Across the Pond
~ The Burrow, 1972
“Oh Ted!” Molly squealed, rushing over to pull him into a tight hug.
“H-ey Mols.” He wheezed through crushed ribs.
“Oh, come in, come in! The others are here already.”
Before Ted could get another word out, Molly had him by the wrist and was whisking him inside. when the door opened and Arthur glanced over and offered a warm smile.
"Ah Ted!” He greeted them as they came in. "It's about time, we were worried you weren't going to make it"
As Arthur motioned for Ted to come to where the rest of the group had taken a seat. A small pang of sadness flickered in his eyes as he glanced at the vacant chair where Andromeda should have been. However, he masked his emotions with a warm smile, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy.
Slipping into the all too familiar cushions of one of the big armchairs, while the others continued to talk.
“You look like shit.” Olivia said abruptly, as Ted slumped down.
“Thanks.”
“St Mungo's working you to the bone?”
“Something like that.”
Olivia snorted, kicking back and leaning back against the couch. “Well, the years are definitely treating us all kindly.”
“You were just talking about how well the quidditch season went.” Alastor grumbled.
Arthur's face lit up with genuine interest. "Oh yes, do tell us about the Quidditch season. It's been so long since I've seen a game myself. I miss the thrill of watching the players soaring through the air.”
“Arthur, my dear, I'll do you one better and get you tickets to whatever match you want.” Olivia smiled up at him. “Best seats in the house for the father of my God babies.”
“Gleaves, the boys are not your god children.” Molly chimed in from the other room. “I will not have them being corrupted by Aunty Liv.”
“We'll see!” Olivia called back with a sly smirk.
Ted couldn't help but chuckle at the playful banter between Olivia and Molly. The lighthearted atmosphere eased the tension that had settled in the room.
Arthur, still smiling, looked at Olivia appreciatively. "Well anyways, I appreciate the kind offer, Olivia. But I'm afraid work keeps me quite busy these days."
He took a sip of his drink before casting a glance at little Bill as he played in the corner, his eyes filled with pride despite the exhaustion that clung to him. Arthur turned his attention to Moody, who had been sulking in the corner.
"Alastor, I trust you're doing well?" Arthur changed the subject.
Moody grumbled in reply. "Ah, same old," he muttered. "Ministry's been keeping me busy, chasing my tail half the time, but I can't complain.”
"That's the spirit, my friend," Arthur replied, patting Moody's back. "The Ministry might be a labyrinth, but someone has to navigate it, right?”
"Mm." Moody grunted back before returning his attention to his cup. Alastor was never a talkative person and since the addition of Arthur to the group dynamic, they'd never really got along, much to Arthur's dismay.
Arthur's smile faltered for a brief moment as he caught Moody's cool response. He cleared his throat, determined to keep the conversation going in the hopes of lightening the mood.
"I heard about your Auror exam results," he commented. "Congratulations on your promotion, Alastor.”
Alastor's frown deepened as he looked up at Arthur, his expression impassive. "Thanks," he muttered, his tone devoid of enthusiasm.
Ted raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Olivia, who shrugged subtly.
“Soooo, Molly!” Olivia loudly interrupted the whole room. “Where's your other little red devil?”
Swiftly, Molly appeared in the doorway. “Charlie is sleeping upstairs.”
"Aw, little Charlie." Arthur beamed. "He's growing up so fast," Molly added, taking a seat on the arm of the armchair.
"So, Molly," Ted started, his voice light. "How are you coping with the newborn? Bill and Charlie both must keep you on your toes."
Molly's eyes softened as she spoke of her children.
"Oh, it's a handful at times, but I wouldn't have it any other way. They're both such bundles of joy.”
Arthur nodded in agreement. "Indeed, parenting is quite the adventure."
The conversation flowed into various anecdotes about Bill and Charlie, their mischievous antics and playful interactions. Bill was barely walking and Charlie a few months old but they could talk about them all day and all the things they get up.
Meanwhile, Moody remained relatively quiet, sipping his drink and occasionally exchanging glances with Ted who raised his eyebrows in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Arthur stood up, stretching his legs.
"I'm going to get more drinks, does anyone want any refills?" he offered, glancing around the room. Molly was quick to respond, requesting another drink, while Ted also raised his glass.
As Arthur excused himself, Molly seized the opportunity to engage the group. She leaned in and whispered, "So, any news to share?”
Ted couldn't help but chuckle at Molly's eagerness for gossip.
"Not much on my end," he replied.
"Oh, come on Ted. There must be at least one nurse who's caught your eye." Molly raised an eyebrow and smirked.
Ted rolled his eyes. “Ah, now, Molly, can't a man at least pretend he's not interested in romance anymore?”
Olivia let out a mock snort.
"Ah, Ted, you know you can't resist the allure of a pretty nurse." she teased.
Ted shook his head, his cheeks growing warmer. "You're all a bunch of matchmakers, aren't you? Can't a guy catch a break?”
"Not when we know what's good for you, we can't." Molly replied. "You need to find yourself a nice girl, settle down, start a family."
Ted chuckled weakly, hiding a frown. "I appreciate the concern, really, but I'm fine for now. Work keeps me busy.”
The room fell quiet for a moment. Things had gotten weird since leaving Hogwarts but they all tried to keep it together. They were all just going in different ways but determined not to grow apart. Barely one foot out of graduation and Molly was married with kids, meanwhile Ted hadn't dated anyone since Andromeda left.
“Alright, but promise me you're taking care of yourself," she insisted, leaning over to her a better look at him . "You've been working yourself to the bone. And you look like you've gotten even skinnier."
Ted smiled softly. "Yes, yes, thank you, Molly. I'll be sure to catch up on my sleep and food when I get a free moment.”
"Good, because the next time I see you looking like a walking skeleton, I'm going to give you a piece of my mind.” She ruffled his hair before backing off.
Ted couldn't help but laugh, appreciating Molly's genuine concern. However, the laughter seemed to conceal a deeper sense of longing. The mention of family and settling down stirred something within him.
The air in the room grew heavy with unspoken thoughts, and Teddy couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness.
Just as the quietness became unbearable, the sound of footsteps signaled Arthur's return. He set down the drinks to distract from any lingering awkwardness.
"Here we go, my dear," he said, handing Molly hers.
As the lively conversation continued, Ted discreetly glanced at Moody. He could sense Moody's discomfort, his silences becoming more pronounced.Under the guise of needing a breath of fresh air, Ted casually excused himself from the conversation.
"Molls, mind if I borrow Moody for a second?"
Molly, engrossed in her conversation with Arthur and Olivia, nodded absentmindedly.
Ted discreetly motioned for Moody to follow as he stepped out onto the porch, allowing the night's coolness to envelope them outside. The door closed behind Moody, and the chatter from the Burrow faded from earshot. The only sound that remained was the gentle hum of the night and the distant hoot of an owl.
Ted leaned against the porch railing, the dim light from the house casting shadows across his face.
"It's suffocating indoors, isn't it?" he spoke, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion. "That's just what this group needs. More talk about marrying and babies.”
Moody grumbled in agreement, leaning against the railing beside Ted. "A bunch of bloody meddlers, if you ask me."
Ted let out a dry chuckle, staring off into the darkness. "I reckon Molly just wants me to find someone so she can live her matchmaker dreams vicariously through me.”
Moody snorted. "Yeah, she's always been eager to play Cupid."
They stood there in comfortable silence for a moment, both seemingly lost in their thoughts.
"She is right about some things though,” Moody commented abruptly. "You look like you've lost weight.”
Ted rubbed his hands over his face, “You don't need to get all soppy on me now, Moody," he quipped, aiming for a lighter tone.
Moody raised an eyebrow, his expression remaining impassive.
“Who said anything about getting soppy?" He retorted. "I'm just stating the bloody obvious.”
Ted rolled his eyes but couldn't hide a weary smile. "You know, Moody, sometimes a good ol' 'hello' and 'how are you' are perfectly acceptable greetings."
Moody shrugged, shifting his stance. "I'm not much for small talk."
“I am aware.”
"So… how is work? Are they giving you the hell they promised? Or was it all a scam and they keep you running on coffee and stale biscuits?”
Ted chuckled, appreciating Moody's bluntness. "Oh, they're keeping me on my toes, all right. Between the long hours and endless paperwork, I've become well-acquainted with the back of my eyelids."
The fatigue in his voice hung in the air, a testament to the relentless pace he kept at St Mungo's.
"I'm alright, though," he added quickly.
"Sure.” Moody sighed. “Honestly, you're complaining like your in life threatening situations everyday, fighting crime.”
“You saying my work isn't as hard because I'm not some fancy Auror?”
Moody scoffed. "I didn't say that. Just saying your job sounds like it's lacking a bit of thrill. Too much paperwork and not enough action."
Ted smirked. "Oh, is that so? So being at the forefront of magical healing doesn't sound thrilling enough for you?”
Moody rolled his eyes. "That's not remotely what I meant. I'm just saying you need to take things easier. Stop being a workaholic."
"You better stop being an alcoholic then." Ted teased. "Honestly, never have I seen you drink more than when you're around Arthur."
Moody's eyebrow twitched irritably, but he couldn't deny the truth in Ted's statement.
"Shut up, Ted." He responded. "I'm doing just fine."
He took a swig of his drink as if to emphasize his point."Besides, this is much better than pretending to care about Bill's teething issues or whatever nonsense Molly is prattling on about.”
Ted chuckled, appreciating Moody's bluntness. "Yeah, and I'm sure Molly loves the smell of booze around her kids.”
He nudged Moody playfully, a mischievous smirk forming on his face. "Or maybe you're just jealous that Bill's getting all the attention, and you're feeling like you need some of your own? Do you want a little snuggle, Moody?"
Moody scowled, his expression becoming even stormier. "Keep pushing, Ted, and I'll throw you off this porch.”
Ted held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I'll let it go. Can't have you throwing me off a porch. Molly would have your head."
A small, genuine smile tugged at the corners of Moody's lips, though it quickly faded. The weight of his concerns lingered in the air as he stared ahead into the darkness once more.
They fell back into a comfortable silence, both knowing they didn't have to fill the space between them. The muffled voices from inside the Burrow reached their ears, blending with the soothing sounds of crickets and the rustling leaves. Staring out across the open fields, Ted finally perked up.
“Anything?”
“Anything what?”
“Any news?” Ted rephrased.
“Tonks, I've told you before, I highly doubt she's even still out there, as you say.”
“So, you haven't heard anything?”
Moody sighed. “No, I haven't heard anything.”
They both fell silent again. Moments passed until Alastor signed heavily, pocketing his flask and placed a hand on Ted's shoulder.
“It's been two years, you've got to accept that she's gone at some point.”
And with that, he headed back inside. Leaving Ted alone outside, looking up at the night sky. Soft starts gleaming through the partially clouded sky. Bloody stars.