A/N: I apologize in advance for this one. Please still love me.

…

Mary MacDonald missed Luna Black immediately. As soon as she disappeared from sight, she felt like a part of herself had left as well. Everyone was crying. Sirius, James, Lily, Alice, Remus, Frank, and even Mary herself. A girl she had known for only a year had brought them all together like this. A girl that had only been in their lives for a single year had a deep impact on all of them.

Then she left them.

Mary didn't blame Luna for that, though. They had all known for months that Luna was from the future. But she had never let slip what happened to them. James and Lily knew they would have a son. That he would grow up to defeat Voldemort. They also knew that they wouldn't be around to see that happen. However, those were tidbits of information that James and Lily had accidentally stumbled upon on their own, not anything Luna had purposefully told them. As far as Mary knew, all of her friends were just as much in the dark about their futures as she was about hers.

"Come on," Remus interrupted her thoughts, gently taking hold of her hand, "I'll take you home."

She nodded and willingly let him Apparate her back to the flat she shared with Lily. "I miss her," Mary whispered. Remus sighed and pulled her close against him.

"Who knows?" he said happily, "we might see her again."

"Yeah," she snorted, "When we're old enough to be grandparents."

"If," he said cautiously, "we survive the war."

"Don't! Oh, Remus, don't say anything like that! We'll be just fine."

"We're not exactly the safest people in the world though, are we, love? You're an Auror in training and I'm a spy for the Order. The chances of us surviving the next twenty years waiting for Harry to kill Voldemort will be fraught with danger."

"I'll watch out for you and you'll watch out for me," she said, "how does that sound? As long as we always have each other, we'll be alright."

Remus smiled, "Sounds perfect, love."

Mary sighed, cuddling against him and kissing him softly on his jaw, "How about I make us some tea?" she made her way into the kitchen and flicked her wand at the stove. As they waited for the water to boil Remus dropped down into a kitchen chair. Mary, however, maneuvered herself so she was straddling him, pulling on the front of his robes. "Have I ever told you how glad I am that you finally gave in to the inevitable and decided to date me?"

His reply was lost in a groan as he pulled her down so he could kiss her. They kissed heatedly for several moments before breaking apart for air. The kettle on the stove was whistling. Remus moved as if to reach for it, but Mary didn't budge. "Make me forget," she whispered raggedly into his ear as her hands searched for the opening of his robe and then tugged at his trousers, "make me forget how sad I am. Make me forget how much danger there is ahead of us. Merlin, Remus, make me forget my own name."

Without moving from the kitchen chair, he obliged, and the whistling kettle on the stove was quickly forgotten, along with every worrying thought on Mary MacDonald's mind.

…

As time went on, Mary devoted more of her time to her studies. Becoming an Auror had never been so important. People were dying and disappearing all the time. She had already been sent out on missions that she should not have taken part in at all with her level of training, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

Bartemius Crouch was gaining a lot of power in the Ministry and he had just made it legal for Aurors to use Unforgivable Curses against Death Eaters. Mary blanched at the thought. She couldn't imagine being in a situation that called for that. Simply Stupefying a Death Eater should be more than enough to take them out for the count.

She still felt lonely in the flat that she had once shared with Lily Evans. Now she was Lily Potter, living with her husband, James, happily, in Godric's Hollow. Mary was both happy and sad at that thought. Sad because, if she let herself admit it, she was jealous.

Would Remus ever propose to her? With a jolt she realized that was what she wanted. She knew that he was wary of the idea of marriage and even more wary of the idea of having children. He never wanted a normal life because he had the outrageous idea that, as a werewolf, he was undeserving of it. Mary scowled deeply at the thought. She loved Remus John Lupin with every ounce of her being. She wanted to marry him more than she ever wanted anything in the world.

Tears sprang into her eyes at the thought and she felt herself laughing at her own softness. Here she was, a powerful Auror-in-training, a Gryffindor, crying like a baby because her boyfriend hadn't proposed to her yet. She froze at her own thoughts. Crying like a baby. Mary never cried. Never. She hadn't shed a single tear since Luna had left them a few years previously. Now that she thought about it, she was late.

Without waiting another moment, she Apparated instantly to Diagon Alley and bought a Pregnancy Potion. After reading through the directions carefully, she drank the whole vial. To her surprise it didn't taste too bad. A bit too sweet, perhaps, but not bad. Immediately she felt the effects of the potion working and ran to the toilet. She peed in the same potion vial she had just drunk out of.

Closing her eyes, she brought the bottle up with trembling hands. Slowly, she lifted one eyelid and gasped. Pink! The directions had been clear; blue for boy, pink for girl, and green for not pregnant. She was pregnant. More than that, she was pregnant with a girl! A little baby girl! A little baby Lupin girl who she hoped fervently would be exactly like her father.

With a squeal of delight, she ran out of the restroom, nearly tripping over her skirt which was still around her ankles. Pulling up her skirt as she ran, she went to her room to grab her cloak, and with a crack! she found herself in Lily and James's sitting room.

"Oh!" gasped her friend, "You startled me!" Lily clutched at her racing heart. "What's wrong?" she asked as she registered the shocked look on Mary's face.

"I'm pregnant!" Mary announced.

Both girls screamed and started jumping excitedly. Mary had never wanted children before, she had never considered it at all, until just that morning when she realized she was jealous of the life Lily had. Lily was beaming, "That's wonderful! Does Remus know?"

"No," Mary admitted shyly, "he's out with Fenrir, you know, the werewolf who bit him," Mary scowled, "I don't like him being so close to that bastard, but Dumbledore was sure he knew what he was doing by sending Remus there."

"Oh, I can't wait to see the look on his face! Moony will be so surprised!"

"Where's James?"

"At work," Lily sighed and the girls sat down on the sofa, "He's been called in so much this week it's getting ridiculous. He only just finished his training! But they need him. St. Mungo's is positively flooded with muggles as well as wizards and witches. The Death Eaters have certainly been busy." Lily was wringing her hands as she spoke.

"Lils, is everything okay?"

Lily wiped away tears that had started to come to her eyes, "I only just found out," said Lily, "just yesterday. I haven't told anyone except James. I'm pregnant, too."

"Oh, Lily! That's wonderful!"

"No," Lily was starting to cry harder, "we didn't want this right now." Lily was rubbing her stomach, "we wanted to wait a few more years, but Harry decided it would be the right time for him to come along."

"Harry?" Mary's eyes widened at the name. Luna's father.

"Yes," Lily sobbed, "it must be. We didn't have any other children. Plus the Pregnancy Potion was blue, you know, for boy. You know what this means, Mary. James and I won't be around for much longer. Two years perhaps? We die when Harry is only a year old."

"We'll find a way," Mary said fervently as she reached out her hand to hold the hand of her best friend, "Maybe Luna's purpose for coming back in the past was to warn us enough to change the past. I'm an Auror, for Godric's sake! I won't let any fucking Death Eaters near you!"

"Language, MacDonald," James was suddenly in the doorway, and though his tone was playful, he looked sad, "there is a child present."

Mary smiled, "It's lovely to see you, James." She stood and they hugged tightly. That was how they all greeted each other these days. When your friends were dropping dead all around you, you always hugged them tight when you saw someone you cared for was still alive; still fighting.

"How are you, Mary?"

"Weepy, grouchy, tired, and positively starving."

He snorted, "You sound like Lily, but she's preg- oh…oh Merlin. Are you pregnant?"

Mary frowned slightly, "You guessed it, Prongs. Don't tell Remus though, okay? He doesn't know yet. I have no way of getting a message to him while he's on an Order mission."

"Wouldn't dream of it," said James, smiling just a bit now, "I'm sure that he will be best mates with our little Harry."

"Actually," Mary bit her lip and then announced happily, "We're having a girl!"

"Oh, perfect!" James griped.

"How wonderful!" Lily cried. Then she looked at her husband in amazement as she realized what he had said and the tone in which he had said it. "What are you so unhappy about, James?"

"She's having a girl, Lils! You know what that means! She and Harry will probably try dating at some point. Just what we need. Some bird like MacDonald chasing after our perfect little man."

Lily rolled her eyes and punched her husband in the arm, "Don't be a prat, James! Mary is wonderful! I'm sure her daughter will be just as wonderful!"

Mary beamed at the pair of them then said, "Well I suppose I should head on over to the Auror office. I can't be going on any missions now, can I? I'll have to tell Dumbledore, I reckon. I can't stand sitting back and not fighting, but for this girl, I'll do anything," she had both arms wrapped around her midsection protectively, "I'll see both of you later, alright?" she hugged each of them in turn.

"We love you, Mary," said Lily fiercely, "tell us as soon as you tell Remus."

"Love you both, too!" and she was gone.

…..

Mary Apparated home instead of to the Auror office. To be honest, she was a bit nervous about telling Alastor Moody of her condition. Especially since it was unplanned and her assistance was so greatly needed during this time. Perhaps she would just write them a letter instead.

Deciding that she shouldn't be such a coward, she squared her shoulders and marched right out her front door. The fresh air felt like it had been just the thing she'd needed and walking to the Ministry would give her time to clear her head and organize her words and thoughts.

What would Moody say? Would he be angry with her? With a snort her imagination conjured up a picture of the war-hardened Auror cuddling the little bundle and cooing at her. She couldn't wait until she was able to bring her daughter in and show her off to all of her friends and colleagues. There was now an extra bounce in each step she took.

Walking through London was getting more dangerous every day but the last thing on Mary MacDonald's mind at that moment was the possibility of someone attacking her. It was broad daylight on a busy street and even Lord Voldemort himself wouldn't be foolish enough to attack an Order member so close to the Ministry. Her eyes spotted them the moment she stepped around the corner. Three Death Eaters with their wands drawn were slipping into a muggle shop. A muggle shop in which Mary could clearly see at least three young families seated at tables.

Without pausing to even glance at the sign above the door Mary darted in after the Death Eaters. She was unable to recognize them as they were masked but she'd bet every Galleon to her name that the woman was Bellatrix Lestrange – her dark wild hair was pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head and Mary caught sight of it when she pulled her hood back. The other two were taller than the woman and as Mary ducked behind a dividing wall one of them shot a jet of green light from his wand. The man working behind the counter fell. They weren't yet aware that Mary had followed them.

There must have been at least twenty muggles in the café, several of which were young children, and all Mary could think of was how she would feel if that were her child. There were screams and a few ran for the door but found it was magically locked. Mary doubted that any passersby would even be able to hear the commotion inside. Bellatrix stepped onto a table and shot sparks from her wand to get the attention of the small panicked crowd.

"Alright then," her voice was almost vibrating with glee, "who's next?"

Horror washed through Mary as she realized the intentions of these Death Eaters. Murdering everyone in this shop just for fun. For sport. Like shooting fish in a barrel. Before another muggle fell Mary shot a Patronus to the Auror office and it was the burst of white light that gave her away. "There!" Screamed Bellatrix, who was clearly the leader.

The two men advanced on Mary who shot spells at them as they backed her toward the wall. One of her spells hit home and the shorter of the two was Stupefied. Bellatrix hissed in irritation and advanced on Mary herself. It became apparent at once that Bellatrix was the superior dueler and when the curse hit Mary it didn't even come as a surprise.

The surprise came when she discovered that she was not immediately dead. Bellatrix had not hit her with a jet of green light. There had been no Avada Kedavra. Instead a deep gash sliced open Mary's chest diagonally from shoulder to hip and blood spurted from the wound. Sinking to her knees was effortless and she knew that she only had moments left to live. Three loud cracks resounded in the café and Bellatrix screeched, "Aurors!" and tried to flee with her accomplice. The accomplice was bound in ropes but Bellatrix had escaped.

"MacDonald!" It was Moody's voice she heard as the floor rushed up to meet her head.

"She saved them," breathed a stunned Auror.

"Did you hear that?" Moody was talking in a soft soothing tone she'd never heard from him before and this confirmed her fears – there was no saving her now. "You saved every life in this room, Mary."

With one last small smile the light faded from her eyes and Mary MacDonald died in the arms of Alastor Moody.

…..

Remus Lupin returned to his girlfriend's flat with an arm full of wildflowers. He'd stopped at a meadow on his way home, flying over some particularly colorful ones that had caught his eye from high up on his broomstick. Grinning from ear to ear he let himself in and stopped short at the sight of Albus Dumbledore and Mad-Eye Moody waiting for him.

"What's wrong?" he asked immediately.

"Oh, Remus," said Dumbledore gravely with such sad eyes that Remus released the bundle of flowers and they scattered to the floor.

"No," said Remus in a harsh whisper. "No. She's not…she can't be…"

"I'm sorry," growled Moody. "I was there when it happened. She saved at least twenty lives today, Remus…"

Moody continued talking but Remus had stopped listening. He only caught bits and pieces… "so brave…" "…at least eight children…" "Death Eaters would have killed them all…"

"I…I can't…" Remus put a hand to his forehead and turned away from the other two men who fell silent. "Who did it? Do you know?"

"Remus, knowing who did this…getting revenge…will not bring you peace," said Dumbledore.

"WHO DID THIS?" Roared Remus.

"Bellatrix Lestrange," Moody told him and earned a glare from the elder wizard.

Remus nodded. "It had to have been someone particularly skilled. Mary is…was…Mary was an incredible witch."

"Do you have somewhere you can go?" Dumbledore urged. He knew that whenever Remus was not busy running around with other werewolves and spying for the Order he stayed with Mary at her flat.

"Yes, of course. I can go to James's. or Sirius's," he thought that he would much prefer Sirius's company tonight. At least Sirius could relate somewhat to this situation. He didn't think he could bare seeing James and Lily together as a couple. Not yet.

"Sirius is away," Dumbledore told him, "He's on an assignment for the Order."

Remus dismissed this information with a flick of his hand. "Fine. I'll go to the Potter's." Before waiting for a response he Disapparated and appeared in the sitting room where his girlfriend had appeared just earlier that afternoon.

Having heard his entrance, James and Lily came bustling into the room, both of them grinning. How could he tell them? Even now, seeing the friendship bracelet on Lily's wrist, Remus knew that they had lost someone, too. Lily had lost a best friend tonight and she didn't even know it yet.

"Mary…Mary is…" he gulped but the words wouldn't come out.

"Yes, we know," said James whose smile had slipped into a frown. Why was Remus this upset about becoming a father? He looked as if someone had died. "It'll be alright, mate." He added in encouragement.

"It'll be alright?" Remus repeated incredulously, "IT'LL BE ALRIGHT?! How would you feel if that were Lily?"

James, unsure of where his friend was going with this train of thought, said, "It is Lily, too! Lily is pregnant also," he motioned to his wife who nodded and placed her hands on her stomach.

"Pregnant….also?" Remus was going to be sick. What did this mean? These words…James wasn't making any sense.

"Yes, a bit of a shock, I know, but your daughter and my son…they'll get along famously, don't you think, mate? I bet she'll have Mary's attitude. Merlin, you'd better keep your wand handy to fight off the blokes when she gets older," James was rambling, trying to get through to Remus that being a father could be a rewarding thing. "Mind you, no casting any hexes at our little Harry."

The torment in Remus's eyes registered with them then. This went much deeper than discovering that one was going to be a father. "Oh, Remus…oh, no," said Lily, still misunderstanding his agony, "There is no way lycanthropy is passed on like this. Your daughter will be fine. I've read books about it, you know. Even though most werewolves choose lives of isolation, when they have had children then both parents need to be infected for the child to inherit the werewolf gene…at least, most of the time…" Lily winced. Because she knew there was, technically, about a 15-20 percent chance that the child could be born a lycanthrope. It was possible, just unlikely.

"Mary was…pregnant?" Remus was finally gripping the reality of the situation. "How do you…when did you…"

"She came by this afternoon and told us. She left straightaway to go tell Dumbledore that she wouldn't be able to do much for the Order for a while. Hasn't she told you yet? When you came in, I thought you knew…" James was beyond worried now. Remus's weak legs gave out from under him and he collapsed onto the sofa in heart wrenching sobs.

"She's dead," he moaned into his hands. "She died this afternoon, stopping a Death Eater attack in London. She's gone."

"No!" Lily screamed and fell sideways, into James, who caught her and stood there, supporting her, too shocked to move.

"I don't…understand," James finally managed to say. "She was here just a few hours ago, saying that she couldn't go on any more dangerous assignments."

"Well obviously she thought she had one more in her," growled Remus as he became furious with the dead woman. "How could she do this to me? She must've known she was walking into a helpless situation!"

Remus sprang to his feet and swiped a vase off of a table, smashing it into the wall. The Potters made no moves to stop him as he continued throwing and smashing things around the room, screaming all the while. "WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET THROUGH THIS WAR TOGETHER!" a picture frame shattered against the stone fireplace. "DID SHE EVEN CONSIDER WHAT THIS WOULD DO TO ME?" a book flew through the air and broke the light fixture above the sofa.

"It wasn't her fault," said Lily kindly and she placed a soft hand on Remus's arm. "Mary loved you very much. She loved your daughter very much. If you want someone to blame, blame Voldemort."

At the mention of that name Remus's eyes widened, his nostrils flared, and he looked like he did just before he transformed. James wondered idly if werewolves could turn into werewolves at any other time aside from the full moon.

"I didn't just lose Mary…I also lost our daughter…" In his anguish Remus moved as if to Disapparate but James caught him in his arms and hugged him tightly. Both were crying but it was Remus's sobs that were breaking Lily's heart. "Never again," said Remus as he pulled away from James's embrace. "I knew when I got with Mary that I shouldn't. I shouldn't have gotten involved with anyone."

"This wasn't your fault, Moony," James reminded him as tears streamed down his face.

"I know that. But this is too much for me, Prongs. I can't lose anyone like this every again. I'm vowing here and now to never love another woman. What if this had been the other way around and Mary was the one grieving over me? No. Things are better when you're alone."

Although James and Lily disagreed with the direction of Remus's thoughts, they kept silent, believing that he was talking out of grief and his mind would change one day. They had no idea that he would keep this vow for nearly the next two decades.

…

The funeral was simple but beautiful. It wasn't the first time they had met Mary's parents but it was the first time Lily really looked at them. Mary had gotten her height from her father but had her mother's delicate face and soft eyes.

Remus spent all of his meager savings on purchasing a mother-daughter silver pendent necklace which he slid into Mary's hands as he said his goodbyes. As they lowered the casket her father sobbed as her mother just sat there looking shocked.

"Thank you," Remus was surprised to find himself being addressed by Mr. MacDonald. He'd met her parents on numerous occasions and had always been welcome at their home but he wasn't sure if they were aware of his condition and that always made him feel awkward and uncomfortable in their presence. Did they know their daughter kept such dangerous company?

"For what?" he asked, not rudely.

"For making our little Mary so happy. I knew this would happen. I should've begged her not to be an Auror. I tried to talk her out of it. I told her they always needed nurses at Mungo's. She wouldn't hear a word about it," he gave a chuckle.

"She loved you very much and so do we," Mrs. MacDonald stretched up to kiss Remus on the jaw. "We always knew, by the way. About what you are. Mary told us in a letter the same day she found out."

With wide eyes and a slack jaw, he muttered, "And you let her stay with me?"

Mr. MacDonald frowned, "In case you didn't notice, son, nobody let Mary do anything. But yes, we approved whole heartedly of your relationship with our daughter."

"Why? How could you possibly? It was dangerous and foolish of me to have ever dated her…"

"No," Mrs. MacDonald argued. "She loved you. Nobody, nothing, ever made her happier. We saw the way she was with you. We knew she was better when she was with you. Thank you, Mr. Lupin, for all you did for our daughter."

Before he could even think of a proper response they'd walked away and left him standing alone by the grave.