Lyall went for a walk in the forest. It was one of his favourite pastimes after a long day at the ministry. He really loved his work. The Department of Guidance and Supervision of Magical Creatures was an exciting field and there was always something new for the young wizard to discover and learn, but sometimes there were also boring days, sinking into mountains of parchment rolls and just having to process applications or check if Nifflers were suitable as pets. And today was one of those days. After hours of sitting and approving, he was glad to get out into nature, listen to the animals and enjoy the peace and quiet.
A scream shook the area. Well, he could finally forget about the peace and quiet. It was a woman screaming. Lyall followed her voice and his eyes widened when he saw that she was running away from a monster. It was ... Yes, what kind of creature was it? It was big and bear-like, black with paws like a cat extending its claws... It was ... think, Lyall, think ... Had something slipped his mind? Had he not been paying close enough attention during his studies? He couldn't place the creature. If he got through this, he would have to read all of Newt Scamander's works again. But first it was time to defeat this beast, whatever it was. No sooner had Lyall finished this thought than the scales fell from his eyes. The woman who screamed was a Muggle and this creature did not really exist. It was just a figment of her imagination, her fear to be exact. The creature was nothing more than a boggart. Lyall pulled his wand from his back pocket. "Riddikulus." - The spell came casually from Lyall's lips and the creature disappeared, instead they found themselves in a meadow of flowers. The young wizard picked a flower and gave it to the woman. Only now did he notice how pretty she was. She was petite and her light brown hair reminded him of caramel. Her amber eyes radiated warmth and kindness. Lyall was immediately attracted to her. He saw her lips move and she breathed a "Thank you." "You saved my life." Her melodic voice matched her appearance. It was as if an angel was speaking to him. He was so mesmerised by her that he couldn't bring himself to tell her that this was just a boggart and he hadn't done any great heroic deed. But would she even understand? She was a Muggle and would probably call him mad. "I'll walk you home," he said instead. Fortunately for him, the beautiful woman allowed it. In all the excitement, he had forgotten to ask what her name was. Embarrassed for words, he walked silently beside her. The full moon provided a romantic atmosphere. But the streets were relatively empty. A few cars drove by. His companion apparently lived in one of the terraced houses. At some point she stopped. His gaze fell on her doorbell. "Howell" - so that was her last name. "Thank you for everything," she said with a smile that made the whole world shine. Finally Lyall found his speech again. "May I ..." He nervously ran his hand through his thick dark brown hair. "May I know your name?"
"Hope," she replied. Hope. What a beautiful name for a pretty woman like her. "And what is yours?" she asked. "Lupin. Lyall Lupin," he replied. "Would you like ..." He just had to summon all the courage he had. "Would you like to go out with me?" he asked timidly. How good it was that it was dark, because that way she couldn't see how red his cheeks had become. "Yes," she replied, "let's go out." He heard her words and yet could barely register them. It was as if angels were playing violins. He was in love with the woman without denying it. It was crazy because he had never believed in love at first sight. But Hope gave him hope. "Very well, I'll pick you up."
That encounter was the beginning of a wonderful love story. Lyall went out with her as often as his work allowed. He learned that she worked at a Muggle school as a teacher and he revealed to her that he was a wizard and was so relieved that she took it in stride as if he were talking about the weather. He explained what a boggart was and when she realised she was never really in any danger, she laughed heartily. "But you'll still be my hero." They had just come from a café. Lyall had taken her out. Now they were holding hands. "Really?" he asked, amused, stopping only to look directly at them. "And you're my heroine for wanting to be with me. I love you Hope."
"And I love you Lyall," she breathed before her lips sealed. Lyall could hardly be happier.
His happiness was about to increase, however, when he stood before her after just over a year of relationship.
She accepted the marriage proposal and there was a big party. They were able to arrange themselves wonderfully and that although his family was magical and hers was not. They celebrated in the large garden of John Howell, Hope's father, and on the wedding cake was the figure of the boggart that Lyall had put to flight.
The wedding night was intoxicating and intense. It was also the night they conceived their son. He came into the world nine months later as a healthy boy in a Muggle hospital.
Lyall held the little one in his arms and when the little boy opened his eyes for the first time, they were as amber as Hope's. "He takes after you," the proud father noted with delight. They had decided on the name long ago when they found out it was going to be a boy.
Hope chose the name after mythology and after her father.
She took it from Lyall and looked at her son. "Welcome to the world, Remus John Lupin."