4Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Even though I wish I did.
Teddy's POV
I was taking deep breaths and trying to concentrate on Ron's speech, but
failing. I didn't want to cry during my speech, I didn't want to let Harry
down in any way. But oh too quickly Ron's speech drew to a close, and I knew
it was my turn.
I walked shakily up to the podium, concentrating centrally on my feet so I
didn't have to look at those around me. There was an awful lump in my throat,
and I wasn't certain if I would be able to get the words out. I pulled my
speech out of my pocket and forced myself to read:
"Hullo, some of you might not recognise me, but I'm Teddy Lupin. Harry
was my godfather, the only father I knew. But now, I have none. Harry was my
dad, my best friend, my comforter, and my hero. Now, I have none of those
things, I have nothing left," The lump was growing in my throat, "Harry
was always there for me, and understood me better than anyone else. We had a
lot in common, more than anyone will ever truly know. Now that he's gone I
feel like a big part of my life is missing," My eyes were filled with tears
by now. I tried to blink them away, but they kept coming, "Harry insisted
that I went to Muggle primary school to learn my letters before I ever went on
to Hogwarts, and I will always remember one time, when I was 10, we had to
write a poem in school about our hero. Of course, I wrote about my godfather.
It reads:
My hero is brave, that's what he taught me.
My hero is nice and caring, that's also what he taught me.
My hero is the dad I never got to laugh and have fun with.
My hero loves me, but not as much as I love him.
My hero holds me, and never lets go.
My hero will never let go. He's Harry Potter.
By this time, the tears were spilling freely down my cheeks, and I couldn't
speak any more. I was trying, but nothing was coming out. I was in pain,
unbelievable pain, and all that people could see were the tears that pooled
from my eyes onto the floor at my feet.
James POV
I couldn't stand it, looking at Teddy, my brother, standing there, and
tears just spilling from him, watching him loose control like that. God, his
speech was so depressing that I was even crying slightly, and I didn't cry. I
looked across my crying sister, Lily, to Al. He looked at me with tears in his
eyes, and got my signal. We stood up and walked over to Teddy, to help him out
even if we didn't know how.
Al and I patted Teddy's back and whispered to him, "You're not in this
alone. We'll say it with you." Teddy nodded, and looked like he was
regaining his speech.
Teddy's POV
I didn't know what I would do without my brothers. They were always here for
me, even now. Together, the three of us continued:
"But now, at 36 years old, I wrote him a poem for Fathers Day. And even
though I feared that it might have been a childish gesture, I trusted that
Harry would appreciate it and what it meant, and not see it as a childish
thing but as a sign of love. I wrote it, but I never
got the chance to give him. It reads:
You gave me my strength, in many ways.
Inside and out.
You made me strong, cared for out side,
helped me through all my troubles inside.
But, without you, I have no strength.
So it's a good thing I have you.
I love you. You are the best dad anyone could ask for.
Even if you really aren't my dad.
That's why you deserve the best Fathers Day.
Harry, you rock.
Happy Fathers Day!
I sighed, and closed my eyes, before continuing to speak
"But, it seems silly now. Because he's g-gone. I know that's he's
listening to me right now though. That's what he taught me, and that's all
what matters."
By this time I had broken down. I couldn't stop anything, all my emotions
were out of my hands. Al and I walked back to our seats, James stayed behind,
for it was his turn next.
I hugged Ginny, my substitute mom, for a very long time after that. I needed
her. But, really, I needed Harry.
A/N: Thanks so much to my beta reader! She rocks, and made this chapter AMAZING!