Author's Note: We've reached the end for this story. LUCKY CHAPTER SEVEN! I've thought about making a fic-universe for this set up, but I'm not sure. Maybe I'll let it lie. Either way, this has been a blast to write. Thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read, favorite, follow and review. I hope the ending is to your liking, I made myself tear up writing the last part. Seriously, I love Tonks, she really is the best. Anyway... Let me know what you think of the ending and if this alternate future deserves more stories! AND AS ALWAYS...

Happy Reading!
~Hugs from DuchessMoonMoon


It had been three years since that evening under the enchanted mistletoe. Three years in which much had changed. There had been weddings and births, and life moved on along. Molly was currently fussing around the Burrow, looking for the last of her blue yarn, because there was a blanket that needed finishing for the baby that was due to make his presence known to everyone just any day now. She fussed around and was progressively becoming more frustrated. That is when Arthur came into the craft room Molly kept that had once been a bedroom for their twin boys. He immediately noticed that the room was in total disorder from how he knew Molly liked it, and in the midst of it all, there she was, searching like her very life depended on the finding that soft blue yarn.

"I have to find it, Arthur! I swore that I'd have this blanket done. I've never not had a child or grandchild their blanket ready for them to be bundled in to come home, and I will not allow that to happen now. I simply will not have it!" Arthur always felt his heart swell when he watched her make such a big deal over their family, even after all the years they'd been together. He knew that she was starting to get a bit angrier than she needed to be, and with what he was about to have to tell her, he didn't want the business end of her wand headed his way, so he thought he'd offer his assistance to her in her quest.

Arthur watched as his wife threw various things about and mumbled in her frustrations. "Can I help you with anything, love?" he asked, trying his best not to upset her. She was, after all, a witch possessed with this blanket. They'd been married far too long for him to think he could actually help, but sometimes she got too carried away with her projects and making everything perfect for everyone to remember there were simpler, more obvious things that could be done to help her along. "Accio blue yarn" he said, flicking his wand, and it flew out from under a pile of scrap fabric and into his hand. He smiled down at his wife, who was huffed all the more. "Why didn't I think of that?" she asked him, but he knew he shouldn't dare answer her. He kissed her forehead and handed over the yarn. "Another hour and I believe I can have this done. This blanket WILL beat the boy into the world, Arthur." Smiling coming to his face once more, he held the upper parts of her arms and looked her in the face, knowing how frantic the reaction would be when he divulged his news.

"Molly-wobbles, you may not have an hour, love. Harry just flooed-" but Molly cut him off. "What?! No!" and off she darted to ready herself. After all the children she'd brought into the world herself and the many others she had helped raise in one way or another, Molly never acted like it was an old experience. She treated the birth of each new child like it was a brand new occurrence, and without fail always panicked. It was as if Molly thought after all this time and all these kids, she'd actually forget something. Arthur laughed at his wife, who he knew was the most motherly woman in all of England, magical or otherwise. He took his time and followed, gathering up the things she'd scattered about that he knew she'd want to have with them at St. Mungo's. He settled into an armchair beside the fireplace and waited for her to stop running wildly and go.


As it turned out, the new addition did NOT in fact, beat the blanket into the world. Molly was able to complete it while in the waiting room entertaining the other children who were all waiting around. She told stories about their parents and had them all giggling and happy, totally oblivious to the way that time was slowly ticking away. Molly was always a bit anxious when waiting for a new baby, but she had plenty to do to keep her busy. The other children were laughing so gayly and loud that no one noticed the mediwitch enter the room.

"Rose? Edward? Your brother is here, if you'd like to come meet him." She smiled, and held out each hand for the children to take so that she could lead them to the room their parents were in. "Mr. and Mrs. Lupin wish to have a private moment to let the older two children get to know their new sibling before I come for the rest of you. Shouldn't be too long, though. We'll move Hermione to a room with more of a family area, we have the larger room reserved for your family, you do have quite a large one." Teddy stood and held his hand out to Rose, who took his hand and followed behind him shyly. "Nothing to be scared of" Harry heard him whisper to her. They were close as a brother and sister could be, and Teddy was very protective of Rose, who was often scared of new places and people. The two of them walked through the door following the mediwitch, but neither of them took her hand, but held each other's.

The room she took them to was clear on the other side of the hall. The mediwitch, who introduced herself to the children as Lisa, held the door open for Teddy and Rose to go in first. She didn't follow. Teddy, who was now nine and much braver, pulled Rose along as they entered the room. Hermione was laying in a large bed, holding a bundle of green clothe in her arms, and Remus had been sitting beside her but stood when the kids entered the room and came over to them. Rose held back and stayed near the door until Remus took her hand from Teddy. "Come and see, sweetheart." he said gently, and led her and Teddy over to the bed. Hermione sat up and pulled the blanket back to reveal a tiny boy, who was mostly bald except a tiny tuft of sandy blond hair. Rose crawled over and sat herself in Remus' lap, Teddy got closer up and held the hand that had wiggled loose from the blanket.

"What is he called, Daddy?" Rose looked up. Remus placed a kiss on her head. She'd taken to calling him 'Daddy' rather than 'Uncle Remus' two years ago, not that Ron was around her enough to protest. In fact, when talking about him to other's except Arthur and Molly, she called him Ron. He'd had another child, with Lavender. Another brother for Rose, named Hugo. She'd only seen him once. Teddy had also taken to calling Hermione 'Mum', but he still called his mother 'Mum' as well. "We thought we'd see what the two of you thought went well with Edward and Rose, because quite frankly, we cannot agree on one. Any thoughts?" Hermione was humming softly and sleepily. Rose crinkled her nose and thought. "What about Grant?" Teddy suggested. It was a name from a book Remus had been reading to them at bedtimes.

"I like it" Hermione said, and Remus nodded. "Alright. Grant is good, but he needs a middle name as well." Rose spoke up, climbing down from Remus lap to get closer. "I want to pick!" she squealed. "You can suggest, but that doesn't mean you'll have the winning name" Hermione told her. Rose huffed. "I'm not going to pick something stupid, mother." she said, causing Remus to laugh too loudly and wake the baby, who stirred a bit but didn't cry. Rose studied her new brother's face, noting the dark grey color to his eyes. "Caius" she said, after some time. "It means rejoice in Latin. Matches Daddy's and Teddy's name." Hermione looked hard at Remus who was grinning ear to ear. "I told you teaching these kids Latin was an excellent idea." Hermione rolled her eyes, but she had to admit to herself that it sounded wonderful. She said it aloud. "Grant Caius Lupin. It's brilliant. Well done you two."


After a while the mediwitch Lisa came in with a chair for Hermione and she took the three children and Hermione into a larger room while Remus went to fetch the rest of the family. They came in and Molly took him immediately and held him for the longest time, before Harry spoke up and took over. The poor child was passed around the room quite a few times, sometimes crying softly but always falling to sleep quickly as whoever was holding him settled and stopped moving. Being born is hard work, after all. Molly watched as her family all took their turn holding and loving the new baby, and she settled herself down next to Hermione, who was surprisingly alert considering she'd just given birth.

"Alright dear?" she asked, gently patting Hermione on the hand. "Perfect" Hermione replied, her voice betrayed her and sounded her exhaustion. She wasn't looking at Molly, but Remus, who was kneeling in front of Rose and Teddy, who were sitting side by side, their brother stretched across their collective laps and yawning. Hermione felt as though her heart couldn't be more full. She knew a tear had escaped and was sliding down her cheek. "Did I ever thank you?" she turned toward Molly and locked her eyes. "For what dear?" Molly asked. "Christmas, being a mother to him, to me, having the heart to think of our happiness rather than your last name, just to name a few..." Molly smiled, in her motherly, knowing way. "There is no need to thank me for doing what is best, Hermione. I love Remus, and you. And all three children. Rose may be Ron's daughter, but he has greatly disappointed me. Remus takes care of her, and you. The five of you deserve to be happy. I just caused a kiss, that's all." She pulled Hermione to her in a hug.

Later that night, Remus was settled into the bed on the edge as to not hurt Hermione and give Grant room to lay next to his mother. Harry and Ginny had taken Teddy and Rose to stay with them for the night. Remus fell asleep rather easily, and quickly fell into a dream. He was still in the same room in his dream, and he was vaguly aware he was asleep. He had this sort of dream before, but not in some time. He was laying on the bed and heard the door open. He turned over, and there she was. Nymphdora, dressed in a simply beautiful white dress. Her hair fell to her shoulders in bright pink ringlets. He jumped from the bed, trying to speak but words wouldn't come. Only tears. Tonks walked to the opposite side of the bed and smiled down at the sleeping baby. She gently stroked the top of his head and looked up.

"He's beautiful, Remus. A bit more Hermione than you, but Teddy is a bit more of me than you. Maybe its your passiveness, it goes into your genes." She laughed at her own joke. "Say something." she said. "Remus, please say something." But he couldn't. Nymphadora, his love, who taught him of happiness was in front of him, hand on his child with another woman. "I missed you" he croaked. She smiled and her eyes shined. "I know. But I'm not here to upset you. I'm here to tell you how proud I am of you. This is everything I wanted for you. I love you." Remus heart stopped. "I love you too." he whispered. "Please don't be sad. I just wanted you to know I am happy and wonderful, and that I want you to know I'm overjoyed you're happy. Hermione is wonderful. When you wake up, thank her for loving Teddy for me." She stood and walked around the room, and took his right hand in hers. He'd moved his wedding band that matched hers when he and Hermione had married, because he felt like he couldn't part with it. Hermione never minded. Tonks stood on her toes and kissed him lightly. "Until we meet again, my love." she whispered.

Remus jumped when he woke. He must have startled Hermione, because she was holding a hand to his cheek. "Are you okay?" she looked scared. "You're crying." He sighed. He told her all about the dream. He also admitted to her that he still loved Dora. "You should" she laughed at his worries. "You can love us both, Remus." she pulled Grant to her chest and snuggled close to him. She smiled when she felt his breath steady, letting her know he was fast asleep. "Thank you, Tonks. For everything I never thought I'd have." she whispered to the empty room, and fell fast asleep herself, knowing life was simply the best it'd ever been.

FIN