I was really looking forward to writing this chapter, and I can hardly wait for the next as well.

Trixie Black Lestrange

Rodolphus could not sleep, waiting throughout the night of the full moon. As soon as he was sure that the sun had risen, he hurried from his room straight to where he knew Nymphadora and the werewolf would be. He reached out to the door, feeling for the wards, but there weren't any. Rodolphus chilled in terror and raised his wand, ready to guard against the beast he assumed would still be inside the room.

When he opened the door, he heard no sound, and cautiously pushed the door open, his wand raised. The first thing he saw was Nymphadora's motionless body lying on the floor, her robes torn and bloody, her hair matted. He wanted to run to her side, but scanned the room for the werewolf, finding it lying in the corner, badly wounded. "She must have done a number on you," Rodolphus muttered, casting a ward to keep the werewolf in the corner.

Waving the door shut, he rushed forward to the young witch, touching her arm and breathing, "Nymphadora, don't be dead. Please." He stroked her hair out of her face, then took her hand in his, realising she had a deep gash in her arm. Cursing werewolves, Rodolphus reached for her neck to see if he could find a pulse, pulling his hand back at the feeling of warm, sticky blood. Alarmed, Rodolphus pushed her whitish-grey hair away from her neck and shoulder and cried out in horror.

"Dora, no!" The man stared down at the clear bite mark on her shoulder. "Not you!"

"Rod—" the girl move the tiniest bit, cutting off her words as she groaned in pain.

"You're alive," he breathed in disbelief, and she laughed before crying out again.

"It hurts," she whispered, squeezing her eyes shut as she tensed against the pain.

He frowned at the injured witch. "Were you a werewolf all night?"

Nymphadora drew a sharp breath, gasping, "I—I think so. Mostly." Tears began to trickle down her blood-stained face, the girl breathing shallowly, trying to escape the pain.

"We have to get you to St. Mungo's," Rodolphus said firmly. "If we get you there in time, you won't retain lycanthropy."

"No," Dora choked. "It hurts too much."

"It'll hurt you a lot more if you have to go through this every full moon," he snapped at her, and she let her head rest on the ground again, a sob escaping her. Rodolphus scowled as he watched her cry, wishing he could have prevented it all. He knew that she'd suffer even more before she would be all right, and clenched his fist, glancing at the other werewolf angrily.

Nymphadora struggled to hold back her sobs, raising her head from the floor and sniffing, "Would—would you help me get up?"

Rodolphus sighed and moved closer to her. "Where all are you injured?" he asked.

"Everywhere," Nymphadora said, then cracked a painful smile. "Actually, my side, my shoulder, bite on my other shoulder, wound on my arm—my entire body feels like it was torn apart, then pieced back together."

"I don't know what Lupin has told you, but that's what happens during a transformation," Rodolphus said wryly. He slid his arm beneath her back and helped her sit up carefully, supporting her reassuringly in her attempts. She bent her knees to get her feet under her and winced at the pain in her joints.

"Now stand as I help you," he told her. He tightened his arm beneath her and began to lift her up, holding her close enough that she wouldn't fall if she couldn't stand. She gasped and grabbed his other arm to steady herself, despite the pain it caused in her shoulder. The witch managed to get upright, but the instant she tried to move, she fell against Rodolphus, jostling her wounds and crying out in agony as she clung to him.

Rodolphus was shocked at the smell of blood on her as he supported her carefully, her face buried in his robe as she gasped with pain, tears trickling down her face. She seemed so small, so helpless, and he couldn't help rubbing her back gently, trying to help her calm down. "Come on," he murmured. "We need to go downstairs."

A harsh rattling sound interrupted them, and they turned to see the werewolf in the corner, struggling to breath. Rodolphus tightened his grip on his wand, Nymphadora holding to him to remain standing. "Remus…" she breathed in horror. "Rodolphus, can you help him?"

"He's dying," Rodolphus said emotionlessly. "There's nothing to be done." He felt the witch flinch, and pulled her further away from the werewolf so she couldn't do anything to it.

"No!" cried the girl, her body shaking as she began to weep again. "I—I killed him!" she sobbed as she turned and hid her face in Rodolphus' shoulder. "I'm sorry!"

"He was already gone," Rodolphus said softly into her ear. "This was just the werewolf part."

Nymphadora sobbed again, glancing at the creature that was struggling to draw breath. "Remus," she choked as Rodolphus drew her backward, toward the door. "I'm sorry that I did this to you! I didn't know it would turn out like this!"

The werewolf raised its head to look at her, giving a soft growl, his eyes filled with pain. Nymphadora glanced toward it, shaking as tears streamed down her face. The battered, tired creature laid its head on its paws, and its body shuddered before it lay completely still in death.

"Remus!" the witch sobbed in anguish. "Remus!"

Rodolphus raised his wand, pointing it at the body, and she reached out to stop him, crying out, but he turned her away so she couldn't reach. "Incendio!" he said firmly, watching as the fire from his wand burned up the werewolf.

Nymphadora let out a howl of sorrow, clenching her fists tightly. Rodolphus took a deep breath, then said, "Come on, Dora. You've lost a lot of blood. We need to get you to St. Mungo's as soon as possible."

She clenched her teeth, struggling to hush her sobs as he tried to help her from the room without hurting her even more. Rodolphus did not speak as they slowly made their way down the hall, the man carefully supporting Nymphadora down the stairs. Once they'd reached the first floor, he steadied her with his hands, getting ready to walk to the front door to leave.

The door to the kitchen burst open and Andromeda came flying out of the room, wand at the ready. "What the—" she yelled at Rodolphus "have you done to my daughter?!"

Nymphadora jumped in shock, crying out in pain as she disturbed her wounds. "Mum," she gasped. "I—I was being stupid and got—mauled by a werewolf."

"She's been bitten," Rodolphus interrupted. "We're on the way to St. Mungo's."

"Bit—what?" Andromeda stared at her daughter in shock. "You're a werewolf?"

Rodolphus was surprised at the disgust he sensed in Andromeda and wondered if the witch's daughter could feel it as well. The girl looked down, a tear dripping down her pale cheek.

"Yes," she whispered. "I was. All night." She squeezed her eyes shut, more tears running down her face.

Rodolphus gently rubbed her back again, and she leaned into him slightly, her tears dripping onto the front of his robe. "We'll be going now," he told Andromeda firmly, then led Nymphadora toward the door.

Dora turned to look back at her mother, holding out her hand. "Come with me, Mum. Please," she sniffed. "They'll take it badly, seeing Rodolphus with me like this."

"Ah—all right," Andromeda sighed. "Just give me a quick second to secure Teddy. I'll be right back."

Rodolphus rolled his eyes as she hurried away up the stairs, holding Dora carefully as he helped her out the front door to the edge of the wards. Much too long later, Andromeda strode out the front door, joining them, and Rodolphus held out his hand to her, receiving a fierce glare. "It would be better if we all arrived together," he said pointedly. "Let's go, Andromeda."

The witch growled at him, slapping her hand into his, and he disapparated immediately. As soon as they appeared, Rodolphus grabbed Nymphadora, cradling her in his arms as she cried out, shuddering in pain of the apparition.

Healers had spotted them, and were coming toward them, wands raised, anger in their eyes. Andromeda drew her wand and stepped in front of the two, Rodolphus staring as she glared at the approaching wizards. "Stand down," she called out to them in a strong voice, her dark eyes flashing. "He is with us."

"We see that," one said. "But why?"

"My daughter was injured," Andromeda said sharply. "He found her, helped her. She needs assistance. I will vouch for the man, and anyone who dares lift their wand against him right now answers to me."

The Healers frowned, then nodded reluctantly, hurrying forward to take Nymphadora from the Death Eater's grasp. Rodolphus stepped back as they levitated Nymphadora toward the doors, grateful as Andromeda motioned him to following, silencing protest from two of the Healers.

He was about to follow them into the room to which they'd taken the injured witch when the superior Healer told him that since he was not family, he must wait outside during the initial scans and procedures. Rodolphus did not protest, standing silently against the wall outside the room as Andromeda nodded to him, then entered the room.

Rodolphus waited for several long minutes, many of the people and Healers around staring at him unashamedly. He smirked at one young witch who screamed upon seeing him and ran away down the hall. Chuckling to himself about the effect he still had on the Wizarding public, Rodolphus leaned back against the wall and sighed happily.

He was still waiting peacefully when the door to Nymphadora's room opened, and Andromeda motioned him to join them. Rodolphus obeyed instantly, glad to leave everyone outside to their own thoughts and problems. He hurried into the room, stopping when he saw Nymphadora lying silently in the bed, staring at the ceiling. "Dora," he sighed, but she didn't look at him.

"Rodolphus," she said, closing her eyes and clenching her fist. He went to her side immediately, and she continued, "They didn't want you to be here since—well, they took off my robe—"

Before Rodolphus could even think of what she'd said, Andromeda yelped in shock. "Nymphadora! Have I not taught you any better than to make crude jokes?!"

Rodolphus couldn't help grinning, though he returned to his solemn expression when he looked back at Andromeda. He didn't dare look at the witch lying in the bed, his imagination activated by the girl's words. He'd held her: he knew she was beautiful.

He chanced a glance at Nymphadora and saw her smirking at him. She giggled slightly, but when Andromeda turned to glare at them, they feigned innocence. At that moment, two Healers entered the room, one saying, "Ah, Lestrange, you're right where we need to be."

He stepped back from Nymphadora, wondering if he should just go home, when Nymphadora motioned him to her other side as the Healer began to prepare something on the table next to her bed. Rodolphus went to her side, sitting down on the bed and nodding at her.

"Ever seen a werewolf victim treated?" the second Healer asked him.

"Yes," Rodolphus said quietly. "My brother...he was attacked on two different occasions." Rodolphus looked down at Dora's hand, clenched in fright as the Healers began to work on her less critical wounds. He reached out to her and placed his hand over hers, gently encouraging her to relax.

She slowly opened her hand, and he wrapped his fingers around hers reassuringly. She looked over at him, a grateful look on her face. He gave her a tiny nod and turned his attention back to the healers, her hand small and warm in his large, rough hand.

He was afraid for her, knowing the agony that lay ahead of her. She knew nothing about the werewolf cure: he was sure of that. Once her scratches were cleansed and healed, they would be ready to start the cure.

Moments later, the healers regarded the work they'd done on the incisions, and one said, "Well, that part's finished. The incisions should heal fine, maybe one or two minor scars. They'll be tender for a while, just like the other incisions you have."

The two shared a glance and the other one spoke. "Our werewolf expert will be coming in after a few minutes," she said. "I suggest you get up and move around for a little bit, Mrs. Lupin. It'll help through this next part."

The two of them left the room and the injured witch breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed more. "I am not getting up," she announced to the ceiling, suddenly turning to look at Rodolphus when he let go of her hand.

"Yes, you are," he told her firmly. "You need to at least stretch before they start working on you again."

"Why? If it's just taking care of the bite—" Nymphadora began crossly.

"Because they always restrain the victim at this part," Rodolphus told her, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Held down, unable to rise. I suggest you get up, and perhaps go look out the window."

"No!" Dora said, fear returning to her face. "I hate being held down."

Rodolphus looked into her eyes and said, "Get up, Nymphadora. Go. Look out the window."

"Don't call me Nymphadora!" the girl snapped as she sat up straight and glared at him. Rodolphus rolled his eyes at her.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, pulling her robe down into place as she closed her eyes and swayed slightly. Rodolphus immediately stepped closer to her to be ready if she fell, and she glared at him once again. "I'm not helpless. I can stand on my own now."

Nymphadora dragged herself to her feet, groaning, "Oh, I feel so old. I'm so sore!"

Rodolphus stayed close enough to her that he could catch her, expecting her to lose her balance at any moment. It was only when she left the window and walked back toward the bed that she stumbled. He darted forward and caught her against his chest, holding her carefully. He gave her a small smirk as she looked up, and she doubled up her fist, punching him in the chest with as much strength as she could muster. He merely grunted, and she accused him, "You were just waiting around for me to fall so that you could catch me!"

"Guilty," he said with a smile. "I knew you were going to, and I didn't want you hurting yourself anymore—" He blocked another furious blow from her and added, "But you're such a stubborn witch, Nymphadora."

"Don't call me Nymphadora!" she shrieked at him as he led her back toward the bed. "Why must you insist—"

He cut her off, stopping in the middle of the room and holding her still. "Because I want to," he hissed. "It's a beautiful name. It's a lovely name. It's a noble name. And I made up my mind last night that I will not call you Tonks."

Nymphadora glared at him. "Then call me bitch."

"No," Rodolphus chuckled simply. "I won't." He lifted her in his arms, carrying her to the bed and laying her back down before stepping back and looking down at her. Her cheeks were flushed in embarrassment, and she appeared not to be able to morph it away, either.

The door to her room opened and three men came in, one walking right up to the bed and saying, "Mrs. Lupin? A new werewolf, I heard?"

"Yes, and I'm gonna eat you," she promised him, her eyes black.

Rodolphus grinned behind the healer's back, and Nymphadora giggled at the sight of a healer not knowing what to say for a few moments. Finally, the healer said, "Well, we're going to see if we can keep you from remaining a werewolf. This is a tricky process, and there are very important procedures to follow."

"First of all," the healer continued, "only one extra person besides the healers can be in the room with you when it takes place. Mrs. Tonks, Lestrange—chose who it will be."

"You do it," Rodolphus told Andromeda, surprised as Dora's hand crept into his again. "She's your daughter."

Andromeda didn't reply to him, but looked at her daughter. "Whom do you want to stay with you?" she asked Nymphadora.

The younger woman looked between her mother and Rodolphus, then bit her lip. "Well, don't take this wrong, Mum, but if he's had experience with this, and knows what's going to happen, then I'd rather have him."

Rodolphus was very surprised, but continued to hold the girl's hand as Andromeda told her daughter goodbye and left them with the Healers.

"I didn't expect that," the healer commented, and went on, "we'll need you to lie down, Mrs. Lupin, so we can put the restraints on."

Nymphadora's face turned pale, and she looked up at Rodolphus, worry in her eyes. "It'll be fine," he told her. "Lie down."

She shook her head, biting her lip. "No!" she cried finally. "I can't!"

"If you won't lie down on your own," the healer said calmly, "we will have to force you."

"They can't do it without your being restrained," Rodolphus told Nymphadora, his thumb caressing the back of her hand.

"Why not?" she demanded shakily, the look of a caged animal on her face.

"Because," Rodolphus said softly, wishing he could spare her from what was coming, "the pain always makes the victims thrash around violently. Lie down, Nymphadora."

She closed her eyes, tears beginning to run down her face. Rodolphus wiped them away with one hand. "Now lie down," he whispered to her, and she obeyed, a strangled sob coming from her.

The Healers stepped forward and put the restraints in place, the girl suddenly shrieking as she found herself truly bound, crying in fear. Rodolphus was shocked at how badly she reacted to the magic holding her down, the girl yelling out and struggling to get free, throwing her head back as she writhed in the restraints. "Nymphadora, listen to me," he said to her, seeing that her face was even more pale than it had been. "You have to accept this: lie still." She sobbed, her entire body tense as she became still.

"No," Dora sobbed. "No. Rodolphus, please stay with me. Please."

"I will," he promised, looking down at her with concern.

The healer went to the girl's other side and examined her bite. "We have to make sure that all the venom is out of your body," he told her, "and then we have to remove every trace of the werewolf that's been imprinted on your DNA."

Nymphadora didn't reply, her body stiff and unmoving as tears ran out of her tightly closed eyes. Rodolphus gently wiped her tears away, but she kept crying. He finally touched her hand and she looked up at him, trembling, as he took her hand in his reassuringly.

Suddenly, white-hot agony raced through her body, starting from her shoulder and spreading rapidly. She bucked against the restraints and screamed. Rodolphus flinched at the sound of her agonized scream and squeezed her hand. The searing pain raced through her again, and she let out another scream, throwing her head back, her mouth open.

Rodolphus gasped as the strength of her grip caused pain in his hand, feeling the bones in his hand separate. He bit his lip, determined not to let the pain make him let her go. His ears were ringing with the sound of her screams when one of the Healers told him (rather loudly because the man was blessed with a Deafness Charm) that he had to step back for the next part of the cure.

He disentangled his hand from the sobbing, shrieking girl and stepped back, his jaw set. Nymphadora opened her eyes for an instant, but when she saw the healers standing on either side of her, she closed them again and sobbed hard. Clenching her fists, she realized something was missing. "Rodolphus?" she whispered, opening her hand. "Rodolphus?"

In a panic, she opened her eyes and saw him standing a little way away from her, watching. A sob escaped her as she motioned him to come to her, her face streaked with tears, but he clenched his teeth and forced himself to just stand there.

The healers standing on either side of her raised their wands and Nymphadora closed her eyes, sobbing softly. Rodolphus realised what was going to happen and cringed as Nymphadora opened her mouth and screamed. "Rodolphus!" Magic inundated her: sudden, ruthless magic. It was everywhere through her, ripping, tearing, burning, cleansing.

The man gritted his teeth as she screamed his name in anguish, writhing on the bed. He knew that the spell the healers were doing would effectively cleanse her DNA of lycanthropy, and that it was an agonizingly intrusive spell. Nymphadora's screams grew louder, and Rodolphus pinched his injured hand to keep himself from going to her. He knew he must not disturb the process for her to be fully cleansed, though he had often wondered why no one had come up with a potion or spell to help with the pain of the spell. Another healer he'd met once had told him that all the normal pain remedies hid the DNA and interfered with the spell—hence the way Nymphadora was screaming at the moment.

Nymphadora continued to shriek and sob when the Healers drew back from her, releasing her from the restraints. Rodolphus moved to go to her, but was stopped by one of the Healers asking him about his hand. He briefly argued with them before allowing them to heal him before he hurried to the bed.

Nymphadora was curled on her side, shaking with sobs as she writhed in the memory of her pain. Rodolphus sighed and carefully reached down, beginning to rub the girl's back carefully. He barely heard the Healers' "We'll be watching you, Lestrange" as they left the room.

Nymphadora leaned into the massaging hand on her back, then struggled to sit up on her own, feeling a hand take hold of her other arm and began to help her. The warm, comforting hand stayed on her back, and Rodolphus guided her to lean against his chest. He wrapped his other arm around her, cradling the distraught witch close, his face in her hair.

"I'm sorry," he breathed as she cried, knowing that she was too disturbed to realise what was going on. "I should have been able to protect you from this." He knew that her mind had been affected by her fear of being enclosed, or tied down, and sighed, continuing to rub her back comfortingly.

As Rodolphus held Nymphadora, her sobs lessened until she breathed a sigh, falling asleep. Rodolphus sighed in relief, lying back on the pillows to rest and allowing the girl to lie right beside him, still holding her close. She moved closer to him, slipping her arm around him as she wriggled to get comfortable. He pressed his face into her hair, which had shifted black soon after she fell asleep, and sighed deeply. He had never felt so protective of anyone besides Rabastan and Bellatrix, and chilled slightly to think of what it might mean.