Written for Hogwarts - Assignment #8 - Divination - Task #2 - Write about visiting a grave
Warning: mention of canonical and non-canonical death
Uncle Harry was quiet today, Teddy noticed. His uncle was a naturally quiet person unless he was standing up for someone or something, but this was a more… solemn quiet. It was the one he had when Grammy died.
"Uncle Harry, is something wrong?" he asked quietly, startling his uncle all the same.
Harry gave him a small smile, bending down to his height. He was almost eleven (ten and a half, he would argue, not just ten), and he knew his Hogwarts letter would arrive soon. His uncle didn't have to bend that much anymore, and Teddy almost pouted.
"I forgot how observant you are," his uncle answered, voice just as quiet as Teddy's, "But that's not the point now."
His uncle was silent for a moment, collecting his thoughts. Teddy knew this was an important conversation, as it almost mimicked the conversation they had when Grammy died and he had gone to live with his Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny.
"I've told you about your parents before, right?" it was more of a statement than a question, but Teddy nodded anyway, "Auntie Ginny and I were thinking and we think it's time you visited them."
Teddy knew what he meant. He wanted to take him to his parents' graves. A lump grew in his stomach and his voice didn't seem to work. Teddy had wanted to visit them for a while, but his Grammy and Harry wanted to wait.
He grew up with his parents as bedtime stories. Harry and Grammy, along with Aunt Ginny, Uncle Ron, and Aunt Hermione would tell him all the things they had done, from the heroics to the simpler things like pranks and little things they did.
Teddy worshipped them. How could he not? They were war heroes, but as Uncle Harry always said, they loved him so much. Uncle Harry always emphasized that something Teddy thinks is from his own experience, thinking his parents were less than savory people.
"Really?" his voice came out as a whisper, but his godfather heard anyway and nodded.
"I know what it's like to want to visit them. I didn't see my parents' graves till I was seventeen, and I know I would've liked to see them sooner. Your aunts and uncles don't exactly agree, but they don't quite get it. Are you ready?" he explained.
"Of course!" he almost screamed, excited yet nervous.
Taking his hand, his uncle Apparated them to where his parents were buried. They landed at the entrance and as Teddy surveyed the graves all around, Harry entered.
The trek to his parents' graves was surreal, but his godfather seemed familiar with it. He knew his uncle saw his father like an uncle of sorts, having been friends with his uncle's father. And although his relationship with his mother wasn't as close, he still saw her as a close friend.
Finally, Harry stopped in front of two graves, so Teddy also stopped. He couldn't breathe as he looked at where his parents were buried.
There was silence before Teddy choked out, "Hi Mum, hi Dad."
His uncle was silent as he continued to speak, "It's been awhile since you've last seen me. I'm almost eleven now! I'm going off to Hogwarts soon…"
He trailed off as his emotions became too much for him. Grief mixed with love and happiness at seeing them and his uncle held him as he cried. His sobs seemed to last forever, but he eventually let out a sniffle before breaking out of Uncle Harry's hold.
"I know my time with you was short, and I know why you had to do what you did. I live with you guys so much as I wish we had more time together. Living with Uncle Harry has been amazing and you couldn't have chosen better. Thank you and I love you, Mum and Dad. I love you so much and I promise to make you proud."
His piece done, Teddy turned to leave. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Uncle Harry saying a few things before following him. Despite the turmoil still waging in him, he felt more at peace than ever. All really was well.