A surprise
Chapter 18 - A surprise
They returned home the next day, Dora continued to feel nauseous, so she headed down to the apothecary to seek out a remedy for her ailment, in addition to replenishing her supply of ingredients for Remus’ monthly potions during his transformations. The witch running the shop gave her a knowing smile as she asked Dora some rather personal questions, which Dora preferred not to answer. At the end the witch handed her a tonic which would help with the nausea, along with a "free gift" which she didn't bother telling Dora what it was used for. Maybe this was PMS? Thought Dora to herself. Wait a minute, I'm late!
Dora hastily opened the package she brought home from the apothecary, and just as she thought, the witch had slipped in a pregnancy test along with her tonic. Dora hastily read the instructions on how to perform the test, and immediately got to it. Thank Merlin Remus was out now. Dora's heart was thumping as she waited for her results, she was always on the fence about having kids of her own, but she knew she'd be lying if she said she didn't like the picture of her being very pregnant while Professor Lupin fussed over her.
After a few moments of waiting in agony, the results finally came out. It was positive. Dora's heart began to race, was she happy, or was she sad? Surprised? Definitely not, in fact it wasn't surprising at all, seeing as how Remus and her had spent their first few days, hours in fact as husband and wife. Just to be sure, Dora headed back down to the apothecary to get a few more tests, and as an added measure, Dora disapparated to the nearest muggle town to get herself those muggle pregnancy tests. Although less hygienic, Dora wanted to be absolutely sure before she told anyone, especially her husband. To no surprise, they all came back positive.
As if on cue, Remus had sent Dora a Patronus saying he wouldn't be back until the next day, or maybe even the day after. Arthur and Kingsley had received a tip-off on the locations of a few muggle suburbs that the Death Eaters were planning on terrorising. Well that's a good thing, thought Dora, she wasn't too happy about having to break the news to Remus so soon. Dora thought of cooking a nice romantic dinner for the both of them where she would break the news to him. Although Dora couldn't have any wine, she thought of opening a bottle anyway, so as not to give away anything yet. It wasn't too complicated, Dora seared a couple of steaks, steamed a few vegetables, and made mashed potatoes. Dora was rather proud of the outcome, if she may say so herself, it was Remus who did all the cooking, not her.
It was already half past 8, Remus still hadn't come home. Dora knew Arthur was with him, and he wouldn't want to overdo anything so close to his sons’ wedding. Dora didn't dare send a Patronus just in case they were still in the thick of things, but she dozed off on the sofa in their sitting room. Remus only came home at a quarter to midnight, looking completely exhausted, Dora decided to put off telling him about her pregnancy. Dora helped him undress, and drew a bath for him. Although tired, Remus still managed a smile as he kissed her as a thank you. Dora watched Remus sleep for a while, she stroked his hair as she watched his chest rise and fall gently.
'I'm so in love with you Remus John Lupin, and soon there'll be another little person we can lay all our love on,' said Dora quietly, she knew Remus wouldn't have heard, but she said it out loud anyway.
Dora kissed his forehead as she snuggled closer to him before falling asleep. Dora had to work the next day, but she left Remus a hearty breakfast before heading off to work. They had Harry's birthday dinner later that evening, Dora wondered if she would have time to tell Remus, she didn't want to rush into it. It had to be special. Dora reached home at half past six, Remus was already dressed as he sat down at the dining table reading the evening Prophet. Dora covered his eyes with her hands before kissing the top of his head.
'Missed me?' She asked mischievously.
'Every minute of every day we're apart sweetheart,' said Remus as he pulled her to his side, his arms wrapped around her waist, while he buried his head in her midriff.
'You better get dressed, love, we don't want to be late,' said Remus before kissing her hands.
'I'll only be a minute,' answered Dora, heading off to their bedroom.
She quickly showered, and got dressed. They walked hand in hand to the nearest apparition point, away from the protective enchantments, where they turned on the spot, and disappeared with a pop. They landed a little away from the protective enchantments surrounding the Burrow. They had quite a walk to take, so Dora decided to tell Remus then and there, she really needed to get this off her chest.
'Remus, love?' Asked Dora, stopping to look at him, her heart pounding in her chest.
'What is it, Dora? Is everything okay?' Answered Remus, his face lined with worry.
'Yeah everything's okay, more than okay in fact, you could say it's great actually,' rambled Dora. She took Remus' silence as a sign to go on.
'Well, here goes....I'm pregnant!' Said Dora, struggling to contain her excitement.
'What?? No that can't be, I mean… I mean, my kind -, people like me- we, can't- don't breed-'
'Breed???’ said Dora, slightly taken aback. ‘Sweetheart I believe we made love, and it was one of the most pleasurable experiences I've ever had, and I know you did too,'
Dora was slightly crestfallen at her husband's lack of enthusiasm, but she understood the reasons for his reaction, Remus had always let himself be defined by his affliction, rather than who he really was.
'I'm sorry love, you're right,' said Remus forcing himself to smile, 'that's great...we're gonna have a baby,' he hugged her, albeit abruptly, mostly because he wanted to hide his face from her.
Why did this have to happen? Remus' insides began to squirm, the stigma surrounding his condition was horrible enough, without the new legislation being passed by the ministry. First his wife and her parents would be shunned by society, although they didn't seem to care about this? Or were they just pretending in front of him? Ted and Andromeda were always so kind to him, but what if they were only doing it for their one and only daughter's sake? They were already blood-traitors, and muggle-borns, and now werewolf kin, imagine what would become of them if society found out they were grandparents of a werewolf cub.
Even if their baby was normal, what if they grew up ashamed of having a werewolf for a dad? What if they got bullied because of this? Surely no dad was better than werewolf dad, especially poor werewolf dad who could never get decent work, although mum did make more than enough for the both of them. And mum had been teaching dad how to brew Wolfsbane, maybe he could start a business, and write books while he had extra time? That would allow him to stay home with his child, while Dora went out to work.
Before Remus knew it, they had reached the enchantments surrounding the Burrow. Fred and George called out to them cheerily, although one ear short, George was still in excellent spirits. Remus wished he was back at home, he knew he'd have to pretend to be happy throughout the dinner. But Harry had already lost so much, Remus knew he had to be here. Remus smiled as he shook Harry's hand, he wondered how Harry would react if he found out he'll be having a little cousin in nine months time. A little cousin who could potentially be a werewolf. But Harry, just like James, had never shown a shred of prejudice against Remus because of his affliction, and neither did Hermione when she found out all those years ago. This never failed to warm Remus’ heart.