August 2, 1997

Dear Cedric,
   Well, we did it. We're on the run to save the world, officially. I'm writing this from Sirius Black's childhood bedroom. Harry found a letter from his mum here. I think he's writing to her right now, or his dad, or both. We found parchment and quills in what I'm assuming was Sirius's old school trunk. We didn't think he'd mind. He left everything he had to Harry anyway, except for Buckbeak, who he left to me. I don't know why Sirius and Dumbledore both left their pets to me — actually, that's a lie, I know exactly why they did. It's appreciated. I hope Buckbeak and Hagrid keep each other good company when I don't show up to school in a month.
   I've been keeping it together as well as I can, but I'm scared, Cedric. We don't know what we're doing, not really. We packed our lives into a couple of bags and managed to escape the wedding with our lives, but the "Now what?" is beginning to sink in. I couldn't sleep last night. I finally fell asleep around sunrise, and I woke up just a couple minutes later when Harry made noise upstairs and I rushed up to make sure he was okay. It's strange, really, how I'm somehow equal parts exhausted and restless. I've felt something like this before, before full moons when I haven't slept and I know I ought to be tired but I don't really feel tired at all because there's just so much anxious energy propelling me through the day, but this is different. This is the adrenaline of prey being chased down by a predator, making me feel scared to close my eyes and succumb to the inevitable exhaustion of running from the shadows of the night. I don't even know what I'm running towards. I know we're running toward Voldemort's defeat, but that's so... intangible, right now. We have to destroy the Horcruxes, whatever they are, wherever they are, somehow, some day. So far it just feels like running away. From everyone, the good and the bad. I didn't even get to talk to Ginny yesterday. As we were leaving, I told Dean to look out for her. I hope he can, not that Ginny really needs anyone's protection. I hope she understands. I hope she forgives me.
   I wish you were here. I wish I could believe everything will be okay.
   How's Tuck? How's Alastor? How are James and Lily, and Mum and Dad, and Sirius, and Henry's mum, and every other person who's been lost to this horrific war? Have you met Cass yet? I think I would have loved her. Is my dad there with you? Have you met him yet? What about my Nanna? What about the Weasleys' (in)famous Uncle Bilius, or their Uncles Gideon and Fabian? Merlin, now that I think about it, you must be having such a wonderful party in the afterlife. I can't believe I'm giggling right now. I hope you're having a grand time, Merlin knows you all deserve it. This is something of a comforting thought. I'll leave off on this note.
   I love you so much, Cedric. I miss you always. I hope you're having the best party ever right now.
   Love always, Lucy

🩵💛❤️💜🩷

August 2, 1997

Dear Cedric,
   I think Lucy thinks I'm writing to my parents, and I still might, but I wanted to write to you first. Your sister's a wonder, truly. We've only been on the run for about twelve hours now and she's already saved us. I don't know how I ever thought I'd be able to do this without her. As much as I wish I knew she was somewhere safe, far away from all of this, I know it's for the better that she's here with us. I won't let anything happen to her. I promise. I don't think she's going to let anything happen to her either, for what it's worth. You'd be so proud of her and how far she's come with her magic.
   She's scared. I can tell. She's hiding it well from Ron and Hermione, but I know her. I don't know how to help, necessarily, because I know what scares her and it scares me too, but, well, at the very least I'll make sure she knows she's not alone. I won't leave her. I won't let her carry the weight of this mission all on her own. We're in this together, one way or another. I'll be there for her in every way she'll let me be, and I'll weasel my way into a few others too.
   I hope you're doing well, wherever you are. Tell my parents and their friends I said hi, will you? I'll win the war this time. They didn't die in vain. I'll make their sacrifices worth it. I promise.
   Sincerely, Harry

🩵💛❤️💜🩷

August 2, 1997

Dear Cedric,
   Lucy's off to save the world now, with Harry and Ron and Hermione. I was chasing after George, who was rushing over to Ginny to protect her, when I heard Lucy shout. I couldn't tell what she said. I spotted her just as they disapparated. She wasn't hurt. She had a rucksack over her shoulders and a determined look on her face. I don't know when I'll see her next. I don't know what tomorrow holds. Hell, I don't even know what TODAY holds. The sun's only just risen.
   I didn't sleep. Bill and Fleur's wedding got crashed by Death Eaters, Ministry employees, I don't know, they're effectively the same now. They searched the entire Burrow, then interrogated those of us who didn't disapparate. Most people disapparated in time, thanks to a well-timed warning patronus from Kingsley Shacklebolt. I stayed, so did Archie, and Remus and Tonks. Dean Thomas, Ginny's boyfriend, wanted to stay, but she begged him to leave since he's a Muggle-born, as far as he knows, so he did. The people interrogating us wanted information on Harry. Lucy too. Obviously we said nothing. Our silence didn't come without a price, but we're all okay. It was worth it, anyway, they clearly have no idea where those kids are or what they're doing. Not that we really know either, but we know more than they do.
   Merlin, I hope Lucy and the others are okay.
   I'm not sure where to go next. I don't know what to do. I'm scared for my dad, and for my sister. I don't know if I should go home and try to protect them, or if me being there would put them in more danger. I'm an Order member, and I stayed after the attack on the wedding, so the Ministry knows I have ties to the Weasleys. Fred and George are having the same debate in the other room, not sure if they should stay here at the Burrow or go back to the joke shop. I thought maybe writing to you would give me clarity and help me figure out what to do, but now all I can think about is you, and Lucy. I'm almost envious of you, because you don't have to worry about any of this. I'm not, though. I know it's good that I'm still here, able to protect everyone I love. Or... at least I can try.
   Merlin, I hope Lucy's okay. She has to be. I mean, she survived a horrific broom crash and being chased by Death Eaters, she tricked everyone and got back home worse for wear but alive, if she could survive that I know she's more than capable of surviving whatever the task is that Dumbledore asked her to do, but... I know her too well. I know she'd die for Harry, and Hermione, and Ron. She'd die for all of us. I just hope it never comes down to that. I hope she lives for us too.
   It was awful, when we all thought she was dead. As long as I live, I'll never forget anything that happened that night. It's haunted my nightmares ever since. George and Remus showing up to my Portkey location, George covered in blood and missing an ear and unconscious. The anxious sofa-side vigil, hoping he'd be okay, hoping everyone else would be okay too. The agonizing wait for Lucy. Remus showing up with Bill saying she was gone, Mad-Eye too. Harry looked like he was going to be sick and stormed out of the room. Ron and Hermione and Ginny followed. Every last one of us cried. Do you have any idea how awful it is to see Fred Weasley cry?
   It feels like that again right now, not knowing the fate of anyone who's not currently under this roof. It's awful even knowing the fate of the people under this roof. I had to hear George scream. I had to listen to everyone beg the Death Eaters not to torture Ginny too. I don't know what we would have done if they'd actually done it. Ginny's not terribly happy with anyone right now, since she had to find out that we all knew Lucy and Harry and Ron and Hermione were leaving but we couldn't — didn't — tell her, but Merlin at least she was as safe as feasibly possible.
   I don't know what to do, Ced. I hope Lucy and and the others are doing better than we are.
   I love you. I miss you. I'm sorry.
   Love, Henry