A/N: Before this starts, I wanted to mention I see this as occurring after the war, but I'm not saying he survived the war, either. Perhaps you could suspend your disbelief and imagine with me that Lupin's ghost is looking in the mirror?

xXx

Remus Lupin was a simple man. Half of one, anyways, he thought to himself derisively. Which is why, upon hearing of the enchanted mirror tucked away inside Hogwarts, he couldn't help but make the trip to see it. He knew it wasn't money or riches he was after, no; in fact, he was almost wary of finding out his heart's deepest desire. For a simple man, he had lived a horribly convoluted life.

Mentally shaking himself, he took a few quick strides toward the mirror and gazed upon it calmly. His Gryffindor pride simply refused to let him be intimidated by the enchanted object, no matter how powerful it was. Lupin gazed at his tired appearance and barely flinched when the image began to swirl rather quickly, even though he was standing quite still. At last, the colors solidified, and Lupin smiled at what he saw.

His reflection stood tall, beaming at him, looking so much younger than his current self that Lupin actually felt unsettled. Suppose that's what I would look like fully human, he mused, admiring his face free of worry lines, stubble, and wrinkles. His clothes, while not ostentatious, looked new and untarnished. He absentmindedly fingered a patch in the sleeve of his own shirt, realizing just how much the curse had taken from him. Lupin was not a material man, however, so he tore his attention away from these minor details and took in the rest of the picture.

James and Sirius smiled back, looking as alive as he did. Lupin felt another pang of longing at something else that had been taken from him. So many people must come to this mirror dreaming of things they could come to own, and all my reflection reminds me of is those that I've lost too soon. He noticed that Sirius' face did not look haunted from its time in Azkaban; he, too, appeared free from his worldly constraints in the mirror's glossy surface. James, who had been taken so young, appeared slightly older in the mirror, although not in a bad way. Noticing there were more figures, Lupin turned his attention to take in the spectacle that he was lucky enough to call his wife: Tonks. Her hair was bright pink and her eyes shined just as brightly. She had her arms wrapped around a young boy who was shyly smiling up at Lupin. Teddy. Lupin winced slightly as he felt a sharp pain in his chest and wondered why it hurt so much to see what he wanted most. Probably because I really, truly can never have any of this. What I want most in the world, he thought sullenly, is to be given back what was so unfairly taken from me. My friends, my humanity, my family…

Lupin heaved a great sigh and noticed his eyes were suddenly hot with unshed tears. He briefly wondered what he had possibly done in his time on Earth to deserve the cards he had been dealt. I suppose dwelling on that will bring me nothing but more to despair over.

He was jerked from his downward-spiraling thoughts by a change in the mirror. His friends and his wife had taken a step back, and Teddy stood next to Lupin's reflection. Teddy reached toward his father and held his hand tightly, and although Lupin knew he couldn't feel what his reflection felt, he swore he felt his own hand warm slightly. He took a long time to marvel at his only son's face. He had Tonk's devilish eyes and crooked smile, but his eyes were an identical copy of Lupin's, minus the hardened look Lupin's had adopted through his trials and tribulations. Teddy was small in the mirror, no older than 6, but his face held a bravery that made Lupin's heart soar. Teddy was gazing at him intently now, and Lupin understood immediately what his earnest stare meant. I'll be alright, dad.

A lot of things had been taken from Remus Lupin, a man who spent his entire, short life doing his very best to give. But maybe, just maybe, he could make peace with that, if his own sacrifices allowed for Teddy to live a sincerely happy life. And with a final look over his shoulder, Lupin knew with certainty that if the life he had lived was the only way to have his son, he would live it all over again in a heartbeat.

xXx

A/N: hope you liked it! The inspiration for Lupin goes out to Nupurlath, who requested a marauder! I've had one for Hermione, who I also really like, so I'm thinking that'll be the next chapter. If there's anyone else you'd like to see, leave a comment! See you next Monday!