Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Birthday Wishes

Teddy sat down hugging his knees as he observed the war memorial, which had been built in the grounds of Hogwarts shortly after the end of the second war against the darkest wizard of all times. He would sometimes seek out this place in order to get away from the lively buzz of the castle and from the questioning looks of his classmates. For the most part he managed to live a pretty happy life as any other eleven year old, but some days were just different from all the others. The significance that they carried reminded him that while he had the love of many, family and friends alike, there were two particular people missing from his life. He would give anything in order for them to be here with him on days like these. There was a huge gaping hole inside his heart that could never be filled no matter the amount of love that his grandmother, godfather and all of his aunts, uncles and cousins surrounded him with.

With his gaze transfixed on the two precious names, he did not notice the figure approaching him. It was only when his head of house sat down next to him that he noticed Professor Longbottom. The man studied Teddy's face and then his gaze too turned to the memorial. They sat in silence for a while until finally the professor adressed the young boy: "You know, your friends are missing you at your birthday party."

"I know," mumbled Teddy, suddenly very interested in the pattern of his shoes. "I just wish it could be them instead," he continued, fighting the tears.

The professor sighed: "You know that I lost my parents in the first war. I mean...they might be still alive, but they're not really here anymore. Ever since I could understand what it meant, every day I wished they could be like all the other kids' parents. And on my birthday in particular I wished more than on any other day that they could be with me, at least for that one day. Even today, with all these people in my life who care about me, each and every of my birthdays, I still wish...they could be with me too," Neville turned to Teddy and the young boy was surprised to see a single tear streaming down his face.

Unashamed the man did not try to wipe away the tear, but he held the young boy's gaze instead. "But over the years, I also realised one more thing. They are still here, they continue to live inside my heart. I did not know your father too well, but I knew him enough to know how kind and brave he was and I can see how kind and brave you are. I never really got to know your mother properly, but from I gather from Professor Sprout, the apple did not fall too far from the tree, whether it comes to trouble making," his eyes twinkled: "or loyalty. That´s just the thing, Teddy. They might not be able to be here with you in the way you wish, but in a way they are always with you...in you."