Harbwr Hudol

"Here we are!"

Stan Shumpike, the pockmarked conductor of the Knight Bus, pulled open the rickety sliding door of the bus and pushed Remus and Tonks with gentle force onto the street. With the words "Go ahead, my darlings! We have to maintain a schedule," he threw their luggage on the sidewalk, closed the doors and a second later disappeared along with the huge bus.

It was already night, but the port of the Welsh city was still bustling with activity. The two wizards found themselves surrounded by bright floodlights, shouting dock workers, container ships and oil puddles. The salty sea air blew through their hair and seagulls screamed above their heads. Smitten by the many impressions and the huge number of muggles surrounding her, Tonks unconsciously moved a little closer to Remus and clutched her comet 260 like a lifebelt on high seas. However, the situation seemed to unsettle Remus as well, but he smiled encouragingly.

Tonks looked back at him and tightened her shoulders. She was an Auror after all! What could frighten her? "Let's find a place to stay for the night and make a plan.", she set the tone and walked resolutely south, away from the harbour to the outskirts where she suspected the magician's quarters. Remus followed her with his head down so as not to cause a sensation with his many scars and fresh scratches.

In almost every major city there were small areas where mainly wizards and squibs lived among themselves. There was usually also at least one inn for magicians on their way through. The areas often had a bad reputation in the Muggle world and were additionally protected with Muggle defense spells, so that the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy was not endangered. Few loners, such as Alastor, preferred to live outside these areas for a variety of reasons. The oldest pure-blooded families lived mostly shielded from the rest of the world in their mansions in the countryside.

Tonks chose deserted and sparsely lit streets that led through quiet residential areas instead of taking the shorter way along the coast. Quickly and without speaking, they contested their march through the muggle city.

They had already been on the road for three quarters of an hour, and Tonks was already afraid that she had taken the wrong direction, when suddenly an ivy-covered sign grew out of the street lamp in front of her. In old-fashioned letters the words Harbwr Hudol were emblazoned on it which - according to an expert remark by Remus – meant 'magic harbour' in Welsh. Acknowledging Tonks nodded. "I think we've reached our goal."

They passed the sign, which was certainly not visible to muggels, and found themselves in a busy street. It was lined with ordinary gardens and houses with terraces. But they were furnished and decorated in the most unusual ways: Living weathercocks strutting up and down on the roof tops; self-folding parasols; bushes inhabited by humming swarms of fairies; flowerbeds with colourful, phosphorescent plants that had not dried out despite the heat; and enchanted lanterns floating over garden tables. Though, even more extraordinary were the creatures that roamed the streets and gardens. Tonks saw laughing children chasing each other on toy brooms; wizards and witches sitting chatting around magical fires; exotic pets and magical creatures still populating the sidewalks at this late hour. They all seemed light-hearted and cheerful, as if they were celebrating some sort of festival.

Tonks looked at Remus questioningly. He watched with a smile the hustle and bustle around them and said: "Today is the Welsh national holiday... Well, at least that of the wizarding world. The muggles celebrate their patron St. David in spring. Today, however, we remember the expulsion of the Roman occupying forces some 600 years ago. The Celtic wizards have played a major part in the battles what is of course not mentioned in the muggles' history books."

Tonks nodded fascinated. "You know your way around. Is Welsh history a hobby of yours?"

Remus laughed. "No, my grandparents were from Wales. They told me all kinds of things about the magic history of the country. I even used to speak a little Welsh," he sank for a moment into apparently very happy childhood memories before a shadow fell over his features and his gaze returned to Tonks. "But I forgot most of it," he added, seemingly indifferently.

They set off and headed for a crooked signpost with countless arms pointing in all directions.

Tonks was curious. For the fact that Remus had learned pretty much everything about her origin through Sirius and the Black's family tree, she still knew very little about him.

"Are they still living here? Your grandparents, I mean," she asked, evading a little girl who was chasing giggling after a cloud of soap bubbles coming out of the tip of her father's wand. Remus took his time with his answer. Finally, he said vaguely: "We used to visit them often. The contact then somehow was... interrupted."

He studied the signs as if there was nothing more interesting in the world and then pointed up the road: "There is only one guest house here: Y Ddraig Goch. Let's hope for the best."

Above the invitingly open door of the inn Y Ddraig Goch hung a wooden sign, on which an enchanted carving showed a red dragon which meandered wildly, casting small clouds of smoke from time to time. Tonks laughed at it, but Remus seemed in thought. Side by side they entered the small pub and went to the bar. A young woman with recalcitrant red curls and a broad Welsh accent assigned two upstairs rooms to them, which they reached via a narrow wooden staircase.

Tonks' room was small and stuffy, but that hardly bothered her, knowing that she would only spend a few nights here anyway. She looked through the window into the bustling backyard of the inn, where many witches and wizards sat, drinking butter beer or mead and listening to a Welsh sylph performing a ballad. Almost longingly, Tonks watched them. This peaceful gathering of magical beings and creatures, the community of witches and wizards touched something in her. So far she had only rarely experienced anything like this.

As a child, she had been growing up in two worlds: The orderly and peaceful life of her muggle-born father and the complicated and painful past of her witch mother. They had lived relatively remotely, far from muggles and magicians alike. Her parents had always been content having just each other, but Tonks always had wanted more, pushing the boundaries of her quiet family home.

It was the company of like-minded people which she had always missed and which she experienced for the first time at Hogwarts. Later she went to Quidditch tournaments and started working in the Ministry of Magic to experience as much of the wizards' social life as possible. Her hatred of the dark arts, which had moved her to become an Auror, also partly stemmed from this deep need. Racism, dark magic, and the limited mindset of those who used it, threatened to destroy solidarity and cohesion in the magical world if no one fought them.

It was approaching midnight, but the summer heat of the day was still above the roofs of Harbwr Hudol.

Remus and Tonks had changed and sat down at the end of a full table in the yard of the inn. Remus had taken off his cloak and pushed up his sleeves. He seemed more at ease and relaxed than Tonks had ever seen him before. She herself wore the finest thing she had taken with her - a green blouse with jeans - and had grown a chestnut brown mane in honour of the special day. They both caught on the jolly mood of the other guests and soon toasted with a bearded, well-fed wizard, named Rodrick. His companion, Phillenew, was a great muscular man, about thirty. He seemed a little drunk and stared into his glass most of the time, humming quietly. But when he looked up, Tonks saw the expression of utmost vigilance and distrust in his eyes. She could tell from his look that he had something to hide.

When she accompanied Remus to the bar, she told him about her observation. He nodded affirmatively and ordered four butter beers. Tilting towards Tonks, he said quietly: "He's a werewolf."

"What? What makes you think that?" she asked alarmed.

Remus shrugged his shoulders. "I can feel it. He probably already noticed I know his secret. And he knows mine."

Tonks was thinking. "Does his friend know?"

Looking at the mismatched couple, Remus replied: "I don't think so. He seems rather ignorant to me. They probably haven't known each other long either."

"All right, then we have to be very discreet not to expose Phillenew. Try to find out more about the other werewolves living here," Tonks whispered and pushed a few Sickles over the counter.

Remus protested: "No, don't! I can pay for my own beer."

Tonks grinned. "That's not my money. This is a top secret mission and you're my partner. We drink at the expense of the ministry," she raised her full bottle. "To you!"

Now Remus smiled and cheered to her. "To you!"

The night went on and Phillenew continued drinking. His mood did not improve, but all of a sudden he started to talk more and more.

"You know, it was actually the werewolves of Cardiff who forced the Romans to flee, back then. And for good reason. The Romans have always feared and respected the wolf, from the start, so to speak. Let's just think of the emergence of Rome: Only the two boys Romulus and Remus, who were raised by a wolf, were capable of this achievement. That is why the Romans worship the wolves. However, they remain something fundamentally foreign to the ancient Republicans. So far in the south, the animals rarely occur and remain mythical creatures shrouded in legend, to whom supernatural powers are attributed."

"What are you getting at, Phil? I'm not in the mood for a history lesson," grumbled Rodrick, whose nose had turned red from alcohol.

"The point is," Phillenew continued unimpressed, "that the werewolves are once again completely denied their contribution to the story. As if a few bards and Celtic druids alone could have managed to expel a Roman legion from their land. I tell you, there was a time when werewolves and wizards worked together harmoniously ... and that's how it should be again."

Apparently at the end of his lecture, Phillenew leaned back and downed the rest of his butterbeer.

Rodrick fixated his companion disparagingly. "You think we should deal with this werewolf pack just because it went well one time over 600 years ago? You're crazy!" Abruptly he pushed his chair back and disappeared inside the Ddraig Goch, probably to get something to drink.

Remus, who had listened to the conversation with a tense expression on his face, now bent over to Phillenew. "I think you're right. But what can be done to improve the understanding between wizards and werewolves?"

Phillenew waved off. "There is no way it's going to work out under Fudge's rule! The whole Ministry of Magic is soaked with his backward and werewolf-hostile views. Nothing will change in a hundred years. Nah, there must be a fundamental change!"

Tonks listened attentively. "And what kind?" she asked nervously.

The strange wizard leaned over the table to them and struck a conspiratorial note. "I want to be completely open with you." When he was sure of Remus' and Tonks' undivided attention, he continued: "Something must change for the werewolves. Enormously! And there are people who promise to bring these changes about. People who respect the werewolves." He continued even quieter. "There's a rumor that you-know-who is back. And that's not just what this crazy kid with the scar on his forehead says, no. I've met people, influential, reasonable people, who say the same thing. And they also say that the Dark Lord rejoices at any werewolf who wants to help him build a new order." Significantly, he looked at Remus.

He cleared his throat audibly and straightened up a bit. "Well, I don't know..." Tonks stepped on his foot under the table. He should agree with Phillenew in order to keep him talking. This information was very important for the order. Remus understood and quickly added: "And how did you hear about these people? Where did you meet them?"

Phillenew's eyes scampered over to Tonks and he looked at Remus questioningly.

"It's good. She knows," Remus said reassuringly.

The other werewolf nodded and examined Remus approvingly. "It's good, right? Having a partner you can trust."

Tonks blushed with this remark, but Remus didn't correct Phillenew's mistake, but let him talk further.

"Well, there's a whole pack in Cardiff," said Phillenew, as if to reveal a great secret to them. "We usually meet one week after the full moon in one of the old Roman settlements. Of course we also meet directly at full moon to hunt together, but on this occasion strangely no guest has appeared yet," he said ironically and burst into hoarse laughing.

Remus briefly pulled his lips to a fake smile and then asked Phillenew to continue speaking.

"So about a month ago this guy was suddenly there. I don't know who brought him along, but it doesn't matter either. Anyway, he told us about you-know-who, about his ideas and his goals and so on. It went down well with us. Finally someone who dares to tell the truth. Said he'd come back for the next meeting and if you want -" he took a dramatic break, "I could get you in there too." With a patronizing expression he leaned back and waited for their reaction.

Remus and Tonks exchanged a brief look. Their worst fears had come true. They absolutely had to take part in this meeting to get a clearer picture of the situation. But they should not agree too quickly to avoid arousing Phillenew's suspicion.

Cautiously Tonks now took the word: "What about Dumbledore?"

Phillenew snorted contemptuously. "What about him?"

"Albus Dumbledore, the Prophet made fun of him because he claimed you-know-who was back. Looks like he was right." Without paying attention to Phillenew's doubting look, she continued with a piercing voice: "Among the wizards there are still other opinions than those of the ministry."

"Oh yeah? And what exactly has Dumbledore changed for the werewolves of Great Britain?", Phillenew asked provocatively.

"He hired me as a teacher," Remus now joined Tonks. "He made sure that I could go to school and he always stood up for me."

"So? Did he do that? And how are things at work lately?" Phillenew let his gloating look wander over Remus' old worn shirt. "Your girlfriend paid for the beer. What about your job at Hogwarts? Doesn't that throw off so much?"

Tonks wanted to disagree, but Remus held her back. "I don't have the job anymore," he admitted.

Phillenew nodded triumphantly. "That's what I thought. As soon as anybody finds out who you really are, no one cares about who protects you anymore. The Ministry legitimizes this discrimination and the wizards act accordingly. Albus Dumbledore may be an exception, maybe an influential exception, but to be honest ... he's just an ordinary man like you and me."

Tonks flinched inwardly. Hadn't she thought something similar a few days ago?

But Phillenew already spoke further. "He could never give up his perfect do-gooder image just to help us. He would never go over dead bodies so that something would finally change. But this is the only way to bring about a long-term solution. History teaches us: A revolution demands sacrifices. And that's something that Albus Dumbledore will never accept." He seemed completely sober again when he stood up and shook Remus' hand. "Think about it, both of you," he added with a look at Tonks. "Come by, listen to what these people have to say. Maybe you'll think like them afterwards, maybe not. But in any case, you won't think in the way you did before." With these words he quickly moved away from their table and disappeared into the Ddraig Goch.

When the two of them finally climbed the wooden stairs in the early hours of the morning and Tonks wanted to go into their room, Remus held them back. Confused, she looked at him. "Yes?"

Remus thought for a moment before he asked her: "Say, do you trust Dumbledore?"

"Of course, he founded the order," Tonks replied immediately. Too fast, she thought to herself.

She could tell by looking at Remus that her words had not convinced him.

"I ... I don't know ... who can you trust these days anyway? Dumbledore is a great man, I don't want to deny that at all. I'm just not too sure what to think of his intentions and his methods sometimes. The way some people put their lives in his hands and trust him blindly ... I'm not a fan of fanaticism," she said cautiously.

Remus nodded and then stated frankly: "But you use him to justify your actions."

Tonks raised her shoulders indifferently. "If I had the choice between him, Fudge and You-know-who, I would of course choose Dumbledore. He may have his mistakes, but he's still the lesser evil, I suppose."

Remus had to laugh. "That sounds good. The lesser evil fights for the greater good! If Padfood could hear that!"

Tonks looked to the ground. "I'm sorry, but I can't see Dumbledore any other way at the moment. Phillenew has a point there ... somehow."

Remus frowned sceptically. "Be careful, in times of upheaval you shouldn't walk a tightrope between two completely opposing opinions."

"I know," Tonks said upsetly. "But I'm afraid I'll have to do that until I know who I can trust. Just promise me you'll catch me if I slip off."

Remus nodded with a serious expression. "I will," he assured her and then released her into her room. Before she closed the door, he looked her in the eye and added in a soft voice, "And, Tonks ... you can trust me."