Hey Guys! Sorry it took me so long to update! I just spent the last few months working in a nursing home with COVID cases on the rise. I am going to try to stick to a schedule of updating at least once a week.

Thank you so much to those who reviewed my story so far!

-Amber

Chapter One: Homecoming

The soft hum of music floated through the small flat above Flourish and Blotts early in the morning as Ophelia cut up apple slices for a rambunctious little boy with blue hair who was trying to decide which of his many toy dragons to play with before settling on a dark green dragon with a missing eye. He tucked the toy under his arm and climbed up onto the red upholstered chair by the window as Ophelia brought him his apple slices and a small cup of chocolate milk which he gulped down greedily. She sat down on the couch next to him with her coffee.

"Eat your apple, Teddy. You'll get more chocolate milk when you're done." She told him as she bent down and kissed the top of his head.

Teddy did as she asked and began to nibble away at the apple slices, stopping every once in awhile to readjust the toy dragon under his arm.

"Do you like your new room?" she asked as she took a sip of her coffee.

Teddy nodded vigorously as he looked over at her, a chocolate milk mustache on his lip, "I play now?"

Ophelia nodded, "Just for a little while. We have to go to Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny's later."

Teddy hopped off the chair and raced to his bedroom with his toy dragon in hand. Ophelia grinned. Teddy looked more like Remus with each passing day. His personality though, was all Tonks. Every time Ophelia thought of them, she had to fight back the tears. Her father and her stepmother's deaths were something she has never been able to get over, no matter how much time had passed. And it hurt her to think of her little brother, Teddy, never having had the chance to meet them or feel the intense love that they had for him. Ophelia always made sure to talk about them often and their photographs were displayed proudly in frames around the room so Teddy would always know what they looked like. Teddy was still so young, and he had yet to ask about them, but Ophelia knew the time would come.

Ophelia stared as her ginger haired friend stood in front of the mirror. Ginny had spent a good thirty minutes trying on every dress she owned, hoping to find something suitable for her parents' anniversary party but, she seemed to find a problem with every one of them before, finally trying the first one she picked out once again. She let out a sigh of frustration, "You're sure it looks alright?"

Ophelia grinned, "They all looked fantastic Gin! But this one is definitely my favorite."

Ginny grinned, "I really have missed you."

"Just think, now you'll see me so much you and Harry will be sick of me!"

"Never." Ginny pulled her into a hug, "I still want details about New York, you know. You can't expect me to believe you spent so much time there and not a single man caught your eye."

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Or maybe there's someone here in London?"

There was a brief knock on the bedroom door and Harry poked his head in, "We should get going or we'll be late."

Ophelia took a deep breath, 'Harry, you always did have great timing!'

It was an innocent question but one she didn't really want to answer. She had dated a bit while she was in New York but nothing serious had come out of it, so she hadn't felt the need to share her failed attempts at relationships with anyone. She knew her friends would be supportive and understanding but she didn't want to go through all the fuss.

Harry and Ginny held onto James and Ophelia picked Teddy up as they prepared to apparate to the Weasley's family home.

POP!

POP!

You could hear the buzz of conversation, music, and laughter echo through the gardens as Ophelia approached the Weasley' home with Ginny and Harry. The Weasley's didn't know she was coming to the party. Ophelia had asked Ginny not to say anything so she could surprise them. Molly and Arthur Weasley were family to her. She had spent many summers and holidays at their house, and she had stayed with them on more than one full moon when Remus had transformed. The Weasleys may have been poor, but there was no lack of love or kindness in them. Leaving them behind was one of the most difficult decisions she had made, and she wanted to be there when she told them she was returning home for good.

Harry, Ginny, and James entered the house first. Mrs. Weasley pulled them into a tight embrace and Ophelia could hear Mr. Weasley shaking Harry's hand.

"Harry, I thought you said you were bringing Teddy?" Molly asked.

Ophelia stepped through the archway into the room holding a wriggling Teddy in her arms. Molly's gaze fell on her, and she raced over, pulled Ophelia into her arms, and sobbed with joy as she stroked her blond hair.

"I thought you were still in New York, Ophelia?" Arthur beamed at her.

"Actually, I just accepted a position at St. Mungos. I won't be returning to New York."

Molly pulled her back down into her arms, "That's wonderful dear. Remus and Tonks would be so proud!"

Ophelia glanced over and noticed the overwhelming number of ginger heads peeking through the archway at her to get a better view. She almost laughed at the sight of them. Almost the entire Weasley clan was there. Bill and Fleur and their children, Ron and a pregnant Hermione, George and Angelina and their daughter, as well as a few extended members of the Weasley family. Most of them she hadn't seen since before she left for New York. She did, however, note the absence of Fred Weasley.

Fred. The last time Ophelia had spoken to him was just after the funerals of Percy Weasley and her parents, Remus, and Tonks. Their conversation had not been particularly pleasant and thinking of it still made her upset. They had seen each other at some of the many weddings she had attended over the last few years, but they kept their interactions short and to the point. Still, not seeing him at his parent's party raised some questions.

The garden was filled with laughing children chasing each other around, knocking into guests and nearly tripping Ron who was attempting to bring back some pumpkin juice for Hermione. Ophelia had mingled with her friends and found herself talking to Bill and Fleur, whose English had improved a great deal, about new techniques used for managing lycanthropy.

"Oh! She eez here with him!" Fleur hissed; her expression was one of annoyance as her gaze was fixated over Ophelia's shoulder.

Bill let out a sigh and turned to his wife, "Try to relax my darling."

Ophelia turned around and noticed two figures walking towards them up the garden path. Fred Weasley and a tall brunette woman with bright red lipstick whose arm was linked with his. They made their way to Molly and Arthur and Ophelia couldn't help but notice the tension in Mrs. Weasleys posture as Fred's date spoke with her. Fred approached George and Angelina and embraced them both before the brunette joined him.

"I take it, you don't like Fred's date?" Ophelia asked.

Bill shrugged, "I don't really know her."

"She eez a journalist. She works for zee Daily Propheet. She eez always working."

"Stella's written a few pieces about the family… Harmless articles really." Bill kissed Fleur on the cheek, trying his best to keep her calm.

"She eez no good for him and you know eet! Tomorrow morning, we will all be in one of her articles! Ophelia too!" Fleur hissed.

Ophelia looked over again and noticed Fred and his date making conversation with George and Angelina.

George held his twins gaze for a moment before clearing his throat. "You're quite tardy Gred!"

"Places to go and people to see my dear Forge!" Fred motioned to Stella who just fell into place at his side.

"That's my fault, I'm afraid; I had to rush to meet a deadline with my editor" Stella said coolly.

"Well, you missed a very important announcement, Fred" Angelina spoke directly to Fred, trying her best to bite back a comment about Stella's impending article.

"And what was that?" Fred asked as he poured himself a glass of wine and one for Stella too.

"Ophelia's home." George said smugly as he took a sip of his wine.

"For good." Angelina added.

Fred lowered his glass and turned to look at the crowd. Sure enough, he spotted the blonde talking to Bill and Fleur before she looked over, catching his gaze. He wasn't expecting her to be there. He had heard Ophelia was doing quite well for herself in New York and he was happy for her. But having her back in London wasn't something he was prepared for. Their current relationship was barely civil and having her so close again was going to come with challenges.

"When did that happen?" Fred asked quietly.

"Just found out today. Fee's going to be working at St. Mungo's and she and Teddy have a flat in Diagon Alley" George grinned.

"Merlin! You don't mean Ophelia Lupin?! I've only seen her in photographs! She's beautiful!" Stella exclaimed.

George sent Fred a look, "She is. Don't you think Freddie?"

Fred glared at his brother, "knock it off, mate"

"Knock what off?" a soft voice asked from behind them.

Fred turned around to see Ophelia standing there in a pale pink sundress with a hyper Teddy in her arms. She met his eyes briefly before quickly shifting her gaze to George and Angelina.

Stella took a step closer, her eyes wide with excitement "Ophelia, do you think I could ask you a few questions for an article I'm writing for the Prophet?"

Ophelia looked at her nervously, "I'm sorry, I don't speak to the press"

Stella rolled her eyes, "It's not a gossip piece like Witch Weekly. I would like to get you on record about your experiences during the war and what it was like having a werewolf in the family-"

George and Angelina shot Fred a warning look, "She said no Stella." Angelina said firmly.

"Stella, it's not the place." Fred told her.

Ophelia shook her head, "I don't speak to any journalists about the war, no matter who they work for and my family is off limits."

Stella let out a little huff in annoyance before preparing to ask again- "George and Angelina said you're back in London?" Fred tried to change the conversation.

Ophelia nodded, "I am. I thought it was time to come home. How are things with you Fred?"

Stella closely observed her boyfriend's demeanor. He was uncomfortable for some reason. She knew the two grew up together and they were friends but anytime Ophelia came up in conversation, he was quite tight-lipped. Stella knew there was a story there, but she couldn't tell what kind. There was obviously some kind of falling out between the two of them.

"Lovely. The shop is full out right now and we are thinking of expanding to a few different locations. It keeps me busy now that Georgie spends more time at home with the lovely Angelina." Fred grinned as he locked eyes with Ophelia.

Stella looked at Fred and then back to Ophelia, biting her lip, "Yes but, you still manage to make time for me" Stella said quickly as she pecked Fred's cheek. Fred shifted uncomfortably as Ophelia quickly averted her gaze and nervously tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

Ophelia put Teddy down on the ground and took his little hand in hers so he couldn't run off. "Good…I'm happy for the both of you… I should probably get Teddy home or he's going to bounce of the walls all night."

"Are you sure you can't stay any longer Fee?" Angelina asked.

"I don't think so. It's going to take some time to get Teddy settled and I start at St. Mungo's in the morning. It's been a long day."

"Well, we don't want to keep you." Stella said.

Ophelia nodded, "Alright…umm…Teddy and I already said good night to your parents, so we are going to go."

Angelina pulled her into a hug as George shot his brother a look. Ophelia looked to Stella, "It was nice meeting you Stella."

Stella smiled, "You too. Send me an Owl at the Prophet if you change your mind about the article."

Ophelia nodded and picked a wriggling Teddy up once again and looked at Fred and George, "It was so good to see you both."

"You should drop by the shop later this week, Fee. We've got a new product launching that is right up Teddy's alley." George winked.

Ophelia smiled widely, "I'm sure he would love that."

Stella nudged Fred's arm, "Well, we shouldn't keep you." Her tone was dripping with annoyance and Ophelia wasn't sure if it was directed at her or not.

Ophelia looked at Fred who appeared to be very uncomfortable suddenly and seemed to be very interested in looking in any direction but hers. She said her goodbyes and she and Teddy disappeared into the darkness with a loud POP!

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