Author Notes: This is going to seem like a quick scenes chapter but it will make more sense at the end... Promises!


Hermione was hiding in the restroom and stifling her sobs as she stood in front of the mirror. Her wet hair clung to her cheeks and she gasped at the concept. She was having to send him off for another year and then… well, she was losing him in a way. She was so happy that Remus was back, but the realization that she wouldn't play a primary part was upon her. It was so difficult and raw.

The door opened. "I'm sorry, Hermione, I didn't realize it was occupied," Remus huffed and blinked.

The witch was hunched over the sink and tears were staining her cheeks. "I'll be out momentarily, Remus," she huffed as she wiped her face.

"Are you alright?" He asked as he entered the room.

Hermione nodded and swallowed. "Just emotional," she mumbled, looking away from him.

He reached for her cheek and sighed. "He'll be back this Christmas, Hermione," Remus whispered.

She couldn't help the tears that fell after that. He opened the flood gate. "I know, Remus. I'm just so sad that life is changing so quickly. I cried for days last year. He's my Teddy Bear and I'm so sorrowful over him leaving me," Hermione whimpered.

He bent so he could meet her eyes. "I know somewhere in your mind you're concerned. Don't, please? I never want you to think that I would ever outweigh your love for him."

"Remus, you're his father," Hermione huffed.

"And you were the best thing that ever happened to him, Hermione. You have done such a good job. I should know, I've listened to Molly brag about him for the last hour," he chuckled.

"He's special, so very sweet and cured my heart," Hermione sniffled.

Remus tutted and ran his thumb over her cheek, catching the stream of tears. "You are his fairy godmother, Hermione. Wands and all," he said with a soft smile.

"Well," she started but he shook his head.

"You were the closest thing to a mother he had and for that, I'm in your debt for the rest of my life."

Hermione launched herself into his torso and squeezed. "He's such a wonderful boy, Remus," she sighed.

He held her small form and ran his fingers through her damp hair. "Thank you for taking such good care of him," he paused and glanced down at her with a smile. "Now, are you going to reintroduce us?"

She choked on laughter and nodded. "Yes, I would love to."


Hermione tugged the werewolf by his hand as they traveled through the busy house. He ignored the questioning looks from the Weasley occupants of the kitchen. Andromeda was the only familiar face was smiling. He noted the odd expressions. It was uncomfortable and difficult to handle, but he pushed it down once they were on the lawn.

He saw the teal hair before the boy noticed them. He was jumping around tossing a quaffle around with the blond girl. They were grinning and laughing. When his eyes caught Hermione in his view he shouted and skipped over.

"Hermione! Victoire said she was going to try out for Quidditch this year too!" He hollered as his legs carried him toward the adults.

"Love," Hermione started and cleared her throat as he was only an arm's length away. "I want you to meet your father. He came all the way back from the veil just for you."

Hermione relinquished Remus's hand and he held it out for the boy. "Hello, Teddy. I've waited a long time to meet you," Remus barely got out through a hoarse tone.

Teddy scowled at his hand and tilted his head. "Hermione says we don't handshake, dad, we hug," he announced and rushed to the werewolf.

Remus huffed and embraced the child. "She's right, this is much better," he breathed.

Hermione bit down on her smile and nodded. "Why don't you both take a walk to the road and back. Have a nice chat."

Teddy jumped from Remus and gasped as his hair turned orange. "Dad, Gran has berry bushes! Can I show you?"

Remus cleared his throat. "Yes, why don't you show me?"

The Lupin's wandered off as Teddy bound around his father and started speaking in quick succession. Hermione sighed as she lingered and watched as they traveled in the early evening light. It was a beautiful sight- a perfect view. The werewolf in his tattered sweater and the young Lupin with hair to match his father.

"You're a good little witch, here's a drink," Sirius whispered in her ear.

Hermione exhaled as she took the offered glass. "That's lovely, isn't it?"

The animagus slung his arm over her shoulders as he nodded. "Yes, darlin'. He's a good boy and Moony is very lucky that you were around to take care of him."

She sipped her glass and glanced up at the animagus staring off after the Lupins. "You know, you could be a part of that."

Sirius sighed and shook his head. "Never close enough. I will watch from the water's edge."

Hermione exhaled and nodded. "Me too."

"What do you mean?" Sirius asked her as he glanced down.

"I served my purpose. I need to allow him the space to be a father."

Sirius shook his head and touched her cheek with his free hand. "You'll be needed plenty. Moony needs someone to tell him he's deserving enough. Teddy still needs a mother as well."

Hermione rested her head against his shoulder and sighed. "Don't think this gets you out of the doghouse, Padfoot."

"I wouldn't even think twice about it, love."


The whole adventure the next morning was difficult. Hermione was rushing around Andromeda's house in her nightclothes as she prepared the boy. She slept over and was running behind as she sorted through the usual lists she created. Teddy was always amused by her and helped when he could, but Hermione felt lost.

"Darling, you need to get ready," Andromeda declared as Hermione dug through the bookshelves.

"I'm just looking for his muggle novels I bought him," Hermione huffed.

"They're packed, you need to get dressed. He's going to leave regardless, my Hermione."

Hermione pouted and shook her head. "How did you do this with your daughter?" she asked.

Andromeda smiled and caressed the witch's cheek. "I cried every year. Why do you think you had to move out last month? I couldn't bear to see you both leave the same week."

Hermione hugged the older witch and sighed. "I love you, Drom. I'll go get ready."

Andromeda kissed her forehead and released the younger witch. "I love you too, now go on. Seems they're already waiting for us," she announced and nodded to the marauders standing in the hallway.

Hermione exhaled and nodded as she marched out to them. "I will be down momentarily," she said before skipping up the staircase.

Remus pouted and glanced back at the older witch approaching. "Is she alright?"

"She's fine, just emotional. Far more put together this year than the last. That's the reason she had to move- it's too hard on her to be in this old house without life."

"Dad, look, Hermione bought me my first broom!" Teddy shouted as he ran down the staircase with the broom in hand.

Sirius chuckled and ducked down to the approaching child. "Now, Teddy boy, you remember what I told you last night, alright?"

"Fly low and eye on the prize, Uncle Sirius," Teddy said with a nod.

Remus chuckled as he reached out and ruffled the blue tufts of hair on his head. "You'll make your mother proud for certain. I know I am."

The boy grinned and stood straighter. "And Hermione told me that if I pass with O's she's going to take me to buy twenty new books."

"Okay, alright, I know, I'm running behind," Hermione declared as she hopped down the stairs.

"We have time, love. Just breathe," Sirius responded as she landed on the ground floor.

Remus reached over and touched her shoulder. "We can do this together, alright?"

Hermione smiled with a nod. "Yes, altogether, right, little love?" Hermione asked as she caressed Teddy's shoulder.

He took her hand and agreed. "Of course, Hermione. You said always."

The marauders watched her walk out the door with the boy tugging his chest on a cart. Andromeda arched her eyebrow as she held the door. "Coming, cousin, son-in-law?"

They sprung to life and followed them out the door… it was going to be a hard day.

Later that evening…

Remus was sprawled out on the large bed as he glanced at the photographs. His son aged before him in the photos and now he sent him off to his second year. It was absolutely baffling and emotional. Hermione gave him a giant box of things she had saved over the years. He was so touched at her sweet and tender care for his warring heart.

There was a knock at the door. "Moony, can I come in?"

Remus grunted and Sirius appeared with a smile. "It was a crazy whirl of a thing, wasn't it? We never thought we'd send anyone off to Hogwarts, let alone your son," Sirius murmured as he rounded the bed.

"Yes, look at this," Remus laughed and handed Sirius a picture.

It was Teddy holding a large stuffed animal. A large fluffy black dog. "She kept us alive for him, didn't she?" Sirius questioned with a scowl.

"She's littered all over these pictures, Pads. All the care and support she gave him in my place. It's moving," Remus murmured as he touched the volumes of photo albums.

Sirius sat down next to the dressed-down werewolf. "Yeah, she's something pretty unique, Moony."

"I love you, Pads." Remus took his hand and squeezed it. "Sirius, what if we," he couldn't finish.

Sirius kissed him and groaned over his mouth. There were so many different emotions flying that Remus stroked his cheek and reciprocated. A flick of a newly bought wand stacked the items back into the box and the marauders grappled on the bed. It was heated and potent as they only parted for breathing.

It was a lifetime of moments in a few hours. Not just a heated shag to kill the tension. It wasn't a 'for old time's sake,' shag either. This was an emotional rollercoaster for both the wounded wizards. Something sparked and now it took it to a level they hadn't been at in ages.

Lying in bed, sated and sleepy, both men touched and traced each other's scars. "I can't not love you, Sirius Black," Remus whispered.

"I will always love you, even if it's not good enough," Sirius grumbled and pressed his face against the werewolf's bare chest.

Remus was just about asleep. He could feel Sirius snoring pleasantly over him. There was a blissful peace about the room as his mind slowed and then a flash of swirled light in his eyes as a whistling filled his ears. He couldn't grasp consciousness long enough to question it as he drifted off.


Hermione wasn't sure when she fell asleep last night after the turbulent day she had. She had yawned and stretched. But the heaviness of someone on top of her caused her to stop. Eyes took note of the ceiling and the torn curtains.

"Shite, not again," Hermione groaned.

"Pads," The familiar tones of Sirius grumbled.

"Remus?"

The form pulled from her and blinked down at the body before him. "Bugger," he groaned and flopped on the bed.

"Bugger is right," Hermione groaned and covered her face.

It was too earlier for this shit and now she was going to be late for work.