Hermione had her eyes closed and was breathing very deeply. The contractions had started about two hours ago. This being her first pregnancy, she didn't realize what the pain was at first, but she soon caught on.

She hadn't told Remus yet. It would be the end of her peace when she did. Not that he didn't mean well, but he was driving her crazy. He had spent the last two weeks absolutely hovering over her, not allowing her to do so much as get a glass of water by herself. It had been cute at first, but now it was just plain irritating.

On top of her over attentive husband, Sirius had taken to coming around two or three times a day. He hovered between their house and Godric's Hollow acting as anxious as James and Remus were. He claimed he was just checking up on her and Lily, but Hermione knew Sirius was just as excited about becoming an uncle/godfather as the rest of them were about becoming parents.

As the contraction subsided, she took one last deep breath, straightened and exited the room. Remus was lounging in the living room, reading. When he spotted her he lowered his book.

"Did you want to go out and get something to eat tonight?" he asked. "Once the baby comes, who knows when we'll be able to again?"

"Umm," Hermione hesitated. "No, I don't think we should go out tonight."

"Why?" he asked.

"No reason," she said slowly. "I'd just rather stick close to home. I'll make something."

"Okay," he agreed with a shrug and returned to his book.

Hermione glanced at the clock on the wall. It was only four, much too early for dinner, but she figured she better start so they could eat early and get to Hogwarts.

Seeing as how St. Mungo's had their child marked as a half breed, their only option was having the baby in a secure place where the Ministry couldn't interfere. Dumbledore had been the one to suggest the hospital wing at Hogwarts. The students would be out for the summer holidays so there wouldn't be anyone there and Madam Pomfrey was on call twenty-four hours a day, seeing as how she lived there. Hermione had been more than a little envious of Lily's ability to have an uncomplicated labor. Hermione's one consolation was that the full moon had been a week ago. Remus was guaranteed to be there for the birth.

Hermione was in the kitchen trying to decide what to make for dinner when the next contraction hit. She gripped the counter and bent her head, panting against the pain.

"You're in labor!" came an accusing voice from just a few feet away.

Hermione jumped. "Damn it, Remus. You scared me," she yelled back, louder than she meant to because the contraction was still rolling through her.

"Well why didn't you tell me?" he asked.

"Can we put this conversation on hold for two minutes while I breathe through this contraction?" she snapped back, still panting hard.

Remus immediately went to her side and rubbed her back gently, holding out his hand for her to squeeze. She took his hand gratefully. "Thanks," she breathed, once the contraction subsided.

He led her to a chair and made her sit. "How long have you been in labor?" he asked.

"Not long," she replied.

He gave her a pointed look.

"Really," she said.

"Hermione," he challenged her.

She sighed. "A couple of hours," she said reluctantly.

"A couple of hours?" he yelled. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because," she whined. "I knew you'd do this."

"Do what?" he asked defensively.

"Baby me," she replied.

"I'm not babying you," he argued.

"Not yet," she muttered, looking away. He was silent and after a little bit she looked up. Remus had a huge grin plastered to his face. "What?" she asked, trying to keep the annoyance from her voice.

"You're in labor," he said. He leaned down and kissed her. "And I love you."

Hermione started to laugh. She put her hand on his cheek. "I love you too."

"Should we get to Hogwarts then?" he asked.

"No," she said. "Not yet. We still have time. I want to share this with just you for now."

"Are you sure?" he asked uncertainly.

"Yes," she assured him. "Didn't you read those books I gave you? The first stage of labor can last for hours. I don't want to spend all that time at Hogwarts."

Remus opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. "I'm going to go and take a shower. Why don't you fix yourself something to eat. We're going to have a very long night."

An hour later they were both sitting on the couch. Remus was holding Hermione's hand and timing her latest contraction.

"Wow," she breathed. "That was a good one. I think it's time to go now."

Remus looked visibly relieved. "Stay here. I'll get your bag." He was back within minutes. "Let's go."

The flooed directly to Hogwarts. Dumbledore was waiting.

"It's time, Professor," said Remus.

"I see that," he said gravely. "Let's get Hermione to the hospital wing." He helped Remus lead Hermione to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey was already there. While she helped get Hermione changed into a hospital gown and settled in bed, Dumbledore pulled Remus outside.

"There's something you need to know," said Dumbledore. He was gravely serious.

"What is it?" asked Remus, apprehensively.

"The Ministry wants to take Hermione and your baby into custody."

Remus ran a hand through his hair. "Why can't they leave us alone? We're not hurting anyone. I don't understand what they're so afraid of."

Dumbledore put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Right now, the Ministry is charging Hermione with violating decree 47. We only need to hold the Ministry off until after the next fool moon. If your son isn't a werewolf, the Ministry won't care what becomes of him or Hermione."

"And if he is?" questioned Remus.

"For now, we'll hope for the best," said Dumbledore.

"Hermione doesn't need to know any of this," said Remus unnecessarily.

"Of course," agreed Dumbledore readily. "Now go back and be with your wife."

Remus turned to go back into the hospital wing then paused. "Thank you, Professor, for everything."

"Remus, where did you go?" asked Hermione when he returned.

"Just outside," said Remus. "I wanted to get my head together."

She laughed. "When is your head ever 'not together'?" Suddenly another contraction hit her and she tensed visibly.

"Ask me in another couple of hours," he said taking her hand. He murmured soft words of reassurance.

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"I can't do this," whimpered Hermione several hours later.

"Yes you can, honey," Remus reassured her, brushing the hair from her forehead.

"No, I can't. It hurts," she moaned.

"Hermione, you're almost there," said Madam Pomfrey. "Just give me another good push. Ten seconds," she commanded. "Here we go."

As Madam Pomfrey counted down from ten, Hermione bore down. "You're doing so good, honey," Remus cheered her on.

At the end of ten seconds, Hermione sagged back into the bed. She was breathing heavily and was so tired. "How much longer?"

"Not long," Madam Pomfrey assured her. "He's starting to crown now."

"Did you hear that, Hermione?" asked Remus excitedly.

"Of course I heard it," she snapped. "I'm not deaf."

"Okay, Hermione. It's time to push again," said Madam Pomfrey.

Hermione closed her eyes. This was hard, harder than she had expected. She wasn't sure how much longer she could continue. "It's been so long. Why won't he come?"

Madam Pomfrey chuckled. "Every first time mother says that," she reassured Hermione. "Now come on. No more stalling. It's time to push again. Ten seconds, here we go."

Remus sat directly behind her, supporting her back as she began pushing again.

"He's coming," announce Madam Pomfrey. "That's it Hermione. Keep pushing."

Hermione cried out, putting all her energy into what she hoped was once final push. And then suddenly she knew it was. She collapsed back against Remus. "Oh my God," she heard him whisper, so reverently.

"You have a boy," said Madam Pomfrey, holding the baby up for them to see. Neither Remus nor Hermione said anything. They just stared at the wrinkly wiggling wailing form Madam Pomfrey was holding.

Then suddenly the baby was in her arms and she was in Remus's. She looked up at her husband. He was staring at her, with tears in his eyes. "I love you," he said, kissing her gently.

"I love you," she replied. Then she leaned down and kissed her son's forehead. "He's so beautiful," she cried.

Remus couldn't answer. All his words were caught in his throat as he stared at his son.

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A few hours later, Hermione was asleep and Remus was sitting in a chair next to her bed, holding their son. He was so mesmerized by the infant that he didn't notice the third person in the room.

"Hey," said Sirius softly.

Remus looked up. "Hi," he replied. "What are you doing here?"

"I went by your place to let you know that Lily was in labor and you weren't there. I guess I had a hunch where you were."

"Lily's in labor?" asked Remus.

Sirius nodded. "She went into labor just a little after midnight. She's at St. Mungo's and the healers think it will be a while yet."

Remus raised his eyebrows. "That's just about when Nathaniel was born."

"Nathaniel?" questioned Sirius.

Remus nodded. "Meet Nathaniel Remus Lupin," he said, standing up and walking to Sirius. He offered him the baby and Sirius took Nathaniel into his arms.

"Why didn't you let us know she was in labor?" he asked.

"We had to take a lot of precautions," said Remus. "We had to be careful how we communicated. Only Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey knew."

"The Ministry's not bothering you?" asked Sirius.

Remus sighed. "They want to take Hermione into custody for violating decree 47," he confirmed.

"What?" hissed Sirius.

"Shh," Remus shushed him as the baby fussed in Sirius's arms.

"Sorry," murmured Sirius. He rocked the baby gently, lulling him back to sleep. "Does she know?"

Remus shook his head. "The way Dumbledore figures it we just have to hold out until after the first full moon. If I didn't pass my lycanthropy onto Nathaniel, the Ministry won't care what happens to him or Hermione." Remus reached for Nathaniel and Sirius immediately handed him back.

Sirius nodded. It was hard to imagine that tiny little body being a threat to anyone. "What will you do if…" he trailed off.

Remus shook his head. "I don't know." He looked down at his son. "I don't know what I'll do. He's so innocent and helpless. It kills me knowing he might be just like me."

"Hey," said Sirius sharply. "That kid could do a lot worse than be just like you. The way I see it, he'd be lucky to grow up to be just like his dad. Whatever happens, you know James and I will always be here for you and him."

"Thanks Sirius," said Remus. "That means a lot." He paused. "Can I ask you a favor?" he asked.

"Anything," said Sirius quickly.

"If Nathaniel," he paused not wanting to finish the thought. "Well, if he is, even as an infant he'll be dangerous. And I'm not sure if Hermione will be able to deal with it by herself."

"I'll be with her," Sirius reassured him before he could ask.

Remus was visibly relieved. "Thank you."

"What are you two whispering so seriously over there?" asked Hermione from her bed.

Both men turned to her. She pulled herself up in bed and was smiling at them both.

Sirius smiled at her. "I was just telling Remus how good looking this kid of yours is."

Hermione lifted her arms. "Give me my baby," she laughed.

Remus dutifully brought the baby to her.

Hermione cradled her baby. "He is beautiful, isn't he?"

"He looks like Remus," said Sirius.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You're supposed to say he looks like me," she scolded.

"He doesn't," said Sirius, but she could tell he was teasing. "Well I haven't seen his eyes yet. There's still some hope."

Remus sat on the bed next to his wife. "Lily's in labor," he told her.

Hermione nodded. "Nathaniel and Harry will share the same birthday." Nobody mentioned the elephant in the room, the prophecy. "I hope she does better than I did."

"You did great," said Remus.

"I guess."

"Are you kidding? I could never do what you just did. It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. You are the most amazing woman I've known," he finished kissing her forehead.

Hermione wiped away the tears that started to fall down her face. "I love you," she cried. Then Nathaniel decided to make his presence known. He woke up and started crying.

"Ooohhhh," both parents cooed. "He must be hungry," said Remus.

"I think that's my cue to leave," said Sirius, standing.

"Thank you for coming, Sirius," said Hermione.

"Are you going to St. Mungo's?" Remus asked.

Sirius nodded.

"Tell James and Lily we're thinking of them."

"I will," said Sirius. "I'll come back in a few hours."

"Okay," said Remus.

Once Sirius left, Hermione prepared to feed her son. "He's just perfect, isn't he?" she asked Remus.

Remus nodded. "Perfect and all ours." He looked at his wife. "You're crying again," he laughed.

"I can't help it," she said. "Everything is so wonderful right now. And it's all just going to get worse."

"Don't say that," said Remus.

"But what if we can't protect him," said Hermione. "So many bad things could happen to him."

"Nothing bad is going to happen while I'm here," said Remus. He kissed her forehead. "I won't let it." Then he tilted her head down so she could see their son. "Look what you and I made. If you didn't believe in miracles before, you must now."

Hermione looked back to Remus. "You know, I think I do."