This is the war that's never won
This is a soldier and his gun
This is the mother waiting by the phone,
Praying for her son

Pictures of You by The Last Goodnight

Teddy opened his eyes and found himself staring up a familiar ceiling. In the future this room had belonged to Percy. Oddly enough, even forty years later, this bedroom was the go to room for the grandkids to bunk in together. That and Ginny's old room for the girls.

The room was crowded with the extra cot placed between the two beds. Albus and Jamie were both asleep, mouths open as they breathed in a near identical rhythm. Maneuvering his legs carefully through the small space, he made his way to the door and slipped out.

While he had spent hundreds of nights at the Burrow, walking down the stairs in his pajamas in the late seventies was plain unnerving. He could hear the giggles and cries of the Weasley boys and once he stepped onto the foot of the stairs he was faced with five pairs of wide, blue eyes. He nearly fell over at the sight.

"Er, morning." He muttered.

No words were spoken, not even by the twins, mere infants. Ted shook his head and swiftly moved through the living room to enter the kitchen.

"Morning, cub."

His godfather was sitting at the table right in between Arthur and Molly. He had a Daily Prophet in one hand and a chipped coffee mug in the other. Teddy opened his mouth to speak, but Molly was up and shoving him down into a chair.

"You must be starving, what can I get you?"

Not waiting for an answer, she bustled about the kitchen, pulling out plates and cutlery. Teddy sighed, looking at Harry and waiting for an explanation.

Finally sensing his godson's desires apparently, he set the paper down and took a sip of his coffee before speaking. "I've decided to let things fall where they may. After breakfast, I'm going to Hogwarts to work with Dumbledore. We're going to try and find the reasoning behind this mess. You can come if you wish, however, I would very much like for you to stay with James and Al."

His eyes stayed on Harry's green orbs, trying to read his emotions. He looked tired, as if he hadn't slept in years - that kind of tired. A single strand of grey hair stood out in his black locks and Ted wondered when that had occurred. Was it the disease? Most of all, how could he look so damn calm and adjusted? Teddy felt his head spinning and he had no idea how he was supposed to act. He didn't know what he could and couldn't say, or who he was even allowed to interact with. His parents were alive. His mother was just a small child. The fact that Harry was sitting at the breakfast table, reading the paper and drinking coffee like it was another normal Sunday was simply baffling.

"Wazzup?"

A groggy voice captured everyone's attention and Ted turned to see Jamie rubbing the sleep from his hazel eyes. Suddenly Molly pounced on him, arms flying around him and trying to pull him as close as her pregnant belly would allow.

Jamie stood rigid, confused eyes darting from Teddy to his father. "Good morning?"

Harry cleared his throat. "I told them last night. Figured it would save us some trouble."

"See, Teddy, you didn't need to go bonkers on Al last night."

Teddy felt green eyes narrowing at him, but his godfather said nothing. Jamie fell into the seat beside him and gave him a friendly nudge in greeting. There was one thing he could always count on with his god-brother, silent and barely coherent in the mornings. Coffee had been discovered by Jamie when he was fourteen. The daily ritual never failed to bring him among the living. The fact that he had managed a single smart comment was a miracle.

"We're having another meeting tonight. The Longbottoms are being kind enough to host dinner." Arthur finally spoke. "The last one didn't go as smoothly as hoped, so Albus feels this will clear the air."

Harry nodded. "Which is why he and I will be researching to make sure it's safe to pass along information. There are two types of time travel," his words were directed at his sons now. "Aunt Hermione believes this without a doubt, so it's probably right. The first kind is what you come across with time turners. That changes the course of events so-to-speak. To be honest, you have to experience it first hand to understand what I mean." He was clearly referring to his third year.

"The second type is impossible to change. It doesn't matter if I tell everyone the exact manner in which they will die. They will still die, maybe in a different way, but they will die nonetheless."

Teddy nodded. "You think this is the second."

"I think so long as we remain vague with what we say, there should be no problems."

The idea that nothing could be changed was unsettling. His thoughts immediately went to his parents, the image of seeing his father, the same age as himself, staring at him across the table. There was no way he could save his life. On the other hand, that also meant there was no way he could scare his father away from his mother. She couldn't be more than seven or eight years old in this time.

Was that something he could face? Sitting down and having a discussion with his mother as a small child, maybe meeting the grandfather whose name he shared. Just the tired face of Remus Lupin in the Great Hall last night still clouded his thoughts. It was a world known only in the history books and family stories. Teddy had been three days old when his godfather defeated Tom Riddle. Three days old when both of his parents had died fighting.

He tried not to think about his parents too much. Stories from Harry and his Gran were treats and he enjoyed them, but Remus and Tonks Lupin were just that. Stories. The last time he had really pondered what they had been like as people had been months ago, weeks before he had broken things off with Victoire. They had spent the night at her small, muggle flat in London...

Her breath came in long, steady motions, like a series of individual sighs. He intwined his fingers in her strawberry blonde locks, his eyes watching hers as she lay on his chest. The warmth was soothing, the sensual feeling of her skin against his. It seemed like every time he awoke to her body along his it was more magical than before.

Slender fingers came up to his messy hair which he knew must be turquoise, as it always seemed to be when they were wrapped around one another. He allowed his eyes to close and she massaged just above his ear, her thumb ghosting around his temple.

"What are you thinking about?"

The question threw him. He opened his eyes, finding her blue ones tilted in curiosity. Vic was the one person, save for Harry, who never had to ask him that. They always knew. He kept his one hand in her hair and used the other to pull her forward in a chaste kiss. Shifting a bit so her body was completely on top, molded into his form, she allowed her fingers to dance across his lips, patiently waiting for an answer.

"Honestly?" Sighing, he let his head fall back, still enjoying the ministrations of her hand in his hair and the other caressing his lips and cheek. "My parents."

He was cautious, glancing down at her with his eyes half open. Her demeanor hadn't changed; she maintained her gaze.

"Sometimes, I just wonder how much I'm like them."

Her felt her take in a breath. "Well, Uncle Harry says-"

"That's the thing!" He sat up abruptly, pushing her away gently. "That's all I know! It's like I do something around everyone and someone makes the comment, 'That's so like Tonks.' Or 'Amazing how much of Remus is in him.' They all say it so casually, because they know!"

She still didn't speak. She crossed her legs and scooted close so that they were still touching, silently telling him to continue.

"How am I supposed to know when I say something that reminds them of my father? I never met him, I just know from stories." He gripped his brighter than normal hair, tugging at it in frustration. "Like, when Aunt Hermione comments on Al, saying how much like Harry he is, everyone knows what she's talking about. Harry knows and so does Albus. But when they compare me to my parents, I have no idea what they're talking about! Yes, I get that my father was the quiet, studious type like me, and that my sometimes inappropriate humor is from my mum, but I don't really know these things."

Her head was cocked to the side, eyes watching him calculatingly. He nodded to her, signaling he was finished.

"I don't suppose watching them in a pensieve helps?"

"When I got my first Hogwarts letter, Harry showed me a memory of them for the first time. He started collecting them when I was a baby." He smiled, thinking of his godfather scavenging for the best moments people spent with the Lupins. "Every year whenever I got my letter and again at Christmas, he showed me a few new ones, or I picked a favorite. After I graduated, he started showing them to me on my birthday."

"But it's not the same."

"It's not the same." He echoed, eyes on the ceiling of her bedroom, fan blades spinning slowly.

"I wish I could say something to make you feel better about this, but I know nothing will. So you'll have to settle for the usual speech." He smiled weakly, listening to her intently. "Your parents were heroes, and I've never heard anyone not agree with that statement. Think about all the people who took care of you when you were little, just because of how much they admired your parents. Merlin, you called the minister of magic Uncle King!"

A rare laugh bubbled up in his throat, her words warming his heart like no one else could.

"So, I'm telling you, Teddy Remus Lupin, that you are the creation of two amazing people and I thank them every day for the fact that I get to lay in this bed with you." Her hands cupped his face. "I love you so much."

His hands came up the back of her neck and slid into her hair, pulling her face to his, their foreheads touching and her breath on his lips. "I love you, and I'll love you forever. Never forget that, Victoire, never forget that."

"I won't."

Her promise rang through his thoughts, so loudly that he never heard Jamie and Al trying to get his attention.

"Is he having some sort of attack?"

Eyes flashed red as they shot to his youngest god-brother; Albus scooted back in his seat. "Sorry, Teds, you were out of it. Didn't even notice me walk in, did ya?"

His hands burned with the memory of holding Victoire so many months ago. Shaking his head, his eyes found Harry who was gazing at him intently. To his godfather, he had always been transparent as glass. Which is why Teddy felt his cheeks heat at the penetrating stare he was receiving. Those emerald eyes clearly read, 'we'll talk later.'

Conversation flittering across the table for several minutes without Ted absorbing a word. Arthur left for work and Molly spent a few long moments tending to the boys before sending them to play in the garden and enjoy the fresh snow.

He nearly jumped when a steaming cup of coco was set before him. Looking up, he saw Molly smiling kindly down at him. "I know you had some last night, but...never can have too much right?"

Jamie let out a happy groan, his mouth full of waffles. "Gran, I love you more every day."

"I'm not sure if I'm ready for this grandmother business. Especially considering your mother won't be born for some time."

Harry chuckled, tossing aside his newspaper for good this time it seemed. He carried his empty mug to the sink and kissed Molly's cheek. "Can you settle for being my favorite mother-in-law then?"

She blushed, her eyes darting to the floor. "Oh, I suppose..."

"Dad, she's like half your age." Al snorted, sharing a look with his brother.

"Calling me old, are you?"

"Most definitely, old man."

Laughter filled the kitchen and Harry ruffled Al's hair affectionately. "I'm off to the school. Don't try and get back at your uncles for anything they do in the future."

Jamie's expression grew thoughtful. "Hadn't thought of that. I could get back at Uncle Percy for taking my broom away that one time."

"You were trying to fly over the house. With his nine year old on the broom with you."

"She wanted to come!" He defended, earning a resigned look from his father.

"I mean it. Don't discuss anything more serious than Quidditch and household spells while I'm gone. And try to help Molly out a bit."

Teddy chuckled, the warm chocolate cheering him up considerably. Sharing a glance with the two Potter boys, the threesome spoke together: "Yes, Dad."

With a last grin, Harry left the house, with Molly on his heels to keep a closer watch on her sons flinging snow balls at one another. Ted drained his hot chocolate in another gulp and found himself finally noticing the dire looks on the boys beside him.

"What?"

Al stared at him steadily. "Have you thought about your parents?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I." It wasn't a question, the other boys knew it and Teddy knew they were concerned.

"You two can relax. I'm fine."

"No. You haven't been fine in months, Teds, everyone can see that. Hell, you were on the verge of proposing to Vic and then suddenly you wanted to 'focus on your career.' Bullshit."

"James, just drop it. I'm dealing with it."

Albus shook his head. "You weren't dealing with it before. You certainly weren't dealing with it after we found out Dad's dying, and now you're in a world where your parents are alive-"

"I fucking know!"

Al looked taken aback, but he took a deep breath, speaking again. "All we're trying to say is, we're your brothers. We're here for you."

Teddy rubbed his hand along his face, sighing. "I know, and I'm sorry I'm so snappy, just...just give me some space, all right?"

Not waiting for an answer, he stood up, taking his cup to the sink before marching back upstairs, planning to wait out the day in his room.

"Prongs?"

James looked up, seeing Sirius and Remus standing by the door, both wearing concerned faces. He was leaning against the closed door to his and Lily's bathroom, the distant sound of her being sick causing him to wince.

"Is she...?" Remus's voice was tentative.

James sighed, nodding his head and pulling his knees up to his chest. "Looks like that really is my future son." He paused. "And he inherits my poor math skills apparently."

The corners of Remus's mouth turned upward slightly. "I think, given the magnitude of it, that we can forgive him for miscounting the months."

Sirius came forward and slid to the floor beside his brother in everything but blood. "What do you think, mate?"

"I think my wife is pregnant and we only have a few years left to live. Sounds like you two have a bit more time though."

"He never mentioned me." Remus pointed out, sitting on the floor as well. "Has anyone heard from Peter?"

Sirius nodded. "Owl came the other day. He says tracking this bloke is getting tricky and it may take longer than a month. Reckons he'll miss Christmas. Shame, but his rat form makes him good at it."

"Let's make sure we keep stressing to everyone that he simply has a talent for appearance charms." Remus added.

Silence followed. All three men absorbed in thoughts of what they had learned the previous evening. James didn't know what to think. Just days ago he and Lily had been discussing having children after the war. And then their future son and grandkids appeared to tell them they would be dead soon.

And all of those things Harry had claimed he had done. The basilisk, dueling Voldemort...surviving the killing curse twice. It didn't sound like the life of a child, of a teenager marauding his way through Hogwarts.

"Sirius, Harry said he lived in an abusive household for ten years. If Lily and I...well, you're the godfather, and even if something happened to you, there's Remus, and Peter, there's the Longbottoms...I mean, who could he have lived with that would ever abuse him?"

"I've been thinking about that too. Thinking about it a lot." He turned to their werewolf friend. "Your thoughts on this fabulously pleasant discovery, Moony?"

Remus shrugged. "They smell familiar, except the older boy. He smelled...I dunno, animal like or something."

"Animagus, you think?"

"Maybe. It's just...his scent is unlike anything I've smelled before. Different from Sirius, yet similar. A bit like a werewolf, but not. I don't know how to describe it."

"Maybe we can get some more answers tonight at-" James was cut off by the door opening abruptly, sending him onto the floor at his wife's feet. He groaned, blinking up at her. "Hello, love, feeling better?"

She took a deep breath. "Do you have to ask?"

"No, but..." He crawled to his feet and grabbed her hands. He could see the distress in her eyes. Eyes that he had now seen on two other people.

Remus and Sirius got to their feet as well, both seemingly unsure as to if they should speak. Lily moved between them to sit on the bed. Her eyes darted from James to their friends and back again. "What do you think of all this?"

"I think we need the whole story."

She nodded, her lips pressed together tightly. "You need to apologize for your little outburst."

Sirius sighed, his crossed arms falling to his sides. "Can you blame me for freaking out a bit?"

"You were the one trying to convince me to believe them, Padfoot." James reminded, taking a seat next to Lily on their bed.

"There's no point arguing." Remus said, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Let's just get to the meeting, yeah? Besides, Lily, you need to tell Alice you're both throwing up at all hours of the day."

A smile formed on her lips. "I wonder if Harry knows their son."

Sirius held out his hand to help her to her feet. "C'mon, let's get to this meeting. Frankie and Alice are actually feeding us. And I promise to be on my best behavior."

James grinned, standing with his beautiful wife and taking in her laugh. Knowing he wouldn't live for much longer made everything about her that much more beautiful and amazing. Including the little life growing inside her.

A/N: This was originally a six thousand word chapter, but I decided it was just too long, so I broke it in half. That, of course, now means the next chapter will be up pretty soon. Please review and let me know what you think thus far. Tons of love to you all!