In the Melancholy Moonlight, Part 5: Dark Matter

Chapter 265: Dear Cedric,

November 23, 1997

Dear Cedric,
   I know you'll never read this, and I'm sorry, I just... I have a lot on my mind, and seeing as I can't say any of it to Henry or to Lucy, I figured I should tell you. I reckon there's a lot you want to know anyway.
   Lucy's okay. As okay as she can be, anyway. She doesn't have to worry about full moons anymore, mate. How incredible is that? All someone has to do is say her name with love, nothing but love, and she'll transform back. I think it has something to do with looking at Lucy in her wolf form and still only seeing Lucy, just Lucy. I know you'd be awfully sad that no one knew that while you were still here, because we all know you would have loved her enough to be able to do it, but I think you'd be glad that there's something we can do about it now regardless. Harry's been the one doing it the past three months. They're on the run, off to save the world, those stupid self-sacrificing Gryffindors. Fred and I did our best to equip those kids with anything and everything they might need, and they seem to be doing alright so far. They're alive at any rate, which counts in my book.
   Henry's okay too. I think. He's on the run too. Lucy saw him and told me he's alive too, Henry and Archie both, they're both on the run. Oh, and Lucy gave us your balls orbs, the ones you gifted her for Christmas a couple years ago, she said? They've been helping us keep in touch while she's off saving the world and we're not. I'm sorry you're not the one on the receiving end of it, but, well, thanks for inventing the orbs regardless. They've helped me worry a little less. Anyway, that's how she was able to tell us Henry's alright. I miss him so much. He's my boyfriend, you know. Sorry you missed your chance, mate. I'm sure Cho's great and all, but Henry's... you know how Henry is. He's the best. I love him so much. I miss him so much.
   We Weasleys have done our best to look after Lucy in your stead. We know we'd never replace you, ever, and we've never tried, but Lucy still deserves people and places that feel as close to home as possible, and we've tried to be that for her. Harry and Henry and Hermione too, of course, but she's stayed with us here in the joke shop (WE OPENED A JOKE SHOP!) and at the Burrow whenever she's not been in school. She's doing well in school too, got all Os on her O.W.L.s, that swot. You'd be so proud of her.
   You'd be proud of Henry too. He was a Montrose Magpie. Cormack McLeod is a massive dick though, which is unfortunate considering I'm quite sure his actual one is rather small. He's a Death Eater. And a bully, just for the hell of it, on top of being a blood supremacist. He's hunting Henry and Archie. Fred and I have been thinking about hunting him ourselves, but it's... complicated. Ginny's at school by herself. We know that anything we do could impact her too. We've had to be SO careful, for once in our lives. We can't just throw ourselves into trouble and hope the detention isn't too bad anymore. It's all so real now. I miss the way it used to be. I hate growing up.
   Sorry, Merlin, I shouldn't have said that. I know you're not actually reading this anyway, but I'm still sorry. You should have gotten to grow up. You would have done it a lot more gracefully than I have. You always knew what you wanted. You wanted to be Head Boy and Quidditch Captain, you wanted to be a healer, you wanted to cure lycanthropy, you wanted to keep Lucy safe, you had all of these dreams and ambitions and Cedric, you would have accomplished it all. You were good, you were too good, and you knew what you wanted and you had the work ethic to get you there and you were so cruelly robbed from us too soon. That'll never be fucking fair. I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry I never got to know you as well as it feels like everyone else did. I think I would have enjoyed considering you a true friend rather than just the friendly brother of my true friend. Still, I'll do my best to do right by you and keep Lucy safe and happy as much as I can. It's a bit tricky to do that right now, but I'll keep trying regardless. Same goes for Henry. As long as their safety and happiness are my burden, I'll bear it gladly.
   Anyway, I think that's a brief summary of all you've missed. You're still missed. You're still loved. I hope you're doing alright, wherever you are.
      Sincerely, George Weasley