Problem of Lycanthropy
Chapter one-yes and yes again
The air already had a feel for autumn as Athena Grey passed through the trees. It was an early September morning the fog obscured her view of the surrounding area as she paused to listen. There was a clunk and the sound of a snapping stick behind her. She turned her blazing blue eyes to her companion; she tried to keep her face straight as she stared right at Remus Lupin. She put her finger to her lips "Keep quite!" she mimed.
Remus winched in apology and caught up with Athena "would they have heard that?" he whispered adjusting his bag on his shoulder
Athena frowned and gave a small nodded.
"Oh" murmured Remus he went to step forward.
Athena threw out her arm to stop him. She shook her head and gave him a warning nod in the direction behind her. She kept looking at him as she drew her wand and spun on spot to come face to face with another wand.
"Yes I heard it" said a rough voice. The wand stayed poised at Athena's face "you have gotton slow" the wand was lowered
Athena dropped her own guard but held her wand tightly in her fist "I knew there was someone there..." she said defensively.
The man in front of her gave her a barking laugh. Remus noted it had a wolfish like sound as he looked the man over. He was a lot shorter than Remus, maybe about the same height as Athena. He was a built man; Remus could see that clearly as he had the sleeves of his shirt rolled up showing the veins and muscles that stood out. He looked around Athena's age but it was always hard to tell with werewolves as like Remus this man had scars on his face; one ran from his left eye to his chin, it stood out clearly against his pale skin and red hair.
"Ha, you were lucky it was me and not Boar...he would have ratted you out straight away" said the bloke
Athena growled defensively "I see the years here have made you tough" she noted
The man folded his arms "so this is this spy...smells very-very human" he said the last word like it was a dirty word
"Good it will hide his scent well then. Emmett this is Remus...Remus this is Emmett. He's one of the many wolves here" Athena introduced everyone
Emmett snorted "yeah one of the wolves who Athena can trust...and hates Greyback" the look in Emmett's cold grey eyes said how much he hated Greyback
"Nice to meet you" said Remus "so this is it?" he addressed Athena directly
Athena tensed, this was it she wouldn't see Remus for some time now, he was going to enter the valley and she was going to Hogwarts. Her stomach felt in knots and her heart in pain. But she took a deep breath and stared right back at him "This is it. Good luck, remember your training. Keep your head down, don't draw attention to yourself and check in as often as possible. We don't hear from you within two weeks we send someone in to get you or we presume your dead"
"That's the mostly likely" added Emmett
Athena scowled at him. Remus's face went white "Okay, I'm ready"
"Well you better be, because I was suppose to have patrolled past Boar by now...he'll be getting suspicious..." said Emmett he was tensed and crouching
"I can smell him" said Athena "He's a mile that away" she pointed east
"That's good he won't be able to smell you then...now say your goodbye's and lets go" said Emmett he began to stride away "Well..." he looked back over his shoulder at Remus who had hesitated
Athena looked to Remus "Go, I need to get out of here" she knew if she stayed it would hurt more to see him walk away and also her scent could be picked up.
Remus nodded "Take care" he said.
"You too...don't make me come after you" she added, before turning on the spot.
The crack could be heard echoing.
"Now we need to go. Boar would have heard that" said Emmett "Follow me" he strode off into the fog.
Remus would have lost sight of him if it wasn't for his good eyesight. He followed Emmett up the hill and through the trees.
They reached the top, Remus realised the fog was starting to clear as the sun came up. It illuminated the valley below.
"Welcome to Weylyngill. The Wolf Valley" said Emmett.
Remus looked into the valley below and felt his eye widen. His breath had been taken away.
Below him was a large valley, the hills surrounding it were full of trees and gave a wall like effect to the town below. Well it looked like a town, it was full of large buildings and people in the centre with dirt roads which stretched to the outskirts were the buildings became houses. Everything was made of either wood or stone...a bit like old London Tudor style houses.
"It's beautiful" said Remus smiling
Emmett nodded "it's just the people that ruin it" he suddenly tensed "Do as I say...and follow my lead!" he hissed quickly. Emmett then grabbed him by the back of his robes; it was like he was been scruffed like a dog.
A large man with a bald head and rippling muscles was running towards them "An intruder!" he barked at Emmett, his voice was extremely deep
Emmett shoved Remus forward roughly, but kept a tight hold on his collar "I caught him apparating just outside the borders...he claims to have been given the poem"
The man glowered at Remus; he had two different eye colours one blue one green. It was fascinating to watch "where are you taking him?" he demanded
"To the sheriff" said Emmett he swung Remus away from the man "I caught this pup Boar so back off"
Boar gave a throaty laugh "Ha, Ha! You just wanna score some points Alltud" Boar jogged away again still laughing
"Alltud?" questioned Remus; he knew ancient runes not welsh.
Emmett ignored his question "keep up with me now. We need this to look convincing" he drew his wand and kept it against Remus's chest pointing at his chin.
He then began to march Remus down the hill towards the town.
"Where-where are we going?" asked Remus, he was very aware of the wand against his skin and the strength Emmett was using
"I'm taking you to see the sheriff" replied Emmett; they had reached the first few houses. Remus noticed that all the houses appeared to be raised on stilts and had porches attached to the front with steps leading to the dirt roads that ran through the town. He also noticed it was mainly children he saw playing on the porches.
They headed further in and began to pass more people and more houses on stilts. Most of the people seemed to be young children or the elderly. It was only when they got further into the centre that Remus noticed there were adults. They all seemed to be crowded round the town square and gazing up at a balcony that belonged to a large raised building.
"This way!" barked Emmett he pulled Remus to another raised building smaller which had a queue out the door. Remus looked at the sign above the door it showed a quill, ink bottle and a wolf's paw print. "Move aside! I said move aside!" Emmett shouted at the people who protested as he dragged Remus past them.
Most of the werewolves cringed at his scent.
Emmett shoved Remus forward "Move it! Over there!" he snapped and pointed towards a desk were there was a large group of people huddled round
"I don't care!" snapped a high pitched voice "that is his orders, are you disobeying his direct orders. If you don't like his orders then you know what will happen" the voice was filled with authority.
The man in front of the desk cringed away "that's not what I meant...I just-I just wanted- I need more money"
"He has said no!" barked back the voice "we will not give you any more money. If you cannot pay your gambling debts then you shouldn't gamble at all. Now get out before I have the nightwatch take you away"
The man gathered his belongings and scurried out looking ashamed.
Emmett then shoved Remus forward further
"Hey no cutting the queue" snarled a frizzy haired woman
"This is important, we have an intruder" Remus was pushed again; he almost fell against the desk. "Sheriff" Emmett dipped his head. Then forced Remus to do so too "I have an intruder here...he claims to have heard to poem"
Remus couldn't see the sheriff sitting at the desk in front of him as he was practically leaning over
"So you think it so important that you barge in here, cut the queue and present me with this human smelling filth"
"Yes-no- I thought you would want him brought to you straight to you" Emmett was trying to defend himself.
The chair scraped back as the sheriff stood. "Get out!" she shouted "everyone out...I will deal with this myself! Get out now! Kane, Darken send them out into the square"
The two men flanking the desk began to usher the other werewolves out. None protested as they went out.
The sheriff then stood, Remus heard the door click then a blind pulled down. He then heard the shutters bang close.
"We haven't got long" said the sheriff. Remus braced for impact as the sheriff approached him, he felt fingers slip under his chin and force his head up. He looked up into a pair of big green eyes with hints of brown.
He gasped he was staring at Athena. But at the same time he wasn't.
The girl in front of him was clearly younger, her hair was a darker shade of blonde and her eyes were green not blue, but she was the double of Athena in everything else...accept height she was rather short. Athena was five foot seven. The girl in front of him was more five foot four.
"Hello there" she gave him a smile "I guess I look very much like Athena" she gave a small laugh that was full of youth "I however am Artemis"
She realised his chin and went to sit back at her desk "you must be the brother from Rome" she said pulling out a letter. Remus realised it was in Athena's handwriting.
Remus gave a small sigh of relief and a smile "I'm Remus" he said
"Hmmm" said Artemis, looking at the letter "Athena suggests you go by a different name...Remus Lupin might stir something in my father's memory"
"What about Romulus?" suggested Emmett he was standing by the shutters looking out into the square "The other brother of Rome?"
Artemis nodded "Very well, Romulus welcome to the wolf valley" she smiled "now if you'll excuse me for what I'm about to do...IF YOU THINK THIS IS ACCEPTABLE TO BARGE INTO MY OFFICE AND PRESENT ME WITH A NEW WEREWOLF LIKE THIS THAN YOUR MISTAKEN!"
Remus jumped back in surprise
"I WAS ONLY FOLLOWING ORDERS!" bellowed Emmett "which are?"
"WELL YOU HAVE A NEW ORDER. I PUT HIM IN YOUR CARE. HE'S YOUR PROBLEM NOW!" screamed Artemis "Emmett he has to be in someone's charge there's no one I trust more" she pleaded quietly
"WHY ME? WHY DO I HAVE TO GET STUCK WITH THE RUNT!" he shouted back "and if he's caught I'll be killed"
"We all will if he's caught. But with your help he won't. He needs to fit in and be kept on the down low" she approached Emmett from behind the desk "NOW DO AS I COMMAND OR YOUR OFF THE NIGHTWATCH!"
Emmett walked towards Artemis "okay...you'll father will want to see him though" he said
"I know" she added "DO YOU DO AS I COMMAND OR NOT?!" she reached over and stroked Emmett's check
"FINE I WILL!" he leant into Artemis's palm "IS THAT ALL YOU COMMAND OF ME?"
"TAKE THE PUP OUTSIDE NOW!" she reached up and kissed him gently on the cheek "Go quickly...before Junior turns up"
Emmett nodded and grabbed Remus by the shoulder before steering him outside and into the square. The two soldiers at the door glowered as they passed them and disappeared into the crowd.
"What was all that about?" hissed Remus as Emmett pushed his way towards the front
"Shut up, and pay attention!" he demanded as they came to a standstill.
Remus looked round at the square there were many other werewolves there all huddled round and looking up at the large balcony that looked out over the square. A set of stairs ran up to the balcony but there was a guard placed at the bottom.
The people in the crowd were talking amongst themselves until a group of men stepped out of an archway that led from the building and onto the balcony. The men all looked quite old in their late sixties early seventies. All the men wore blood red robes with the sign of a moon on their breast. Only one man looked different to the others he was frailer, his skin a translucent white that almost matched his hair. He wore a large golden pendant around his neck that matched the golden staff he carried.
The man suddenly tripped over his long robes, another man caught him. This man was far younger maybe early fifties; he had red hair with a trimmed beard his hair had a few grey streaks running through it.
The crowd gasped and murmured at the scene above.
"That's the Council of Elders?" asked Remus
Emmett nodded "The chief Drake is the man with the staff and pendant"
Drake stood tall again and pushed away the other man's hands and went to stand at the rail.
The other man smiled menacingly he had a dark glint in his eye
"Let me guess that's Richard?" Remus almost growled the name
"Stop asking question, it looks suspicious"
Drake approached the rail and stamped his staff three times on the wooden balcony "Council is assembled" his voice was soft but carried authority "kneel for your Leader"
The curtain in the archway was pulled back again two guards walked out followed by Artemis and another young man who had long black hair and walked with a swagger of power. He glared down at the crowd in disgust- so that must be Junior- Troy.
The curtain parted again and a tall man almost the same height as Troy marched out of the archway, he wore a long sweeping black coat that was caked in mud. He strolled forward and put his large hands on the rail showing his bitten nails through his fingerless gloves. The man's hair was also long and black but had strands of grey. His piercing blue eyes bored into the crowd bellowed.
Remus felt his breath hitch, this man brought fear and terror to Remus's heart and also shock as Greyback's eyes looked identical to Athena's
"Calm yourself" whispered Emmett as he grabbed Remus's elbow.
The whole crowd began to lower themselves onto one knee and dipped their heads to their leader. Emmett forced Remus down with him so they didn't get recognised or stood out too much.
"Rise" growled Greyback as his gazed shifted round the gathered crowd. Remus was impressed by the way he controlled the crowd and commanded authority "I shall not keep you long, we all have our jobs to attend to" his eyes lingered on a few people in the crowd "therefore I shall get down to business- Brothers and Sisters!" he voiced rose "The time has come! For years we have hidden, have run in fear, we have been chased away, discriminated against and made into outcast!"
A few people murmured in agreement. Remus noticed another bald haired man step up onto the well that was in the centre of the square to get a better view, he didn't look impressed.
"My fellow werewolves, we should stand this no more. We are far better than the scum who cast us out, we are more magically gifted, faster, stronger and smarter we deserve a place in this world!" Greyback looked round the square grinning as he paused for dramatic effect "and I know someone who will secure that place"
Emmett's eyes almost popped out his skull as he said "Oh my God"
"You didn't say anything about this!" whispered Remus, he didn't have to worry about been over heard as the crowd were all talking
"I didn't know!" snapped Emmett "and by the look on her face neither did she!"
Remus looked up to see Artemis given her father a disbelieving look, her brother- half brother however looked very smug.
"I have allied myself with the Dark Lord" he said quietly, but the whole crowd fell silent like he'd shouted it at them "he is the future, he will destroy the wizards that don't support us, he will help us rise up until we are the kings- the council are the only ones who stand in our way. They have yet to cast their votes- but what say you?" Greyback mockingly casted a hand round his ear to jokingly hear better
A few people in the crowd began to cheer, and agree with Greyback. Troy also cheered and Artemis acted like she did by clapping loudly.
There were a few quite people in the crowd but they began to clap quietly as to blend in.
The bald man on the fountain glared at the balcony and said and did nothing.
Emmett also stayed quiet, his arms folded firmly across his chest.
Greyback looked to the council of elders. Many of them looked shocked at Greyback's outburst; others looked like they'd already made up their mind. Richard was smiling proudly. Drake however was staring blankly at Greyback.
"You wish us to vote on whether or not to join a man who is killing wizards and causing havoc across the land?" demanded Drake
"No, I wish you to vote to join a man a powerful man who is pro werewolf and wishes to support us in the future when we become free...and not just seen as monsters" replied Greyback. His eyes glanced at the crowd. Remus suddenly knew what he was doing, he was trying to get the pack on his side that way Drake and the council would follow the colony's wishes and not just Greyback's.
Drake also glanced at the crowd, he looked worried.
Troy strolled forward to the railing "Freedom!" he cried raising a fist in the air.
The crowd cheered back also with their fists in the air "FREEDOM!" they chanted "FREEDOM!"
Drake slammed his staff on the deck "The council will adjourn to make our decision!" he declared. The council members scurried back through the archway. Greyback went to follow, Drake held out his staff to stop him "alone" he insisted.
Greyback kept is poker face well, but there was still a look of hatred in his eyes.
Remus kept his face turned up so he didn't miss a minute. He didn't know that it would be his downfall. Troy stepped up to the rail to face the crowd; his dark eyes fell on Remus's face. Troy furrowed his eyebrows.
"Shit!" spat Emmett, turning round quickly to see through the crowd
Troy snarled and snapped his fingers before pointing at Remus.
Guards pushed their way through the crowd, Remus didn't dare move. Neither did Emmett.
Two guards grabbed Remus and looked up to Troy who nodded and motioned for them to bring Remus forward.
"Hey leave him alone!" demanded Emmett grabbing a guard around his neck.
The guard spun and punched Emmett in the face before bending his arm back and growling violently.
"Bring him too!" called Troy.
The guards led Emmett and Remus up the stairs to the balcony.
When they reached the top they were forced forward onto their knees. Greyback was in conversation with another werewolf, he was signing papers with his back to them.
Artemis had her arms folded and was glaring at them both.
Troy approached them, he had a swagger of arrogance about him "So who have we got here then?" he sniffed Remus "er- smells very human"
"Give it a rest Troy" said Artemis striding forward to stand next to her brother; she was almost a foot smaller
"Oh so you knew about the new pup then?" he sneered
"The Alltud brought him to me for inspection" she said casually "like procedure says" she was daring him to defy her
Greyback gave a small laugh before finally facing them "Now, now children" he grinned showing yellow stained teeth and those eyes that bored into Remus making his scar tingle as he remembered the pain "Artemis did the right thing, but you should have mentioned it sooner. Now let me see him"
Greyback stepped forward and sniffed Remus also. His pupils dilated and he snarled before grabbing Remus by the back of his neck and pulling him to his feet "what's your name?!" he barked
"Romulus" Remus said as he was forced to stand on his tip toes
"Where do you come from?" demanded Greyback
"London!" gulped Remus
"How long have you been a werewolf?"
"A few years...I travel a lot!"
"You smell..." began Greyback, Remus tried not to seem afraid "like a human. You've been too far from your kind for too long" he dropped Remus who went down hard on his knees.
Remus looked up at Artemis, she adverted his gaze "he stays then?" she asked
Greyback turned back to Remus "who brought him over the borders?"
Artemis gave a small nod in Emmett's direction.
Greyback gave a small rumble "I should have known the Alltud-" he grabbed Emmett by his throat
"Father!" snapped Artemis
"Don't you even dare-" growled Greyback at his daughter, realising Emmett who coughed to clear his throat. Artemis didn't back down "don't defend him in front of the pack"
"I wasn't father" she said "I have already placed Romulus in the Alltud's hands; he is to teach him our ways"
Greyback looked taken back, before smiling "clever girl" he said with a hint of anger "so we have it!" he turned to the crowd below "a new member of the pack. Romulus. Make him welcome!" he kept smiling
The crowd applauded politely, Greyback turned back around and eyed Remus suspiciously, before shuffling his shoulders and waving a hand at his guards.
The guards grabbed Remus and Emmett again and escorted them from the balcony and back into the crowd. The people near them backed away as to not associate themselves with them.
Artemis looked down at the pack below; her nerves were shot to pieces she hadn't expected her father to have made an announcement like that to the pack, he was obviously desperate for support if he risked exposing his plans.
She looked at her half-brother he was in a deep conversation with a fellow member of the pack, another sheriff but one below her station.
She looked towards Remus and Emmett, she hoped with all of her heart that whatever Remus had been sent to do would help. She didn't care about werewolves been free, here they were. Here in the valley they were a family, a family that stuck together, worked together, yes there were down sides, killings when the full moon occurred, magic been limited among them and the money issues. But that didn't mean they had to fight with the Dark Lord, that wasn't right he wanted them to fight and they shouldn't have to fight. Artemis turned from the rail she wanted her people, her pack to live in peace and be treated equally, not to fight and be used as pawns in a much large game. Joining with the Dark Lord, would mean death for a lot of her kind...and far worse if the Dark Lord didn't keep his word and turned against them.
The curtain twitched Richard stepped out leading along Drake, who didn't look happy. Artemis swallowed the lump in her throat, the council could out vote the Elder if they had all come to a single agreement. But the Elder could always appose, but that could lead to a split in the council, and in the pack.
Drake approached the railings "My fellow werewolves" his voice sounded strained; he was getting so old "we have reached a decision"
Drake slowly turned to Greyback "we have agreed with our leader, we will join with he-who-must-not –be- named"
There were loud cheers from the crowd, and even louder from Troy.
Greyback smiled triumphantly, he finally got what he wanted "excellent, you have made the right choice" there was slight threat in his voice "now come we shall discuss further plans" he held his hand out for the council to return the leaders home. The other members headed back through the archway.
Drake however halted and whispered to Greyback. Artemis stepped forward a little to listen "I did not agree. The council however out voted me Greyback, but I am not stupid I know there are those who are been threatened...I have allowed this decision for the sake of the pack. But in future you will not blackmail or threatening to get what you want or I will have things differently"
The fury in Drake's eyes was obvious.
Greyback's was far worse "I would watch my mouth if I was you, because there may not be a future for someone like you old man"
Drake's lip quivered before he shuffled off. Greyback gave one final nod to the pack and motioned for Artemis and Troy to follow him inside.
Artemis nodded before quickly tugging her ear twice.
Emmett saw Artemis tug her ear twice, he knew the code and so did several others "come on let's get out of here" he said to Remus "I'll show you were you'll be staying and explain a few things to you"
Remus nodded as he followed Emmett through the disbanding crowd.
Instead of heading towards the houses around the centre of the village Emmett headed across it towards the outskirts. They arrived near the top of one of the hills, there were fewer trees here but what Remus could see in the distant were planting fields, obviously the werewolves grew their own food and not just bought it off wizards.
Emmett headed for one of the furthest houses, well if you could call it a house. It was a small blue square building on stilts again with a small porch leading to a grey door.
"This is my house" he said as he took a key out and opened the door into a small room with a bunk bed, fire and small seating area "It's not much afraid. Not when you're an Alltud"
Remus removed his cloak "what does that mean? Alltud?"
Emmett went and stoked the fire "Outcast" he said poking a coal harshly
"Oh" said Remus awkwardly
Emmett stood "It doesn't really bother me..." he shrugged casually
Remus wasn't convinced "what did you do to make an outcast?" he sat down on one of the chairs
Emmett looked into the fire "Artemis and I have always been close...but when Greyback found out that we were more than that, he accused me of sabotaging the planting fields by getting another werewolf to start a fire. Since then I have lived in this little hut by myself, I am not allowed to do any of the farming work. Artemis defended me but she was punished for it, that's why Greyback doesn't trust her, she got me into the Nightwatch- her excuse been to keep me out of the way and to have more better werewolves keep an eye on me"
Remus saw the hate in Emmett's glare "You don't like the Nightwatch?"
Emmett smirked a little "and you ask a lot of question" he dropped into his arm chair "I like it, but I preferred an honest day work for an honest day's pay. As part of the Nightwatch you get paid per shift, my shifts earn me very little-another reason I'm stuck in this house"
"I did notice the houses were different on the outskirts" admitted Remus
Emmett nodded "I better give you a rundown of how the place works" he said
"Ath-" began Remus
"Whatever you don't say that name...if any of Greyback's men hear you say that, you're dead" he warned "she may have giving you all the information she knows but she doesn't know everything...a lot of things have changed. For example no one lives equal lives here; the old, infirm, poor and the people like me live on the out skirts. They have the jobs that pay little, hold no value..." he trailed off thinking "many of them will soon be dead, the old are weak and their bodies can no longer withstand the change...the poor are trying their best to live...and the outcasts. Well we aren't getting ourselves far"
Remus felt a lump form in his throat, this was not a way of living, and this was an awful life "the change" he began "what happens here when the full moon rises?"
"Loads of things" grumbled Emmett, "the pack still works together even when in wolf form. The Alpha rules, which is Greyback, the council govern and the guards kill"
Remus tried to swallow the lump in his throat "what about people like us?"
Emmett stood "I thought you might ask about that" he pushed aside his arm chair "every house has one or more of these. I'm lucky mine has two" he lifted a hatch up out of the floor boards. Remus stood and peered into the hole the silts on which the house stood hid a secret. A sort of basement, a basement that had metal bars round it and a metal wall of bars splitting it into. It was similar to Grimmauld place except both sides were of equal size.
"I usually use the whole thing, but I pulled the bars across when I heard you were coming" he said "we'll go down before the moon rises, the moonlight then comes through the small windows that way we can change before the trouble starts"
"Trouble?" questioned Remus as they shut the hatch
"Greyback and his guards don't stay locked up. They stalk the streets, fighting with lower werewolves and they also go out and hunt" said Emmett "I heard you met the last prey of Greyback's"
Remus went to the small window he could see the village below "sadly I did" he said "that man has lost everything because he stood up to Greyback. I will see him personally brought down"
Emmett laughed out loudly "Merlin you sound like her...and Artemis. But we have to be careful first pup"
"Pup?"
"I can't be seen to been nice to you all of the time"
Remus chuckled "fair game"
Athena gripped her best friends hand tightly, it was late at night and they sat round the table holding cups of tea containing a shot of fire whiskey.
Tonks's tears rolled gently down her cheeks "I still feel its might fault" she blubbered, her hair was it ordinary lifeless muddy brown colour due to her depression
"It isn't" said Athena forcefully "If it's anyone's its mine, I couldn't stop her-"
"Neither could Kinglsey, she was too strong" said Molly, who's house they were in
"But I know I'm stronger, I almost had her- Sirius is dead because of me" Tonks's eyes flickered between brown green and red
"Tonks you have to calm down, Sirius's death was no one's fault" said Athena even though she felt guilty about it also "your just hurt, he was a member of your family. You've practically grown up knowing him"
Tonks's shuddered and wiped her eyes on her sleeves "Yeah I guess..." she murmured
Molly patted Athena's and Tonks's entwined hands "you need a break" she decided "why don't you go away for a little while, get away from everything?"
"Go where Molly, I'm needed here" said Tonks, her tears had stopped but her eyes were red rimmed
"Not necessarily" said Athena quietly, she didn't want to have to say this to her best friend, she could take it the wrong way or she would agree to do it "Dumbledore told me about another mission he was thinking of sending me on. It would involve some travel"
"What?" said Tonks perplexed
"I didn't want to say anything, I knew you would worry if you thought I was going to take up the mission" said Athena quickly
"What's the mission Athena?" interrupted Molly as she watched the two distressed girls
"It required me to travel to Romania" she explained "to join up with Charlie...it wasn't going to just be a social trip. It would entail enlisting the help of the wizard colonies out there encase you-know- who tried to enrol some dragons. But with me going back to teach I turned it down. But if Tonks needs a break this might be her best chance"
Molly and a blushing Athena turned to Tonks. Her face had gone pale, she gave her head a little shake "No" she said "I'm needed here"
"And what has Dumbledore got you doing?" demanded Molly, she obviously thought it was a good idea
"Well..." Tonks didn't need to finish, they all knew she hadn't been given any duties for a while so that she could grieve "but you need me here...especially after what you've gone through"
Athena felt a pang in her heart, she was talking about Remus "but I've got my work to take that off my mind" she tried to put on a convincing smile it didn't work
"Athena you already miss him and you are obviously worried" said Molly kindly
Athena gave a small smile "I have something that lets me not think about my problems...Hogwarts is where I need to be and where Tonks needs to be is away from everything that's going on here...go to Romania, see Charlie and do some order work. Take your mind of everything"
"And how are you going to cope without me?" asked Tonks seriously
"Tonks, I'm big enough to take care of myself for a few months while you're away"
"Months?!"
"Dumbledore wants someone out there for a few months, just like he has R-R-Remus in the valley for a few months"
They all saw the way she tripped on her words
"Okay I'll think about it-"
There were suddenly three loud knocks on the door. Molly shot out her seat "Who's there?" she said nervously, she looked to Athena who sniffed the air "declare yourself!"
"It is I Albus Dumbledore, bringing Harry" said a voice on the other side of door.
Athena smirked and gave Molly a nod who threw open the door "Harry, dear! Gracious Albus you gave me a fright, you said not to expect you before morning!"
"We were lucky" said Albus he ushered Harry into the kitchen "Slughorn proved much more persuadable than I had expected. Harry doing of course. Ah Hello Nymphadora, Athena"
Harry looked round at both of them. Athena gave him a pleasant smile.
"Hello, Professor" said Tonks out of old habits "Wotcher, Harry"
"Hi Tonks" said Harry "hey Athena"
"Hello Harry" she replied as she stood "we better be off Molly"
"Yes she's right" added Tonks also standing "thanks for the tea and sympathy"
"Please do not leave on my account" said Albus courteously "I cannot stay, I have urgent matters to discuss with Rufus Scrimgeour"
"Oh no it's okay Albus, we should really get going its late" said Athena
"Yeah, night" said Tonks as she went passed Albus "oh, by the way if that job Athena turned down is still available...I could do with a change of scenery"
Albus dipped his head in acknowledgement "good to hear"
Athena gave the three others a small wave. Molly called back at them "Remember to come for dinner at the weekend"
Athena smiled and she apparated into the night with Tonks
It was a foggy morning as Athena stood in the park in the centre of town. Tonks was beside her with two large trunks. Athena could already feel the lump in her throat it reminded her off the day she said it was over between herself and Charlie.
A fox barked in the area, Athena jumped as the sound hurt her ears.
Tonks stopped "we're here" she said quietly but in the quite early morning it was clear as day
They stopped at a bench that was right in the centre of the park "So-so this is where th-they're going to get you from?"
Tonks gave a small nod; she had pink tips in her hair, that was already a good sign that her emotions were getting back on track "yeah Charlie said they could land undetected and then get out of here as quickly as possible no high buildings to navigate" she gave a small laugh like it was a joke
But it wasn't a joke to Athena, she looked at her best friend, "I'm really going to miss you" she blurted out as hot tears rolled down her face, she had been trying to hold them back.
Tonks looked a little taken back before throwing her arms around Athena and squeezing her tightly "I know, I know" she said soothingly "but I'm just an owl away and I'll be home in a few months. If there's anything- anything at all-" she took a step back and gave Athena a little shake to make sure she was listening "then I will be on the first broom home"
Athena wiped away her tears and nodded "I can hear them, their almost here...come let's get you ready"
They assembled Tonks's trunks as four brooms lowered from the sky and their occupants landed safely on the ground.
Charlie was unmistakable, not just by the colour of his hair which was its typical bright red. He almost ran from his broom, his long muscular arms swinging at his sides, he took long lanky strides and beamed at both of them. Athena smiled back, she couldn't help it he always made her feel safe.
She went to step forward to embrace Charlie like the old friend they were. But Tonks stepped forward first and Charlie pulled her into a hug and spun her around off her feet "Err- it's great to see you" he said setting Tonks on her feet "I'm so pleased your coming to Romania, wait until I show you the dragons and all the other creatures out there" Charlie's enthusiasm was evident
Athena suddenly felt very left out, Tonks was off to start this great journey and Athena as usual was stuck staying behind...
"We better think about heading off...long flight home you know" said Charlie; he went for Tonks's trunks "can't go without saying goodbye to Athena though"
"A hello might have been a good place to start" she grinned
Charlie grinned also but didn't envelope her in a hug like he did Tonks. I guess old wounds can still go unhealed thought Athena. She gestured to Tonks's stuff "this is it, all of her belongings"
"All of them?" questioned Charlie to Tonks
Tonks nodded "We've given notice on our flat" explained Tonks attaching a strap to one of the trunks "with me in Romania and Athena at Hogwarts they'll be no one there for months. It might as well go to use for another witch or wizard"
"So you're going back to Hogwarts?" asked Charlie to Athena
Athena nodded slowly "Dumbledore wants me back there"
"So you finally get what you want Athena" said Charlie a little darkly
"And you already have everything you want Charlie" she replied a little more coldly then she attended
"Hmup" said Charlie as he mounted his broom "we better go now"
Tonks ran to Athena one more time to hug her goodbye before boarding her own broom.
"And off we go" said Charlie as the five of them shot into the air carrying Tonks's gear between them.
Athena saw Tonks give her one more last wave before she disappeared into the rising sun.
Athena slowly wondered back to her flat, she unlocked the door and headed up the stairs. Barney was perched asleep on the windowsill.
Athena looked round the room, it seemed very bare with a lot of Tonks's stuff missing, what hadn't gone with her had been moved to her mothers. Athena dropped onto the sofa and kicked off her shoes. She pressed her head into the pillow and began to weep, she has pushed Tonks to go and now she was all on her own.
I know it has been a while since the second story finished, but was it not worth the wait? Please let me know if you enjoyed it. The second chapter is in progress, I am writing as hard as I can but it has been difficult over the last few weeks as it is my best friends wedding on Sunday and I am her bridesmaid and also working full time and extra shifts has made me sooooo tired that I can't even think about writing when I get home. But I am on holiday now so I am looking forward to getting back into writing.
Thanks
Miss Goldy Locks