Teddy, my beautiful baby boy,
How do you write a letter to the most important person in your life and admit you might not always be there for him. What do you say to the son whose nappy you changed not ten minutes ago, the son who is at this very moment lying on the floor changing his hair from brown to blue, who will be a young man of eleven years when he reads this letter? What do you say to a boy who might not remember his own mother?
Teddy, more then anything I want to be with you right now, ruffling your (no doubt rainbow coloured) hair as your dad and I read this letter and laugh at how scared and worried we were. But I know that's not likely. There's a chance; a fairly large chance that you're reading this letter with just me, or just your father, or possibly without either of us – with mum then, or Harry. If that is the case, they had better be spoiling you rotten.
Our world is dark right now, and although I have every faith that we will win the fight against Voldemort and the darkness he brings, I am not so naïve as to believe that we will win without cost. There has and will be casualties, and little can be certain any more.
But one thing is for sure; I love you Teddy Lupin. I always have, and I always will, even if I'm not there to say it.
You're lying on the floor in front of me right now, gurgling and showing me that grin you're fast becoming known for. No doubt you'll be a heartbreaker, just like your father.
I'm going to let your dad write a few words now, I think I have something in my eye.
Your mum just doesn't want to admit she's crying (something to do with an Auror code, or maybe it's a woman thing… She just hit me, she's a violent one your mum, I hope you haven't inherited that.)
There's not much to say that hasn't already been said. As with your mother, I hope I am there for you, but I accept that may not be the case. If you are with Harry, you remind him that we are watching, and if he tries to besmirch my good name with stories of my Hogwarts days I will smite him down. Heaven forbid he gives you any ideas.
I love you, Teddy. I always have. I loved you the instant your mother told me the news. I loved you even more when I held you in my arms. And I've loved you more every day I've watched you grow. If you didn't know anything else about me, I'd want you to know that.
And most of all I hope that you are well, Teddy, and that you are happy. I would give my life to make that happen.
As would I.
We love you, Teddy Lupin. We love you more than anything.
Never doubt that, and never forget it.
Your father,
Remus Lupin
Your mother,
Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin