It was amazing how many people could actually fit into the Burrow. Somehow, Teddy had forgotten that fact despite having been to many parties there through the course of his life. He could remember being young and watching his godfather celebrate one of aunt Ginny's many quidditch victories, and how the living room and kitchen would always be filled to the brim with laughter, food and an all around warm spirit. Magic was real in their world, but there was something a little extra about the Burrow; it just had a way. In his own thoughts, Teddy could admit that he had missed it, and his family and in the pit of his stomach there was a heavy feeling of regret for not coming around more. At first, it had been to completely avoid Victoire, but he knew that she hadn't been around in a good two years, and not even his ex-girlfriend could be to blame for his absence after a certain point. He wondered, briefly, if she would even show up that night.

The afternoon wore on and Teddy didn't even notice the time as he moved all around, inside and outside of the Burrow to chat with his family and friends. He had always been social, a natural mingler, and most people told him how much he reminded them of his mother. Compliments like that never failed to bring a smile to the young metamorphagus's face, never one to forget the memory of Nymphadora or the things she stood for.

The mood inside of the Burrow was light, although the air was terribly thick and heavy. Toward the evening, Teddy opted for a bit of fresh air and a game of catch-up with James, who had nicked a bottle of firewhiskey on their way out. The two boys had always been particularly close, even though James was younger by a few years, they went well together and had often been inseparable during their time at Hogwarts. It only seemed natural for the pair to be sitting outside, watching the stars come in and discussing Teddy's last trip to Greece as they passed the bottle back and forth.

Soon, it was almost time for dinner and for the party to get underway. Teddy headed inside with James, not drunk and not buzzed, but just about as he re-told the story of nearly being bitten by a vampire in Albania. Gruesome a story as it sounded, the events leading up to it, a card game and several bets, were quite humorous and James always seemed to get a kick out of it. 

"So I told him," Teddy laughed as he reached for the back door, just offset of the kitchen, "if you're going to suck me dry, at least take me to dinner first!I like to be wined and dined before I'm--"

"Teddy!" squeaked Rose, sounding very much like her mother when she was angry. "Not that boorish story again, honestly! It's so vulgar." 

Teddy chuckled, not daring to finish his sentence as the frizzy-haired girl shoved past him with a dish of something that smelled divine. Most of the women were in the kitchen, and Teddy gave a hello, along with hugs and a few kisses to the girls he hadn't reconnected with yet, the last of which was aunt Fleur. Throughout the afternoon, Teddy made sure to keep track of those Weasley's in particular, and each time the number came to two instead of three, he became a bit more relaxed. His wish had come true, Victoire wasn't going to show, and he could go through this party with little to worry about. 

Rather, Teddy [i]thought[/i] he had nothing to worry about. 

There she was, in a sundress of all things and having the nerve to look pretty as ever, if not a little more pale. Victoire would show up late, somehow that was just typical in a situation like this. Their last encounter hadn't gone well, and the break up was actually the last time they had spoken. Teddy had meant to write, to try and find out what had really gone through her mind, but there were a few things that he couldn't get past. The way she had yelled at him was the worst, and it was as though she took out every last bit of frustration on their relationship and then gleefully threw it all away. Teddy wouldn't have called himself innocent either, and he wasn't proud of the way he had lashed out at her in return, but they never had discussed anything afterward and it continued to hang over everything like a black cloud.

It felt like hours that Teddy stood there and looked at her, but it couldn't have been more than a few seconds. If she noticed that he had acknowledged her at all, Teddy hoped that his face hadn't looked the way his stomach felt--sick. He reasoned that she didn't deserve to know that he was bothered, and he was sure that she was over it as well. After all, who brakes up with someone if they aren't sure the relationship is over?

"What's that?" Teddy asked rhetorically as he plucked a tray of tarts for Lily Luna's hands on her way by. "It probably belongs on the table. Don't say I've never helped you lot," he managed with a charming smile and ducked from the room with the food. It was a poor excuse, cowardly, and Teddy was sure he hadn't fooled anyone in the kitchen. He hoped no one would mention it.