ENIGMA

Chapter 21-Lupin's Wedding

Michelle faced Emma. The smoke had gotten so thick that the students were not banging on the doors anymore. It was starting to get silent again. Remus coughed. His face and front of his robe and uniform were soot stained. He covered his mouth again as he coughed and looked through teary, burning eyes at Michelle. She was standing in front of Emma.

"Michelle," Remus croaked out. His throat was dry and hoarse from the smoke.

Michelle ignored him and briefly closed her eyes, concentrating on her powers. She opened her eyes and felt the power surging through her.

Emma turned to face Michelle.

Michelle's eyes were narrowed into slits at this point.

"I can't let you do this," Michelle said in a low, dangerous tone.

"Flake off," Emma said smirking. "It's my turn to punish those that are not like us."

Emma glanced at one of the other flag poles and moved her eyes onto Michelle. The flag pole followed Emma's gaze and Michelle's eyes flicked to the pole inches before it pierced her chest. Michelle flipped the pole over and shot it back toward Emma.

Emma dodged it easily and it flew over Remus, Lily, James and Sirius and lodged itself into the wall quivering violently.

Emma glared at the window directly behind Michelle. The window exploded in, showering Michelle with glass shards.

Michelle protectively covered her head with her arms as the glass rained down on her. She felt a piece of the glass cut her cheek and warm blood trickling down her jaw. Remus was watching, completely helpless. He didn't care what happened to him, but he didn't want anything to happen to Michelle or the baby, or his friends.

Michelle felt her anger hitting the boiling point. She stood up abruptly, her eyes narrowed into slits and her hands opened palm outwards at her sides. There was suddenly a deafening silence around them. The flames of the smoke had completely frozen. Remus and Lily looked at each other in shock before moving their eyes back onto Michelle and Emma.

The flames were frozen, as though ice had been poured over them. The smoke was also frozen in the air, hovering near the ceiling now, leaving the air below clean and fresh. Remus coughed one last time completely unsure of what was happening before his eyes.

Emma was a little bit spooked as well he could tell from her expression.

Michelle took several steps toward Emma, her eyes narrowed and locked on Emma's eyes.

Sirius and James were still unconscious. Michelle glanced toward the doors. They snapped open. Several of the teachers rushed in to help the remaining students, including those that were out from smoke inhalation. Professor Dumbledore had magicked most of the students out of the Hall. Now James, Lily and Sirius were taken out, but Remus stayed behind.

"Michelle come on!" he called to her.

"I have to end this, Remus," Michelle said.

"NO!" Remus shouted.

Michelle concentrated hard and the ceiling of the Great Hall began rumbling and pieces of stone began falling, hitting the floor with loud 'thuds' and breaking into smaller pieces.

"NO MICHELLE!" Remus howled as Professor McGonagall began pulling him out of the Hall but he was struggling against her grip. More pieces of the ceiling fell, narrowly missing Michelle.

Professor McGonagall continued to pull Remus out, but he was still fighting against her grip and dug his nails into the door frame.

Michelle's concentration was now more prominent as another piece of the ceiling fell, causing a beam to crash through one of the windows. Emma was frightened as well. Michelle raised her eyes to one of the pieces that were falling. She tracked it until it was over Emma.

Emma threw her arms up over her head and screamed as the stone crashed down on her.

Michelle finally snapped out of the stupor she'd gone into and ran from the Hall just as another piece of the ceiling came crashing down, narrowly missing her by inches.

Once everyone was out in the corridor, Remus spied Michelle and rushed over to her, throwing his arms around her and drawing her close to him in a tight, loving and relieved embrace.

"Don't ever DO THAT AGAIN!" Remus cried pressing his face into her hair. "I was so terrified that I was going to lose you again!"

Michelle smiled and pressed her face into his chest.

"I'm sorry I scared you," she said honestly and softly. "I just had to stop her from hurting people I love."

Remus released her and they turned to the other students who were now waking up and coughing.

The rumbling in the Great Hall had stopped. A bit of dust and debris had blown out into the hallway.

Some of the students were dazed and confused, but none of them were seriously hurt overall.

James and Sirius woke up. Professor Dumbledore waved his wand at the ceiling and it automatically fixed itself. The only casualty was Emma, which there was nothing much left of her. Her body was completely crushed and looked more like Jello at this point. The ceiling was repaired and Dumbledore magicked Emma's body onto an invisible stretched as they headed up to the hospital wing.

Lily, James and Sirius rushed over to Michelle and Remus, giving them tight hugs.

"Is it finally over now?" Lily asked wide eyed to Michelle.

Michelle nodded.

"Yes," she replied. "It's finally over."

Relieved sighs went around.

A few days later, there was a proper graduation. Remus, James, Michelle, Sirius and Lily were now officially graduating class of 1976.

Parents were called and they met up at Hogwarts. Naturally, Michelle's parents hadn't come. So the Lupins were completely delighted to hear that Remus and Michelle were getting married. They offered to cater the wedding.

4 months later, Michelle and Remus sent the invitations out. It was going to be held in the Lupins backyard. Chairs were set up as well as a gazebo with white flowers intertwined around the edges. Upstairs, Lily was helping Michelle get dressed. Michelle's dress was a peach color (since she'd already slept with Remus, no sense in putting on white lol). It had embroided flowers along the hem and neckline. Michelle's hair was curled slightly and Lily applied light pink eye shadow on and clear lip gloss. Michelle was nervously clutching her bouquet in front of her.

"Relax," Lily said laughing. "Just think…about 5 months after this, you'll be having a baby and in a few weeks, you'll be coming to my wedding!"

Michelle laughed.

"I can't believe it!" Michelle said awed and happy. "It's wonderful!"

Lily nodded.

Once she was done, Sirius came into the room. He, James and Remus were dressed in tuxedos.

Sirius looked so handsome.

"It's time," he said grinning at Michelle. Remus had appointed both him and James as best men. Lily squealed and left the room. Sirius offered Michelle his arm and he guided her out of the house. A center aisle was set up that led from the backyard to the gazebo where a priest was standing as well as Remus and James. All of the Lupins family, Sirius' family, Lily's family and Sirius' family had gathered there and were sitting in the chairs. The music began and Sirius began leading Michelle down the aisle.

Remus' green eyes were locked on hers as they walked slowly down the aisle.

Michelle was aware of all eyes on her, but her heart was pounding loudly in her chest. Remus looked so handsome.

Once Michelle reached Remus' side, the priest began the ceremony.

Lily and James watched with happy expressions, knowing that it would be there turn soon…in a few weeks really.

Michelle had told the Lupins that she was pregnant. Lily would've thought that they'd have a cow but instead they turned out to be really supportive and caring toward Michelle, since Michelle's own parents could've cared less whether she lived or died.

Lily linked arms with James and leaned her head against his arm. He smiled and turned his eyes back onto Michelle and Remus.

They were so happy. They deserved each other. Michelle had a horrible family life and Remus was just what she had needed.

The ceremony continued until the priest said, "I now pronounce you, man and wife…you may kiss the bride."

Remus gently took Michelle's face in his hands and moved his face closer to hers until their lips met. He kissed her softly and gently. Cheers went around as Remus and Michelle finished kissing and turned to face everyone. They began walking back up the aisle.

Things couldn't be happier.

5 MONTHS LATER…

"One more push!" the doctor said as Michelle was lying on a exam table with her legs parted and drawn. Michelle cringed and with her remaining strength, she pushed.

Shortly, a babies cry could be heard. Michelle relaxed against the table. Remus was standing right beside her. Her hair was sweaty and sticking to her forehead and neck. The doctor cleaned the baby up. Michelle had been brought to St. Mungo's.

Michelle lowered her legs down as the nurse came over and handed her the baby wrapped in a pink blanket.

"It's a girl," the Healer said softly.

She placed the baby into Michelle's arms and Michelle just looked down at the baby. She had Remus' green eyes.

Michelle looked up at Remus, who leaned in to kiss her before turning his eyes onto the baby.

"What are you going to name her?" the Healer asked brightly.

"I don't know," Michelle answered honestly. "How does Hillary sound?"

"It sounds wonderful," Remus said softly pressing his face into the side of Michelle's face.

After a few days, Michelle was released from the hospital. The baby was wrapped in pink blankets as they left. Mr. and Mrs. Lupin helped Michelle into the silver Mercedes as they headed home.

Once at home, Mrs. Lupin offered to take care of the baby so Michelle and Remus could spend some time together.

Both Remus and Michelle were sitting on the porch on a long swing. Michelle had her legs stretched out and she was leaning against Remus with her head on his chest. He had his arm across her chest. The swing was rocking softly, causing Michelle to be completely relaxed.

"I love you so much," Michelle whispered softly as a gust of warm summer air blew her hair back.

"I love you too, Shell," Remus said and kissed the top of her head.

They stayed like that until Mr. Lupin called them in for dinner.

Mr. and Mrs. Lupin let Michelle sleep in Remus' room for privacy. They kept an eye on the baby for them in their room.

Michelle climbed into bed with Remus.

She had her back pressed against his chest and her backside pressed into his groin. Remus draped his arm over her and snuggled up against her. They pulled the covers up over them.

"Good-night, Mom," Remus whispered in Michelle's ear.

"Good-night, Dad," Michelle whispered back grinning into the darkness. Shortly, they dozed off.

A FEW MONTHS LATER…

That morning at breakfast, Michelle and Remus headed down stairs to the kitchen. Mr. Lupin was already making breakfast. Mrs. Lupin had placed Hillary into a high chair and was feeding her baby food. Hillary had grown a lot, and was now able to sit in a high chair and eat.

"Hi," Michelle cooed heading over to Hillary. The baby cooed and grinned up at her.
Remus joined Michelle on the other side of the highchair.

Hillary looked at Remus and also gave him a big grin, and happily banged her hands on the tray.

Remus couldn't help but grin.

"She's pretty good," Mrs. Lupin said gesturing to the baby. "She didn't keep us up most of the night. I think she only cried twice, and I was able to change her and stuff and she went right out again."

Mr. Lupin placed full plates of bacon, eggs and sausage in front of Remus and Michelle. They hungrily dove into the food as Mrs. Lupin fed the baby.

Once the baby was fed, Michelle, Remus and Hillary sat outside on the swing again. Remus was holding Hillary in his lap. She was sitting sideways in his lap with her head resting against his chest. He had his arms around her protectively.

"I wonder why we haven't heard from James and Lily," Michelle asked worriedly.

She was getting concerned as James and Lily had said that they were going to have their wedding right after Remus and Michelle's. It's been about 8 months now. Something is definitely wrong.

"Something's wrong," Michelle said panicked. "Something's not right."

"Relax," Remus said soothingly. "They probably are still working on their wedding plans. You know Lily loves weddings. She probably wants like 200 people at her wedding."

Michelle's lip twitched at that, but something inside her gut was telling her that something was really wrong.

And her gut had been right.

About 10 minutes later, while Remus and Michelle were just relaxing on the swing, playing with Hillary, Mrs. Lupin stepped out onto the porch. She had a grave expression on her face.

"Mum? What's wrong?" Remus demanded as Michelle raised her eyes to Mrs. Lupins.

"I just got a letter from Lily," she said slowly and before she could continue, Michelle jumped up and snatched the letter from Mrs. Lupins hand.

Remus stood up and stood behind Michelle, peering over her shoulder while he held Hillary in his arms.

"Dear Remus and Michelle,

I'm so sorry I hadn't been able to contact you before this. James and I got married and we had a boy named Harry. I'm sorry we didn't contact anyone for the wedding, but there's a good reason. We didn't want to involve anyone that we care about in danger. Right now, we're hiding at Godric's Hollow. Please don't worry about us. We'll be just fine.

Love you,

James, Lily and Harry"

Michelle raised her eyes.

Remus was stunned and shocked as well as Mrs. Lupin.

"Why on earth are they hiding?" Mrs. Lupin mused.

"I don't know," Michelle said as she crumpled the piece of paper up in her hand. "But I'm heading over there right now."