"Are you always around here?" My voice betrayed my curiosity and Hugo laughed as he removed a piece of cereal from his hair. Lily just groaned and sunk further down in her chair. She was not a morning person.

"It was Lily's fault. She was determined to win so I just stayed the night," he grinned widely getting up to hunt the surrounding cupboards for yet more food. Hesitantly I chewed on my toast.

"Teddy's here," Ginny called. Vaguely I tried to recall anything Lily had told me about Teddy. I came up with nothing.

Lily seemed to stiffen at her mother's word.

My eyes widened at the blue coloured hair of Teddy Lupin. His muggle attire of jeans and a plain black shirt showed of his developed muscles. Running a tried hand through his hair he took the only spare seat at the table.

"Hey Ted," Hugo slapped him on the back before refilling his cereal bowl. Teddy didn't answer instead his eyes remained on Lily's slouched figure, she still hadn't looked up. Biting my lip I tried to lock eyes with Hugo, but he avoided my gaze.

"Hey Lil's" he spoke softly and reached out a hand to ruffle her hair. Lily looked up sharply, her eyes cold and unforgiving. I flinched. I had never, ever seen Lily act so coldly towards someone before.

Immediately Teddy withdrew his hand and let out an awkward cough. Hugo crunched on his cereal.

"Hi, I'm Nattalie," I plastered a fake smile on my face, eager to break the silence. Teddy eyes flickered towards me and then widened in shock. I cowered away from his accusing eyes.

"You're a Malfoy," his words were bitter. Lily scowled and spoke before I had the chance to.

"Yes she is. Do you have a problem with that?"

Hugo raised his eyes at his cousin's dramatics while I tried desperately to figure out what was going on.

"Maybe I do," Teddy replied coolly, far from the soft man I had seen moments before. Lily seemed to recoil from his words. Her glare was murderous.

"Then get out of my house. Now." she spat.

"Lil's…it's really fine-" I began.

She turned her fiery eyes on me; I could see how hard she was trying not to cry. What was wrong with her? It was not often I was left out of the loop when it came to Lily, we told each other everything, or so I thought.

"No," she hissed in my direction, "it's not fine. You're my friend and this is my house. He can leave if he doesn't like it."

My heart swelled with gratitude and I shot her a quick smile. Hugo looked like he was about to argue against her words but Teddy just looked defeated, his blue hair changing to a faded green then to red. Lily's stormy gaze faltered for a second but she stood her ground.

Teddy's eyes strayed to me. I felt self conscious under his gaze.

"I'm sorry," he told me. I could hear the trace of a lie in his voice but I ignored it, instead I smiled my brightest smile. Lily looked at Teddy, briefly her eyes clouded with an unrecognisable emotion before they flickered towards the door.

"I'm going for a walk," she muttered wrapping her arms tight around her stomach.

"I'll go with you," I offered.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at me and I understood, we always understood each other. We both knew when each other needed space; I was convinced that was why out friendship seemed to withstand everything thrown at it despite our countless differences.

"I won't be long," she smiled weakly towards me but ignored everyone else. I concentrated once again on nibbling my cold toast feeling very out of my depth without Lily near me.

"Lil's," Teddy shouted after her, he sounded almost desperate.

"It's Lily. See you later Teddy," she said sadly. Her voice seemed to tug at my heart strings, something was truly wrong and I was determined to get to the bottom of it.

The bang of the door announced her departure. A mug slipped from Teddy's hand.

"Crap. Ouch. Crap," he muttered furiously.

Without thinking I rushed quickly towards him and towed him towards the sink. I didn't stop to think until I was picking pieces of glass out of his hand. Realising everyone was silent I risked looking up. Teddy was looking at me with a bewildered expression on his face and Ginny who had run into the kitchen was smiling serenely.

"Reparo," she pointed her wand at the mug.

Taking a large step back I could feel my face flushing. Sometimes I forgot about magic.

"Thanks," Teddy smiled a real genuine smile. For some reason I believed I may have won a friend. I smiled carefully back.

A scream of curses interrupted the moment and a loud crash echoed throughout the house as someone stumbled from the ancient fireplace wiping soot off his robes. My hand clamped over my mouth to stop laughter from erupting. Teddy winked at me while Ginny glared at the intruder.

"Bloody hell," Hugo crowed running towards the figure. It was James. Trying to hide my concern I took a seat at the table. Wait, when had I become concerned for James Potter?

Half of his face was covered with soot from the fire as were his robes. He had a fresh cut in the arm of his robe and dark purple circles were evident under his eyes.

"James? Are you alright?" Ginny frowned as she forced her son to sit down. An unexpected spark ran through me as his leg knocked against mine.

"Random test?" Teddy guessed, "owl you in the middle of the night?"

Hugo was gazing between Teddy and James with rapt interest.

"I was only in bed half an hour," James spat, briefly looking at me, "been out all night. I can't wait until I'm fully trained. I'm getting sick of this."

Instantly I sat up straighter, my ears pricked. They were talking about auror training.

"It's only going to get worse once your trained," Ginny laughed humourlessly as she brushed down James's robes. My heart suddenly ached for her. I could never imagine what it must have been like sending off her husband, her brother and her son everyday into danger, not knowing if they would return. I bit my lip.

"I thought we got a few weeks break," James groaned, "but this is the third night this week. Not that it wasn't bloody brilliant," he smiled widely. My heart skipped a beat, but I ignored it.

"It's always worse when we're supposed to be on holiday mate," Teddy grinned while glancing at his watch, "speaking of work I'm late. T-tell L-li…..I mean I'll be over soon."

"Remember the annual party," Ginny interrupted.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." He slapped James on the shoulder and shot me a wink before walking out in the garden to disapparate.

"I'm going to help my mother with preparations. Your dad is working on a case so he'll be out all day. Hugo your mother said something about going to visit her parents. James get some sleep and Nattalie treat this as you home while you're here," Ginny grinned at me, "Oh…and Albus is coming for dinner tonight so you better be here."

Hugo groaned and muttered under his breath as he went in search of his missing shoe.

Suddenly it was just James and I. As I gazed at the table I could feel his burning gaze on my bowed head.

"I'm going to go for a run," he spoke quietly as if afraid to shatter the peace. I frowned.

"Your mum said to get some rest," the words fell from my mouth.

"I will," he spoke quietly with determination, "after I go my run."

Surprisingly I found myself grinning.

"Mind if I come with?" I asked.

James's frowned at me for a moment, his eyes taking in every inch of my body. I felt like I was on fire.

"Only if you can keep up," he smiled suddenly.

Laughing I went to find some shoes.

Thoughts?

Thanks for all your reviews last chapter. If you have time please drop me another one?

This is a bit of a filler but I hope y'all enjoyed it x

.