Enigma's Love

Enigma's Love - Part 2 - Hope in the Dark

One would think that life should be perfect for Dory and Remus after their graduation from Hogwarts but it was anything but. Their love had to bring them through many a challenge.

After graduation, both Remus and James came to a very important decision...that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with the women they loved. For James, being with Lily for the rest of his life was not an issue. No one stood in the way of them marrying and being happy for the rest of their days. For Remus though, it was another story entirely. There were laws against werewolves marrying for the fear existed that lycanthropy could be transmitted to others if they were to have children.

Dory and Remus were so distraught by this. Their lives were determined by something neither one could control. Desperate and longing to be together forever, they pled their case to the Ministry. At only 19, they stood in front of a panel of wizards to determine if they were allowed to be happy. Dory was forced to prove that she would be able to control the wolf that lurked in his veins. She was a member of an ancient wizarding family, descended from Morgana herself. Dory had become an expert in ancient magic, including the spell that she used on Remus to calm him as the wolf. They stood there silently with tears in their eyes as they waited for their fates to be determined. Neither one was able to breathe as the Ministry passed their judgment - they could be married. What the Ministry didn't tell them though, not wanting to destroy their obvious joy, was that they would be watched very carefully for the rest of their lives.

Dory and Remus had a very simple ceremony, only their closest friends were there with them. They did not care about all the many trivial things that many couples consider when marrying, all they focused on was their love and their life together.

After the wedding, Dory was commissioned to teach at Hogwarts - Ancient Magic and Spells. She was completely overjoyed at this. She would be able to pass on her knowledge of the Ancients and still be able to find new things to help Remus. She unfortunately had to swallow her pride and ask Severus Snape, the new potions master and former pain in the neck, to teach her how to make the wolfsbane potion for Remus, in addition to her spells. Dory only wanted to make every full moon for him as easy as possible.

Remus found a job at the Ministry for a while when Dory had to adjust from being Miss Domenica Knight, Hogwarts student to Professor Lupin, Mistress of Ancient Magic and Spells. He found it quite amusing that she was teaching students who were only a few years younger than herself - fifth years and above. Remus loved visiting her and watching their former professors stumbling over themselves to remember to address her as Domenica or Dory and not Miss Knight.

Even after graduation, the Infamous Marauders still remained together. Nearly every night, everyone would either be at James and Lily's or Remus and Dory's house. These were their moments of release and being able to act like children again. Dory and Lily always seemed to be the odd ones out when the boys were at play. They would talk about them when they were out of ear shot. When they were making fun of them it was always Moony, Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail. But when it was kind...they always referred to them by their names. It had been several months since they had married and already both women were sizing their husbands up on what kind of fathers they would make. Surprisingly, neither Dory nor Lily doubted them. They both knew deep down that, despite the child like exterior that would never seemingly grow up, both Remus and James would do anything for any children that they would have. This was indeed a good thing because both women had a secret.

One night, after one of these little get-togethers at James', Dory and Remus were quietly lying in bed when Dory decided to bring up one subject.

"You know, Lily told me that she and James were going to be adding to their family this summer," Dory said casually as they lay on the pillows.

Remus was overjoyed for his friend at hearing the news. "That's wonderful! Why didn't he tell me?" he asked in surprise.

"Because he doesn't know yet," Dory added bluntly but then her mood changed and she spoke in a quieter tone. "And they aren't the only ones..." she added.

Remus seemed confused for a second, trying to figure out who else could be having a baby, but then the thought dawned on him and his eyes went wide as he looked at Dory. "Do you mean...us...we...a baby?" he stammered, unable to even form a coherent sentence.

Dory had a big smile on her face as she nodded to signal he was right. "In August we will have 2 additions to our family. I just was informed today."

Remus was beyond overjoyed as he kissed her lovingly. He had always dreamed of being a father and wanted to give anything he could to his children. They fell asleep in each other's arms with such peace and joy surrounding them, never wanting any of it to end.

The next morning, while Dory was eating breakfast before she had to go to work, an owl flew in their window and dropped a letter in Dory's lap and immediately flew out. She picked up the letter and saw that it bore the seal of the Ministry and she became so nervous. Her hands shook as she read it. The letter reminded them of the legal codes against werewolves and having children. The letter dictated that they would have to appear before the Ministry for a hearing to determine if their children were allowed to live. Tears were streaming down her face by the time she had reached the bottom. She remembered the law but she had done extensive research on the subject when she first even considered the thought of having a child. There was only a slim chance of her babies having lycanthropy and she could handle it. She ran back to hers and Remus' bedroom and woke her husband frantically.

"Remus, they want to kill our children before they are born," she cried out as she handed him the letter.

Remus could clearly see that his wife was terribly upset as he pulled her close to him. He read the letter and tears formed in his eyes at the thought that they may lose their children. "We'll figure this out. We will manage somehow," he said in a shaky voice, trying to be reassuring but not even sure himself.

They had the hearing right away. Remus and Dory had specifically requested that all of their friends be there for support. If they were going to lose their twins, they were going to need shoulders to cry on.

"Remus and Domenica Lupin," the unknown Minister addresses them as they walked forward to stand in front of a similar panel that judged them to allow them to marry. "It has come to our attention that you are expecting a child. According to the Werewolf codes, those with lycanthropy should not have children due to the threat of the infliction being passed on to the child. This hearing is being called to determine if the child should be disposed of."

The shock was clearly audible when the Minister spoke. James, Sirius and Lily felt so horrible that Remus and Dory had to go through this. The last thing they wanted in the world was for their dearest friends to lose their children.

"May I address the panel, sir?" Dory spoke up. The Minister only nodded and signaled her to step forward. Dory had this all planned in her mind but her stomach sank with fear when it came time to speak these words. "I do not see the reason why we should be denied the right to be parents. I have done extensive research before I even considered having a child. The risk is quite small at best. I have already proven that I can handle the consequences of such a terrible affliction. Should our children have to suffer the same terrible disease, Remus and I would love them no matter what and my knowledge of the Ancient Spells, I can make sure that no harm comes to them or others around them. Please, do not brush us off like this. We already love our children and we haven't met them yet. I know that Remus would never hurt them. Please, all we ask is to have the same opportunity to have a family like everyone else," she pleaded with earnest.

The Ministry council retired to an anteroom to discuss their decision. Dory and Remus were visibly scared. They sat down on a bench near the rest of their friends. Remus wrapped his arms around her as Dory leaned against his chest. Sirius, James, and Lily came up from the back so they could sit by them.

"I think you two will win this one, especially after what Dory said," James said, trying to keep a positive outlook. He could only imagine what he would do if he and Lily were faced with the same with their unborn child. "You have to," he added. "Our kids will be playing together this summer and we'll be making little marauders out of them," James continued, trying to keep the mood as light as possible, but he knew his friends' minds were elsewhere as Dory reflexively ran her hand over her stomach. To him it seemed that she was trying to protect them or soothe her children to what may happen.

An eternity passed before the panel reappeared. Dory and Remus snapped to attention when they entered, hoping for the best.

"We have made our decision after much consideration. It has been determined that Remus and Domenica Lupin will be allowed to have their children," the Minister stated to much joy in the room. "With the following condition..." Silence suddenly swept over all those present as fear once again struck them. "The condition is that Domenica Lupin is to be responsible for watching for signs of lycanthropy. Should her children show signs of the affliction at any point, she is required to take any and all means necessary to make sure they do not harm others."

Remus and Dory would have agreed to almost anything as long as it meant keeping their children. They thanked the Ministry profusely as they were leaving with a huge sense of relief in their hearts.

Time passed quickly for both Dory and Lily. Their pregnancies went along without any major problems. Dory was significantly more uncomfortable though with the fact she was carrying two. Remus and James were definitely kept on their toes taking care of their wives' every need. By the time July came around, both women were close to giving birth. Harry James Potter arrived on July 31, 1980 and the Lupin twins, Cesare Antonio and Anastasia Elisabetta arrived on August 10 of the same year, blessedly free of lycanthropy.

Life maintained some happiness among the two families for a time, despite the ever rising power of Voldemort, until October 31, 1981. James and Lily died so tragically at the hands of the Dark Lord. Only little Harry had survived. Remus and Dory were devastated. Their tears they could not hide when they heard the news and at the funeral. They knew Sirius was Harry's godfather and supposed guardian, but the Ministry suspected Sirius in James and Lily's death. Remus and Dory knew that this couldn't be further from the truth. But this had a terrible effect on Harry's life. He was sent to Lily's wretched sister and it broke the Lupins' hearts. They would have happily raised Harry with Cesare and Anastasia but they were not given the option.

Life sadly went on without the Potters and Sirius. Remus and Dory gave their children all they could, despite the fact that they could not let them see their best friend, Harry. Cesare and Anastasia were happy babies, quiet and well behaved, and loved by everyone who met them. They had never met with the feared stigmatism that could come up with their father being a werewolf. The children also grew up knowing about their father and what they had to do on the full moon. And then one day, two owls arrived with letters from Hogwarts...

Enigma's Love - Part 3 - A Promise from the Heart

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Special thanks to enigma 58s, cageruler9697, and Tami for their help with this chapter, providing me with inspiration and bounce off points when I needed it.

The day the Lupin twins went to Hogwarts for the first time was one of the happiest in Remus and Dory's life. Since Dory was one of the professors, she went ahead and left Remus to put their children on the train. He had tears in his eyes as the train pulled away, remembering what he had to go through for the opportunity his children didn't have to fight for. He knew they were safe now and Dory would be meeting them there. Remus knew that he would be spending a lot more time at Hogwarts now.

Dory waited anxiously in the Great Hall with the other professors. She knew the students would be arriving soon and her children would be sorted. The returning students filled into the Great Hall first and separated themselves into their houses, catching up with each other after the holiday. And then McGonagall came in with the first years and Dory could not help but smile when she saw Cesare and Anastasia among them.

Now it was time for the sorting ceremony. Dory hoped that they would be put in Gryffindor. She watched each child very carefully. First was Hermione Granger - Gryffindor. Then came her twins - Gryffindor. Dory's smile was hidden when she heard the name Malfoy. "That fool had children...Merlin help us all, another Slytherin," Dory thought to herself. And then was a moment that changed the course of everything that was to come. McGonagall called out Harry Potter. Dory's attention was fixated on the eleven year old boy with messy jet black hair and unforgettable green eyes behind a pair of glasses. It was James and Lily's son. Tears started to fill Dory's eyes when he was placed in Gryffindor. She had always felt so sorry for that poor boy and renewed her unspoken promise to Lily and James - she would watch over him for them.

After the feast, Dory sat in her office going over her class lists for the new year, thinking about everything that had happened since she left Hogwarts as a student. Her mind was becoming quite numb after going over all the papers when she heard her children come in. Cesare and Anastasia flung themselves into her arms and hugged their mother happily. They were obviously thrilled by being placed in Gryffindor and seeing their best friend again. Cesare proudly announced that he and Harry were in the same room, which was also occupied by Ron Weasley, who he son had obviously befriended. Anastasia had already bonded with Hermione, her dorm mate. Dory was so happy for her children but hurried them out and back to bed so they didn't lose points on the first day for being out past curfew.

Later on that evening, when most of the castle was asleep, Dory crept out of her room and out to the courtyard. Her mind was filled with memories as she sat out among the stars. James, Lily, Sirius, Remus...she wished with all her heart that they could be there with her. A lone tear rolled down her husband, who was probably missing her as much as she was him. She wanted to see her friends again with all her heart. She leaned back against the fountain that she was sitting on and took out her wand, mumbling a spell she had learned her first year. This spell allowed you to see whoever your heart desired in a small window that showed your memories like a movie.

The pictures began to move...the first day at Hogwarts...James and Sirius playing Quidditch...Dory and Lily conspiring against the guys...Remus being the shy but highly intelligent member of the group... the six of them goofing around in the courtyard...Sirius' birthday where he got drunk and got sick all over...graduation...James and Lily's wedding and then hers and Remus'...Harry and the twins...

"You were always my strength and you shall soar in my heart forever. I will watch Harry for you. I won't let you down," she whispered to the images of James and Lily playing with Harry and the twins. A few tears for her departed friends rolled down her cheeks. Dory would have given herself completely into her tears if she wasn't distracted by a hand on her shoulder.

"I was wondering when you would use that spell."

Dory whipped her head around and the images vanished into the night. "Remus!" she screamed as she flung herself into her husband's arms. Remus wrapped Dory in a warm hug as he kissed away her tears. "He's here. Harry has come to Hogwarts," she whispered as she fell into his embrace.

Remus was not totally shocked but he was curious. "How does he look? Is he alright?" he asked in an obviously concerned tone. He had wished just as much as Dory did that they could have been given Harry. They would have more than happily raised him for their friends...their family.

"He looks exactly like James did when he was that age. The scar that Voldemort gave him has made that poor boy a celebrity. Cesare and Anastasia have already told me that they have renewed their friendship. They remembered him right away," Dory exclaimed.

It was quite clear that Remus still missed his best friend. Dory could see a few tears building her husband's eyes when she mentioned James. "Maybe the twins should be told more?" Remus pondered as he leaned his head against Dory's. "Harry deserves to know and it may be easier if it comes from them. Those Muggles probably poisoned his mind against them. I just wish we could have done more," he said sadly, his heart still feeling the pain.

"I know exactly what you mean. We promised James and Lily and them to us that if anything would happen to either of us, the other would watch over their children. It feels like we failed them. We have to keep our eye on Harry...we owe them," Dory whispered sadly.

For some time more, the sat in each others arms comforting each other once again. Both Remus and Dory could not hide their tears, tears of love, of loss, of guilt. They heard the clocks in the castle chime one and they knew that they should get to bed. They crept quietly back into the castle and up to Dory's room, where they fell asleep in each other's loving embrace. When they awoke in the morning, real life set in again. Dory got ready for the first day of classes while Remus said a quick hello to Dumbledore and then ducked out through the tunnel that headed to Hogsmeade and apparated home. Dory smiled slightly that he still knew the routes from that damned Marauders' Map.

The day was like any other first day of classes. Dory went through the usual routine with the beginning fifth years, telling them that Ancient magic was a complex study that required them to have a decent background in herbology, potions, and spell casting. Of course fear swept over the room until Dory reassured them that it wasn't that difficult. The day was nothing out of the ordinary until Cesare and Anastasia came to their mother's office.

"What were you watching last night?" Anastasia asked bluntly to her mother's shock.

"What were you doing up?" Dory returned.

"We couldn't sleep and we saw the faint lights in the courtyard and then we saw Dad there too," Cesare added.

Dory knew she couldn't avoid this much longer but she knew she couldn't do it alone. She went to the fire place and yelled for Remus, who appeared quite quickly. "We have to tell them," she said sadly.

Remus took a deep breath and sat down on the couch, dreading when he would have to do this. "Well, everyone knows that Harry Potter is a legend..." Remus started as his children nodded in agreement. "He is only famous because he survived his parents' death when Voldemort took them." Remus was beginning to get choked up as he had to relive all those memories. "His parents were our best friends and we would have done anything for them, except we couldn't save them," he said as tears started to fill his eyes when he thought about his best friend.

"You now know more about Harry Potter than he knows about himself, and we need you two to be there for him as his friends when he needs you," Dory continued for her husband. "Your father and I made a promise to his parents that we would watch over him and never let him get hurt. We need you two to help us. Can you do that?"

"Of course we can...he's our friend," Cesare responded as he and Anastasia went back up to their rooms for the night, thinking about how they would help their friend.

They didn't have to wait long before they had their opportunity to help Harry. That Saturday morning, they were all down in the Great Hall having breakfast when the Malfoy brat came over.

"Hey Potter, or shall I say your Excellency, where is your harem? Retired for the morning? Who'll help you drown your pancakes?" he mocked.

The twins saw Malfoy come over and they knew things could get ugly. They had already seen how much he got to Harry. Cesare and Anastasia took a quick scan of the room. Hermione had her nose in a book at the end of the table and Ron was jabbering away with his brothers about Quidditch and they saw Harry already start to seethe with anger. Before Harry could speak up, Cesare stepped in.

"Why don't you go have one of your flunkies go worship you somewhere else? No one asked for your opinion so I would suggest you back off and find the rock you crawled out from and return to it," Cesare stated with venom in his voice as he and Anastasia walked over and stood by their friend.

Malfoy was shocked that someone would say that to him and was just about to open his mouth for a retort when Anastasia spoke up

"As you said, some wizarding families are just better than others and you have to be careful who you choose to be around," she said icily as she and her brother stood by their friend. Malfoy was dumbfounded and backed off with his little flunkies to their little Slytherin hole. Anastasia then turned back to Harry and sat down next to him, along with her. "Are you alright?" she asked sweetly.

Harry's anger had dissipated when Malfoy retreated. His anger was replaced with something else that Anastasia and Cesare could see in his eyes, something they couldn't describe. "That's the first time anyone has ever stood up for me," Harry exclaimed as what looked like tears were forming in his eyes.

The twins could not let him suffer like this so they suggested they go back to the common room, away from the Slytherin threat. When they arrived, Harry crashed down on the couch and the twins pulled up two chairs beside him.

"Why does everyone always make such a big deal about me?" Harry said miserably as he wiped his eyes. "Everyone treats me different because I am 'the boy that lived,' everyone but you two. You guys are nice to me and make me feel like I belong. That's why I like having you as my friends."

"We have known you longer than everyone else," Cesare spoke up as he moved his seat to the couch next to his friend. "We are only 10 days younger than you and we used to play together when we were little from what our mother told us."

Harry looked a bit confused at this, wanting to hear more.

"Mom told us that we were inseparable when we were babies because our parents were best friends with yours," Anastasia finished for her brother. "Mom also said we were lost when Dumbledore sent you to the Dursleys and not with our Mom and Dad."

Harry was amazed at all this. He was finding out stuff the Dursleys had never told him, or wanted to. He had friends and people had loved him, something the Dursleys had never shown. "Who's your Mom and Dad?" he asked with a hint of happiness coming into his voice.

"Well our Mom is Professor Lupin; you know the one who teaches Ancient Magic and Spells to the fifth years and above," Cesare explained.

"You wanna meet her?" Anastasia added excitedly.

"Yes!" Harry screamed as he jumped off the couch and followed the twins out of the room down the hallway to their mother's room. "Maybe she can fill more of this in for me."

The twins dragged Harry down the hallways up to the door that was marked "Prof. D. Lupin - Ancient Magic and Spells." They knocked quickly and the door opened on its own to reveal Dory and Remus on the couch playing Wizard's Chess, which Remus was undoubtedly winning.

"Mom! Dad! Look who we brought!" Anastasia screamed as she presented Harry.

Dory and Remus stood up from the couch and smiled when they saw Harry. "It's nice to see you again, Harry." Dory stated, hiding the obvious excitement she wanted to express at seeing him.

"Cesare and Anastasia said you knew my Mom and Dad," Harry stated excitedly.

"They were our best friends," Remus replied. "We would have done anything for them and we would still," he said a bit on the cryptic side.

Harry was beyond curious about his parents since he knew nothing about them. He wanted to ask so many questions but he couldn't find the words to ask them or if they were proper. "How did you meet them?" he asked sheepishly.

"We all were in the same class at Hogwarts. All of us more or less ruled Gryffindor House," Dory said with a small laugh, wanting so much to tell him more. "Would you like to see a picture of them?" she added.

Harry practically jumped at the opportunity as Dory removed an old photo album from the shelf. She opened the pages and found one that she had a double of. It was a picture of James, Lily, Remus and herself at the shore after graduation from Hogwarts.

"You can keep this one, Harry. I know your Mom and Dad would want you to," she said as she handed him the picture, trying to keep from crying, trying to keep up a brave front for Harry as an example. "You kids don't want to spend the day with us. Go and have fun. Probably two certain other Gryffindors may be hunting you down by down," she said with a smile as she referred to Hermione and Ron. The children bid farewell to Dory and Remus and fled the room to probably find trouble somewhere. Once the kids were out of sight, Dory crashed onto the couch next to Remus and finally let her tears fall. She saw in his eyes as well the tell-tale signs of bursting emotions. "I want so much to help that poor boy," she said sadly. "He has so many things that he is entitled to know but we can't tell him yet. I still wish we were allowed to be his guardians, rather than the Dursleys."

Remus sighed in slight relief but only part of their burden was lifted. "It's a good thing Harry doesn't know everything because it'd hurt him more than help him. One thing especially..." he said looking at the calendar, noting that the full moon was in only two days. "For now, all we can do is just be there for him...like James and Lily would have been."