So, a *slightly* more upbeat AU.
Slightly.
...
I have certain goals I want for each chapter.
And that means LONGER chapters yo
So this IS going to have more training in it, I promise. I just think Death Eaters would have too much fun messing around with Order members, it can't all be clear sailing after the war.
"Why should I care that Greyback was born, not bitten?" Tonks asked. "What would that have to do with someone supposedly following his orders?"
"Werewolves have packs-" Savage began.
"Yes, I'm aware." Tonks said harshly.
"And from what Ministry records say, do you know which werewolves are more often to be the alphas of the packs?"
"I have no idea."
"Natural born werewolves. Any born werewolves we have on file, in Azkaban or even just registered, seem to be the most violent."
"And again, what does this have to do with us?"
"Metamorphmagi can control their appearances-" Savage began.
"As humans, we can't become animals."
"Right, and werewolves can't control their transformations." Proudfoot said quickly.
"And like I said before, two very different things." She growled.
"But as a Metamorphmagus, Teddy could potentially control himself." Savage said. "Right?"
"Not yet he can't, he's only four months old. His hair won't stay any colour for more than an hour." Tonks said. "And he's not a werewolf, I've told you-"
"And they can't get to you very easily, can they?" Proudfoot asked. "Imagine what kind of damage a Metamorphmagus werewolf could cause."
"I don't understand." Tonks admitted after a moment.
"Bloody Hell, Tonks." Savage grumbled. "In theory, couldn't an infected Metamorphmagus control when they transformed? And if Teddy was bitten, he'd still be a werewolf's son-"
"That makes no sense." She said. "Teddy isn't infected, I'm not infected-"
"You and Remus have both admitted Teddy showed signs similar to a partial infection- like Bill Weasley or Lavender Brown's cases. And, anyway, who would be easier to infect? You or an infant?" Savage asked.
"But Teddy still wouldn't a born werewolf, he'd be bitten-"
"He'd still be a Metamorphmagus." Savage said. "And it would make sense if he could gain some sort of control over his condition, don't you think? That alone, don't you think that'd make him a natural alpha?"
"No, it doesn't make sense at all." She snapped. "And if they were looking for Teddy, why would they attack the Weasleys?"
"The Weasleys are all fine, they were simply questioned." Savage said. "Would you like to know what they were asked?"
"They were asked where the Lupin family was living and where Harry was living." Proudfoot said. "They said they didn't give up any of the information, and we believe them, because we found out that at the same time that the Weasleys were being questioned, there were four wizards attacking your house."
"But- how would they have found us?" Tonks asked. "We lived with Mum during the war, we only moved a few months ago, how would they know?"
"It's on your Ministry files, isn't it?" Savage asked. "Maybe someone inside the Ministry- maybe an Auror-"
"If this is your way of saying you're the one who told them, you better admit it now so I can kill you." She said, narrowing her eyes at him.
Savage shook his head. "We're working with the records department to try and find out who accessed your records last." He said. "For now, though, we're a little more concerned about the idea of you and Teddy being alone anywhere on a full moon."
"But if that other one said it was Rookwood's orders, not Greyback's-" Tonks began.
Savage shrugged. "It'll just be a precaution. When's the next moon, anyway? We asked Remus, but he didn't have an answer for us-"
"It's on the sixth of Septem- wait, you asked Remus when the next full moon is, and he didn't know the answer?" She asked, frowning. "That doesn't sound right-"
"He should be taking Wolfsbane then, right?" Proudfoot asked. "A Healer asked, and he denied having to take it yet-''
"Of course he takes it, I left him some this morning, Horace sent a week's worth." Tonks said. "He needs to take it."
"When is he supposed to return to Hogwarts?" Savage asked.
"He was going to be starting on the ninth, Minerva wanted him to wait until after September's moon." Tonks said. "Why?"
"We asked, he said he'd be going back tomorrow."
"Tomorrow's the moon." She said with a frown. "When is he coming here? I want to ask him questions, this doesn't sound like Remus."
Proudfoot shrugged. "When we left St Mungo's, he said he'd bring Teddy here when they were done there."
"So he answered questions in a very suspicious manner, which you both admitted the answers didn't sound completely truthful, and then left him there? With my son?" She asked.
"Uh, I guess, yeah." Savage said uneasily.
"And you're just now telling me Remus sounded suspicious?" She demanded. "You morons, he has Teddy! And if he's not Remus, and full moon's tomorrow- then Remus might be- oh shit, Remus won't have his potion. If this isn't actually Remus, and they have Remus somewhere, there's nothing stopping them from letting Remus infect Teddy! This person could just take Teddy, and I wouldn't know until it's too late- I need to go, I need to make sure Teddy's safe." She stood quickly, leaving the room and heading for the door of the department.
"Auror Lupin!" Dawlish called, and she stopped just a few feet from the doors, turning to face him and Harry, who was standing next to him.
"Dawlish, I need to go to St Mungo's-"
"I'm sure you do. However, we've had reports of Death Eaters. Naturally I can't let Harry Potter go anywhere by himself. You're his mentor, make sure he gets home safe." Dawlish said.
She scowled at Dawlish. "Fine, alright then, come on, Harry." She said, and Harry followed her.
"I told him I didn't need-"
"No, he's right, the Death Eaters were also looking for you." She said as they headed for the lifts.
"Also?" Harry asked as they entered the lift.
"The two morons that were arrested tonight claimed different things. One claimed he was working for Greyback, one claimed he was working for Rookwood. Jon and Jack think they may want to infect Teddy, they assume it's because he's a Metamorphmagus and he would be easier to infect than I would be, but the Weasleys were questioned- all uninjured- and they wanted to find you as well."
"You think they can infect Teddy?" Harry asked.
"Not without a werewolf, no, but I think they might have one." She said as the lift stopped at the atrium. Harry clearly wanted to ask more questions, but followed her quickly to the fireplaces. She grabbed his arm and they vanished as she yelled: "St Mungo's!"
They stumbled out of the fireplace, into St Mungo's reception area, and Tonks turned to Harry. "Here's the plan. You live with us, you've been with us since the end of the war-"
"I'm sorry, what?" Harry asked, frowning.
"If this person isn't Remus, he won't know. He might fall for it, but if it is Remus, he's going to ask what I'm talking about." She said, and then she grabbed his arm, heading for the Welcome Witch. "We're looking for Edward Lupin, is he still here?"
The Welcome Witch looked over a list she had, and then shook her head calmly.
"Did they leave? Did you see him leave?" Tonks demanded.
"I don't know what Edward Lupin looks like-"
"He's a baby, did you see a baby leave with anyone?" She asked.
"Edward Lupin was taken home by his father, that's all our records say." The Welcome Witch said.
"Tonks, we'll go to your house, we'll see if they're there." Harry said before Tonks could say anything else. He took her arm, leading her away from the desk.
"And if they're not there?" Tonks asked.
"We'll figure something out. I'll help you, Tonks, I promise."
