Apparently Teddy wants to be more involved in Jigsaw Pieces. Yep, he's in this one too.
26. Remembrance
He didn't really know what to do with himself. He'd never felt at ease with people staring at him, and today there were people staring openly and people pretending not to, but shooting covert looks at him.
It angered him slightly. Today wasn't about him; today was about honouring and remembering those they had lost. But, since he couldn't exactly tell all the people around him to stop staring and remember what today was about, Harry forced himself to ignore them, training his eyes instead on the black velvet curtain hanging from the wall. Underneath that curtain was a thin sheet of gold, engraved with neat black writing, proclaiming the names of those who'd died.
It had been his idea, a way to make sure none were ever forgotten. He, himself, knew each and every name that was engraved on that huge plaque, for even the people he had never met weighed on his heart.
It hadn't been his idea to have a ceremony to reveal the plaque, though he'd agreed with it instantly. It hadn't, either, been his idea that he should be the one to unveil it. That was something Professor McGonagall had had to force him into.
He checked his watch; ten minutes to go.
Harry glanced around, scanning the crowd, unconsciously checking for his loved ones. It was a rather annoying habit he'd developed, the need to know where they were, to know that they were safe. The Weasleys were easy to spot, with Ron's parents clutching hands and stood in silence, their pain evident. It had been six weeks since the battle, and still Harry knew they weren't over Fred's death. Maybe they never would be. George was a few feet away from his parents, talking to Angelina Johnson quietly, looking strangly incomplete without Fred by his side. Bill, Fluer and Percy were stood together, talking to a few of the Hogwarts professors. Ron, Ginny and Hermione were stood with Hermione's parents.
They had never set foot in Hogwarts before, and Harry saw their wonder and excitement about the place. He also saw their respect for the ceremony, and the knowledge that it could just have easily been Hermione's name engraved upon that gold. The idea that their daughter could have died and they would never have known her existence still tormented them.
Because he had nothing else to do, Harry made his way over to Ginny and the others, greeting them vaguely before glancing around again. Andromeda had arrived a little while ago, with a sleeping Teddy and an awkward looking Narcissa. He was pleased the sisters had made up and were forging some kind of relationship, pleased that Narcissa had braved the ceremony and the distrustful looks she was getting.
"Harry." Professor McGonagall was beside him, and speaking quietly. "Kingsley is about to make his speech, if you're ready..."
Harry nodded, murmured a goodbye to the others and followed her through the crowd. Kingsley, stood beside the curtain, nodded to him, then caused a loud bang from his wand to silence the crowd.
"Good afternoon." He said, in his deep, slow voice. "And thank you all for coming. You all know what happened here six weeks ago, and you know why you are here. I would like to remind you all that the names you'll see shortly aren't just names, but people, friends, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters." He paused, and his gaze settled upon Andromeda and the baby she was holding. Teddy was awake and watching Kingsley in silence. "Some were mothers and fathers. Never forget them, and never forget that they died for you." He paused again, then looked over at Harry, who swallowed before stepping forward.
"Most of us here have lost people we loved and cared about." He said uncomfortably, focusing on a spot behind the crowd. "Um, hopefully, this plaque will make sure their sacrifice is never forgotten, and, ah, that they are all honoured like they deserve to be." Hermione had helped him write the little speech.
Harry turned back to face the black curtain, and waved his wand, muttered the incantation aloud as quietly as he could. A silent incantation may have been more appropriate, but that came with the risk that it wouldn't work.
The crowd gasped as the golden plaque was revealed, the floating candles scattered around throwing dramatic shadows across the surface of the metal and causing the black writing to shine. Harry had seen it a handful of times already, but never had it looked so impressive. He could hear the photographer from the Daily Prophet snapping pictures, but didn't turn; instead he read the plaque.
The words In Remembrance were engraved at the top, then underneath and aligned left was the subtitle; The Battle Of Hogwarts, May 2nd 1998.
And then came the names. Harry read them, recognised them, mourned them. Fred Weasley. Several more names, then Remus Lupin. Nymphadora Tonks Lupin. More names came before Colin Creevey.
There was a space, when those who'd died in the battle were finished, then another subtitle: Lost To The War. And then more names, an endless list, it seemed, of the witches and wizards killed on other occasions. Harry found more familiar names here, scattered throughout - James Potter. Lily Potter. Cedric Diggory. Sirius Black. Albus Dumbledore. Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. Ted Tonks.
And then, in the bottom, centred so the eye was drawn to it, was the plaque's final message. They Died As Heroes. Never Forget.
He turned then, back to the crowd, and was blinded by the photographer's flash. Uncomfortable, he scanned the crowd, found the Weasleys, Grangers and Andromeda, Teddy and Narcissa, stood together near the front. He pushed his way to them, trying to avoid the camera.
"It's beautiful." Andromeda told him softly, and he murmured his agreement before asking if he could hold Teddy. She passed the baby over easily, while Harry accepted him with the air of someone being handed an explosive.
The camera flashed again; no doubt little Teddy Lupin would be appearing in the paper tomorrow. Harry decided not to care about that, and instead held the baby, taking comfort in his weight.
Teddy may be orphaned, but he was safe, his world was safe, and that was what thy had to focus on. Ginny smiled at him, with sorrow still in her eyes, Hermione nodded encouragingly and Ron offered him the vaguest grin.
They'd never forget, and would never forgive Voldemort for the damage he'd caused. But the scars they bore from the battles would fade, although never completely vanish, they'd rebuild shattered lives, overcome the memories, and they'd live, if only to prove that they'd survived. They'd make sure the future was worth the loss.