Title: Family
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Rating: K
Warnings: N/A
Word Count:
Prompts:
Carousel: (plot point) graduation from Hogwarts
Face Painting: Minerva McGonagall
Author's Note: N/A
Summary: It's Teddy's graduation day, and a somewhat bittersweet moment.
Teddy walked through the halls of Hogwarts hand in hand with Victoire. Dominique followed a couple of steps behind.
He looked around, trying to take in everything, one last time. It was his last day at Hogwarts and in only a few hours he would walk across the stage and graduate. Dominique hurried forwards and tapped him on the shoulder.
"What's it like to be leaving?" She asked, and he smiled.
"I guess I'm nervous but-" he paused, and shrugged. "I'm ready."
Victoire pulled him closer and planted a kiss on his cheek. He knew she was worried about him going, but he thought it would do her good.
They would all miss him. No one had been discreet about that fact. Suddenly he chuckled, knowing what would cheer them up.
Immediately his face began to lengthen and his height dropped. Dominique clapped her hands at the transformation and Victorie frowned to see her boyfriend suddenly develop wrinkles.
Seconds later, Professor McGonagall stood before them, smirking. The two girls fell about in fits of laughter as Teddy began to imitate the headmistress.
He turned to Dominique, frowning. "Your cloak is unfastened and your hair's a mess, young lady."
Dominique giggled, punching him lightly in the shoulder. Victoire smiled, and Teddy turned to her. "As for you - I've certainly seen some inappropriate behaviour from you recently."
She blushed and Dominique pretended to throw up. He loved to entertain them with his metamorphmagus ability, but he didn't often imitate teachers. As head boy, he tried to toe the line as much as possible, but it was the last day, and they all deserved a little fun.
Just as he had begun to sing, imitating McGonagall's voice, the girls stopped laughing and their faces suddenly flickered from amusement to horror and Teddy's heart dropped as a sharp voice rang out through the halls.
"Mr Lupin."
Teddy turned around in shock, his features quickly shifting back to his own face. "Professor - I didn't mean..."
Minerva watched her face change back into that of the head boy. The headmistress' expression was even more stern than usual as she raised an eyebrow at the boy. She didn't say anything however, and he noticed a far away look in her eyes. Teddy shifted foot to foot, and waited to be reprimanded.
Instead the witch smiled, and he frowned in confusion.
"You remind me so much of your father. It's good to see you having fun."
Victoire and Dominique waved quickly and than stepped away, leaving Teddy alone with the headmistress.
"He would have been so proud of you, if he could have been here today." Teddy noticed tears glistening in the corners of her eyes and he took a deep breath. He had lived with the pitying regretful looks of those around him. Those who had known his parents couldn't help but see them in him.
"To see his son graduate as head boy, as one of the best students in the year, with a job lined up at the Ministry..." she tailed off. Teddy was moved by the emotion behind her words. Over the year, as head boy, he'd got to know and respect the woman, and to see her so choked up meant a lot to him.
His year at Hogwarts was littered with children who would be missing parents to watch them graduate, but few had had both parents stolen by the war. He would however, be surrounded by friends and loved ones, those he'd met at Hogwarts and those who had helped to bring him up.
"Edward, it has been such a privilege to teach you. To have a Lupin at Hogwarts again... well I can't say it hasn't been stressful, having you all here to run amock in my school." Teddy chuckled at her stern look. "But I know that both of them would be overjoyed to see the way you have spent your time here. Trying though it might have been, to see you balancing mischief and schoolwork, you have done so admirably. You have lived up to every expectation of that badge."
Teddy nodded. "Thank you professor. And you have been the best, most supportive teacher anyone could have asked for. I will never forget the care you've given me, despite my treacherous avoidance of Gryffindor."
Minerva smiled at his joking tone. "I'm sure your mother would have had something to say if you were sorted anywhere but Hufflepuff."
Teddy nodded. "Thank you."
Some of her briskness returned, and the headmistress withdrew a handkerchief from the folds of her robes and blew her nose. "Yes. Well. I have a lot to do... I'll see you in the Great Hall later."
He stepped back and let the headmistress bustle forwards to carry on with the preparations for the graduation ceremony.
Less than an hour later he stood on the stage of the Great Hall, looking out at the faces watching him. He joined the applause as his counterpart, the head girl, finished her speech, and then stepped forwards to begin his.
He saw Harry and Ginny sitting with Ron and Hermione near the front, their faces beaming up at him. Their children sat behind them, surrounded by other members of the Weasley clan. They were the people who had helped to bring him up, inviting him into their families with grace and kindness.
James and Albus grinned and gave him thumbs up, whilst the younger kids waved excitedly. Dominique and Roxanne sat together, their arms linked, and Victoire sat beside them, presumably to supervise. She smiled at him, letting a feeling of love wash over him.
His eyes moved forwards to fall on Andromeda, his grandmother. The woman had always been there for him, to love him and care for him. She had been the parent he never had. Her face was full of pride and she beamed at him.
It would be impossible for him to find the words to thank all of the people who had loved him in the way they deserved, but as he opened his mouth and began to speak he hoped they already knew how grateful he was.
