In the Final Moments

I didn't want to leave. Teddy and Dora were my world. But the Order was moving to fight at Hogwarts, and as a member, I had to go. Leaving was hard, not knowing whether or not I would ever see them again. Dora tried to come, but I shamed her into staying with Teddy.

"He needs his mother, Dora! Merlin knows what might happen!"

"I can take care of myself!" she yelled, "Plus with me there too, the better the chances of Teddy having his father and mother!"

"No, Dora, the better the chances of him not having either." I whispered.

She went silent, and I took that moment to kiss her hard. She responded very strongly, clearly afraid, clinging to me like she would never let go. When we separated, I went to Teddy, held him, kissed him. I looked back at my love, she had tears streaming down her face.

"Maybe I'll be back. Maybe I won't. But please, for my sake, for your sake, for our son's sake, don't come. I don't want to be worried about your safety. Stay here. Stay safe. Please?"

She nodded, silently sobbing. I kissed her one more time. I backed out of the house and Apparated to Hogwarts.

~*~*~

An hour later I was in the heat of battle, stunning, hexing, running. The adrenaline rushed through me and I knew nothing but protecting Harry and the other students. Suddenly, I heard a voice cry out in triumph, and I could have picked that voice out anywhere. I spun around and stared in disbelief at the woman I loved. She was standing there with a look of victory over Antonin Dolohov Stunned on the ground. Her hair was her favorite shade of violet, short and spiky and beautiful. She was beautiful. I marveled for a moment about how I ever deserved her, but then it hit me: she was supposed to be home, and where was our son?

"Nymphandora!" I screamed.

"She turned, glaring at the use of her whole name, but her look changed to fear when she saw me.

"Teddy's with mum. I couldn't-"

"Go home, Dora!"

"NO! I can't let you be here alone."

"You can and you will!" I leapt to avoid a stray curse, and sent one towards a Death Eater coming our way, all while heading towards Dora to make her go home. "You have to go back to Teddy."

"NO!" She sounded like a child, but looked like the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

"Please, Dora?"

"I love you, Remus Lupin, and I am staying to help you. Final. Through good times and bad, till death do us part."

I hesitated, then said, "Till death do us part. Alright. Let's go."

She fought so valiantly, so fiercely. I never loved more than I did during that fight. So it hurt all the worse as I watched her fall. She had met up with Bellatrix Lestrange, who more than anything wanted her blood-traitor niece dead. Well congratulations, you succeeded. I watched her fall, saw the light and life leave her eyes, heard her hit the ground, listened to Bellatrix laugh and run. I sprinted to her side, sobbing, my heart wrenching, screaming her name, holding her close to me. I gathered some sense together and moved her to an obscure corner where she wouldn't get stepped on. Most of me died at that moment. I ran back to the battle, still sobbing and fought for her, for Teddy, for me. I gave up on life, welcomed death to come freely and quickly. The flash of green was only one of many fired during the battle, but it was all that was needed to send me back to my love.