Harry Potter: 19 Years Later

27: Teddy's POV

Teddy drummed his fingers on the now elongated table. It had taken an hour and a half, all of James and Fred's patience, three different spells, and plenty of cursing to get the table long enough to fit all twenty three people staying for Christmas this year.

"Would you stop tapping those damn fingers of yours? Damn it, I'm trying to read!" Lucy snapped, her clearly piqued eyes visible over the top of her copy of Tales and Fantasies.

"I'm sorry, I've been waiting nearly three hours for dinner to be ready! Do you know how many times I've had to change my hair color to entertain those two?" He waved his hand in the direction of the sofa, where Lily and Hugo were now chanting some dull-witted chorus about James and his supposed girlfriend.

Lucy rolled her eyes, an action accustomed to her nature. "I didn't ask, blockhead. I'm trying to read, can't you see? This is really important, too."

The last thing Teddy was in the mood for right now was an argument, especially one with someone as vain and conceited as Lucy. She was exactly as his godfather had described her father Percy to have been when he was younger. Her sister Molly was slightly better. When her nose wasn't stuck in a book, she was either very quiet or spouting the reasons she'd be an excellent choice for Minister of Magic in twenty years. Aside from being annoying she was tolerable, unlike her sister.

He turned his head and gazed out the window, easily losing himself in the turmoil that was mind and watching the snow drift to the ground and swirl on the path outside, creating lush piles. He'd always loved this time of year, sitting by the fireplace and doing nothing, just enjoying the smell wafting from the kitchen, absorbing the pretty, snowy view outside, listening to his younger cousins quarreling over petty subjects.

Most of all, he loved being free of worry. Christmas season for him used to be an escape from the bustle of school life, the endless notes and exams, the unnecessary drama the other students stirred up, the gossip, the rumors, the pressure of his Quidditch team, and sometimes even his friends. Victoire was the only part of school he didn't get tired of.

But now even the comfort of the home he'd grown up in was overwhelming. He couldn't quite place his finger on it but everything just seemed so stressful. When one of his younger cousins came up to talk to him, he just wanted to shove them away and yell. When Molly asked him to do something to help out, he had the urge to bury himself in a heap of blankets and just stay there for who knows how long. When his grandmother reminded him to study a little to brush up on some subjects, he was hit with a strong desire to just cry.

Not even Victoire could cheer him up–something strange for their relationship. The only thing he looked forward to these days was his next meal and night, when he was free to curl up under the covers and doze off to the constant buzzing of his exhausting thoughts.

"Kids!" Teddy glanced up as Hermione entered the room, her tousled hair in a loose bun. "Supper's ready!" She grinned at the identical beams that sprouted almost immediately after the words left her mouth on Hugo and Lily's faces.

They sprang up and practically trampled each other on the way to the bathroom. Teddy waited until they came back out and loudly made their path to the kitchen and only then did he go wash his own hands.

"This looks delicious, Mum," Percy observed after they'd all said their thanks.

Molly's eyes shone. "Thank you, dear. Merry Christmas. Hugo, eat your vegetables. Teddy, is everything all right?"

His head shot up abruptly, eyes flicking from Molly to the food he had been dejectedly picking at to the equally addled expressions around the table. "I'm fine, Mrs. Weasley." He managed a weak smile. "Thanks for asking. The turkey is amazing, by the way."

After making sure he'd provided the overly worried woman with sufficient compliments and excuses, Teddy returned to his despondent eating routine; in, chew, swallow, in, chew, swallow, look around, in, chew, swallow.

He found himself catching snippets of the surrounding conversations, silently praying that it would be time to sleep soon.

What the hell is wrong with you? This is Christmas, for Merlin's sake. A time for the whole family to get together for once in the year, to exchange news, and memories, and laughs. This was the time when he was off school for a couple weeks, a time for him to relax and enjoy, and relish in the time he had where he didn't need to worry about exams and classes.

Instead he was a crestfallen, blue haired mess that just wanted to curl up and cry himself to sleep. How pathetic.