Author's Note: Thank you to all of my readers! All questions, comments, and constructive criticism are welcome if you would like to leave a review.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the characters from the series are copyright JK Rowling, and are not being used for profit, only for personal enjoyment.

*****

Chapter 1: The Good News

Remus Lupin could barely contain the giddy smile that had spread across his face as he walked down the streets of London. He had witnessed a miracle two nights ago, and was off to visit the grandmother of the child who he had helped to bring into the world.

Remus was only one of the many people in the wizarding world who knew and loved Hermione Granger, and had been sick with worry not knowing where she had gone this past summer. She had disappeared after graduation without a word to anyone. What nobody else knew now was that Remus found her... alone, scared, and pregnant. He normally felt a pang of guilt for not telling anybody her whereabouts, but today, all he felt was joy. Hermione had given birth to a beautiful son. He beamed with pride as he walked into the rehab facility where Hermione's mother, Elizabeth, was recovering from injuries sustained in the same automobile accident that had killed her husband earlier that year. He had come to know Elizabeth over the past couple of months, as he had accompanied Hermione on her visits into London.

He approached the partially open door to her room and knocked gently as he eased it open, "Elizabeth?" he called quietly.

Elizabeth had been standing against the wall, holding on to a hand rail as she made her way across the room. She had been temporarily paralyzed in the accident, and was just learning to walk again. By the looks of it, she had made much progress since the last time Remus saw her, not even two weeks ago.

"Remus!" she smiled, "I'm surprised to see you! What brings you here today?" she asked as she eased herself back towards her bed. Just as she let go of the bar to take a seat, she stumbled.

Remus reached out and caught her, looking at her in concern as he asked, "Are you OK?"

Elizabeth flushed with embarassment, "Fine, Remus. I have to learn not to push myself so hard... but I just can't stand to sit around all day and let people wait on me hand and foot! I need to learn to do it all on my own if I ever want to get out of here!"

He helped her onto the bed and cleared his throat as he took a seat for himself, "I come bearing news, Elizabeth..."

Elizabeth gasped, "The baby?"

Remus nodded.

"When? He's early! Is he healthy?" she looked at him, her eyes wide with concern as she rasped, "Hermione... how is she?"

He reached out and grasped her hand as he smiled reassuringly, "They are both fine, Elizabeth! You have a healthy grandson... his name is Samuel."

Tears came to Elizabeth's eyes as she whispered, "After her father..." Remus nodded and felt her squeeze his hand in return, "Samuel....?" she raised her eyebrow in question. What was the child's full name?

Color rushed to Remus' face, but he couldn't contain his smile as he replied, "Samuel Remus Granger."

Elizabeth beamed as she leaned forward and embraced Remus, "You mean so much to her, Remus. It's only appropriate that she name her son after the two most important men in her life."

Remus patted her on the back and cleared his throat as he asked, "It looks as though you're making progress! The last I saw you, you had only taken a few steps here and there."

She chuckled, "I meant it when I told Hermione... I will not take my grandson for a walk in the park in a wheelchair!"

Remus shook his head as he sighed, "Now I see where Hermione gets it from," he laughed. Hermione was stubborn and determined, just like her mother.

"Remus... when I get out of here, will you take me to see them?" she asked with tears in her eyes. It was obviously painful for her to not be able to go to them immediately.

"It would be my pleasure!" he smiled gently at her.

*****

The following weekend, Remus made another journey to London to visit Elizabeth. They smiled as he shared the first photos of her newborn grandson with her.

"Remus!" she gasped with tears in her eyes, "He's beautiful!"

He beamed back at her, "That, he is. Just like his mother... and his grandmother," he added softly.

Elizabeth blushed, "He doesn't look at all like a Granger," she noted.

Remus shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He knew who Samuel's father was, but it wasn't his place to say. It would be up to Hermione to have that discussion with her mother.

"Tell me, Elizabeth, how have you been doing?" he changed the subject.

She smiled at him in satisfaction, "Better every day, Remus! I might even be able to go home for Christmas!" Her smile turned to one of sadness, as she thought about going home for the first time. As anxious as she was to go home, she wasn't looking forward to being there alone... especially right before the holiday. Without her husband and daughter, she would be haunted by memories of happier times.

Remus reached out and grabbed her hand, "Let me know if you need anything..."

Elizabeth nodded tearfully before smiling again, "There is one thing I would like to ask of you, Remus... if I do get out of here before Christmas, I'd like to go visit Hermione and meet my grandson over the holiday!"

Remus smiled brilliantly at her, "An excellent idea, Elizabeth! I can't think of a better Christmas gift for Hermione. She misses you tremendously."

When Remus rose to leave a short while later, he nodded to Elizabeth and said, "I will be in touch later in the week to discuss arrangements for Christmas. Even if you aren't ready to go home by then, I'm sure we could manage to get you out of here for a day or two."

Elizabeth stood up to give him a hug, "Thank you, Remus," she whispered in a hoarse voice, reaching out to grab his hand as he pulled away.

"Not at all!" he smiled back at her before he turned to leave.

He couldn't keep his mind off of her as he ventured home that afternoon... and he couldn't wait to surprise Hermione for Christmas.