harry grabbed Teddy and wrapped him into his arms, crying into his tiny shoulder. The child patted his back for a minute before he cried too, for no reason other than the only parent he knew was doing just that. As Teddy wailed, trying to escape Harry's grasp, Harry's tears abated when he realized he would soon hug the kid to death. He chuckled softly and said:

"C'mon, Teddy, lets get your PJ's on for your nap, sound good?"

The child wiped his runny nose on the long shirt. His eyes, a wonderful blue, looked up at Harry and twinkled.

Harry looked away as he lifted the child. He ruffled his teal hair and changed him into his favorite Chudley Cannon's outfit.

"Right. Try and sleep okay? Things will change, Teddy, I promise. No more sadness…It's over…." Harry trailed off. He shut the door and turned into the hallway. His mind wandered with hopes he wanted to never be false.