Thanks for reading and reviewing.
The last of the funerals (thank goodness). Sorry if I concentrate on one of these more than the other, but I think one of these two would have had a greater effect on Harry than the other.
I do not own any of this. I am grateful to JKR for creating this wonderful universe I am playing in.
Chapter 9 – Saying Good-bye Remus and Tonks
The next morning again dawned bright and sunny. Harry lay in his bed, not wanting to face the day. He wondered what cosmic force ensured the bright sunshine of the past two weeks. Slowly, Harry dressed, leaving Ron snoring in his bed and went downstairs. Some of the Weasley's were already in the kitchen, attempting to eat breakfast. "Morning" was mumbled all around as Harry sat next to Percy. He saw Ginny glance up at him, and the anger didn't seem as intense. Maybe she's starting to calm down and I'll be able to talk to her soon he thought.
Mrs. Weasley placed a plate full of bacon, sausage and eggs in front of Harry. Harry thanked her quietly. He didn't really feel like eating, but since Mrs. Weasley had gone to the effort, Harry forced himself to eat. Conversation was quiet this morning. When Harry finished, he put his plate into the sink. Harry stood at the sink for a moment, dreading the day before him. He turned and said his good-byes and left the Burrow.
Harry arrived moments later at Andromeda's house. He had told her he would come over after breakfast to be with Teddy so Andromeda could have some quiet time before the funerals today. Harry knocked on the door and was let in by Andromeda. She didn't look well this morning. Without saying a word to Harry, she let him in and went upstairs to her own bedroom. Harry spent the next two hours playing with his godson. Andromeda came downstairs, dressed in her dress robes and said it was time to get Teddy ready. Harry and Andromeda dressed Teddy together, Teddy laughing at them the whole time. When Teddy was changed, the three apparated to a little graveyard outside the town.
They were the first to arrive. Harry was carrying Teddy and he looked at the fresh dug graves, the coffins sitting next to them. The coffins were draped in the flags of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, respectively. Harry held tighter to Teddy. Harry was looking towards the coffins, but not really seeing them anymore as Teddy gurgled in his arms. Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. He jumped.
"Hermione," he gasped.
"We were calling you, but you didn't answer," she told him. Harry looked around and noticed that the whole family had arrived. "Can I see Teddy?"
Harry turned Teddy so Hermione could see him. He knew Hermione wanted to hold him – but Harry didn't feel like letting Teddy go. Hermione, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley leaned down and kissed Teddy, but no one asked Harry if they could hold him. It was almost like they knew Harry felt like Teddy was the only thing keeping him calm, keeping him sane. Slowly, as they stood there, Harry noticed more people arriving. After too short of a time, Andromeda told Harry, "It's time."
Andromeda, escorted by Harry and Teddy made their way to the front and took a seat. Harry looked next to him when someone sat on the other side of him. Expecting it to be Hermione, he turned to whisper and stopped. Ginny was sitting between Hermione and him. Harry stared. Hermione had been next to him for the other funerals and he had been hoping she would be by his side again today. Of course, he would have preferred Ginny at his side all the time, but it hadn't happened and he wasn't sure what to make of her being there now. Before he could ask her anything, the tufty-haired wizard that Harry recognized so readily now called for everyone's attention. The muted conversation stopped as he began, "We are gathered to celebrate the lives of Nymphadora…."
Harry didn't pay attention anymore. It was a habit he had fallen into lately. He was only vaguely aware of what was being said as he remembered. He noticed Andromeda was crying softy next to him, unable to keep her proud composure any longer. Harry remembered his first meeting with Tonks, the advanced guard that had come to rescue him from Privet Drive. He remembered how she had packed for him, how she had made light of Mad-Eye's lecture on wand safety, how her hair flashed to red when she yelled at Remus to not call her Nymphadora. Harry noticed that a young witch he didn't know was talking; he assumed it was Tonks' friend from school. As Kingsley walked to the front, Harry remembered Remus and the first time they met on the Hogwarts Express. He remembered arriving at school and having Madame Pomfrey be amazed that there was finally a DADA teacher who knew his remedies. He remembered the private lessons on the Patronus Charm, finding out Remus was one of his Dad's friends. As the memories overtook Harry, the tears slid down his cheek. He saw Kingsley step down and was aware that meant he had to get up now. He held Teddy a little closer, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He looked to Andromeda to place Teddy in her arms, but saw that she was too overcome in tears. Harry started to panic, when Ginny whispered, "Here Harry" and reached her arms out to take the baby from him. As Teddy was transferred to Ginny, Ginny looked him in the eye, "You can do this" and she squeezed his hand before he stood.
Harry approached the front and stood facing the two coffins. Taking a deep breath, he turned and looked out at the sea of faces. There were many he recognized – the Weasleys, Kingsley, Hestia, Neville and his grandmother, Luna, Dean and most of the students from Hogwarts from the year Remus taught, the entire order, the DA, the entire staff of Hogwarts – and many more he didn't recognize, probably friends of Tonks from school or her job. His heart stopped as he looked at Teddy, smiling and peaceful in Ginny's arms. Ginny was staring at him and he thought he saw her nod slightly and he drew strength from her.
"The first time I met Remus was on the Hogwarts Express my third year. Remus had been hired to be our Defense against the Dark Arts professor. Over that year he taught, Remus inspired each and every one of us to do our best. He was patient and caring, encouraging us all until we had achieved our best. Through the year, I got to know Remus. He always had a kind word of encouragement, knowing just what to say to make the day better, to encourage and inspire. As a professor, we all respected him. I learned he was a friend of my father's, and I was thrilled to meet someone who could tell me about my parents. I eventually learned that he was actually one of my father's best friends, and I think that made me want to know him better, for that connection to my parents that I had never known. My third year ended and Remus left his job, because people were afraid of what he was. However, as I watched him leave, all I saw was a man who I had grown to respect, to admire, a man who held his head high as he left. I saw the courage he needed to face a world that feared him." Harry had tears running down his face as he spoke.
"Over the next few years, I often wished I could've gotten to know Remus better. I saw him a few times a year, and he was always willing to advise, to offer his opinion and to share a story with me. He never stopped encouraging me, supporting me and inspiring me. But his work for the order kept him away a lot. I saw the courage I had seen earlier as he carried out dangerous assignments. I saw him struggle with the idea that someone could love him and that he could have a happy life. Others had taught him that he shouldn't expect happiness, so I think he was genuinely surprised to find that someone could love him and that he could be truly happy. During one of our conversations, he had told me he had never been happier than the years he spent at Hogwarts, where he had met his first true friends who believed in him and were always there for him – my father and Sirius. I know that if we had a similar conversation recently, the happiest years of his life would be the last couple of years as he met and fell in love with Tonks. And the happiest day of his life would be the day his son was born. Remus was happier than I have ever seen anyone in my life. In the middle of the war, there was Remus, happy and proud to be a father. I was so happy for him and Tonks." Harry looked at Teddy who was gurgling and waving his arms in Ginny's arms. Harry smiled through his tears.
"Remus believed the world could be a better place. It was his and Tonks' hope that Teddy would grow up in a world free of prejudice, so he could have a happy life. That was what Remus and Tonks were fighting for – a better world. It is a wish I hope we can make true. Remus was a kind, gentle, patient man. He was brave. He was mischievous, pulling some pranks and getting into trouble in school. At the end of my third year, Remus told me he was proud of me. He was the first person who ever told me that they were proud of me. I just hope Remus knows how proud I was to be his friend, how proud I am to have known him." Harry turned and looked at the coffins sitting behind him. Softly, he whispered "The Marauders are reunited at last. I will always miss you." Tears were streaming down his face as he turned to go back to his seat.
Harry took his seat. Ginny handed Teddy back to Harry. Harry held Teddy close as the tufty-haired wizard spoke some more words. Harry was not hearing what he said, not seeing anything as he remembered Remus on the night Teddy was born, and asking him to be godfather. Harry felt a hand on his shoulder and faintly realized it belonged to Ginny. Through his tears, he saw the coffins being lowered into the ground. Harry held Teddy up so he could see, knowing Teddy didn't really know what was going on. He watched as the coffins were covered and the headstones magically appeared.
Harry realized people were starting to get up. He knew that they were going to go back to Andromeda's. People came and shook his hand; he didn't know all of them. He just stayed next to Andromeda, holding Teddy and nodding as people walked by. He vaguely felt Ginny still next to him, and Ron and Hermione standing behind them. Finally, Andromeda turned and said that they should be getting back to the house.
Harry turned to look at her. "Can I have a few minutes? I'll be along shortly."
Andromeda nodded, "Do you want me to take Teddy with me?"
"No, I'll bring him if it's OK," Harry replied. "I want to talk to him alone for a few minutes."
Andromeda nodded. The Weasleys and Andromeda left. Harry turned and walked to the graves. He knelt down next to Remus's grave, glancing briefly at Tonks, but not really seeing it. He was sorry she was gone, but at this moment, his grief was greater for Remus. He had never really talked to Remus since that awful night in Grimmauld Place, never told him he was sorry, never told him how much Remus had meant to him over the years. He used his free hand to trace the words closest to him on the stone:
Remus John Lupin
"Moony"
1960-1998
He looked at Teddy in his arms. "Remus, I am so sorry. I wish you were here, for Teddy, for me. I promise you that I will be a good godfather to him. You trusted me to this big job. He will be loved and happy and surrounded by family who loves him. I will tell him everything I know about both of you so he knows how wonderful you were. He will be proud to say he is your son. I will always be there for him, no matter what happens. He is part of my family just like you were. And he will still miss you. I will always miss you. " Harry knelt there for a while, tears softly falling out of his eyes, Teddy cooing contently in his arms.
Harry got up and walked out of the graveyard. As he approached the gate, he saw two familiar figures waiting for him. He smiled at Hermione and Ron, glad that they had again waited. Harry knew the pain was not over, but that the healing had begun. The four of them apparated to Andromeda's, to where their family and friends waited for them.
