Medical Messes, Multiplication, Mending Ministry Misdeeds, and Matrimony

Nymphadora Tonks was not a morning person.

She never had been, and most likely never would be. However, she had found ways to cope.

The alarm clock, for instance. The incessant ringing come seven AM was all well and good. She could tune that out with no problem. She simply buried her head under her covers.

Once it started jumping atop her blanket-hidden head and pecking at her fingers, she knew it was well past time to get up. The alarm clock had been thrown against the wall enough times to know that as soon as Tonks threw back the covers and began snatching wildly at the source of noise, it was time to retreat. (And keep ringing anyway.)

Tonks had her charmed alarm clock, she had members of the Order who were on rotation to make sure she got up in time to make it to the Ministry for her shift, and of course, she had plenty of strong coffee on hand.

On the morning in which our tale starts, something completely new got her out of bed. And fast.

The clock had barely left the nightstand when Tonks pulled her blankets over her face and began her morning grumblings. She started to roll over -

And screamed.

The clock dove for cover, but there was no need; Tonks was fully awake, and clutching her chest, breathing heavily.

"What - in Merlin's name - is wrong with me?" she gasped. She peered down the neck of her shirt, checking for hex marks, expecting her bosom to have been visibly jinxed. Nothing. Well, nothing out of the ordinary, at least. These should not feel like this. What the...

She headed for the shower, whimpering each time her shirt rubbed against her front. Facing away from the spray, she experimentally lifted an arm, and wailed.

No way am I going to be able to hold a wand at the ready today, she thought. She shut off the water and wrapped herself carefully in a bathrobe, then headed down to the kitchen to owl in sick to work. Her glossy black owl had already dropped the day's edition of the Prophet on the table. Tonks barely registered the delivery as she jotted a quick note to Kingsley, then sent the owl back to the Ministry.

Having taken care of notifying the Auror Department that she wasn't going to be in that day, Tonks limped back upstairs and dressed in her softest shirt, then flopped down on her back upon the soft bed.

Well, what am I going to do today? she wondered, staring blankly at the ceiling. I can't just lie around. There's too much to do, not that I'll be much help today. There has got to be something...Maybe I'll call over to Remus and see if there's anything on the agenda for the Order, something that doesn't require movement.

Bloody unlikely, she chuckled to herself, then grimaced at the soreness that shot through her chest with even the slight movement. Wars weren't fought from the comfort of one's bed, after all.

Remus. She hadn't seen him in days. In fact, she'd barely seen him at all since Dumbledore's plans for the Order had been put into effect. In the event of his death (...likely, I am sure you will all agree, as no one lives forever, Dumbledore had said in his final message, left in his Pensieve), Minerva McGonagall, Alastor Moody, and Remus John Lupin had been named Guardians of the Order of the Phoenix. The three made a good team, Tonks had to admit, though she was not happy with the fact that Remus seemed to be gone all the damn time now. Their scant time together was happy, peaceful, and always a great deal of fun. Tonks held her blankets against her cheek. They still held a bit of his scent. LOTS of fun, she thought, a wide grin spreading across her face.

Well, he'd mentioned that he would be in and out of Hogwarts this week, meeting with McGonagall to help her to prepare for the upcoming school year. Enrollment was nearly nonexistent, but there would still be a hanful of students there, and each one needed to be safe at school. They were setting new wards about the castle grounds, which was time-consuming and exhausting.

I wouldn't be much help there, she thought wryly. Maybe I'll go visit Molly. She'll be home, I'm sure.

Tonks carefully rolled off the bed and made her cautious way to the Apparition point. "Ow, ow, ow," she muttered, protectively clutching her chest the entire way.

* * * * *

Molly was sitting at the kitchen table with Ginny and Luna Lovegood when Tonks came limping to the door.

"Wotcher, girls," Tonks said with a weak smile. "What're you studying today?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Household charms. Mum's 'supplementing our education'," she said with a bite of sarcasm in her voice.

"Well, dear, you need to know them," Molly said, arching her eyebrows. "After all, you wouldn't want to come of age without having mastered a simple scourgify charm, would you?"

"I can already do scourgify perfectly well, thank you," Ginny snapped. "Name me one adult who can't."

Tonks blushed. Ginny caught it, and snickered.

"Tonks, dear, please sit down and let me get you some tea," Molly said quickly, patting one of the mismatched chairs opposite Ginny and Luna as she bustled to the tea kettle.

Tonks gingerly lowered herself into her seat, cringing.

"Is there something the matter with your breasts?" Luna asked, her face the picture of detached interest.

"Luna!" Molly scolded. "Why would you ask such a thing?"

Ginny whirled in her chair to face her mother. "Well, look at her! She's got this awful look on her face and she's clutching at her chest. Obviously, there's something wrong."

Tonks nodded. "They're killing me. Have been, ever since I tried to roll over when I woke up."

Molly looked thoughtful for a moment. She took the freshly-poured tea to the draining board, where the Daily Prophet had been spread open. She looked at a front-page article. She looked at Tonks.

With a crash, Molly dropped the teacup.

"Molly? Are you all right?" Tonks asked, starting to rise from her chair, gritting her teeth.

Molly gave a weak, forced laugh. "Of course - I'm fine - reparo - girls, go outside and practice the charm on the outside windows -"

"Mum, can't we go play Quidditch?" Ginny whined.

Molly shook her head, as though chasing off a fly. "Quidditch - fine, that's just fine, don't wander off, and come back in an hour." The unflappable Weasley matriarch looked uncharacteristically flustered; she seemed willing to agree to anything at that point, so long as her daughter and her friend left the kitchen.

Ginny gave a whoop of glee and hauled Luna out the door. Luna peered over her shoulder. "Congratulations," she called vaguely as Ginny dragged her down the walk.

Tonks watched through the window as Ginny mounted a broom and raced off, Luna following behind at a more sedate pace. She turned to Molly. "'Congratulations'?" she muttered.

Molly rested her head against a cupboard. "I swear, there is something very odd about that child."

Tonks snorted. "Yeah, no kidding. Who'd congratulate a relative stranger on a sore rack?"

In response, Molly walked over to the counter and folded that day's paper, carefully obscuring the headlines. "So, read the paper today, Tonks?" Molly asked in a would-be casual voice.

Tonks shook her head.

Molly gave a wobbly smile. "Hmm. Well, dear. I have an excellent pain-relief potion. It'll take the soreness right out. Would you like a dose?"

"Anything, please. Thank you," Tonks said, watching Molly cross to a high cupboard and begin rustling around. Molly reached to the very back, grabbed a small bottle, and blew dust off the label.

"Yes, here's the one," Molly said, looking at the bottle with a misty smile. "Works like a charm, and I would know."

Molly poured a spoonful of potion and, to Tonks' amusement, said, "Now, say 'aaah'," and held the spoon herself as she gave Tonks her medicine.

"You're such a Mum," Tonks giggled after she'd swallowed.

Molly, herself, swallowed. "Now you stay put for a moment."

Tonks did as she was told, then suddenly jumped to her feet. "Erm. Molly. Can I use your loo?"

"Went right through, did it?" Molly replied with a note of trepidation in her voice, and led Tonks down the hall. "Now, dear...Er, the flush is stubborn. I'll take care of it once you're through."

Tonks raced into the bathroom, still holding her arms over her chest, pushing the door closed with her foot.

Couldn't risk her flushing before she sees the results, Molly thought, closing her eyes. That bottle had seven doses. I'd hate to have to run out for more.

From the hall, Molly listened carefully: A sigh of relief, the toilet tissue roll unwinding, and then - most predictably...

A scream.

"Piddling turquoise, are you, dear?" Molly called through the door.

Tonks threw the door open, her face white as a sheet. "WHY IN MERLIN'S NAME IS MY PEE BLUE?" she shrieked, pointing at the commode.

Molly grabbed her young friend's arm and led her into the parlor. "Sit right there, lamb. I'll be right back."

* * * * *

Tonks sat in the comfortable chair, her hands clutching the arms, fingers white, mind reeling. Okay. So I feel like my bust was run over by the Knight Bus and I seem to be urinating a color I wouldn't even consider for use on my hair. What in fresh Hades is going on here?

Molly came back in with two items in hand: the potion bottle, and that morning's news. She handed Tonks the paper. Tonks scanned the front page.

You-Know-Who's Latest Attack, the headline read. Farther down was a list of confirmed victims from the previous day's violence. Then, she saw it: In the bottom corner was a small article that began: St. Mungo's Recalls Twelve Doses of Contraceptive Potion. The issue dates were listed. Tonks counted back...

Her eyes widened. Molly, seeing this, figured Tonks had found the right bit of news. Molly knelt beside the chair and brushed a bit of extra dust from the potion bottle. The enchanted picture on the front let forth a tiny sneeze, then looked up at Molly with an expression that clearly said, Sweet Circe...You again?

Then, the pink-cheeked baby on the bottle caught sight of Tonks and noiselessly gurgled, waving chubby fists and obviously trying to be as charming as possible. The inscription on the label read:

Aren't I sweet? Who's my Mummy?

Well...It could be you!

Have a big spoonful

And head to the loo

You'll know for sure

If you've made in bright blue!

"Pregnancy Detection Tonic. Never failed yet," Molly said, patting Tonks' cheek. "Congratulations, dear. You're going to be a mother."

Had Tonks not been sitting down, she would have collapsed to the floor in a faint.

As it was, she simply went limp in the armchair when she passed out in shock.

* * * * *

Molly was still sitting in the parlor when Tonks came to.

"I had the strangest dream," Tonks said, rubbing her eyes and giving Molly a bemused smile.

The older woman held up the Daily Prophet and the Tonic. Tonks' smile vanished.

"Oh." Tonks seemed to think it over for a moment.

Then, in a panic, she yelled, "Bloody hell!"

Blushing as bright pink as her hair, Tonks winced. "Sorry, Molly. Didn't mean to swear. I've just had a shock, is all."

Molly laughed. "I'll overlook the language, just this once. In fact, between the two of us...I said the exact same thing when I found out I was expecting again just after the twins turned a year old."

Tonks managed a weak smile. She hauled herself out of the chair and began stalking around the room. Molly saw her agitated state and steered Tonks away from any breakable objects, then left the young Auror to her pacing.

Finally, Tonks whirled around. "Molly, what am I going to do? I mean, I've loved him for such a long time, but our relationship is still so new, and I don't know how I'm going to tell him, or what he's going to say, and OH MY GODRIC, I'M GOING TO HAVE A BABY!" she screeched, grabbing at her hair.

"Tonks, sit," Molly commanded. Tonks plunked down, cross-legged, directly on the floor.

Molly settled with a bit more grace on the rug nearby. "You're going to be fine. You're both going to do just fine with this bit of unexpected news. It may take a while to sink in, but you and Remus will come through this together."

"What makes you so sure Remus is the father?"

Molly looked flabbergasted.

"Only joking," Tonks said, giving a weak giggle. Molly still looked shocked, so Tonks added, "There's no way it's anyone else."

"You're certain of that?"

"Molly, good Godric. Of course I am."

"Well, then," Molly said, giving a sigh of relief, "let's talk about what you're going to do."

Tonks buried her head in her hands. "Merlin. Well, aside from blowing up like I've been hit with an Engorgement Charm and then spending the rest of my twenties changing nappies?"

"Yes, besides that," said Molly. "I'll help you to tell Remus, if you'd like."

"Is there a particular way this is done? I mean, how'd you tell Arthur when you had your babies?"

Molly looked thoughtful. "When I found out I was expecting Bill, I prepared him a lovely dinner and told him the news over dessert. By the time I had the twins, or maybe it was Ron, he'd catch me with my head over the loo, and I'd find the cradle set up the next afternoon."

The two women laughed. Tonks couldn't imagine anything like this becoming commonplace, but she'd been so shaken by finding herself very unexpectedly expecting, any hint of normalcy to come was welcome news.

She and Molly spent the rest of the afternoon holed up in the parlor, having cup after cup of tea, hatching a plan.

* * * * *

Tonks had had a draining day. Her chest was still aching terribly, but Molly had assured her that it would pass. Molly had assured her of a lot, actually. Tonks had sometimes been irritated with Molly's overprotectiveness and strong opinions her early days in the Order, but the older woman had been a pillar of strength while she and Remus were still side-stepping around one another. In this instance, facing something entirely unknown, it was invaluable to have a friend who had been through the same process half a dozen times.

Molly had managed to get a hold of Remus via Floo, and convinced him to come for dinner that night. "We all miss you - especially Miss Tonks," Molly said pointedly. Remus' head had glanced around the Weasleys' kitchen with a hopeful expression that made Tonks' heart sing, and she had leaned into view for a quick "wotcher".

Dinner was ready; Molly had convinced Tonks to sit and keep her company rather than helping with the food preparation. Tonks thought Molly just didn't trust her clumsy self around plates and knives. (She also thought Molly had a point, there.)

The meal began as a quiet affair. Ginny was the only Weasley child living at home that summer; Ron was off with Harry and Hermione doing Merlin-only-knew-what, and the youngest Weasley had taken to having Luna over quite a lot for company. The girls sat across from Remus and Tonks, with Molly and Arthur at the head and foot of the table.

Remus reached under the table and grasped Tonks' hand. She dropped her fork. Remus went to retrieve it at the same time as she did, and they bumped heads. Remus laughed softly as they rubbed the sore spots, and Molly hurriedly went to get a clean replacement.

"So, Remus," Molly said as she handed Tonks her cutlery, "what did you think of the Prophet today?"

Remus shook his head. "The news isn't good from the war front. I almost wish I was out there fighting, but right now, I'm needed at Hogwarts. We have to keep the school safe this year, or we won't have another generation to carry on the Wizarding world at all."

"Speaking of another generation, how about that potion recall?" Arthur asked, then jumped and yelped as his wife's shoe connected with his shin. (She couldn't reach far enough to kick him under the table, so she'd simply Banished a boot.)

"Bad luck, all around," Remus said, shaking his head sadly. "Having babies in wartime is never a good idea, especially when they weren't planned-for in the first place."

Tonks jumped up, burst into tears, and stumbled away from the table with her face in her hands, ramming an elbow into the doorframe on her way out of the room.

"She seemed a bit upset by what you said," Luna murmured, glancing up from her plate, on which she was creating a pyramid of peas. "It was rather insensitive."

"Pardon me?" Remus asked, baffled.

Luna looked Remus straight in the eye, and the Weasleys were stunned, for she looked entirely alert as she said, "Well, you are the father of her baby."

"Tonks doesn't have any children," Remus chuckled - then dropped his fork.

Realization hit, and he joined the fallen utensils on the floor as he collapsed out of his chair.

* * * * * * * * *

Is he coming around?

It seems so. Give him another good slap.

But if he's waking up...

He deserves it, Arthur.

But Mollywobbles...

Fine! I'll do it!

Remus awoke to Molly Weasley hitting him across the face. "Ouch," he murmured.

"Sorry, mate," Arthur said, cringing.

Remus shook his head, both to show there were no hard feelings, and also in hopes of clearing the fog that had somehow settled round his brain.

Was having dinner...Sitting with Nymphadora, holding hands with her...Merlin, it's good just being near her again...Talking about the headlines...Luna's mountain of peas...Defective potion...

"Bloody hell!" Remus shouted suddenly. He glanced over at Molly. "Oh dear. Please pardon my language."

Arthur and Molly chuckled. "Bring back memories, darling?" Arthur asked his wife.

Ginny and Luna entered the kitchen.

"Oh, he's awake," Luna observed, shoving her wand more securely behind her ear. "Did you make certain to slap him after he woke up, too?"

"Did you find Tonks?" Molly interjected, looking concerned.

Ginny made a face. "She's still in the loo, getting ill. I didn't realize anyone could puke for that long."

"I did that five months straight when I was expecting you, young lady, and you'd do best not to forget it," snapped Molly, shaking a scolding finger at her daughter.

Grabbing a handful of Dragon Dan's Fire-Breathing Peanuts from a bowl on the counter, Ginny protested, "Well, it's still gross!"

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, I wanted to ask if Ginny could spend the night at my house," Luna interrupted.

"If it's all right with your father, it's fine by us," Arthur said.

Ginny grinned at her father, then gave an almighty, flaming belch.

"And you'd best mind your manners, Ginevra!" Molly called as the girls left the house.

"See you tomorrow," Ginny said over her shoulder, and she and Luna headed out into the dusky evening.

Remus was still slumped against the table leg, staring into space.

"Are you all right, mate?" Arthur asked, clapping Remus on the shoulder.

Remus nodded, shook his head, and nodded again. "I really don't know. It's just...a shock, I suppose."

Molly put her hands on her hips. "Well, you were right insensitive about it, let me tell you. Poor girl spent the afternoon crying on my shoulder..."

Remus buried his head in his knees. "I should've known."

"Should've known what, exactly?" Molly queried, still looking like a riled-up mother hen.

"Of course. She'd never want to have a baby with a werewolf. Who would?" Remus' greying hair swayed as he shook his head. "It was all a mistake. We never should've gotten involved in the first place..."

Molly and Arthur stared at one another. "Remus, you've got the wrong end of the stick here..." Arthur began.

But Remus went on. "I'll never be able to support her and the baby. I'm too ill and too old...we're going to be living in poverty...I'm not going to have the energy to give hippogriff rides on my back, or coach Wee League Quidditch." He looked up into the Weasleys' faces. "I can't blame her for being upset, really."

Molly finally snapped. She grabbed her saucepan and held it threateningly in her hands. "Now you listen here, young man..."

Remus cringed, certain she was going to agree with him, absolutely sure he was about to get whacked upside the head with cast-iron cookware.

Molly began to shout, brandishing the pan, her voice rising with each word. "She was terrified that you'd be angry, or disappointed, or that you'd want to LEAVE her, YOU STUPID PRAT!"

By the time she finished, her voice was shaking the windows. Molly just hoped it was enough to get through his thick skull. Arthur did as well, if only to make the ringing in his ears worth the trouble.

Apparently, it had. Remus looked thoughtful for a moment, then hauled himself off the floor and went dashing down the hall in search of Tonks.

* * * * *

"Nymphadora?" he called through the bathroom door.

"Don't call me that," whimpered a weak voice, sounding as though it was coming from the floor.

Remus flinched in sympathy and rattled the knob. "Let me in."

"No," came Tonks' firm reply.

Remus sighed. "Fine, wash your face - it'll help, I promise - and meet me in the parlor. I'd like to talk with you."

Tonks wiped her red eyes and runny nose and leaned her head against the floor. She'd finally stopped being ill, though she still felt as though she could never look at food again. Note to self: Never eat Jell-O while pregnant, she thought.

Pregnant.

After splashing some cold water on her face and rinsing out her mouth with Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Minty-Fresh Rinse, Tonks felt a bit better. Shaky, sore, and wrung-out, but at least I'm not ralphing everywhere anymore.

She headed into the parlor.

Remus wasn't there.

She dragged herself as quickly as she could into the kitchen. Molly and Arthur were there, seated at the table and speaking in hushed voices.

Her face fell. "He's gone, isn't he?" she asked.

Arthur nodded. "Yes."

Tonks burst into tears.

"Wait, wait!" Molly said quickly, shooting a nasty look at her husband. "He's gone out for a moment, but he said he'll be back shortly. He asked that you wait for him in the parlor."

Tonks snorted.

"Really, dear. Just head on in there, and I'll send him in as soon as he returns," Arthur said in his Best Calming Voice (he'd had a fair amount of practice with it, in thirty-odd years of marriage to Molly).

Tonks dragged her feet the whole way down the hall, then flopped onto the most comfortable sofa in the room. Her eyes drifted closed, but it couldn't have been more than a quarter of an hour before Remus' voice filtered from the kitchen.

"...Yes, please, I'd like you to come as well," he was saying. In moments, Remus came into the parlor, accompanied by Arthur and Molly.

"What, you need witnesses to tell me to piss off?" Tonks asked nastily.

Remus bit his lip. "No. But I'd like our friends to share this moment, if it's all right with you."

Tonks hadn't even bothered to sit up. She remained sprawled on the sofa even as Remus went down on one knee.

Molly gasped and clutched her hands to her heart. Arthur wrapped his arms around his wife.

Remus said, "Nymphadora, I would be honored if you would marry me."

Tonks made a wild attempt to bring herself upright...and promptly got sick all over Remus' shoes.

Remus glanced at the mess on his feet. "If that's a no, it has to be the most creative refusal ever known to man."

Tonks gave a weak smile. "I warned you about using my name. Molly, could you...?"

Molly took her wand from her housecoat pocket and waved it at the mess. "Tonks, I'm going to teach you those spells, along with the girls."

"Gladly," Tonks said. She turned her head to meet Remus' eyes. A horrible suspicion arose in her mind.

"You're doing this just 'cause I got knocked up, aren't you?" she asked.

Remus' hand was still in his coat pocket, clutching something as though his life depended on it. "No. Of course not. In fact," he continued, taking a deep breath and pulling his hand from concealment, "I've had this for a while, and I'd planned to ask you once I felt my life was stable enough to make a commitment to you. I love you. I want to marry you."

He sighed. "I don't have a real home, or any money to speak of, but I have my love for you...and for this baby. Our baby," he added, his face lighting up at the very thought.

But Tonks was stuck on one major point. "A while. How long is a while? Because if that's a ring in your hand, you sure had a funny way of courting me - telling me you were too old, too poor, too dangerous..."

"I was waiting for you to come to your senses and realize you deserved better." Remus grimaced as he stared at the pattern on the couch.

"You great prat..." Tonks began, then started laughing and crying all at once. "Of course I'll marry you."

A smile broke on Remus' face and suddenly, he looked just as young as his newly-minted fiancee, if not younger.

Molly was weeping into Arthur's shoulder as Remus slipped the ring onto Tonks' finger. "It was my grandmother's," Remus told her as she admired it. "She would've loved you."

"I love you."

"I love you, Nymphadora."

Tonks scowled at him for a moment, then clapped a hand to her mouth and mumbled between her fingers, "B'right back."

As she rushed off to the loo, Molly smiled. "It seems we have a wedding to plan, and quickly. We might as well do it soon, after all. You're not getting any younger...and she's not going to get any smaller, of course."

Arthur looked concerned. "How are we going to get around...certain laws, though?"

Remus sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair. "I have no idea." He looked at the door through with Tonks had disappeared. "I mean, that's really the reason I couldn't ask her before. It'd have to be a pretty reckless Ministry employee who would sign off on a waiver for an Auror to marry a werewolf. I want to marry her. I'm more determined than ever, now...I will find a way."

His face suddenly brightening, Arthur ran upstairs, and came back down clutching the Ministry Law Handbook. He flipped through, found the right page, and looked up with a grin.

"I have an idea..."

* * * * *

The next day, Arthur met with Kingsley, who helped to draw up the necessary paperwork. The decree was prepared and ready to go, with only one required signature remaining.

Arthur headed up to the first floor, a voluminous stack of parchment tucked under his arm. He stopped at the office just outside the Minister's suite.

"Good morning, Senior Undersecretary," Arthur said with determined good cheer.

Percy Weasley glanced up and scowled at his father. "Yes, Weasley. What is it?"

Arthur cringed, but turned his gritted teeth into something resembling a pained smile. "I know the Minister is out for the day, but I have documents I need to have signed immediately. I'm assuming you are acting in his stead?"

Percy puffed out his chest. "Yes."

"Well, could I please trouble you for a moment of your time? All these need are signatures, a few simple scribbles on each page, won't take more than two minutes." Arthur tried his best to keep that awful grin plastered on his face. It was getting more difficult by the second. I can't believe I raised this self-satisfied prat, he thought, the corners of his mouth beginning to develop an involuntary twitch from the effort of keeping his teeth bared.

Percy heaved an enormous, long-suffering sigh. "I suppose I can clear the time in my busy schedule. Don't leave things for the last minute in the future. The Minister is a very important man with many demands on his time, and as such, so am I."

Arthur handed over the parchment, his mouth now stretched so widely, he was sure he was showing molars.

The Senior Undersecretary examined the first document.

Now, Arthur thought. "You know, Percy," he murmured, leaning forward a bit, "your mother would be so touched if you would send her an owl every now and then, just to let her know how you're doing..."

Percy narrowed his eyes, and slammed his quill point to parchment, scribbling his name.

"...She still cries at night, you know," Arthur continued. "Says you're the most ambitious of her sons, the most likely to go somewhere, but it's breaking her heart that you won't even acknowledge her. She raised you, you know."

Growing ever more agitated, Percy kept signing documents, stacking them into a haphazard heap on his desk.

"She loves you. I suppose your career is important to you, but more important than family? You missed Bill's wedding, as I'm sure you're aware..."

Percy scrawled away. Keep going, keep going...

"I believe you're sorry, deep down, for the things you said to me," Arthur ruthlessly continued. "I'm sorry I was harsh, Percy, but the things you said hurt me. I forgave you a long time ago for your words, and whenever you're ready to come back and be part of our family, we're here for you."

Not even looking at what he was authorizing at that point, Percy hurriedly scratched a signature on every last document in the pile, then thrust them back into his father's outstretched hands without a word. Arthur bit the insides of his cheek, this time trying not to smile, as Percy waved him out. Arthur heard his son slam the door behind him, but this time, he really didn't care. It had been worth it.

Thank you, Percy...And forgive me, Molly, but this was for another of our own.

Percy had given the Minister's approval, by proxy, for a waiver to Werewolf Legislation Act, subsection 41(b).

Remus was now free to marry.

* * * * *

Arthur had Flooed home early, waving the parchment and cheering, and was soon joined in his celebrations by all present. Molly wiped her eyes on her apron, Ginny ran upstairs to check if her dress robes still fit, and Tonks, who had taken the rest of the week off work and seemed to have installed herself on the Weasleys' couch, smiled wanly and then ran off to get sick.

Molly and Ginny immediately went to work owling out invitations to a "celebration of family and togetherness". They were loath to use the word "wedding", just in case the owls went astray. The festivities were to be held at the Burrow that upcoming weekend.

"It's not a lot of time to prepare," Molly said as Ginny sealed another envelope, "but we can't dilly-dally on this if Tonks wants to marry Remus without an uproar."

Ginny nodded, taking another envelope, this one addressed with three names on the outside, but she didn't seal this one immediately. She set down the bar of wax and the metal embossing tool, and laid a hand on the recipients' names.

"I miss them," she whispered.

Molly, who was already on the verge of tears due to happiness and stress combined, pulled her daughter close. Though both knew Ron and Hermione had accompanied Harry on a dangerous journey, they also were well aware that what the three young adults were doing was imperative for the future of their world.

After a while, Ginny wiped her nose surreptitiously on her sleeve, and pulled back.

"Let's finish these up," Ginny said softly, heating the seal over the candle flame.

Molly nodded. The unshakeable worry was still there, but leaving most of it unspoken kept it at bay.

* * * * *

Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. The crisp early fall air blew the hair back from Ginny's face as she gathered wildflowers. She was making crowns for all the women in the wedding to wear in their hair.

The unmistakable sounds of Apparition - one, two three - startled her, and she whirled to see who had arrived so early.

"What's the deal, calling us home? We're busy with important stuff, y'know. Can't come running back here each time there's a bloody par--OOF!" Ron's half-joking diatribe was cut off by his sister, who had launched herself at him and tackled him to the ground.

Immediately, Harry piled on top of them, and Hermione, after a moment's hesistation, joined in. The four teenagers were laughing uproariously when Molly came out of the house.

"What's all this racket? - OH!" she cried, eyes becoming very wide and brimming with tears. Hermione immediately disentangled herself to go running to Mrs. Weasley, and Harry and Ron followed behind, accepting her profuse hugs and kisses with a bit of a blush.

"Come inside, you're all looking in need of a good meal," Molly said, hauling the three crusaders into the kitchen and filling their plates with enough food to feed them, plus the rest of her children, combined.

Between bites, Hermione asked, "So, what's this all about? The boys thought it was stupid to come home for a party -" she glared at them - "but I figured you wouldn't ask us to come if it wasn't something more. It is, isn't it?" she asked, a bit of uncertainty showing on her face; she was obviously reluctant to be proven wrong.

"Oh, it is," Ginny grinned. "Hope you brought your dress robes. We're hosting a wedding this evening."

"Whofe geddin' mawried?" Ron asked through a mouthful of pancakes.

"Don't talk with your mouth full!" Molly and Hermione scolded in unison.

Ginny and Harry exchanged a look, and burst out laughing.

"Anyway," Ginny continued, "Guess."

The boys looked blank, but Hermione gave it a bit of thought and said, "Must be Professor Lupin."

"Lupin?" Harry laughed. "He's not even engaged, Hermione."

"Yes, but it's obviously hush-hush and it's been done in a hurry, so I'm assuming it's him. After all, if he's managed to get permission to marry, it was done quietly, and they're in a rush to get the ceremony done before anyone catches on."

Molly was smiling and shaking her head, bemused. Ginny hid a giggle behind her hand.

"That's not the only reason they're in a rush," she hissed to Hermione, whose jaw dropped.

"Really?" Hermione squealed, leaning in, obviously eager to hear more.

"That's enough, young ladies," Molly snapped. "Boys, Hermione's right. Remus is getting married tonight, and I hope you'll be able to keep your tactless comments to yourselves for an evening."

"We're nah tackless," Ron mumbled, spraying toast crumbs over the table.

Even Harry rolled his eyes at that statement.

* * * * *

Remus was sitting in an armchair, trying to distract himself for a while with a good book, when Ron and Harry came bursting in.

"Hey!" they shouted, rushing over to slap him on the back.

"Heard we're having a little celebration tonight," Harry said, flopping down on the floor with his back against the sofa.

"Yeah," Ron agreed, draping his lanky frame over the sofa itself, giving Harry a prod in the head with his foot for good measure.

Remus looked at them and was reminded strongly of himself at that age. Unusual sets of burdens, indeed...

"Oi, I just realized something," Harry said. "I guess I won't be the only Marauder's kid anymore, will I?"

Doing a double-take, Remus realized Harry was right. Seventeen years since Prongslet was born, and I'm the last one left to give him a fellow mischief-maker. Wow.

Took me long enough.

Remus nodded. "Yup. We'll have a little Miss Moony, or maybe a Moony Junior, come April."

"Wow, Professor," Ron said with a sly grin, "Didn't know you had it in you."

Oh, this is just too good to pass up...I must be channeling Padfoot...Remus opened his book and peered at the boys over the cover. "What, sperm?"

Both boys went red in the face and made a hasty exit.

"Brought you your new dress robes, Lupin," Mad-Eye called, stumping into the parlor moments later.

"Oh...Alastor, really, I was going to wear the ones I already had," Remus said, sighing, looking up from his book and waving a hand at the dilapidated brown robes draped over the sofa.

Mad-Eye snorted. "Bloody right you were, you idiot. That's why I picked up the new ones. Minerva chose 'em, figured you wouldn't think to get 'em yourself."

"I can't let her buy robes for me!" Remus protested.

"She's not, you daft sod," Mad-Eye shot back. "Came out of your third of the fund, and there's plenty more where that came from."

Remus threw his book aside. "What?"

"The fund, boy. Guardians of the Order get a salary. Dumbledore set it up so that the three of us could live without financial worry, and concentrate on CONSTANT VIGILANCE against Voldemort."

Remus shook his head. "I can't take it. I'm a Guardian for what the Order stands for, not for what they could pay me."

Mad-Eye lifted his walking stick and gave Remus a sharp whack in the shins. "Shut it, and stop being so noble. I'll take your third if you have a problem with it."

Remus bit his lip, still very uncertain.

"See if this changes your mind," Mad-Eye said, passing Remus a Gringotts book.

"This...is for the three of us?" Remus asked weakly, looking at the entries.

Mad-Eye snorted. "No, laddie, that's your share. It's for Order expenses, and that includes housing, so you'd best get your little family settled somewhere nice and safe. My wedding present to you is the wards around the place."

"Thank you," Remus said weakly, "but I'm still not sure..."

"Take it now, Lupin, or I'll have a bloody great chunk out of your nose."

Still rubbing his shins, Remus mulled it over. Yes, he was doing a job, and an important one, at that. In a few hours' time, he would have a wife, and several months beyond, a child, to support.

Great Merlin, I have paid employment. He was suddenly full of energy. "So, let's see those robes," he grinned. "After all, I'm going to wear them to be...married."

* * * * *

It was nearly time.

Remus' face showed nervousness mixed with a healthy dose of excitement. He hadn't recognized himself in the mirror. Molly had trimmed his hair, and there was much less fringe to push away from his face than he was used to. Self-conscious in his new navy-and-gold dress robes, he tugged at the collar and cuffs, unfamiliar after such a long time with the feeling of clothing not worn to the point of disintegration. He stood beside Professor McGonagall, flanked on his left by Arthur, Harry, and Ron, with Mad-Eye standing warily on the fringe of the wedding party. The younger men caught his eye and smirked. Remus couldn't hold back a bit of a laugh. He remembered himself and Sirius nudging each other at James and Lily's wedding, sending James thumbs-up and winking broadly. James had shot back his own hand gesture behind his back.

Remus glanced at the boys again and, for just a second, he saw Prongs and Padfoot - he swore it, there they were - standing between Ron and Mad-Eye, James and Sirius looking as young as they had that day, and both were laughing and sending him that same two-fingered salute. Remus winked at them, and as soon as they winked in return, they were gone.

The sun was just beginning to set when a beaming Ginny, Molly and Hermione emerged from the house. They hurried a few steps along the walk, then turned expectantly.

Tonks emerged in a dress of creamy off-white satin, her slim figure showing the tiniest hint of a broader waistline. Ginny had used her wand to curl Tonks' hair - she'd left it her natural light brown, though it wasn't as limp as it had been the summer before -and it was ringed with a crown of brightly-colored flowers. She was biting her lip in concentration as she carefully navigated the porch steps, holding the edge of her skirt clear of her shoes so she wouldn't trip. She kept her eyes on her feet as she stepped onto the garden path, ignoring the stifled laughs of the onlookers, and only looked up once she could see the hems of the mens' robes, just before her.

She and Remus locked eyes. Everyone else in the crowd seemed to disappear.

"You look amazing," she breathed.

"You look like an angel," he replied, touching her cheek and resting his forehead against hers.

We're doing the right thing, she thought. It may be early, but it's right.

The ceremony itself was a blur; before they knew it, the rings were on their fingers, and Remus and Tonks were man and wife. They were ringed on all sides by friends and family, being hugged and kissed and slapped on the back, and everyone was cheering and smiling.

Fred and George had spent the shop's off-hours hurriedly creating a supply of specially enchanted fireworks, and they set them off as the wedding party made short work of the feast Molly had prepared over the past week. Gigantic hearts, flowers, cupids (one of which mooned the crowd below, much to Molly's consternation), and romantic phrases spun and flashed across the sky.

The last one spelled across the sky, in gigantic golden letters: FOREVER.

"Forever," the bride and groom echoed softly.

Remus draped an arm around Tonks' shoulders. "So, I was wondering about something," he murmured against her hair.

She looked up into his face. "What's that?"

"Are you going to be spending weeks with your head in the commode every time we make love?"

Tonks stared at him. He couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

"Well, you," she said, grabbing his elbow and leading him off, "Maybe we should test that, shall we?"

The rest of the party carried on into the night without them.

THE END