Remus would never know how Dora made it through the next five hours, when he knew for a fact that it had been days since she'd last slept properly. Moreover, he was astonished at Andromeda, who, despite being half-starved and having fainted, managed to deliver the baby and care for her daughter with more grace and rapidity than Remus could have imagined.

"Look who's here," Andromeda said softly, bending to place the bundle in Dora's arms. Remus, who was sitting behind Dora on the bed, supporting her, felt his mouth fall open. Dora gave a little gasp, and Remus saw tears of happiness slip down her face.

"This is your son," Andromeda told them, her chin trembling as she straightened. The baby gave a soft wail and flexed his tiny fingers up at Dora, who reached out her forefinger to stroke his tiny tuft of dark hair. Remus, still in shock, put one hand on the baby's blankets, as if trying to see whether or not he was real, was there.

"Teddy," Dora breathed, and Remus instantly looked up to see Andromeda—stoic, strong, undemonstrative Andromeda—close her eyes and burst into tears. She turned away, covering her face with her hands.

"Andromeda," he said, and Dora looked up at her mother, tears in her eyes.

"Mummy," she whispered. "It's all right—please, don't cry—"

"No, no, I just need—just a moment," Andromeda said, whirling around. She gave Dora and Remus a pained, apologetic smile, and hurried from the room, closing the door behind her.

"We didn't do wrong," Remus said immediately, holding Dora's shoulders. "I promise you—"

"No, I know," Dora answered shakily, nodding as she gazed down at Teddy. "I shouldn't have dropped a bombshell like that, though. She wasn't ready for it."

Dora sighed, and, looking into Teddy's small face, Remus had a sudden, overwhelming realization of how lucky he was to be there at all.

He had accepted a long while ago that Dora's relationship with her mother was something he would never fully understand; it was volatile, the arguments even approaching vicious, but it was the fiercest, most loving bond he had ever encountered in his entire life. At times, it was almost as if they were one and the same. They simply knew each other, exactly the way they each worked, and this made them dangerous when pitted against one another. When they stood together, however…they were formidable, to say the least.

"Dora," Remus said softly. "I—"

"I know, Remus," she said, before he could finish his thought. "But we already talked about this. So please," she said, looking up at him with her eyes full of tears, and a pained smile on her lips, "just hold your son."

Remus closed his eyes briefly, smiling. "All right," he said, and he moved forward, allowing Dora to lie back on her pillows as she placed Teddy in his arms. He stood, carrying the baby a few feet away from the bed, bouncing him gently. Teddy gave a few soft grunts, scrunching his face as he looked up at Remus.

"He looks like you," Remus said, turning back to Dora, who was slumped against the headboard, wiping her tears away and watching him with a very tired smile.

"More like you," she said, smoothing her blankets over her middle.

"I—Dora! Look!" Remus cried, hurrying back over with the baby.

"What?" Dora asked immediately, looking worried.

"His hair," Remus laughed, showing her the baby. "It's changed."

Sure enough, Teddy's hair had turned from dark brown, almost black, to a soft blond. Dora put a hand over her mouth. "He's—he's a Metamorphmagus," she said happily. "I can't believe it—"

The door opened quietly, and Andromeda came back in, her face much more composed, but very pale. Remus straightened and smiled at her, still holding Teddy.

"I believe it," Andromeda said softly, coming to sit down beside Dora. "Your hair started changing…oh, within an hour or two after I had you," she said, stroking Dora's cheek and giving her a tremulous smile. "Although, you went straight for violet, as I recall. No natural tones for you. Scared your father and me half to death." Dora laughed and put her arms around Andromeda's neck, hugging her close. "I think the name is perfect," Andromeda said, rubbing Dora's back.

"Thanks," Dora said. She pulled away and smiled at Andromeda, then glanced up at Remus, who smiled as well. "I think Remus is an excellent middle name, don't you?" she asked Andromeda.

"I do," Andromeda answered, looking to Remus. He stared back, slightly openmouthed. Teddy's tiny fist waved out of his blanket, and he grunted again.

"I—all right," Remus rasped. "I'd love that…" He turned away and quickly wiped his eyes on his sleeve, and when he turned back, Dora was beaming at him from her mother's arms. She looked exhausted. Andromeda patted Dora's hair briefly, then got up as Remus came back to the bed and gave Teddy to her. She smiled at the baby, stroking his cheek.

"I think you'd better go and tell Harry the good news," Dora said, putting one hand on Remus's neck as he sat down on the bed, leaning over her. "While we know where he is. He probably hasn't had anything to celebrate, wherever he's been."

"Are you sure?" Remus asked her.

Dora nodded. "I'm about to pass out," she admitted. "Just—be back quickly, all right? And be careful. Use a Disillusionment Charm?"

"Of course," Remus told her earnestly. He leaned down and kissed Dora's lips softly. "I love you, Nymphadora, and I'm so proud of you, and our son."

Dora shook her head, smiling. "Don't call me Nymphadora, Remus." And she pulled him in for another kiss. It was passionate, warm, and when she released him, Remus noticed that Dora's hair had turned pink once again. He glanced over his shoulder; Andromeda had turned tastefully away, and was too absorbed with Teddy to notice anything that was happening behind her.

"I love you," said Dora, allowing Remus to stand. "Be careful. You can wake me when you get back, I won't sleep well if I don't know you're here."

Remus squeezed her hand. "I'll see you soon."


:) Aww shucks...I love little Teddy.