Teddy dragged his trunk down the dormitory stairs and into the bustling common room. Students were gathered around their packed bags, chatting and hugging and bidding farewell for Christmas Break. Teddy maneuvered his way through the room to where Rowel was stuffing some last minute things from the kitchen into his full trunk.

“What’s this all about?” Teddy asked with a laugh.

“Well, I’m trying to save some money.” He grunted as he shoved a bag of creampuffs in. “Prices on the Hogwarts Express have skyrocketed, haven’t they?”

“Well, I haven’t really noticed.” Teddy said cheerfully. He couldn’t wait to see Harry, Ginny, James, Albus or Lilly.

Meggie walked over to them her hands in the pockets of her sweatshirt. “Hey guys.” She said her voice unusually emotionless.

Teddy raised an eyebrow at her. “What’s up? Where are your things?”

Meggie just shook her head. “I’m staying.”

“Why?” Teddy asked as he took a seat at the table. “Aren’t you going to go see your family?”

“It’s nothing. I—I don’t want to talk about it.” She mumbled. “I’m going to go to the bathroom for a moment. Excuse me.” She pushed her way through the crowd. “See you later!”

Teddy’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t believe bold Meggie had just been so sentimental. He and Rowel exchanged looks of amusement and confusion. They both let out a laugh as Abigal trotted over to them looking happy as ever.

“Where’s Meggie headed?”

“Bathroom.” Rowel and Teddy said together.

She gazed after Meggie. “She looks so upset.” Abigal sighed. “Well it is that time of year again.”

Teddy looked at her quizzically. “What do you mean?”

“Well, back when we were friends in third year she told me.” Abigal explained. “I had to chase her to the bathroom and persist until she finally let up. She’s got a tough family situation. It’s really hard for her. Her Dad’s a drunk and he doesn’t spend any time with her. In fact, she even told me when he had one too many bottles of Firewhiskey he would hex her with unforgivable curses. Thankfully not the killing curse. He was never reported for it either.” Abigal’s face was missing its usual cheerful glow as she spoke. “Her mother has been in Azkaban prison since she was five for robbing Gringotts. You didn’t hear this from me!” She added quickly.

Teddy gasped. Meggie?He thought his head spinning. Meggie Pace? But she’s always so casual. Is she really facing a home problem so unimaginably horrible? He stared at the common room entrance. He thought he had it hard. Sure his parents had died, but he never knew them. At least he had a warm bed and food on his plate. He gazed at the entrance of the common room where Meggie had just left from. Would he ever treat her the same way again?

“Are—are you serious?” Rowel whispered.

Abigal nodded sadly. “Unfortunately. But she doesn’t like talking about it, so don’t say anything, okay?”

“I won’t.” Teddy promised. “What do you mean you used to be friends though?”

She sighed. “We had a bit of a quarrel. It wasn’t pretty. She sort of blamed me for something I didn’t do back in third year. It was an accident but I got detention for a month and I sort of blew up at her. It was her first instinct to blame me. We had a shouting match and she hexed me. Badly. My legs are all scarred and now I never wear shorts. I’ve never seen a spell like that before.” She shruddered. “Probably learned it from her freak of a Dad…” She mumbled. “I didn’t mean that!” Abigal added quickly.

“Meggie hexed you?” Teddy exclaimed standing up. “She wouldn’t do that!”

“It wasn’t her fault. She didn’t mean to do it. It’s just that she doesn’t think before she acts. But I’ve forgiven her. We just can never be as close as we once were. It’s a shame.” She said sadly. “I don’t really want to talk about it anymore.”

“I’m sorry.” Teddy said quietly. He couldn’t believe Meggie would do something like that! He truly wouldn’t look at Meggie the same way again, after all.

“Please don’t judge her, Teddy.” She said. “I’ve got to go. Dustin and I got special permission to use the Floo Network to get home.” She smiled. “Permission and galleons! I’ll see you after break!” She hugged him in a lung crunching grasp. “Happy Christmas!” She trotted off towards Dustin who waved from his place near the window.

“Floo network, huh?” Rowel said quickly. Teddy knew he didn’t want to talk about Meggie, and frankly, he didn’t want to either.

“Well not all of us get special permission.” He said. “Come on, we better get to the train.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ride to King’s Cross was a long and tedious affair. Outside the windows, a blizzard of snow and hail blustered from the dense overcast sky. Inside their compartment, however, Teddy, Rowel, and Henry were warm and cozy, their trunks packed up in the overhead. They enjoyed several games of Gobstones, discussing Quidditch tactics, and stuffing their faces with Rowel’s supply from the kitchen.

“So have any plans for break?” Teddy asked Henry and Rowel as they passed by shadows of distant mountains and rolling plains.

“I’m going to Albania to see my great aunt, Frankie.” Henry told them through a mouthful of jelly doughnut. “Worst trip ever. Don’t ask.”

“I won’t. We’ll be heading to Madagascar to study ancient wizards.” Rowel said. “I seriously need to ask my parents if I’m going to Durmstrang next year. It makes no sense at all.”

“At least you’re going somewhere. I’ll be staying in Godric’s Hollow.” Teddy said. “But I still can’t wait for Christmas!”

“Me either.” Henry agreed with a nod. “I think I’m getting a Lightning Strike 3000 broom!”

“Lucky!” Teddy chimed. He was fond of his Rain Dancer 4.0 but he couldn’t help but envy Henry. The Lightning Strike 3000 was the latest model used by all the pros. “Up for another game of Gobstones?”

The train continued down empty country sides and grand mountains that towered high in the fog. Snow blustered in the wind making the landscape look like a great white cloud. Soon enough, the white faded into a nightly darkness. Small houses spotted the rolling hills as the Hogwarts Express chugged on.

“We’ll be there soon.” Rowel said as they finished yet another game of Gobstones. “Better not start another game, eh?”

He was right. Soon, the Hogwarts Express pulled into a crowded station bustling with wizards, witches and muggles. Eagerly, Teddy grabbed his trunk and opened the compartment door to an aisle full of loud students hurrying towards the door.

Teddy filed in with Rowel and Henry behind him. He followed the line of students off the train and into the crowded station. He turned to Rowel and shook his hand.

“Happy Christmas, Teddy.” Rowel said. “I’ll see you after break. You too, Henry.” He acknowledged Henry with a nod.

“Happy Christmas.” Teddy responded. He turned and pushed his way through the crowd searching for a familiar face among the others.

“Oy! Teddy!”

Teddy turned to see a familiar face—but not the one he expected.

It was Ron Weasley. He was a tall and gangly man with ginger hair and light blue eyes. He was beaming brightly as he pulled him into a tight hug. “Been awhile.”

“Sure has.” Teddy smiled. “Where’s Harry?”

“Harry’s been looking for you, mate.” Ron guided him through a crowd of people to the corner of the station. There, Harry Potter stood.

“Teddy!” Harry exclaimed. He had sloppy jet black hair and a faded lightning bolt scar. His bright green eyes were shining with happiness behind his round glasses. He hugged him as he approached. “How’s Hogwarts?”

“Brilliant. Just brilliant.” Teddy said, beaming. “Why’d you come, Ron?”

“What? You don’t want me here?” Ron joked. He put an arm around Teddy. “Just a little trip down memory lane. And couldn’t miss out on seeing you, could I? Rosie and Hugo will be ecstatic. Harry’s invited us to come for Christmas Break.”

“Awesome!” Teddy cheered. “How’s everyone?”

“Thriving.” said Ron.

“The kids can’t wait to see you. No one can.” Harry said. “I know it’s only been a couple months but it feels like generations.”

Teddy nodded. It sure had been awhile since he had Ginny’s delicious cooking or played one of Lilly’s imaginary games. He couldn’t wait to be at home.

But it wasn’t home. His home should be with his parents. But it couldn’t. It wouldn’t. Ever. He shook the nagging thought away. Why couldn’t he just embrace the happiness he felt now?

Then Meggie popped into his head. He imagined her sitting in the common room with no one else but a sulky little first year. He was so glad to be with Harry and Ron right now but somehow his mind kept drifting to pity.

“Well what are we waiting for? Let’s go home.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The snow swirled around the three of them as they walked down the stone front path that was blanketed in thick snow. The place looked like a ginger bread house, with white snow on the roof and merry lights glowing from the windows. Excitement tingled in Teddy’s bones.

Harry unlocked the door and opened it. A flurry of falling snow blew inside as they stepped in. Teddy pulled off his shoes quickly and dropped his trunk to unpack later. He raced through the mud room into the living room.

“Teddy bear!” screamed Lily. She raced towards him, her short ginger hair flying behind her. She pulled him into a hug as Harry and Ron appeared behind him. Lily grinned up at him. She had dark chocolate colored eyes and dimples. Her face was dotted with freckles.

Teddy laughed and hugged her back. “Hi Lily.” He spotted little Hugo a distance behind holding a rubber wand and willing it to at least spark. “And Hugo!”

Hugo Weasley looked up shyly. He had straight ginger hair that went by his ears. He had blue eyes similar to Ron’s. “Hey, Teddy.” He said quietly.

“You’re here!” exclaimed a girl from behind them. He turned to see Rose hurrying towards him with James on her heels. She smiled brightly. Rose was a lanky girl with strawberry blonde hair and green blue eyes. “Hi Teddy!”

“Teddy.” James nodded at him. James resemblance to Harry was astounding. “How are you, brother?”

“Excellent.” Teddy said breathlessly. “Really, really excellent. Where’s Albus and Ginny? Where’s Hermione?” He silently prayed Hermione wasn’t on some business trip. He needed to talk to her.

“Mum’s in the kitchen with Al,” Lily squealed. “Aunt Hermione is working upstairs. Come on, come on! They’ll be so happy to see you!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the cozy little living room and back into the hall. She dragged him into the archway to the brightly lit kitchen.

“Mummy! Teddy’s home!”

Ginny was putting up a portrait but she turned at once leaving the picture to crash to the floor. “Teddy!” She hugged him tightly. “How’s Hogwarts treating you?” She asked clapping him on the shoulder.

“Great so far.” He told her. “Your—your picture…It sort of broke.”

“Did it?” She sighed. “I’ve been trying to do it the muggle way. Grandpa Weasley would be proud, huh? I’ve got it.” She pulled out her wand. “Reparo!” She mumbled. The pieces from the broken painting collided into each other creating a painting of a country side farm. “It’s new.” She said. “The clerk said animals will show up in it now and then. Ah, there’s a little chicken now. Isn’t that cute?” A chicken cawed from the image as it trotted past fluttering its wings. “I’ll figure this out.”

“Hi Teddy,” Albus said from across the room. He had his hands in his pockets and was sitting on the counter top. He looked mature sitting there with his dark brown hair and light hazel eyes.

“Hey Al! What’s up?”

“Not much.”

“Teddy you better go upstairs and unpack before dinner. Say hi to Hermione while you’re up there.” Ginny suggested as she turned back to her work.

Teddy agreed and turned back to the hall. He grabbed his trunk from where it was sloppily thrown by the door. He hurried up the main staircase a jump in his step as he went. Upstairs there was a small lounge before it broke into a hallway. He hurried down the hall to the last doorway and opened it.

My room, he thought joyously. He gazed around the cluttered bed room. His bed was neatly made in the corner with its electric blue comforter. His dresser had sloppy clothes hanging out of the drawers while others littered the carpeted floor. Posters for the Montrose Magpies Quidditch covered the walls. Teddy threw his trunk by his desk covered in old letters.

“It’s great to be back.” He sighed and opened his trunk to air out some of his dirty robes.

Teddy walked out of his room and back into the hall, cheerfully. There he spotted a bushy head of light brown hair walking towards the stairs. “Hermione!”

She jumped and turned. “Teddy! You gave me a fright!” Her dark brown eyes were glowing with a mixture of happiness and shock. “But it’s so great to see you. Your hair hasn’t changed much I see.”

He brushed his hand through his electric blue hair. “Yeah not really.”

“I like it. It reminds me of your mother’s favorite shade of purple.” Hermione said with a smile. “Come on, dinner’s ready.”

Teddy followed her down the stairs and into the kitchen where the others were waiting, seated around the table with full plates of steak, mashed potatoes and peas. His mouth watered at the aroma of smells. He made his way to an empty seat next to Rose who was chatting with James and Ron about Quidditch.

“But I still don’t get it, Dad.” She whined as she stuffed some mashed potatoes into her mouth. “The only important player on the pitch is the seeker. I mean, you said the snitch is worth one hundred and fifty points, right?”

“Not true. I was a keeper and we do just as much. More, even.” Ron said. “Isn’t that right Teddy?”

Teddy nodded as his plate of food hovered over to him on its own. He dug in, eagerly.

Harry laughed. “I think Rose has the right idea. Seekers are the most important.”

“I want to be a chaser like Mum,” James piped in. “They get to score points, right? I’m going to play for Gryffindor one day!”

“More like Slytherin!” Teddy joked.

“No!” James flung a cluster of peas at Teddy from across the table with a laugh.

“Being a chaser is pretty sweet.” Ginny said from the other side of the table. “And James, just eat the bloody peas! They aren’t weapons.”

“They could be!” Lily squealed. “Pea fight!” She grabbed a handful of peas and threw them at Hugo. “Pea war!”

“Hey!” Hugo chuckled and threw a single pea back.

“No, no, no, you’re doing it all wrong.” Rose said pompously. “Like this!” She grabbed nearly all the peas on her plate and dumped them down Teddy’s shirt.

“Hey!” Teddy shouted with a laugh as the peas rolled down his back, tickling his bare skin.

Ron howled with laughter. “She’s just like you Hermione! Always correcting people!”

Hermione raised an eyebrow. “Only when you do it wrong!” She laughed.

“What are you saying?” He shot back. Ron piled peas onto his fork and launched them at Hermione’s face. “Was that the wrong way?”

“Ronald!” She shrieked. “You are so immature!”

By now, the whole table was covered in peas as they flicked them at one another. Teddy hadn’t felt this lighthearted in a long time. He threw some left over peas at Harry. Harry turned to Teddy, his face full of laughter as he launched another set. Meanwhile, Hugo and Lily took cover underneath the table.

“Guys!” Ginny warned them.

Teddy hardly listened. He was shielding himself from an ambush with his bare hands as Rose and James chucked handfuls of little green bullets at him. “I’m under attack!” he yelled playfully. Rose and James broke into fits of laughter.

“GUYS!”

Silence fell. The heads at the table turned to Ginny who had leftover peas resting atop her head and shoulders. She was looking half amused and half furious. “Can’t we just—I don’t know—eat the peas perhaps?”

“No!” shouted Hugo from underneath the table.

“I hope you know I’ve been cooking those all day!” She told them holding back a laugh. “And I hate cooking.”

“But your food is so good!” Ron moaned.

“Pipe it, Ickle Ronniekins.” She snapped. “You’re cleaning this up.”

“What?” Ron bellowed.

“You heard me, big brother.”

He mumbled something under his breath. Hermione slapped him lightly.

“Why don’t we all just get ready for bed?” She suggested.

“Agreed!” Albus yawned. “Except Uncle Ronniekins!” He laughed.

 Teddy drowsily followed the others upstairs letting out a yawn. Despite Ginny’s anger, Teddy didn’t think he’d ever had a better dinner. He barely even ate a thing but he wasn’t hungry. He felt more upbeat than he had in eons. It was going to be a good Christmas Break.