Epilogue
As soon as Remus had left, Kingsley had checked out the files. Something in Remus' voice had troubled him. When he did check out the files, he found that illegal magic had indeed been used at the Malfoy Manor. It was the anti-detection spell, and that meant there was trouble.
Kingsley had left for Remus' office immediately after that and on not finding Remus' in his office grew suspicious. On asking Remus' whereabouts from the last person that entered his office, Amy Herek, and finding out that Remus had not left the room, Shacklebolt's suspicions were confirmed.
Hence, the best Aurors were alerted along with Severus Snape, and the team headed towards the Manor. Utilising Severus' knowledge of the types of charms used on the Manor, the team successfully infiltrated the Manor, and the most wanted Death Eaters were captured.
To say the world was free of evil was incredibly erroneous, because out there somewhere, evil was still alive...bidding its time, waiting for the right moment to appear.
Irene Watson's body was found on the cold dungeon floor. Her funeral was conducted two days later, joined by her friends, as she was an orphan. Remus was present at her funeral and was heart-broken at the death of such a close friend. His wife, however, was unable to attend, as she had not regained consciousness.
Kingsley Shacklebolt's next few days were passed in extreme guilt regardless of the number of times Remus had said that there were no hard feelings. Yet it was only when Nymphadora Lupin opened her eyes, and was declared safe by the Healers at St. Mungo's, that Kingsley calmed down a bit. Kingsley still apologised numerous times to the Lupins for his negligence and it was only when one very pregnant and angry Mrs Lupin threatened to curse him did he stop. He did not want to be on the receiving end of a pregnant Mrs Lupin's wand...
Nymphadora Lupin was told of the possibility of her baby being in danger due the excessive use of the Cruciatus Curse on her. She was even told that if she continued with her pregnancy there is a great danger to her life, and it was recommended to her to have an abortion at once. Remus backed the idea; he did not want his wife to be in any danger. He tried to convince her many times that they will have many other chances, but of no avail. Nymphadora Lupin, understanding all the great dangers she was warned about, decided to continue with her pregnancy.
So here they were, Mr and Mrs Lupin in their home, sitting in their dining hall along with numerous other people through their August get-together. Remus was presently playing with four-month-old Marietta Snape, while Tonks tried to smile and interact with people around her, trying to ignore the pain shooting through her lower body.
"Are you ok Tonks?" Linda Snape inquired.
"Y—Ye—Yes I...I am fine." Tonks said through obvious pain, trying to sound convincing.
"You're not...What's wrong?" Linda insisted.
"I am fine Linda. Really." Tonks said picking up her goblet bringing it up to her lips.
Before she could take a sip, the glass shattered into pieces, because of the excessive force she applied, catching the attention of everyone at the table.
"Dora...Honey...Are you alright?" Remus asked worried about his wife.
Tonks let out a loud scream in response holding her belly, as blood dripped down her legs.
Remus panicked. Handing Mary over to Linda, he immediately focused all his attention on his wife.
"Remus take her to St. Mungo's. NOW!" Molly Weasley shouted.
Remus obeyed, converting the nearest object into a portkey. Tonks was in agony by now.
The couple arrived at St. Mungo's within moments and were guided over to the maternity ward. The Healer took Tonks into a room, as Remus waited outside. Moments later he was joined by the whole crowd present at the Lupin Residence.
"How is she?"
"What did the Healer say?"
"Where is she?"
"Is she all right?"
Remus was immediately flooded with questions. He raised a hand to silence them. With creases of anxiousness on his face, he replied,
"I don't know, the Healer just took her in. I hope she is all right."
Just then the Healer appeared.
"Mr Lupin?" The Healer addressed the crowd.
Remus stepped forward.
"Was your wife ever subjected to a strong curse?" She asked.
"Yes. Around four months ago, she was subjected to the Cruciatus curse." Remus replied gulping.
"Ah. Yes." The healer nodded. "Well the curse caused a lot of damage to her, and the baby. We have to deliver the baby now, or there may be serious consequences. Considering the baby is premature, and was subjected to such a deadly curse, there may be abnormalities. We do not have much time Mr Lupin." The Healer finished as Remus nodded.
"I just want to say, Mr Lupin," she continued, "that during this process, we may lose either one or both of them."
Remus looked up at her, throat too tight to speak, chest constricted and his tears threatening to fall. With increased difficulty, he nodded stating he understood that he accepted the fact that he may lose one more of his loved one tonight...
As the healer was about to enter the room, Remus called out to her.
She turned as Remus continued,
"If...If there is a chance...that...one of them...may survive...I...I want...I want you to...to...please, save my wife."
The Healer nodded in understanding before leaving Remus alone with his friends.
"She will be ok, Remus everything will be fine." Harry said placing a hand on Remus' shoulder, as the latter kept staring at the door in front of him.
After what seemed like eternity, the Healer re-entered the waiting room, looking tired and exhausting. Remus stood up immediately at her sight.
"I think you should see this yourself, Mr Lupin." She said, before Remus could say anything, motioning towards the room she exited.
Remus heart dropped; the whole world dissolved around him. This means, she...they...
Expecting the worse Remus entered the room, only to find his wife sitting against the headboard holding a tiny blue bundle in her hand, looking exhausted.
Remus rushed over to her, while she merely looked up at him and smiled.
"Dora..." Remus started, but was silenced.
"Shhh..." Tonks said gently, "Look." She handed over the bundle to Remus, as he sat down by her on the bed.
There in the blankets, lay a small adorable child sleeping. As soon as Remus took the child in his arms, he opened his eyes revealing his bright blue eyes.
"Wow...blue eyes..." Remus whispered, but loud enough that Tonks heard.
"They all have." Tonks said looking at the child in his arms.
"What?" Remus asked looking over at Tonks.
"All babies are born with blue eyes. They change eventually as they grow up. I read about it." Tonks explained, leaning on to Remus.
"Beautiful..." Remus whispered again looking at his child.
"He is quite a fighter too." Tonks said, touching the baby's head lightly.
"A boy?" Remus asked.
"Our boy." Tonks replied, caressing the baby's head.
"Our boy...our son." Remus repeated.
"The Healers thought they lost him...but he fought." Tonks said. "What do we name him?"
"What do you think?" Remus asked still fascinated by his son.
"Remus Lupin Junior." Tonks said looking at Remus, putting her hand on Remus' arm.
"What?" Remus looked back at his wife.
"Remus Lupin Junior. You are a fighter too." Tonks said looking into his eyes.
"I know, but not Remus Lupin Junior....How about Toby Lupin?" Remus said looking down at his son.
"No...Toby Sirius Lupin." Tonks said also looking at her son.
"Toby Sirius Lupin." Remus repeated.
Remus and Nymphadora looked at each other again. Their eyes met and they both knew at that moment, that even if the sun rises from the west, as long as they had each other, as long as they had their family they could endure anything...
With a promise of love and joy, the Lupins spent their lives in sheer bliss...Ever After.
A/N: Finished. Finally.
Review and tell me how it was.
Thanks to all the reviewers who kept up with the story & reviewed. I am glad that you all enjoyed the story. It was fun writing it. Exhausting, but fun.
Until we meet again,
Take care,
Bye.
Mad Scientist II.