Friends once, friends forever /*Teddy*\

[nan]

Angela was late, again. She'd been making a habit of it lately. It was all because of her son, Aaron. Not that she intended to blame him, but he was really like his father, demanding her attention all the time. Angela just couldn't help but spoil him. And that particular day, Aaron didn't want to sleep, and was fussing around. Angela had tried everything, but her son wouldn't listen. At last, she decided that she'd take him with her.

She was going to meet a dear friend of hers, Teddy Lupin. She remembered him being two years below her in Hogwarts. She'd heard about his father, and everything, and thought he was a brave kid. Angela had practically been an orphan, since her parents weren't really bothered about anyone but themselves. She shuddered at the memories of her childhood. It was probably good that her parents disowned her, when she married Trent. After the separation, she didn't even dare show her face to her parents. It had been more like good riddance. But their rejection had hurt, and especially their superficiality. That was why she'd been very much insecure, for most of her life. The only thing she felt secure about, was her son, and she wasn't going to let anything take it away from her.

She'd met Teddy Lupin about three years before. She had known about him, but hadn't really struck any friendship or anything back in Hogwarts. When she'd met Teddy, it was just a pure co-incidence. She'd been at Diagon Alley, purchasing something for her baby, and she just couldn't carry all her purchases, being seven months pregnant. He'd almost crashed into her, because she wasn't able to carry it all. He had offered to carry it and thus began a wonderful friendship. She'd even written an article on his department. He had been amazed by it, and had said that he'd better remain on her good graces, lest her sharp tongue, rather quill,cost him his job. She'd just laughed and said that as long as he did his job dutifully, he needn't worry about her sharp tongue or quill.

Right then, he'd offered her monetary help, when her financial situation had been really bad. But she'd refused, for one, she was a proud woman, and for another, he wasn't that rich either. Instead he had offered her assistance on finding a job. That's why she was supposed to meet him. At a muggle cafe, where she spent half her time, writing some stories. The cafe had calmed her nerves. Besides, the owner of the cafe had been working at her childhood place, till her parents fired her. It was also the place where she met Teddy, and few of her friends, if she didn't want to go into the magic realm for fear of crashing into her ex-husband. Carrying her son, and balancing his weight on her hips, she pushed the glass doors, and instantly spotted her friend. "Ah, there you are Teddy," said she, "Sorry, I got delayed."

[teddy]

[sorry if this is rubbish... I decided to stay up, but that doesn't mean I'm not tired. XP]

In the three years that Ted had known Angela, she had never been without child. Sure, there had been those initial two months when she was still pregnant with Aaron and he had first met her, but those initial months were hardly enough time to truly get to know a person for who they were before being a mother. Even so, from what he had observed of pregnant women, they were bonding to the kid a lot sooner than the day they were faced with those wrinkled, alien little faces of theirs. Oh, he liked kids well enough, but babies freaked him out. Fortunately, Aaron was finally getting to a fun age… even if he did tend to make Angela late. Ted, on the other hand, had no problem blaming her son for her delay.

Already sitting at a café table, Ted fortunately had no watch to keep track of the time. The fact of the matter was, it did not matter how late she was, just the fact that he was kept waiting. He was not exactly a patient person. Not in the way that a man thought himself so important that one dare not be on time, simply a childish trait that had persisted into adulthood. Still, the quiet time before meeting up with Angela did give him more time to appreciate her, and her situation. When he thought of it, inevitable sympathy would evoke patience. He could not imagine what it was like raising a kid on his own, let alone even having been married and having to deal with an ex of that nature.

Angela’s circumstance could certainly make him appreciate his own situation more. Sure he was an orphan, but his parents had not rejected him willingly. Sure he and Victoire had their ups and major downs, but they still had potential. And then, of course, there was the financial issue. He was far from rich, but he did have some security when it came to money. Being a bachelor and working as an Auror did mean he was able to have a comfortable savings for a rainy day. Such a rainy day had arrived that he thought to give Angela a helping hand, but his security remained just as it was when she refused. He was not sure what it was that made him so concerned… well, yes he did. If that ex-husband of hers couldn’t be bothered to look out for her, someone had to. Just the same, very few expected it of him, finding it rather skeptical. His own grandmother thought he had hidden motives, and he just let her believe so. It was better than anyone finding out that he did have a heart, and was not near so self-centered as he often acted.

Ted finally spotted Angela walking through the front of the café. It would have been sad if he had not, considering his eyes were waiting on the doors for her. Rising from his chair, he smiled. “It’s fine. Hi Aaron. I’ll get a… erm… is he still in a highchair?” A sure tell sign that he was far from knowing anything about toddlers.

[nan]

[uhoh, staying up, makes one very tired; and gives headache, which I have now; I wanted to stay up yesterday, but I ended up falling asleep late, Im still sleepy, blah, sorry if this sucks!]

Theodore Remus Lupin aka Ted was one of those unique people, like they say, one of a kind. Unless you knew him, you didn't really know his personality. Ted made the adage appearances are often deceptive come true. Only a handful really knew about his real nature, and Angela was lucky she was one of them. It was just like how she had been, introvert in Hogwarts, but people had thought she was high and mighty, and very haughty. She knew because she'd heard the whispers behind her back. The whispers had grown during her seventh year when she had an overnight transformation from the ugly duckling to a beautiful swan. It really hadn't been an overnight transformation, but it had surely felt so.

Angela still was an introvert, but her insecurities had lessened since childhood. Although where Trent was concerned, her insecurities had just elevated after their separation. Normally, she would never initiate a conversation. Unless a person talked to her, she wouldn't really talk aloud. That's why she had a handful of friends back at Hogwarts, and virtually no friend at her childhood place. Near her childhood residence, everyone had been so vain and superficial, that none wanted to be a friend of the ugly stammering klutz.The only time she had really initiated a conversation was with Teddy, and that had resulted in a beautiful friendship. Since then, she'd progressed in making a lot more conversations, as she was on her own, and not talking to anyone new wasn't going to help her, if she was going to support herself and Aaron on her own.

She thought Ted to be her younger brother, and hoped he thought of her as an elder sister. When she was young, she had hoped for a sibling, but her parents didn't want any more children. Especially her mother, since the first pregnancy didn't suit her, and she had put on a lot of weight. Her mother simply thought that she wouldn't like to go through the entire ordeal once again. Having Ted as a friend had helped her in a lot of ways, for one it had helped her getting out of solitude, and not falling into a depression. She had been in a bad shape after she left her husband. And so, she was really grateful to Ted for giving her a mental support.

On seeing Teddy, Aaron had become so animated, that it was difficult for her to hold him. "Ted-ddyy Ted-ddy!" said Aaron in broken words, reaching out for Ted. He swung from her grip, and she had to shift in order to balance herself and Aaron, lest he might fall down and hurt himself. Her son was so much like her ex-husband, that sometimes, it hurt her so much to even look at him. He'd had the determination and impatience just like her husband. If Aaron wanted something, he wanted it. Besides, Angela didn't have the mind yet to deprive him of anything that he wishes for. Although his speech powers hadn't really developed; she hoped he didn't stammer like she had, because she didn't want Aaron to undergo the same traumatic experience that she had undergone.

She chuckled at her son's monkey antics, and almost somersaulting, "I daresay Aaron thinks of you as his teddy bear, Ted," said she solemnly, offering him to hold Aaron. She knew Ted wasn't really comfortable with toddlers. In reality no one was; unless they got used to it. For women, it was comparatively easier as they had maternal instincts, atleast that's what she thought. That's why she hadn't really asked Ted to babysit Aaron, although she had a feeling that she'd like to see her friend squirm.

Angela laughed, when he asked if Aaron was still in a highchair and shook her head in response. "No, Ted, he climbs out of it, everytime." Said she like a proud mother, "Sometimes I feel he's more of a monkey, than a baby boy. I was worried he'd get into some accident when I was not looking. I had to keep him strapped until some months back. He can sit on my lap now, or anywhere that he wishes." She informed him. "So then, my dear friend, how have you been?" Asked she, her voice little cheerful, that's what talking about her son did to her.

[teddy]

It had to be painfully obvious that Ted was hopeless with knowing the stages of childhood… what with the question about a highchair. One should think that Ted would be great with kids. Ever since he was young he dealt with new babies, and subsequently toddlers. It was because, though not officially a part of their family, Ted was like the oldest of the Weasley clan. He was often mistaken for one, too, considering how much he hung around. But taking no interest in the actual caretaking of each new arrival, he was as lame as a three-legged dog around kids now. It was many years now since the new generation had blossomed. Now, he always felt like he was going to drop babies, and his mentality was just too close to a toddler’s still to feel comfortable. It was a shame really, because kids seemed to really like him.

However, Theodore was terrified of having any of his own. That was a step that he liked to think was far in the future, but as of late it seemed to be creeping up on him. What was that muggle chant about love, marriage, and a carriage? He couldn’t remember, considering it had been about a decade since Arthur had told it to him. Just the same, the idea of it lingered in his mind, and it worried him that he might just have taken that first step, with the second one long anticipated for he and Victoire. Could he end up with a struggling, demanding little gremlin in the next few years? One should hope that he would stop being one himself before he handled a miniature version.

Needless-to-say, Ted had to agree with Angela’s assessment of Aaron’s likeness to a monkey. He was impressed with how easily she seemed to handle his unpredictable thrusts of weight in whatever direction, totally trusting her not to drop him while wanting her to apparently do just that. Ted wondered if she had ever just let his struggles result in that as a lesson. No, probably not. She was too doting on the little boy for that. If she was not careful she was going to end up with a spoiled rotten little brat, and Ted was a testament to what that would result in. An impatient, selfish, inconsiderate man.

He gave a half-hearted little laugh at her joke about being a teddy bear, but mostly because he was terrified that she might be serious about him actually holding Aaron. Inadvertently, an invisible rope pulled him back ever so slightly. As though ready to yank him away as a means of escape. Surely she knew better than to have him do so. Ted was fine playing with him, but holding him while he was trying to take launch? Not a good idea.

“Erm… wouldn’t you like to sit down?” He responded to her query about how he was doing. Pulling out a chair next to him for her, he resumed sitting in his own. Maybe the distraction of getting settled and dealing with whatever the action encouraged Aaron to do would maker her forget the question. “I could call the waiter over?” He offered. They had been there a number of times, and it was possible that she would already know what she wanted.

[nan]

Angela knew Ted had grown up with the Weasleys and the Potters, and mainly among kids, he was even good with them. She had seen him with Aaron, when they both had their male bonding time. She saw the weird emotion, a slight terror when she asked him to hold Aaron. She didn't get why he was afraid to do so. She'd noticed the subtle change in his body language, when she asked him to hold Aaron. Chuckling, she said, "Really, Ted, he's not fragile. You're not going to drop him. I don't get why you're so terrified." Shaking her head, she continued, "Just give him a hug, lest he may throw some tantrum. Such an attention seeker, my son is." She was smiling by the end of it, ruffling Aaron's hair and blowing a kiss to his temple. The attention seeker part in him, was a trait he inherited from his father. Trent always demanded undivided attention from Angela, and if she didn't give him the attention he wanted, he would go to all lengths to see that she did give him all that attention. She smiled at the fond memory.

“Erm… wouldn’t you like to sit down?” said Ted in response to her question. It was completely random, and not even close to any answer for her question. Angela knew he was evading her question. She herself had done that so many times with her friends. Not wanting to answer their query regarding Trent, Aaron's father. She knew all evasive techniques herself. If Ted did not want to tell her what's troubling him, she wouldn't force him to, well, at least not just yet.

She merely nodded to his question, and sat down, with Aaron on her lap. When he asked for whether he should call the waiter, she nodded. When the aforementioned waiter came to take their orders, she ordered an Espresso for Ted, which is what he always drank, a Chococinno for herself, while she alternated between Chococinno, Cafe Mocha, Irish Coffee and frappucinno, and a mochachillo, for Aaron. As the waiter nodded in confirmation and left to get their beverages, Angela decided to break the news. She frowned as she said, "I rejected the job offer at the ministry."

[[Sorry, took so long, and sorry it sucks. Moral of the story - dont RP while half asleep]]

[teddy]

Giving a wave to the waiter, Ted indicated that they were ready when he was. Almost immediately, Ted wished the fellow would have hurried on up. He should have been more persistent. His brown eyes fixated on the small boy still struggling to reach out at him. His body wanted to pull away, but another part of him felt bad for not being more comfortable with the boy. It was easy to play about, but to hug him? A part of him told him that he should have been more compassionate. Poor kid didn’t even know his own dad. Ted was altogether familiar with this, having his only masculine influence coming from an outside source. Harry had always been a fine fellow, one that Theodore looked up to, but he hardly considered himself to be anything like him. He could not fill those empty shoes. But another part of him wanted to please his friend. He could not just sit there and stare awkwardly at the boy forever.

Before sitting, Ted leaned over and gave the boy a quick, one-armed squeeze. Well, that would have been less awkward if they had not already been sitting. Aaron gripped his shirt collar tightly and Ted had to pry himself loose, all the while looking to be in a very compromising position with Angela. Finally free, he stood with a little laugh to clear his throat. Pulling out his chair he sat next to them as the waiter finally approached them. Great timing, mate Ted thought bitterly. He was in his own little spiteful world when Angela addressed him again. He looked up at her with a surprised expression, for more reasons than being shocked out of his thoughts. “Why? I thought you wanted it?”

[nan]

Angela had sat down, but was struggling to hold Aaron, who seemed very persistent to embrace Ted, or well she didn't know, he was just getting restless, and moving about. She inwardly heaved a sigh of relief, as Ted finally hugged her son. Aaron, who seemed to be in an impish mode that day, clung on to his collar. She almost chuckled at the sight, of Theodore Lupin, with a three year old, having a firm grip on his collar. She could see him try to get himself free from Aaron's tiny clutches. Her lips twitched as she tried to hide her smile. Finally, she helped him free himself from her clinging son, as she pried Aaron away from him, saying softly, "No, Aaron, that's enough, Come to Momma, sweetheart, she's got ice-cream."

Aaron loved ice-creams, something he got from her. With that bribe, she got him away from Teddy, and let him sit on her lap. She flashed an apologetic look to Ted, and said, "He just seems to be quite attached to you, Ted, I'm sorry, I reckon it made you uncomfortable." There were very few people pertaining to the male gender in his- as well as her life. Theodore Lupin was one of them. She turned her attention towards her son, and promptly the waiter came. She thanked the waiter, and handed her son the ice-cream. She thought against tucking a towel on his shirt, because he was messy anyways, just like Trent always had been. She flinched at the reminder of her ex-husband. Pushing the thoughts of Trent away from her mind, she took hold of her Chococinno and sipped from it. She knew Ted was shocked, Angela had been on the lookout for a job since months, and this was something she had really wanted. Shrugging, she replied, "I ran into Trent at the ministry today. He works there. I.. uh don't want to be in the same vicinity as him."

[teddy]

It had occurred to Theodore a number of times before that he seemed to be one of the few male figures still allowed into Angela’s and Aaron’s lives. He could understand completely why, but he could imagine no one worse. As Angela bribed the toddler into releasing him, Ted was quite sure her dotting was enabling him to become the same little spoilt child that Ted had been. Ted never said anything about his qualms in regards to her parenting… he knew he had no idea what good parenting was… but he certainly had an idea of how insufferable a man could become when given his way too much. Yeah, Ted was a little more self-aware than he let on.

From what Ted had heard about Angela’s ex-husband, Trent, they were not all that different. Something he tried to conceal, since she seemed so reliant on him. It was easier to lie to her, but the self-evaluation was a nightmare. He saw what Trent did to Angela, and he dreaded doing something like that to Vic. Especially now that he was indulging the thoughts he was about where their relationship was headed. Maybe his exposure to Aaron was for the best.

“Ah, that’s all right.” Ted dismissed her apology as the waiter returned with their order. Ted tore open several packets of sugar, drowning his espresso into a sickeningly sweet shot. If he gave one of those complicated drinks a chance he would probably find that he liked them much better than the simple and bitter one he always ordered and proceeded to make tolerable. His eyes were on his drink when Angela told him that she had encountered Trent, and he knew immediately what that meant. He glanced at the boy in her arms, already annihilating his face with ice cream. His eyes tracked up to Angela casually. “I see. I didn’t realize…” He tossed the packets aside on the table and began stirring his drink with a little silver spoon. He could not remember Trent from school, as they were several years ahead of him, but he had a strong dislike for him nevertheless. “Uh… what department does he work in?” He attempted an overly subtle tone, unsuccessfully. Of course, despite the implication that he might do something with the advantage of working in the ministry, he really had no idea what that might be.

[nan]

Angela's pampering might perhaps result in Aaron becoming a spoilt child, but at that juncture in her life, she wasn't particularly bothered. He was a toddler, with his personality very similar to that of her ex-husband's. He demanded her attention, and that's just what she did. She probably ought to be a little more strict with him, but he was all that she had left, so she really didn't have the heart to deny him anything that he asked her. Nonetheless, she was truly grateful to her handful of friends, and especially Ted, for being a firm support to her. Angela did not really know what was going on in Ted's life, the drama with Victoire Weasley, and all, but she would find out soon enough. After all, she was a reporter, and those skills are always helpful.

She smiled, her eyes still apologetic as he waived her earlier apology. Before she could speak another word, the waiter did arrive with their orders, and she watched Ted mixing his coffee with excess of sugar cubes. The corner of her lips twitched at the sight, for she too, once upon a time had the same habit. In fact, before tasting the hot liquid, she would finish off one of those cute sugar cubes. She'd finally told Ted that she'd run into Trent at the ministry, who asked her what position had Trent been in. "I didn't realize it myself.. Of all the places, Trent works at the Ministry!" said she in reply. And regarding his position, she bit her lip, "I.. er.. I don't know, I didn't ask him." By this time, her attention was diverted by her son, who was feeding his face and his clothes more ice-cream than himself. Chastising him a little, Angela wiped off the excess of chocolate on her son's face. While doing so, she missed the suggestive tone in Ted's voice. She looked at Ted once again, and continued, "As far as I know him, I surmise he would be in the games department. After the injury, he.. I don't know, I bet he's in charge of that department." Trent's injury had made him incapable of pursuing his dream of becoming a professional quidditch player, but he still loved the game like anything. Aaron, also was the same, she'd gifted him a toy-broom, for his second birthday, and it had become his obsession, for she had found it extremely tedious to separate him from that broom of his.