Chapter 3
Teddy Lupin had been interested in the Resurrection Stone since the day he heard the story from Gram. She sat him down one sweltering summer day to tell him what had become known as the Legend of the Battle of Hogwarts.
She had gleaned most of the story from Harry, who had been deftly interrogated during his frequent visits, until she knew his every step the night that he defeated Voldemort. The rest she filled in and embellished with a flair that only the great storytellers have. She enjoyed telling the story to anyone who would listen, never failing to inform the listener of the contributions made by Teddy's Mum and Dad.
He remembered the day as if it was just yesterday…
"Teddy, come here! I made us some lemonade," Gram called from the open kitchen window.
He joined Gram in the stuffy, dark living room and picked up a glass of lemonade from the tray. The ice cubes clinked in the glass as he took a sip, savoring the sweet tartness. He brushed some condensation from the glass and patted the cool wetness on his heated forehead and cheeks.
"Sit down, Teddy. I have something to tell you about your mum and dad."
It was the first time he had heard the story, and he listened with rapt attention to every detail of the night his parents died. His parents had sacrificed so much for him, for everyone, and all because of one twisted and evil man. He wished he could have known them.
He listened when she repeated the tale to others, and one day, he had an idea. "Gram, what happened to the resurrection stone?"
"What do you mean, Teddy?"
"Harry had the resurrection stone when he went to face Voldemort. He spoke with his parents and my dad, right? What happened to the stone?"
"I don't know. Harry will have it somewhere safe."
The next time they visited with Harry, Teddy asked him about it. Harry said he dropped the stone in the Forbidden Forest, assuming he would soon be dead himself. When he recalled having dropped it, he was certain he wouldn't be able to find it again and assumed it was lost forever.
Teddy's entire life became centered around finding the stone. He became a professor at Hogwarts so he could spend his evenings looking for it. He had been at Hogwarts for four years and still had not found it. There were days when he questioned whether he would ever find it, but he kept at his search, not willing to face failure.
Teddy became well known by the creatures in the Forbidden Forest. They had been curious and less than welcoming at first, but he had long since come to an uneasy truce with them. The centaurs, respecting his parent's sacrifice and contribution, did not exactly welcome him, but they did not interfere either. He had convinced some of the other, more violent creatures to leave him alone, and for the most part, they did. But he didn't let his guard down, because they were creatures, and would not always remember their promises.
Teddy made his way across the school grounds, gripping his lantern in one hand while he finished the last of a treacle tart with his other. He licked the crumbs from his fingers and brushed his hand on his pants. Lighting the lantern with his wand, he entered the darkened depths of the forest, picking his way carefully and watching for his marks on the trees.
He felt a chill run up his spine. Something was out there watching him. He lowered the lantern, but couldn't see anything or anyone, but he felt the presence as he neared the clearing. He forced himself to remain calm, stopped, and listened, but could only hear the wind through the trees. He mentally shrugged. It was probably his imagination, but he would still be on alert in case it wasn't.
He swung his lantern back and forth, looking intently at the ground.
"Accio resurrection stone," he said for the thousandth time, but nothing happened. He didn't expect it to, but a person could hope.
He searched around the clearing for hours. He looked at his watch. He would look for 30 minutes more and if he didn't find anything, he could quit for the night.
And suddenly, there it was. As if it sensed he was looking for it and made itself visible. He reached down, picked up the small stone, and turned it to catch the lantern light. It was faceted and dark, but as small as a pound coin.
As he examined the stone, a glow lit up the forest. He pulled out his wand, and spun, ready for battle. But instead of danger, it was the sight he had been wishing to see his entire life. His mother and father stood before him, smiling with joy.
They all declared at once: "Mum! Dad!" "Teddy!" "My boy!"
"I have been looking for the stone for years. I wanted to see you, so badly. Gram will want to see you, too."
His mother and father shared a glance at each other before his mother, Nymphadora, replied, "Teddy, you can't keep it. Give the stone to Harry. The Deathly Hallows have only brought the holders death and grief. He will know best how to dispose of it."
"Later! I promise. I just wanted to see you. Talk to you. Gram told me all about you. We see Harry all of the time. He is married now, with kids. I'm a professor at Hogwarts. I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, just like Dad."
"My boy! We're so proud of you. We love you, very much."
"I love you, too. Are you sure I can't keep the stone? I want to be able to talk to you. I have so many questions. I have so much I want to know."
His mother's mouth formed a grim line and his father shook his head. Both of them looked as unhappy as he felt.
"We are always with you. In here," her mother pointed to her heart. Her eyes roved his face, "Give the stone to Harry. We must go. We love you, Teddy. Remember. We will always love you."
His father's visage wavered slightly as Remus repeated his mother's words, "We will always love you."
Teddy clutched the stone so tightly it gouged his palm, but he hardly felt it. He opened his blood-smeared palm and rolled the stone across it. So small a thing, no wonder it had taken him so long to find, but worth it. Definitely worth it.
He quickly made his way back to his office, then deciding to keep the stone closer, he left for his apartment. He would find a place to hide it where no one would find it.
