Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N Thanks to aikakone for her wonderful beta services, and to everyone who has read and reviewed.

An Affair I Don't Remember

Ginny remained vexed with me for much of the remaining week. I made several attempts to find out exactly what I had done only to be told the same thing time and time again; that nothing was wrong.

Meanwhile, the first break in the Malfoy case finally surfaced in some of the old communication records obtained from Gringotts. It wasn't much, but the first clue that didn't point directly at Draco.

These communications always coincided with the questionable transactions. Although there was always a different name and employee clearance code, one thing was certain – it was always a woman.

I contacted Draco immediately and requested he stop by my office at his earliest convenience, which happened to be later that afternoon. After showing him what I had found, I asked him to compile a list of potential suspects.

His reaction wasn't what I had expected. Draco Malfoy laughed.

"You find this amusing?" I asked, bewildered.

"Amusing?" he repeated still laughing. "Of course I find this amusing. Are you seriously asking me to compile a list of women who may wish to frame me for a crime that would land me in Azkaban? I doubt they make a piece of parchment long enough, Lupin."

That thought hadn't crossed my mind. Of course Draco Malfoy had enemies. Why I figured they were all male was a ridiculous notion.

"So where to begin?" I asked after considering the many possibilities. Not only was there any female Death Eater he betrayed, but also any daughter who may have lost a father due to him turning, a wife who lost a husband, and virtually any woman he had ever dated.

"It would seem to me that this person would have to work for me or at least have worked for me in the past," he concluded rather logically. "I believe you still have my employee rosters."

I nodded and began to rifle through files to find them. Just then someone knocked on my office door.

"Come in," I announced.

"Oh I'm sorry," came the flustered voice of Sara Trodman. "I had no idea you were with someone. I can come back another time."

"No, that's all right," Draco began as he stood. "We were just about done anyway."

Her presence gave me a start. "Is there something wrong with Ginny?" I blurted out before thinking.

Draco, who had began to leave, stopped mid stride and turned to await the answer.

Sara eyed Draco precariously.

"Draco Malfoy, Sara Trodman," I quickly introduced. "Draco is Ginny's back up coach, and Sara is her medi-witch."

"I don't know," she began cautiously. "She cancelled her appointment."

I could feel my pulse beating behind my forehead, if that was even really possible. I liked to consider myself an even-tempered man, but Ginny was trying my patience. I massaged my temples for a few moments before returning my attention to those still standing in my office.

"I'll take care of it," was all I could say as I grabbed my robes, whisked passed Sara and Draco, and left to go home.

###

It was my turn to enter the house and slam the front door. Ginny had been laying on the sofa in the living room, and I could see her visibly jump when I entered.

"Just what in the bloody hell do you think you are playing at?" I began angrily, yet not giving her an opportunity to respond. If I did, I might lose the upper hand I currently possessed.

"You've been going on around here like some jealous school girl, and now Sara stops by to see me because YOU have apparently cancelled your appointment? You can't just go around canceling your appointments!"

"Since when are you and Ms. Trodman on a first name basis?" she retorted, acting unaffected by my previous rant.

"Just what is this all about, Ginny?" I practically demanded. "And if the word nothing comes out of your mouth, so help me!"

She didn't answer.

"Why did you cancel your appointment?"

"Because I didn't feel like going," she answered simply.

"And why is that?"

"I felt fine and didn't think I needed to see her today."

"Well, that's not up for you to decide anymore," I ground out. "You've been borderline spending the rest of your pregnancy in the hospital, so if you truly don't wish that to happen, you will cooperate a little better from now on. Now, you can start off by telling me just what has your knickers in a twist."

She slowly sat up and then redid the ponytail that had partially come loose from sleeping.

"Harry," she finally answered with a tired sigh.

Out of all the explanations she could have picked, that was the one that made me feel like an utter heal for being angry with her.

"I get so angry at him for not being here," she continued. "Then I feel guilty for being angry because he only did what he had to do. What everyone expected him to do." She paused to rub her stomach.

"Then there's the guilt I feel for just going on with life," she continued. "I feel guilty when I enjoying things, or for having…"

I knew exactly what she meant, I remember feeling the exact same way. I still had moments when I felt that way, and it had been over two years. Harry had been gone less than six months.

"…What I mean to say," she stammered on, "is that, when I find myself comfortable here with you, I mean, you know, like friends, but it's still like, well, you live here and I live here."

I'm not sure exactly what she was trying to articulate, but I think the general gist of her comment was her overall feeling of guilt.

"Ginny, it's perfectly natural to feel guilty about going on with life," I tried to reassure her. "But what that really doesn't explain is why you cancelled your appointment with Ms. Trodman. If I need to, I'll Floo George. I'm sure he wouldn't mind dragging you there kicking and screaming."

"What's George got to do with this?" she asked, confused.

"I think he's smitten."

###

As I lay in bed that night my mind was plagued with thoughts - thoughts of the woman I loved and made my wife. While I undoubtedly still loved her, those thoughts didn't evoke the pain and grief they once did. I smiled at the realization that I had finally found the resolve to live my life again.

With that I got out of bed and walked over to the closet. The door squeaked as one does when not used on a regular basis. A waft of fragrance drifted through the air as the door opened. It was somewhat stale, but it was the scent of her, of Nymphadora 'Tonks' Lupin. As I stared at all her clothes, robes and shoes, I realized what needed to be done. It was time to let her go.

Reluctantly, I pulled the first robe off of its hanger and slowly folded it up. I laid it down gently at the end of my bed and removed the next item of clothing from the closet. I continued this process until it was completed and there was only her dressing gown still hanging in the closet.

I transfigured one of my old suitcases into a large trunk and began to place all her items in it. When I was done with the closet, I moved on to the dresser. It was still dark out when I had just about everything of hers packed away, yet I knew dawn was only a few short hours away. There were only a few items left, her robe, her fuzzy slippers and her wand. I decided that I wouldn't pack those away just yet, so I folded them up and placed them into the bottom drawer of the dresser. Once I was finished, I proceeded to close the trunk and levitate it out into the shed in the back yard until I could figure out what I should do with it.

Once I returned from outside, I sat down on the sofa and sighed heavily. It was a liberating feeling, a bit of closure. It was then that I realized Ginny would never have this opportunity. She had been forced to go through whatever items of Harry's was left after her house had been bombed.

With that thought, I returned to my bedroom and crawled into bed. Although there were only a few short hours left until sunrise, my mind and body felt at peace. As I drifted into a light slumber, I could almost feel lips graze my ear just as Tonks used to do. I smiled slightly at the sensation and was soon fast asleep.

###

Ginny was still in bed when I got up, which was surprising since I actually over-slept. I whipped myself up a quick breakfast and cup of tea before hastily scribbling her a note and leaving for work.

Emery caught me first thing as I entered the Ministry building. He had a crease in his brow that indicated he was not pleased with something.

"I need to talk to you about the Zabini trial," he said as he fell into stride with me.

I simply nodded and waited for him to continue.

"He's not a poor man," Emery stated, almost angrily. "He's hired top notch attorney's who are currently working every angle to get this case thrown out of court."

"Technicality?" I said more as a rhetorical question. "What are you thinking, old friend?"

Emery just shot me a glance and hastened me into my office. Once we entered, he shut and magically sealed the door as not to allow for any eavesdroppers. "They are currently digging into your relationship with Mrs. Potter," he sneered.

"Why would that matter?"

"It's personal, Remus," he continued as he quit pacing and sat down. "And when things are personal, mistakes are usually made. And you know these guys; they'll stop at nothing to win."

"So they're basing their defense on the fact I have some sort of personal relationship with Ginny? That's ludicrous!" My temper was starting to flare, which was never a good sign.

"I'm not saying that is the only thing they are basing it on," Emery continued quickly, "but it's one aspect they are looking into. Zabini is making some wild accusations."

I pinched the bridge of my nose in attempts to reign in my temper. "Wild accusations about what, exactly?"

"That you and Ginny have had a long-standing affair," he said point-blank. "And that the baby she is pregnant with is yours and not Potter's."

I laughed. What else could I do?

"Remus, you know that under any other circumstance I would consider your personal life just that, your personal life. But I'm left in a very precarious position."

I nodded my understanding. I knew that no matter what the consequence, Emery Daria would stand by me. For that sole reason, he deserved to be prepared.

"There is absolutely nothing going on between Ginny and I," I began, pinching the bridge of my nose again. "We are just friends, and the baby is most certainly NOT mine."

Emery continued to wait for the rest of the story.

"I have feelings for her," I finally admitted aloud for the first time. "There, I said it. But that's all there is to it. Nothing has or will ever come of it. For Heaven's sake, Emery, I'm old enough to be her father!"

He smiled an irritating smile. One of those smiles that says 'I knew it!' "Remus, we've been friends a long time," he pointed out. "I appreciate your honesty with me, I truly do. However, you do realize that as innocent as your feelings towards her may be, they are going to be misconstrued and manipulated until it looks like the two of you have been having an affair, don't you? I mean, come on, Remus, she lives with you."

I was quickly tiring of this conversation, but I knew exactly what he was trying to do. "Yes, she does," I started in a low growl. "And I'm not going to ask her to move just because people can't mind their own business. If the guilt or innocence of Blaise Zabini hinges on whether or not I'm having some sort of affair with Ginny Potter, then I suggest that he hires new attorneys."

"I agree, but it's unlikely to happen," Emery continued. "You're going to come under fire, and you have to be able to handle it without losing your cool. But more importantly, Ginny's going to come under fire as well, and I know that things haven't been all together smooth with her pregnancy this far."

"I'll talk to her and see what she wants to do," I sighed.

"That's all I ask," Emery said as he stood to leave. "Oh, and you may want to discuss this with her family as well."

###

Ginny was busy going through a box of baby clothes that Fleur had sent for her. She was humming Rock-a-Bye Baby and gently swaying back and forth. I stood silently in the doorway and just admired her as she did so. Her hair was down, yet held back off her face with some sort of tie that strangely resembled a shoelace.

"So how was your day?" she finally asked without ever turning around. Good thing or she would have seen me turn about six shades of red.

"There's something we need to talk about," I answered as I walked over to the stove and poured myself a cup of tea.

"That sounded rather serious," she answered as she placed a baby sleeper on the table.

I sat a cup of tea down in front of her. "It is. Zabini's coming up for trial soon."

"Oh?"

"And he's hired top notch attorney's."

"What's your point?" she finally blurted out.

"They are going to go for blood from whomever they can get it from," I answered. "And top on their list is us."

"Us?" she swallowed.

"Yes, us," I answered. "They are going to try and establish that you and I have been having an affair, and rumors are flying that the baby isn't Harry's, but mine."

"That's absurd!" she shouted.

"I know," I continued, trying to remain the voice of reason. "But the fact that you live here with me doesn't help."

"Well, if that is the only thing the wizarding world has to talk about," she said as she stood and began to pace. "Let them talk. I'm tired of living my life to conform to them! If they want to think we are cavorting around, fine! What's the worst they can do?"

"I don't know," I answered honestly, "but they'll try to make it as bad as possible."

"And how does this have anything to do with whether or not Blaise is guilty?" she continued to rant.

"It has nothing to do with it," I answered. "Except it will detract from the current issues at hand. It will be used as a diversion, and the press will flock to it. Ginny, I'll be honest with you, I'm really concerned about you and the baby trying to go through this."

"Well, if I end up in the hospital over it, I think I'll sue the Daily Prophet for damages!"

"And we may want to prepare your family for the fallout that this is sure to generate," I suggested.

###

As much as Ginny wanted to avoid the situation, we went over to the Weasley's for a family dinner that Friday. Charlie was the only one not present. All the kids were outside the Burrow playing with there Uncle George. Ron and Percy were involved in a game of Wizards chess and Mr. Weasley was chatting with Penelope as Mrs. Weasley put the finishing touches on dinner.

Arthur gave us a warm welcome, and soon an abundant meal graced the table. Idle chatter filled the air as plates, hands, and utensils flew every which way until all plates and mouths were full.

Once everyone finished, Mrs. Weasley made some tea as Ron and George cleared the remnants of the meal.

"So what is it you want to talk to us about, Ginny?" Molly asked as she bustled about.

Ginny gave me a helpless look, but I only shook my head. "Blaise Zabini's trial is coming up," she began hesitantly.

Molly blanched at the mention of the name, as both Ron and George clenched their teeth in anger.

"He's hired himself some top notch attorneys," she continued.

"Best that money can buy, no doubt," Ron nearly spat the words.

"I'm sure," she forged ahead. "But Remus and Emery feel that they are going to try and discredit Remus and I as witnesses."

"Well, that's ridiculous," Molly sighed relief. "How on earth do they plan on doing that? Everyone knows Remus is a werewolf now."

"By stating that Remus and I are having an affair."

The entire house fell into silence.

"Oh," Molly's entire demeanor turned cold and rigid. "Well, it was bound to happen."

"Molly," Arthur tried to shush his wife. "Ginny wouldn't be telling us any of this if it weren't important."

"It's all right, dad," Ginny smiled tiredly. "I really don't care what they say, think, or write about, I just wanted to warn you all before things start hitting the papers."

"I just can't believe you, Ginny," Molly continued her scorn. "You're nearly seven months pregnant, you're living with another man, and you aren't concerned about the fact that people think you are cavorting around with him? You do know that some people are speculating that the baby is really Remus', don't you?"

I never wanted to leave the Burrow as badly as I wanted to at that moment.

"No, I didn't know people are saying my baby is Remus'," Ginny laughed coolly. "But please tell me I don't need to justify that statement to my own family."

"Well just what are we supposed to think?" Molly was treading dangerous water, and none of the Weasley men or myself wanted to be present when this one broke, yet we all sat frozen about the table. "You have had ample opportunity to live with your family, and yet you choose to live with him. You chose him over any one of us as your birthing coach, and he was the first one you told when you found out you were pregnant!"

Ginny stood up calmly, which was a bad sign. She placed her hand gently on my shoulder before returning her attention back to her mother. "And you have the audacity to wonder why I choose to live with Remus? Unbelievable!" She then returned her attention back to me. "I'm ready to go home now."