the holidays almost always meant you had to see your dreadful ex-husband. the only positive thing out of the whole situation was being able to see your son, teddy.

a while back, a year and half after teddy had been born, your already rocky and tumultuous relationship somehow got worse. the stakes were high—the war had just finished, and the only thing that people could feel was loss and sorrow.

you tried with each other. you tried to communicate and work it out for teddy’s sake, but ultimately, the marriage had failed.

it was winter holidays for hogwarts students and remus wanted to come over for Christmas Eve dinner. it had been at least half-an-hour after the agreed upon time, and you were starting to get annoyed and cold.

“you’re late.” you pointed out in a condescending tone.

“hey there, love.” he rolled his eyes, flicking his cigarette onto the garden.

you hated his tone, and you hated that he called you ’love’ like it was so casual. you loathed the feeling that something was still there after all these years—equally both your faults but still.

teddy approached, wrapping his arms around your waist. he was almost your height by now. he was growing up so fast. remus walked over, leaning against the wall with a smirk.