Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I own his magical world.

Deviated World

Chapter XXVI

Remus returned to Grimmauld Place, thoughts spewing out his ears and a heavy stone in his stomach. Could he really do it this time? Could it be even conceivable to convince Greyback's followers to switch sides? To prevent new supporters of Voldemort?

He knew there was no chance to convince Greyback himself of anything. To even enter there camps Remus was going to have to play the part of a werewolf scorned. They need to think that he was stronger and more radical than he really was that there was a way to live an uninhibited life as a werewolf, that he could help them and show them the way. Remus sincerely hoped he was a good enough actor.

Eventually Sirius returned home from the Ministry. Both Tonks and James were coming over later that evening for dinner. Remus, feeling quite domestic in the face of what was to come, had cooked and baked up a storm.

"Moony, you know you are not going to change Umbridge's mind with cookies," said Sirius. "Nor, Fudge's either. That man has no foresight whatsoever. He seems to think that this law is going to stop Greyback from gaining followers!"

"You had no luck with him then?"

"None at all," said Sirius taking an angry bite out of a scone.

"All the worse then," said Remus. He hacked angrily into a carrot with a large knife. He wasn't sure when or how to tell Sirius that he was leaving in two days time on a potentially suicidal mission. Not that he hadn't had his fair share of those, though.

"Tonks and James are going to be here in a while. Perhaps one of them will have an idea," Sirius proposed.

"It probably will not be of any use."

"Stop being a wet blanket, Remus. I know it is hard, but we will find a way," said Sirius sharply.

Remus glared at him. "I know," he said shortly.

"Right, mate. Right."

Remus turned back to his chopping. He felt rude, but he really didn't want to hear anymore empty sentiments. He was to do what he had to; there was no easy way out of it. Remus sighed and scolded himself. He was alive and so were many people he loved and cared about. He should be willing to stand up and fight without brooding about what is "so hard."

"Sorry," said Remus finally.

"It's al—" started Sirius before falling of his stool with a crash. Tonks had just apparated right next to him. While that had been surprising enough, she lost her balance and fell into Sirius. Remus let out a chuckle.

"—right," finished Sirius, while Tonks apologized profusely, helping him up.

"Hello, Tonks. How is everything?" asked Remus, trying to pretend that nothing was wrong.

"Just fine, just fine," said Tonks brushing herself off. "Just spent the day trying to clean up Fudge's mess. I wanted to break Charice's nose when he started gloating about the new law. I swear, the sooner I can prove that he is up to something, the better, especially for my sanity."

Remus smiled weakly and went back to chopping carrots. He didn't know how to reply to anything. What as he supposed to say? Poor dear, oh and by the way I am leaving and could be dead in a week's time? He was sure that would go over well.

"How are you doing, Remus?" asked Tonks sympathetically while biting into a cookie.

Remus looked up startled, his eyes a little wide. He was sure he stared at her for at least two minutes before mumbling that he was fine. He then mentally berated himself. Tonks, on the other hand, just looked at him curiosity. She looked like she was about to say something, but was then cut off by a distinct popping noise.

James entered, still in his Quidditch practice gear and very dirty.

"Oye, there!" said Sirius indignantly. "You are getting dirt all over my clean floor!"

"Sirius, I don't think this floor has ever been clean," said James. "Sorry, I left in a rush. They had me play Beater today to give the second reserve Keeper more practice. Unfortunately I instinctively ducked when the Bludger came towards me. It hit Nicholas Wogger square in the nose. I was sure he was going to kill me at the end of practice, to I left as quickly as possible."

"You have practice tomorrow," reminded Sirius. James paled slightly.

"James, we're sure you can take him," said Tonks, reassuringly.

"Speak for yourself," grinned Sirius.

Remus remained quiet as he finished putting together the soup he was making and put it over the fire.

"These are delicious cookies, Remus," complimented Tonks. "That is what I need: a man who can cook." Remus blushed slightly at this proclamation. "Charice can hardly boil water, but expects everyone else to be a professional chef."

The light hearted conversation continued until the soup was done. As they sat down to eat, Tonks looked at Remus critically for a moment. "Are you sure you're alright?" she asked.

"Yes, yes, fine," he said hurriedly, but she looked skeptical. Luckily, she let it go.

They ate, but the conversation was sparse. Mostly James and Sirius talked back and forth about what was going on generally in their lives: a little Quidditch, a little office talk, a little women and so forth. Remus ate quietly, as did Tonks, though he had no idea why she was quiet.

Remus took a chance and looked up from his soup. Tonks was looking at him pensively. She knew he was hiding something. She would always know. She then looked away quickly, and pretended that she hadn't been staring at him, she hadn't been contemplating him. Remus allowed himself a slight smile. He had been reminded of how he still loved her, how she used to do this when she was awaiting his opinion or decision. How she thought if she stared at him for long enough she would come to a sudden realization of what he was thinking or feeling. He knew that she wouldn't figure it out this time.

When they had finished their soup, they retired to the living room. Settling himself, Remus drank his tea slowly, extending out the time he had. How could he tell them now, after all? What is it caused James to spill his tea on Sirius's clean floor? Remus chastised himself. He had to stop coming up with excuses.

"Of course Wanda Evenington is not going to lead the Tornadoes to victory!"said James heated, throwing Remus back into the present and out of his head.

"Look at it, James. She has been catching the snitch is faster times each game! She has a lot of potential. I mean, she beat Aubrey Insley! No one beats Insley!"

Tonks seemed to be distracted by James and Sirius's raised voices as well. "Evenington may have potential, but she had a lot of flaws. She's new, so you haven't seen them yet, but they are there."

"See, Sirius! Even your cousin is on my side!" mocked James. This just lead Sirius to become louder, which made James in turn become louder. Tonks just shook her head and looked on in amusement.

Remus, on the other hand, was getting a head ache. He waited for them to die down a little, but they still remained going at it. Remus soon couldn't handle it anymore. "I'm leaving," he said, quietly, but with enough impact that everyone heard him.

"Leaving? No need, I'll stop. Sirius is just too thick to get my point!" said James with a grin.

"Says the man without a brain," shot back Sirius, also grinning.

Tonks did not say anything. Remus could tell the she understood. Well, at least she understood what he had said, but it was apparent that she was trying to figure out why.

"I mean," said Remus self-consciously, "that I must leave here. For how long, I do not know. It is possible that I won't return."

All three people in the room were staring at him. They didn't know what to say. Finally Tonks spoke up. "Where," she asked, steadily, but trying to mask her emotion.

"I must go amongst Greyback and his followers. I must confront and organize the other werewolves as well," answered Remus, followed by silence. "I leave the day after tomorrow, to what end, I do not know."

"Stop being melodramatic, Remus," said Sirius. "I warned you about being a wet blanket earlier. You will come back and you will succeed. And that is final." Sirius crossed his arms for emphasis.

"But—" started Remus.

"I have spoken," said Sirius.

"Remus, how can you go?" asked James. "What good will it do? You are needed here."

"Dumbledore asked me to go. I have to at least try."

"But to your death?!" said James, wiping his face with his hands.

"James, stop," scolded Sirius. "What must be done, will be done. Remus, be careful."

"I know," he smiled.

The rest of tea was quiet. No one knew what to say to Remus. Eventually James left, promising to return the next day. He gave Remus a tight hug before he left. Before Tonks made to leave, Sirius slid out of the room, claiming that he had just remembered that he had to floo the Head of the Department of Magical Architecture and Planning. Remus shook he head. Sirius may be smart, but he was not subtle.

Tonks stood up. "I won't be able to come by tomorrow. Duty calls, you know?" she said softly.

"I understand," replied Remus.

"Be careful? Really, and if you need anything, I will be there," she said.

"I know."

At that she launched herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. Remus had missed this feeling, though he was a little taken aback. He was, at this point, entirely unsure of what to do. Tonks, however, didn't notice. She leaned back slightly and, standing on the tips of her toes, raised her face closer to level with his. Before Remus registered what was going on, she kissed him. His head went blank.

As soon as it had started though, it was over. Tonks had stepped back and was looking at him very evenly. "You will come back," she said, before apparating away.

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A/N: Sorry for another wait and sorry for the more that will come. Lots of work and computer problems are not the most conducive to writing. But, hopefully, my computer will remain well and I will find the time here and there. As always, thank you to everyone for reading and for reviewing!