Two Dates with Destiny

Remus Lupin was acting like a teenager.

It was Thursday at 6:30. He had already put on his least faded blue shirt and least patched pair of trousers. Now he was looking in the mirror, hoping his hair would magically un-gray somehow. Meanwhile, his palms were sweating and he felt nervous energy run through him.

He still couldn't quite believe that he was going out with Nymphadora Tonks. She was his good friend, and he liked and admired her very much. But he never thought that someone like her would consent to go to dinner with him.

The longer he looked in the mirror the more self-deprecating notions rose in his mind. The rumors of more new anti-werewolf legislation did not help his mood. He rarely wished violence on anyone, Dolores Umbridge sorely tried all his patience and compassion. Hadn't she already done enough?

There was also the matter of the meeting with Dumbledore the next morning. He was almost certain what he would ask. The room felt instantly colder.

However, he suppressed such negative thoughts. Apparently (though he still couldn't quite believe it), Tonks didn't care about any of that. They were friends and colleagues after all. The worst she could do would be to politely refuse a second date. His old friend could still not convince him that his doubts were unfounded, but he would at least enjoy the evening and trust in the fact that he and Tonks were hardly ever awkward around each other.

Finally, he looked at his watch and Apparated to her flat, knocking lightly on the door.

--

Inside the flat, Tonks called out, "Just a minute!" She hoped that he wouldn't catch the slight note of panic in her voice.

She was not ready. She was dressed, but not satisfied and was about to change for the third time. And, worst of all, her hair was still in its natural mouse brown. She regarded herself in the mirror, thinking that her denim skirt looked oddly appropriate with her work boots after all and settling on her habitual pink spikes for her hair.

"Wotcher, Remus! Sorry to keep you, but a girl's got to primp." She fluttered her eyelashes at him for good measure.

"I would never want to deny you that opportunity." He grinned. "In fact, I could come back in a few hours if you'd like."

"Git." Her exasperated huff was somewhat undermined by her barely suppressed snort. "I'm ready." She grabbed a cloak and shut the door behind her.

As they walked down the hall and descended, she darted her eyes toward him. He looked handsome, she thought, and the blue of his shirt played off well against his skin tone. Truth be told, he was rather ordinary looking. He was thin and peaky, slightly on the tall side, but not overly so. He was lined and prematurely gray. Several pale scars were just visible above his collar. But as she had come to know him, and with him smiling sheepishly down at her, she thought he appealed to her quite nicely.

Once they were outside in the strangely cool and clammy summer air, she asked, "So, are we going to Apparate?"

"Actually, I thought we might walk. I hope you don't mind somewhere Muggle." He looked so self-conscious and hopeful that she was desperate to reassure him.

"Course not. I haven't been to a Muggle place in a few years. Lead on." Just to make her approval extra clear, she slipped her hand into his.

They strolled along slowly and silence descended upon them. It was not the sort of comfortable silence that usually enveloped them. It was surprisingly awkward, and she cast about frantically for something- anything- to say. She doubted that her situation was helped by the increasing fog that did not seem entirely natural.

"I think Umbridge should be given back to the Centaurs, don't you?" His half-smile suddenly became frozen. Bloody brilliant, Tonks; remind him of the Werewolf Thing. "Hasn't she already done enough?"

His lips quirked upwards slightly, and she couldn't fathom why. "I'll confess the rumors of these new laws are onerous, but they haven't been passed yet."

"And they shouldn't be! Honestly! She already makes it impossible for you to get a job; she doesn't need to add a prohibition against property holding to the list."

He smiled that resigned smile of his that always made her want to hex all the people that had slapped him down over the years. "I appreciate the sentiment, Nymphadora, but it's not even a law yet. And people are not in the mood to hear about werewolf rights these days."

"I guess so." She wanted to protest, to think of some dazzling argument to win him over, but there were none.

She was saved from having to change the subject by Remus ushering her through a rather small nondescript door.

"What would you like to eat?"

"What do they have?" She strongly suspected that the quality would be questionable, but she wasn't about to say anything to that effect.

"A very limited selection. Since most of the people who come here have been around for years, they don't bother with posting a menu. I recommend the fish and chips, though."

"Would you trust anything else at your average pub?"

"The bangers and mash are passable." They each ended up ordering the fish and chips and a pint. She began to scan the empty spots for a place to sit.

"Pick a seat anywhere." She moved toward two open stools at the bar, but he gently pulled her back. "I should have qualified. Pick a seat anywhere that the regulars haven't long claimed. I'd hate for you to get in a bar fight on our first date." He surreptitiously pointed toward two grizzled older men who were lumbering toward the counter.

She grinned and put up her fists. "You don't think I could take them?" One brow arched challengingly.

"I was of course referring to the damage you could inflict on those poor blokes who might unwittingly dare to pick a fight with an Auror."

"Nice save, Remus." She gestured to an open table in the back that met with his approval. He pulled her chair out for her and pushed it in once she was seated. Much as Tonks was skeptical of the value of many chivalrous gestures, which she saw as relics of a bygone era when women were considered helpless innocents who needed protecting, she thought she could get used to his consideration.

"So, what do you think?" He was wearing that damned hopeful expression again. If she were completely honest, Tonks would say that the pub had obviously seen better days. The dark wood of the tables was pitted and often stained, and the walls could use a fresh coat of paint. But there was a certain charm to the hazy atmosphere and dim lighting.

And, initial awkwardness aside, in her mind the date was going very well. They were falling easily into their accustomed banter, and she didn't want to spoil the night so early. "It's nice. It seems like a place that all the Marauders would like." So much for not spoiling the night; remind him that he's the last one really.

However, when she dared look up from studying the grain of the wood, he was smiling fondly and reminiscently. "Yes, we used to come here all the time during the first war. It was nice to escape from the cares of the Wizarding world every once in a while, to see people who lived without constant fear." His smile became more regretful than nostalgic. "Sirius and I even snuck in here one night last spring. It was reckless of course, but it felt like closure."

"I'm glad you both had that chance." She meant for far more than just a night of drinking. She couldn't imagine losing all her loved ones in one night and then regaining one after more than a decade.

For a moment, she almost thought he seemed misty eyed, but the look passed as quickly as it had come. "As am I. But Sirius would be greatly disappointed if we passed the whole of our first date moping over him."

As usual, she admired how he knew exactly what to say to lighten the mood, and she chuckled gratefully with him. "I'm sure he would. He'd much rather that we only speak in hushed awe of his genius and charm."

"Undoubtedly." Soon a server brought their food and drinks, and they fell into a much easier silence than earlier.

Eventually, she broke it. "So, do you ever go swimming?" She realized, even as the words were coming out of her mouth, that her question was a ridiculous non-sequitur, but she wanted to say something.

His agreement on the matter was shown in a dangerously high quirked brow. "Do I ever go swimming?" he echoed her in a half amused, half bewildered way.

She felt herself redden slightly. "Er, yeah." Oh, brilliant Tonks, really brilliant. Her assessment of the date was rapidly going downhill.

"You know, now that you ask, I'm not sure when the last time was. I do remember that the Prefects' bathtub was large enough to swim in. Sirius, James, Peter, and I went a few times immediately after Hogwarts.But I don't think I've really gone since, a couple of times over the years. You?"

She was both bemused and surprised when he looked genuinely interested. "Not really. I don't really know where that came from, actually. It just popped into my head." He chuckled, but not derisively. She supposed he was used to random questions from her at times.

"What's your favorite food?"

"What…oh." She knew what he was trying to do and felt grateful that he always tried to ease her embarrassment after such bumbling. "I don't know. My mum's treacle tart, I guess." She looked to him for his response.

"I think I would have to say mine is chocolate."

She smirked. "I never would have guessed."

Some time later, after more inane questions, they stood and exited into the deepening night. Remus took her hand and twined their fingers together as they began to walk toward Tonks' flat. A pleasant sense of anticipation stole over her.

They reached her flat about twenty minutes later. The date had gone as well as she would have wished, and she thought that Remus had enjoyed himself, too. She very much wanted to do it again in the near future, but she wondered if he felt the same. Sirius' letters had only stipulated that go on one date; they said nothing about starting a relationship. Would he pull away? Would he not desire to risk their friendship and working partnership?

Such thoughts were pushed from her mind when she realized that she was staring at him. "Er, I had a really nice time tonight, Remus. Thank you for taking me out."

"It was my pleasure, Nymphadora."

She scowled at him, as was her wont, but she couldn't really muster the mock-annoyance to make her glare convincing. Instead, they just looked at each other for a few long moments. She began to think that he would bid her farewell and walk away, but he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.

He looked up and they grinned at each other. Holding her chin gently with his fingers, he pressed another soft, lingering kiss to her mouth. Then, he looked down at his watch regretfully. "I really should go. Good night."

"Sweet dreams, Remus." He gave a slight wave and Disapparated. She knew she would have them.

--

Remus knocked lightly on the Headmaster's door, preparing for the worst.

"Come in."

"Good morning, Headmaster."

"Welcome, thank you for coming, Remus. And, as I have told you before, you may call me Albus." He balked at the idea of addressing a man whom he admired so much, to whom he owed everything, by his first name, but he simply nodded. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled kindly at him behind his half-moon spectacles.

"You are probably wondering why I called you here today. Well, I have several matters that I wish to discuss with you. The first is a matter of grave importance for the entire Order of the Phoenix and the second concerns a task to which you are uniquely suited." Remus' heart sank. He had his suspicions about that task. And they were no less than the most terrible fears from his childhood.

"Well, I'm more than willing to anything that the Order requires of me."

The older man smiled genially. "I'm glad to hear that. Now, as you know, Sirius' will has declared Harry his heir; however, we must ascertain that the will is valid before returning to Grimmauld Place. In the mean time, we need another temporary headquarters."

He frowned. "I thought the Burrow was serving in that capacity."

"It is, but I do not wish to impose on Molly and Arthur more than is necessary."

"I understand, but I don't know how I can help."

"You have a property in Wales, do you not?" He nodded uneasily. "I was hoping that you would sell it to the Order." His fears about a mission were seemingly coming true. He wouldn't need his house much longer.

"I would, sir, but my home isn't very large." It had also been in his family for generations, and he was loath to part with it. Although he supposed that if there were a significant chance that he would not be returning, it wouldn't really matter. It would certainly be better than the Ministry confiscating it if that new law went through.

"I think it will be perfectly adequate."

"Then, of course."

Dumbledore smiled more widely. "Very good. Even if Number Twelve does pass into Harry's hands, I feel that it is necessary in these ever darkening times to have a second safe house. Now, it will be in Dedalus Diggle's name, and I trust that you will be comfortable with his being made the Secret-Keeper?" He nodded. Despite his violet headgear and excitability, Diggle was steadfastly loyal and committed to the cause. "I think 15,000 galleons should be a fair a price."

Remus blinked rather unbecomingly. That was for more than he ever thought his family home was worth that much. "That's a very generous offer…Albus, but I don't think my cottage really merits that much."

"Think nothing of it, Remus. It's a good market price." He suddenly realized that Dumbledore was only offering so much as a pretext for supporting him. The thought rankled and he almost refused, but he realized his mentor had already won.

"I will be removing Harry from the Dursleys next week. I'm sure we won't require the use of the house before then. We can put extra protective spells and the Fidelius Charm on it in the meantime. And, of course, we won't expect you to leave." That was curious. He was sure that his next request would be for him to leave to join the worst of his kind.

"The second matter of business is even more vital to the war effort. You have studied defenses against much old and esoteric dark magic, correct?" He simply nodded again. "Have you ever come across mention of Horcruxes?"

The word sounded familiar, gleaned from several ancient tomes that contained only the most hideous of evil spells and potions. "They're objects, special objects, that the owner has imbued with some part of him or herself if I remember correctly."

"Yes, in essence. Theoretically, any object can be made into a Horcrux, but the magic is more effective if they have some significance to the creator. Only the most desperate wizards would ever consider attempting it. It is not only very complex and dangerous, but it also requires a life taken for each Horcrux. The caster's soul is then split, and some of it becomes contained in the object."

Remus felt an involuntary shudder run down his spine. "What is the purpose?" He had an idea, and also how it was connected to the war, but it was a little too horrible too fathom.

"The wizard who successfully creates a Horcrux cannot die." The last two words sank slowly through the air like leaden weights, bringing everything down with them. "As I believe you have guessed, the reason that this subject is of utmost importance is that Lord Voldemort has used this magic."

"So his soul is split in two and that was why the rebounding of the Killing Curse did not destroy him fifteen years ago?"

"Oh, no." Remus felt wrong-footed. Then what was the point of this conversation? "He has created six Horcruxes, and, therefore, his soul is split into seven parts." The situation was even worse than he had thought.

"What are we to do?"

"That was where I was hoping you could help, Remus. I'd like you to look into Voldemort's movements over the past years. I have my suspicions about certain events, but we need more information."

So, he wasn't being sent away! He could scarcely believe his ears. "Of course. I'll do whatever I can. But, Albus, may I ask you something?"

"I daresay you'll find you can." His wise blue eyes twinkled fiercely, and Remus felt, not for the first time, that Dumbledore was reading his mind.

"Why aren't you sending me to infiltrate Greyback's pack? There have been terrible rumors of what they might be plotting."

"Ah. I did think about it, Remus, but I believe that this task is more important. Because if Voldemort falls, Fenrir Greyback will be discredited, and the others will find much less reason to rally around him." Relief suffused him. He could remain a part of the society for which he had lost so much and fought so determinedly.

"Now, I have some books and notes that would be helpful to you. Can you pick them up and start working on Monday?"

"Of course, Albus."

"Excellent. I have absolute faith in your prudence, Remus, but I must stress that you discuss this topic with no one. It would be disastrous if Voldemort discovered that we know about his Horcruxes."

"I understand."

"Well, I won't take up any more of your time. Have a good weekend, and I'll see you again on Monday."

"Good bye." As he exited the circular room and down the spiral staircase, he could barely wrap his mind around everything Dumbledore had told him. The mystery of the Horcruxes did answer many questions about Voldemort's survival, but it raised so many more. And he was the one who had to solve the riddles.

However, he did have one very important, yet selfish, reason to be grateful for Dumbledore's decision. He would be able to allow whatever new thing he had with Nymphadora to develop. A smile crept across his face as he strolled down the corridor on his way to the Owlery, with his hands casually resting in his pockets, to deliver a little note.

--

A/N: Let the AU-ness begin! I hope this change from canon doesn't throw too many people off, but I always felt sorry for Remus and thought researching Voldemort and Horcruxes would be a plausible alternate assignment that Dumbledore could have given him. Also, I used the wizarding money converter on the HP Lexicon to determine the worth of Remus' house. I estimated it would be about 150,000 dollars, which according to the Lexicon is about 75,000 pounds and 15,000 galleons.

My review bribe for this chapter is a date with Remus (or Tonks, if you like).