Remus sighed, glancing toward the door in his office that led to the private living quarters. "I'm truly sorry, Harry. She tends to run a bit late when she's nervous." He smiled at the boy, who seemed equally nervous across the table, clutching a mug of tea as if his life may depend on it. "Actually- She was about forty minutes late to our wedding, which wasn't too bad, considering it was just before a clerk at the courthouse in the town where we live. Muggle style. But I will admit I was a bit afraid she wasn't coming for a while." At this, Harry finally laughed.
"Alright, that does make me feel better." The young wizard admitted. Remus' face softened.
"I will tell you, Harry- It was a bit of a bad time when I sprang all this on her- We've- She's-" Remus stumbled over his words for a moment, not sure how to say what he needed to without getting too personal too quickly. "She's had a lot going on the last couple days, that's all."
"Oh. I can come another day if..." Harry started to offer, but the door to the living quarters had swung open, interrupting him.
"No, please don't." Jasmine said, a sad smile across her face. Her eyes were partially hidden by her falling red waves but you could still see the fear in the bright green oceans within. Harry froze completely, and Jasmine stopped mid-step, taking the young man in. Tears slowly rolled down her face and without warning she crossed the room and pulled an already standing Harry into a tight hug. She stood holding her nephew a long time, ignoring when she heard Remus snap a couple pictures she was sure he was trying to be sneaky with.
"Aunt Petunia told me you killed yourself." Harry choked out- and it became apparent he was crying too. Jasmine closed her eyes. "But then-" Harry continued, pulling a bit away to look his newly discovered aunt over, "She also said my parents were killed in a car crash."
"Petunia has always been such a bitch..." She mumbled, then through both hands over her mouth, eyes wide. Harry and Remus both laughed, and it broke quite a bit of the tension. "I'm sorry. That was bad." She laughed too, embarrassed.
"It is true." Harry said, a wide grin spreading on his face.
"Yes, but I shouldn't have voiced it. She is, unfortunately, still my sister. But then- if she says I'm dead, I must be dead to her. That makes it fair game... Right?" She looked over at Remus, who chuckled, but shook his head.
"No." He said, nodding to the seats around the table for Harry and Jasmine to come back to. Remus stood automatically and pulled Jasmine's out before once again taking his own seat. Jasmine sat for a moment, obsessively straightening out her dress. She did not know where to start, and was more than a bit jealous of how easily Harry and Remus had started to take to one another. Remus gently reached over and took her hand in his to stop her fidgeting. "Calm down." He whispered, and pulled her hand up to kiss her knuckles before laying it back on her lap.
"So Harry, you must have questions for your aunt. Jazzy, You have quite a bit to tell- I have papers to grade! And on such a lovely day, How about I sacrifice my office and get out of your hair?" He stood, ignoring his wife's squeaks of protest and distress. He gave an encouraging smile to them both as he shut the door behind him.
"He infuriates me." She said, a small laugh with it.
"You don't have to be so afraid, Aunt Jasmine. I understand, you tried to come but Aunt Petunia and the system kept you away. I don't blame you." He said calmly. "It's been a weird year for me, too."
"I imagine so." Jasmine nodded. "And please, please Harry- Jazzy. Aunt Jazzy if you wish, but not Jasmine."
At this, Harry seemed confused. "Why?" He ask, his head tilted.
"Because your father came up with it when you started to talk and were hopeless at saying Jasmine." She explained, her smile brightening with the memory. "Of course, back then it was more 'Jassy' than Jazzy. But it did stick."
"So how much younger than my mum are you anyway?" Harry ask. "You didn't go to school together..."
"No, no. According to Minerva its the age gap between us that allowed my being a second witch born to a muggle family. Or that our great grandmother was a squib. But either way, I was eight years younger than your mum. So I just missed school with her." She explained. "It's also why I wasn't eligible for custody of you." She added, her voice cracking. Harry reached over the table and laid his hand over hers in comfort.
"You really don't have to go into that now. I understand." Harry said. Jasmine wanted to cry even more at the kindness her nephew was showing, even growing up with the horrid people he did. She gave him a watery smile.
"You're so precious, look at you." She croaked, still fighting the urge to break into sobs. "So kind, through it all."
"Professor Lupin said I get it from mum." Harry commented.
"Your Uncle Remus is correct, there." She sighed. "She, actually, took custody of me no arguments, no nothing, when our father died. Mum, your grandmother, had cancer, and died in my first year of school. Daddy lasted about another year, but his liver was already sick and he took up drinking when mum passed- it didn't take him long to get back to her." She looked suddenly even more down, being reminded of so many losses. "I lived with James and Lily for two years. I don't know many young newly weds that would take in a twelve year old..." She sighed, shaking her head. "They always gave. So much."
"It changes everything for me- You being alive. Pro, er, Uncle Remus being here. I have so much more a connection to them with you two. You can tell me about my mum, he can tell me about Dad- and, hang on. If your eight years younger than my mum, how'd you and..."
"OH!" Jasmine laughed. "Yes, that would seem odd right off, wouldn't it. I actually didn't even see Remus again after the funeral until I was twenty. I worked in a bar in Bristol. There was some bloke had been having a few too many, did not take kindly to my putting off his advances. Remus put him on the floor. I mean out cold, then ask if I was alright. I don't even think I answered, I was just so in shock seeing him. I'd fancied him so much when I was young it wasn't even funny. I was just standing there, all stupid like 'Ah! Do you remember me?' and he ask when I got off, we went to an all night sort of place after my shift ended at two in the morning, just catching up. Then meeting for supper became our norm. It sort of went from there."
"That does make much, much more sense. Thank you." Harry said, laughing.
"It was horrible, really. Your mother thought it was just the funniest thing I was so in love with him when I was young. Made sure I was in place in her bridesmaid line up so that I'd have to walk the aisle with him. My face was this horrible shade of purple, but he was so sweet. Helped me through the formal stuff and first dance as if nothing was wrong." She smiled, then sort of jumped. "Oh, Harry!" She stood harshly, nearly knocking her chair over. "I have wedding pictures. Well- I have pictures. In general. LOADS." She ran from the room, leaving Harry anxious and still, waiting. She came back with a few albums in her arms and a box levitating behind her.
"I only have a handful, from Hagrid." Harry said, his voice shaking.
"Those came from us, actually. He wrote us when he decided to make you the album. But here are all of them I know that exist. I rescued them from the house." She gestured at the pile. "Go on!"
"Really?" Harry sputtered.
"Of course!" She smiled. "I'll duplicate any and all if you wish."
Harry wasted no time, taking the first album from her arms and moving to the more comfortable arm chair in the corner of the office- The one Remus had put there for Jasmine to sit in and read while he did his work so she could still keep him company. They wasted the entire afternoon this way, Jasmine pointing out different pictures and telling stories, as well as a few that she told Harry Remus would have to explain. She did not tell Harry she'd have a few more to show him once hew knew everything, for the Marauders had several animal themed pictures she'd put all in their own albums for Remus. They talked and laughed, and even cried a time or two, until Remus came in and reminded Harry there was a curfew, but that their door was always open to him. Harry gave them both tight hugs before setting off, a few albums tucked under his arm.
Remus came up behind Jasmine at the bathroom sink, where she was washing her makeup off for the day. He wrapped his arms around her waste and buried his face in the nape of her neck. "I told you he'd love you." He said, a bit too cockily. Jasmine turned just enough to grab a quick kiss before returning to her facial scrub.
"He is a brilliant child. Thank you." She said. Remus couldn't help but feel she wasn't quite as happy as she should be, however.
"Jasmine." He whispered against her skin just behind her ear.
"Hmm?" She hummed in reply.
"Are you okay?" He ask honestly. It was a simple question, but probably the only phrase passed between them in their relationship whose frequency came close to 'I love you'.
"I'm okay." She replied honestly. "I wouldn't go so far as 'great', or even 'good'. But I am okay." She turned on the spot, staying wrapped in his embrace, but gaining face to face contact. "Are you okay?"
"I'm worried sick about you." He said. "You decided to give up those fertility treatments yesterday. And I know how had a decision that must have been. I can't even begin to know where to start to help you feel better..." Jasmine quieted him with a soft hand against his cheek.
"It's okay. Maybe we just weren't supposed to-" She stopped mid thought, her eyes fluttered shut. A tear slid down her cheek and road her jawline before dropping to the floor.
"I really wish I knew what to say to you. But you know I have told you before. It doesn't matter to me, as long as I have you." He kissed the tip of her nose. "Maybe your body just needs a break. Stop taking all those outside things, stop stressing so much. Relax. We can practice all you want, you know. Who knows- might get lucky!" He grinned and Jasmine burst out laughing.
"You are the only thing that keeps me sane, you know." She replied, hugging into his chest. Remus chuckled.
"That- that is saying something." He laughed. Jasmine pulled back and swatted at him, but he caught her wrist.
"Excuse me!" She stomped, mock offensively. Remus smirked and let her go.
"I'll be on the bed if you need me..." He said, sauntering off toward their bedroom. Jasmine laughed and turned back toward the mirror, admitting to herself she did feel much better.
Alright- Got a bit more background for you lovely readers! I hope you all enjoyed it. Please be sure to review, and thank you all for reading.