I came up with the inspiration for this chapter while listening to Michael Jackson's (RIP) Do You Remember the Times.
Here's a link to pics for this story: .com/albums/yy115/solarpuppet/familiar%20changes/ (also located on my profile). I don't have a pic of the house though, I'll leave that up to ur imaginations, that's why u read right? Lol.
Sorry for taking so long, I got a serious case of writers block describing the wedding, but I think I got it…let me know what you think. ;D
EPILOGUE- Do You Remember the Times.
Teddy and his wife sat at the dinner table watching their family, extended, immediate and honorary included, enjoy the festivities. It was their fifteenth wedding anniversary and they began reminiscing at the journey that had brought them to that point. The N.E.W.T.S had come and gone quickly with satisfactory results allowing the inseparable quartet to enter into their desired fields. As he looked over at his best friends he couldn't help but remember their weddings. It had been a joint occasion, cementing their friendship like nothing else could.
~FLASHBACK~
Teddy and Rubin were overwhelmed with everything that was involved in the planning of a wedding. They had vowed to be hands on grooms but had immediately regretted that decision as soon as Ginny, Hermoine, Fleur and Renatta St. Cloud became involved. Rubin's mom, Asteria Greengrass-Malfoy, was unable to help in the planning but she did contribute more than a fair share of galleons, after all her only son was getting married, which had made up for her absence somewhat. Rubin had not felt slighted in the least, in fact he had become so close to Teddy, Victoire and Minette's family in the two years that followed their engagement. They had spent nearly every waking moment in each other's house, with Rubin's being visited only when Draco wasn't home.
"You guys, the wedding is two weeks away, could you at least pretend to be interested in what we have to say!" Victoire reprimanded the two spaced out looking grooms-to-be.
"We're always interested in what you two have to say, but we've been trying to decide on flowers for the past hour and a half and we don't seem to be getting anywhere. Can't we just take a break?" Teddy pleaded.
"Alright boys, you have a point. Go on, do young people stuff with your fiancées while we try to narrow down the options. When you get back we'll have three different combinations for you to choose from, okay?" suggested Hermoine. She remembered what it was like for Ron when they were planning their wedding so she knew that the boys were nearing the end of their patience.
"Yea, run along! But don't be long because you have other decisions to make. Oh and don't forget that you need to go to Madame Malkin's so she can fit you for your robes. Maybe you can go do that first, which is the final detail for the wedding after all" stated Ginny.
"Yes we'll go there first, then we'll get something to eat, because I'm starving and there isn't a time when these boys are not" Minette laughed.
"Hey! I don't like what you're insinuating Min" chuckled Rubin.
"Me neither" Teddy agreed.
"Well she's right, and you know it. The way you two eat it's a shock you aren't fat! I can already see that keeping you fed is going to be a full time job!" Victoire teased.
"Not you too! Babe I can't believe you. I'm hurt" laughed Teddy.
"Oh, you know I love you, but it's a true fact. Now come on, let's get our robes out of the way so we can get you fed." With that she kissed him and the quartet walked out of the room on their way to Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions to buy robes for the most special occasion to occur in their lives.
The fittings were done in Madame Malkin's typical efficient fashion. She had tears in her eyes as she reminisced of everything she knew of each of them. She kept referring to how they've grown, how time flies, how she couldn't believe that they were getting married, she also told them to be sure to invite her to the wedding so she can share in their moment of bliss. She told them to say hi to everyone for her. All of this was of course said while she was showing them different styles and making adjustments.
When they finally left Madame Malkin, to return within an hour to collect their robes, they walked to the Leaky Cauldron and sought a seat at the very back. Normally they wouldn't choose such undesirable accommodations but, since it was the only place available with seating and a roof, it was their only choice. They ordered some hamburgers and a couple butterbeers, opting for a mild beverage sighting that a clear head was needed when they returned to the Burrow. After a short lunch, neither individual wanted to spend more time than necessary in the pub, they made their way through the streets of Diagon Alley. When the hour was up they headed towards Madame Malkin's to collect their robes. They then apparated to the Burrow and found the house empty.
"Where do you think they went? I mean they told us to hurry back and I doubt we took so long that they thought we weren't coming again" asked Teddy. He looked around his second home to see if they left any notes. Just as he was about to give up and tell the others that there were no hints left behind he saw a piece of parchment resting atop the coffee table.
*Meet us at Shell College. Something wonderful came up,*
*Love, Hermoine.*
"Hey guys, come over here, they left us a note" Teddy shouted.
"What's it say?" Minette asked him. She felt no compulsion to walk the distance to find out what the note said when he could simply read it and relay the message.
"Well looks like we're heading to Shell Cottage. Apparently something came up, something 'wonderful' in fact according to Hermoine. I wonder what it could be" he mused.
"Something wonderful of course!" said Victoire and the quartet broke out in raucous laughter.
"Well I guess we should get going then" stated Rubin.
They left the confines of the protective charms of the Burrow after locking the doors behind them and apparated to the Cottage. As they got near the house they heard sounds of jovial celebration in full swing.
"What in blazes is going on?" questioned Rubin, "it sounds like they started a party without us, but what on earth are they celebrating?"
"Damned if I know. Come on let's go in" Teddy suggested and with that they walked to the door. Just as Victoire was about to open the door it was pulled open by her father.
"Daddy! You're home? Don't you have work today?" Victoire was puzzled. Her father was usually at work during the day so it was an occurrence that he was there to greet them at the door. It must really be something worth celebrating then if he took off work to be there.
"Yes well I had to be here haven't I? Come on in kids, you'll catch a cold." He ushered them inside where they were met by a house full of people, among them were Rose Weasley and her boyfriend Rufus Longbottom. Her brother Hugo was standing just behind her speaking with his Mother, Hermoine, and his girlfriend Jenifer Lovegood. It seemed that Ron and Harry had also joined the gathering along with the entire Weasley clan.
"There you are! Good, now you can hear the good news. Rose?" Hermoine was practically overflowing with her excitement over whatever piece of information she felt Rose needed to impart.
"Well, Rufus and I, we're going to be married!" Rose all but shouted and the room erupted in cheers.
"Congratulations!" they quartet professed. It seemed the marital fever had spread.
"So when's the big day?" asked Victoire. She was genuinely happy for her baby cousin and sincerely hoped she could be a part of the proceedings. After all she was going to be Victoire's maid of honor and James was to be Teddy's best man.
"We haven't gotten that far yet, but you'll be among the first to know, which is customary for the bridal party is it not?" she replied.
"Are you asking me to stand with you on your big day?" Victoire was overjoyed that her cousin had indeed seen it fit to include her as she had hoped she would.
"Of course! I wouldn't have it any other way, Lilly will also be standing up with me of course. Where'd she and her brothers disappear to anyway?" responded Rose.
Celebrations went well into the night but eventually they had to separate knowing that they needed to be well rested in the morning. They said their goodbyes and the quartet made plans to meet at the Burrow, which had remained a central meeting point after all these years, at seven sharp to get the floral arrangements out of the way. After that they could spend some quality time with each other then Teddy and Victoire would return to the Burrow for a family dinner. Harry, Ginny, the boys and Lilly and their significant others would be there. They would also be joined by Rose, Hugo, Rufus, Jenifer, Ron and Hermoine. It would be a full house.
The day ran smoothly, and with all the wedding details finalized, the quartet was finally able to relax and enjoy the time they had together before the wedding.
THE WEDDING
It was six o'clock in the evening of the 23rd of August and the sunset tinged the sky with a beautiful orange glow. It was the perfect backdrop for the wedding of four individuals who had seen so much unhappiness, upheaval and had then been blessed with a happiness so magnificent it surpassed any other feeling that they may have experienced in their lifetime.
The Burrow had been transformed for a wedding once more, having been the location of Bill and Fleur's wedding, Ginny and Harry's wedding and followed by Ron and Hermoine's. There was a marquee which would house the reception, towards the several rows of chairs were placed, above them floated lighted candles. At either side of the rows were vases filled with white gladiolus, bells of Ireland, white delphinium, green and white chrysanthemums, green persimmons and curly willow which gave off an intoxicating aroma. The colors glowed brilliantly with the glimmer given off by the candlelight and sunset.
Standing towards the edge of the lawn, silhouetted by the sunset was Teddy, in his silver-grey dress robes, and Rubin in his creamy brown dress robes, as well as James and Hugo who were simply dressed in black dress robes. They were faced by the officiating wizard who wore simple, yet elegant, black dress robes. Soon the music drifted into a soft melody which introduced the bridal party. The entire congregation stood and turned towards the house from which the girls approached. After Rose and Lilly walked down the aisle, in their similarly colored but differently designed bridesmaid dresses, meant to flatter each girl's shape, the music changed yet again to announce the brides' approach. The first to walk down the aisle, escorted by her father, was Victoire. She was a vision in white, her long blond hair cascading down her back, wonderfully accentuating her beautiful one shoulder dress and her beautifully made up face. Teddy barely registered Minette's presence behind her, so entranced was he by his wife to be. Minette's almost ball gown-esque white and pink accented dress. Her hair was set atop her head in a sophisticated mass of swirls with a few tendrils hanging near her temples, framing her face delicately.
The ceremony was beautiful and concluded in a timely fashion since neither of the participants felt the need for fanfare, perfectly emphasizing the strength of the couples' love for each other. The officiating wizard said the words which announced the couples bonded for life and he waved his wand over their heads, which emitted silvered stars which spiraled around their entwined figures, thereby sealing the bond.
When it was over the congregation made their way into the tent just off to the side from where the vows were exchanged. As they moved towards the marquee, the ceremonial area was reverted to its natural state leaving a grassy open air retreat for anyone who needed it. By this time the sun had completely set and the night had descended upon the Burrow. The guests let out a collective gasp as they took in the sight before them. The tent was illuminated by even more floating candles adding warmth to its golden glow. The two cakes stood at the front of the room and topping each were miniature replicas of the couples. The replicas would occasionally kiss each other, dance to the music or wave to the crowd. They would also sometimes head over to the edge of their cakes and hold conversations with each other. In the far corner of the room a band was set up and was playing obscure yet beautiful pieces of music. Escorting the guests to their assigned seats were eight waist high enchanted wrought iron potholders with fragrant flowers which would somehow gesture gracefully to the seats. Once seated, the food appeared magically, much as it did at Hogwarts, and consisted of ideal traditional French and British cuisine which somehow managed to complement each other. The newlyweds barely registered what it was they were eating let alone if it was even tasty or not. The afternoon passed in a haze of activity that blended together in one enjoyable evening, but the quartet was more than happy for it all to be over. The guests had been entertained and fed, and the newlyweds had been offered words of wisdom, blessings and well wishes as well as had had to withstand the nostalgic speeches made. When it was finally over, and the quartet could finally leave to go on their honeymoon, they breathed a collective sigh of relief.
~x~x~x~x~x~
Victoire awoke tired but content. It had been a long night but the best she had ever had. She was now married to the man of her dreams and was able to share in that happiness with her two best friends. The ceremony was an exact reflection of how she felt their relationship had grown. When they had finally gotten to their marital house which had saved up for and been bought together Teddy had done what every new husband had, he carried her over the threshold. Victoire had blushed furiously at that and had tingled with anticipation at the promise of what would take place that night. His breath on her neck had only heightened her awareness that she was about to consummate her relationship with him. When they had entered into their relationship Teddy had made it clear that he would not force her to sleep with him if she didn't want to and he had kept to his word. Eventually they decided that it would be that much more special if they waited for their wedding night before becoming intimate. It had been a struggle for both of them, a struggle she had never had before with any other. Now, now she was free to allow her hormones to take control. It had been a night of pure passion and profession of love and they had fallen asleep in each other's arms in satisfied exhaustion.
She turned on the bed, searching for Teddy, only to find it empty and cold. She was confused but shrugged it off thinking he might just be in the bathroom. She waited a few more minutes but he still had not returned to their bed. She got up, used the bathroom herself, and then went in search of her husband.
Husband…I wonder if I'll ever get used to that. Hmmm. I wonder where he is though.
The house was not very big; what most would consider a starter house. It had two bedrooms, an office which they would share, a kitchen and a dining/living room. As she entered the corridor from their bedroom a mouthwatering smell hit her nose. She immediately understood why Teddy was not in the bed when she woke now. He was making her breakfast. He had always promised her breakfast in bed and she had just ruined his chance by going in search of him. She debated whether or not she should return to the room and pretend to be oblivious but decided she was too hungry to do so.
"Morning husband" she giggled as she entered the kitchen. He frowned slightly but immediately brightened as her greeting registered.
"Morning, love. I was going to bring you breakfast in bed but it seems that's not possible now. Where'd you like to eat?"
"Out on the deck, round back. The view there is so beautiful. Do you need any help?"
"No, I'm pretty much set. Go on out and I'll bring the food."
He had made a large breakfast consisting of all her favorites. She couldn't have been happier.
The two week honeymoon went on in much the same vane but it was time to return to the real world; they had to go back to work.
~x~x~x~x~x~
Teddy was very aware of how little sleep Victoire had been getting in the past few weeks, under her eyes were dark as a result. She had been shifting in her sleep all night so when she awoke almost every night claiming her stomach was upset he was not surprised and he automatically passed it off as the reason for her fretful sleep. It had been a month and a half since their wedding and here he stood outside the bathroom door listening to his wife throw up the contents of her dinner and feeling worried because he could do nothing to help her at this point. She had refused his help claiming that "it's just a stomach bug, I'll be fine, go back to sleep", well she was not fine. The following day she threw up her breakfast and her lunch as well but had managed to keep down her dinner.
"Look, either you let me make you a potion or cast a spell or something or I swear I'm informing your mother!"
"Teddy I'm fine, I swear. But if it'll make you feel any better my stomach's not as queasy anymore. I even kept down my dinner. Besides mom already informed me that she's coming over for breakfast; she heard we haven't been to work in two days so she wants to know what's going on."
Teddy let out a sigh of relief. Fleur would be able to talk some sense into her, because he was getting nowhere. They went to sleep though neither one of them felt very well rested in the morning. Victoire had managed to keep down her breakfast but it still felt unsettled, she was not about to tell that to Teddy though. Just then she heard the loud pop of someone apparating and knew that her mother was here.
"Well, isn't anybody going to let me in? It's cold and wet out 'ere!" her mom complained. Not trusting her stomach with any sudden movement she silently pleaded with her husband to answer the door.
"Sweetheart you look like death! What is wrong?" she asked her daughter as soon as she entered the kitchen and took in the pale countenance of her face.
"I'm fine maman, just a little stomach bug that's all."
"A stomach bug? 'ow long 'ave you 'ad this 'stomach bug' ma cherie?"
"Not long. I think I passed the worst of it though, I was able to keep down last night's dinner and this morning's breakfast…hold that thought" she groaned and immediately ran from the room heading for the bathroom.
"Let me ask you Teddy, because I know my daughter, and she would never admit to feeling ill. 'ow long has she been throwing up?" she asked her son-in-law.
"About two weeks. It's causing her to lose sleep at night, but she makes up for it during the day though. She refuses to let me help always claiming to be feeling better. I don't know what to do short of knocking her out and force feeding her some potion. Is there anything you can do to help?" Teddy was desperate and felt extremely helpless, a feeling which he hated.
"Interesting. Let me go speak with 'er. I'll be right back"
Teddy sat anxiously in the living room waiting for Fleur and Victoire to come out of the bathroom so that one of them could tell him what was going on and how it could be fixed. He was lost in his own thoughts when he heard a loud "oh my God! You're kidding!" and a squeal of delight. He rushed to the bathroom wondering what could be so exciting in a bathroom.
As he opened the door he saw the two women locked in an embrace crying.
"What's going on? Why are you two crying?"
"Maybe this is not the best place to tell you this, let's go back into the living room shall we?" stated Fleur.
The moment they were seated Victoire hugged Teddy tightly and blurted out "we're going to have a baby!"
Oh. That's why she's been so queasy. Wait, what?
"We're what?"
"Going to be parents silly!" chided Victoire.
Everything faded to black.
"Teddy? Teddy, wake up! Maman, he's fainted! I don't have my wand, do something please" she begged.
Fleur immediately produced her wand and doused him in water causing him to wake up spluttering. He was a bit disoriented when he finally coughed up all the water from his lungs.
"Are you okay Teddy?"
"I'm not sure. The last thing I remember was sitting here and you were telling me something, then it all got black, after that I remember a stream of water…what happened?"
"So you don't remember what it was I told you?"
"No. I just know that it was something really big, but that's all. Can you tell me again?"
"Fine, but, don't faint again okay?" teased Victoire. When she was sure that he was settled enough to receive the news once more without fainting she blurted, much as she had before, "We're pregnant!"
He stared at her blankly for a moment and then a huge smile broke across his first and he let out a loud whoop. "I'm going to be a daddy! I can't believe it! And to think we weren't even trying."
"So you're happy?"
"Ecstatic! Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well I wasn't sure since you did faint when I told you…" she looked at him nervously. She knew him well enough to know that he would tell her whatever he felt she needed to hear, and in this case it would be that he was happy they were going to have a baby.
"I know what you're thinking and I'm not trying to appease you okay? I'm genuinely, completely and absolutely happy! I couldn't be happier in fact" Teddy assured her.
Victoire looked into his eyes as he said this and she saw the conviction within him at those words. She immediately burst into tears, having no other way to truly express how she was feeling at that knowledge.
~x~x~x~x~x~
Teddy in between sleep and wake turned over on the bed only to be met with wetness and a slight moan coming from his wife.
"Babe are you okay? Why's the bed wet?" as he asked the question, realisation hit him. "Oh dear! It's time? You're in labor? What do I do? I've got to send a patronus to your mum."
"Calm down Teddy. Remember what maman said, this could take a while so all we have to do for now is wait, but if it'll ease your mind then call her." Victoire was amused by his suddenly unflustered behaviour. Teddy had always managed to keep his head under pressure but that calm disposition had suddenly disappeared in the face of their daughter's arrival. It was beyond her understanding of the mind to be able to truly understand the change in his character. For Teddy his daughter's arrival signaled the beginning of a life full of worry over and responsibility for someone other than his wife and himself. Life as he had become to know it was changing for the better.
With the message sent to Fleur and Bill their arrival to Teddy and Victoire's home came shortly thereafter. Fleur realized from the sense of panic emitted by Teddy's patronus could only mean that her son-in-law was having an extremely potent case of nerves.
"Teddy dear why don't you go into the kitchen and make us some coffee muggle-style? That should give you something to do, to help calm you a bit? Only maybe you should make yours chamomile tea" she suggested. Teddy seemed relieved at the idea of something to do and rushed off to the kitchen to find the necessary material for making coffee as a muggle would, not that he had much experience in that department.
When he returned he noticed that Fleur had begun helping Victoire get ready to go to St. Mungo's.
"It's time? We're leaving now?"
"Yes. Her contractions are becoming more regular. Go set up the Floo Network and we'll be there in a minute" ordered Fleur. Her daughter did not need his nervous energy on top of her pain.
Moments later they were emerging from the fireplace at the hospital and Victoire was ushered off to a room to be prepped for delivery. Teddy's anxiety did not lesson throughout the entire four hours of labour, not until he heard the content cries of his son, Jeremiah.
His blond curls sprang to life once all his mother's blood and amniotic fluid had been siphoned off of him. He had very little of his father in him physically but his temperament had obviously been inherited. The little boy hardly cried, and only did so when he was in need of something. Otherwise he was most content to lie there and stare at his floating mobiles above the crib. His relatives swooned over him and he was spoiled by every living relative that he had.
Nine months later Teddy and Victoire were welcoming their god-daughter into the world. Their pregnancy, much like Victoire's, had been unplanned but not unwelcomed. Minette suffered only minor morning sickness and only had food cravings during her second trimester. Labor however had been much harder on her than it had been on Victoire. She had spent eight hours trying to deliver naturally but eventually the baby had to be forcibly removed. Rubin and Minette decided to name their bundle of joy Vanessa. Now the quartet who had grown into adults together was raising their children together.
Their children shared in the same experiences and when it was time for them to go off to Hogwarts for the first time theirs had been the biggest gathering at the platform. All aunts, uncles and even grandparents had turned up for the affair.
"Mom, Dad, will you two stop it. You're embarrassing me!" protested Vanessa loudly. Off to the side she could see the equally as embarrassed figure of Jeremiah. She knew that her best friend was enduring his torture silently only for his mother's sake.
The little ones were running around the platform idly not much concerned in the activities taking place around them, knowing that their turn was not far off, thus wanting as much time for fun as they could get. It was not more than two years after Vanessa's birth that Teddy and Victoire had announced that they were expecting twins, one boy and one girl, and one year after that, Rubin and Minette had their first son. Minette was pregnant with her third and final child and she had begun to tire easily and so acquiesced to the requests of her child.
They bid them farewell and waved as the train pulled off into the distance on the familiar path to the building that had shaped their parents history. The gathering stood on Platform 9 ¾ long after the train had become nothing more than a cloud of smoke in the distance reminiscing at how far they had come.
~END OF FLASHBACK~
Life had been kind to the quartet. Their children were enjoying their time at Hogwarts. Vanessa and Jeremiah were in their fourth year at Hogwarts and excelling in all their classes. Micah and Michelle, the twins, were in their second year and doing just as well while Macey, Rubin and Minette's other daughter, had yet to start. She was a little over four and therefore only scarcely aware that her siblings were not home for much of the time. She sat playing in a corner of the room with an enchanted doll and would occasionally join in on whatever it was her cousins were doing at the time.
As Teddy completed his survey of the room he realized how blessed his life had been and how complete he felt at that moment.
"What are you thinking about, Teddy-Bear?" asked Victoire. She had never abandoned that nickname and he never wanted her to. She was still the only one to call her that, just as he was the only one to call her Vic.
He turned to his wife and felt his heart surge with the love he had for her, which had neither lessened nor stagnated but rather had continued to grow with time. The years had done nothing to erase her beauty and age had only made her wiser and more appealing to him.
"Just how completely happy I am. Our lives have come full circle and I don't ever remember noticing that it had begun to do so."
"Neither do I."
"I'm not complaining, mind you, it's just that it all happened so suddenly that I wasn't even aware that a change was taking place you know?"
"I know exactly what you mean" responded Victoire.
Teddy escorted her to the dance floor when he heard their wedding song being played and a wave of contentment washed over him. All the other couples joined them on the dance floor. Minette and Rubin, Hugo and Jenifer, Rose and Rufus, Arthur and Molly, Harry and Ginny, Ron and Hermione; linking the generations. The night passed with hours of dancing, drinking, laughter and sharing. Occasionally the couples would switch partners but mainly they would dance with their spouses, cherishing the love that they had for each other.
The parents knew that it was almost time for the little ones bed times but they were loathe to leave the revelry and return to their normal lives.
As this thought passed through Teddy's head he noticed the two oldest of the children slip outside and he knew, the way only a parent could know, that those best friends would end up more, just as he and Victoire had, and he laughed to himself remembering how he had reacted whenever anyone said anything like that about him. Life can be a funny creature but it would offer you great rewards if you embrace its familiar changes with open arms and nothing but acceptance.
Thank you for reading. I've already begun a couple new stories, who knows maybe it'll turn out a masterpiece? Jk. Please review and let me kno what u thought of this ending, I'd really appreciate it.
i know i didn't stick to the canon but i figured, since it's my fanfic i'm allowed to take some liberties, which i did.
It's been quite a journey.
Love ya,
Lunarskky ;D
