Disclaimer: The characters are the property of goddess divine, JK Rowling; the story is my own.
Chapter Nine: A Perilous Voyage to an Unknown Land
There was an eerie silence that passed between the three people. No one wanted to breathe than to dare break the silence. Tonks just looked helplessly around at the two older figures, lost to understand what was going on. She could not seem to grasp everything that was now happening. They were in danger? Well, there was a war going on so of course, the entire wizarding world was in danger, this was no special news to her. Yet she could not understand what had Remus so worried. She could stand the silence no longer.
"What exactly does that mean?" Tonks asked. Minerva and Remus gave her a look that seemed to reveal just how young she really was.
"Well, Nymphadora," Minerva said, "I'm not sure if you are aware about what happened the last time the height of the war was going on. Of course, you were only a very small child so you wouldn't remember much would you? No, I suppose not," the aging professor said, answering her own question. "Well, every time the Dark Lord was going to make an important kill on a family, or on a particular witch or wizard, he would make sure that in the days, or even hours leading up to the attack that his Death Eaters would be organized for the event that if he should not succeed, there would be someone to take over and the 'purifying' of the nation would continue. An attack on a family or an individual at the hands of the Dark Lord personally is a rare occurrence. He usually has one of his many minions do his dirty work for him. However, when he does venture out to make a kill himself, he is well prepared for the event of not returning. It seems the only time he was not prepared was the night he attack the Potter family." Remus shifted uncomfortably from his stance, and Minerva gave him a sad smile. "In addition to rounding up Death Eaters," she continued, "he would also gather up dark creatures, including Fenrir Greyback's underground werewolf pack, to complete some of his more deadlier acts in the event he might perish."
"So you're saying," Tonks said slowly, starting to put two and two together. "That because Harry has now found the last part of his soul, that he will planning a massive attack?"
"Yes, and I believe the attacks that are sure to follow in the next few days are going to be the worst seen in the history of wizard kind. Because now Voldemort does not have his Horcruxes to rely upon, in the event something happens to his earthly body. It will be just him now, and if Harry should succeed with finding him and killing him, then the Dark Lord will be no more. However, his Death Eater will surely follow in his path and the world will not be set right immediately. But we must cross that bridge when we come to it. Right now, my main concern is with the two of you. Fenrir is not going to like your court hearing's outcome Remus," Minerva said, looking over to Remus' pale face. "I'm afraid he might come after Nymphadora as payback for your trying to assimilate so much into wizarding life."
"I'm afraid of that too Minerva, as the thought had crossed my mind since I got out of prison." Remus said hoarsely. He and Minerva seem to be communicating back and forth with one another without speaking aloud. Tonks felt very uncomfortable so she tried to excuse herself out of the room.
"I'll, ah, put on some tea, shall I?" she said awkwardly, and neither Remus nor Minerva assenting the fact that she was leaving.
Tonks moved through the still unfamiliar home into the kitchen to allow Remus and Minerva a few minutes alone. Maybe McGonagall was overreacting like she always does. She's worst than Moody sometimes with the whole Constant Vigilance, Tonks thought, as she cleaned up the cold eggs and found a teakettle, settled neatly in an almost empty cupboard. Yes, Minerva was just being too protective of Remus, just as she had done in his first few years of his attendance at Hogwarts. She needed to stop seeing him as the little boy, who was always so shy of strange people and scared of never fitting in. Tonks poured some water from the sink into the teakettle, before tapping it with her wand to make the water boil. She searched the almost bare kitchen and found, in the nook where bread seemed to fit, a few tea bags and a small pile of Honeyduke's best chocolate. Tonks smiled seeing her husband's secret stash of good chocolate. The murmur of quiet voices was moving closer as Tonks poured the tea into mish-matched mugs.
"… I don't think that you should let her know Remus, not just yet." Minerva's voice could be heard. Tonks set the mugs down on the table, hoping to hear Remus' response, but it never came. Or his voice was lowered to the point Tonks couldn't eavesdrop.
"Ah, I see the kitchen has not be burned down yet," Remus remarked, walking into the kitchen. "I think that's a positive sign that we found a good home to move into when my wife has yet to set fire to the kitchen."
"That was one time Remus, and we had the fire out in seconds." Tonks said, rolling her eyes at her husband, remembering a small fire incident at Number Twelve. "The only damage done was Sirius' eyebrows." The atmosphere seemed to have changed from the cold and insecure feeling from the hallway by the sunlight flooding bright kitchen. Clearly Remus didn't want to be discussing what Minerva had said. The three of them sat in respectable silence for a while, sipping their tea. There was polite conversation made about the house, and other less terrifying subjects. But it seemed odd for Remus to so casually smile after hearing Minerva's report. After what seemed like hours of sitting at the kitchen table with nothing to say, Tonks knew she had to speak to Remus alone.
"I should be at the Ministry right now." She said, staring off to the small clock that was propped up against the kitchen counter. She had made this remark not in actual preparation of going back to the Ministry; indeed, she intended not to come in today, using up another one of her vacation days.
"Oh, yes, well I will leave you two to get ready." Minerva said, getting to her feet. "And I will see you both at the Order meeting tonight." She said, walking out the back door from the kitchen. Once they had heard the pop from her Apparating, Tonks rounded on her husband.
"Alright, spill." She said, staring him straight into the eyes.
"Nymph, there is nothing more to say. You heard everything that was needed to hear, nothing more." Remus said, gathering up their half-drunken mugs of hot tea, and bringing them over to the sink. All the while he could not look at her in the eye.
"Remus Lupin, I would think now that we are married, we could at least be honest with each other."
"Nymphadora, it's not that simple. We have to take into consideration the fact that some of the information that Minerva gave to us is confidential, so there is no mentioning this to anyone, especially Molly Weasley."
"Well, her son is about to run off with Harry to try and defeat one of the most evil wizards of our time. I think she has a right to know."
"She will be informed about the attack plan tonight at the Order meeting. But what I was talking about was Fenrir Greyback. I don't want her worrying even more about you or I. She has enough on her plate to be dealing with besides our wellbeing."
"And how is our wellbeing Remus, because I don't seem to have permission to know about the fate of my life and yours. Merlin, I hate being left in the dark about this!" She was angry now. Why must everyone insist on treating her like a child?
"We are perfectly safe Nymph, nothing is going to happen to us, and nothing is going to happen to Harry and the rest of the kids, so everything will be alright."
"And what about Fenrir Greyback, hmm? What about him? Remus that man could be even more evil than Voldemort, and you are just going to sit there and tell me that everything will be all right. I'm smarter than that Remus. I may be young in years, but I'm not stupid."
"I know your not, but," Remus sighed. He looked troubled. Clearly he wanted to tell his wife everything their old professor had told him just moments before, but he knew that her ignorance would serve her better in the end. "I want to tell you I do, Nymph. Believe me when I say that when I can't tell you certain things about my life it kills me inside. But, Fenrir Greyback is my own personal demon. For me, he is what started the life I have come to know, and now..." He looked away, staring off into his own private thoughts. Tonks hated when he did this, going off into a world completely his own and that could not tend to any other occupants.
"Remus, tell me please, what is going on here?" Tonks said, pleading with him, grabbing the front of his shirt desperately. "Please tell me, you know that you can trust me with anything."
"It's not that I don't trust you Nymph, because I do, with my whole being I do." He gave her smile, wiping a stray tear from her face with his thumb. "It's just not safe," he said, his smile fading and he stared, not into her eyes, but down at the ground. "If I tell you, you'll try and help and then your life would be in danger. And I can't keep putting your life at risk for the sake of my own."
"Please don't start with the 'I'm too dangerous for you' routine. I thought we had been over this before." Tonks said impatiently.
"As much as you can dismiss the fact that I am a werewolf and that I am a danger to you, I can't. I can't helping the fact that everyday I thank Merlin that something horrific has not become of you. Everyday I am thankful that I haven't hurt you, whether directly or indirectly. Involving you with Fenrir Greyback is one of the worst things that I could do to you because of what I know he is capable of. He doesn't listen to pleading nor performs acts of mercy. When he wants to kill, he will, and without conscious or reasoning. He has never regretted killing anyone, while under the full moon or outside of its power. Nymph, I don't want you to be apart of something I can prevent. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you what is going on. All that you need to know is that you are safe in this house. Minerva has consented to be its secret keeper for the time being, and a few of the Order members will hopefully add some more spells for the house."
"Remus," Tonks had started to say, but it was no use. She shook her head and looked back up into his deep grey eyes. "I never thought I'd find someone even more stubborn than my mother."
…
Remus had suggested that they ought to carry on with life, just as they had planned to do, and not to worry about what might be headed in the very real future. They had Apparated back to their old flat, to start to pack up their belongings. They spent a happy morning together finding some once thought lost belongings and remembering what each piece had meant to them before it was carefully wrapped and put into brown moving boxes. It was about noon when they had decided to take a break and Remus brought up having to do some errands later on. He told Nymphadora that she ought to go into work for a bit because she had not gone in yesterday.
"You still have an obligation to the Ministry and to the Order for insider information," Remus said, giving her a small kiss on the forehead. He handed her the deep purple Ministry of Magic robes, which she took with reluctance.
"I know, I just don't want to leave you right now," she said impatiently putting the robe on.
"I told you, I needed to go down to Diagon Alley for a few hours to get some things. I won't even be home. Besides, if you don't go into the Ministry today, you can spend a few hours packing up this place without my help." Tonks made a face, before giving him a slow, drawn out kiss.
"Well, then, I will leave you to your errands, but don't except me to say too long over at that horrid place. I'm still not completely satisfied with the outcome of the trial. Do you think they could help us?"
"Who darling?" Remus said putting his own tattered cloak on.
"The Ministry, I mean, I know they are most likely the foulest form of bureaucracy that our world has, but if Fenrir Greyback is threatening the lives of different families in such a manner, maybe the government needs to be informed."
"Nymph, really, I don't think they will be able to do anything. Right now, the best help that other families in danger have is the Order of the Phoenix."
"So there are other families in danger, its not just our family is it?"
"No, Nymph, please don't start this again." Remus said wearily, seeing where she was heading with her new accusation. "I love you, why can't that be enough?" He leaned in and kissed her.
"I love you too darling, I just wish you would tell me what was going on. You know I hate being left out of things, especially when they involve whether or not you're going to live."
"My life is no more in danger than any other wizard, Nymphadora, so please do not worry about how much longer I have to live. However, I'm not sure how much longer you have if you don't get your skinny arse into the office. I'm sure Robards is going to murder you on the spot for not calling in to tell them you were going to be late." Remus took her arm and pulled her gently out of the flat where they both could Apparate to their own destinations.
Tonks arrived in the Ministry's reception, where the greeting from the guard on duty was less than pleasant. She thought nothing of it, seeing as the old man working there was slowly becoming more and more bitter over the years of working behind the counter. She saw a few of her fellow Aurors on the lift, where they held some polite conversation, but they all seemed to be rather short with their answers, and quickly got off the lift before Tonks reached the floor for the Auror offices.
She got off the lift, where the bustling crowd of talking coworkers, seemed to slow down a bit upon her arrival. As she walked to her desk she could sense the eyes following her. She knew that people were bound to treat her differently, now that she was married, but this was ridiculous.
"Tonks," said the slow deep voice of Kingsley Shaklebolt. "How are you this morning?"
"I'm fine King, I'm sorry for not owling into the office earlier, things were just a little hectic this morning."
"Well, I can't say that Robards isn't upset about your absence this morning."
"Well, he's just going to have to get over it, because I'm here now." She gave him a coy smile before adding; "it's good to see you back in the office." She said, missing him working in the Ministry, having left to work for the Muggle Prime Minister.
"I'm taking a sick day at the Muggle office, to get some paper work done over at this office, but I'll be back into work tomorrow." He said plainly. "How was last night? I'm sorry I didn't stay longer over at Molly and Arthur's last night. Victoria was having a cow about not having the right drapes in the living room. Her mother is coming into town so everything must be perfect."
"That's alright King, I know how important the coordination of drapes can be. Everyone seemed to have a good time last night, and it was so nice of the Weasleys to lend their home for a little party. Needless to say the twins were out of control, but it was all in the spirit of fun. Reminded me a bit of a party we had at the end of seventh year. But King, is that why it seems everyone is staring at me? Because Remus and I got married?"
"Well technically, according to your hearing yesterday, by law you two are not man and wife." He said, giving her a warm smile.
"I know, I know, but that is a load of bullocks and you know it. But seriously Kingsley, do people think that just because Remus and I got married that I'm some dangerous figure or something? Because they are treating me like I committed murder or some heinous crime like that."
"Well, you broke the law, no matter how unfair and unjust of a law it is. To the stiff minded people in this building, you and Remus are criminals, and this morning's Prophet certainly doesn't put their minds at ease."
"Oh bloody hell, what does the paper say now?"
"You're telling me you haven't read the new article?" Kingsley said, his voice even lower than usual as they reached her desk. Tonks gasped and saw to her astonishment, there were a variety of notes, a vase of flowers, and what seemed to be copies of the recent Daily Prophet article obscuring her desk.
"What's all this then?" She asked picking up the closest newspaper clipping.
VISCIOUS LONDON WEREWOLF FREED
On Monday morning, 8 May, Remus John Lupin, locally known lycanthrope and former Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was found guilty to the account of breaking the new protective law prohibiting werewolves from marriage. The werewolf's marriage to long time companion Nymphadora Tonks, junior Auror for the Ministry of Magic and only known shape-shifter in Europe, was found in violation and law therefore does not recognize it. In addition to the marriage annulled, Lupin will have to be branded with a magical number that will prohibit him from entering the Ministry without the escort of highly trained Ministry guards.
The Daily Prophet was able to obtain this statement from Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, late Monday night concerning the matter of what the Prophet believes to be a very light sentence.
"The werewolf Lupin will now be watched by the Ministry very carefully. He will not be getting away with any other crimes without the full extent of the law coming down upon him. I must tell the public that at this time the Ministry is doing everything in its power to protect the community at large from You-Know-Who, and from werewolves who are threats to the community… more laws restricting werewolves are being debated about right now with the Wizengamot."
No word as to what the Ministry is planning for the further protection of the wizarding community, but we are assured that it will be for everyone's best interest.
The Prophet also received this note from Ministry correspondent Percy Weasley: "The werewolf in question, here by called 'creature 6178', will now be watched closely by the Ministry… We have reason to believe that 'creature 6178' is guilty of more crimes than just this recent offense. We have intelligence to suggest that 'creature 6178' was responsible for the murders of two young boys and their mother over the Christmas holidays of the previous year. We are doing everything in our power to bring this dark creature to the just ends he deserves."
The Prophet has no comment from those who were defending Lupin on 8 May, but there is the question of what his partner, Nymphadora Tonks, feels about these new accusations of murder. There is a question has to the nature of this woman's character as to why she would want to choose a werewolf as a husband. Perhaps there was more to the two murders than just an act of lycanthropic rage that night. The Prophet will report if there are any other changes with the case.
Hot tears where streaming down Nymphadora's face as she finished reading the article.
"You alright Tonks?" Kingsley said, placing one of his large cool hands on her shoulder.
"This… rubbish," she said finally, crumpling up the paper into a tight wad "is what is turning this country mad and scared about what is going on with the war. They're not getting all the facts straight with the slanted garbage that this hideous monstrosity has put out. I mean, hopefully people have enough common sense to see their bias. Because it was just two days ago, when I was the innocent girl, who was taken by the big bad wolf into this marriage against my will. And now, they've all but accused me of murder!"
"Tonks, why don't we get out of here," Kingsley said, looking around at all the people listening in to what she was saying.
"No, I have a job to do. This letters, which I'm sure have nothing pleasant to say, are not going to stop me from doing my job."
"Nymphadora Tonks!" A stern voice said. Gawin Robards came storming over to Tonks' cubicle. It seemed everyone on the floor fell silent to listen in on what the head of the Auror office was about to say. He looked around at the expectant crowd, before saying, "Follow me Tonks, we need to have a private chat in my office."
Tonks looked back at Kingsley who tried to give her a comforting sort of smile as she was led away by her boss.
They walked into Robards' office, which was much larger than most heads of departments'. Although there were large comfortable couches, and a crackling fire in the fireplace, the room felt cold and impersonal.
"Sit." He said, indicating the chair across from his desk. She did as she was told. Robards went back behind his desk, but did not sit down right away.
"You know why I've called you in here don't you?"
"Because I forgot to call in saying I was going to be late?" Tonks said, hoping that all he was going to yell at her about was her tardiness. She felt like she was back at Hogwarts again, and here she was sitting in the Headmaster's office, about to be reprimanded for another act of mischief, hoping her only punishment would be to copy down lines. However, Dumbledore had never in all the time she had been in trouble, give her the look she was receiving now.
"That is another matter we will be discussing later. Right now we are going to be talking about how you are not upholding the image of what a Ministry of Magic employee should be." He sighed heavily and looked deep into Tonks' eyes. "I don't want to fire you Tonks, because you're a dammed good Auror and just a great woman to boot. However, your recent lack of propriety shown by your conduct of breaking the law for your own personal gain goes against everything this Ministry stands for."
"My own personal gain Robards?" She said heatedly. "I fell in love! That was something I had never intended to do while I was this young, and this early into my career. But these things happen, whether they were planned or not. I'm glad that it has because I can finally see myself as a person who is willing to fight for those she loves. And I fought for too damned long to have a Ministry, corrupted by its own stupid prejudices for matters they cannot possibly understand, to take away all of the happiness in my life in one sweep of legislature. I'm not going to let that happen, and if you want to fire me, go ahead. At least I will have more than just a financial sense of security in my life."
Robards gave the young woman a shocked and careworn expression. He certainly wasn't excepting this answer. Perhaps an apology, or an explanation as to why one of the more respected members of the Auror team could go so far astray, but nothing like the speech he just listened to.
"Your disrespect of the Ministry is exactly why Tonks you have not been promoted from your status of Junior Auror to Official Auror. As I have stated before, I don't wish to fire you, and that was not my intention for bringing you in here today. What I am going to do is put you on leave. I can't have you around the Ministry with such publicity going on. You're damaging our reputation Tonks, and maybe with some time off you can learn to appreciate the place where you have grown so much as a person and as a very talented Auror."
"Oh save the sob story Robards, and don't give me any of that bullshit about how I've grown as a person. The only thing that the Ministry has done for me over the past six years of my life is show me what is really important in this world."
"Young lady, you are out of order. It is one thing to speak ill of the Ministry, but to insult your boss, that is means for expulsion from the Auror programme." Tonks had never seen Robards this angry before and was quite certain she was going to be fired. Robards took in a great breath before adding, "as it is however, you will not be fired from your post, and instead be released from the department until a time you can learn to behave." He sighed, and sat down for the first time during their interview. He pulled out a form and began to fill it in while saying in a very strained voice, "Nymphadora Tonks, you are here by put on probation from your Junior Auror post until you can show proper respect for the Ministry and your superiors. You will finish out the week where you will keep a civil tongue and not cause any more trouble. When the week is finished you will not come back to the Auror office until I say you may. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir." Tonks said grudgingly. She loved her job as an Auror, she did. But something inside her just made her snap. She was tired of coming into work and listening to the mindless drawl of people talking about matters they knew nothing about. Sick and tired of people not excepting her as a person, but thinking that she was some kind of play-thing, that could be molded and shaped to everyone's will but her own.
"Well, that's everything. You'll still get a cut of your pay, not that you seem to care about being 'financially secure'. You may go back to your desk, where you will clean up its contents. I'll be around in a half hour with some paperwork you can start."
"Yes, sir." She said once more, and Robards gave a nod indicating she was allowed to leave, and she quickly left the office. This was not good news, and she knew more than one person was going to be angry about her new status as 'Auror-on-leave.' Remus is going to be irate, and Minerva certainly will not take kindly to the fact that she is a Ministry spy short for the Order. She finally reached her desk, bypassing the staring and whispering of the other officers. Sitting down, she noticed the enormous amount of mail sitting at her desk. She opened a few of the letters, reading for the first time that she was a "murderous dark creature lover, who could only find pleasure in the torment of others." She quickly discarded all of these letters, burning them in her waste bin.
She heaved a great sign, and looked at the simple bouquet of flowers on her desk. These, it seemed, were not from Prophet readers. She found a small card nestled neatly inside the arrangement and discovered they were from the Weasley family. They are much too thoughtful for their own good, Tonks thought, smiling for the first time that day. Kingsley Shaklebolt came over to Tonks' desk, trying again to smile reassuringly at her, but managing only a weak grimace.
"How did it go with Robards? You haven't been fired have you?"
"Nope, I'm on extended leave until Robards says that I have enough respect for the Ministry. Stupid bastard." She added to the frown Kingsley was giving her.
"Minerva is not going to like this Tonks. You know how stressed out she is at the moment, and with you not being at the Ministry, it might just push her over the edge."
"I know, I know," Tonks sighed, looking interestingly not at the concerned man's face, but at the flowers on her desk. "But you know how I can get when people are ignorant of the world around them. I just, sort of lost it with Robards when he was telling me that I have always showed a 'lack of propriety' when it came to the Ministry. How I am going to tell Remus, King? He's going to go insane knowing that my big mouth almost got me fired from the Ministry. Especially with him all worried about Greyback coming to attack me, or something…" she said, trailing off and waving her hand dismissively.
"What was that about Greyback Tonks?" He said, sharply grabbing her by the shoulder.
"Oh bloody hell, I wasn't supposed to say anything!" She said, smacking her forehead with her hand and before putting her head on her desk. "Kingsley, I don't know why I am an Auror. I'm rude, disrespectful, and I can't even keep my own family secrets."
"You're an Auror Tonks, because you care about what happens to the lives of innocent people. I don't think you're rude or disrespectful; I think you're impassioned and bold, all of the qualities that make you so wonderful as an Auror."
"You really think so King?" she said, looking up at him from her desk. "Sometimes I feel like the only reason the Ministry hired me in the first place was because of my powers. That they cannot see the person under the pink hair because all they see is the publicity of having a metamorphmagus on their staff."
"Tonks, you are a rare individual. Yes, your powers make you something special, but it is your love for others and passion for living, and just a bit of your clumsiness that makes you truly unique."
"Thanks King, I needed that." She said wiping a stray tear from her eye. "I don't know what has made me so emotional today. Must have been that stupid article that threw me for a loop."
"You're worried about Remus," he said. "You're thinking about whether he is having the kind of day you are."
"I know he's not, he's just off doing errands over in Diagon Alley, and not bothering to tell me what exactly is going on."
"Something to do with Greyback?" he asked tentatively. Tonks looked at Kingsley for a moment deciding whether or not to relay the scattered bits of information that she had heard this morning. Trusting Kingsley she knew he would be able to keep it secret.
"King, let's go to your office." She said getting up from her seat and looking around to see if anyone had been listening in. Kingsley led the way to his own private office. He had been demoted from his Senior Auror position due to the fact he had fed the Ministry for over two years false information concerning Sirius Black. He still had his own office, it was just smaller than it had been, and no longer filled with wanted posters of the infamous prisoner. Once inside the office, Tonks performed an Imperturbable Charm on the door.
"So, this is serious?" He said, looking at Tonks' wand in her hand.
"I just don't want anyone listening in because I don't know how much of this information is really supposed to be kept private." She said simply. Kingsley waited her to start speaking, and Tonks began to pace the floor, telling Kingsley everything that had happened this morning, skipping the part of Remus in his full glory. Kingsley listened carefully to everything Tonks was saying and when she had finished, took a moment to process everything.
"So, you're thinking that Greyback is coming after Remus, but will use you to hurt him, and that Remus in an attempt to protect you, is going to do something extremely dangerous."
"More or less, yes."
"Well, I agree with Remus in not telling you." Kingsley said calmly.
"What?" she said stunned. Kingsley was supposed to be on her side, and not agree with Remus' decision to leave her in the dark.
"Tonks, if I was in Remus' position, I wouldn't tell you much of anything either. I know you, and Remus certainly knows you. When you are faced with a dangerous situation, you try and take control and help wherever necessary. If you were to know about Remus' plan, you'll just follow him and try to help with whatever it might be. Or you would try and stop him from doing it. Not knowing makes you safer, because you will not be in harms way, and Remus is able to carry out his plan for protecting you."
"Yes, but the point being is he is risking his life. Whatever he might be planning is certainly life threatening, because whatever it might be, it involves Fenrir Greyback. That in itself is cause for major concern. I don't want to see him killed when I know there is something that I might have been able to help with."
"Tonks, if Remus was going to do something life threatening, then I think he might have told you."
"That's just the thing King, is that he wouldn't tell me if he was risking his life. Its that whole 'its my life which is much to dangerous for you to be involved in' deal."
"Well, I wouldn't concern yourself with it Tonks, if Remus really thought it was vitally important, he would have told you. I trust his judgment and I think you as well."
"I do trust him, I just don't trust the fact that Minerva McGonagall shows up at our house this morning all worried, and suddenly her and Remus have secrets that do not involve me. I'm his wife for heaven's sake! Aren't husbands supposed to be able to tell their wives anything?"
"That is the general rule, but of course, there has been amendments to the guide lines for marital bliss."
Tonks sighed heavily. Kingsley just wasn't going to understand her point of view, and not hearing the answers she wanted, decided to head back to her desk. When she got there, more notes and what seemed to be a bible sized stack of paper work were waiting for her. She sat down at her desk and looked at its contents. On top of the paper work was a note from Robards.
I want these finished before you leave the office on Friday. I'll Owl when you are allowed to return. The guards will stop you from entering if you try to come in before I tell you to return. You have been warned.
Gawin Robards
Head of the Auror Department
Ministry of Magic, London
She crumpled up this note and threw it into her ash-laden bin. She looked around at the other notes lying on her desk. Most of them appeared to be from more Daily Prophet readers. She opened these letters carefully and found once again more letters reader of the disgust each felt for her marrying a "vile dark creature who has no place in the wizarding community." She was surprised to find there were two letters who gave her words of encouragement and gratefulness for marrying Remus. These were from the families of other werewolves.
Picking up the last note on her desk and found the very familiar neat scrawl of Remus' handwriting. She quickly opened the note.
Nymphadora-
I've finished earlier than expected with the errands I needed to get done. I'm now at the apartment to finish with the packing. Meet me there when you're done with work.
Love, Remus
Well, that was thoughtful of him to keep me informed about his every move, she thought with a slight bit of resentment. There was a fleeting moment when she read the note it was going to confess everything he hadn't said that morning. She starred at the huge stack of paperwork, and thinking it was better to get it a start on it now, than to let it go until Thursday night, she started with the massive five hundred page report.
The clock on the Ministry wall finally reached five o'clock, signaling to everyone that their full day of work had come to an end. Tonks immediately left her cubicle taking the extremely heavy paper load with her. Once up to the top of the lift she Apparated back to her apartment. Ready with her response for Remus eluding her this whole time, she pulled out her wand to open the door but found a note attached to it. Again, she found Remus' handwriting.
Nymphadora-
I've gone over to Number Twelve to check up on Harry. He sent me an Owl earlier and I came right over. The packing, surprisingly, is all done. The boxes just need to be sent over to the house. I know I can trust you to do this part without breaking the valuables (I've labeled them clearly so you can be extra cautious). I'll see you at the meeting at seven o'clock. Molly is cooking.
Love, Remus
Another note. He was avoiding her; she knew it now. Tonks sighed, before tapping the handle to the door and opening it with her wand. She walked inside to see the once cozy apartment bare and unfeeling. The cardboard boxes, scattered everywhere, left no warmth to the place that harbored so many precious memories. She was sad to be leaving this place, but she was also glad to be moving into a home.
She looked around at the many boxes, and saw with some amusement that Remus did in fact label in bright red letters CAUTION HANDLE WITH CARE over some of the larger boxes. Not knowing the way to move a great many boxes over a vast distance, she decided to shrink them all and put them into a tote, carefully putting the breakable boxes on top. Having her whole life inside the lime green bag, she made sure that she had left nothing behind. Knowing everything was safe inside the bag, she walked out of the apartment, with no intention of ever coming back.
…
Tonks arrived at Number Twelve completely exhausted and starving, hoping Molly had made a large dinner. Carefully opening the door, and looking out for the umbrella stand, she walked into the old house. Much had been done to make the house suitable to live in for Order members and the like. However, the smell of depression and old bottles of fire whiskey was all that Tonks could sense in the house.
"Oh good evening, Tonks dear," Molly Weasley said, when Tonks managed to entered into the kitchen.
"Wotcher Molly, Fred, George." She said, taking in turn to see the three Weasleys sitting around the table.
"How's Remus? I made my famous spaghetti and meatballs just for him."
"He's fine, I believe," Tonks said slowly. Wasn't Remus supposed to be over here? "Umm, Molly, you haven't seen Remus at all today have you?"
"No dear, I haven't seen him since yesterday. Why do you ask?"
"Well, he left me a note saying that Harry had asked him to come over here to talk about something, so I was just wondering if you have seen him here at all."
"No, dear, I haven't seen him in. But I've only just arrived about a half hour ago. Maybe you should check in some of the rooms upstairs."
"Alright, I'll do that." Tonks said, heading for the staircase.
"Oh, and Tonks," Molly called after her. "Would you mind telling the others dinner is going to be ready soon?"
"Sure Molly." Tonks said pleasantly. As she climbed the old and creaky staircase, Tonks had the very ominous feeling that she was not going to find Remus, nor Harry upstairs.
"Remus?" she called out to the floor. There was no response. She knocked on the nearest door and opened it cautiously. "Remus?" she called again. There was no one in the room. She did so with all of the bedrooms on the upstairs landing. She found only life when she stumbled upon Hermione and Ron, in a rather compromising position; and not wanting to linger, relayed Mrs. Weasley's message of dinner and quickly moved on. She was starting to get worried now. It was unlike Remus not to be somewhere he was supposed to be.
Tonks moved swiftly down the stairs, just tripping down the last three, and went into the kitchen. There were more people now gathered for the homemade meal, but Tonks didn't pay them any attention. She only had eyes for the matriarch of the Weasley family.
"Molly, Harry and Remus aren't here."
"Have you tried looking downstairs at all? The library, the basement, they must be somewhere in this house. Harry knows better than to run off when Minerva's ordered him to keep put."
"I'll check them out Molly, but I don't think their home."
"Well try dear. Are Ron and Hermione still here?" she said, her faced lined with concern. Harry was practically her son, and Remus was just like family. And at this stage of the war with Voldemort, both lives could be hanging in the balance.
"Yes, their upstairs, and I told them to come down for dinner." Tonks added. She didn't wait for a response from Molly, and instead took to running through the old Black Manor. Calling both Harry and Remus' names through room after room made her voice echo through the spacious house. She was scared, nervous, worried and just distraught with the idea that Remus could be out there, hunting down Greyback, and Harry set out to destroy Voldemort. She ended back up in the hall to the entrance, thinking that maybe she should try and find Remus, and not tell Molly what she was going to do.
"Tonks," said a familiar voice from behind her. Coming through the doorway of Number Twelve was Harry Potter.
"Oh, Harry, thank Merlin you're alright." She said almost sprinting over to give the young man a tight hug. "I was so worried that you had been killed."
"Well, not yet anyway." He said rather grimly.
"Oh, Harry don't you start talking like that, please, you're going to get through this just as you always do because now you have all of our support." She said, finally releasing him from her death grip.
"That's what I was just telling him." Said another familiar voice.
"Remus!" She said eagerly, turning around to see her husband locking the door to Number Twelve. She pounced on him and kissed him fiercely causing Harry to look away in embarrassment.
"Well, hello to you too." Remus said, after she had taken her lips away from his.
"Oh Remus, when you weren't here I panicked thinking you had gone after Greyback."
"Nymph, why on earth would I go after Greyback?"
"I just assumed that's what this morning was all about…" she said, looking down in embarrassment.
"Let's go into the kitchen and get some dinner." He said, avoiding again the inevitable conversation of Fenrir Greyback.
The three of them walked into the kitchen were Molly's homemade spaghetti and meatballs were sitting there steaming.
"Oh, Harry!" Mrs. Weasley said running over to give Harry a big hug.
"I seem to get this reaction every time I come through the door." He said sheepishly.
"We were worried you had left the house." Mrs. Weasley said, and about half the Order, who were gather around the long table, stood up to shake Harry's hand.
"Where did you and Harry go this evening Remus?" Tonks asked, as Remus pulled one of the chairs out of the table for her.
"Harry and I went for a walk through the park today. I didn't know he had orders from Minerva to stay inside the house until we had been gone for a half an hour. We just walked around for a bit and talked."
"What about?" she said, her voice trying to cover the desperate need for information. He sat down beside her and gave her a look that revealed exactly what she was thinking.
"Well, we talked about a great many things, but nothing to do with Fenrir Greyback, so don't even ask." He said smiling. "Really Nymph, you need to let this go. Everyone for now is out of harms way and no one is going to die."
"But this morning-"
"Was just Minerva over reacting, just as she always does." He said, patting her arm. "Everything that you need to know will be revealed at tonight's meeting." He received the large bowl of spaghetti and put some on his plate and hers. "So how was your day at work? Did Robards want to kill you for coming in so late?"
"Not, exactly…" she said. She wanted to avoid telling him what had happened at work today for as long as possible. She would tell him when she got home from work on Friday, not having access to go back to that horrid place after that. Besides, if something was going on that she didn't know about, bringing up work will only drive other matters away from Remus' mind.
…
The Order meeting had started shortly after dishes were cleared, and Ginny Weasley was shooed from the room by her mother. Once everyone had found a seat, which was hard to do seeing as what seemed to be the entire Order was seated in the dinning room, Minerva McGonagall called everyone to order.
"Now, then, we first are going to be hearing from Kingsley, who is bringing news from the Muggle side of the war. Kingsley?"
"Thank you Minerva. It seems that Voldemort has been taking a much more active role in the killing of Muggle families, whether they have a connection to the magical community or not. It seems…" Tonks was no longer paying attention to Kingsley's report. She should be paying closer attention to what he had to say, because she thought she saw something in the huge report Robards gave her about a Muggle family attacked. But for the moment she was thinking about how she was going to get Remus to tell her what Greyback was up to. She was sure that Remus was just lying to protect her, and that something terribly important was going on. Perhaps some Veritaserum, was her first thought on the matters, but she had none handy and it would take much to long to brew. However, the second best thing was a little seduction and chocolate and he would spill his guts to anyone, she thought mischievously. A secret smile crept onto her lips as she thought about what exactly needed to be planned.
"Well thank you Kingsley for that enlightening report. I'm confident we will all have second thoughts about using public restrooms from now on. Remus is now going to report on the, ah, creature activity." Minerva McGonagall said, giving Remus a slightly apologetic look about her choice of words. Tonks felt him stand up beside her seat, before looking up into his face, which seemed tired and careworn.
"Well, I'm afraid there is not so much to report this evening. Greyback is becoming more active has the full moon draws closer, and has taken a keen interest into the activities of three families in particular. I was able to contact one of the families today who have now been warned and are taking the necessary precautions. But they know that if Greyback wants them dead, then there is little that will stop him. Hopefully, we were able to intervene in time for them to put up the right sort of spells. Minerva warned Nymphadora and myself this morning that with the end in sight there might be some activity in our end of the woods, but seeing as we just moved, I'm not too worried." He gave a quick smile and nodded his head as if that settled the matter. He sat down, his report finished and looked expectantly at Minerva and not catching his wife's piercing gaze. Oh yes, there was going to be a lot of chocolate involved tonight.
"Thank you Remus. And I am sure the David family will thank you for your help in the matter of their safety. Well, we finally move onto what we have all come here to talk about. And I believe we should have the man who knows the most about it speak for us. Harry?" She said, looking over at the young man. He got up with slight hesitation, looking to Remus, who seems to be giving him support through their eye contact.
"Well, as I have informed the Order of at the beginning of August last year, Voldemort had put pieces of his soul into objects, that held some special meaning to him. The project of hunting down these Horcruxes and destroying them had been the work of Dumbledore and myself during my sixth year of attending Hogwarts. Before Dumbledore's death," he said, struggling with the emotion behind these words, "two of the seven items had been found and destroyed. Over this past year, Ron, Hermione and myself have been searching the all over the country to find the remaining five. Up until Remus and Tonks' wedding, we had found three of them. One of them quite accidentally, and the two others took months to track down. Last night, I came back to this place," he said, looking around the kitchen, not managing to hide his disgust. "Where I found the last one. It was a locket that was upstairs in the glass cabinet in the drawing room." Harry paused at this moment, as though each word was painful and he was trying to fight back tears. He looked once again at Remus, who seemed to give him silently the strength to continue with his report. "Now, all that is left to destroy is Voldemort himself. We are not sure where he is at the moment; we had found his snake, Nagini, in his father's old house, but of course, we did not come across Voldemort himself." At this point Minerva McGonagall stood up and addressed the room at large.
"We have an idea about where Voldemort might have established his headquarters at present, but we are in need of some scouts for the area. Remus has already volunteered after the full moon to take to looking after the spot. Is there anyone who is able to search the area before this time?"
"I'll do it." Kingsley Shaklebolt said. A few others spoke up as well. Tonks tried to catch Remus' eye, but he still had all of his focus on his godson.
"I'll go," she said, hoping this would grab Remus' attention. It did, as he turned around quickly to look at her.
"I don't think that you should go Nymph, not just yet." He said, not raising his voice, but having the stern affect as if he had yelled.
"Why wouldn't it be good to leave, Minerva needs help, so I'm volunteering to go."
"That's fine love, just not right now." He said, as the room soon saw the tension that had been created between the two from Remus not telling his wife what was really going on.
"Darling," she said forcibly, not showing any affection for this term of endearment. "You have just told this entire room that we are perfectly safe. Why can't I help out the Order with this mission if nothing is wrong? Or will you finally admit something is going on here?"
"We'll talk about this later." He said, his voiced lowered, while looking exhausted and angry.
"Right, well Nymphadora, I don't think that you'll be able to take on this mission anyway," Minerva McGonagall chimed to try and break the uncomfortable silence that had now settled over the room. "You still have your job at the Ministry, and with all the attacks that have been going on lately, they'll be needing you now more than ever."
"Well, after this week I can help out because I won't be going back after that." She said off handedly, hoping if it sounded casual then people would treat it as such.
"What was that?" McGonagall asked sharply. "Nymphadora Lupin, please tell me you have not got yourself fired." Tonks felt like her old professor was back at school again, reprimanding her. The only thing that had changed now was the use of her new last name.
"I haven't been fired, per se." She said, carefully avoiding Remus' alarmed gaze. "Robards has just taken me off all cases, and I'm not allowed to go back into the office at all until he's given his permission."
"Oh Nymphadora we need you now more than ever to be helping out with the information at the Ministry. What on Earth prompted Gawin Robards to put you on leave?"
"I snapped back at him for insulting Remus." She said fiercely. She could tell that Remus was growing uncomfortable beside her, every time it was mentioned Tonks had to once again stand up for her decision of marrying a werewolf. "He seemed to think that I did it for my own, what did he say? 'Personal gains,' but I quickly corrected him, and he found it disrespectful, and put me on leave."
"Nymph, you shouldn't have done that." Remus said quietly, still looking embarrassed.
"No, I should have and I'm glad I did." She said with a note of finality.
"I think we should adjourn this meeting," Molly Weasley said, seeing how the couple needed some time alone to talk over matters.
"Yes, this meeting of the Order of the Phoenix has been adjourned. All those who had wanted to search the location in question please see me directly after this and we will discuss the details. That is all everyone, thank you for being here tonight."
As people were leaving the kitchen, the quiet buzz of conversation started up and Remus and Nymphadora were free to talk quietly without everyone listening.
"We are going to discuss this further you know that right?" Remus said steering her away from the kitchen.
"I figured you where about to say that." She said.
"I have to talked to Harry again, to make sure that he is alright. I want you to go back to the house and stay there. I won't be here for very long and then we are going to have a nice long talk about what Robards had to say to you."
"I really didn't say anything-"
"I don't want to hear it right now. Tell me when I come back in about ten minutes."
"Fine." She said, a little harshly before walking out the door of Number Twelve. She Apparated back to the new home, muttered a spell to undo the lock and walked inside. She hadn't done much to unpack the contents of their old apartment. However, in the tedious hours of moving boxes to their proper locations, she was able to get a grasp of what the new house was really like. She liked it more and more with each room she stumbled upon. It was not a very large house, but it held much of what Tonks liked about a home; the love that seemed to emanate from it. The house was located in the outskirts of a Muggle community so magic had not tampered with the old home. She turned on the wireless and sat down on the couch in the makeshift living room, waiting for Remus to come home. It was not long after an old Weird Sisters song had ended when there was a knock on the door. Tonks found it odd for Remus to knock on the door to his own home, but went to open it anyway.
"So are you finally going to tell me what's going on?" she had started to say, but the last of her words never came out because Remus Lupin was not at the door. It was his father.
…
A/N: Ha! Thought you were rid of 'John Lupin?' Think again. Think there is a connection between Fenrir and John? Hmm… curious.
I'm sorry for taking so long with the updating but with the move and with the doctor situation, my life has been a mess and updating has taken a back seat.
I'm still looking for a beta (please, please, please!) so to anyone who has an interest in this story, all you have to do is contact me and the job is yours!
I am answering questions and responding to reviews now on my sparkly new livejournal, so if you have questions/comments/concerns/hopes/dreams that you would like addressed, they can be found there (the link is in my profile).
Thank you to everyone who has responded to the last chapter! Your reviews are really the encouragement I need to get my tired body up and write for a few hours, so please continue with your wonderful responses.
