Whispers of war flutter across Wizarding England. Minister Kingsley tries to keep the population calm, but with more and more disappearances every day, it seems impossible to ignore reality. A coup is forming and the Ministry is in danger. Radicals threaten everything that the nation holds dear.

Teddy tells me he must follow in his father's footsteps and fight for his country. If he does nothing, he will regret it for life. I plead with him not to go. I fear that war will break him in ways that I can't mend, but regardless of my concerns, he goes anyway.

An unplanned visit from Teddy leads to a surprise wedding. With the looming danger, we decide we can't afford to wait. We've been giving a lot of thought to our own mortality as of late and that spurs us on.

It's a simple affair. White lilies from the local shop. Nana Weasley makes a large dinner and Aunt Audrey bakes us a beautiful cake. It's mostly family and one or two friends, but all that matters is that Teddy is mine and I am his. We will be together for the rest of our lives until death do us part.

An owl taps on my window close to midnight and adrenaline surges through me. News coming this late can only be bad. With trembling hands I unlock the window and allow the weathered bird inside. I frantically remove the parchment from its leg before it flies off to perch on my stand.

My dearest Victoire,

I miss you terribly. War is a very lonely experience and the only thing that gets me through it is the thought of being in your arms again one day. I carry your picture with me all of the time.

With all my love,

Teddy

I stand inside of my grandmother-in-laws home awaiting the moment when Teddy will return. He's been gone far too long and I ache for him.

I hear a loud crack in the front yard and I know he is home. I tear open the door, run down the stairs, and fling myself into his arms. The fear that he won't return lifts from my shoulders and I began to sob. His presence leaves me completely undone.

Teddy wraps his arms around me and pulls me tight against him. "You can't imagine how much I've missed you. I love you, Victoire."

Dishes shatter against the wall and I stand in my dining room completely shell shocked. Teddy is in an uncontrollable rage, screaming and smashing things. I'm not quite certain what he's angry about, but I try my best to calm him.

"Teddy," I say in a measured voice. "Can you tell me what's wrong?"

"You know what you did!" he screams as he launches a glass at my head.

I manage to duck just in time. Glass explodes all around me, cutting my fair skin.

"Please," I beg. "Just tell me what I did, so I don't do it again."