Reliving the Past, Present, and Future

Chapter 36

"Don't you want to hold your god- daughter, Aunt Hermione?"

Quiet coos from Isabella was the only response.

Teddy looked at his daughter in his arms, snuggled in a bundle of blankets.

Her rosy pursed lips opened in the smallest of yawns, her bright brown eyes blinking sluggishly. Blonde curls changed to bright pink as she reached out a tiny fist to his face.

He smiled, gently brushing her cheek before letting her grip onto his finger with a tiny fist.

Teddy sighed when he stared back at the unmoving woman in the Hospital bed, eyes roaming past the different Muggle machines and potion bottles surrounding her.

"You will love your god-mother, Izzy," he said quietly, bouncing her gently in his arms. "She's one of the bravest people you'll ever meet."

If they'll ever meet.

It was easier to control his anger with his daughter in his arms. Easier to pretend everything was right and pure in the world.

Ronald Weasley was not dead.

George Weasley wasn't screaming throughout all hours of the day in the ward three floors below.

Lucius Malfoy hadn't cursed one of the most important witches in his life.

He could pretend there was no corruption within their government and Lucius was rotting in Azkaban instead of cozily awaiting his sentencing at Malfoy Manor, destroying evidence at his leisure.

His Aunt and best friend wasn't in a coma she may never wake up from.

And Teddy would not need to go back into the past and leave his little family.

He kissed Isabella's forehead as tears pricked his eyes.

"Ted?"

He didn't look away from his daughter as he spoke. "In my desk, there will be a manila envelope. If I don't return in three months, please retrieve it."

"Teddy..."

"Please, Dad... take care of them for me."

There were a few beats of silence before footsteps approached, a scarred hand now caressing Isabella's pink curls. The faded words I must not tell lies more noticeable under the florescent lights.

"She looks just like you."

Teddy didn't bother wiping away the tear falling down his cheek while Harry wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

Neither moved or spoke as the tears continued to fall.

***

"She looks just like you."

Teddy fought back a tidal wave of emotions as he watched Tonks look at a moving picture of her namesake.

He cleared his throat, running a hand through his pale hair. "So I've been told."

The Order of the Phoenix were arriving to the Room of Requirement tonight to discuss how to move forward in the following weeks. Teddy would be breaking the news on his plan to end the war in as little as two months; nearly a year before what naturally occurred in the future.

"Remus!" said Tonks excitedly as his father entered the room with Sirius Black. "Come have a look at your granddaughter."

His father's eyes brightened in interest, a smile playing at his lips when he walked towards them.