A/N: Surprisingly enough I've got nothing to babble on about today, so just read and enjoy (and review at the end!) Also sorry there are no dividers in this chapter, the button on my computer's stopped working sorry!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, there now you happy!
Chapter 8Nymphradora Tonks shut her eyes briefly as she gently used her thumb to rub small soothing circles on to the cold limp hand in front of her. She allowed herself to shed one single tear.
"Oh Remus," she whispered gazing down at the still body lying on the bed. " Please wake up. Wake up for my sake. I just want you to hold me in your arms and tell me that you love me too. I love you so much Remus John Lupin."
Two weeks had passed since the pair was first admitted to the Hospital Wing without much avail for the injured werewolf. Madam Pomfey had log since cleaned up his external injuries leaving his skin scratch less, and yet he still remained on the bed; pale, cold and unmoving. And until he did wake up there was nothing more that the matron could do for him. In fact if Remus didn't wake up within the next four days, it was highly likely that he never would.
Sirius hadn't told his godson the latest piece of news yet; he didn't want to worry him even more. It seemed that his auror training sessions (or at least the ones Sirius had forced Harry to leave Remus' bedside to go to) were already suffering from a lack of sleep and worry; without the extra stress of knowing that his surrogate uncle was likely to die in four days time. However little did Sirius know that 'Professor' Snape (who was currently taking all the students in Kingsley and Tonks absences) had been doing his best to stress his godson either way. Every auror training session he would curiously somehow manage to involve 'dead werewolves' in to the lesson, waiting for the day when Harry would finally snap.
Remus' disappearance and stay in hospital hadn't been easy on Harry or Sirius, particularly the latter. The head auror was convinced that the only thing keeping him sane was having to look after Harry; otherwise he would have gone after Voldemort himself a long time ago.
Last week the pair moved in to Hogwarts (which was still technically shut for the Summer) so that they could spend as much time with Remus as possible. The only time they left the castle was when Harry had auror training and Sirius had to go into work, which was not very often admittedly. He had many close friends in the squad who were more than willing to cover for him until Remus recovered, though the minister of magic Cornelius Fudge was far less lenient. He had many arguments with the head auror, who according to the minister may not have the 'head' part of his title for much longer if the absences continue. Not that Sirius cared much, as he himself had told Fudge when he first mentioned it to him, "Fine by me. I'd rather stay with my friend. Not that a stupid, arrogant prick like yourself even knows what that means."
Very often however Harry and Sirius weren't the only ones at Remus' bedside. Most of the Order including Dumbledore came to visit at some point; some like the Weasleys more often than others (hint hint Snape Snape). Then of course there is Nymphradora Tonks.
Sirius' second cousin had recovered and was out of the Hospital Wing 9 days ago. However unfortunately for her, her kidnapping only made her fiancée Kingsley Shacklebolt all the more protective of her. Despite her persistent protests the man had barely left her side whilst she was in the infirmary, and with her agreement even decided to postpone the wedding, which should have been round about now. As you can imagine Kingsley's sweetness only succeeded in making Tonks feel guiltier than ever; the only thing that kept her from sitting at Remus' bedside permanently like she was now.
" I don't care about anything else Remus. If you just wake up I swear we'll make it through everything else, even Kingsley. Because I love you." Tonks whispered to Remus before muttering to herself, "Even if I do feel as bad as Voldemort, breaking Kingsley's heart like that, it has to be done. For Kingsley's sake as well, he doesn't deserve false love."
Saying that she bent down and kissed Remus' cold numb lips. (A/N: Please remember that Tonks is still a nice person, she doesn't want to hurt Kingsley but she can't stop herself from loving Remus)
Suddenly the sound of a low wolf whistle echoed through the quiet room. Tonks looked up in alarm. She wasn't planning on anyone finding out about her and Remus until after she'd told Kingsley, which would be when Remus woke up, or…died.
But there standing in the doorway, his elbows leaning casually on the frame was Sirius Black.
" Sirius," exclaimed Tonks hastily standing up from her position in the chair. "How long have you been standing there?"
Smiling slightly Sirius walked closer to his cousin. "Long enough Nymphy, long enough," he said. But as she started to open her mouth to say some thing, he added more forcefully, "And in case you are wondering no I'm not mad. And no I'm not going to tell Kingsley."
Tonks gaped at the head auror for a few moments, before her thoughts came spilling out of her mind, " Why? Why aren't you mad? I just said I loved your best friend and kissed him, whilst I'm supposed to be engaged to Kingsley."
"That never stopped me"
"Sirius, you've never been engaged to anyone, you nutter!"
"Hmm," said Sirius thoughtfully, "True. And now you know why don't you. Anyway more seriously, I've known that Remus has fancied you for years no matter how much he tried to deny it. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I'm glad you two have finally got your act together."
"Really?" whispered Tonks.
"Really really. Now come here," he said before giving her a hug, which she gratefully returned. "Now you've been here for longer than your own good. Go get a coffee or something. I'll stay here whilst you're gone, okay."
Tonks reluctantly complied, and Sirius waited for her to leave the room before turning to his best friend.
"So Moony," he began whilst transfiguring the wooden chair into something more comfortable, "I suppose I should say congratulations; Tonks is some sexy girl! Or is it wrong for me to call my cousin sexy? Oh well."
In case you're wondering at first Sirius too, like everyone else would come into his friend's room almost in tears and beg for him to wake up. However when that clearly didn't work, the head auror decided to try a different approach- something more positive. He'd talk to Remus as if his friend wasn't lying unconscious, but like he would any other day; and surprisingly enough it made Sirius feel better than he'd felt in a long time.
" Anyway, didn't you listen to me all those times I told you to take her out to a nice restaurant and ask her out? When did I ever say ask her out when you are both being held captive by Voldemort. All I can say is that your style is officially as bad as it was back in Hogwarts! Remus…"
Sirius stopped speaking suddenly as something caught his eye. He could have sworn he saw Remus' eyes twitch slightly; but when he looked closer the werewolf's body was a still as it always had been. Shaking his head vigorously as if tring to get water out of his ears Sirius muttered to himself " Damn you stupid wishful thinking".
However just as Sirius was about to start speaking he heard a faint groan. Unless he was going senile, which he was pretty sure he wasn't (others weren't so sure), the head auror was convinced that the groan came from Moony and was not a figment of his imagination. Tentatively Sirius shook his friends shoulder and whispered "Remus?"
At first there was no response, and Sirius slumped back down in the no-longer-wooden chair preparing to have his hopes crushed- again. Until suddenly the a faint groggy voice called out, "Sirius, is that you?"
The head auror's heart seemed to miss a beat. Then within seconds he found himself on the balls of his feet looking down at the person on the bed. Only this time his eyes were greeted with a slightly different sight. Yes, he was still looking at a pale, still Remus, but this time also a pale, still, OPEN EYED Remus! As his mind registered the sight in front of him a massive beam appeared on Sirius' face.
" Yes Moony, It's me Padfoot!" the animagus half yelled in joy. Then without thinking he left up on to his fellow marauder in a dog like fashion and gave him a massive hug.
"Padfoot," said Remus in a choked voice (Sirius was starting to strangle him), "As much as I love you, I am in hospital for a reason you know! Besides you're strangling me!"
Sirius got to his feet giving Remus a sheepish grin, whilst the man adjusted himself into a more comfortable position on the bed.
"Ouch, my back is killing me," mumbled the werewolf as he rubbed his aching back.
The head auror's grin only widened, if that was physically possible. " Mate, your back would hurt considering the fact that you've been in the position for two whole weeks you know!"
Judging by Remus' expression he didn't know.
"Anyway, hows you? I was so worried you'd never wake up." the head auror asked looking down at his best friend, acting his name for the first time since Remus regained consciousness.
" Padfoot how many times do I need to tell you, 'hows' is not a word! You really need to stop picking up Harry's habits. Of course I'm awake, did you really think you could get away from my nagging so easily. I was just catching up on all the sleep you and James caused me to loose with your idiotic pranks first. Anyway I'm kind of groggy and a bit sore all over, but apart from that I'm feeling absolutely fine."
And it was the truth; Remus hadn't felt so good in a long time. He just hoped that Tonks was all right; not that he was going to ask Sirius and risk getting their relationship out of the bag.
Anyway it seemed that Sirius had another plan for the direction of the conversation. Much to the werewolf's amusement the fully-grown auror began leaping around the bed, generally making a fool of himself.
"So Moony, now that you're back in action how about we pull a prank on someone. Come on we haven't done that in ages. Please!"
Despites his best attempts to try and look stern Remus could not help smiling. Boy was it good to be out of Voldemort's torture chamber and back with all of his friends.
" I think I'll give that offer a miss thanks."
Fortunately he was saved from having to argue the matter when an angry looking matron began making her way to his bed, waving her wand in a threatening manner.
"Mr Black, what is the meaning of this? Are you purposely trying to cause a commotion? In case you've forgotten we have an ill patient within these walls who would benefit from your…" fro the second time Madam Pomfey was speechless at the sight of Remus, sitting up slightly his eyes wide open.
But then the Hogwarts matron did something she'd never done in her whole 50 years of being a nurse; she bent down and hugged one of her patients, and a marauder none the less.
Remus awkwardly patted Madam Pomfey back whilst Sirius found the whole thing absolutely hilarious.
Quite embarrassed with herself Madam Pomfey pulled herself away from the werewolf saying, "Sorry about that. I'm just so glad you're well again."
"Thank you Madam Pomfey," replied Remus, ever the polite gentleman.
"You may call me Poppy, Remus"
"Oi, what about me!" piped in Sirius slightly annoyed.
"You still have to call me Madam Pomfey of course." Said the nurse briskly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. However Remus couldn't help noticing a certain warmth in her voice none the less.
" Now would you kindly pipe down so I can examine my patient Mr Black."
When Madam Pomfey was half way through her examination, Remus remembering something called out to the sulking Sirius.
" Sirius. How's Harry?"
Unintentionally the words brought Sirius out of his reverie. "CRAP" voiced the head auror rather loudly as he suddenly remembered something. "I told Harry that I'd tell him when you woke up. Okay got to go, see you in a bit Moony."
Saying that he sped out of the room leaving behind a smiling Remus and a puzzled Madam Pomfey.
The head auror found Harry James Potter sitting in the Griffindor common room bent over a small piece of parchment, which judging by the look on his face was his latest auror training assignment.
"Argh, I hate Snape. How the hell am I supposed to answer this," he muttered to himself causing Sirius to smile from behind him
Ron, Hermione and Ginny had only left the castle at about 8pm to go back to their own respective houses, but in Harry's mind it was always still too early for his liking. The time he spent with his friends was the only part of Harry's day which he didn't dread. The way they managed to a take his mind off things, if only for a few minutes, was the only thing stopping him from having a breakdown; something that he was ever grateful for.
As his godson yawned widely Sirius decided to make his presence known, before the boy literally feel asleep. Smirking slightly the head auror tiptoed over to the boy trying to keep as silent as possible (which is hard when you are suppressing giggles), before grapping him from behind and tackling him to the ground.
The surprised Harry gave an odd yelp and began struggling violently against his captator until he was still long enough to realise that it was only Sirius!
"What was that for, Sirius," he demanded angrily once his godfather had stopped trying to pin him to the ground.
"Well my dearest godson," began the head auror melodramatically, " I you'd rather I didn't come and get you that's fine by me. I'm dreadfully sorry, I just made the mistake of thinking that you'd want to be notified when your surrogate uncle wakes up."
Sirius could almost see the clogs inside Harry's brain deciphering his words. Then bang! The light switch inside his face seemed to switch on.
"Remus is awake?" he asked, trying to keep his expression neutral in case it wasn't true, though he knew Sirius would never prank about something like this.
"Yes kiddo," said Sirius replied ruffling his godsons' hair, "Why don't you go see him now? I'll be down in a minute."
A massive grin spread across Harry's face as he raced out of the tower and towards the Hospital Wing.
Still smiling at Harry's reaction, the animagus bent down and picked up Harry's practically invisible essay from the floor. As he read the tile a frown scratched into his forehead- that essay was definitely not part of the syllabus. Werewolves weren't part of the course at all, let alone doing an essay on 'The best ways to kill a werewolf.'
Pocketing the piece of parchment, Sirius made a mental note to talk to Harry later, and moved to follow Harry to the Hospital Wing.
However when the head auror got to the Hogwarts infirmary there was a surprise waiting for him. Harry, rather than being inside talking to Remus, was standing outside the door twiddling his thumbs almost nervously.
"Harry what's up?" asked Sirius approaching the boy, "Poppy didn't throw you out did she?"
"No. I just don't know what to say to Remus when I go in there," replied Harry quietly, making Sirius bite the insides of his cheeks to stop himself from laughing at his godson, which wouldn't be a very parental thing to do.
"God, you sound like James on his first date with Lilly. Now go!" said Sirius before giving Harry a 'helpful' shove though the door.
Inside the Hospital Wing the eighteen-year-old stood rooted at the spot where Sirius pushed him, smiling rather awkwardly. Remus, now that Madam Pomfey had finished with him, was sitting up in bed smiling back at Harry rather knowingly.
" James didn't like hospitals much either you know," he said smiling. " So aren't you going to give your surrogate uncle a hug? It was the first thing Sirius did; nearly killed me too."
Feeling much more at ease Harry walked up to Remus and gave him a gentle hug. "I'm sorry," he whispered barely audibly as they pulled apart, but the werewolf's sharp ears picked it up easily.
Remus narrowed his eyes as he surveyed the boy in front of him. "Why are you sorry?" he asked although he had a general idea as to where this conversation was going.
"Because all this is my fault. You would have never got captured if it weren't for me. I always put everyone in danger. Perhaps everyone would be safer if I just surrendered to Voldemort." He knew it was crazy but that was truly how he felt at times.
"Look at me Harry," his voice was gentle but there was a sense of authority in t which Harry couldn't disobey, "Never, do you hear me, never do I want to hear you say such things again. It's not true, I know I've said this before but I need you to believe it. The only one to blame is Voldemort. If you surrender he be stronger and things will be worse. Do you understand?"
Harry nodded his agreement and the werewolf decided not to pursue the matter. " So, moving on to lighter matters; What's been going on with you during my absence? Happy belated birthday by the way. Sorry I missed the actual day."
Sitting down in Sirius' newly improved chair Harry began telling Remus all about the wraith of Severus Snape, rounding the whole thing off with a nice big yawn.
" Hmm," said Remus regarding the young adult thoughtfully, " I agree that Snape hasn't been very fair to you and I shall get Sirius or someone else to have a word with him. I know it's hard but I need you to focus on the work and try to ignore Snape, okay. But for now you look tired, go bet some rest and come back to visit me tomorrow."
Sensing the truth behind his words, Harry gave Remus one more hug and left the room to get a good nights sleep for the first time in weeks. After he watched his surrogate nephew leave, Remus too lay back down in his bed and covered himself in the white blankets; he found himself feeling rather drowsy as well.
However no sooner had Harry left the hospital wing, Sirius had taken his place.
"Hey Moony," he asked, evidently having sobered up a bit since their last encounter, "I was just wondering, how did you escape from Voldemort?"
Remus Lupin sighed; here it was, the one question that he had been dreading. He didn't think that it was in his place to tell Sirius about Gemini; instead he decided on a more abstract version of the truth.
"I think that someone must have helped us out. I don't know whom because I was unconscious at the time. I just woke up to find myself back on the yard."
Sirius nodded. That was exactly what Tonks had said as well when he asked her. But which death eater would try to help them? The head auror began pondering over the possibilities when Remus changed the subject.
"Sirius, you know you wanted to prank someone! Well I have the perfect candidate…" and with that he began to tell Sirius everything that Harry had told him about Snape.
" Well that explains the essay then! But what I don't understand is why Harry didn't tell me all this." Remus didn't miss the slight hurt in his friend's voice.
"Because he thought you already had too much on your plate. He didn't want you to worry and freak out?" Then the werewolf couldn't bare it any longer, he just had to ask the question he'd been suppressing since he woke up.
"Sirius, hows…"
"Tonks?" finished the animagus smirking. At the stunned look on his fellow marauder's face Sirius decided that he should explain, "I walked in on her kissing you. You deserve her mate; she's a nice girl! In fact she's waiting outside. Do you want me to call her in?"
Whether it was from the whole days exhaustion, or whether he was still in shock that his best friend found out about their relationship, he just nodded his reply weakly. Within seconds Tonks was running across the hospital and flew into Remus' arms!
Not one word was exchanged between the two, yet when Tonks finally fell asleep on Remus' chest their love was stronger than ever.
Another week passed with Remus recovering well in hospital; the pile of books, sweets and other gifts on his bedside increasing rapidly.
Sirius and Harry had moved back home, but still visited daily, often accompanied by other members of the Order. In fact the only member of the order who didn't visit was Severus Snape.
Yes, things were certainly starting to look up! However today was an extra special day! As madam Pomfey finished examining Remus for what seemed like the umpteenth time, she said something that the restless werewolf had waited all week for.
" Well Mr Lupin, it seems that all is satisfactory. You are free to leave anytime today if you wish, as long as you continue to take the potions I've been giving you for at least another month."
So he was finally leaving the hospital! Sirius would be over joyed! Sirius…If you could see inside the werewolf's brain right now, you'd be able to see the different parts working together to form an idea! A marauder style idea.
"Mada...sorry I mean Poppy; please could you not tell Sirius or Harry that I'm going to be discharged today. If they ask could you say in a few days time or something. It's just that I want it to be a surprise for them when I turn up at home."
"Of course Remus. Now you take care of yourself. I suspect you've spent enough time in here to last you a lifetime."
"Thanks you couldn't be more right. I'll just go pack my things before I leave. Bye Poppy and thanks for everything. I don't doubt you'll be busy again in a weeks time with Hogwarts re-opening; we all know how feisty quidditch can get."
Poppy smiled albeit sadly, "It certainly won't be the same without Harry Potter and the bed I usually end up reserving for him. Now mind you take those medicines with you before you leave, I don't want you forgetting them."
Meanwhile in the ministry of magic Harry James Potter found himself in yet another auror training session. Actually this one wasn't as bad as the others, something which he guessed was due to the absence of the glorious Professor Snape.
No, much to Harry's disappointment, Severus (or Snivellus as others prefer to call him) had not resigned his teaching post, or become terminally ill. No, he was still teaching his day was class as per normal; it was Harry Potter that was not present in it.
You see one of the things that every person who attends auror training had to do was practice interviewing a death-eater to get information out of them. Today was Harry's turn, and quite frankly he was feeling rather apprehensive, if not a little nervous. He had no idea what to expect; then again, he reassured himself, what ever happens it can't be worse than being stuck in Snape's lesson.
"So Harry, you ready to kick that death eater's butt? I mean interview him." Came a familiar voice on Harry's right.
"Sirius?"
"Yep, it's me kiddo. I run this part of the course; I was going to tell you but it must have slipped my mind," he said with a cheeky grin. "Now I know I am beautiful but you have to stop gawking at me. You have work to do."
Sighing Harry allowed his godfather to guide him to the interrogation room. The room certainly did the boy's imagination no favours. It was small and completely grey, with only two wooden chairs opposite each other separated with a table. One of the chairs housed a pale man with an abnormally thin face, who Harry could only assume was the death eater he had to question.
Sirius motioned for the young adult to sit down on the other chair, as he himself took his standard position standing behind the chair.
" Okay," coached Sirius, "Just to check that the veritaserum is working properly I want you to begin by asking basic details like name and age, then just go for it"
Harry nodded then began, "Who are you?" he asked thankfully sounding a lot more confident than he felt.
" Darius Cringe," replied the death eater with utter contempt in every syllable.
"How old are you?"
"Thirty-eight."
Harry leaned closer to the death eater and rested his elbows on the table that separated the two of them. " Are you, or are you not, a death eater?" he asked quietly.
"I am." Darius Cringe replied shortly, as if just answering whether he wanted tea or coffee, making Harry's contempt for the man rise considerably.
" So what do you know about Voldemort and his plans?"
"Potter," replied the death eater raising his voice up a notch, " You may think you're so smart waltzing in here with your stupid truth potions and speaking the dark lords name, then expecting me to give you answers. Well then let me tell you that the dark lord has got many plans for you, most of which involve
disposing of your little friends and family. Potter you might as well kiss the werewolf, the mudblood, the Weasels and the stupid auror goodbye. We're particularly going to have fun doing your girlfriend; she's quite the looker isn't she."
Fuming mad Harry rose from his chair, as if her were about to kill the now laughing death eater. He probably would have as well if it weren't for Sirius' hand gripping his shoulder tightly. "Calm down Harry," he whispered in the boy's ear, then spoke to the room at large, "This interview's over. We'll do him again later."
The head auror gently guided his godson out of the room by the shoulders whilst two other people appeared out of nowhere and dragged Sean back to his cell.
" You love you family don't you Potter. Well the dark lord loves them even more. He loves to kill them." Yelled Cringe as he was being dragged away.
This proved finally enough for Harry. He wrestled himself out of his godfather's slackened grip and wheeled round to face the death eater. Yanking his wand out of his pocket, he pointed it at the death eater. "CRUCIO"
For a moment the room fell silent, then was filled with the screams of the death eater. Realising what was going on Sirius tackled Harry to the ground forcing him to loose concentration.
" Come. We're going to my office," said the head auror silently.
As soon as the office door shut behind Sirius, the head auror rounded on Harry, still speaking in the same quiet tone of voice he'd used the interrogation room. "What was that?"
"He provoked me," Said Harry stiffly.
"HE PROVOKES YOU," Sirius' voce started to rise, "And you go and use and unforgivable curse."
"You heard the things he said," retorted Harry equally as loudly, "about you Remus and Ginny."
"WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YOUR LIFE." Harry took a sharp intake of breath; he had never heard Sirius shout so loud. "What part of unforgivable can't you get your head around? Just because he annoyed you rather than leaving it to me to sort out you go and retaliate. For heavens sake Harry, you could have gone to Azkaban! Azkaban! The only reason you're not is because no one in that room will spill the beans on you! But I'm still expelling you form auror training whether or not I'm your godfather."
"Well when I have to kill Voldemort I'll try not to use an unforgivable curse. Maybe a nice jelly-legs jinx would try the job nicely. Anyway you can stuff your auror training back where it belongs. The only reason I even applied was because of the time when you said that is what my dad really wanted me to be. I hate every minute of this stupid course!"
Saying that, the eighteen year old apparated away with a muffled sob.
Remus John Lupin had just got home and was beginning to settle down into his new surroundings, when he heard the sound of the front door being wrenched open then slammed back shut again. Curious yet weary as to who could be in the house at this time, the werewolf slowly walked to the front door only to be greeted by a beet-red and furious Harry.
"What the hell are you doing here, shouldn't you be in the hospital?" snapped the young adult, causing Remus to cringe inwardly.
None the less when he replied his voice was as calm as ever, "I got discharged this morning. Now shouldn't I be asking you the same question? Why aren't you at auror training?"
"BECAUSE I GOT EXPELLED!" yelled Harry at the top of his voice, before running up the stairs and slamming the door to his room shut.
Remus rubbed his ears tentatively; he'd forgotten how loud that boy could yell. Then sighing he followed Harry up the stairs so that they could talk. It was going to be a long day.
A/N: Phew that was long, but definitely fun to write. Please review; it would make my headache from starring at the computer screen writing this for hours on end really worthwhile. Please, it'll be deeply appreciated!
LilacBookstar
