Chapter 25
Chapter 25 - Teddy
Dora had been feeling so full the past few days as her due date got closer. In order to feel less like a pumpkin, she took to practicing her defensive magic. There was something about blasting mannequins to smithereens that gave her immense pleasure and satisfaction. It was during one of her practice sessions early in April that Dora received the shock of her life; her water broke.
'REMUS!!!!' screamed Dora at the top of her lungs.
She heard a crash down the stairs as her husband came running towards her, tripping on his robes on his way.
'Dora? What's wrong, is it the baby? Is it coming now?!'said a panicked Remus.
He had memorised all the steps, and he knew them like the back of his hand, but all that information seemed to have been obliviated from his memory.
'Um, my water just broke, and I think I might have just had a small contraction,' she was slightly calmer now, but her usually calm husband seemed utterly bewildered.
Remus started hyperventilating as a sense of panic swept over him, one could even say he looked deranged.
'Oh Merlin, what do we do?? What do we do, Dora? Our baby's coming!'
'Calm down Remus, just floo my mum and Molly, just like we planned. Bloody hell, you'd think you're the one with the baby popping out of you judging by the state of you,'
'Oh, right. I'll do that,' said Remus looking flustered.
Dora began to giggle at her husband's antics, it was an unusual sight seeing Professor Lupin all frantic. He spluttered and stammered through the fireplace when summoning Molly and Andromeda. Soon her mother and Molly arrived, Dora felt so much calmer upon their arrival. It'll be okay, she thought to herself, I've got this.
Remus, on the other hand, proved to be absolutely useless. His hands wouldn't stop shaking, and he dropped the glass of water he was supposed to fetch Dora, and knocked over an entire stack of clean towels meant for cleaning Dora and the baby when it arrived. Molly and Andromeda ended up chasing him out of the bedroom, and told him to wait in the sitting room instead. He looked as if he was about to faint anyway, perhaps a lie down would do him some good.
Remus wanted to help so badly, he could hear Dora scream in pain, and this was a woman who had been subjected to the Cruciatus curse more than once. He decided he would make some tea, and fix her something to eat, she must be hungry with all the pushing she'd have to do. Remus made his way, unsteadily to the kitchen, knocking over pots and pans, creating such a raucous that Molly came bursting in with her wand held out.
Molly yelled at Remus, asking him to just stay put, quietly in the sitting room, and that the women had it all under control. The best thing he could do to help was to stay out of the way. Remus obliged, feeling slightly abashed. Molly didn’t need a howler to amplify her voice, his ears were still ringing from the scolding she gave him. He shuffled into the sitting room where he collapsed on the sofa, his heart pounding in his ears.
Remus felt like a small boy facing the wrath of his mother after doing something bad. His thoughts then drifted to his own mother, she always told him he would have a family of his own someday, but Remus never believed her. If only you could see me now mum, I’ve married the most amazing woman, and she’s up there, bringing our own little bundle of joy into the world.
After a good few hours, Dora had quieted down, soon the sound of crying filled the air, Remus jumped bolt upright, as if electrocuted. Molly appeared with a smile on her face, and beckoned him to follow her upstairs.
‘It’s a boy, Remus. Come on, let’s go meet your son,’ she reached out for his hand, and Remus took it unsteadily.
He made his way upstairs into his and Dora’s bedroom, feeling slightly light-headed. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight before his eyes. There was Dora, looking so beautiful, although a little tired, and there in her arms, lay a little face with a tuft of black hair, wrapped in a green blanket, with his little fist poking out. Remus’ eyes swam with tears, and he made his way to the bed, sitting down next to Dora. He kissed her forehead, and she lifted her head to kiss him full on the lips.
‘Say hello to your dada, little one,’
‘Hi sweetheart,’ said Remus rather hoarsely, ‘you’re finally here’ said Remus as he made to kiss his son.
He had fallen in love all over again with Dora, and now with their little son. Remus made to hold the little fist in his hand, and was overjoyed when the little fist gripped his finger tightly. He couldn’t stop the flow of tears now. How could he have considered leaving someone so innocent, and beautiful as him. Dora handed him the little bundle, and whatever fear which had been corrupting Remus’ mind the past year ebbed away. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for the sake of that little life in his arms. Dora gave Remus a kiss, before getting up to get cleaned. Andromeda helped her to the bathroom. Molly had taken the liberty of snapping photographs with an old film camera, not the muggle kind, the magic kind, where the photographs moved.
‘What are you going to name him?’ asked Andromeda, helping Dora back into bed.
‘Edward, we can call him Teddy for short,’ answered Remus at once.
‘That sounds perfect,’ said Andromeda, holding back tears.
‘I wish dad would come home soon, he’d be absolutely thrilled,’ said Dora, her eyes filling with tears, ‘we still need a middle name...How about Edward Remus Lupin,’
‘That sounds perfect dears,’ said Molly, like Dora, her eyes were full of tears too.
‘Really? Are you sure sweetheart?’ Remus didn’t feel worthy of having his son named after him, seeing as he did leave him for a few days, and only came home after Harry knocked some sense into him, although ironically Harry was the one subjected to the knockback jinx, not Remus.
‘Of course I am,’ said Dora, as she kissed him.
‘Well, Edward Remus Lupin needs godparents too,’ piped up Andromeda, ‘of course you don’t have to choose now, there’s still plenty of time to decide,’
‘Actually... I do have someone in mind, what do you think of Harry?’ asked Remus.
Harry was the one who made Remus realise how stupid he was being, if it wasn’t for him, Remus probably wouldn’t even be here.
‘That’s a great idea Remus, but I think you’d better ask him in person,’ said Dora.
‘Oh, that’s a splendid idea Remus, Harry’s still at Bill and Fleur’s, you could pop in and ask him directly,’ added Molly.
‘Yeah, we’ll hold the fort while you’re gone Remus, don’t worry about us, your wife and son will be in good hands,’ assured Andromeda.
‘You okay with that love?’ asked Remus, turning to Dora.
‘Yes sweetheart, more than okay. Now give me back my baby,’ she said with a smile.
Her mama bear instincts were starting to kick in. Dora knew what Remus was thinking, it was because of Harry that Remus had started thinking straight, before deciding to come home to her. Remus kissed Teddy, and Dora, before making his way to Shell Cottage.
The news of Teddy’s birth seemed to put everyone at Shell Cottage in higher spirits, except Griphook, but none of the humans paid him any attention. Remus hugged the women, and shook hands with all the men. He was so thrilled when Harry accepted to be godfather that he even gave Harry a hug. This was the first time Remus and Harry had hugged but certainly not the last. Remus didn’t stay too long, he was already missing Teddy.
Remus got home to find Molly and Andromeda asleep in the nursery on an old sofa bed. Dora was asleep in their room, and little Teddy wide awake in his cot, although he was quiet. He supposed Dora would want him close to her for the first few days, which is why his cot was moved to his parents room now. As expected, his hair was ginger now. Remus picked up his little son, and cradled him in his arms as he sat down in a chair, he could just stare at his little face for hours on end. Teddy fussed slightly as his father picked him up, but settled down once he was in Remus’ arms.
‘Hello love, dada just got back from choosing you a godfather. His father was Dada's best friend when we were at Hogwarts. I’m sure you’ll love him, although he should really be your cousin. But he’s the reason I’m here, dada can be really dim sometimes. Your mumma isn’t though, she’s the most brilliant witch around, and she’s the kindest too. We’re so lucky to have her, and your grandparents too. You’re named after your grandpa, he can’t be here now, but I’m sure he’ll be so excited to meet you.’
Teddy gave a little toothless yawn, his little eyes began to droop, the sound of Remus’ voice seemed to comfort him.
‘I love you son, you are the best thing which has ever happened to me, although you're tied with your mumma, but don’t tell her that. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe, and I’ll be there for you, always,’
Teddy was asleep now, but Remus stayed where he was. He stroked the little tuft of ginger hair, before placing another kiss on his little forehead. Remus didn’t realise Dora was awake, and was watching him with a smile on her face.
‘Let’s go to sleep sweetheart, mum says we're gonna need it,’ said Dora. She kissed the top of Remus’ head before relieving him of Teddy, and placed him back into his cot, before settling into bed with Remus.
‘We have our own little family now, Remus.’
‘No, our little family just got bigger, Dora,’