Enigma's Love – Part 2 – Hope in the Dark
One would think that life should be perfect for Dory and Remus after their graduation from Hogwarts but it was anything but. Their love had to bring them through many a challenge.
After graduation, both Remus and James came to a very important decision…that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with the women they loved. For James, being with Lily for the rest of his life was not an issue. No one stood in the way of them marrying and being happy for the rest of their days. For Remus though, it was another story entirely. There were laws against werewolves marrying for the fear existed that lycanthropy could be transmitted to others if they were to have children.
Dory and Remus were so distraught by this. Their lives were determined by something neither one could control. Desperate and longing to be together forever, they pled their case to the Ministry. At only 19, they stood in front of a panel of wizards to determine if they were allowed to be happy. Dory was forced to prove that she would be able to control the wolf that lurked in his veins. She was a member of an ancient wizarding family, descended from Morgana herself. Dory had become an expert in ancient magic, including the spell that she used on Remus to calm him as the wolf. They stood there silently with tears in their eyes as they waited for their fates to be determined. Neither one was able to breathe as the Ministry passed their judgment – they could be married. What the Ministry didn't tell them though, not wanting to destroy their obvious joy, was that they would be watched very carefully for the rest of their lives.
Dory and Remus had a very simple ceremony, only their closest friends were there with them. They did not care about all the many trivial things that many couples consider when marrying, all they focused on was their love and their life together.
After the wedding, Dory was commissioned to teach at Hogwarts – Ancient Magic and Spells. She was completely overjoyed at this. She would be able to pass on her knowledge of the Ancients and still be able to find new things to help Remus. She unfortunately had to swallow her pride and ask Severus Snape, the new potions master and former pain in the neck, to teach her how to make the wolfsbane potion for Remus, in addition to her spells. Dory only wanted to make every full moon for him as easy as possible.
Remus found a job at the Ministry for a while when Dory had to adjust from being Miss Domenica Knight, Hogwarts student to Professor Lupin, Mistress of Ancient Magic and Spells. He found it quite amusing that she was teaching students who were only a few years younger than herself – fifth years and above. Remus loved visiting her and watching their former professors stumbling over themselves to remember to address her as Domenica or Dory and not Miss Knight.
Even after graduation, the Infamous Marauders still remained together. Nearly every night, everyone would either be at James and Lily's or Remus and Dory's house. These were their moments of release and being able to act like children again. Dory and Lily always seemed to be the odd ones out when the boys were at play. They would talk about them when they were out of ear shot. When they were making fun of them it was always Moony, Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail. But when it was kind…they always referred to them by their names. It had been several months since they had married and already both women were sizing their husbands up on what kind of fathers they would make. Surprisingly, neither Dory nor Lily doubted them. They both knew deep down that, despite the child like exterior that would never seemingly grow up, both Remus and James would do anything for any children that they would have. This was indeed a good thing because both women had a secret.
One night, after one of these little get-togethers at James', Dory and Remus were quietly lying in bed when Dory decided to bring up one subject.
"You know, Lily told me that she and James were going to be adding to their family this summer." Dory said casually as they laid on the pillows.
Remus was overjoyed for his friend at hearing the news. "That's wonderful! Why didn't he tell me?" he asked in surprise.
"Because he doesn't know yet." Dory added bluntly but then her mood changed and she spoke in a quieter tone. "And they aren't the only ones…" she added.
Remus seemed confused for a second, trying to figure out who else could be having a baby, but then the thought dawned on him and his eyes went wide as he looked at Dory. "Do you mean…us…we…a baby?" he stammered, unable to even form a coherent sentence.
Dory had a big smile on her face as she nodded to signal he was right. "In August we will have 2 additions to our family. I just was informed today."
Remus was beyond overjoyed as he kissed her lovingly. He had always dreamed of being a father and wanted to give anything he could to his children. They fell asleep in each other's arms with such peace and joy surrounding them, never wanting any of it to end.
The next morning, while Dory was eating breakfast before she had to go to work, an owl flew in their window and dropped a letter in Dory's lap and immediately flew out. She picked up the letter and saw that it bore the seal of the Ministry and she became so nervous. Her hands shook as she read it. The letter reminded them of the legal codes against werewolves and having children. The letter dictated that they would have to appear before the Ministry for a hearing to determine if their children were allowed to live. Tears were streaming down her face by the time she had reached the bottom. She remembered the law but she had done extensive research on the subject when she first even considered the thought of having a child. There was only a slim chance of her babies having lycanthropy and she could handle it. She ran back to hers and Remus' bedroom and woke her husband frantically.
"Remus, they want to kill our children before they are born." She cried out as she handed him the letter.
Remus could clearly see that his wife was terribly upset as he pulled her close to him. He read the letter and tears formed in his eyes at the thought that they may lose their children. "We'll figure this out. We will manage somehow." He said in a shaky voice, trying to be reassuring but not even sure himself.
They had the hearing right away. Remus and Dory had specifically requested that all of their friends be there for support. If they were going to lose their twins, they were going to need shoulders to cry on.
"Remus and Domenica Lupin," the unknown Minister addresses them as they walked forward to stand in front of a similar panel that judged them to allow them to marry. "It has come to our attention that you are expecting a child. According to the Werewolf codes, those with lycanthropy should not have children due to the threat of the infliction being passed on to the child. This hearing is being called to determine if the child should be disposed of."
The shock was clearly audible when the Minister spoke. James, Sirius and Lily felt so horrible that Remus and Dory had to go through this. The last thing they wanted in the world was for their dearest friends to lose their children.
"May I address the panel, sir?" Dory spoke up. The Minister only nodded and signaled her to step forward. Dory had this all planned in her mind but her stomach sank with fear when it came time to speak these words. "I do not see the reason why we should be denied the right to be parents. I have done extensive research before I even considered having a child. The risk is quite small at best. I have already proven that I can handle the consequences of such a terrible affliction. Should our children have to suffer the same terrible disease, Remus and I would love them no matter what and my knowledge of the Ancient Spells, I can make sure that no harm comes to them or others around them. Please, do not brush us off like this. We already love our children and we haven't met them yet. I know that Remus would never hurt them. Please, all we ask is to have the same opportunity to have a family like everyone else." She pleaded with earnest.
The Ministry council retired to an anteroom to discuss their decision. Dory and Remus were visibly scared. They sat down on a bench near the rest of their friends. Remus wrapped his arms around her as Dory leaned against his chest. Sirius, James, and Lily came up from the back so they could sit by them.
"I think you two will win this one, especially after what Dory said." James said, trying to keep a positive outlook. He could only imagine what he would do if he and Lily were faced with the same with their unborn child. "You have to." He added. "Our kids will be playing together this summer and we'll be making little marauders out of them." James continued, trying to keep the mood as light as possible, but he knew his friends' minds were elsewhere as Dory reflexively ran her hand over her stomach. To him it seemed that she was trying to protect them or soothe her children to what may happen.
An eternity passed before the panel reappeared. Dory and Remus snapped to attention when they entered, hoping for the best.
"We have made our decision after much consideration. It has been determined that Remus and Domenica Lupin will be allowed to have their children." The Minister stated to much joy in the room. "With the following condition…" Silence suddenly swept over all those present as fear once again struck them. "The condition is that Domenica Lupin is to be responsible for watching for signs of lycanthropy. Should her children show signs of the affliction at any point, she is required to take any and all means necessary to make sure they do not harm others."
Remus and Dory would have agreed to almost anything as long as it meant keeping their children. They thanked the Ministry profusely as they were leaving with a huge sense of relief in their hearts.
Time passed quickly for both Dory and Lily. Their pregnancies went along without any major problems. Dory was significantly more uncomfortable though with the fact she was carrying two. Remus and James were definitely kept on their toes taking care of their wives' every need. By the time July came around, both women were close to giving birth. Harry James Potter arrived on July 31, 1980 and the Lupin twins, Cesare Antonio and Anastasia Elisabetta arrived on August 10 of the same year, blessedly free of lycanthropy.
Life maintained some happiness among the two families for a time, despite the ever rising power of Voldemort, until October 31, 1981. James and Lily died so tragically at the hands of the Dark Lord. Only little Harry had survived. Remus and Dory were devastated. Their tears they could not hide when they heard the news and at the funeral. They knew Sirius was Harry's godfather and supposed guardian, but the Ministry suspected Sirius in James and Lily's death. Remus and Dory knew that this couldn't be further from the truth. But this had a terrible effect on Harry's life. He was sent to Lily's wretched sister and it broke the Lupins' hearts. They would have happily raised Harry with Cesare and Anastasia but they were not given the option.
Life sadly went on without the Potters and Sirius. Remus and Dory gave their children all they could, despite the fact that they could not let them see their best friend, Harry. Cesare and Anastasia were happy babies, quiet and well behaved, and loved by everyone who met them. They had never met with the feared stigmatism that could come up with their father being a werewolf. The children also grew up knowing about their father and what they had to do on the full moon. And then one day, two owls arrived with letters from Hogwarts…