Surviving in Harmony

Chapter Forty-Six | Hester House, July 2016

Chapter Forty-Six

Hester House, July 2016

            Hester House was an ever-changing maze of halls, moving portraits, and breathtaking landscapes. Teddy, though he had spent much of his life at Hester House, still got lost. He would wander until he found his way to a room with shutters in the wall; he would open them, lean out and see what section of the library they opened to.

The circular room was one of Teddy's favourite places, next to the music room.

Andrew found him there, sitting at the piano, running his fingers over the ivory keys. The deep red of the walls, dome ceiling and high arching windows were elegant, and Andrew could still picture Hazel and Remus sitting at the curved long, curved window seat. Red wine in hand, they would talk or read or just sit. Andre had a foggy memory of being very little and looking up at them from the ground, their hands just a little bit apart, not touching.

"Hey, Ted." Andrew stepped into the room, arms crossed. "What're you up to?"

Teddy turned a little, smiling. "Just thinking about my Dad."

"Hm." Andrew wished Harry were here – they were always a better team together. Neither of them were very good inspirational talkers. "Do you – uh – want to be alone?"

"I'd like to talk, actually."

"Oh. Okay." Andrew walked over to the piano, placing his hands on the polished surface. "What do you want to talk about?"

Teddy bit his lip, staring at the keys. "Where Dad and Mum in love?"

"Of course, why – why would you ask?"

"Because in all the pictures, all the stories...it sounds as if Dad was in love with your Mum."

Andrew coughed, uncomfortable. How did he explain this to an eighteen year old? "I don't want to lie to you, Ted, so yes. Remus was in love with my mother for a very long time."

"How long?"

"Since they were sixteen."

"You're very nice, Hazel." Remus said shyly, looking at the snowy ground.

 

She smiled at him "So are you."

 

Neither said anything for a moment, and Remus moved closer to her. "Hazel?"

 

Standing straight, Hazel looked up at him "Yes Remus?"

 

"I'd like to try something." He blurted, hands shaking in his mitts.

 

"Okay."

Teddy was still staring at the keys. "And when did he stop?"