A/N - Hi all! Hope you all enjoy the holiday chapter! As always, thanks for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 83

Holiday

3 July 2000

It had taken a couple of days for all of them to adjust to the time difference and so they had mostly stayed at the house, venturing out to a nearby park when Teddy had too much energy, once at ten o'clock at night. He was back to some semblance of a schedule, so they had decided to spend some time at the beach. Although it was winter in Australia, the day was warmer than usual and sunny. It was still cooler than a normal beach day, but nothing a few well-placed warming charms couldn't cure.

Teddy had been fascinated by riding in the car, a child seat borrowed from the same neighbors that had lent Hermione's mother the portable cot. When they had arrived at the beach, he insisted on sitting in the front seat and 'driving', confused as to why the car wouldn't move. Richard had promised to let him help park the car in the drive when they returned home.

Digging in the sand had soon replaced his obsession with the car. When Hermione brought out the buckets and spades and began to build a sandcastle, Teddy became thoroughly engrossed in scooping the sand into the buckets, squealing in delight when Hermione overturned one and a perfect mold of sand emerged.

Teddy was currently squatting down digging through the sand, hat askew on his head, trying to find shells and small pebbles to decorate the rather elaborate castle that Hermione had built. Remus was sure magic was involved, although Hermione had looked at him innocently when he suggested it.

Richard and Jean had gone to take a walk along the boardwalk, promising to be back soon to see the finished castle. Remus walked over to his son, straightening the hat on the little boy's head, then kneeling down next to him as Teddy began to show his father all the shells he had found.

"Me take My-nee," Teddy said, dropping one last shell into the bucket. He stood and ran across the sand, stumbling a bit on the uneven ground. Hermione looked up from where she was kneeling in the sand and admired the shells that Teddy showed her, helping him place them on the walls of the castle. Remus watched the two of them fondly as he wandered over.

"See, Daddy, see!" Teddy said, pointing to his rather haphazard decorations.

"It looks wonderful," Remus said, smiling down at his son. Teddy ran over to him, handing him a small pebble.

"Daddy do it." Remus knelt next to him.

"Where should I put it?" he asked. Teddy studied the castle, then pointed a chubby finger at a bare spot.

"Dere!" Remus placed the pebble in the indicated space. Teddy grinned at him, then gave Hermione a shell and instructed her in the same way. Remus looked over at her as she sat back on her heels. She had on a long-sleeve shirt over her bathing suit, but her legs were bare. Though he had seen her in all manner of undress, there was something about the simple bikini bottoms and t-shirt she wore. He shifted and stood, forcing his attention away from Hermione's legs and back to the sandcastle. Teddy had emptied his bucket and toddled off to dig for more shells.

Hermione made to stand and Remus held out a hand to help her up. He pulled her to him when she was standing and kissed her softly. She smiled when he pulled away.

"Thank you," he said.

"For what?"

"For the sandcastle and this trip," he said, brushing a curl out of her face. "And for the way you love my son." She smiled again, twining her arms around his neck.

"He makes it very easy." They both looked over to where Teddy was once again squatting on the ground, digging through the sand. Remus chuckled as he lost his balance and ended up on his bum. Teddy simply pulled his bucket towards him and continued to dig. Remus felt Hermione playing with the hair at the nape of his neck and he looked back at her. She stood up on tiptoe and kissed him again. When they pulled apart, Remus put an arm around her and she leaned into his side. They stood and watched Teddy gather up more shells and pebbles for his sandcastle.

Jean and Richard returned after their walk and appropriately exclaimed over Teddy's decorating of the sandcastle. They stayed with the chairs and towels as Hermione and Remus each took one of the little boy's hands and took him for a walk down the beach. They walked closer to the water's edge where the sand was packed down to make it easier for Teddy to maneuver. Every few feet, he would jump and they would swing him forward by his arms, Teddy giggling as he landed.

They stopped often, Teddy wanting to inspect one thing or another. When he was squatting down looking at a shell in the sand, the waves came up to lap around his feet. Teddy squealed and jumped up, stumbling backwards as Remus steadied him.

"Water get me!" Teddy said and Hermione laughed. Teddy skittered backwards as another wave broke upon the shore, the water almost reaching his toes, but not quite. The next time, Teddy waited and watched the ocean wash over the tops of his feet.

"Told, Daddy," Teddy said, giggling. Hermione slipped her wand down her sleeve and cast a warming charm on Teddy's feet. The water was rather cold. Getting a little braver, Teddy took a few steps forward, although Remus kept close behind him. This time, the waves washed up a little further, covering his ankles. Teddy looked up at them.

"Get me 'gain," he said with a grin. They let him play on the edges of the waves until Remus saw that he was starting to shiver.

"That's enough water, I think," he said and Hermione cast another warming charm on the toddler. Remus picked up him and Teddy burrowed into his father's warmth. He yawned widely and rested his head on Remus' shoulder.

"Time to head home?" Hermione asked.

"Probably a good idea," Remus said. They made their way back up the beach towards Jean and Richard.

"Me pay sand," Teddy said when they reached Hermione's parents.

"I think you've had enough sand for today," Remus said as Hermione pulled out a towel to dry Teddy's feet and legs. Casting a warming charm on the towel, she wrapped Teddy in it and he snuggled back into Remus.

Hermione and her mother picked up all the sand toys, while her father folded up the chairs. Teddy began to struggle in Remus' arms when they started walking back to the car.

"Tasle, Daddy, get tasle."

"Teddy, we can't take the sandcastle with us," Remus said. "The sand has to stay at the beach."

"Me want," Teddy whined.

"The castle won't stay together if you try and take it from the beach," Jean said. "It will fall apart."

"Me fix it," Teddy insisted. She shook her head.

"You won't be able to fix it, sweetheart. The sand can't be fixed if it's not at the beach." Teddy studied her for a few moments.

"No tasle?" he asked, bottom lip sticking out and beginning to quiver.

"How about if we build a new castle when we get home?" Hermione said. "We can use the blocks and I'll make your dragons fly. We can make it look just like the one you built here." Teddy sniffled a little but nodded his head.

"You pay me My-nee?"

"Of course, I will," she said with a smile. Teddy smiled back and then tucked his head back under Remus' chin. Remus continued walking to the car, Richard next to him.

"He is just precious," Jean said to Hermione as they followed the men.

"He is," Hermione agreed. Jean looked at her daughter for a moment before she smiled softly.

"You're very good with him." Hermione shrugged, but her cheeks tinged pink.

"He makes it easy." They walked in silence for a few moments before Jean put her arm around her daughter.

"I'm very glad you're happy." Hermione smiled at her mother.

"Thanks, Mum."

4 July 2000

Hermione walked toward Remus' room where she could hear him talking to Teddy.

"Daddy and Hermione are going out to have supper and you're going to stay here with Jean and Richard," Remus said. Hermione reached the door and peeked around. Teddy was sitting on the bed and Remus was kneeling in front of him, holding his hands. Teddy stared at him solemnly.

"I want you to be a good boy, like you are for Harry, all right?"

"Ha-wy here?" Teddy asked.

"No, Harry isn't here," Remus said. "Jean is going to put you to bed tonight." Her parents had insisted from the beginning that Teddy call them by their first names. Mr. and Mrs. Granger was too difficult for a two-year old they said. Hermione waited for Teddy's response. After the first day, he had warmed up to her parents and in fact, yesterday after they got home from the beach Teddy and her dad had spent over an hour playing with the small toy cars her dad had bought before they arrived, driving them around the castle they had built from blocks. Given the fact that her mother had been indulging Teddy in sweets Hermione would have never even thought to ask for as a child, Teddy liked her just fine as well. Still, she wasn't sure what his reaction would be to staying with them for the evening.

"Me pay tars?" Teddy asked. Remus smiled.

"Yes, I'm sure Richard would love to play cars with you again."

"Me dwive?" Remus laughed.

"I'm sure you can drive the car again." Teddy had already helped 'drive' the car multiple times over the last two days.

"And I know that my mum is making spaghetti for supper," Hermione said as she walked into the room. "Your favorite." Teddy grinned at her. Remus got to his feet, picking Teddy up off the bed. Remus moved towards Hermione and put an arm around her waist, giving her a quick kiss.

"You look lovely," he said.

"Thank you." She smiled up at him.

"My-nee boo-ful," Teddy said. Hermione took the little boy from Remus' arms and rubbed noses with him, then kissed his cheek.

"Well, thank you," she said. "Should we go see if your supper is ready?" Teddy nodded enthusiastically.

A few hours later, Remus and Hermione were walking hand-in-hand along the waterfront. Teddy had looked a bit concerned when they'd left and Remus had been worried that he was about to cry. Hermione had called to check on him when they reached the restaurant and her mother reported that he was perfectly fine and just finishing his dinner.

Remus had relaxed after that and they'd had a wonderful supper. They'd had a drink at a nearby pub afterwards and then decided to take a walk. Hermione wrapped the coat she had borrowed from her mother more tightly around her. It had gotten chillier the longer the sun had been down and Remus wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders and pulled her more tightly to him.

"We can go back," he said, "if you're cold."

"Not just yet," Hermione said. "I'm rather enjoying having you to myself." He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself tightly against him. Remus swallowed down a groan. They were in public, he told himself before he got too carried away. Ending the kiss, he pulled back from her slightly. The look in her eyes didn't help matters any.

"Two more days," he whispered and she nodded, resting her forehead against his chest for a few seconds. When she had recovered, she stepped back from him and he wrapped an arm around her waist. They continued to stroll, stopping at a bench facing the water.

Remus sat down and Hermione snuggled in close to him. They sat in comfortable silence for a bit, staring out at the lights of the harbor.

"I can see why my parents like it here so much," she said.

"Do you wish they hadn't stayed?" Remus asked. They hadn't really talked about it.

"Sometimes," she admitted. "I do miss them, but even if they'd come back to England, I would probably have my own flat by now. So, I wouldn't see them all the time anyway. And Portkeys don't take much longer than Apparition." Remus nodded.

"Although, I don't think I just want to pop down to Australia for dinner every few weeks."

"Actually, that would make the time difference easier to deal with."

"While that's true, eating supper when it was ten o'clock in the morning at home would be a bit odd." Hermione laughed.

"I suppose so." She looked up at him. "Next time we'll have to come back for a longer visit."

"Next summer," he agreed. He wouldn't have a significant amount of time off, except at Christmas, now that he was going to be a professor again. She smiled.

"Sounds perfect." Remus leaned down and kissed her again. Hermione wrapped one arm around his neck, the other went around his back. He tangled a hand in her hair and pulled her closer to him. It wasn't until he realized that she was nearly in his lap that he pulled away.

"Bloody hell," he breathed, shifting her so she was back on the bench. She rested her cheek against his chest, both of them breathing heavily. A part of him didn't want to return to the house, knowing they would have to go to their separate bedrooms. The other part was thinking that a well-cast Notice-Me-Not and a Muggle-repelling charm might make it possible to shag her right on this bench. Hermione seemed to have the same realization because she moved away from him slightly and blew out a breath.

"We should probably go home," she said. Remus nodded and stood, holding out a hand to her. She took it and rose as well, linking her arm with his instead of letting him wrap an arm around her. She didn't lean against him as she had been before. He supposed it was better to keep a bit of distance between them, all things considered.

They wandered back to a taxi stand, waiting in silence until the car pulled up. Remus opened the door and Hermione slid inside, giving the driver her parents' address as Remus climbed in after her. He left a good foot of distance between them, but he did take her hand when she laid it on the seat. She smiled up at him and shifted a bit closer. Remus rubbed his thumb over her knuckles as they made their way home in silence. While he was enjoying their holiday, he would be very happy to get home in two days.

5 July 2000

"Your father and I have some news," Hermione's mum said that night after they had put Teddy to bed. They had taken him to the zoo that day and he'd missed his nap. He was so tired at dinner that he nearly fell asleep in his plate. It was their last night in Melbourne, although they wouldn't be leaving the next day until the late afternoon so as not to arrive back in England in the middle of the night.

"What's that, Mum?" Hermione asked. She was sitting next to Remus on the couch, feet tucked up under her, sipping her wine. He had an arm along the back of the couch and a finger grazed her back every so often. She had to force herself not to shiver.

"We were waiting to tell you until we had finalized a few things," her mother said, wide smile on her face. "We're moving back to England." Hermione's mouth dropped open in shock.

"But I thought you loved it here," she said.

"We're not moving back full-time," her dad said. "After a few years here, I don't fancy winters in England anymore. Thankfully, Australia and England have opposite seasons, so we'll spend summers and fall in England and then come back here for spring and another summer. Rather nice arrangement, avoiding winter all together."

"What about your jobs?" Hermione asked.

"The nursery has already told me they're happy to have me back whenever I'm in town," her mother said. "And your father has finally decided to retire."

"I'll still fill in if they need me," her dad said. "When people are on holiday and such. Maybe I'll pick up a part-time job at a shop or something, like your mother has." Her mum's brow furrowed as she looked at Hermione.

"You don't look very excited about this."

"No, it's not that," Hermione said quickly. "I'm just surprised is all. You seem so happy here, I never thought you'd move back."

"We are happy here," her mum said. "But we miss you, Hermione. Being able to spend part of the year in England and the rest here will be the best of both worlds." Hermione smiled.

"It will be nice to see you more often," she said.

"Well, I should think it will be more than 'more often'," her mum said with a laugh. "It's not as if we're kicking you out of the house when we move back." Hermione laughed as well, but she was sure it sounded a bit off.

Of course, her parents would move back into the house when they returned. It only made sense. Hermione glanced at Remus from the corner of her eye. He smiled and squeezed her shoulder.

It would be fine, Hermione thought. Remus had the cottage now and they could still have time alone there. Although, given the fact that they couldn't sleep together while they were here, Hermione was sure that her mum would have something to say if Hermione chose to spend nights with Remus.

Not to mention Hermione had gotten quite used to living on her own. While she knew her dad would likely treat her as the adult she was, her mum would have a tougher time of it. She still thought of Hermione as the teenager she'd last seen before Hermione had modified their memories. Living with them would probably be a bit difficult now. It was likely time for Hermione to find her own flat.

"So, when are you coming back?" Hermione asked.

"We still have some things to wrap up here, your father still has a few patients he wants to see one more time, so probably in a month or so," her mum said. Hermione choked on her wine. A month! She was expecting them to tell her they wouldn't be back until next spring.

"Are you all right?" her mother asked in concern.

"Fine," Hermione wheezed out. "Just swallowed wrong." Remus rubbed her back soothingly. Hermione caught her father's eye who gave her a knowing look.

"We'll probably only stay through October," her dad said. "Come back here before it gets too cold there." Hermione nodded, still clearing her throat.

"I know it might be a bit strange at first, having us back home," her mum said. "But we don't intend to intrude on your life, Hermione. It's your house too, you know."

"I know, Mum," Hermione said forcing a smile. Her mother couldn't honestly think that Hermione would just carry on as she had been if her parents were living with her.

Talk turned to other things, but Remus kept his hand on her shoulder or at the nape of her neck. Small touches meant to soothe; Hermione was grateful for them. She wanted to discuss this with him and was waiting a bit anxiously for her parents to go to bed.

Finally, her mum stood. Hermione rose and well and hugged her mother.

"I'm glad you're coming home."

"Me too, sweetheart." Her mum patted her cheek when Hermione released her and said good night to all of them. Hermione was a bit confused when her father didn't follow. She sat down next to Remus again and the three of them continued talking.

After a half hour, her dad still hadn't made any move to leave the room. Remus finally looked at her apologetically.

"I should get some sleep," he said. "With as early as Teddy went to bed, he'll be up that much earlier in the morning." Hermione nodded and kissed his cheek. They would have to talk tomorrow. Remus squeezed her hand and said good night to her dad before leaving the room.

"I suppose I should head to bed too," Hermione said making to rise from the couch.

"Wait a minute, Hermione," her father said. She looked at him quizzically as she settled back into the couch. "I know that we blind-sided you with this."

"No, Dad, I," Hermione began, but he held up a hand to stop her.

"We did," he said. "I wanted to tell you that we were considering it a few weeks ago, but your mother insisted on it being a surprise."

"Well, it was that," she said wryly. He chuckled.

"I just want you to know that we've been thinking about this for some time. We do miss you, Princess." She smiled.

"I miss you both too," she said sincerely.

"I'm going to try to keep your mother reined in where you and Remus are concerned," her dad said. "As much as it pains me to admit, you are an adult and you're entitled to your privacy and your own life. Your mum sometimes forgets that."

"Thanks, Dad." He stared at her for a few moments.

"I was worried at first," he said, "with the age difference and the fact that Remus had a child." Hermione waited nervously. "But I can tell that he makes you happy." She smiled, a slight blush on her cheeks.

"He makes me extremely happy." Her dad nodded.

"That's all I've ever wanted for you." Hermione stood and crossed to her father's chair. She took his hand and pulled him to his feet, wrapping her arms around him. Her dad hugged her back, kissing the top of her head.

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Princess." After a few minutes, she stepped back slightly and looked up at him.

"You know this means I'm going to get my own flat, right?" Her dad laughed.

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

Hermione tossed and turned in her bed. She knew she needed to sleep, the time change would mess with her sleeping patterns enough when they went home, but she couldn't stop herself from thinking about the conversation with her parents.

She was glad that they were moving back to England, at least for part of the year. She did miss them and it would be wonderful to be able to spend more time with them than just a few visits a year. She just wasn't sure that she could live with them again.

A month wasn't all that long to find a flat, especially if she wanted to move into a wizarding area. There weren't as many choices and Hermione would have a budget. Not a meager one, but a budget all the same.

Living in a Muggle flat was always a possibility, but there were issues with that as well, given that she'd be in close proximity to her neighbors. Hiding magic at the house was easier, given the size of the lot and the house itself. Things like connecting the Floo and setting Apparition wards with only certain people keyed into them were more work than it would be in magical flat. Not to mention finding one that had a working fireplace at all.

She did feel a bit guilty about moving out before, or as soon as, her parents came home. She knew her father would understand, but her mum would have a harder time with it. The last thing Hermione wanted was to start their reunion on a bad note.

And then there was Remus. If he hadn't gotten the job at Hogwarts, Hermione would have considered asking him to move in with her. But they had only been dating for four months. Well, almost four, she supposed. Still, they'd never talked about it. She wasn't sure if he even wanted to live with her, or if he did, if he wanted to live with her already. That was all a moot point though, as he had gotten the job at Hogwarts and would be moving to Hogsmeade in a month.

Hermione sighed and flopped onto her back, staring at the ceiling. She forced herself to take a deep breath, trying to relax. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on keeping her breaths deep and even, trying to turn off her thoughts and sleep.

Unfortunately, her traitorous brain had other ideas. Instead of letting her concentrate on relaxing images like the beach or a flower-filled meadow, it kept inserting Remus in various stages of undress into said scenes. Twenty minutes later, Hermione was no closer to sleep and hot and bothered besides. She could take matters into her own hands, but instead, she got out of bed and slipped into the corridor, making her way silently towards the guest room.

Remus lay in his bed staring at the ceiling, listening to Teddy's quiet breaths as he slept. Remus should be sleeping, Teddy would undoubtedly be up early and with them travelling home tomorrow, their sleep schedules would be a mess for the next few days. But he couldn't stop thinking about Hermione.

He knew she had been shocked by her parents' announcement. He had been surprised himself, although less so knowing how he would feel living so far away from Teddy. He wondered if she would stay living with her parents or find her own flat.

The selfish part of him was glad that he was moving to the cottage in Hogsmeade. At least he knew they would still have a place to be alone. Teddy would be there, yes, but the little boy went to bed by eight o'clock every night and silencing charms were easy enough to cast.

If Remus were being completely honest with himself, he would admit that his first thought on hearing Hermione's parents' news was to ask her to move in with him. But he couldn't do that. He didn't want her parents to resent him for taking their daughter away from them the moment they returned to England. Remus knew that was an exaggeration. It wasn't as if Hermione wouldn't visit or spend time with them, but it was the timing of it all. And there was still the fact that they had barely been dating for four months.

Remus sighed. He was going to drive himself barmy if he continued thinking about this tonight. He need to talk to Hermione, but that would have to wait until tomorrow or maybe even until they got back to England. Despite what she'd said the night before, for all he knew, she would continue living happily with her parents, at least for a while.

He shifted to his side and closed his eyes, trying to will himself to relax. Merlin knew he should be tired enough to sleep with as busy as Teddy had been at the zoo today. Remus found his thoughts drifting to Hermione as they usually did at night when she wasn't with him.

Things were getting a bit out of control in his mind when there was a soft knock on his door.

"Remus," Hermione whispered. Remus immediately sat up in bed and hurried to the door. She stared at him for a moment, then glanced at Teddy before grabbing Remus' hand and pulling him down the corridor to her room. She shut the door behind them, then turned to look at him.

"What's the matter, love?" he asked in concern. She didn't look like she'd slept either. Instead of answering, she cast a locking and silencing charm on the door, then pulled him to her and kissed him. Given where his thoughts had been just moments ago, it took Remus only seconds to respond.

He cupped the back of her head in one hand, the other grabbing her hip and pulling her flush against him. She answered by wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, one hand snaking up into his hair.

"Hermione," he said a few minutes later, pulling away from her with a gasp. "Stop, we have to stop."

"Silencing charm, Remus," she said. "We don't." She moved to kiss him again, but he stopped her with the last shred of strength he possessed.

"Hermione," he said, but she shook her head.

"I don't care." He stared at her kiss-swollen lips for a moment and this time when she stood on tiptoe and kissed him again, he didn't stop her. He should, he knew that. The Grangers had invited him into their home and the least he could do was respect the rules they had laid down. He gave one more half-hearted protest before he gave in completely.

Hermione walked him backwards until the bed hit the back of his legs. She gave him a push, then crawled on top of him, waving her wand to rid them of their clothes and cast the charm on herself. As she sank down on him, Remus groaned. Hermione let out a pleased little sigh and began to move, Remus' hand slipping between them.

When she collapsed against him, he brought an arm around her back and held her to him as they slowly regained their breath. Remus ghosted his lips over her forehead.

"Move in with me," he murmured against her skin. Her head shot up and she looked at him. Remus swore in his head. He hadn't meant to say that out loud.

"What?" she whispered. He looked up into her eyes, prepared to see shock or perhaps remorse for having to turn him down or even pity that he'd asked so soon. He was prepared to take it back, to tell her he hadn't meant it, that he'd just been caught up in the moment. What he wasn't prepared for was to see hope and want and even anticipation. He reached up and put a hand to her cheek, pulling her to him for a slow, sweet kiss.

"Move in with me," he repeated, his voice sure and steady. Hermione looked down at him and slowly smiled.

"Yes," she said.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Yes," she said again, nodding her head. He sat up abruptly, pulling a small squeal of surprise from her at the change in position. He grasped her head in his hands and kissed her, even as he grinned. She laughed when he released her.

"I love you," he said, resting his forehead against hers.

"I love you too," she replied, same wide grin on her face. He moved and lay her back on the bed, covering her body with his and then kissed her again.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked. They were lying on their sides facing one another. Remus was running his fingers up and down Hermione's arm and she had a hand on his hip.

"Quite a few things," she said. "But mostly, how happy I am." He smiled and leaned over to kiss her, tucking a curl behind her ear. His fingers resumed their path until he reached her hand, where he entwined their fingers.

"I'm happy too, love." She hooked her ankle around his.

"You looked a little shocked that you'd asked, at first." His cheeks colored slightly.

"I wasn't planning on asking tonight," he admitted. At the uncertain look on her face, he quickly continued. "I just thought that maybe it was too soon. But then I looked at you and I knew that it wasn't." Her face relaxed into a smile.

"I was thinking about it tonight before I came to your room. But I didn't know if you wanted to."

"For weeks now," he said. She looked up in surprise.

"Really?" He nodded.

"I almost asked you the day we looked at the cottage."

"I would have said yes then, too." He smiled and kissed her again.

6 July 2000

"I want to wait to tell them," Hermione said the next morning after breakfast. Neither of them had gotten much sleep. Remus had stayed in Hermione's room for quite some time, retreating to his own only as the sky began to change from inky black to dark grey. He had slept for a couple of hours before Teddy woke. Hermione had slept a bit longer than he had, but they both drank plenty of coffee at breakfast that morning. If her mother wondered about it, she didn't say anything.

Now, they were outside sitting on the patio while Teddy played with the toy cars Richard had bought for him. Richard had had to run into the office for a bit and Jean was on the telephone.

"Your parents?" Remus asked. Hermione nodded. "Why?" She bit her lip and shrugged a shoulder. Remus' brow furrowed in concern. He shifted his chair closer to hers and took her hand. "Love?" Hermione sighed.

"I don't know what they're going to say about it and I don't want to leave with anyone upset." Remus understood that. "I know I'm being a coward, but I can't help it." She bit her lip again.

"You're not being a coward," he said, gently pulling her lip from her teeth. "Do you think they won't approve?"

"I wouldn't have thought that before, but I didn't think my mum would make us sleep in separate rooms either."

"And if they don't accept it?" Remus asked, wondering what her response would be.

"Then they don't," she said. "I'm not going to change my mind." She smiled then and slid forward in her chair until her lips captured his. Remus startled and pulled away from her when he felt a hand on his leg.

"Daddy, no tiss My-nee. You pay," Teddy said. Hermione covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. Remus cleared his throat, lips twitching up into a smile. He picked up his son and began to tickle him. Teddy shrieked in delight.

"No, Daddy, we pay," he laughed.

"I am playing," Remus said, still tickling him.

"No," Teddy giggled. "We pay tars."

"Cars?" Remus said, letting Teddy catch his breath. Teddy nodded. "What if I want to tickle you again?" Remus wiggled his fingers and moved toward Teddy's side. Teddy squealed and practically threw himself from Remus' lap into Hermione's.

"My-nee save me," he said. Hermione scooped the little boy up and held him close to her.

"Don't worry," she said. "I won't let your Daddy get you." Remus held up both hands and made to move towards Teddy, but Hermione turned to the side to shield him with her body.

"Well, if I can't tickle you, then I guess I'll just have to," Remus trailed off and Hermione shrieked when his hands found her ribs.

"Remus, stop," she said, laughing as he tickled her.

"Daddy no get My-nee!" Teddy insisted.

"Should I get you instead?" Remus asked.

"No!" Teddy said, laughing as Remus brought his hands closer to him. Hermione stood from the chair and moved back a few feet. Teddy giggled, enjoying the game, as his father stood as well. Remus stalked toward them and Teddy hid his face in Hermione's shoulder. Remus caught her eye and he winked as he got closer.

"Now, I've got you," Remus said. Teddy looked up, but instead of tickling him again, Remus wrapped his arms around them both and kissed Hermione's cheek. He moved to Teddy and kissed his cheek and his forehead and his nose, sending Teddy into another fit of giggles.

"Dad-dy," Teddy said. Remus grinned at him and then hugged them both as Teddy caught his breath. His son let go of Hermione and wrapped his arms around Remus' neck. Remus kept one arm around Hermione the other cradling Teddy to him. He smiled before he leaned down to kiss her.

"You're sure you won't come home with us to eat?" Remus asked as they left the Portkey office.

"No," Hermione said with a smile. "Andromeda hasn't seen you for nearly a week. You need some time alone with her. Besides, I'm going to stop by my office before I go home and check in with Margaret. I have to stop at Grimmauld Place later to pick up Crookshanks, but first I'm going to go home and take a nap."

"Thank Merlin for Andromeda," Remus said. "Because I think a nap is where I'm headed myself." Hermione considered inviting him to her place and suggesting they nap together. But she refrained. She wasn't sure how long it would take her in her office and besides, she doubted that there would be much napping going on if Remus were with her.

"We'll talk later?" she said. Remus nodded and kissed her quickly before they walked to the lifts.

"Say good-bye to Hermione," Remus said to Teddy as they waited. Hermione reached for him and Remus passed him over.

"I had so much fun with you on our holiday," she said.

"My-nee, you eat wif me?"

"Not today," Hermione said. Teddy pouted and wrapped his arms around her neck. Hermione hugged him to her. "You're excited to see your nanna, aren't you?" Teddy pulled back and nodded, smile now on his face. Hermione kissed his cheek and handed him back to Remus. "I'll see you soon." A lift arrived to take Hermione down to level two. She stepped on and waved to them, smiling as the door shut and they disappeared from view.

"Nanna, we home!" Teddy called as soon as they stepped out of the Floo. Andromeda stood from the couch, smile on her face. She reached for Teddy immediately.

"Oh, I missed you," she said kissing his cheeks. Teddy giggled. "Hello, Remus." Remus leaned down to hug her. She looked back at Teddy. "Did you have a nice time?"

"I maked tasle, Nanna!" Teddy said.

"You made a castle?" Teddy nodded.

"Wif sand."

"Was it a very big castle?"

"Dis big," Teddy said, stretching his arms out as wide as he could. Then he frowned. "No take it wif me."

"No, sand has to stay at the beach," Andromeda said. Teddy nodded sagely.

"I drived the tar!" Teddy said. Andromeda glanced at Remus.

"Teddy helped Richard park the car a few times," he said.

"It sounds like you had a wonderful time," Andromeda said. Teddy began to chatter about all the other things they'd done while in Australia. Andromeda gave him her full attention, making the appropriate comments and reactions of surprise. Remus watched them with a smile on his face.

When Teddy had finally tired himself of talking about the trip, he squirmed to be put down and ran to his toy basket. Digging through it, his little brow furrowed in confusion.

"Daddy, where tars?" Teddy asked. Remus chuckled and pulled Teddy's bag from his pocket. Just before they'd left, Richard had given Remus the small toy cars he'd purchased for Teddy. Richard had insisted Remus take them home as Teddy had enjoyed them so much. Richard said they could always buy more for the next time they visited.

"They're here in your bag," Remus said enlarging it and pulling out the bag of small cars.

"See, Nanna, see," Teddy said excitedly as he pulled them out of the bag and handing them to her one by one.

"His new favorites," Remus said.

"You mean something has replaced the dragons?" Andromeda said.

"Astonishingly, yes," Remus said. "He couldn't get enough of them while we were there." She continued exclaiming over the cars until Teddy collected them from her, sat down on the floor and began to drive them around. Andromeda watched him for a few minutes with a smile on her face, then stood and faced Remus.

"You look a bit tired," she said.

"That's putting it mildly," he said. At her quizzical look, he sighed. "W-, I, didn't get much sleep last night."

"We?" Andromeda said with a smirk. Remus tried to hold back the color from his cheeks but knew he had been unsuccessful when Andromeda's smirk grew wider.

"Hermione and I," he began, then stopped. He wanted to tell her, but he didn't want to hurt her feelings. Although, he had asked Andromeda to live with them as well, and she had turned him down. And it's not as if she wouldn't find out. He cleared his throat. "I asked Hermione to live with us when we move to Hogsmeade." Andromeda smiled.

"I assume she said yes."

"She did," Remus confirmed. Andromeda moved forward and hugged him.

"I am very happy for both of you." Remus returned the embrace.

"Are you sure you're all right with this?" he asked when he pulled back from her.

"Of course, I am," she said. "You know that I adore Hermione."

"But," Remus prompted. He knew there was something else and he suspected he knew what it was. As happy as he was, he couldn't say that he hadn't thought the same thing.

"But, nothing," she replied. Remus stared at her but she said nothing else, although he didn't miss the brightness in her eyes. He pulled her back into his arms.

"It's all right," he said quietly. "I've been thinking about her too." Andromeda squeezed him tightly for a moment before she stepped back again.

"Nymphadora would be very happy for both of you," she said, putting a hand to his cheek. Remus nodded.

"I know," he said. He thought that she would, hoped that she would anyway. Andromeda patted his cheek and dropped her arm to her side, turning to look at Teddy.

As Teddy drove a turquoise blue car around on the carpet, making engine noises, his hair slowly morphed into the same blue as the car. Andromeda gasped and Remus took her hand, gripping it tightly. Although she had favored bubble-gum pink above the rest, Dora had preferred bright colors in general for her hair and Remus had seen her wearing that exact shade of blue a time or two.

"I told you she'd approve," Andromeda whispered. Remus wrapped an arm around her shoulders and continued to watch his son. Whether it was actually a sign from his wife or just a happy accident really didn't matter.