It was three in the morning and one-week-old Nathaniel Lupin was screaming his head off. Remus kicked the covers off him and struggled to his feet. He stumbled across the room to where they had set up the baby's crib.

He lifted Nathaniel and rubbed his back gently. He and Hermione had spent three days at Hogwarts before returning home. Dumbledore had reinforced the wards around their home, though Hermione was still nervous about every passing car and pedestrian.

"Shh, baby," soothed Remus. "You just ate. Let your momma sleep." He swung the baby back and forth slowly, trying to lull him back to sleep, still Nathaniel cried.

Hermione rolled over and lifted her head. "He can't be hungry again," she moaned.

"I don't know," said Remus. He shifted the baby and tried rocking him in another position.

"Does he need to be changed?" Hermione asked.

"Maybe," said Remus. "I'll change him. You get back to sleep."

"Are you sure?" she asked while burying her face back into her pillow and closing her eyes.

Remus only smiled and took the baby to the changing table. It seemed to do the trick. Once he had a fresh diaper on, Nathaniel seemed content to lie peacefully in his father's arms, but he didn't go back to sleep.

Remus took the baby to the rocking chair in the corner of the room and slowly rocked the baby. "You're a cranky little boy," he murmured. "You've got to let your momma sleep. She was up all night with you last night." Nathaniel responded with a tiny yawn. Remus thought his heart might burst.

He was so perfect with his small mouth and big brown eyes. Remus stroked the straw colored fuzz on the baby's head. Then when he was sure Nathaniel was finally asleep he slowly stood and put the baby as gently as possible back into his crib. He held his breath waiting for the baby to wake any second, but he didn't.

Remus stood watching his son for a moment longer, before returning to bed. Hermione rolled over and snuggled close to him and he wrapped one arm around her before closing his eyes and succumbing to his own fatigue.

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The Lupin household was a busy place the next day. Remus's parents had come over for lunch and they were all waiting for the Potter's and Sirius to arrive. Meanwhile, Mrs. Lupin was cooing over her grandson. "You're just the most beautiful baby boy that ever was," she sang. "Yes you are. You look just like your daddy."

Hermione was standing behind her. "He does look like Remus," she agreed.

Mrs. Lupin looked up at Hermione. "Thank you for my grandson," she said sincerely.

Hermione smiled. "You're welcome, but I didn't do it on my own."

Mrs. Lupin smiled mischievously. "Hermione, I gave birth myself. You did most of the work."

Hermione laughed. "Are you sure I can't get you a drink while we wait for everyone else?" she asked.

"Not if it means putting down my perfect boy," she said returning all her attention to Nathaniel.

Hermione just laughed to herself and joined her husband and father-in-law in the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" asked Remus. "Get out," he said pointing his finger out. "You're not supposed to be doing anything but relaxing. Dad and I are making lunch."

"I am relaxing," she said. "I'm just giving your mom some time with the baby. I think she's in love."

Mr. Lupin smiled at his daughter-in-law. "You gave her the best gift anyone could have ever given her," he said. He came over to her and kissed the top of her head. "We may not have made it clear, but we love you, darling.

Hermione was too choked up to respond. She was just too happy to finally have the approval of her in-laws. She was grateful to hear a knock at the front door. "I'll get it," she said, quickly escaping.

Hermione was nervous and excited all at the same time. She hadn't seen Lily or James since before the births of their sons. Neither mother had wanted to take her infant out into the world during the first week. But now they were here and she was finally going to be reintroduced to Harry Potter. Hermione threw the door open and she and Lily squealed with delight. They hugged for a long time and Hermione ushered her inside.

James was behind her holding the baby. He and Hermione stared into each other's eyes. "I think you know my son, Harry," he said with a smile.

Hermione bit her bottom lip. He was everything she knew he would be. His unruly jet black hair peeked out from the blanket he was swaddled with. James handed him to her. "Hi," she told the baby softly. She leaned down and kissed the top of his head. He opened his eyes and they locked onto hers. She knew it was irrational, but she could swear there was recognition in those eyes.

"He looks just like James," said Lily.

"But he has your eyes," replied Hermione.

"Yes," she agreed. "Now where's Nathaniel."

"Here he is," Mrs. Lupin announced, bringing the baby to Lily.

Lily took him into her arms and sighed. "He's beautiful, Hermione."

She laughed. "He looks like his dad too," she said.

Lily nodded. "It figures that we carry them for nine months and then go through twenty-four hours of painful, excruciating labor and they look just like their dads."

Hermione stepped closer to Lily. "Well, let's introduce our boys so they can be as good of friends as their fathers are."

"Harry meet Nathaniel," said Lily. Suddenly Harry let out a shriek which startled Nathaniel, who started crying.

Lily and Hermione laughed. "I'm not sure that was such a good beginning," said Hermione.

The afternoon was extremely pleasant. They all ate together and generally cooed over the babies. It was nearly nine when everyone left, an early night by anyone's standards except the new parents.

Nathaniel was exhausted after being passed from arm to arm all night and fell asleep as soon as Hermione put him down.

"Poor thing," commented Remus, glancing at his son over his wife's shoulder. "He's dead tired."

"I know. Maybe he'll actually let us get a few uninterrupted hours of sleep tonight," said Hermione.

"We can only hope," returned Remus.

Hermione turned and put her arms around Remus. "Have I told you how much I love you?" she asked.

"Not in the last hour," he replied with a grin.

She kissed him. "Well I do."

"I love you too," he said back.

"Today was so perfect. I think your mother has finally accepted me as your wife."

"Would it have made a difference if she didn't?" Remus asked.

"Of course," she said immediately. "I want us all to be a happy family. I want Nathaniel to have at least one set of grandparents to spoil him. And I would be heartbroken if I was the reason you weren't close with your family."

"You're my family," he said, "you and Nathaniel. And you're right. Today was perfect." He tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn.

"Bed," agreed Hermione. "Definitely."

They changed for bed and then snuggled close together under the covers, holding each other until they were both asleep.

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By the end of the next week, Hermione knew she was going to go insane. She hadn't been out of the house in two and a half weeks and she longed to breathe the fresh air. She loved her son. She loved waking up each day and wondering what firsts she was going to experience with him. But at the same time, she was beginning to feel a bit stifled in the house. She felt awful just admitting it to herself. Remus didn't seem to be having any trouble with their confinement.

Remus noticed Hermione looking wistfully outside. He knew she was feeling restless so he casually mentioned that they were running low on diapers. Hermione jumped at the chance to run an errand and was in the floo before she even checked to see their diaper supply. If she had, she might have seen the two extra bags tucked away behind the changing table.

Hermione couldn't help taking a small walk after she procured the diapers. The sun felt wonderful against her face. She felt a pang of sadness when her mind drifted back to Remus and Nathaniel back home. She wished she and Remus could take Nathaniel out in his carriage for walks in the park, but it was too dangerous for them.

Satisfied with her brief moment of freedom, Hermione happily returned home. "Remus," she called, stepping out of the fireplace. "I'm back." She waited, but got no response. "Remus?" she called out again, but again she got no response.

Fighting back a wave of uneasiness, Hermione walked slowly through the house. Everything was quiet. She went to Nathaniel's crib and peeked in, but he wasn't there sleeping. She was just about to start a full fledged panic when she noticed a piece of paper lying on the kitchen counter. She grasped it and read it hurriedly.

'Remus, please come by the house as soon as possible. Your mother is unwell. Dad.'

Hermione almost relaxed. She was relieved to know where her husband and son were, but she was also anxious over her mother-in-law.

She decided to immediately floo over to her in-laws home. "Hello," she called out when she arrived. "It's me."

"Hold it right there, miss," said a stern voice from somewhere to her left.

Hermione whirled and pulled out her wand.

"Expelliarmus," the voice shouted and Hermione felt her wand go flying from her hand.

She stopped and stared at a dark haired wizard in gray robes. "Who are you?" she demanded.

"Are you Mrs. Hermione Lupin?" the wizard asked.

Hermione paled. "Where's my husband and son?" she asked.

"They've been taken into custody," he said bluntly.

"What?" she gasped.

"I'm afraid we'll be taking you in too," said the wizard, advancing on Hermione.

"On what charge?" she demanded.

"Violation of decree 47," he answered.

"Where have you taken my family?" she demanded as the wizard forced a round sphere into her hand. He didn't answer and suddenly she felt that familiar tug at her naval. She stumbled when she and the wizard arrived at the Ministry, but she didn't fall thanks to his iron grip on her.

"Is my family here?" she asked fruitlessly. The wizard was no longer answering her.

The wizard ushered her into the elevators at the end of the long hall and they descended to the bottom floor. Then he took her through another series of halls before depositing her into a small room with nothing more than a rickety cot propped against the wall. As he went to close the door, Hermione desperately fired questions at him. "Are they at least together?" she asked. "He's only a few weeks old. He needs us. Where have you taken my baby?"

Once the door was shut firmly before her, she pounded it in rage. "What kind of animals are you?" she shouted. "We haven't done anything. You have no right to do this." She continued banging against the door, grabbing desperately at the door handle. She banged her whole body against the door, shoulder first, not caring about the pain. "Damn it, let me out of here," she yelled. After ten minutes of this she was too exhausted to do anything but sink to the floor, her hand still on the door handle.

She was in the same position six hours later when the door was pushed open. She struggled to her feet. Her body was tired, but her mind was clear. She had to stay in control of herself if she hoped to find out anything about Remus or Nathaniel.

"Mrs. Lupin," said a middle aged witch, standing in the doorway. "Please come with me."

Hermione obediently stepped out in front of the witch who was pointing a wand at her.

"If you cooperate, no harm will come to you," she said simply.

"Harm has already come to me," Hermione answered angrily. "I want my child right now. You have no right to keep me from him."

The witch sighed wearily. "This is bad business all around, keeping a mother from her newborn. I never thought I'd live to see the day the Ministry would condone anything like this."

Hermione laid her every hope on the kind words, uttered with warmth. "Please," she begged quietly. "Where's my Nathaniel? Is he okay?"

"I've not seen him, miss," said the Witch. "But I'm sure he's fine."

"Where have they taken him?" she asked.

"I don't know anything," replied the Witch sympathetically. "I was asked to bring you to the questioning room."

Hermione wanted to press her for more information, but they had arrived at their destination.

"Just sit," said the Witch. "Someone will be with you shortly."

Hermione sat at the long table. She propped her elbows onto the table and rested her head in her hands. After a few minutes, her head jerked up when she thought she heard a baby's cry. She felt a warm liquid rush from her chest and looked down to see her blouse was stained with her milk. She had been breastfeeding Nathaniel and he was long past due to be fed.

She started to get up, but she knew it would be futile to try the door. Hermione sunk back into her chair and bent her head, letting the tears drip down her nose.

She was so wrapped up in her own misery, that she didn't hear the door open.

"Hermione," said a cautious voice.

Hermione jerked her head up. "James," she gasped. She jumped up, tipping her chair backwards. Before she could throw herself into his arms, he held her at arms length.

"I'm here officially, Hermione," said James. "You have to sit down."

Hermione couldn't have felt worse if he had slapped her. She set her jaw. "I don't care why you're here," she said icily. "Where are Remus and Nathaniel?"

"They're both fine," he assured her. "I am so sorry this happened," he added in a low whisper.

"How do you know they're fine?" she asked desperately.

"I saw Nathaniel," said James. "I held him and rocked him to sleep."

Hermione nearly wept with relief. "I have to feed him," she said. "It's been so long."

James glanced down the front of Hermione's shirt and colored with suppressed anger. He took off his robe and wrapped it around her, lingering slightly to rub her shoulders. He shook his head. "He's been fed and changed. Now he's sleeping. Don't worry about Nathaniel. I would never let anything happen to him."

"What about Remus?" asked Hermione.

James sighed. "He's…" he trailed off.

"What?" Hermione demanded. "James, what?"

"He was very angry when they came," James explained. "The Ministry has been very frustrated that Dumbledore has been hiding the three of you. They decided that since the full moon was so close, they needed to take some drastic measures. They took Remus's parents into custody for questioning."

"Oh no," moaned Hermione, sinking into her chair. "His dad sent him a note. Why would he do that?"

"He didn't," said James. "The Ministry forged that note. They assumed you both would come immediately if you thought his mother was ill."

"I was out," she said guiltily. "I saw the note when I came home."

"Remus was so angry when they took the baby. He lost it and they had to stun him."

"This is such a nightmare," she sighed. "Can I see Remus?"

James shook his head. "They're going to keep him until after the full moon."

"No they can't," shouted Hermione. "James you know how proud he is. You can't let them do this."

"I don't have a say in this," said James. He saw how upset she was getting so he moved closer and kneeled in front of her. "Listen to me. All you have to do is hold on until after the full moon. They want to observe Nathaniel and see if he's a werewolf. If he's not they will send you all home."

Hermione glanced up and looked into James's eyes. "And if he is?"

James knew he had to tell the truth. "Then they'll officially charge both you and Remus with violating decree 47."

"Azkaban?" asked Hermione in terror.

James couldn't answer her. He didn't have to. She saw it in his eyes.

"And while we're rotting away for doing nothing more than daring to get married and have a baby, what happens to Nathaniel."

"You know Lily and I will make sure he's taken care of," said James. "We are his godparents."

Hermione stared at him. "That's not good enough," she said. "We should be the ones raising him, not you and Lily."

"You will," he tried to reassure her. "I just meant…"

"I know what you meant," she cut him off. "But right now I'm not so sure you raising our child is such a good thing."

"I know you're upset, and you have every right to be," began James, but she cut him off again.

"I don't think I want Nathaniel raised by someone who works for people who would take his parents away from him."

"Hermione, please."

"You might as well have ripped him from my arms."

James banged his fist on the table. "Damn it, Hermione. Don't you know we're doing everything we can to help you." He lowered his voice to a whisper so low she barely heard him. "You know very well we can't quit our jobs. Dumbledore depends on the information we bring him. The Ministry is so determined to catch Voldemort that they're almost becoming a bigger threat. We have to stop this war now. I can't very well help do that without this job."

"I don't care about this war. All I want is my family back."

James opened his mouth to speak, but she silenced him. "I can't talk to you anymore," she said turning her face away. "If you can't help me, get Sirius. I know he'd do anything for me."

James sighed deeply. "There's something you need to know. Sirius was a part of the group that took Remus and Nathaniel into custody."

"What?" she gasped.

"We didn't know this was happening. No one told us. When we realized we couldn't stop them and we didn't have time to warn you, Sirius thought it would be easiest if he went. He thought you'd feel better handing Nathaniel over to him."

Hermione slumped down into her chair. "Just tell Sirius I need him," she said softly.

"Hermione, are you hearing me?" asked James. "You just have to hold on for a few days."

"Sirius, James. I need Sirius."

James reached out to touch her hand, but she slid it into her lap. "I'll see what I can do," he said quietly. He stood and left the room.

A few minutes later, Hermione was escorted back to her cell. She leaned wearily against the wall, refusing the dubious comfort the cot offered her. Suddenly she started laughing to herself, a hysterical sort of laugh. It had been a little more that a year since she and Remus had been in this same position, only then she was under Voldemort's control. It struck her funny that she hadn't felt this helpless then. Somehow she'd known she would get out of that mess. She wasn't so sure now.

Hermione refused to let sleep take her that night. It might have been better to drift off and forget, but she wouldn't. She kept herself awake by reviewing Hogwarts, A History over in her mind. She had read the book so many times she had parts of it memorized. It was her most prized possession, the first present Remus had ever given her on their first Christmas together all those years ago.

She clung to that memory and marveled at how young she had been. She'd grown up a lot since then and she doubted Ron and Harry would even recognize the woman she had become. Sometimes, she couldn't even reconcile the child she had been and the woman she was now.

It was early in the morning when she heard him. She could hear the unmistakable angry voice of Sirius Black. She couldn't make out what he was saying, but the sound alone brought her to her feet and cleared her head.

"Sirius," she called out. She pressed her ear against the door and heard a second sound. It was the unmistakable wail of her infant. "Nathaniel," she breathed. She knew her baby's cry anywhere.

"I can't let you take that baby in there," said a female voice.

"Just look away," returned Sirius. "I won't be long."

"No, it's out of the question."

"Ruth," continued Sirius. "I'm taking this baby to his mother. It's not right what we're doing to them and you know it."

"How did you even get that baby past Crouch?" she asked.

"The man's a fanatic about his schedule, you know that. I just waited for his morning coffee run, 7:23 on the dot, an odd but convenient time for coffee."

"Sirius," she said warningly. "You'll be fired."

Hermione stepped back from the door as it started to swing open.

"Then I'll be fired," he finished, opening the door and treating Hermione to the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.

Nathaniel's face was red and his tiny gummy mouth formed a perfect O. He was crying as if his heart was breaking. Hermione rushed to Sirius and he happily handed over her son. She cried with relief and breathed in his perfect smell, rocking and stroking him. "I knew you could do it," she cried. "Thank you."

"Ruth, give us a minute," said Sirius without really offering the woman a choice. He started to shut the door, but she put her hand out and halted it.

"Ten minutes, Black. That's it, or I'll report you to Crouch myself."

Sirius nodded once and finished closing the door. Hermione had already managed to calm Nathaniel somewhat.

"Thank you," she whispered, never taking her eyes from her baby. "Thank you."

"You should be thanking James," he said.

Hermione's head shot up. "James wouldn't help. I made him get you. I knew you'd do anything for me."

"James snuck Nathaniel out of his crib. He just passed him to me to get him past Crouch. We'll both probably be fired."

Hermione returned her gaze to her son. "Have you seen Remus?"

"No," Sirius replied. "Not since…" Sirius trailed off. "He's being kept under very strict watch. James and I can't get anywhere near him."

"Have you been to see Dumbledore?" she asked.

"Hermione, I know you're desperate to get out of here, but I don't think it's possible. None of us have enough power to do it."

"You got us out of Malfoy's dungeon. Do you seriously want me to believe getting us out of here is more difficult than that?"

"We don't have a lot of time," said Sirius, side-stepping her question. "I need to tell you what's going to happen next. The full moon's in two nights…"

"I know that," she snapped. "Do you think I'm stupid?"

"On the afternoon of the full moon," he continued, ignoring her outburst. "Someone will come down here to bring you to the observation room. They'll have Nathaniel in an accompanying room. I'll do what I can to be with you."

"Then what?" she asked after he paused.

"We wait," he said simply.

Hermione looked down at Nathaniel, who was now resting calmly in her arms, staring up at her with his beautiful brown eyes, depending on her for everything. "Wait," she repeated. "I won't let them separate us, Sirius," she said quietly. "I'll use everything I know about everyone to make sure it never happens." When she looked back to Sirius her eyes showed her dead calm. "I know things about people from this time that would ruin their lives. I've held back to keep things from getting out of control. But if I have to I'll bring down the entire Ministry to protect my boys. I don't care if that means handing over victory to Voldemort."

Sirius stared at Hermione and for the first time he was a little afraid of her. He never considered what she might know about people who weren't Death Eaters. Even good people had secrets they'd rather nobody knew.

There was a sharp knock at the door and Hermione pulled Nathaniel closer to her.

"I have to take him now," said Sirius quietly.

Hermione hesitated before handing him back to Sirius. She thought her heart was literally breaking. "I meant what I said," she said quietly.

Sirius shifted Nathaniel in his arms and put his free arm around Hermione, holding her close. "You'll get through this," he reassured her. She stayed stiff in his arms, not accepting his comfort.

"If you see Remus," she said. "Tell him I love him."

"He knows," said Sirius. "But if I see him I'll tell him anyway."

At the door, he turned back to her. "Just hang in there," he begged. Then he shut the door.

Hermione walked slowly to the cot and sank down onto it. She refused to cry. They would not beat her. Seeing Nathaniel had sustained her. She would get through these next days and no matter what happened on the night of the full moon, she would be taking her son and husband home.

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A/N: I know it took longer than usual for the update. Sorry about that. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Some of you seem to think that I might not read the reviews since the story has so many, but I do. And I love all of them.

I'm glad so many of you liked the name Nathaniel. I actually had it picked out since chapter one.