Marauder Reminders
Set during OotP, this is the untold story of Remus and Tonks: how they meet and their burgeoning friendship as the War continues to escalate around them.
Author's Note: I updated the rating, because Sirius makes his first appearance and just wouldn't keep his language tame. It's my first fanfic, so I'd really appreciate any suggestions you have to improve. I hope you enjoy! If you're interested, I've put some notes in my profile about their ages, etc. It's by no means necessary to read though some might find it interesting.
Disclaimer: I'm just playing with my friends. I don't own any of them.
Chapter 2: Secret Mission
"I met your cousin yesterday." Remus had just put the kettle on when Sirius had come in the kitchen, out of his room for the first time since his argument with Dumbledore.
"What? Where did you see Andromeda?" Sirius asked as he sat down at the table.
"No, not Andromeda. Her daughter, Nymphadora." Remus set a cup in front of Sirius and another in front of the empty space across from him.
"Oh bloody hell. Yesterday was her first day in the Order, wasn't it? And I spent all day holed up in my room, like the great big bloody prat I am."
"Yes, it was. Molly showed her around for you," Remus paused before continuing. "Why haven't you ever mentioned her?"
Sirius sighed. "Well, Andromeda was my favorite cousin, but she's a full ten years older. I was 12 my family disowned her for marrying a muggle-born. My parents forbade me from seeing or writing her. When I went to live with James so much was going on that I all but completely forgot about her," he smiled softly, "I did meet her once, when she was 3; Andromeda brought her over to my flat. She didn't have control over the morphing then—her face would just kind of shift, randomly. It embarrassed Andromeda a bit, I remember," Sirius eyes had glazed over. He was obviously absorbed in the memories of that time in his life.
"We lost contact after that, really. Especially after Lily and James got married and the war started to heat up. She wanted no part in any of it—she didn't like what Voldemort and his followers were about, but she didn't want to be killing her own sisters and other family either. Not to mention having a muggle-born husband and a Meta kid… she was worried she would become a target. Anyway, then Harry was born and James and Lily went into hiding, and then, well, then I was in Azkaban. Nymphadora must have been what? Six? Seven? It was Kingsley who recommended her for the Order. Should be dead useful though, with the morphing and all. Andromeda was one powerful witch—I'd imagine she is too." Sirius twisted his teacup between his hands as he spoke.
Remus looked at his friend. He looked better than he had in a long time. His hair was shorter and clean, he was clean-shaven, and thanks to Molly's cooking he was no longer gaunt. His skin had started to regain some color. But his eyes were still lifeless, still empty pools of black that showed no hint of the mischief that once lived there. Remus wondered if it would ever come back. "I heard you asked Dumbledore about Harry again."
"Bollocks. You mean you heard from Molly that I was on his case about Harry again."
"I guess you could put it that way," Remus said, looking down at his tea. "What did he say?"
"Same shit, different day. Harry needs to stay there for his own protection, Harry shouldn't be told anything through owls, and when Harry does get here, we're to stick to only what he needs to know." Remus could feel the anger flaring up in Sirius again, could see the muscle in his jaw start to twitch slightly.
"Did he say when Harry could come?"
"Only that it would be after his birthday." His jaw twitched again.
"That's five weeks from now."
"I know. I pointed that out, and the fact that Hermione's on her way today when she's in far less danger and far less important to the war. It just doesn't seem fair."
"Hermione's important. She's important to Harry and that makes her important to the war effort. It doesn't seem fair, you're right, but Dumbledore knows what he's doing." If I know one thing, it's that Dumbledore wants what's best for Harry. And he's the only one who seems to know all the pieces of the story.
"If you say so," Sirius said as he stood up and left the kitchen.
At the meeting that night, Tonks arrived just as everyone was settling into their seats. Her hair remained short and spiky, but was now pitch-black. Her eyes were far more exotic—long lashes surrounding pewter-colored irises. She made brief eye contact with Remus before grabbing a seat at the other end of the table.
"Prophecies are recorded and kept in two places. First, in the mind of the person who received the prophecy. A duplicate record is then created and stored here," Dumbledore pointed to a map spread out in front of him, "in the Department of Mysteries. I heard Harry's prophecy, so we do not need to worry about securing that record. Our intelligence reports indicate that Voldemort is currently seeking a way to obtain the duplicate record. Starting tonight, we will place a night guard at the entrance to the Department of Mysteries, whose sole responsibility is to ensure that no one enters the department that doesn't belong there. It is unlikely that Voldemort will attempt to gain the prophecy during the day. We're looking for volunteers for the first ten shifts. Each shift is six hours long."
Sturgis Podmore was first to raise his hand, followed by Arthur Weasley. As more hands rose, Remus also held his hand in the air. Professor Dumbledore looked at him and quickly, almost imperceptibly, shook his head once. Confused, Remus lowered his hand and looked at Albus again, but he was looking away.
At the end of the meeting (Harry's arrival was not discussed, Remus noted), Albus called to him, "Remus? I need to speak with you please."
Remus stayed in the kitchen while everyone else filed out. Once they were alone, Albus cast a quick silencing charm on the door. "I have a special mission for you. I have been unable to find a suitable replacement for professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Fudge has been indicating that he fully intends to pass a decree allowing him to appoint someone to the position if I cannot find someone suitable. We cannot allow this to happen. I need you to find someone."
"Of course, Professor Dumbledore. Do you have anyone in mind?" Remus had already begun searching his mind for possible candidates.
"Well, of course my first choice is you, but as you refuse to rescind your resignation…" Albus looked carefully at Remus.
Remus faltered. "Professor, you know I miss teaching, but I'm afraid it's inappropriate to subject my rare, er, personality on students when their parents clearly object. I'll do my best to find someone else who is qualified."
"Very well," Albus sighed heavily. "Do what you can."
"I'll leave in the morning, Professor," Remus said as he turned to leave.
"Remus?" Dumbledore called to him, and when Remus had turned around he said, "It's rare indeed to find a man of your quality. You have a condition; don't let it become a flaw."
Remus walked into the drawing room. Most of the other Order members had left directly after the meeting—just Dung, Kingsley, Sirius and the Weasley family was left. Molly was currently walking around the room, followed by a very bored-looking Ginny who appeared to be writing down a list of needed cleaning supplies that her mother was dictating. "Worst Doxy infestation I've ever seen. We'll definitely need to order Doxycide…and don't get me started on the sheer amount of dust…" Remus noted, with a twinge of regret, that Tonks had left before he had a chance to say hello.
"Seems you made quite the impression, Moony," Sirius said as he moved next to Remus.
"What are you on about now?" Remus didn't like the way his friend's mouth was quirking up at the edges, like he was trying to bite back a wicked grin.
"Little Nymphie was asking after you. Wondering aloud what Dumbledore was so keen to talk with you about, alone. Slyly asking what you had said after meeting her. Obviously doesn't know me well yet at all if she thinks I'd fall for that. What aren't you telling me about your little encounter yesterday?" Remus could tell Sirius was teasing just by the way he was standing.
"Really, Sirius. Be nicer to your poor cousin."
"I'll think I'll leave that job to you, actually. So. What did Albus want?"
"I leave in the morning for a mission and I'm not sure when I'll be back." Remus once again started a list in his mind of possible candidates to interview.
"What's the mission?" Sirius whispered conspiratorially. He could barely contain an eager smile. He stood facing Remus now, arms folded in front of him, shoulders slightly hunched.
"Well, I'm not sure anyone should know. After all, Dumbledore didn't bring it up at the meeting and-"
Sirius cut him off. "Bloody hell, Remus. I'm so sick of secrets and restrictions that I might just take Buckbeak, pick up Harry and damn the consequences."
"Fine, fine… just keep it quiet, all right?" Remus looked around. Molly was still dictating to Ginny, Kingsley was talking to Arthur and Dung appeared fast asleep. He assumed the other Weasley kids and Hermione were upstairs. Remus dropped his voice and said, "I'm going to search for a new Defense teacher. Dumbledore hasn't been able to find one and the ministry is keen to place one of their own at Hogwarts, ok? Better now?"
"You never could keep a secret, Moony," Sirius deadpanned before he bit back a chuckle.
"Thanks for that, you great git. You know what? I'm going to pack. I'll see you before I leave."
"I'll be around, that's for sure."
"By the way, do you call her that to her face? Nymphie?"
"Are you kidding? I'd prefer to keep all my bits right where they are, thanks very much."
Notes to reviewers:
I am so overwhelmingly grateful for your reviews—I fully expected to post this just for my own pleasure at writing again; I never expected reviews. (Although, sometimes I would allow myself to hope.) Thank you all so much!
Kanikan: My first review ever! Thank you for your kind words. I hope you found this chapter satisfying.
Mr. Scribble: Thanks. I'm sorry if they seem a little OOC, but it gets a little tricky since in canon we only ever really see the characters through the kids' eyes. Since I'm writing a story based on characters that exist but aren't fully flushed out in Rowling's books, I think it's fair to flush out their character a bit more, especially in adult-adult relationships. If you think I'm stepping way out of the character lines though, please do let me know. I appreciate you review!
Mrs. Alicia Weasley, Mar, starnat : Thank you! I hope you all like this chapter too.
nycgirl: Thanks. The Lily look-alike moment is what set off the idea for my entire story. It just wouldn't leave me alone.
Mucada: Your review gave me the biggest smile for the rest of my day. Thank you!
Queriusole: Like I've said before, your stories are what got me addicted to this ship in the first place. I'm flattered you liked my first chapter—hope you like the second too!