neon gravestones | harry

[edward remus lupin]

They would know my name

They would host and post
a celebration

August 2015
HARRY JAMES POTTER

Teddy’s forearms rested on his open notebook, a faint outline in pencil smearing below his skin, but his focus was on the badge in his hand. The letter arrived the previous day, and his grandmother had beamed with pride. In these moments, Teddy never failed to catch her kind eyes glance at the photograph on the wall of his parents holding him as a newborn. The picture had not changed since it was taken, the new parents beaming with pride at their newborn son as his hair shifted through colors. Teddy had looked at the photo and back at the letter and felt their pride.

Faster than he could blink, the extended family had learned the news. Harry clapped Teddy on the back, as did all his uncles. Arthur nearly knocked him over at the end of the line, and Molly squeezed Teddy tightly, commenting that he was much too skinny. And Teddy felt grateful, despite any misgivings which perhaps helped him keep his brown hair with its turquoise blue although the strength of the shade varied. This circle of support had proven important in his development. Allowing Teddy space to process things. After a final kiss on the cheek from his girlfriend, Victoire, Teddy escaped outside, where the air was far cooler, and the makeshift party raged inside. Vic had just left back inside, knowing Teddy needed a bit of calm from all the chaos.

The views from the Burrow never changed, and yet Teddy felt he saw something new each time. He’d begun sketching the field, but the badge hadn’t left his mind. The truth was, Teddy hardly sought Prefect duties—let alone this. The spotlight was never a position he sought, and not because he wanted to hide. Teddy was simply more comfortable elsewhere. Conflicting feelings left his stomach in twists. This wasn’t the type of honor one declined, either. Rubbing his thumb over the embossed words, the badge’s background gleamed a distinct yellow in the afternoon light.

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[HARRY JAMES POTTER]

Parenthood was nothing short of exhausting. Harry dreaded the day when James would go to Hogwarts and commence his reign of terror, taking after his uncle George. Harry was certain that George had planted ideas in his young son’s head about exploding toilets and the like, and James was very impressionable. At least he could count on Teddy for being at least somewhat responsible. Though he’d always been welcomed in the Potter home as a son, but even so, his identity as an orphan differentiated him. Just like Harry had been growing up.

The news that Teddy had been made prefect surely was a source of price for Andromeda, who had thrown herself into raising Teddy to the best of her ability. It showed that she’d done a spectacular job, though Harry still wondered if being made prefect was all it was cracked up to be. Ron had complained endlessly, and Hermione had been even more insufferable than usual with her rule abiding nature. Either way, at Teddy’s celebration, Harry offered words of support and congratulations. It didn’t take Teddy long to slink off, and it seemed as if Harry was the only one to notice.

After waiting a few moments, Harry excused himself to check on Teddy. He was waylaid several times, asked about how Lily was growing and if she was exhibiting any signs of magic yet. It took him some time, but Harry was able to finally extricate himself and join Teddy outside. He didn’t disrupt his godson for a long moment, instead silently watching as he sketched out the rolling hills outside the Burrow. ”Your dad was a stickler for the rules as well,” said Harry at last. ”But he never did a very good job of enforcing it on his friends.” Blinking in the afternoon sun, Harry glanced down at Teddy. ”He’d be proud. But don’t let it get to your head,” he added with a ghost of a smirk.

edward remus lupin

[edward remus lupin]

They would know my name

They would host and post
a celebration

August 2015
HARRY JAMES POTTER

Teddy hadn’t heard anyone approaching, lost in his thoughts. But he recognized Harry’s voice and smiled. His pencil was in one hand, while his shiny new Head Boy badge was in the other. ”He probably knew better than to try.” Merlin, the stories Teddy heard over the years of his father’s antics with his friends—Harry’s father and James’ namesake. The stories were always entertaining, even the ones with a lesson at the end. His thumb traveled over the embossed lettering as he waited for this feeling in his chest to pass. A tightness that lingered.

All the handshakes, hugs, and pats on the back—the congratulations from those he loved and considered family—Teddy only longed for one thing. He wished his parents were here to celebrate. It was an impossible wish, but a wish, nonetheless. As he thought of this, his darkened, though its trademark teal lingered. ”I don’t think Gran has stopped tearing up since the letter arrived.” Of course, she was immensely proud. No doubt thinking of her lost family as well. Teddy couldn’t imagine what losing her husband and daughter in quick succession was like. Maybe that’s why he took extra care to make time for her.

”I feel like…I don’t know what I did to deserve this. I never asked for it.” Often, Teddy had overheard his classmates or fellow Prefects share their ambitions to be Head Boy or Head Girl, and then they spoke of further aspirations for their time after graduation. But how did they even decide these things? Surely, granting this to someone who wanted it made more sense. Maybe it all just hadn’t settled in for him yet.

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