-home? learning over .open.

[Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin]

This day had not started off well, first while she had been at home Tonks had knocked over a photo of Remus and herself and it had shattered - and in turn it awoke Teddy from his nap. But she being who she was took it all in her stride. Today had been one of those days where she thought about Remus and how much she did truely miss him - as cliche as it was he was the man she loved. Teddy reminded her so much of her late husband and Teddy had been a blessing to her when it had all happened. Her life was starting to slowly to get back to normality, she had regular visits from her favourite cousin Sirius Black and sometimes she would get a visit from Harry, but other times she would feel lonely and she would find that her hair would turn back to its plain, mousy-brown colour. It had been so hard to carry on like normal but she did it for the sake of her beautiful son.

"Mama?" It was a small voice that caught her attention and pulled her out of her thought. A rather large grin appeared on Tonks' face and she picked Teddy up and swing him around in a circle. "Wotcher, Teddy!" She grinned and gave him a rather large kiss on his cheek. It was amazing how big her had gotten, it felt like such a short time since her little boy had been a newborn baby and everything had been changing so rapidly around them. Tonks' had fought in the war to protect this little man. Being a mother had come naturally to her, though she would have not thought so. Setting Teddy on a chair she winked for just a moment.

Just as she was turning away for a moment, another small statement caught her attention. "Mama play." Turning around this woman grinned and started to tickle the young boy who started to squeal and go into a laughing fit just as Tonks' did. These were the moments that got her through each and everyday. Tonks had so many fond memories. The first being when he had just been born and she had her own perfect little family - Teddy did not inhert his father's werewolf trait but rather Teddy was a Metamorphmagus just like his mother. It was obvious that Tonks loved her son very much, even in the time of war. She remembered fondly how Teddy's hair had changed colour in the first hour of his birth and she had just laughed. Remus had already said something how he was certainly his mother's son. It had been Remus' idea to name their son after her late father. The idea had actually made her cry and hug Remus quite hard he complained about not being able to breathe.

Now, she could say that Teddy was growing up a new and safe world, surrounded by loving family and friends. He would know of his father and what a brave man he had been. Not one negative thing about her husband would be allowed to be said around her son. Though she could call Remus stupid for leaving her for a short while after she had found out she had been pregnant. Tonks had been over the moon and radiant. Remus feared for the child she had been carrying, worried that the child would be a werewolf like him. All of his old fears over his relationship with Tonks had resurfaced, and he withdrew from her rather than hurt her. She moved back in with her parents. However, their split did not last very long thanks to a certain Mr Potter. She really did owe him for that. Tonks and Remus both felt that Harry should become Teddy's godfather, and he accepted thankfully.

Coming out of her thoughts once more, she stopped tickling Teddy and swept him up in her arms once more and sat down with him in her lap. "Now young man, how about later on we go and get some icecream and visit granny." Tonks spoke as she looked down into her son's eyes which were currently a bright blue colour and his hair a bright green. It would seem he had taken after her with her love of bright hair colours, though her own was a pure white at the moment and shoulder length. It had been that way for some time now.

[Sirius Black]

Sirius didn’t know whether to regret or relish his new task of babysitting. On the one hand, two twin two-year-olds allowed him to do what came entirely naturally to him - be a child. He knew how to laugh with them, play with them, enjoy their antics, and become a wolf and be petted by them. At the same time, he had needed to be responsible, ensuring that James didn’t fly too high on the broom or that Lily didn’t fall over and hurt herself. Surprisingly, Kreacher had come down to help oversee the children upon Hermione and Harry’s request, and Kreacher had been fairly useful in alerting Sirius to when one of the two had gotten too far from his sight. Overall, he liked having the kids around, but it was tiring at times. Granted, they had taken naps earlier which had given him a chance to rest, and he was reenergized and ready to get moving.

It was Hermione’s first day of auror training and Harry’s . . . well, Sirius wasn’t sure how many sessions Harry had been to, and he had found it more prudent to refrain from asking, lest he upset Harry. They both looked so at least better than they had previously, even though Sirius knew that Harry still wasn’t entirely content about Hermione’s job choice. Sirius couldn’t deny that being an auror was a dangerous job, to Harry’s approval. However, to his disapproval and Hermione’s approval, Sirius had added that any Death Eater would seek to take revenge on Harry - and Hermione and the children by extension - no matter their job, and that Hermione would probably be safer having auror skills than any other. At least she would be able to protect herself, and sometimes the best defense was a good offense. They had bickered more on the matter, of course, but Sirius’ words had at least given Harry something to think about; and though he seemed upset that Hermione was leaving to go to auror training, he at least seemed happy that she was leaving with him.

And thus, the eventful day had begun, and Sirius now wished to fill his time by visiting one of his few good friends, who also happened to be a babysitter - er, parent, actually. He had dressed the children warmly - it was cold, seeing as it was January - and taken them both by side-along apparition to just outside Nymphadora Tonks’ mother’s home, where she also lived with her only child, a son, named Teddy, after her late father. Teddy Remus Lupin was the last living vestige of Remus John Lupin, one of the Marauders and Sirius’ best friend aside from James Potter. Remus’ death had been particularly hard on Sirius, who truly lost his last best friend, but he knew that Nymphadora’s loss was equally hard, if not harder. She was now a widow and a single mother, so he had always made it a priority to visit her regularly. He even dragged Harry along occasionally, as it seemed to lighten both Tonks’ and Harry’s moods.

But now he was bringing along two people who would certainly cheer her up even more than Harry. Tonks, despite her clumsiness, was an excellent and very competent mother, so Sirius assumed that she would love the having two more children, if only because they would be good playmates for Teddy. Guiding James over to his left side and making Lily’s grab his hand so that Sirius would have a free one, Sirius lifted a hand and knocked firmly on the door to Tonks’s home.

“Hey Tonks, it’s Sirius! I have some visitors for you!” he called, clearly amused at the idea of her reaction.

[Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin]

It was still hard being a single mother to a young toddler. Tonks knew that she had the support of her family, but she missed Remus everyday and sometimes it seemed like it was not going to get any easier. She dreaded the day Teddy would ask why all the other little boys and girls had daddies but he did not. By Tonks would remind her son that his daddy ws a hero and loved him very much - that he was watching Teddy and keeping him save, that he was so proud of his son. She was sure that Remus was proud of their precious gift, he was everything and more to her. He was her last gift from Remus. Teddy had become her entire life and much more. He was her reason for living. Sitting on the chair with her son on her lap, she hummed softly to him. Tonks did not have a musical bone in her body, but it seemed to relax Teddy and it worked when he refused to go to sleep. Though she only hummed to him because he had asked her to.

"Now my little man, I think you should clean up your toys or there will be no ice-cream at all." Watching her son get off her lap rather quickly was amusing to see. She watched on as he started to gather his toys and moving them into the box delicated to his toys. Her heart always swelled when she saw how much he had grown. It was hard to believe that he was no longer the new born baby that needed her every single moment. Tonks got the odd visitors here and there. Her mother came almost every other day to help her out, and she often asked when Tonks was going to go back to work. It was something she had been thinking about for a while. She missed it, being out in the field. Looking at a photo that sat on top of the fire place, she became lost in her thoughts. It was until she heard a knock on the door and a familiar voice. A wide grin appeared on her face and as she got up, she went flying over a toy and sent a vase flying into the wall. "Need to work on that." Tonks muttered to herself as she continued to walk to the door after clearing up the mess she had caused.

Pulling open the door, a large smile was on her face and then filled with shock as she saw two tiny people. "Wotcher, Sirius." A grin once more played across her face and a slight twinkle was in her eyes that would have put old Dumbledore to shame. "Something you want to tell me. I never thought you had it in you." Teasing him, before crouching down on the floor so she was eye level with the children. "And who is this handsome young man and beautiful little lady?" She spoke as she asked the small children. They were adorable and they looked very familiar to her, but she could not place a finger on why. Tonks knew that Sirius would tell her soon enough. Slowly she stood up and not fall over. Even after all this time, she was still as clumsy as she had always been. "It has been a while since your last visit Sirius, I was thinking you had finally matured." Tonks laughed at the thought.

"Come on in." And the she walked back to where her son at finally put away his toys. "Teddy, guess who is here." Tonks spoke to her son, knowing how excited he got when he saw Sirius. And as soon as Teddy set eyes on him, he ran straight to him for a hug, but he was stopped in his tracks when he saw the other two children and he seemed to back away from Sirius and went back to Tonks, holding onto one of her legs. "Now Teddy, say Hello." She encouraged her son the best she could. It was certainly not like him to be this shy.

[Sirius Black]

The thought that Tonks wouldn’t immediate know who the parents of the twins were never crossed Sirius’ mind. In fact, he assumed that everyone who saw him with the twins would immediately know that they were not his, but Harry and Hermione’s. Of course, Sirius would be entirely wrong, as he typically didn’t think everything through as well as he should. He did not realize that some would think that they were his children – and honestly, who could doubt it? He did seem the type to have children, even if he didn’t always come across as fatherly. Still, the thoughts didn’t cross his mind until Tonks opened the door. Taking her in with a smile, he noted her light hair color. She was still grieving, he suspected. Losing Remus had been harder on her than it had been on him, and he knew the pain he went through in losing his remaining best friend. Yet Tonks had lost even more – a best friend, a lover, her husband, and her father’s child. Inwardly, Sirius was glad he had never married and been forced to feel such pain. Losing his friends, who were like a family, had been hard enough.

Lily was starting to skip again, not paying much attention to Tonks; but Sirius was more engaged in talking to Tonks. “Hey there, Tonks.” he said casually before she began to grin and speak again. Immediately his face turned from kind to confused and then he gave a back of laughter and embarrassment. “Wha- ? No, no, no, Tonks! No, they aren’t mine. Wha-? You thought – me - a dad – you – huh? Tonks, my dear friend, you are losing your wits! They’re. . . well, let’s go inside and I’ll explain.” Her comment about maturity had brought him back to his senses and he thought it might be best to explain rather than shout out the kid’s story.

Lily, on the other hand, was not engrossed by Tonks. “I’m Lily!” she cooed softly, smiling and holding out a hand to pat Tonks’s hair, a huge grin plastered across her face. James was more reserved and held out a hand, something he’d seen adults do before. “Hi; my name’s James,” he said more slowly and less excitedly than his sister.

With a gentle hand, Sirius guided both children inside. Seeing Teddy always made him smile, and now was no different. Though Teddy had stopped mid-run to latch himself onto his mother’s leg, Sirius merely approached, bent down beside Tonks, and stole Teddy into a large hug, swinging him around and smiling. “Oh, come on now Teddy, they aren’t scary! Come say hello; uncle Sirius’ll keep you safe,” he laughed, setting Teddy down in front of Lily and James.

Lily gave another wide smile, clearly enjoying the attention and company, but it was James who spoke first. “Hi Teddy!” Sirius couldn’t help grinning as Lily began wandering around while James still stood in front of Teddy. It made him feel as though he should have a child just so that they could all be here, playing, the spawn of the marauders. Teddy was Remus’ son; James was the reincarnate of James Potter, in a sense; of course, he wasn’t his son, but his grandson, the son of Harry, the elder James’s son, but it still worked. Teddy was a metamorphmagus like his mother, but Sirius still saw much of Remus in the little boy. Likewise, he saw much of James in James, just as he had in Harry. He said nothing as he watched the children for a few more moments, wondering if his own child would resemble him so closely.

With a sigh, he looked back up to Tonks, who he was sure was amused by his earlier reaction. He had been taken quite off guard with the idea that someone might think that he was the father of the two children. Now he had time to calm down and respond a bit more maturely. With a grin and a twinkle, he responded smoothly, “Sorry about the mixup earlier. They’re mine. Both of them, of course.” The ruse, however, was given up shortly when he failed to suppress a growing bark of laughter. He patted Tonks on the back and then took a seat. “No, in all seriousness, no pun intended. . . Hermione came back. She’s alive. It’s a long story, but she’s been in Australia this whole time. And, well, these are her kids. Hers and Harry’s.”

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[Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin]

The grin that was on her face was one because of her cousin's reaction to her question. There was very little doubt at the back of her mind that the two children were not his own, but it was fun to see him stutter for just a moment. It was something Tonks' had always enjoyed doing - that was teasing her cousin. "Relax Sirius, I'm only messin' with ya." Tonks chuckled. The look on his face had been priceless. Soon her attention went back to the two young children after she had asked them both what their names were. Smiling softly to them both, her maternal instinct kicked in full swing. Tonks had seen Teddy out of the corner of her eye, he had gone shy and slightly reserved. It was these days when he acted in such a way she could see Remus in him. He was certainly his father's son.

"That is a lovely name, Lily." Tonks grinned as the little girl patted her hair. Playfully Tonks changed the colour to a rather bright green colour, before letting it go back to the white colour that it had been when they arrived. Then she turned her attention to James and smiled at his as she shook his small hand within her hand. "Nice to meet you James." It was clear to see that they were completely different too each other and it was heart warming to see such happy children. Since Teddy had attached himself to her leg - maybe it was just her could be a nervous character around strangers, even if they were children near his own age. It was something she wished she could, was take him to be with children his own age but that was something that was almost impossible to do.

Tonks' could not help but chuckle as Sirius peeled her son away from her leg. She smiled fondly as she watched Teddy look at the two strangers, it would do him the world of good to meet children his own age. She could hear Teddy's giggles as Sirius had spun him around. Now that was sweet, she could not help but laugh slightly. Teddy had been looking at James and Lily closely before he started to talk with them, of course much too fast - that was something he seemed to have gotten from her. It was then Sirius started to play along with her earlier statement and the grin returned, before she grew into full blown laughter. He did not come over often enough - it was something she would beat into him if he did not come around often and he would do the same to Harry, since Teddy was his godson.

"Hermione is back?!" She was quite shocked and to leave that she was the mother of the twins that were now playing with Teddy in the sitting room. Then add into the equation that Harry was the father, just added more to that shock. Glancing over at the two children, it was there she could see it. James looked the double of Harry and she was quite shocked she had not seen it sooner, but she could see hints of Hermione in them both the closer she looked. "Wow! I was not expecting that when popped up unannounced." She grinned. "Harry a father. Bet that gave him quite a shock - are you sure he is not in St. Mungos right now." She joked playfully as she sat down on one of the old chairs. The sound of laughter in her house was one that was refreshing, it did not seem so doom and gloom.

"So dear cousin, what had been happening in your life? Since I don't see you enough, I am starting to think that I am gonna have to hex you and Harry to come and visit more often." She spoke as she tucked one leg underneath her. The developments that she had just heard, had not been fully processed in her mind, but given time it would. "Teddy has missed you, actually been asking when you would be coming over - that kid is a hand full sometimes." Tonks spoke fondly of her son once more. He was her life. "Next time don't leave too much time to pass until your next visit - I don't bite ya know." It was nice to have some company from time to time, it made things almost seem normal. Her life was just starting to get back to normality the best she could. "I am thinking of goin' back to work soon, might do me some good."

[Sirius Black]

Sirius gave Tonks one of his most playful glares, still reeling from her earlier words. Come now, who would really think . . . I mean, me, a dad? No, no, no way! Absolutely not. Sheesh! he thought, mostly trying to calm himself from the ordeal. It took a lot to get him rattled, but that had definitely set him on edge for such a typically well-composed man. Relax Sirius, he told himself, barely noting that Tonks had just said the exact same thing. He took in a deep breath, shook his head to clear it, and smiled. “Oh yes, of course, just messing. You know, Tonks, it’s best not to play with fire. I will get you back,” he winked with a laugh. He’d come to think of Tonks as more of a sister than a cousin. Of course, they were both related even if the Black family had chosen to disinherit them both. Actually, Sirius found that that simply fact might account for part of the draw they had had to each other as opposed to other relatives – they had both been burned off the family tree; himself, for running away and Tonks indirectly because of her mother’s marriage.

While Nymphadora met his charges, Sirius chose to study Teddy. He smiles softly at the thought that, though his two best friends were gone, they were in a way reincarnated through their children, who both were so like their fathers. His only regret about not having children was that his children would not grow up with his best friend’s children, as he planned on having none. The legendary Sirius Black would have no children outliving him to carry on his legend like James and Remus both did.

Meanwhile, Lily was cooing at Tonk’s ability to change her appearance, just as Hermione and Ginny had once done. “Pretty!” the girl exclaimed, reaching for the bright green hair as she had done when the hair was white. James too smiled and reached out a hand, clearly amazed yet confused at this happening. When she took his hand and smiled before saying softly, “You too.” It was clear that James had been learning to copy some of his mother’s shorter phrases. But neither of the children seemed particularly shocked when Teddy began to speak rather quickly. They grew up with Hermione Granger, who talked ninety miles per minute on a slow day, so Teddy was no surprise. In fact, they took in all in stride before wondering around the room to play with Teddy and his toys.

Sirius found himself smiling as he watched the children play. He honestly hoped that Teddy would grow close to both James and Lily, as well as their other cousin, Victoire. The four would at least have some other kids to play with, meaning that their parents wouldn’t have to worry about lack of socialization. Then again, he doubted any of the parents would also want to single-handedly watch over all four the children. Even one could be a handful, as he had quickly learned.

Tonks’s words drew him from his thoughts and he smiled. “You think you’re surprised; half the wizarding world thought she was dead! But yes, she’s back, and Harry’s a lot better for it. And, well, let’s just say I was shocked with all of the news. She hasn’t visited the Weasley’s yet, but I doubt they’ll have been expecting it. Ron, Ginny, and the twins will probably have a fit. As for Harry. . . Well, he took it all in stride, fairly well. I mean, he’s been mourning her for two years, and he always knew that he wanted a family, so even if it is a little soon. . . I think he’s glad for it. At least, he seems it,” Sirius smiled, taking a seat across from his cousin.

“As for me, well, I’ve been around. Taking care of a fully grown Hippogriff isn’t a walk in the park, but I’ve always managed that well. Having two children around. . . Well, it’s new. I love them to death, but it takes some getting used it. Of course, now that Harry’s back to normal, I’m sure he’ll be wanting to visit more, especially to bring over the children to play with Teddy. Speaking of work, Hermione mentioned going into auror training. I wouldn’t be surprised if I got a visit from her and Harry sometime soon, if I were you,” he said, half-chuckling and half-serious.

[Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin]

"What would you do without me to keep you on your toes." Tonks smiled fondly at her dear cousin. Though she did think of Sirius as a brother - not only because he was a relation, but because he had also been her husband's closest friend. It was something she had cherished since Remus died - it was Sirius came around often to make sure that she was coping and to see Teddy. It was nice for her son to have some connection to his father that was not herself, since Remus had no other family. A sad smile appeared on her face as she thought of her beloved husband. Even as the years passed, it seemed like it was only yesterday since the war and she still thought Remus would walk through the door at any moment. But she knew that would never happenen again, no matter how much she wished for it to happen. Pulling herself out of her thoughts she turned her attention back to the company she had, smiling to herself once more. Tonks needed to get things back to normal - or as much as she could considering the circumstances.

Tonks chuckled as young Lily seemed to be amused by the colour changing of her hair. She then willed her hair to grow longer down to her waist, then she watched as they went around the room to start playing. It was good to see that Teddy was playing with children rather than being on his own. "They are amazing children, I can see Hermione and Harry in them." She grinned. "Merlin help whoever has to teach them when they go to Hogwarts, I can see another prank group forming." Tonks chuckled.

"Wotcher Teddy, show Lily and James your new toys." She smiled encouraging her son to share and play along. Turning her attention back Sirius, she listenedd to what he was saying. "I can't believe she is back, after all this time." It was true that Tonks had been upset over Hermione's disappearance, it had felt all too raw for her, but she could understand what Harry must have gone through when she had been away and what a shock it must have been when Hermione returned with twins. Even to an outsider that was a lot to comprehend, it sounded like something out of one of the muggle soaps.

Still listening to the final part he was saying, she took it in for a moment. "So same old for you then. I bet you are starting to feel your age old man." Tonks grinned teasing him again. Now this was the fun part she loved when she was around people, it made her feel like her old self. It was how she was starting to heal. It was something she was welcoming with open arms. She really did hope, that soon she could return to work and let things start to settle down.

"Hermione is what?" She said shocked for a moment, that had been something had not thought about when she thought about the know-it-all. Tonks smiled fondly at the little nickname. "Well they had better come and see me, I missed her very much and as for Harry he does not visit as often as he should." She spoke for a moment. "I can imagine that you are in your element with the kids, since you are practically a big one yourself. Ya know, I might just leave Teddy with you when I do go back to work, it will keep you out of trouble." She grinned. Now that would be something she would pay to see. The grandchildren of James Potter and the son of Remus Lupin in the care of one Sirius Black. The mental image she had just made her burst out laughing. "Merlin help you Sirius, you are going to need it."

[Sirius Black]

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe catch a break?” he joked, glad to see that Tonks’s mood had lightened considerably since his arrival. He hated seeing her so upset-looking, and even though she had Teddy, he knew she missed Remus only slightly less than he did. They were bonded in that way, as well as by blood. They were technically cousins, but he would never see her as such a distant relative; she was a sister as much as Remus and James had been his brothers. He would die to protect her, to save her. And Teddy was as much his nephew as Harry’s children, if even a bit more because he had known Teddy longer, visited more often. The boy was so much of Remus that Sirius knew that one day, he would mistake the boy for his father, as he had done with Harry.

He looked up from his thoughts to find Tonks smiling sadly and knew immediately that she was lost in thought of Remus, something he often found himself doing. When Harry had been so upset, Sirius had had too much time to think, and his thoughts fell all too often to the deceased. It’s what his thoughts were doing at the current moment, watching Tonks, until he could sense her resolve to move forward, if only for the moment. He was determined not to bring her down and shot her a faint smile before settling his attention on the children. They were playing, clearly enjoying themselves. He was glad for it, since the only child Teddy’s age was Victoire, Bill and Fleur’s child, and they didn’t visit all too often. “Teddy seems to be enjoying their company. It’ll be good for him, having children his own age around.” he smiled, nodding as she mentioned their resemblance to Harry and Hermione. “A prank group? Oh, I’ll make sure of that. Old Snape will adore having them around.” This time his laughter was full-scale, far louder than a chuckle. He could picture Snape’s horror at seeing the grandchildren of James Potter. Though Snape had been loyal, and Sirius and Snape were on far better terms than before, Sirius knew that Snape would not enjoy another Potter legacy, and he silently wondered how Snape would handle another Lily Potter, even if she wasn’t the one he had loved so dearly. If anyone was lucky, he would love the girl as he had Lily and even Harry from a distance – enough to save their lives even if it meant risking his own.

Sirius smiled as Teddy showed the children his toys and they began to play, James finally being more open and playful, like his sister; then he turned his gaze back to Tonks. “Yes, but honestly. . . Did you believe the rumors that she had died? It just never fit. Something seemed too odd about it,” he said, shaking his head. Honestly, he wouldn’t have been surprised either way. Tonks probably wouldn’t have wanted to think about her disappearance or whether she was alive or dead, seeing as Tonks had her own deaths to mourn, including her father and husband. “Hey now, watch it! I’m not that old. Not compared to Minerva and Dumbledore, as least,” he said with a grin.

His lips curved into a wider smile as she questioned Hermione’s job choice. He too had been shocked, even though he fully understood her reasoning. “Yes, she wants to be an auror. And I’m quite sure they’ll be stopping by soon; Hermione hasn’t forgotten you. She even mentioned talking to you about it, and I think Harry agreed. So I’d, you know, lock up, keep the doors closed, set a lookout. Don’t let them get in the house, they might argue your ears off,”[/color] he said loudly with another laugh. “Yeah, yeah, everyone go be an auror, I’ll just be the babysitter. No worries here, the children will all be safe with me. Learning a few tricks too.” His final statement was accompanied with all too-telling wink.