“What the bloody hell is the matter with you?� Tonks shouted.

“We can’t keep doing this,� Remus replied quietly, gathering his clothes from the floor.

“What on earth--�

“You know very well what, Tonks,� he said, “I’m no good for you. I’m dangerous, and being with me will only cause you trouble. The more this keeps happening, the more it’s going to hurt you, and I can’t stand it any longer. This has to stop.�

“Remus, I’ve told you a thousand times! I don’t care! I lov--�

“No,� he said, pulling his shirt on and tucking it in, “I’ve done enough damage. I never should have let things get this far. I’m sorry.�

“Sorry? You’re sorry!� she shouted again, temper flaring.

“Yes, Tonks, I’m sorry. Sorry that I got involved with you in the first place. I’m way too old for you, and I have absolutely nothing to offer you. There are better men than me out there who would jump at the chance to have a date with you. I’m sorry I ever--�

“Don’t,� she said, “Don’t say that. I know you don’t mean it. I know you want this just as much as I do. You’re too bloody noble, Remus. I don’t care about any of that. I care about you!�

He pulled his jumper over his head, and attempted to tame his hair. It was sticking up at odd angles all over the place. His calmness about the whole situation only infuriated her more and he knew it, but he could not allow himself to stay with her. She deserved better.

“I’m sorry, Tonks,� he said gently, “I wish things were different, but they aren’t. You deserve better than me.�

He turned away from her, not wanting to see the hurt in her eyes. She was trying desperately to fight the tears that she felt forming. His head hung low, and his shoulders slumped. He picked his travelling cloak up from the floor, threw it around his shoulders, and left the room. She followed him, tears falling hot and fast from her eyes, unable to contain them any longer.

“Remus,� she sobbed, “please… Don’t do this…�

He paused for only a moment, hand on the doorknob, but didn’t answer her. The door swung open and he stepped through it, never even glancing back at her. She fell to her knees, right there in the entrance hall. Her spiky pink hair began to fade into a flat mousy brown. She cried herself out, right there on the floor, and stayed there long after there were no more tears inside of her to shed. Why couldn’t he see that none of that mattered to her. Why couldn’t he see that she loved him, damn the consequences.

Eventually she picked herself up, looked in the mirror and tried to change her appearance, morph the bags under her eyes, and change her hair to something moderately presentable. She tried, and tried again, but no success. Talk about wearing your heart on your sleeve, she thought, obviously mine’s bloody well broken.

***Scene borrowed from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince pg 623-624***

“You see!� said Tonks, glaring at him, “She still wants to marry him, even though he’s been bitten! She doesn’t care!�

Remus winced at her sudden shouting. This was the last subject he wanted to broach in a room full of people. They’d been over all this before. He’d had sound reasoning for his actions.

“It’s different,� said Remus, barely moving his lips and looking suddenly tense. “Bill will not be a full werewolf. The cases are completely--�

“But I don’t care either, I don’t care!� said Tonks, seizing the front of his robes and shaking them. “I’ve told you a million times…�

And the meaning of Tonks’s Patronus and her mouse-colored hair, and the reason she had come running to find Dumbledore when she heard a rumor that someone had been attacked by Greyback, all suddenly became clear. It was because of him. He had done this to her. He had driven her to the point of being unable to morph. He felt ashamed of himself. He took several steps back, distancing himself from her, and lowered his gaze.

“And I’ve told you a million times,� Remus answered, refusing to meet her eyes, staring at the floor, “that I am too old for you, too poor… too dangerous…�

“I’ve said all along you’re taking a ridiculous line on this, Remus,� said Mrs. Weasley over Fleur’s shoulder as she patted her on the back.

“I am not being ridiculous,� said Remus steadily. “Tonks deserves somebody young and whole.�

“But she wants you,� said Mr. Weasley, with a small smile. “And after all, Remus, young and whole men do not necessarily remain so.�

He gestured sadly at his son, lying between them. Remus gazed at Bill, unsure of his feelings. His head was spinning. He had definitely not planned on Tonks publicly announcing that she was in love with him while standing sentinel at the bedside of an injured comrade. His mind was running a mile a minute.

There was truth to their words, but he still wasn’t sure. She did deserve better, that was no lie, but she had said time and time again that she wanted him; and he wanted her. He had determined that ages ago. He wanted nothing more than to pledge himself to her for eternity. But he could never find the courage to admit it. He had always taken the noble stance, telling himself that she deserved better. He never for a moment thought that it would be fair of him to ask her to be with him. He shook the thoughts from his mind. Now wasn’t the time. He was quiet for a moment, and then spoke, albeit a bit uncertainly.

“This is… not the moment to discuss it,� said Remus, avoiding everybody’s eyes as he looked around distractedly. “Dumbledore is dead…�

***^***

The conversation seemed to drone on for hours, unaided by the fact that Remus was barely listening. He wanted nothing more than to get Tonks alone so that they could speak more privately, but that didn’t seem to be likely in the near future.

Until Tonks stood abruptly and strode from the room. She wanted to be alone; she couldn’t handle being in a crowd, let alone a crowd that included Remus Lupin. She needed to put some distance between them. Being so close to him, while feeling like she was still miles away was torture.

Remus followed Tonks as she walked briskly through the halls, attempting to evade him. He wouldn’t let her however, because now, after this, he knew what he wanted to do.

“Dora!� he said forcefully, and she stopped dead in her tracks. No one had dared call her anything other than ‘Tonks’ in years. She spun round, intent on hexing him, until she saw the softness in his eyes. She froze, hoping beyond all hope that her words had finally penetrated his thick skull. They’d been trying to make a go of things for nearly two years now, but he kept putting her off. Telling her that they couldn’t be together, even though they always managed to wind up in each other’s arms time and time again. This look in his eyes however, was new.

“Dora,� he repeated, more gently this time, “can we talk?� He took her hand. She nodded in response, and entwined her fingers with his.

“Why me?� he asked, raising one eyebrow in question. “Why wouldn’t you want someone more your own age, someone who can--�

“Because I love you, Remus,� she answered quietly, “and nothing you say is ever going to make me stop. I don’t care that you have a furry little problem. I don’t care that you think you have nothing to offer me. You have a lot more to offer than you think. And I’m not going to give up.�

“I was hoping you’d say that,� he said gently, and kissed her. The moment their lips met, it was as if a dam had broken within her very being. The mousy brown hair she had been sporting for quite some time turned the most vivid bubblegum pink. When they parted and Remus opened his eyes, he was completely sure of the decision he’d made only moments before.

“If this is really what you want, Dora,� he said, and she nodded in response so he continued, “I just want you to be happy,� he finished.

“Then marry me,� she said, a smile creeping slowly onto her face.

“Isn’t that supposed to be my line?� he asked, the corner of his mouth giving away the slightest hint of a smile.

“You always have been a bit slow on the uptake, Remus,� she said, the small smile turning into a grin.

A cheeky look crossed his face, and mischief flashed in his eyes.

“Nymphadora Tonks,� he said and she cuffed him lightly around the head for the use of her first name, but undeterred he continued, “Your unconditional love for me has been the greatest gift I could have ever received. Somehow you see the man beneath the exterior, and love me anyway. I love you, Dora, and even though you’ve just asked, I think I should make it official.�

Her eyes went wide. This was the absolute last thing she’d been expecting. Her comment moments before had been completely off the cuff and however much she’d meant it, she had intended it as a joke. Still holding her left hand in his, he lowered himself down to one knee, looked her in the eyes and said, “Will you marry me?�

Her eyes filled with tears, and she wrapped her arms around him. “Yes,� she whispered into his ear.

“I’m sorry that I don’t have a ring--�

“The promise of having you in my life forever is more than enough, Remus.�

~*~

It was a Saturday afternoon, late summer. Remus Lupin pulled nervously at the collar of his dress robes, his tie seeming to strangle him, at least in his mind. He wished that more people could be present for the occasion, namely Harry, but there was nothing he could do. It had to be a small quiet affair. With Dumbledore’s passing, and the new laws enacted against his kind, he wasn’t entirely sure that this was even legal anymore, but he didn’t care. Today, this day, he was marrying the woman who had stolen his heart. Rather forcibly, he might add.

He took his place at the head of the small aisle they had constructed. Standing next to him was Kingsley Shacklebolt, a dear friend to both him and Dora. On the other side of the Aisle stood a friend of Dora’s from the Auror academy. She was rather striking in her gown of sapphire blue. But Remus only had eyes for one woman, the one seeming to float down the aisle toward him. Her smile was radiant, and her white gown, a strapless, floor length number, accentuated her features beautifully. Her shocking pink hair had not been sacrificed for this occasion, and it accentuated her smile.

He had never seen her so radiant, or so happy. The butterflies in his stomach rivalled those she had given him on the day they had first met. The only difference was, after today, they would be bonded for life. He smiled at her as she approached, and took her hands in his. Their eyes met, his kind gentle blue, and her deep brown.

“We are gathered here today, to celebrate the union of Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks,� A short balding wizard began, and the room fell silent. Remus smiled at Tonks, and took a slow steadying breath. He never thought that he would find a woman so wonderful, let alone one who would consider marrying him. He had always thought that his condition would drive anyone even moderately acceptable away; she was much more than moderately acceptable. She was everything he’d ever wanted, and now she was about to be his.

“Please repeat after me,� the official stated, “I, state your name, bond my magic, my soul and my love to you, from this day forward, until the end of time.�

“I, Remus Lupin, bond my magic, my soul and my love to you, from this day forward, until the end of time.� He smiled, and placed the ring upon her left hand, and she repeated the same words back to him.

“I, Nymphadora Tonks,� she made a face upon stating her first name and he had to suppress a snort, “bond my magic, my soul and my love to you, from this day forward, until the end of time.� She placed the ring on his hand and their eyes locked on each other again.

They closed the short distance, and his lips met hers. His arms found his way around her waist, and her hands entwined in his hair. This kiss was like no other that they had shared. He felt as though their souls were combining. The tingly feeling in his chest had not left him, even after their lips parted.

The small group in attendance applauded them, and he escorted his bride from the makeshift altar, to continue that kiss somewhere more private. They thanked everyone for being there for them, and expressed their regret that it couldn’t have been a grander ceremony, then hastened to return to the home that had previously belonged to Tonks, that now belonged to both of them.

~*~

They barely made it though the front door before falling into each other’s arms. Their lips crashed together, pure passion taking over any rational thought. They stumbled, joined at the lips, hands roaming, knocking over furniture in their wake, only one destination in mind. His robes, tie and shirt were scattered between the entrance hall, the kitchen and the sitting room. Her dress found the floor feet from the bed. The rest of their clothes joined the dress not long after. The world could have fallen apart outside their very door, and neither of the Lupins would have noticed, for they were completely consumed with each other.

~*~

***Taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pg 46***

“Harry, guess what?� said Tonks from her perch on top of the washing machine, and she wiggled her left hand at him; a ring glittering there.

“You got married?� Harry yelped, looking from her to Lupin.

“I’m sorry you couldn’t be there, Harry, it was very quiet.�

“That’s brilliant, congrat--�

***End Quote***

Remus Lupin paced nervously round what had become his home. He had just returned from his attempts to recover Mad-Eye’s body, without success. Remus normally wasn’t one to pace, but upon returning home, he had expected to find his wife waiting for him. Pacing, it seemed, was her thing to do when normally anxiously awaiting his return. He had taken up her past time upon returning to an empty house this afternoon.

There was no explanation for her absence. She knew that he was to be returning home after the search for Moody had ended, and it was now late afternoon. He had no inclination of where she could possibly be, and if she didn’t return shortly, he would have no fingernails left, having taken to that nervous habit as well upon returning to find her gone. He knew her to be a capable witch. She was an auror after all, and had saved his arse on numerous occasions. But that didn’t stop him worrying. He’d become even more protective of the normally pink haired woman after they’d wed, thus driving her mad on occasion, and prompting a good natured argument about her capability to look after herself. He knew that she secretly enjoyed his protectiveness, but that didn’t stop her taking the mickey out of him for it.

His mind was running a thousand different directions. Perhaps she had gone looking for him when he hadn’t returned by daybreak, or perhaps she had gone to The Burrow, thinking that he would return there with Bill before coming home. He ran his hands through his graying hair and made his way to the kitchen. On the table lay a piece of parchment. “Of course!� If he’d only thought to look there in the first place. He clapped a hand to his forehead, disgusted with himself for working himself into a panic without even thinking to check. He unfurled the short piece of parchment and read:

Remus,

If you get home before I do, don’t worry, I’ve just gone out on an errand. I should be back by dinnertime. You can stop pacing and worrying now.

Love,
Dora

He smiled and placed the parchment back onto the table. She knew him so well. The feeling of panic had subsided, but the deeper-seated worry wouldn’t budge. The way things were going with the war wouldn’t let him be completely calm until she was home in his arms. He busied himself making tea, and just as he’d sat down and poured himself a cup, he heard the familiar creak of the door hinges, and her familiar footsteps in the entrance hall.

She stepped round the corner wearing a smile of a magnitude that could only compare to the one she’d worn on their wedding day. She seemed to glow with happiness, and in the middle of a war, with both their lives severely in danger this was an odd occurrence. He stood and crossed the distance remaining between them, and pulled her into his arms.

“Hello, Dora,� he said into her neck, not letting go.

“I see you’ve missed me,� she said, holding onto him with equal fervor.

“I was worried,� he admitted quietly, “I always worry now…�

Normally she would make a joke, or try to make light of the situation, but she could feel the trembling that he was trying to hide as he held her close.

“Sweetheart, it’s okay, I’m home safely,� she said quietly into his ear, before kissing him thoroughly.

He relaxed slowly, falling into her. She’d had this effect on him since the day they had first encountered one another. A simple touch drove him from his thoughts entirely. That particular gift hadn’t ceased with their union, rather, it had intensified. He didn’t need to see her to be aware of her proximity to him in a room. It was as if he could sense her.

Their lips broke apart, partly due to a need for oxygen. His grip on her had loosened, but they had not parted. She smiled at him, and he felt the corner of his mouth involuntarily curving upward.

“I’m glad you’re home,� she said gently, “any news?� Her tone grew more serious as she asked.

“Nothing,� he said equally as serious, releasing her from his grasp. He moved toward the table and offered her a chair as he said, “Tea?�

“I’d love some,� she said following him and taking the seat he had offered her. He poured her a cup and sat to her left, the fingers of their free hands entwining of their own accord.

“Any news on your end?� he asked before taking a sip of his tea.

The smile had returned in all its radiance, along with the unexplained glow that seemed to be a new addition to her features. He couldn’t quite determine what was going on, but hoped that she would clue him in sooner rather than later.

“Well,� she started, her smile getting even wider, “actually I do have some news.�

She was positively beaming, and the fact that he was completely clueless seemed to make her smile even more radiant.

“Good news I take it?� he asked, the corner of his mouth twitching yet again. He couldn’t help smiling seeing her so happy. He peered at her through his fringe, raising one eyebrow in gesture of questioning, and she giggled.

“Yes,� she said simply, glancing from him down to her tea and back again.

“Well that’s a relief then, I thought you were about to tell me something dreadful.�

He found he could no longer fight the smile that had been creeping slowly onto his face. He laughed with her, and even though it should have, it didn’t feel strange at all. Only Tonks could make him laugh like this while a war was waging just outside their front door.

“It’s pretty big news. Are you sure you’re ready?� she asked.

“Just tell me before you drive me mad!� he exclaimed, causing another fit of giggles to erupt from his wife.

“Remus,� she said seriously once she had been able to contain her laughter. His eyes met hers, and they locked, his gentle blue eyes with her fierce brown ones. “You’re probably wondering where I was this afternoon…�

“You could say that, yes,� he answered, his eyes not leaving hers.

“I was at St. Mungo’s… I’d done the charm myself, but I wanted to be sure…�

“What? Why? What charm?�

“Remus,� Tonks said gently, “we’re having a baby…�

“We’re… What…?� he replied, the shock evident on his face. His face lacked the joy that she had hoped would be portrayed by what was supposed to be happy news.

“A baby, Remus. We’re going to be parents.�

“Dora, there’s a war on, and, what if…� he trailed his statement off, his expression became pained, “what if the baby is like me?�

Her face fell. He wasn’t happy. He didn’t share in her total and complete joy of sharing something so fabulous with him. She felt the tears stinging, hot in her eyes, but she fought them off and looked back up at him. His eyes however were anywhere but on her. He was stone faced, staring at the tabletop, the same pained expression, one of dread and fear.

“Remus…� she tried, “I don’t care, it doesn’t matter…�

His eyes snapped up to her again and he spoke, anger attempting to mask the fear in his voice, “How on earth can you not care, Dora? How can you say that it doesn’t matter? This child could be born afflicted, end up like me. Even if it isn’t, it will always have a father of whom it must be ashamed. Any child deserves more than that.�

It was the most he’d said since she had given him the news, and it also cut the deepest. She could no longer fight the tears, and they fell hot and fast from her eyes, speckling the dark cherry wood of the table top.

“You would be a father to admire, Remus, not be ashamed of. You’ve done so much, faced so much adversity. You’ll be a role model to our child. It will look up to you.�

“No,� he stated simply, “A child could never be proud of a father who is an abomination to society. And what if it grows up the same way, afflicted, cursed?�

“You’re a wonderful man, Remus, you just have a--�

“I just turn into a monster once a month at the full moon.�

“Remus!� she shouted harshly, “you aren’t a monster! Will you just listen to me?�

“There is nothing more to be said, Nympha--�

“Don’t call me Nymphadora!� she shouted, her hair changing involuntarily from her normal bright pink to a spikey deep crimson. Fire seemed to flare in her eyes, which had darkened at his slip of the tongue. “If you would just bloody well listen, Remus--�

“Go stay with your parents. You’ll be safe there,� he said simply, his voice void of emotion.

“Remus John Lupin, don’t you dare walk out on me--on us…� Tonks said, more quietly, her hand automatically curling protectively around her midsection.

“I’ve caused you and your family enough harm. This will be for the best. I’m sorry I’ve destroyed everything you’ve worked so hard for, and I’m even more sorry that this child will forever live in shame of it’s father. Staying here will do nothing to solve that. If this child, by some miracle, isn’t afflicted, both of you will be better off without me.�

He had stood rather violently from the table with those words. The tears in his wife’s eyes did nothing to sway him. He reached for his cloak and strode toward the door. Staying would do nothing but hurt both of them.

“Remus, don’t…� she begged, sobbing.

He spoke not a word as he opened the door and stepped through it. But silent tears fell from his eyes as he disapparated.

~*~

***Taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pg 211-214 American Hardcover Edition***

“I’ll understand if you can’t confirm this, Harry, but the Order is under the impression that Dumbledore left you a mission,� Remus inquired. This would be the perfect way to escape both his feelings, and any opportunity to create further disaster. He’d done enough harm. Now it was time to do some good.

“He did,� Harry replied, “and Ron and Hermione are in on it and they’re coming with me.�

“Can you confide in me what the mission is?�

Remus looked at Harry, hoping that the young man before him would be able to trust him. He needed this, needed to escape. He’d already done enough damage.

“I can’t, Remus, I’m sorry. If Dumbledore didn’t tell you I don’t think I can.�

“I thought you’d say that,� said Remus, looking disappointed. “But I might still be of some use to you. You know what I am and what I can do. I could come with you to provide protection. There would be no need to tell me exactly what you were up to.�

Remus could sense Harry’s hesitation. This wasn’t going at all the way he’d planned. He had hoped that they would accept his offer without questioning him, but that wasn’t the case. He glanced at Hermione, and upon seeing the puzzled look on her face, determined that this was definitely not going to turn out well.

“But what about Tonks?� she asked.

“What about her?� said Remus.

“Well,� said Hermione, frowning, “you’re married! How does she feel about you going away with us?�

“Tonks will be perfectly safe,� said Lupin, “She’ll be at her parents’ house.� She just had to go there, he thought to himself. This was supposed to be simple. Hermione had made things complicated. He didn’t want to have to explain, but he knew that she wouldn’t let it rest now.

There was something strange in Remus’s tone; it was almost cold. There was also something odd in the idea of Tonks remaining hidden at her parents’ house; she was, after all, a member of the Order and, as far as Harry knew, was likely to want to be in the thick of the action.

“Remus,� said Hermione tentatively, “is everything all right… you know… between you and--�

“Everything is fine, thank you,� said Remus pointedly, attempting to curb this conversation before it went any farther.

Hermione turned pink. There was another pause, and awkward and embarrassed one, and then Remus said, with an air of forcing himself to admit something unpleasant, “Tonks is going to have a baby.�

“Oh, how wonderful!� squealed Hermione.

“Excellent!� said Ron enthusiastically.

“Congratulations,� said Harry.

Remus gave an artificial smile that was more like a grimace, then said, “So… do you accept my offer? Will three become four? I cannot believe that Dumbledore would have disapproved, he appointed me your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, after all. And I must tell you that I believe that we are facing magic many of us have never encountered or imagined.�

Remus hoped that they would let it rest and assume that she had decided to stay with her parents so that he could still play a part in the war. His eyes swivelled between each of them in turn, waiting for someone to answer. Ron and Hermione both looked at Harry.

“Just--just to be clear,� Harry said. “You want to leave Tonks at her parents’ house and come away with us?�

“She’ll be perfectly safe there, they’ll look after her,� said Remus. He spoke with a finality bordering on indifference. “Harry, I’m sure James would have wanted me to stick with you.�

“Well,� said Harry slowly, “I’m not. I’m pretty sure my father would have wanted to know why you aren’t sticking with your own kid, actually.�

Lupin’s face drained of color. The temperature in the kitchen might have dropped ten degrees. Ron stared around the room as though he had been bidden to memorize it, while Hermione’s eyes swiveled backward and forward from Harry to Lupin.

“You don’t understand,� said Lupin at last.

“Explain, then,� said Harry.

Lupin swallowed, attempting to formulate some sort of response. Harry was no longer the boy who needed his help, he was a man with his own convictions, and Remus wasn’t sure exactly how to explain what had happened. He settled for a slice of the truth, hoping that he would accept it and move on.

“I--I made a grave mistake in marrying Tonks. I did it against my better judgment and I have regretted it very much ever since.�

“I see,� said Harry, “so you’re just going to dump her and the kid and run off with us?�

Remus sprang to his feet: His chair toppled over backward and he glared at them fiercely. He could feel the anger coursing through his veins. No one could possibly understand. And here was Harry, acting as if he’d done something wrong by leaving.

“Don’t you understand what I’ve done to my wife and my unborn child? I should never have married her, I’ve made her an outcast!�

Lupin kicked aside the chair he had overturned.

“You have only ever seen me amongst the Order, or under Dumbledore’s protection at Hogwarts! You don’t know how most of the Wizarding world sees creatures like me! When they know of my affliction, they can barely talk to me! Don’t you see what I’ve done? Even her own family is disgusted by our marriage, what parents what their only daughter to marry a werewolf? And the child--the child--�

Lupin actually seized handfuls of his own hair; he looked quite deranged. The remorse of the mere possibility of passing on his condition to his child tore him apart. He couldn’t bear the thought of it.

“My kind don’t usually breed! It will be like me, I am convinced of it--how can I forgive myself, when I knowingly risked passing my own condition to an innocent child? And if, by some miracle, it is not like me, then it will be better off, a hundred times so, without a father of whom it must always be ashamed!�

“Remus!� whispered Hermione, tears in her eyes. “Don’t say that--how could any child be ashamed of you?�

Remus opened his mouth to respond, but Harry was faster.

“Oh, I don’t know, Hermione,� said Harry. “I’d be pretty ashamed of him.�

Harry had risen to his feet too. Remus felt as though Harry had hit him. He had always considered Harry to be as good as a son, and to hear him say that he was ashamed of him; that destroyed any self esteem that remained.

“If the new regime thinks Muggle-borns are bad,� Harry said, “what will they do to a half-werewolf whose father’s in the Order? My father died trying to protect my mother and me, and you reckon he’d tell you to abandon your kid to go on an adventure with us?�

“How--how dare you?� said Lupin. “This is not about a desire for--for danger or personal glory--how dare you suggest such a--�

“I think you’re feeling a bit of a daredevil,� Harry said. “You fancy stepping into Sirius’s shoes--�

“Harry, no!� Hermione begged him, but he continued to glare into Lupin’s livid face.

“I’d have never believed this,� Harry said. “The man who taught me to fight dementors--a coward.�

Remus drew his wand so fast that Harry had barely reached for his own; fuelled by pure rage, Remus cast a non-verbal knockback jinx. He watched as Harry slammed into the kitchen wall and slid to the floor, and then strode briskly from the room.

“Remus, Remus, come back!� Hermione cried.

Remus didn’t pause, he had no intentions of answering her, or returning to the room. He drew his cloak tightly around himself and slammed the door behind him. He took a moment to steady himself on the topmost step, making sure that he wouldn’t be seen.

***^***

~*~

With a loud crack, Remus Lupin vanished into the night. He wasn’t sure exactly where he would go now. He had abandoned his family, been called a coward by the young man that he had considered as good as a son, and to be truthful, he was. He found himself in a dark wood, some distance from where he’d attempted to apparate to. It was true, focus was necessary for successful apparation, and focus was something hard to conceive when your head was so full of other thoughts.

His feet carried him automatically in the direction of the house that he had once shared with his wife. He knew that he wouldn’t find her there. She’d gone off to her parents’ house not long after he’d abandoned her. He made his way inside, shed his cloak, and fell onto his knees in the middle of the sitting room floor.

“What have I done?� he asked the empty house, tears falling freely from his eyes. “My family--my family…� He lay there awhile longer, gathering his resolve. Something clicked in his mind--family. He had a family, a wife, and an unborn child. What kind of husband--father--was he? He’d walked out on them both, because he was scared. “I am a bloody coward.� He had wanted nothing more than for Tonks to be happy, and he took what was apparently the happiest moment of her life and had torn it to shreds, because he, Remus John Lupin, was a bloody coward.

“I have to fix this,� he said, and pushed himself up from the floor. He stood gingerly, and attempted to construct a solution to his stupidity in his mind. After several moments of intense thought that made his head hurt, he decided just to wing it, and hope that she would forgive him, damn the consequences.

Remus arrived on the doorstep of the home of Ted and Andromeda Tonks. He had no idea what he would say to her, if she’d even consent to see him. It had been over a week since he’d walked out. It had taken him nearly that long to get to Harry and have some sense knocked into his incredibly hard head by a boy half his age. And here he was, sense knocked in, knees shaking, more nervous than he’d ever been; regretting being so hot-headed and blind to her love for him.

She really didn’t care that he turned into a monster once a month. She really did see it as just a furry little problem. She had never let that define his character in her eyes. And standing here, wrapped in his long black traveling cloak, he finally understood her love for him, unyielding, even in the darkest of times, unconditional, even when he was a total prat. He clapped his hand roughly to his forehead, pushed his shaggy hair out of his eyes, raised a fist, and knocked on the large solid oak door that stood between him and his wife; and most likely a curse that would turn his head into an asparagus for being such a moron in the first place.

The door swung open, and to his surprise, it was Tonks that had answered it. He opened his mouth to speak, but could find no words. Her hair did that thing where it changed on it’s own, from a mousy brown falling into her eyes, to her bright spikey pink. Even if she’d tried to feign anger, her hair would have given her away. She flung herself into his arms, uncaring what the words he had been trying to form were supposed to be.

He reacted subconsciously and his arms closed around her waist, pulling her closer. He buried his face into her neck, feeling her tears starting to soak through the shoulder of his cloak, not caring that he was crying as well. His lips found the soft skin just below her ear, and he placed a gentle kiss there, before saying, “I’m sorry…�

“I was so worried--�

“I know. I’m so--�

“Shh, you’re here now, that’s all that matters. Don’t ever leave me again, Remus, please,� she said between sobs.

“I won’t leave you, Dora. I promise.�

She kissed him soundly, as if to seal that promise right there on the doorstep. The pair stumbled inside, still attached at the lips and she crashed into one of the kitchen chairs, knocking it clean over. The tender moment quickly turned to humour as she blushed, and giggled. He laughed so hard that his stomach hurt, and knew deep in his heart that he could never leave this woman ever again. Damn the consequences, he would stay with her through everything, until the very end.

“I was an idiot, Dora,� he said looking into her eyes, the fallen chair still lying where it had crashed to the floor.

“A right git,� she replied, the ghosts of laughter still dancing in her eyes.

“I love you,� Remus replied simply, his lips meeting hers again. He felt her lips curve upwards without breaking the contact with his. She pulled away slightly, though didn’t remove herself from his arms.

“You’d better. There will be more of me to love soon,� Tonks said and took hold of his wrist, pulled his arm from around her and placed it gently on her stomach. “We love you too,� she said gently, and the look of wonder and amazement in his eyes, when he felt his child kick was exactly the expression she had hoped for a week ago when she’d delivered the happy news.

He righted the chair that they’d knocked over, and offered it to her. She sat and the long drawn out discussion began.

“I’m scared,� he admitted, taking the seat next to her.

“I know,� she said gently closing her hand over his, “but you needn’t be.�

“What do you mean?�

“Part of the reason that I went to St. Mungo’s,� she said, “was to make sure that nothing would go wrong with the pregnancy because of the lycanthropy.�

“Oh…� Remus responded, feeling even more like an idiot than he had previously.

“They’ve done more detection charms than I can remember the names of, and he won’t have it, Remus. There is no trace of it. None at all.�

“He?�

“Yes,� she said squeezing his hand and smiling at him, “we’re having a son.�

“A son,� Remus repeated, unsure of exactly how to process this new bit of information. Tonks sat silently, watching him as the wheels in his head began to turn. The concentration on his face as he formed thoughts was one of the things that had endeared him to her in the first place, and she had never stopped loving it. Finally, the corner of his mouth twitched, in that Remus-like way, and she couldn’t contain her grin as the smile slowly spread. He raised an eyebrow at her, and she giggled.

“What is it that you’ve just realized?� she asked, stifling her giggles with the back of her hand.

“He’s bound to be a trouble maker, with parents like us.�

“The son of a marauder,� Tonks replied, “I would think that he would be disowned if he wasn’t.�

Laughter rang around the kitchen again.

“Me, a father,� Remus said still chuckling to himself, “who would have thought it possible?�

~*~

“How about Romulus?� Tonks said, the play on names not lost on her.

“You must be joking,� Remus replied and she laughed.

He shook his head and shifted more closely to her on the couch. They had returned to the home they shared after he’d pulled his head out of his arse and come back to her. Discussing what to name their son seemed to be one of their new favourite past times. He sipped his tea and placed an arm around her shoulders.

“What about James?� he said

“Absolutely not!� she said still laughing. “He’s already the son of a marauder, he doesn’t need to be a namesake as well!�

“Aaron?� The expression on his face was enough of an answer to her question. One eyebrow raised, head tilted just so. “All right, enough said,� she added, laughing to herself.

“David?� he tried, “It was my father’s name,� he added when she didn’t immediately respond. She shook her head gently. She’d know a boy named David in school and wasn’t particularly fond of the name.

“How about something traditional?� Tonks said, “a nice old fashioned wizard name, like--�

“How about we talk about this later,� Remus said in a low suggestive voice, as he leaned in to kiss her.

“I think that’s a fabulous idea,� she responded as their lips met.

~*~

“Dora!� Andromeda shouted, “Dora! Remus!� Her voice was broken, tears falling from her eyes. She found them in the back library, curled on the sofa together with a book of baby names hastily discarded. Her hands were in his hair and they were joined at the lips. His shirt was mostly unbuttoned, and he was making quick work of hers. They glanced up upon hearing their names being shouted and immediately put a foot of space between each other and hastily attempted to right their clothing.

“Dora,� her mother said, fighting the sob, “your--your father…�

Dora’s eyes went wide, understanding without words what had happened. She ran to her mother and threw her arms around her. Remus sat, shirt still unbuttoned, hair a tousled mess, face flushed, jaw hanging open. The women cried together, and after a moment he joined them, wrapping his arms around the pair of them, attempting to comfort them both the best he could.

~*~

Tonks had been down ever since the news of her father’s death had been delivered that night. Her mother had taken up residence with them, on the pretense that she wanted to be close at hand when it was time to deliver the baby. Going to St. Mungo’s would no longer be safe. While the happy couple had been in hiding, the ministry had fallen, and Harry had been trying to fight this war, underground, on his own. Remus had only been out of the house to make a few guest appearances on Fred and George’s radio station. Bill had stopped by earlier that week with news of the trio. They were safe, and at the moment staying with him and Fleur at Shell Cottage. Bill, being the secret keeper, told Remus of its location and to come if he needed anything or had any news to share.

The Order had been attempting to help the cause as best they could, but they had all been driven underground. Remus was growing anxious. Being cooped up for this long had never suited him, but he knew his place was with his wife.

“So I’ve been thinking,� Remus said, sitting down next to Tonks at the kitchen table.

“About?� she inquired, a curious expression on her face.

“Who should be our son’s godfather,� he replied.

“Who do you have in mind,� she said, taking his hand, and smiling for the first time in days.

“Harry,� Remus answered, “I can think of no one better suited.�

She planted a kiss on his forehead and smiled. “Harry will be perfect,� she said, “so long as he doesn’t teach him to be quite such a brilliant trouble maker as he is.�

“I’m almost certain that will be inevitable, considering his bloodline,� Remus replied, chuckling.

The happy look on Tonks’s face faded, and a pain stricken expression took it’s place. Remus backpedalled, “I mean, I’m sure--�

“Remus,� she said, cutting him off, “He’s coming.�

“Who--�

“The baby!�

His eyes grew wide, and he took her hand. Her water had broken and she was going into labour. Remus took a slow steadying breath, and led her into the bedroom.

“Andromeda!� he called as he helped her into bed, “I think we’ll be needing your assistance!�

~*~

He had been so focused on holding his wife’s hand and coaching her that he was shocked to his core when he heard a cry. Andromeda stood, a smile on her face and handed him his son. His eyes locked with the tiny ones that so resembled his own. His breath caught in his chest, and he felt a tear leak from the corner of his eyes. He held him gently, knowing what to do more by instinct than anything else. It had been sixteen years since he had last held a child, and Harry, as amazing as he was, wasn’t his son. This child, this black haired, blue-eyed boy, was his.

Tonks watched him bond with his son, and the smile on her face could not be contained. He joined her at the bedside and handed the child to her.

“He looks like you,� she said beaming.

“I rather think he looks like you,� he replied.

“We never did come up with a name,� Tonks stated, staring at her son in wonderment.

“Ted,� Remus said simply, “after your father.�

Tonks’s eyes shown with tears as she looked from her son to her husband; total adoration shown in her face for the man who had blessed her with the gift that she now cradled in her arms.

“Teddy Remus Lupin,� she said, “yeah, I like that.�

“What do you think, Andromeda?� Remus asked, taking the baby from Tonks and handing him to his grandmother. “Does he look like a Ted to you?�

“Yes,� she said breathlessly, “And look, his hair!�

“Blimey,� Remus said.

“What?� Tonks replied, fear etched in her voice at the thought of something being wrong with her son.

“It’s turning ginger,� her mother replied, laughing, “he truly is your son, Dora. Your hair started changing colours almost moments after you were born.�

She handed the child back to his father and excused herself from the room. Remus cradled him gently and sat next to his wife again.

“Welcome to the world, Teddy,� he said placing him on his mother’s chest and kissing her lips gently.

“Shouldn’t you be doing that excited father thing and running off to tell your friends?� she asked, smirking.

Like an excited little boy, Remus couldn’t contain his grin. “Can I?�

“Go,� she said, “We’ll be here when you get back.

He planted a kiss on her cheek and another on his son’s forehead, grabbed his cloak and dashed from the room. He barely shut the front door behind him before apparating with a loud crack.

***Taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pg 513-515 American Hardcover Edition***

Remus could hardly contain his excitement as he hurried up the beach toward the cottage that he knew to be Bill and Fleur’s. When he reached the door, he raised a fist and pounded on it three times in quick succession.

“Who is it?� Bill called.

“It is I, Remus John Lupin!� he called, gathering his cloak against the strong winds. “I am a werewolf, married to Nymphadora Tonks, and you, the Secret Keeper of Shell Cottage, told me the address and bade me to come in an emergency!�

“Lupin,� muttered Bill, and he ran to the door and wrenched it open.

Remus fell over the threshold. He was white-faced, wrapped in a traveling cloak, his graying hair windswept. He straightened up, looked around the room, making sure of who was there, then cried aloud, “It’s a boy! We’ve named him Ted, after Dora’s father!�

Hermione shrieked.

“Wha--? Tonks--Tonks has had the baby?�

“Yes, yes, she’s had the baby!� Remus shouted. All around the table came cries of delight, sighs of relief: Hermione and Fleur both squealed, “Congratulations!� and Ron said, “Blimey, a baby!� as if he had never heard of such a thing before.

“Yes--yes--a boy,� said Remus again. He felt dazed, but so happy that he could barely contain his grin. He strode around the table and hugged Harry; the scene in the basement of Grimmauld Place might never have happened.

“You’ll be godfather?� he said as he released Harry.

“M-me?� stammered Harry.

“You, yes, of course--Dora quite agrees, no one better--�

“I--yeah--blimey--�

Remus beamed at him, and clapped him on the shoulder. Harry felt overwhelmed, astonished, delighted; now Bill was hurrying to fetch wine, and Remus vaguely listened as Fleur was persuaded him to join them for a drink.

“I can’t stay long. I must get back,� said Lupin, beaming around at them all: He looked years younger than Harry had ever seen him.

“Thank you, thank you, Bill.�

Bill had soon filled all of their goblets, they stood and raised them high in a toast.

“To Teddy Remus Lupin,� said Lupin, “a great wizard in the making!�

“ ‘Oo does ‘e look like?� Fleur inquired.

“I think he looks like Dora, but she thinks he is like me. Not much hair. It looked black when he was born, but I swear it’s turned ginger in the hour since. Probably be blond by the time I get back. Andromeda says Tonks’s hair started changing color the day that she was born.� He drained his goblet. “Oh, go on then, just one more,� he added, beaming, as Bill made to fill it again.

The wind buffeted the little cottage and the fire leapt and crackled, and Bill was soon opening another bottle of wine. Remus was absolutely giddy with happiness. In fact, his sheer joy seemed to permeate the room, removing them all from the horrors of war, at least for the moment.

“No… no… I really must get back,� said Lupin at last, declining yet another goblet of wine. He got to his feet and pulled his traveling cloak back around himself.

“Good-bye, good-bye--I’ll try and bring some pictures in a few days’ time--they’ll all be so glad to know that I’ve seen you--�

He fastened his cloak and made his farewells, hugging the women and grasping hands with the men, then, still beaming, returned into the wild night.

***End Quote***

~*~

Remus returned home to find Tonks and Teddy sound asleep. He eased himself into bed next to them as gently as he could, and wrapped his family in his arms. Remus Lupin could not have asked for anything more than what he had right now; A wife that loves and adores him, and a beautiful baby boy, whose hair had now turned a brilliant shade of turquoise.

“I love you,� he whispered to both of them as he drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

~*~

“Dora!� Remus shouted, the front door banging open and then slamming shut behind him. Teddy started crying, whether set off by his father’s shouting, or the banging of the door, she wasn’t sure, but she shushed him all the same and tried to calm him.

“What is it, love?� she asked, passing their son to him, and taking his arm. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

“Dora,� he said tenderly, looking into her eyes, and cuddling his now quiet son to his chest, “it’s tonight--Harry--He’s at Hogwarts now, they’re calling for all the members of the Order. We’re fighting.�

“No!� she exclaimed, fear flowed through her very soul at the thought of him leaving them to go into battle. As much as she’d understood his frustration, she couldn’t justify him leaving them. He’d promised. “Remus, you promised me--you promised you wouldn’t leave us again!� Tears were stinging her eyes, but she knew before he spoke exactly what he would say.

“Dora, I have to…� he said gently, “You have to stay here with Teddy, I’ll be back--no Dora, I promise--I’ll come back to you--both of you.�

She was clinging to both of them now, tears flowing freely. If he hadn’t been holding Teddy, he would have pulled her into a tight embrace. He attempted to do so, albeit with one arm as the other was supporting his son.

“Dora, as much as you don’t want me to go, I know you understand. I have to fight. I can’t just sit here and wait. I have to be there for Harry.�

She looked up at him, her eyes red, and her face tear stained, “I’ll go with you…� she said tearfully.

“Absolutely not,� he responded firmly, “If I don’t make it home, I’ll need to know that Teddy will at least have a mother to raise him. And I’ll know that he’ll have a father of whom he can be proud. I know you’ll tell him about me if I don’t make it back.�

“Remus… Please…� she begged, the scene was all too familiar, except this time he was holding their son, and leaving for an altogether different reason.

“Dora,� he said handing Teddy over again and wrapping both of them in his arms, “I love you, both of you, more than you know. I’ll do my best to come home safely, I promise. Please, Dora, just promise me that you’ll stay here, out of harms way, and wait for me to return.�

It was her turn this time to make a promise that she wasn’t entirely sure she could keep. Tears running down her face, she said, “I promise.�

He took Teddy from her arms and hugged him tightly to his chest. “Daddy loves you son. Don’t ever forget that. Daddy will always love you.� He felt tears stinging the back of his eyes, knowing in his heart that this might be the last time he’d be able to hold his son. He took him into the other room and handed him off to Andromeda. He rejoined his wife in the sitting room. She hadn’t moved an inch and the tears hadn’t stopped falling. He wrapped her tightly in his arms and said, “I love you Dora, and no matter what, I’ll always be with you--here,� he said placing his hand over her heart.

“I love you too, Remus,� she answered wiping the tears from her eyes.

One long lingering kiss later, and he was gone.

~*~

***Taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pg 605-607 American Hardcover Edition***

“So--‘ow eez leetle Teddy?�

Remus blinked at her, started.

“I--oh yes--he’s fine!� Remus said loudly, only half listening to the coversation taking place around him. “Yes, Tonks is with him--at her mother’s--�

Remus beamed, and reached into his breast pocket.

“Here, I’ve got a picture!� Lupin shouted, pulling a photograph from inside his jacket and showing it to Fleur and Harry, who saw a tiny baby with a tuft of bright turquoise hair, waving fat fists at the camera.

“I was a fool!� Percy roared, so loudly that Remus nearly dropped his photograph. “I was an idiot, I was a pompous prat, I was a--a--�

Remus tuned out the rest of the conversation, thinking of his wife and son. He’d been hasty in choosing to leave them behind, but he had to be here, for Harry. He took one last look at the photograph of his son, and smiling, placed it back into his breast pocket. After a brief argument with Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Remus headed off for the stairs and into the battle.

***End Quote***

Remus had gathered a group of fighters and was headed to the Astronomy Tower. The battle was fully engaged around him, spells and curses flying every which way. He caught a movement out of the corner of his eye, and swore he’d seen a flash of pink hair, and then she was there, arms around him.

“Dora,� he said sharply, “I thought--�

“I couldn’t sit at home and wait, Remus,� she answered, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t do it--I was so worried.�

Remus didn’t respond, but shoved her roughly to the ground. A curse impacted the wall where her head had been moments before. She looked surprised momentarily, and then her training took over. Tonks was a born fighter, and nothing would stop her defending her husband. She rolled from under him, took cover and started firing back.

They had found themselves securing the foot of the tower alone. The rest of Remus’s force had made their way up the stairs during the momentary exchange with his wife. They were backed into a corner, relying solely on each other. Bellatrix Lestrange and Antonin Dolohov had them pinned down. The duel was violent and heated, but Remus and Tonks fought brilliantly together; that is until he got careless. They were fairly evenly matched, Remus had always been a good duelist, but in a careless maneuver, he attacked when he should have blocked and took a cutting curse to his wand arm.

The shock of it made him cry out, which momentarily drew his wife’s attention from her attacker. This momentary lapse in concentration was all that was necessary. Bellatrix, who had been primarily on the defensive from Tonks’s hard fought duel, had taken the opportunity to strike. The green light hit her full in the chest, and he watched helplessly as she fell.

“NO!� he screamed in agony, not from the curse, but from seeing the light leave her eyes, and that was all he saw, because in that next moment, he was falling himself, finally bested by Dolohov. Remus Lupin’s body hit the stone floor with a dull thud, his hand still reaching for his beloved wife, only mere feet from him, his kind blue eyes no longer seeing.

~*~

He awoke in what appeared to be an expansive white room full of fog. This was odd to him, as he knew that he shouldn’t be awake at all. He had taken a killing curse straight to the chest and… His chest tightened, he’d been hit with the curse after watching Tonks fall. He looked round for her, but didn’t see her anywhere. The sight that he did see brought tears to his eyes. Through the mist came three figures.

James, Sirius and Lily approached him slowly, beaming at him. He was happy to be reunited with them, but the pain that Tonks wasn’t here also was tearing at his very being.

“Moony,� Sirius said, extending a hand to help him up from the floor, “it’s good to see you old friend.�

He hugged each of them in turn, and without speaking, inquired to the fate of his wife.

Lily understood immediately and said, “she’s gone on, Remus; she’s waiting for you, just beyond here. But there’s one last thing we have to ask of you before you join her.�

Remus nodded solemnly, comforted by the fact that he would see her again. “James,� he said gently, “I’m sorry I didn’t make it long enough to fight beside Harry tonight.�

“Don’t sell yourself short, Moony,� James replied, “You’ll have your chance yet.�

“What exactly--�

“You’ll see,� Sirius said gently.

~*~

***Taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pg 698-703 American Hardcover Edition***

Remus felt something shift, almost as if he had inadvertently touched a portkey. Harry had called them back to earth with the resurrection stone. They were neither ghost nor truly flesh, more like a memory made nearly solid. Less substantial than living bodies, but much more than ghosts, they moved towards him, and on each face, there was the same loving smile.

James was exactly the same height as Harry. He was wearing the clothes in which he had died, and his hair was untidy and ruffled, and his glasses were a little lopsided, like Mr. Weasley’s.

Sirius was tall and handsome, and younger by far than Harry had seen him in life. He loped with an easy grace, his hands in his pockets and a grin on his face.

Remus was younger too, and much less shabby, and his hair was thicker and darker. He was happy to be back in this familiar place, with the friends who he had lost long ago, standing here, still able to be here for Harry, even though he knew he couldn’t fight alongside him, he was still able to be here for moral support.

Lily’s smile was widest of all. She pushed her long hair back as she drew close to him, and her green eyes, so like his, searched his face hungrily, as though she would never be able to look at him enough.

“You’ve been so brave.�

Harry could not speak. His eyes feasted on her, and he thought that he would like to stand and look at her forever, and that would be enough. Remus felt a pang of guilt. He had spent so much time with James and Lily, and Harry had so little. And even now, Remus would, if he was correct, have all the time in the world with them, and Harry would continue to not know them.

“You are nearly there,� said James. “Very close. We are…so proud of you.�

“Does it hurt?�

Remus felt another pang as he realized what was about to happen. Harry was going to sacrifice himself in the attempt to kill Voldemort.

“Dying? Not at all,� said Sirius. “Quicker and easier than falling asleep.�

“And he will want it to be quick. He wants it over,� added Remus, trying to reassure him, and abate his fears.

“I didn’t want you to die,� Harry said. These words came without his volition. “Any of you. I’m sorry--�

He addressed Lupin more than any of them, beseeching him.

“--right after you’d had your son…Remus, I’m sorry--�

“I am sorry too,� said Lupin. “Sorry I will never know him…but he will know why I died and I hope he will understand. I was trying to make a world in which he could live a happier life.� He meant those words sincerely, and knew that Teddy would be well cared for, that is, if Dumbledore’s plan succeeded and this was not the end for the young man standing before him.

A chilly breeze that seemed to emanate from the heart of the forest lifted the hair at Harry’s brow. He knew that they would not tell him to go, that it would have to be his decision.

“You’ll stay with me?�

“Until the very end,� said James.

“They won’t be able to see you?� asked Harry.

“We are part of you,� said Sirius. “Invisible to anyone else.�

Harry looked at his mother.

“Stay close to me,� he said quietly.

***End Quote***

Remus awoke again, in a different place this time. This place, he thought, reminded him of Godric’s Hollow; Except there was no bouncing baby boy, James and Lily’s, or his own. He looked all around, and realized that this house was the exact replica of James and Lily’s cottage, except larger.

“He’s done it!� someone shouted, which roused Remus from his musing of where exactly he was and how he’d gotten here. He knew instantly what that statement meant. Harry had defeated Lord Voldemort, how exactly he wasn’t sure, and how anyone that could be here with him could know that, he also wasn’t sure. At this particular moment however, he didn’t need all the details.

He saw in the other room, at the kitchen table, that James, Sirius, and Lily were all looking into what appeared to be a pensive. Then he saw one of the most amazing sights of his life, a flash of pink. Tonks strode toward the table, carrying a pot of tea and sat down next to Lily. He shoved himself from the couch, and rushed to her, gathering her in his arms. The tears fell unashamedly from his eyes.

“Dora, I’m so sorry...�

“At least we were together, love, and we’ll still be able to see him grow, look,� she said pointing into the pensive-like object that contained and image of Harry and his friends celebrating their triumph over the Dark Lord. The image in the pensive changed, and like a movie playing before his eyes, he saw his son, with a fist full of his grandmother’s hair. His hair had turned black. He must sense that something is amiss, thought Remus. But he was there, healthy and whole, and safe. And Remus vowed that he would watch over him every day, just as Lily and James must have done for Harry for all this time.

“Harry will take good care of him, Remus, you know that,� James said, unable to contain the pride he had in his only son.

“I know, I just wish--�

“We all do, Remus,� Lily answered, “but you took care of Harry as best you could for us, and now he’ll do the same for Teddy. It’ll be okay.� She placed a gentle hand on his arm.

“I suppose it will,� he said, and pulled Tonks into his lap and smiled round at the other occupants of the room. His lips met hers, and he felt at home again.

“Get a room, Moony,� Sirius barked.

“He hasn’t changed a bit, has he, dear?� Tonks said, giggling.

“No, not at all,� Remus answered chuckling, “and I hope he never does.�

Even though the five of them couldn’t be with the family that they so cherished, they would always stand sentinel, watching over them, while enjoying the life that they had never been privy to while on earth. Remus Lupin, though unable to raise his son, had everything else that he could have asked for, and he knew one day, hopefully a very long time from now, that his son, and Harry would join their parents in this wonderful place. But until then, he was happy with snapshots.