Chapter 14. Presents

The roads were covered with snow; the ice glittered on the morning sun. Nymphadora always liked that time of year. The end of December was the time of hope, Christmas's expectation and constant, unstoppable fuss that revived even the wildest skeptic.

She decided to get up earlier today. After a short preparation, Nymphadora hurried to Diagon Alley. There were only two days until Christmas day, but Tonks hasn't bought presents yet. She even had to sacrifice her morning time that she usually spent choosing a new hair color. The girl left the room with long red hair, an image fresh in her mind.

Diagon Alley was full of snow, noticing that gave Dora relief. It gave her hope that she wouldn't stumble too much and could buy presents without being hurt or damaged. Shop windows have been decorated with garlands. Snowflakes and Christmas decorations frozen in the open air; the smell of fir was clear and fresh. The street turned into bright, colorful corridors, magical and cozy.

Tonks had found a few presents quickly. She decided to present her father a nice pocket watch. He became so absent-minded. Ted complained to his daughter about his problem with time. He always forgot his watch at home, so that gift would be very useful. Moreover, Ted could keep it with him all the time; it was not only the gift, but a part of her soul that could remind Dad about her.

It was easy to choose a present for Mom too. Dora knew Andromeda's tastes perfectly. Tonks could bet that Mom would like that old silver hairpin that Tonks had chosen for her. The shop assistant has tried to fool her, but Dora wasn't so stupid. When he realized that the young witch was an Auror, he gave her a huge discount, especially when Tonks saw the goods forbidden for sale in Britain.

Then Tonks snuck near the shop with goods for Quidditch. Having heard about the Firebolt's confiscation, she bought its little copy for Harry. He must have been very disappointed about all of that…

Finally Tonks found something special for Mad-Eye. It was a new tool kit. Unlike other presents, that one was too big and too heavy. It was difficult for her to carry it. Tonks also needed to check the kit – thrice – in the case if the kit was charmed, or Mad-Eye would never accept it. Or he could start testing it himself and spoil the whole Christmas. Moody established the whole list of strange, but clear rules, and Tonks had to deal with it.

Still thinking about presents, Tonks hasn't noticed the last step of the shop's porch and stumbled. All joy vanished into thin air. She was going to fall in a nearer snowdrift. The witch screwed up her face, protecting her eyes against the cold ice.

Nothing happened. Her heart was pounding, her brain lost thoughts. What happened? She should have fallen, right?

The puzzle was solved when someone helped Dora stand up. Tonks opened her eyes. It was Remus Lupin. He stood in front of her, smiling.

"You saved me again!" she said and hugged the wizard. Lupin was confused. He hugged her back, but let go of the girl too quickly. Remus offered his help at carrying Moody's present.

"Let me help you", he said in a very calm voice, taking the parcel. It appeared to be very heavy. Lupin looked at Tonks, surprised.

Nymphadora laughed.

"That's for Mad-Eye", she explained. "A new tool kit. Magical one, of course. He doesn't trust anyone, spends a lot of time inside of his house, repairing something. And he complained of leg pain. It's because of that prosthesis…"

Lupin smiled. He looked so healthy now. Constant circles under his eyes vanished, and today, he looked younger than usual. It surprised Nymphadora, in a way. He wasn't old, not at all, but…

"Moody has always been like that", Remus answered. He returned to his old memories, to the time of the first Wizarding War. Tonks couldn't remember it. She was a child at that time.

"But, to be honest, he didn't test food for poisons at the time when we met, as I recall…"

Both of them laughed.

"Are you searching for presents too?" Tonks asked.

Remus nodded. "I'm going to the bookstore. Sirius and I have been thinking about the present for Harry…"

Nymphadora felt awkward. They must be preparing one gift, because Lupin was jobless at the moment. It wasn't his fault, of course, but Tonks felt bad. She hid her eyes. Dora hoped Remus wouldn't notice her shame, but she forgot about her unique gift. Her hair started changing its color immediately, reflecting her mood. Tonks' emotions were too strong.

Remus noticed it, frowned and finally understood. Dora was pretending to examine her boots. She was blushing as a young schoolgirl; Tonks didn't know how to stop it.

But Remus knew. He smiled again. If Dora raised her eyes, she would notice that his smile was a bit weary.

"It's all right, don't worry", he said. Lupin wasn't angry with Nymphadora. He stood, waiting for her to look at him. "And I have some money, by the way. Christmas time feeds everyone who wants to get a job. We have a different reason for choosing one gift. Sirius has to stay inside of the house, so…"

Her hair color returned to normal. Lupin sighed, relieved. They could forget about that strange awkward moment, deleting it from their memories.

"So, what did you choose for Harry?" Tonks asked, making a step to the bookstore's side. They needed to change the subject.

"Why do you think that idea was mine?" Lupin asked, frowning.

"How could Sirius suggest buying a book? What a funny joke, Remus!"

Lupin smiled again. It was a new habit of him, to smile. Remus has always been reserved and melancholic, but when Dora joked, he couldn't resist her. Dora was so charming. And Nymphadora just called his name, it sounded so usual, so comforting, so distracting. Remus…

Tonks noticed Lupin's confusion, but Lupin removed his eyes, afraid to meet her stare.

After a short hesitation Tonks offered her help. Lupin agreed. Remus and Dora were searching for books about defensive magic. After a long intensive search they have found a nice detailed edition, "Practical Defensive Magic and Its Use against the Dark Arts".

"Looks very impressive", whispered Dora. "I think it's exactly what Harry needs!"

She noticed something special in Remus, something he always tried to hide. It was full, sincere care about Harry. The boy took a special place in Lupin's heart. When they paid for the books and left the store, Tonks asked about it accurately. Remus was in a very good mood and wasn't afraid to speak frankly.

"He's like a son to me. I met James and Lily when I was eleven. Harry is very much like them, although he doesn't know it. I miss them all the time', he confessed. The pain appeared at Lupin's face. 'But Harry's pain is much stronger than mine. He doesn't even remember them! So I have to do everything I can and try to help him."

Dora hung on to Remus's words. It was the right time to listen. When Lupin finished his little story, they continued to go in silence. Then Remus shook his head.

"Sorry. We haven't spoken about you. What do you like? Except Quidditch and music, of course."

Tonks blushed.

"'How did you know that?"

They walked at the road, close to each other, their hands almost touched. It didn't matter where to go next. They moved ahead, enjoying the conversation.

"Well, I managed to learn all prints on your T-shirts", said Remus with a new smile.

Nymphadora laughed.

"You're right. Unfortunately, I stopped watching Quidditch games. I don't have time for that anymore. But I still like music. I took my old gramophone to my room at the Leaky Cauldron."

Tonks noticed his stare and froze. Remus must have been laughing at her. There were strange sparkles seen inside of his blue eyes. Dora has never noticed them before.

"What?" she asked, suddenly offended. "Do you think it's silly? What's about you, then? Don't you like music?"

Lupin threw up his hands, giving up.

"I didn't want to offend you. Of course, I love music too. While working at Hogwarts, I was taking my gramophone to the lessons. It helped kids to adapt for the work."

Nymphadora accepted his apologies, and the pair continued walking.

'I have never known it's allowed to do so! You've got a talent for teaching, really!"

Remus shrugged.

"I'm not sure it's a real talent. But my mother loved music deeply. She has been listening to Sinatra's Christmas album every year…"

"Sinatra?" Tonks asked. "What is that?"

Lupin frowned, but didn't laugh at her. He kept being calm and delicate, as he always was. He must have been looking exactly the same when Hogwarts students gave wrong answers at his lessons.

"He's a singer. My Mom was a muggle", he explained. "She saved a lot from her past life."

"Oh…" Tonks was surprised. "Great. I didn't know that!"

Dora was glad to find out more about Remus.

"Is his music beautiful?"

They stopped. Lupin looked up and noticed the Leaky Cauldron's signboard.

"I think we arrived at the right place?"

Dora nodded. She felt disappointed that their walk was going to its end.

Lupin passed her the parcel. Dora couldn't invite him to her room, of course. It would be inappropriate. Mom would die if she found out about that.

But it was Remus, and their conversation was so nice… Tonks sighed.

Lupin smiled.

"You'll hear his wonderful songs", he promised.

They said awkward goodbyes to each other. Dora returned to her room. She was thinking about the present for Remus now. She needed to find something special for him, definitely. But what could it be? Something simple. Remus wouldn't accept anything expensive.

She chose presents hoping that people would remember her when they looked at her gifts. What could remind Remus about Nymphadora? He was so kind to her, so understanding, just as if he could read her thoughts. Tonks's present should be nice and warm…

Warm… A sudden idea flashed into Dora's mind.

When Remus woke up in the morning, he found an unexpected present. He saw a box, wrapped in such a bright wrapper that he had to blink. Lupin found a warm sweater inside of it. Remus smiled. There was no note left, but the wrapper's color spoke for itself.

Tonks got a present too. She found a gramophone record of Christmas songs performed by Frank Sinatra.

Remus was right. Sinatra's music turned out to be absolutely magical.