"And what if we want to stay and fight?"

-- Ernie Macmillan

Tonks was dozing in the rocking chair by the window. There was some sort of commotion, but it was very far away from the cool, dark room where she held her sleeping son on her lap. From below, there was a quick, loud sound, much like the door slamming. Teddy stirred against her belly, and she opened her eyes. Outside, the moon was glowing behind a wisp of cloud, casting a dreamy glow over the quiet land. In the baby's room, everything was veiled in deep, inviting blue shadows.

She shifted and slowly got to her feet, with the intention of putting Teddy in the cot and falling onto her own bed, passing into a deep and dreamless sleep until her son's cries and heavy, aching breasts woke her in a few hours. There was another sound then, and it sounded like feet on the stairs. Curious now, she laid the sleeping infant down and stepped into the hallway. Lupin was on the top stair, a wild look on his face. Andromeda stood on the bottom of the staircase, looking heartsick.

"What, what is it?" Tonks asked, suddenly alarmed.

He looked up as he stepped onto the landing, apparently surprised to see her. "Dora!"

"Remus, what's the matter? Are there Snatchers?" She looked from him to her mother, confused.

"What? Snatchers? No, not at all--"

"Where's the groceries, then?"

"Downstairs. Nymphadora, I met Harry's Patronus on the road. They're inside Hogwarts-- we're going to fight!" he said excitedly, grabbing her forearms in his hands.

"Hogwarts? Fight?" The words suddenly made sense, and a broad smile appeared on her tired face. Her hair was rapidly brightening to the same shade of bubblegum pink it had been when she was able to sleep more than two or three hours at a time. "Well, what are we waiting for, then? Let's go!"

"Dora, wait--"

"Oh!" In all the excitement, she had forgotten that she'd been wearing the same milk-and-spit-up stained nightgown for the past three days. "Yes, let me change!" She hurried into the small bedroom at the end of the hall to remedy the situation.

As she was pulling her Weird Sisters t-shirt over her head, Lupin entered the room, a strange expression on his face. "Dora, perhaps you misunderstood me... I meant... Well, I meant that I'll be going to Hogwarts to fight."

She stopped in the act of wrestling with a pair of her pre-pregnancy jeans. "What do you mean? What will I be doing?"

He looked embarrassed. "Well, you'll be staying here, with Teddy."

They looked at each other across the small, messy bedroom. Then she laughed. "Don't be silly. Teddy'll be fine with Mum. I've been waiting my whole life for this; why do you think I became an Auror? Not so I could sit at home when all the big things go down. Can you hand me that sock over there?"

Lupin picked up a purple paisley sock from the floor and took it over to her. "But what if…?"

"Thanks." She took the sock from him and sat down on the bed with it's twin to put them on. "And 'what if' nothing. I'm sure we'll be back in time for his six a.m. feeding, you know how stupid those Death Eaters are. Just think, Remus, in a few years we can tell our babies that we were there the night Voldemort fell. Maybe Teddy'll want to bring in my wand for show and tell!" Tonks finished lacing her trainers and got to her feet. "All right, then. Got your wand?"

"Yes."

"Come on then, let's go!"

Tonks and Lupin trouped into the hall, where Andromeda stood at the top of the steps, looking pale as a ghost. They tried to go around her, but she edged in front of her daughter and son-in-law. "Just wait. Just wait right there." she said in a quiet voice.

"Oi, Mum, we've got to--"

"No. No, Nymphadora, you don't have to go anywhere. You need to stay right here with your son, that's what you need to do."

Tonks reached for her mother's arm, but she pulled it away. "How can you do this?" she asked loudly, voice wavering. "Isn't the most important thing in the world your family? Your son?"

"Of course it is. But isn't it equally as important that my family is able to live in a safe and peaceful world?"

"You belong with your son."

"My son belongs in a world free of the threat of death because of what's in his blood."

The elder and younger Tonks stared at each other for a long time. "Nymphadora…."

"Mummy." Tonks wrapped her arms around her mother. "Please, Mum, don't cry. Stay here with Teddy. Make yourself a cuppa; I can't imagine we'll be long. When we get back, we'll celebrate!" She squeezed her mother tight. "It's a good night, Mum, I promise."

A soft sound came from Teddy's room. The three adults looked at the door, which was slightly ajar.

"I think the master is awake." Lupin said with a smile, following as Tonks and Andromeda went into the nursery. The light from the hallway cast a gentle glow around the dark room.

"What are you doing awake?" Tonks said, lifting her son from the crib and smiling down at him. The tiny baby with the soft turquoise hair blinked in the light, then rubbed at his eyes with his tiny fist. She laughed and kissed his downy head. "That's what I thought."

"May I?" Lupin asked, reaching for his son.

"Of course." Tonks said, passing him over.

Lupin cradled him in his arm. "Well, Theodore, when you see us next, we'll have some exciting stories to tell you. Your godfather's having a very special party tonight that we're going to. Can you say 'Order of the Phoenix?'" Teddy just yawned. Lupin chuckled gently and kissed his forehead. "Good night, little man. In the morning, we'll send out a proper birth announcement for you. We won't have to hide anymore."

He passed the baby back to Tonks, who kissed both of his chubby cheeks. "Sleep good, little cub. Don't give Gramma a hard time. Mummy and Daddy will see you in the morning."

Andromeda took the baby from Tonks. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I'm sure, Mum. Can you say 'Order of The Phoenix?'" She smiled. "Don't worry. And have the champagne ready for when we get back."

They all walked together down the stairs and to the front door, where Lupin and Tonks exchanged hugs and well-wishes with Andromeda. On the front stoop, Tonks turned and blew her son and her mother a kiss. "Don't wait up, you two. It's a great night to kick some ass."

Wands at the ready, Lupin and Tonks walked towards the road, the same was his journey for provisions had begun barely an hour before. When they were almost to the gate, they turned on the spot. Andromeda watched as they disappeared, then took the baby back inside and shut the door.

Author's Note: R.I.P Lupin and Tonks. sad face

Thanks to the lovely ladies (I'm assuming!) that reviewed the last chapter: MissCassiebaby, mommato2beauties, and ScarletLuna. Much appreciated!