Chapter 422: New Life

John, Hermione, and everyone in the room greeted each other.

Then, when they saw the pink little bundle in Tonks's arms, both of them froze for a moment.

"Hi, long time no see."

"I'm really sorry I didn't get a chance to attend your engagement ceremony, because I was being worn out by this little one back then."

Tonks smiled and winked at Hermione and John, speaking apologetically.

But when she mentioned the little one in her arms, her voice was full of undisguised tenderness and pride.

The baby in her arms was cooing and waving its tiny hands, its round eyes curiously scanning the surroundings.

"This is Teddy, our son."

Professor Lupin put his arm around Tonks's shoulders, beaming with happiness, and introduced them.

"Wow, he's so cute!" Hermione exclaimed, stepping forward eagerly and gently reaching out to touch the soft, squishy little life.

John also curiously stepped forward, having long heard that Professor Lupin and Tonks were together and had a child.

The child should be a few months old by now.

Finally getting to see the real person.

"Congratulations, Professor Lupin!" John said with a genuine smile toward Professor Lupin.

"Thank you, John."

Professor Lupin's smile carried a barely noticeable sense of relief, as if this tiny life had smoothed over all his past dark years.

Tonks also gently lowered her gaze to Teddy in her arms and softly said, "He's quite a mischievous little guy, full of energy, keeping me up every night."

While she complained with her mouth, her eyes were full of undisguised indulgence, and Professor Lupin likewise gazed at his wife and child with a tender smile.

Hermione crouched beside Tonks and asked softly, "May I hold him?"

Tonks smiled and nodded, carefully handing Teddy over to Hermione's arms.

She also kindly instructed Hermione on how to hold the baby, supporting his head and back.

Hermione nervously yet excitedly took Teddy; the little one wriggled in her arms and then let out a tiny yawn.

Seeing this, Hermione's heart melted.

"He's so small..." Hermione whispered, her tone filled with a tenderness she had never felt before.

"When he was just born, he was even smaller—only over three pounds, like a little puppy," Tonks said, gesturing with a laugh.

John looked at the child, chatting quietly about various prenatal and postnatal matters, while Professor Lupin occasionally added a few remarks from the side, and Sirius also teased about something.

John looked at them and suddenly thought, it would be wonderful to end the war with Voldemort as soon as possible.

If Voldemort's threat were still present, how could they possibly be gathered like this, enjoying family bliss and welcoming the new life with peace of mind?

As a first-time mother, Tonks learned much of her baby‑care experience through hands‑on guidance from Mrs. Weasley.

Thanks to this, their relationship grew much closer.

Before, Mrs. Weasley couldn't stand Tonks's carefree personality.

Tonks also always felt Mrs. Weasley was too rigid.

But now, because of Teddy, they have become close friends who can talk about anything.

At that moment, Bill took Fleur's hand and also came over to John and Hermione's side.

"How have you been lately?"

"Great, and you, Brother Bill? I heard you and Fleur are already talking about marriage."

John smiled and greeted Bill, while also looking at Fleur.

Once the Beauxbatons beauty queen, she still radiates charm.

But compared to the sharp edge she showed during the Triwizard Tournament, she now possesses more gentleness and maturity.

She smiled, nodded lightly at John, and said softly, "John, long time no see."

"Haha, we really are getting married."

"I came today because I heard you and Hermione were visiting, so I wanted to invite you in person to attend our wedding over the Christmas break."

Hearing Bill's words, John and Hermione both showed expressions of surprise and delight.

"Really? Congratulations."

"We will definitely go."

John and Hermione answered in unison, their faces lit with sincere smiles.

"That's wonderful!" Bill laughed heartily.

"When I went to attend your engagement ceremony that day, I noticed you both seemed terribly nervous."

"I don't know if I'll also be nervous when it's my turn to marry—haha."

Bill felt he had found someone to confide in, and he chatted with John about the trivial details of wedding preparations.

As the groom‑to‑be, he was obviously both eager and nervous about the upcoming big day.

"Don't even mention it—I had forgotten what I was supposed to do at the time, and just did whatever the officiant told me."

"I reckon if he told me to hop around twice, I'd do it."

John's remark made Bill burst out laughing, while Hermione gave him an annoyed glance on the side.

"Still, when it comes to a formal wedding, we'll have to go to your ceremony to learn a thing or two," John added.

Hearing that, Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't object.

Bill and Fleur also wore teasing smiles as they asked, "So when are you planning to hold your wedding?"

"Um, we haven't even started discussing it—at least not until after I graduate," John said, scratching his head embarrassedly and looking at Hermione, who also couldn't say what to do.

"Then don't forget to invite us when the time comes."

"Sure, sure."

After a few people talked things out, the atmosphere became even more relaxed and harmonious.

John also began to worry about Harry and Ron's work at the Auror Office.

"Eh, since Voldemort was defeated, there haven't been any major incidents."

"Every day it's either catching petty thieves or patrolling the streets."

Ron shrugged, his tone carrying a hint of complaint.

"It's better that there's nothing big; do you really want another Dark Lord to pop up for you to catch?"

As their superior at the Auror Office, Tonks sat not far away and complained to Ron.

Back when Voldemort was rampant, their Auror Office was so busy they barely had time to breathe, and they faced mortal danger every day.

Ron also gave a hehe laugh, scratched his head: "That's true too."

"It's pretty good like this now." Harry also laughed along.

"John, after you graduate, would you like to come work at the Auror Office too?"

At that moment, Tonks asked John again.

If John, this great Buddha, were to become an Auror, their Auror Office's combat power could rival Hogwarts.

"I'll pass." John waved his hand.

"If you really run into any problem you can't solve, you can totally come to me; I'll help you out for free as a friend."

"But if I really had to become an Auror, I'd rather not."

He can now make a tidy profit just by tinkering with magic potions himself.

He can even earn money in the Muggle world, so why go through the trouble of becoming an Auror?

"That works too; with your word, we can relax."

Tonks smiled and nodded, not pressing further.

Afterward they ate a meal here, chatted for another afternoon, and then ended this pleasant gathering.

At parting, Bill and Fleur enthusiastically invited the two to visit their seaside cottage, saying the ocean view was absolutely stunning and they could stay a few days to unwind.