Letters

little_bird

Story Summary:
A series of letters by different characters...

Chapter 10 - Have To

Chapter Summary:
Before Tonks goes to join the battle at Hogwarts in Deathly Hallows.
Posted:
12/30/2007
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2,224


Teddy -

I hope I come back to you, but if I don't, I hope you will be able to understand and forgive me. But if you're reading this...

You father is fighting, and I have to go, too. It's what I've been trained to do. And I can't just sit here and wait to see if he comes out of it alive. Because if I can do something, Teddy, it will be to make this world a place where you won't be prejudiced against because your father is a werewolf.

I can't tell you how much your father and I love you. From the first time we could feel you move to the day you were born. I've never seen your father as happy as he was the first time he held you.

In case we don't make it back alive, there are some photographs of your father as a student with this letter, and your grandmother had plenty of me. There are also some pictures taken of you and me the day you were born and some of you and your father.

I have to go now, Teddy.

I love you so much. And that won't go away, just because I'm gone.

Love,

Mum

Tonks folded the letter around the photographs of Remus, her, and Teddy, and left it on the dresser in her bedroom, with Teddy's name written on the front. She quietly went into Teddy's room, and brushed her fingertips over his tuft of turquoise hair. Not wanting to wake him up, but unable to help herself, Tonks lifted the sleeping baby from his cot and cradled him. She pressed a kiss to his forehead, hoping beyond hope that he would remember her voice or touch somehow. He began to squirm restlessly.

She gently laid the baby back in his cot, and patted him, soothing him back to sleep. 'I love you, Teddy.'

Tonks went down the stairs with more grace than she had ever managed in her life. Andromeda was sitting in Ted's old chair. 'Mum? There's a letter for Teddy... In case I... we...' Tonks choked. 'Will you see he gets it?'

'Do you have to go, Dora?'

'Mum...I...' Tonks replied helplessly. 'I have to.'

Andromeda nodded, knowing somehow this would be the last time she ever saw her daughter alive again. She reached for Tonks and pulled her into a tight embrace. Tonks wiped the tears from her face, and Apparated to Hogsmeade.

*****

Ten-year old Teddy Lupin lay in his bed, the covers over his head, with a Muggle torch shining on a leather-bound scrapbook. Inside, were photographs of his parents - his mum with spiky pink hair, and his dad, with the scars on his face and greying sandy hair that fell into his sad grey eyes. Teddy studied the photos and then his own face in the mirror, trying to see what he had of his father's and his mother's.

His birthday was next week. He understood that his parents died in a war. He tried to understand that his parents had needed to fight in it. Gran had tried to explain it to him.

Teddy supposed he was lucky. He had Gran, and Harry and Ginny. And Ginny's crazy family. Some people didn't have that.

But he still wished his mum hadn't left him.