"Thank Merlin all the enchantments held." Remus could hear Dora's voice from across the room. A soft, thick blanket covered his naked body. Another full moon came and went; he scanned himself for injuries, until he remembered he'd taken Wolfsbane Potion. His body held the usual aches, pains, and bruises from the transformation, but no other serious injuries. He grimaced as he attempted to get up from the sofa he'd been placed upon.
"I think he's up," Dora said. Remus heard her footsteps padding across the room towards him.
"Wotcher, Remus," Dora smiled at him. "Good afternoon."
"It's afternoon?" he croaked.
"One o'clock, to be precise. You've been mumbling a few things in your sleep, but nothing embarrassing. Mostly wanting to touch my bum."
Remus flushed and he felt the heat rising to his cheeks and the back of his neck.
"I'm just teasing," Dora said with a smile. "You mostly made incoherent sounds. A growl here and there, but I think that's the aftermath of seeing Fenrir last night."
"That was real?" Remus sat up, hurting himself with the sudden movement.
"Lay back, love," Dora said gently. "We both heard him howling outside our enchantments last night, and you stayed here all night growling at him, I think. You indicated I should go to bed."
"Did you?" Remus looked at Dora more closely. She had clearly morphed her dark circles away, but her eyes gave her away.
"I kept an eye on Fenrir too, but from upstairs. I was mostly worried over the morning, when he'd have his wand on him."
"Did he?"
"He did, but as soon as he began attempting to undo the enchantments, mum and I were on him. He Disapparated before we could get through to him."
"Thank you," Remus said hoarsely. "I'm relieved."
"We are too," Andromeda said. "Your enchantments worked very well. I heard nothing last night. Nymphadora woke me a few minutes before moonset in case that Fenrir attempted anything. She could have held her own, of course, but with the two of us, he fled quickly."
"Why does he keep coming back here?" Dora asked. "Doesn't he have anything better to do?"
"Better here than biting more children," Remus said darkly. He looked down at himself and realized he was still naked underneath the blanket.
"Err, Dora," he began, "did you bring me any clothes?"
"Oh, right," Dora said, and she brought him a fresh set of clothes.
As he began dressing himself and his mind was more alert, he asked, "Dora, did you feel anything different last night?"
"You mean with the baby?"
"Yes. Anything unusual?"
"I think it's kicking for the first time? Or moving? I did feel that last night," Dora said uneasily.
Remus felt the color draining from his face. "Did you cast the charm to see if it's still there?"
"It is, Remus," Andromeda interjected. "Both of us confirmed it this morning."
"But it – it kicked at the full moon," Remus croaked. "Surely that means—"
"—at this point, it means nothing," Andromeda said forcefully. "Nymphadora is roughly fourteen weeks along. It is not unusual to begin noticing movement at this stage of pregnancy."
"But…the full moon…surely that means—"
"—Remus, it might not mean anything," Dora said gently. "I have a Muggle healer visit today. I've scheduled them all for the day after the full moon, just to be certain."
"Nymphadora, there's no need to see a Muggle healer," Andromeda said impatiently. "Molly Weasley would know more information about childbirth than any healer, Muggle or magical."
"I know, but I like those pictures we get of the baby, and I like the certainty of seeing the baby after a full moon," Dora explained. "You can even see the kid moving on the little telly. They told us we can find out the gender around Christmas, if we want."
"You can do that at St. Mungo's too," Andromeda said.
"If a half-werewolf blood traitor baby would be welcomed at St. Mungo's, I'd be going there, but that's not really an option, now, is it?" Dora snapped. "We'll just live like Muggles for a little while."
"Will you be giving birth in a Muggle hospital?" Andromeda sighed in defeat.
"No, I told the Muggle healer I'd do a home birth. She thought it was odd, but I don't think she knows what to make of us," Dora smiled.
"Andromeda," Remus said. "You can go to the appointment today in my stead. I doubt I'll be helpful with my current levels of stress, and I think you'll enjoy the visit."
"But, Remus, won't it feel better to see the baby?" Dora asked.
"I should rest and," Remus winced, "relax." Dora stifled a laugh at Remus' distaste for the word relax.
"There are several vials of Calming Draught in the cupboard," Andromeda offered. "You ought to be going to this appointment, Remus."
"I don't mind if you go, Andromeda," Remus said, as he pulled the jumper over his head. "I think it might be nice for you and Dora. I'm useless today, anyway." Dora rolled her eyes but continued speaking.
"See, mum, Remus doesn't mind. You can see the baby on the telly!"
"Fine," Andromeda relented, and Dora smiled and clapped her hands. "Then we can go shopping?"
"We'll wait to do that for next week, Dora," Remus said. "We shouldn't go out more often than we need to. I'm trying to manage the anxiety better than before. Please come back after your appointment."
"C'mon, mum," Dora said, pouting in Remus' direction for stopping her shopping trip. "We'll have to be going soon if we want to see the Muggle healer on time."
Andromeda exhaled forcefully but helped Dora stand.
"You'll be alright here, Remus?" Dora asked.
"I'll be just fine, love." He stood gingerly and kissed Dora. Although they'd become intimate again, any touch between himself and her felt like the first time. He was unbearably grateful for everything she had done for him, and he renewed his vow to himself daily not to leave her again, no matter how anxious he felt.
"Bring me back one of those pictures," Remus said hoarsely. "I'd like to see how our baby is doing."
Dora beamed at him, and took her mother by the hand to exit the home and get to the Muggle healer.
Now alone, Remus found his wand and reinforced all the enchantments on the home. He was astounded that they had held so well overnight, but he suspected that as Dora had stayed awake most of the night, she was likely reinforcing them herself. He smiled to himself, wondering what he'd done to ever deserve her.
Remus made tea, took three vials of Calming Draught, and began preparing dinner. Although they weren't expecting it, Remus hoped to have a hearty dinner waiting for his wife and mother-in-law when they returned from the appointment. The last time they'd been to the Muggle healer, they'd received an earful about proper nutrition. Remus had taken the advice to heart; much to Dora's dismay, and Andromeda's amusement, Remus had been feeding Dora hearty servings of fresh produce from their garden on a daily basis.
An owl rapped at the window, and Remus opened it to allow the bird in. It was Errol, the ancient Weasley owl. He untied the parchment from its leg and offered it both food and water while it rested. He opened the parchment to read:
Eight p.m. Usual spot. Both (all three?) of you.
The note was short, but written in Molly's hand. Her inclusion of 'all three' meant it was truly addressed to them, as few others knew they were expecting a child. Remus made a note to have dinner prepared early enough so that he and Dora could attend the Order meeting that evening.
He quilled a quick reply in the affirmative, and sent it off with Lyra, his own owl, to spare Errol the trip. He then sent Callisto, the Tonks family owl, with letters to several of the child werewolf families to check after their welfare.
Once dinner was well underway, Remus felt the familiar aches and exhaustion wash over him. He cast several more enchantments over the home to ensure its security, and promptly fell asleep on the sofa, awaiting the return of his family.
…..
"Remus, love, we're back," Dora called, shaking Remus gently awake.
"Everything alright?" Remus asked nervously. "With the baby?" He sat up, facing Dora, who was standing before him.
"Perfect," Dora smiled. "Little thing was moving around today, just like it did last night. No sign of canine features in the pictures." She shoved the black-and-white image in Remus' hand, and he looked at the outline of the child growing inside Dora. Overwhelming love filled him and he wrapped his arms around her abdomen, placing his head against the little bump. He could hear a faint, steady, heartbeat within.
"I can hear it," Remus murmured. "The heartbeat."
"Wolfish senses, huh?"
"I think so." Remus placed his ear against her bump, hearing the heartbeat of his only child beating steadily. "This might be my favorite sound now."
"What was it before?"
"Your laughter."
Dora snorted. "If that was your favorite sound, this is clearly an improvement. Now you can hear for yourself! Baby's just fine."
"How did your mother enjoy the visit?"
Dora made a grimace. "I don't think she'll be going back anytime soon."
"Why's that?"
"The Muggle healing assistant asked us if we were celebrating Halloween early," Dora said with a giggle. "I forgot to tell mum not to wear her robes, and my hair was turquoise. The Muggle healer told me I can't keep dyeing my hair because of the chemicals, and asked mum where she'd gotten her costume."
"That must've been a sight."
"You should've seen it when they took my blood. Mum was horrified with the needle. When they weren't looking, she ripped off the bandage and charmed the wound closed. Muggle healers were gobsmacked at the fast healing."
"Did she at least enjoy seeing the baby move?"
"I did," Andromeda interrupted. "Your child is already active."
"If it's anything like me, we'll have our hands full," Dora grinned. Remus couldn't help but grin stupidly in return, elated to hear his child remained healthy, as did his wife.
"I was just glad to go out for the first time in ages," Dora said with a sigh, placing her hands on her abdomen. "I can't wait till we can go out again."
"We've an Order meeting tonight," Remus replied quickly. "I received the note from Molly today. 8 o'clock, at the Burrow."
"How are you getting there?" Andromeda asked. "Nymphadora should not be Apparating for much longer."
"The Floo, then?" Dora suggested.
"They're being watched," Remus said, with a frown.
"The Knight Bus?" Dora offered.
"Absolutely not," Andromeda said. "You're in no position to travel in public."
"I could go alone," Remus interjected.
"I want to go!" Dora protested. "What about broomsticks? We could fly!"
"Err," Remus stammered. "I'd rather if we didn't. I really don't like the idea of my pregnant wife on a broomstick."
"Then what do you suggest?" Dora demanded. "How else are we going to get there?"
Remus sighed. "I'll Side-Along you, and we can ask Molly if she knows another method for getting us there."
"Illegal Portkey?" Dora proposed. "I can make them, no problem."
"We don't need to be in any further trouble with the Ministry," Remus said darkly. "We'll use Apparition for now, and ask Molly for next time, okay? We should eat first, anyway."
Remus stood from the sofa and walked to the kitchen, where he finished up dinner and served it to both Andromeda and Dora. Once dinner was complete and cleaned, Remus took Dora by the hand and led them outside the anti-Apparition wards of the house, and took them both to the Burrow.
Arthur and Molly stepped outside the Burrow, wands in hand.
"Which of our children didn't you teach?" Arthur asked, wand pointed at Remus.
"Bill and Charlie," Remus replied evenly. Dora, for her part, merely morphed her hair and other facial features, particularly her favorite noses.
"Unless you know any other Metamorphmagi, you'll have to trust it's me," Dora said boldly.
Molly cast a pregnancy detection charm on Dora, and the blue flickering light indicated the child within.
"Definitely our Tonks and Remus," Molly beamed. "Death Eaters aren't known for having children, let alone having Metamorphmagi among their ranks."
"It helps we're a unique couple," Remus said wryly. "Not many witches would touch, let alone marry, a werewolf."
"Nonsense, Remus," Molly said, clucking her tongue. "You're a lovely young man. Now come inside, the meeting's about to begin."
Remus and Dora stepped into the Burrow, where nearly all remaining members of the Order were gathered.
"Good of you to join us, Remus, Tonks," Kingsley's deep voice welcomed. "We have begun targeting known Death Eaters and their activities among Britain. We've noticed a pattern in several of the Death Eaters, and we are confident we can begin tracking their whereabouts and their next attacks. We are not certain we can prevent all the attacks, but we can try."
"What can we do, Kings?" Dora asked eagerly.
"Tracking the known Death Eaters, especially by spying around their homes," Kingsley said. "We can also monitor the homes of high-profile targets."
"You mean us, don't you?" George asked, laughing. "If so, mum would love to monitor our activities."
Molly glared at her son. "He means higher-ranking Ministry officials," Molly fumed.
"Exactly," Arthur interjected. "The Minister for Magic is already compromised, but we may be able to prevent further control, especially in the Auror office."
"I volunteer! I know them all, and where they live!" Dora said excitedly.
"No, Dora," Remus said quietly. "You can't."
"Why not?" Dora grew angry, and her hair morphed to the Weasley red.
"Dora, let's not talk about this here," Remus muttered. "Please."
"No, we're going to talk about it now," Dora said defiantly. Remus inhaled and exhaled. He recalled the incident with Dora's massive panic attack at the Order meeting at Grimmauld Place, and vowed not to let history repeat itself.
"Kingsley, and all, could you excuse my wife and I for a moment?" Remus asked politely, attempting to keep his voice even. "We will return shortly, I promise."
"Go ahead, Remus," Arthur said, looking at Remus with a pitiful, understanding gaze. Remus suspected Arthur had heard his fair share of similar arguments from Molly.
Remus helped Dora up from her seat and they went out to the Weasleys' shed.
"What the fuck, Remus? I want to fight! I want to help!" Dora shouted angrily.
"Dora, you're pregnant," Remus said. "It's near impossible for you to travel safely by any means. Your mother said so herself."
"Then I'll ask Molly! She's had seven kids, mum's only had me!"
"Feel free to ask Molly, but as your pregnancy continues, it will limit your abilities."
"I'm pregnant, not injured or diseased," Dora spat.
"I understand, Dora, I do," Remus said. "I understand what it's like to have something out of your control affecting your daily life."
"Being a werewolf and being pregnant are two different things!"
"Yes, they are, but you must understand, you're carrying our child, Dora," Remus emphasized. "Our only child."
Dora glared at him and narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Dora, I'll offer you a compromise," Remus said slowly. "If you can't fight, neither will I."
She stared at him, openmouthed in disbelief.
"I'm not going to do anything differently than you, Dora," Remus offered. "I will eschew all the missions the Order asks of me, to stay with you, and you only."
"But, Remus, they need us," Dora protested, wide-eyed.
"Our baby needs us, Dora," Remus said forcefully. "Until our baby is safely born, we have to keep ourselves safe. If you can't fight, I won't fight either."
"Are-are you sure, Remus?" Dora stammered. "This is a lot to ask of you."
"I'm asking a lot of you, too. I know you're not enjoying sitting around, but I will sit around with you. I promised you I wouldn't leave. I'm not leaving."
Dora wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, before stepping up on her tiptoes to kiss him. His heart hammered at her touch and sweet, urgent kisses on his face and mouth.
"I love you, Remus," Dora said. "Thank you."
"C'mon, let's go back to the meeting. We'll let them know we won't be available to fight, but perhaps we can do something else," Remus said gently.
"Okay." Dora took hold of his hand and returned to the meeting.
"Everything alright, Remus?" Arthur asked, looking between him and Dora with some consternation.
"All is well," Remus said. "Dora and I will be taking a step back from active roles in the Order. For those of you who don't know, we're expecting our first child in April—"
Rounds of applause and congratulations bounded throughout the cozy living room at the Burrow.
"Blimey, a baby!" Fred cheered.
"Congratulations!" Bill shouted.
"'eez eet a boy or girl?" Fleur asked.
"Well done, Professor," winked George, as Remus blushed furiously.
"We don't know if it's a boy or girl," Dora said excitedly. "We're waiting to find out till the baby is born."
Remus cleared his throat. "Because of our situation, we've decided it would be better for us to take a background role in the Order for now. We live with Dora's mother, Andromeda, as her father is on the run."
"I'm not sure how we can help, but we want to help in any way we can," Dora declared.
"Remus can help with the radio program!" Fred exclaimed. "We've decided to call it Potterwatch, and our first broadcast will be on Halloween!"
"Why can't I help?" Dora protested.
"Tonks, you can't travel any longer," Molly said, clucking her tongue again, much to Remus' delight. Bless Molly for talking sense into Dora.
"I can't?" Dora slumped in her chair.
"You're nearly four months along, aren't you?" Molly asked, as Dora nodded.
"You shouldn't be Apparating anymore, even Side-Along," Molly explained. "You could use the Floo Network, if it wasn't being monitored. You could've also used Portkeys although they're likely to worsen your nausea. As it is, Portkeys are being highly regulated too."
"What about flying—"
"—out of the question, Tonks," Molly said sternly. Remus couldn't help the smug smile that grew on his face. "One misstep and you will risk your life, and your baby's life. You must stay on the ground."
"Ugh, I hate being useless," Dora said glumly.
"You're growing a child," Molly countered. "Far from useless!"
Dora glowered in her seat, but said no more to the matronly witch. "She's right, Dora," Remus said quietly. "If you don't want me helping with the radio program, I won't."
"You should help," Dora sighed. "I'll stay at home with mum."
"If you're sure, sweetheart."
"I am. This kid better be fucking cute after all it's putting me through."
"If it's anything like you, it's going to be perfect." Dora smiled at Remus, and Kingsley cleared his throat loudly.
"Though we won't have Tonks or Remus joining us for monitoring the Death Eaters, we can still use their help. Your home can function as another safe house, if needed?"
"Definitely," Dora said confidently. "We can't use the Fidelius Charm because of Remus' status as a werewolf, but we keep it as secure as possible without it."
"Bellatrix Lestrange still managed to break through our previous enchantments a few weeks ago," Remus said bitterly. Gasps and shocked faces looked back at him.
"She visited us a few weeks ago, just before Ted left," Remus explained. "She was dueling me, but Wormtail came and brought her back. He said something about her being unable to leave the Dark Lord. We're not certain what that meant, but Wormtail wasn't dueling to kill. He Disapparated away with Bellatrix before we could seriously harm either of them."
"That is disturbing," Kingsley said thoughtfully. "Why had Bellatrix come to see you? Tonks?"
"My parents annulled their Wizarding marriage to make it appear as if we don't know my dad's whereabouts," Dora elaborated. "We really don't know where he is. We think Bellatrix heard of the annulment and thought mum was going to ditch the rest of us for the pureblood mania."
"Wormtail discovered her at our home and took her away before she could fatally injure any of us," Remus continued. "I wasn't able to track them after that."
"Fenrir Greyback has also taken to stalking us at the full moon," Dora continued nonchalantly, as the faces of the Order members grew more alarmed.
"He's been after us since I rescued all those werewolf children last spring," Remus explained. "Our enchantments held well for the last two full moons."
"By the sound of it, you and Tonks will need a safe house," Bill declared. "You can use our home." Bill glanced at Fleur, who nodded approvingly.
"I'm the secret keeper for our home, and I'll share the location with you two," Bill said. "Tonks won't be able to Apparate there, but if there's important news to share with us, or you need a temporary place to be, our door's open to you. The Ministry is not aware of our location or home."
"Thank you, Bill," Remus said gratefully. "We appreciate it more than you know."
"It's where we're doing our first broadcast," Fred shared. "First password is 'Albus'. Just tap your wand on the wireless and say the password, and you'll hear our lovely voices."
"Is there anything else we should know, Kingsley?" Arthur asked.
"Place protective enchantments on your neighbors' homes, magical or Muggle. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity. As our friend Mad-Eye would've said, 'constant vigilance'," Kingsley declared.
"Oh, I just realized I probably won't see anyone again for a long time," Dora said sadly.
"I'm sorry, Dora, but you know it has to be this way," Remus murmured. "Say goodbye while you can, and then we'll go home." Dora nodded sadly and began saying her goodbyes to the other Order members.
"Remus," Kingsley called. Remus walked to meet Kingsley on the opposite side of the living room.
"If Bellatrix or any others come calling, try to get one of us to join you," Kingsley said in a low voice. "You needn't fight alone. Capturing some of You-Know-Who's greatest allies would be a major step in ending this war."
"I don't expect her to return, if I'll be frank," Remus said quietly. "Wormtail was agitated and kept reminding her that she wasn't to leave the Dark Lord's sight. I'm not certain what's happening there, but it was important enough that she was dragged away, quite literally kicking and screaming, from our home."
"Let us hope she stays there, then," Kingsley said grimly. "Is Tonks alright? The pregnancy?"
"Everything is going as expected," Remus said in relief. "We won't know until the child is born if it will be like me, but thus far it is growing as it should."
"Remus, werewolves are only made one way," Kingsley said.
"I know, but…it's still a worry," Remus said lamely. "April can't come soon enough. I just want to see our baby, healthy and whole."
"You're going to make a good father, Remus," Kingsley chuckled. "Tonks will make for an…interesting mother."
"What the fuck does that mean, Kings?" Dora asked indignantly. "Just because I'm terrible at household spells doesn't mean I can't be a good mum!"
"I said interesting, not bad," Kingsley defended. "You get into too much trouble, Tonks. I, for one, hope your child is like Remus," he teased.
"Anything but that," Remus groaned. "All Dora."
"Well, we've got several months to go before we learn what the kid'll be like," Dora said with a smile.
"For now, we should go," Remus said. "Allow me to speak with Bill first, and then we'll go home, Dora." She nodded at him, and Remus wandered to where Bill and Fleur were standing.
"Congratulations again, mate," Bill said, shaking Remus' hand.
"Thank you. It came as quite a shock, but I'm getting used to the idea."
"'ave you chosen a name for ze baby?" Fleur asked.
"Not yet. We've considered Hope, if it's a girl, after my mum," Remus said. "But we haven't decided on a boy's name."
"You'll have to let us know when the baby is born," Bill said with a smile. "We live at Shell Cottage." Bill handed a small scrap of parchment containing the information to locating Shell Cottage. When he had memorized it, Remus cast "Incendio!" upon the scrap.
"Thank you," Remus said. "If we have any news, I'll be sure to let you both know."
"We'll be seeing you on Halloween, won't we? For the first broadcast of Potterwatch?" George interrupted. "Six o'clock, Shell Cottage."
"I'll be there," Remus promised. "For now, I must take my wife home." He smiled giddily upon saying wife. The term never failed to bring a giant grin to his face.
"Dora, it's time to go," Remus said gently, as he found her deep in conversation with Molly.
"As soon as she's in labor, send a Patronus, Remus," Molly commanded. "I'm happy to help you and Andromeda."
"Will do, Molly. Thank you for everything."
"My pleasure," Molly beamed. "Now go home, before it gets too late."
Remus smiled, and took Dora's hand, leading her out of the Burrow and Apparating them both back to the Tonks home.
Upon returning to the home, they found Andromeda crying softly in the parlor.
"Mum, what's wrong?" Dora asked anxiously.
"Nothing, darling," Andromeda said. "I miss your father."
"Has he sent any news?" Remus asked gently.
"Nothing yet," Andromeda said sadly. "I know he can conjure a Patronus, but I'm not sure if he knows how to send it along with a message."
"D'you think I can try sending him a message?" Dora asked. "With advice on how to do it?"
"No, Dora," Remus said. "Patronus messages can be seen and heard by others. Your father's life might be at risk if you send the message."
"He's right, Nymphadora," Andromeda said. "Your father would not be happy for risking his life for a message."
Remus huffed loudly.
"Don't – you – dare," Dora said forcefully. "I realize what this sounds like. You're all mental."
"I can't help but see the irony in this situation," Remus said dryly. "If only you'd listened this time last year."
"Prat," Dora said under her breath.
"Our Nymphadora doesn't like being told what to do," Andromeda smiled weakly. "My stubborn daughter. Speaking of which, what dangerous adventures have you volunteered yourselves for?"
"Nothing, actually," Remus said carefully. "With Dora's pregnancy, I volunteered to stay behind with her. We'll both be here together, for our family."
Andromeda's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"I know, right? I had the same reaction," Dora said, sitting down in an armchair and helping herself to a biscuit. "Last year at this time he was running away from me, throwing himself at death, and now, he's staying here with me. If I'd known that mating would've led to this earlier, I'd have ditched the potion and jumped his bones first chance I had."
Remus blushed a deep crimson color as he stared at the floor.
"That's not the way to be in a healthy relationship, Nymphadora," Andromeda scolded. "Neither of you would have been ready for the responsibility last year."
"As it is, I had to be dragged back here," Remus said in shame.
"You stayed, and that's what makes the difference, Remus," Dora said softly. "Now you're here, where you belong."
Remus took Dora in his arms, and held her tightly against his chest. It was moments like this when he'd wonder why he'd ever bothered fighting his feelings. Dora was right – his place was here, holding his wife in his arms.