A formal warning: This story will contain abuse, non-con/rape, death, dark themes, it will not contain graphic descriptions of such.
*****And I don't own HP, or the excerpts from the book/movie you see below*****
"Hermione, we want to talk to you." Sirius said, and Hermione followed him quickly and quietly upstairs and into the bedroom. Sirius noticed she was avoiding his gaze, like a child who had been caught breaking the rules. "Hermione, we're not angry. How much did you hear?"
"I didn't think you were." Hermione said calmly, but Sirius noticed she seemed a little more relaxed at this. She sighed. "I only heard the Bellatrix remark. The one about how Bellatrix knew how Dor- how Tonks conceived. But really, you don't have to explain. It's not my business-"
"Hermione, listen." Sirius said, and Hermione fell quiet. "I don't know how much you actually heard, but it definitely wasn't enough to understand the situation properly. You can understand, can't you, that Remus has had a rough few days?"
"Remus has? From what I heard, Tonks may have had it worse-"
Sirius held up his hand, and Hermione fell quiet again. "I'm only going to tell you this because I'd rather you didn't end up with the wrong assumptions about the wrong people- mainly about Dora and Remus." Sirius said. "When Dora went on that mission in July, it ended badly. As you know." Hermione nodded. "Bellatrix decided the best way to get information was to torture Dora. She apparently decided the best way to do that was to subject Dora to unimaginable things. Dora was raped, and beaten, and probably a lot of other things that she hasn't told us yet. We don't know how many times she was raped, or how many people were actually involved. All we know is that she ended up pregnant at some point between her marriage to Remus and the day she returned from to us from the mission. She's only ever mentioned Rodolphus, so that's who we assume."
"And the baby- he's Rodolphus'?" Hermione asked, frowning slightly.
"That's what Bellatrix believed. That's why she did this." Sirius said, gesturing to Tonks. "However, from what I've heard, admitted by both Dora and Remus, they were a little careless the morning before Dora's mission. So we don't know."
"But what Remus just said-"
"Remus is confused." Sirius said. "Because of his condition, he claims he's always been very careful, so he didn't end up in this exact position of having to worry about whether he could pass his condition on. However, he has admitted that there is a possibility they forgot. Which I wouldn't be surprised about. They spent quite a while alone together in the days leading up to that mission."
"I don't think you should be telling me any of this." Hermione said, glancing at Remus, who didn't say anything, but continued to stroke Tonks' hair slowly.
"I just don't want anyone getting the wrong idea. That's the only reason we're telling you." Sirius said. "Poor kid isn't even a week old yet, and he's caused quite a few arguments. I think it's time to put those arguments to rest. We're going to brew the potion, we're going to find out for sure."
"What happens if he isn't Remus'?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing." Remus said. "We tell Dora he's mine either way. No one else has to know."
"I won't tell anyone about this." Hermione said. "You really didn't have to explain to me, it's not anyone's business-"
"Well, we didn't want you to make the wrong assumptions." Remus said. "You're a brilliant witch, you wouldn't have been able to pretend you hadn't heard what I said. You would have wanted answers, I'm sure."
That evening, the potion that would tell them the baby's paternity was made, but there wasn't much celebration in the fact the baby was Remus'- there wasn't much to celebrate when Tonks was still lingering somewhere between life and death. Kingsley seemed relieved, but didn't say much about it. He had slept for a few hours, missing the discussion with Hermione, and then sat beside Tonks for the rest of the night. He hadn't said much since talking to Sirius in the hallway the first day.
While the wound itself was technically healed, there was still a lot of healing left to be done. The wound didn't look fully healed and instead was red and raw along the line where the skin had been healed back together. There was some bruising as well, but Leo said there would have been more bruising if they hadn't been using the healing paste he had brought. Every time Leo came by, he said that everything was healing fine, and he didn't seem too concerned that she hadn't woken up yet. She was holding on so far, and that was important. However, Leo said he was sure there would be lingering damage later, and he wished they were able to take her to St Mungo's.
Sirius and the trio left the next day, with the plan to search some new areas and visit Luna's father.
She woke up on the fifth day, clearly in pain and clearly confused. Remus was close to falling asleep, Kingsley was as well, so Kingsley had gone downstairs to make them some tea. Remus heard the groan of pain and his head snapped up.
"Dora!" He cried, relieved. He stood quickly, leaning over her and stroking her cheek gently. "It's alright, don't move. Are you in pain?"
"Loads." She croaked. "What happened?"
"You don't remember?" Remus asked, reaching for the pain potion on the nightstand.
She shook her head slowly. "I only remember them holding me down, and then a lot of pain." Tonks said, and her hands traveled to her stomach, which was slightly flatter than she would have remembered. She winced as her hands brushed over the blanket covering her stomach. "The baby...?"
"Bellatrix wanted to take the baby, she believed it was Rodolphus' heir."
"Did she do it?" Tonks asked, her eyes widening. "Or- oh, God, did she kill my baby?"
Remus shook his head. "No, she cut the baby out of you. Kingsley arrived just in time and took the baby from Bellatrix before she could Apparate. We reset the wards so she couldn't return. We also tightened security, only a very select few know where the house is now."
"The baby? Where-?"
"He's healthy, despite being so early." Remus said, as she tried to sit up. "Dora, don't hurt yourself."
"Where is he?" Tonks asked, wincing as she continued to try to sit up.
"Arms around my shoulders, love." Remus said. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and he noticed her grip was extremely weak, and wrapped his arms under her arms, helping her sit up and putting his pillows behind her back, feeling terrible when she cried out in pain quietly against his ear. He handed the pain potion to her and she uncorked it quickly, but he noticed her hand shaking slightly. She looked like she could barely hold the vial by herself, so he reached over and steadied her hand, helping her drink it.
"I'll get the baby for you." Remus said as she leaned back against the pillows. He always appreciated how quickly pain potions worked and could see her relax. He walked over to the crib in the corner and scooped up the baby, who opened his eyes but didn't cry, carrying him over to Tonks. He placed the baby in her arms, amazed at the fact she seemed to instinctively know how to hold him.
She smiled widely, and for a moment, Remus forgot what had happened a few days before. She looked absolutely radiant, and he couldn't help but grin as well.
"Oh, he's so small." She said quietly, brushing a finger over the baby's cheek, her smile widening as the baby's hair turned a dark green. "Have you named him?"
"Absolutely not, I waited for you." Remus said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Have you- have you found if he's yours or not?"
Remus nodded. "Yes. He's mine." Remus said, feeling a sense of pride. "There is some potion left, so if you'd like, we can do it again so you can see-"
"I believe you." Tonks said.
"I suppose we should discuss a name, he's had no name for nearly a week." Remus said.
"A week?"
"It's the 8th today. We were attacked on the 3rd." Remus explained.
"He- I kind of think Teddy would suit him." She said, looking up at Remus. "If you'd agree?"
Remus looked down at the baby, and then nodded. "I like Teddy. Shortened from Edward, I presume?"
She nodded. "With your name as his middle name."
"Not Alastor's name?"
Tonks looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think I like Teddy Remus." She said.
Remus was quiet for a moment. "Teddy Remus Lupin... I think I agree." He said, and she smiled.
"Our son."
"I should get Kingsley, he'll want to know you're awake." Remus said, standing. "Will you be alright with him for a moment? I can put him back in his-"
"I'll be fine." She said, sounding a little defensive, and Remus noticed she tightened her grip on Teddy slightly. Remus turned, leaving the bedroom, heading downstairs. He entered the kitchen, where Kingsley was simply staring at the kettle on the stove, which wasn't even turned on.
"Kingsley?"
Kingsley jumped slightly, turning to Remus. "I was just- just thinking." Kingsley said, and Remus felt terrible about how Kingsley had been handling things. He was quiet, his eyes slightly sunken. He wasn't the Kingsley Remus remembered, and Remus wasn't surprised. Not with how the last few months had treated him.
"She's awake. I figured you'd like to talk to her."
For the first time in days, Kingsley's eyes lit up, and he seemed almost like himself. He rushed out of the kitchen, up the stairs, Remus following. He entered the bedroom right as Kingsley sat on the edge of the bed, hugging Tonks gently.
"I really thought I lost you." Kingsley said quietly, and Tonks smiled slightly at Remus over Kingsley's shoulder. "Are you in pain? I can get Leo- we should get Leo, right?"
"Remus gave me a pain potion." Tonks said as he leaned back. "I'm alright. Oddly tired, considering."
"You were unconscious, not asleep." Kingsley said. "And you lost so much blood, Dora. If we hadn't had blood replenishing potions, you would have been dead after the first hour. I think we'll wait for Leo, he should be here in another hour or so anyway." Kingsley reached a hand forward, brushing a finger over Teddy's cheek. "I see you've met your son, he's very much like you."
"I have, and the hair is a giveaway." Tonks said.
"I don't just mean the hair. He's very much like you in other ways." Kingsley said. "Sometimes he cries just to get us to hold him, or because he wants someone else to hold him. Just like you did when we first took you in. He's quite fond of Sirius."
Remus noticed Tonks looked a little upset. "Sometimes he cries until we place him on your chest." Remus said quickly. "We've made sure to allow him as much contact with you as possible."
"How- uh, what is he eating?" Tonks asked.
"Generally, when he's hungry, I prop you up and let him nurse. I knew it was what you wanted, and Leo suggested it as a way to help your milk come in while we waited for you to regain consciousness." Remus explained. "Sometimes he just likes the contact, though."
Tonks looked down at Teddy. "So, he knows me."
Remus nodded.
"I do want to ask something, though." Kingsley said. "Have you two decided on a name? He can't be 'the baby' forever."
"His name is Teddy." Tonks said. "Edward Remus Lupin."
Kingsley nodded. "That's a great name." He said. "I suppose Sirius will want to know-"
"That can wait until Leo arrives." Remus said. "I think we can allow Dora a few hours with Teddy before everyone wants to see her, and we know Sirius will be back here the second he gets the message."
"Remus, I was wondering, and I forgot to bring it up before Teddy was born... but, should we name godparents?" Tonks asked.
"If you think we should. Do you have anyone in mind?" Remus asked.
Tonks shook her head slowly. "I haven't thought about it much." Tonks said. "We can talk about it, though."
Teddy began to shift slightly, softly crying. Remus checked his watch. "It's been a few hours since he ate, he may be hungry." Remus said.
"I'm going to make some tea, and something for you to eat, Dora. You'll need to take another dose of antidote soon." Kingsley said, standing and leaving the room quickly.
"Antidote?" Tonks asked, as Remus walked to sit on the edge of the bed next to her. He helped her shift her tank top aside, as she held Teddy closer to her chest and Teddy latched on immediately.
"You don't need me here, you're a natural with him." Remus said, smiling. Tonks smiled as well, looking down at Teddy.
"Remus, why do I need an antidote?" Tonks asked, looking up at Remus again.
"You were poisoned."
"Poisoned?" Tonks asked. "When?"
"The knife was poisoned." Remus explained. "But Leo says you're healing properly, he's expecting you to only need the antidote for a couple of weeks."
Remus watched as she switched Teddy to the other breast, smiling that she seemed to not need any instruction. She seemed to remember a lot of what she had read in the books, or was very maternal by instinct.
It was quiet while they waited for Teddy to finish nursing, and then Remus stood, walking over to the dresser. He picked up the jar of white paste, setting it on the bed next to Tonks.
"I need to apply this, Dora, can I take Teddy for a moment?" Remus asked, and she relinquished her hold. He set Teddy on the bed gently, next to her hip, and lifted the hem of her shirt slowly. He opened the small jar, feeling bad when she winced as his fingers brushed against her stomach. "I'm sorry, but Leo said it'll help."
They heard footsteps and Kingsley reappeared, holding a tray of tea. "At least it looks better." Kingsley said, setting the tray on the dresser. Remus finished applying the paste, and then closed the jar, wiping his hand on the rag he had been using to wipe the excess. Remus picked up Teddy, placing him in his crib again and then took a mug of tea from Kingsley, who then turned to pick up a bowl of stew. He handed it to Tonks, and then picked up another mug of tea. "How are you feeling?" Kingsley asked Tonks.
"Sore. The pain potion helped, but-"
"It's not perfect." Kingsley said. "Leo said that, unfortunately, we can only give you a pain potion every four hours. Other than that, you just have to stay resting. We can try a warm cloth, but there's not much else. It'll heal, though."
"Hopefully sooner, not later." Tonks said.
"It'll take a while." Remus said gently. "But at least you're awake, love."