Chapter 2
A few days later, Remus Lupin showed up at Grimmauld Place. But for the life of himself, he couldn't see Number 12.
"Hermione?" Ginny said while taking a batch of muffins out of the oven, "Professor Lupin's outside. Should we let him in?"
"I'll get it" Hermione volunteered, going to the door.
"Professor, come on in, do you want some breakfast?" Hermione wiped a pesky tear away. She was always crying these days.
"Yes, yes. What's wrong? All the Order" (more sobs) "will tell me is that it's over. What's going on?" Hermione led him to the kitchen and poured him some coffee, as Ginny passed out the muffins.
"Ginny . . . will you?" she started.
"Yes, of course. A week ago, everything ended. Harry killed Voldemort, but he and Ron were the last Horcruxes" (thankfully, the Order knew about Horcruxes, though not enough to stop being selfish silly prats about it) Ginny was crying a bit now too. "Anyways, they . . . sacrificed themselves. We two didn't know anything until the Order returned that night. But Hermione told them she was pregnant. And they immediately . . . put her under the imperius curse. They made her abort the baby."
Remus was silent in disgust and shock. "But didn't they know that the Horcrux in Ron wouldn't have affected his child?" He asked after a while.
"They didn't even wait. I couldn't stop them, I tried so hard. But Lupin, I have a secret. Only Hermione knows. But, well, will you promise not to tell anyone. I mean, make a vow" and he did, a wizard's vow.
"What is it?" He finally asked.
"I'm pregnant, with Harry's baby. And there is no way I'm ever going to give him or her up. Never. Hermione said I could live at Grimmauld Place. We're going to open a coffee shop in muggle London."
"The Potter's Stand" Hermione added. "That's what we're calling it."
Remus nodded.
"I have a question for both of you. Will you be the baby's godparents?" Ginny asked.
"Of course" Hermione said softly, while Remus nodded again.
"I still can't believe them. Will you ever come back?" Lupin questioned.
"I can't cut off the wizarding world completely, it's too much a part of me. But I can't face the Order, or anyone I once knew. Oh, I'm not whole anymore. I feel so old."
Remus's ears perked at the familiar words.
"Don't worry, Professor. You've found a niche in the world. You've got your dream job at Hogwarts and Tonks too. You don't have to fight for my honor, just come say hi sometimes." She got up from the table. "I think I'm going to go check out the place for rent on Multon's Street. It might be perfect. I'll be back in time to take you to St. Mungo's for the checkup, Ginny. I'll see you later, Professor" And with that she left.