A/N: Written for round 8 of the House Points Competition, representing Slytherin House. Category: Short [Prefect Bonus entry] / Prompt: Remus Lupin / Word Count: 1208

A/N2: Slight AU, Remus survived the Battle of Hogwarts.

o.o.O.o.o

"So are you ready for today?" Andromeda asked, setting a mug of coffee down in front of her son-in-law. There was a soft expression on her face. She did worry about him.

"I still miss her," Remus whispered softly. "Especially on days like this. She should be the one taking him to Diagon Alley for his first wand." Sometimes he wished that he'd been the one to die that night, wished that Nymphadora been spared. He felt so poorly equipped to handle things, from bedtime stories to scraped knees. He felt like he made a million mistakes, and only Andromeda stood between him and utter disaster.

Andromeda reached over and placed a hand on his forearm, squeezing gently. "She'd be very proud of you, just as I am. Teddy thinks the world of you Remus, and you've been there for him through everything. You look at me, right now. Dora knew what she was doing when she went to fight. It was war, and she knew that one or both of you might die, but that our side needed every single wand. Even when you were drowning in your grief, you always put Teddy first. This is an important day for him, and I know that there is no one else he'd rather make the trip with."

Remus met her eyes and smiled softly. "I'd be lost without you Andromeda," he said.

"I know." She smiled and stood, pressing a motherly kiss to the crown of his head, as she went to start breakfast. It was a miracle that Teddy wasn't already up, and racing around excitedly. She sincerely doubted they'd have much longer to enjoy their morning coffee in peace.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Teddy came racing down the stairs. "Dad! Do you remember what today is?" His eyes were shining bright blue and his hair was spinning wildly between red and gold. The older he had gotten, the more pronounced his abilities had become. It was a little piece of Dora left for those that had loved her.

"Hmmm…I'm not sure, I don't think we had any plans today…" Remus teased his son, looking slightly confused.

"Dad! Diagon Alley! You promised we could go today!" Teddy pouted.

"Ah yes…I did promise didn't I?" Remus chuckled, and ruffled his son's hair. "Grab a seat and let's get some breakfast into you. We can't have you fainting from hunger before you get your wand, can we?"

Andromeda chuckled and sat a bowl of porridge in front of him, and poured him a glass of orange juice. "It's a very special thing, to get your very first wand. Enjoy every minute of it." She smiled down at him fondly.

"What kind of wand do you have, Grandma?" Teddy asked, tucking into his breakfast, swinging his feet back and forth as he was forced to sit still for five minutes.

"My wand is Pine, with a core of Dragon Heartstring. It has always served me quite well." Andromeda smiled, and pulled it out for her grandson to see. "But as Mr. Ollivander will tell you, it is the wand that chooses the witch or wizard. When you get home, I'll show you a book on wand lore," she promised.

"What about you Dad?" Teddy asked, looking over at his father.

"Mine is Cypress, with a core of unicorn hair," Remus said with a fond smile. He remembered the excitement of getting his wand, and how he'd longed to know absolutely everything about it.

"They don't hurt the unicorns do they?" Teddy gave him a dubious look.

"Of course not," Remus said kindly.

"Ok." He nodded happily, finishing his breakfast in record time, much to the amusement of his father and grandmother. "When are we going?"

"Go and get dressed, and we'll leave in about an hour," Remus said, chuckling a little to himself as his son all but flew out of the kitchen. "If only I had his energy," he chuckled a bit.

"Have fun today, try not to lose him in the Weasley's shop again, mmm?" She smiled at him, watching as he got up to go and get ready to visit the alley himself.

o.o.O.o.o

"Come on Dad! It's right there!" Teddy tugged on his father's hand, trying to get him to hurry as they approached Ollivander's.

Remus chuckled and relented, speeding up just a touch to satisfy his son. He entered the shop, and closed his eyes a moment. The familiar smells of dust, old parchment and wood surrounded him. He saw the frail form of Garrick Ollivander come forward through the stacks of wand boxes. He nodded respectfully to him.

"Ah…young Mr. Lupin, I've been waiting to see you here." He smiled kindly at the young man. "I can remember when your father came here to get his wand, all those years ago." He helped the boy up onto a platform and with the wave of a hand his tape measure flew over, taking all sorts of silly measurements.

Remus leaned against the counter and watched, listening as Ollivander recounted the epically long search he'd had for his wand. He remembered despairing that he wouldn't be chosen by any wand, and that his dream of going to Hogwarts was just a cruel trick. He'd been afraid that no wand would want a werewolf like him. At one point he'd nearly dissolved into tears, and then Ollivander had come out with one last wand. It had felt like home. It was a magical moment for any young wizard.

He watched as the first few wands were brought out. None seemed to quite fit, and he saw his son frowning as he handed another wand back. Ollivander disappeared back into the stacks and Remus went forward. "Chin up Teddy, you'll find the perfect wand. Sometimes it just takes a while," he reassured him and patted his shoulder.

"Indeed it does, Remus." Ollivander smiled and opened a box, offering it to Teddy. "Try this one, young man," he said.

Teddy reached in, picking up the pale honey-coloured wand. The reaction was instantaneous. Warmth flowed up through the wood into his hand. He flicked his wrist, and a shower of gold sparks filled the air. He smiled at his dad.

"Well done son," Remus praised him, pleased that he'd found his so quickly.

"Rowan wood, 11 inches, with a core of unicorn hair," Ollivander told him. "Perhaps you have a future as a talented duelist Mr. Lupin."

"Wicked," Teddy exclaimed.

Remus chuckled. "Thank you Garrick," he said and paid the man.

"It's my pleasure, pass my regards along to Mrs. Tonks," he said kindly.

"I will," he promised and escorted his son outside. His boy was growing up so quickly, and would be off to Hogwarts in less than a month. He hoped that Dora would be pleased with their son, how he'd grown. Remus knew that she'd be with him in spirit on September 1st, as he put their son on the Hogwarts Express for the very first time. 'He's so much like you, Dora. I almost feel sorry for old Minerva,' he thought to himself with a smirk, as they headed for Fortescue's for a celebratory ice cream. Hogwarts wasn't going to know what hit it.

~Fin~