I assume Ted was raised by his grandmother Andromeda. Since family is so important in the books, Rowling would not have wanted Ted brought up by friends, even locing ones, when he has family around.
Second stringers? Fred Weasley is no second stringer. Remus’s death was ok because of the scene at the end - the true Marauders together in death as they once were in life.
Second stringers in terms them being supporting characters, not main characters. Albus was a main character, Ron, Harry, Herm, and Hagrid were main characters.
I guess Snape is a main character, but his death was pretty much expected so again there was little emotional impact. The most emotional point in the book for me was when Harry was going on his way to let V kill him.