Summary of this OS: This is the day their life would change forever, Nymphadora thinks. And as Remus approaches her, she knows she's right.

Rating of this OS: K

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling, nothing belongs to me (as always). I don't make any money out of this story.

.:.

Written for:

[HSWW] Assignment #7: Arithmancy: Foretelling the Future / Task #2 - Write about a big change in someone's life

Other prompts listed at the end

Word count (without the A/N): 1,170 words

Clouded Happiness: Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin and Teddy Lupin

She was holding her new-born son in her arms, as close to her as possible. She was whispering her love to him, and oh how she loved him! It wasn't like she didn't know that already; feeling him grow inside of her had been the most wonderful feeling in the world (even when Remus had left them both – it had actually been, then, the only light in her dull life).

But now that her beautiful boy was born, everything had changed. She felt like she could actually kill anyone who dared attempt to hurt him (and everyone knew it was not in her nature), because he was, now, her definition of perfection. Anyone who would attempt to destroy it would encounter her wrath.

"Where is she? Where is my wife?" she suddenly heard a voice cry out, and she recognized it because it was the voice she had fallen in love with first (a deep, concerned voice).

There was a shuffle in the hallway, and she heard hurried whispers. A tired smile etched itself upon her lips.

Since he had come back, Remus was more willing than ever to fight for her – no, for them, now. And she was grateful, but this… This was a little too much! Her husband didn't need to be that worried. It wasn't not like she had been in any danger; there had been pain, of course, but other than that, she was perfectly fine. Tired (she had given birth just a few hours ago after all), but fine.

The door finally opened quietly, and she saw Remus walk into the bedroom, his eyes searching for her hysterically. When he saw her lying in the bed with the little bundle in her arms, he stepped closer to her and sat on the other end of the bed.

"Remus," she greeted with a smile that lit up her eyes. "Do you want to hold your son?"

He nodded silently, tears shining in his eyes, and when he finally held his son in his arms, he started crying. She was quite sure these were tears of happiness, but she also knew he was worried. He had been when Teddy wasn't even born yet, and now… Everything had changed; everything had become much more real.

She pulled herself up and crept across the bed, leaning into him after her considerable effort. He didn't put an arm around her (that would have meant letting their son go, and he obviously couldn't do that), but he kissed her temple, and she smiled up at him.

"It's okay to cry," she whispered in his ear. "I did too, you know."

He nodded and looked more attentively at the baby inside the bundle in his arms. She saw his eyes widen suddenly and she looked at her son too, just to see that the sparse hair on his head had just turned turquoise.

Remus reached out to brush the baby's few hair with his fingers, and at that moment, their son opened his eyes (such beautiful, golden eyes) and looked right at them, a smile forming on his thin lips. He wrapped his tiny, tiny fist around his father's index, and she and Remus laughed happily.

And yet, her husband was still tense. She put a hand on his shoulder and he looked at her. It was clear he wondered why she had interrupted his contemplation of the living perfection that was his son.

She told him seriously, "Remus. I know you're still worried he will be like you."

"I am," he admitted quietly. "It's not something I'd like for anyone to experience… least of all my son."

She interfered there. "Actually, if anything, he's like me. A Metamorphmagus. Look at his hair. Not really a usual colour for a baby, right?"

He stared at the baby with the turquoise hair in his arms, and he smiled tiredly. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "It's just…"

"You have the right to be worried," she interrupted him. "I get it. But please, just today, make an exception. Stop thinking about what he might be and enjoy holding him in your arms."

He nodded, just once, and his green eyes stared at her face. She almost got lost, admiring his features, and when he leaned close to press a quick kiss upon her lips, she smiled again.

"I love you, Dora," he whispered against her lips, and then he pulled away to watch his son fall asleep again.

"I love you too," she answered. "And I love him." She paused, and then went on, "Everything will be fine, Remus. I promise."

A smile (a bright smile, so bright it was blinding) appeared on her husband's lips, and he suddenly looked so much younger than he was.

"I think this is the greatest day of my life," he thought aloud.

She laughed a little, but when he looked at her, seemingly a little surprised, she leaned closer to him and this simple gesture showed him how much she agreed with him.

When he gave her their beautiful baby back, she held him close again and stared at his face. She was right, everything was changed now. She was a mother and Remus was a father, and they would both fight until the very end for their son. But this, for now… This was perfection.

Remus stood up and hung the curtains open. The sunlight invaded the room, and she covered her son's eyes with her right hand.

"What should we call him?" she suddenly asked.

Remus turned to look at her, and sadness clouded his eyes. She frowned. This was not a day to be sad on. This was supposed to be a happy, perfect day. The day their life would change forever. So why was he looking at her like that?

"Edouard," he uttered, fidgeting on his feet. "In honour of your father."

She gazed up at him. Just when she thought she couldn't love him more, he proved her wrong. She accepted and smiled sadly, "It's the perfect way to honour him, really. But I think we should find him a surname. A surname like… Teddy."

A little smile appeared on Remus's lips as well, and he came closer to her.

"Teddy it is then," he said before he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, and another, almost like a feather, to his son's forehead. "I'll tell everyone the good news, but I'll be back, Dora. I promise."

He held her hand and his thumb grazed the ring on her ring finger.

"I'll never leave again," he whispered, before letting go of her and walking out of the room.

The sunbeam that lit up her engagement ring made her push her dark thoughts in the back of her mind.

She had thought about taking it off, not so long ago, when her husband had left her (her and their son), and this day was like a mirror of that dreadful day (sunny, with a bright blue sky), but this, right now… This was perfection.

Also written for:

[HSWW] 365 Prompts: 19. Bundle

[HSWW] Insane Prompt Challenge: 314. (pairing) Remus / Tonks

[HSWW] Writing Club - April:

Showtime (Oliver!): 6. Where is Love? - (dialogue) "Where is she?"

Liza's Lodes (Kunzite): 4. (dialogue) "I love you."

[HSWW] Hogwarts Easter Funfair: Face Painting: Superhero Set - 8. Thor ("This is the greatest day of my life."); Symbols Set - 4. Planet (item - ring)

[HSWW] Seasonal Challenges:

Days of the Year: 2nd May (Baby Day) - Write about a birth

Seasonal Challenge - Colours: 7. Turquoise

Seasonal Challenge - Flowers: 7. Primrose - (word) perfection

Amanda's Challenge (characters): 14. Elizabeth of York - Write about a wife and mother

Hufflepuff Challenge - Hufflepuff Prompts: Character: 13. Nymphadora Tonks

Star Chart - Spring Astronomy Prompts: 4. March 29th - Conjunction of the moon and Saturn: (word) exception