Decked out in dark green robes, Teddy Lupin stepped into the stunning ballroom. He looked to his left then to his right, eyes searching for a body he knew. Seeing no one, he headed straight for the open bar. Luckily, no one checked ages during these parties. It was a time to celebrate! It was a time to rejoice! It was a time to get maddeningly drunk so he couldn't remember.

But it wasn't as if he really remembered his parents.

Only a flash of pink then purple then green. The smell of woods on his fathers' skin as he held him. He couldn't remember how his parents' faces looked, only through photographs that Uncle Harry kept. He couldn't recall how his mother would make silly faces at him, how she would change her face to make him giggle and grab onto her; he only had stories of those times.

Grabbing a bottle of firewhiskey, he sought out a place to sit quietly. Weaving through dancing bodies, some seeming like they were fornicating with their clothes on, he found solstice on an empty balconey.

He looked across the enchanted grounds of the Ministry.Strong transfiguration spells made it seem as if he was really looking out onto a lake and a beautiful garden.
He sighed before taking a chug of firewhiskey which had his head reeling and his throat constricting. Hacking, he didnt hear nor take notice of the body settling next to him.

"Hey Teddy." a soft voice called.

He could recognize that voice anywhere, it was Uncle Harry, the man-who-lived.

"Wotcher." he replied and took another swig. He wondered if Harry would stop him.

Instead of questioning his choice of drink Harry smiled wryly.

"Your mother used to say that to me." he stated.

"I wouldnt know, now would I?" he snapped and immediately regretted it.

Harry just smiled again,"If your anything like your father,you would regret saying that the minute it came out of your mouth."

Teddy said nothing, only took another drink.

"They were good people,Teddy." Harry sighed out.

Teddy nodded.

Harry opened his mouth and closed it, looking as if he wanted to give the boy a hug or a pat on the shoulder,anything to comfort him. Shaking his head, he turned to go back inside.

"Don't drink all of that yourself." he said and went back to the ball.

Lifting the bottle to his lips, he muttered "To Tonks and Lupin."