Chapter 5

- Three Cheers To The Happy Couple -

Teddy felt Arkie's hand rest in his own as they walked towards the giant white and lavender tent that was currently being used for the afterparty. Through the quiet air he could hear the soft hum of music playing which mixed into the soft whistling of the night wind. Teddy was excited to hear the cheering and laughing of happy friends and family, it was a sound he knew he wouldn't hear for a long time after that night.

"So do you know who the box belongs to?" Arkie asked as they walked.

"No, I haven't quite looked at it yet. And I don't know any C.H. But I must know them somehow, or have something in common with them."

They finally reached the tent, but before they could enter and join in the celebration, Arkie tugged on his sleeve, coming to a sudden stop at his side and staring down at her heels. Teddy had known something was on Arkie's mind for a while, but he'd wanted to give her the chance to talk about it when she was ready. "I'm sorry, Teddy."

"For what?" He asked, turning around so he was facing her, his back to the party.

She fiddled with her reddish-brown hair that hung just above her shoulders, a few strands at the front had been braided then tied together neatly at the back. "I can't believe you got hurt and... and I just sailed on by..."

"Hey," he bent down, wiping a tear from her cheek. "You didn't just sail on by. I know that if you'd known I was hurt you would've helped, everything was out of control and we weren't prepared. But I don't blame you for anything, Arkie. I mean it."

She looked up at him, her star gold eyes meeting his forest green eyes. Her brushed another tear away gently. "Let's just be grateful we're here. Come on." He held out his hand and without hesitation she took it.

Remus was circling around the tent for the tenth time. Members of the Order had been placed on each side of the tent acting as security. Remus' wand rested in his jacket pocket as he begun to make another round, nothing was going to get past him. His son had almost been killed, and he hadn't been there to protect him.

He could have made him sit out the mission, he could have made Teddy wait for him at the Burrow, he could have stopped him from going on the mission... but he would've gone anyway.

Teddy would never have walked away from protecting his friend and helping the Order. Another admirable trait he got from his mother.

He suddenly heard his son's family laugh as he and his girlfriend walked towards the tent, holding hands. Arkie was a good person and he had enjoyed getting to know her over the years, but it was always scary to watch his child grow up and begin his own life. He had only know him for a short time, at least it felt like a short time. Time passed so quickly, he'd give anything to relive some of those precious moments with Teddy.

Like their first Christmas together, the first time they celebrated each others birthdays, the time they went to the Quidditch World Cup, even their first lesson together. He watched as the two disappeared inside the tent and into the crowd of celebrating friends and family of the husband and bride. One more round around the tent and he'd also head inside.

Teddy and Arkie giggled as they slid through the crowd. Tonight felt like their last chance to be kids, to feel young and free before the morning came. Finally, they made it to the edge of the crowd circling around the dancefloor. In the center, Bill and Fleur was waltzing joyfully up and down, staring into each others. Someone had cast a beautiful charm, summoning white butterflies to flying around the newly wedded couple as they danced.

Everyone was clapping to the beat and Teddy and Arkie quickly joined in, cheering as Bill lifted his wife in the air and kissed her passionately. Suddenly, Teddy caught sight of Harry walking past the edge of the crowd. "I'll be back in a minute." He yelled into Arkie's ear over the Irish themed music.

"Okay." She yelled back.

Teddy pushed his way through the crowd. "Excuse me, excuse me. Sorry. Harry!" He finally reached his friend who turned around and grinned happily. But his eyes looked distracted. "Oh, hey, Teddy."

"I wanted to give you this." He passed him something from inside his jacket.

Harry stared at it. "The Marauders Map? But this belonged to your father, Teddy."

"It belonged to yours too." He pushed the map further into Harry's grip, refusing to take it back.

"But... you've always hung on to this. Why give it to me?"

"It belonged to both of our father's, so I think it should belong to both of us. Besides, I have a feeling you might need it, call it a gut feeling."

Harry tucked the parchment into his pocket. "Thanks, Teddy."

"Don't lose it." He patted him on the shoulder. "Will I see you and Ginny on the dancefloor?"

"Unlikely." Harry shook his head.

Teddy shrugged and smiled. "Well, if you need a dance partner I'm always free. See ya 'round." He gave a quick wave, then slid through the crowd again.

By then Remus had entered the tent and was looking for Tonks in the crowd she was standing alone in the corner, watching the happy couple dancing with a smile on her young face. But Remus got the strange sensation that something was on her mind. Her eyes were blank like she was deep in thought. He walked up to her, but before he could talk to her Mrs Weasley came up and begun to strike a conversation with them.

"So glad you two came!"

"Of course, Molly." Tonk said. "We wouldn't miss it for the world."

"I only wish I could've been there for your wedding. And how is Teddy? You two getting along, Tonks? Does he consider you family yet?" She asked nosily causing Tonks to blush.

"Good, I think. I mean he's called me Mum once or twice, but I don't know... I can't and don't want to try to replace his birth mother."

"Oh of course, of course not." Mrs Weasley waved her hand carelessly, turning to look at the dancefloor again. Others had begun to join in to the dance, among them was Teddy and Arkie. "Those two do make a cute couple. Wonderful girl, Arkie. And Teddy's the spitting image of his father."

"But's got his mother's bravery." Remus included with a short smile.

Mrs Weasley laughed. "Ooh, looks like they're serving the drinks! I'd better go help." She trotted off, leaving Remus and Tonks to watch Teddy and Arkie spinning around together, staring into each others eyes.

"What's wrong, Tonks?" He asked when he noticed the glazed expression in her eyes.

"Huh? Nothing. It's- I don't think it's the right place and time..."

"Tonks?" He said standing in front of her so she would have to met his worried eyes. Tonks sighed, then smiled. "Remus, I'm pregnant."

Teddy gasped as Arkie accidentally missed her step, tripped and fell. Luckily he was quickly able to catch her before she hit the ground. Arkie looked up at him with big shocked eyes, then laughed full heartedly. Teddy joined in with her laughter, bending his back to kiss her as she rested in his arms. At that moment the music ended and the crowd cheered. Teddy raised Arkie to her feet again and the two walked off the dancefloor as the next song began.

Arkie spun releasing a satisfied noise, her dressed flowed beautifully around her legs.

"Hello you two." Came a familiar voice.

"Dad!" Arkie ran to her father, hugging him tightly. Mrs Edwards smiled at her daughter before turning to Teddy. She too was dressed beautifully in a divine ankle length dress. "You two looked beautiful together."

"Nice catch!" Mr Edwards chuckled and Arkie hit him playfully on the shoulder. "Reflexes like a true dueler, congrats on your game last year."

"Thank you, Mr Edwards."

"Please, my boy, call me Colin." Teddy simply nodded, so Mr Edwards continued. "By the way, you must accept my sincerest apologies for the new anti-Werewolf laws. I tried my best to convince them not to pass them but Umbridge... I'm still working my hardest to put an end to the legislation."

"Thank you, Colin. My dad and I really do appreciate that."

Teddy pretended to listen as Mrs Edwards began to rant on about something to do with all the stores in Diagon Alley closing, while Mr Edwards kept on throwing in smart comments about how he was glad she was spending less of his well-earned money. As he pretending to be listening, by occasionally nodding his head and making small 'uh-huh' noises every now and then, he glanced off to the side where his father was standing guard by the entrance.

Teddy could determine from what little he could see of Remus' face that something was on his mind. Lines had set in his forehead and his eyes were vacant, his mouth was grim and twisted into a miserable frown. But before Teddy could excuse himself from the conversation, which had changed into a history lesson on the making of floating lanterns, which were hovering above their heads, something appeared above the horizon.

A small ball of white light flew towards the tent, landing in the center of the crowd. A few girls screamed and shocked gasps came from the boys. Teddy pushed his way through the crowd towards the ball of light. It was a Patronus, a non-corporal one. From the Patronus came Kingsley's deep voice.

"The Ministry has fallen. The Minister of Magic is dead. They are coming. They are coming. They are coming."

The Patronus vanished into thin air and screams sounded around the tent. Teddy grunted as he was pushed around in the mass of people, some of which had begun to apparate away. Suddenly a huge dark cloud of smoke tore through the tent roof and transformed into a bald Death Eater covered in tattoos. The balf Death Eater shot a man onto his back and hissed at the crowd.

"Expelliarmus!" Teddy yelled at the Death Eater's wand flicked from his hand and powerful spell from an Order member sent him flipping backwards. But the Death Eater wasn't alone. More and more clouds of smoke flew into the tent formed witches and wizards all firing at the the terrified guests. Teddy tried getting through the crowd, his eyes looking around in panic.

"Dad! Arkie! Tonks!" He shouted but his voice was drowned out by the ear-shattering screams. He spotted Harry, Hermione and Ron gathering together waving for him to come over. He pushed through the crowd towards them. "Teddy, we have to go!"

"I need to find, Dad!"

"He's over there," Hermione pointed. "But, Teddy, he wants us to leave."

Teddy shook his head. "I'm not leaving him! I'll meet up with you, at the safe house!" With that he turned away, running into the crowd and here a large crack as the three disapparated behind him. He was finally able to find his dad, battling alongside Tonks against a dark haired wizard. Teddy recognised his face from the wanted posters, Antonin Dolohov.

"Flippendo!" Dolohov was sent tumbling backwards and Remus turned around in shock.

"Teddy! What are you still doing here?"

"Helping you!" He was once again pushed to the side by a rather large witch, whose once neat hair was matted down her back.

"You need to leave!"

"But-"

"Just go!" Remus had grabbed hold of his son's jacket and pushed him away. Teddy looked around, spotting Arkie in the corner, her eyes searching the crowd frantically. "Arkie!" He shoved witches and wizards out of the way, firing a random spell every now and then, until he finally reached her. "Take my hand!"

"Where are they?" She wailed. "My parents, they were here one second and now-"

"Arkie, come on!"

"Teddy, I have to... I have to-"

She never got to finish her sentence as Teddy grabbed her hand firmly and disapparated the two of them.