So, a *slightly* more upbeat AU.

Slightly.

...

I have changed my course.

I will cover the werewolf issue, Harry's visions, some next gen weddings, and have snapshot chapters to cover the years.


I don't know how many people are reading this still but I'd love some reviews, they fuel me.

Thanks so much for everyone who has reviewed so far!


I'd really love some reviews so that I know I have someone reading this? lol


"I'm Rory, Rory Lupin." Rory said. "And this may sound barking mad, but I think I'm your brother."

There was a tense silence, and then Tonks began laughing. Remus and Rory both looked at her, and she covered her face with her hand. "I'm sorry! I'm just- you said barking mad, and- no, just ignore me, I'm sorry." She said quickly.

"I'm sorry, you think you're my brother?" Remus asked.

"My father is Lyall Lupin, I've been doing some research for nearly two years now, couldn't find much." Rory said. "A few weeks ago, I had someone from your Ministry come and talk to me, they seemed really suspicious of me. I think his name was Kingsley, said he was a friend of yours?"

"Yes, he's the Minister as well." Remus said.

"I'm sorry, I just- how do we know you're telling the truth?" Tonks asked, still looking like she was trying to keep herself from laughing.

"There's been some drama surrounding our family." Remus explained. "I believe they're suspicious of anyone who starts asking questions."

"I- I'm not sure I really have anything that could be solid proof." Rory said, digging through the pockets of his jacket and pulling out a piece of paper and a few photos. "I have these, if they'll help?"

He held them out to Remus, who took them carefully. The pictures were definitely of his father, but the woman wasn't his mother, and the boy wasn't Remus- and the boy had dark eyes, instead of Remus' light green. The piece of paper was a letter from Lyall to a woman named Gwendolyn, saying that he was remaining in London with his wife and first son. It was definitely Lyall's handwriting, Remus knew it well.

He handed them back to Rory. "How old are you, Rory?"

"Twenty three." Rory said. "And you're...?"

"Almost thirty nine." Remus said quietly.

"Draco, Harry, come have tea." Tonks said, standing and they nodded, following her into the kitchen.

"So, your name is Rory?" Remus asked, sitting on the couch as Rory sat in the armchair again.

"It's a nickname, people just call me that." He said. "Although, now I'm thinking our father chose both of our names."

"What makes you think that?" Remus asked.

"My full name is Romulus." Rory said slowly, and they heard Tonks laugh from the kitchen.

"She's an Auror, she doesn't mean to eavesdrop, she just kind of- it's habit for her." Remus explained, when Rory raised his eyebrows.

"An Auror?" Rory asked.

"A Dark Wizard catcher."

"They hire people to do that?"

"Uh, yes- are you a Muggle?"

"A what?"

"Non-magical." Remus clarified.

"I- no, I don't have magic." Rory said. "I know about it, though. Mum admitted to me that Dad was a wizard, so I should have been one. I also know you're, well... a werewolf? I didn't realise they existed- is it something you're born with or a bite or...?"

"A bite, I was bitten when I was five."

"Five?" Rory asked, exhaling slowly. "I'm sorry, I- you know, I didn't know that Dad had another son for the longest time."

"I didn't know either." Remus said. "Did you ever meet Dad?"

"A few times." Rory said. "But I guess it makes sense now. He was married, had another son- of course he wouldn't have time for us."

"I'm- I'm sorry about that." Remus said.

"It's not your fault." Rory said. "I tried to look him up, but I couldn't find any new information about him after 1994-"

"He died." Remus said. "Dragon pox."

"Dragon pox?"

"It's a magical illness." Remus explained. "It can be fatal for older witches and wizards. So, Rory, where did you attend school?"

"I was home schooled by my grandparents- Mum's parents." Rory said. "I own a pub in France now. What do you do? Are you an Auror like your wife?''

"No, I'm a teacher." Remus said. "Defense Against the Dark Arts, at Hogwarts." When Rory looked confused, Remus smiled slightly. "Hogwarts is our Wizarding school, it's where young witches and wizards go."

"They don't go to regular- or I guess, non-magical- schools?"

"They can until the age of eleven, or they can be home schooled as well." Remus explained. "Do you have any family, Rory? Your mother, a wife?"

"Mum's still around, she's living in Australia." Rory explained. "I've had some girlfriends, nothing serious. How long have you been with your wife?"

"I met her in 1995, we married a year and a half ago."

"So, the two older boys, not your sons? Or, are they yours from an earlier-?"

"No, the dark haired boy is my friend's son, the light haired one is Dora's cousin. My son will be a year old in April, and our second will be born in late June or early July." Remus explained. "Do you have other siblings? With your Mum?"

Rory shook his head. "You?''

"None.'' Remus said. "Is that why you came to find me?"

"Kind of." He responded. "I mean, I've known about you for a few years, and I just- I figured it'd be good for us to meet, I guess. I know you might not want to know me-"

"Why wouldn't I?" Remus asked.

"I don't know, I just wasn't sure if you'd want to meet your father's illegitimate son." Rory said. "I just wanted to come and meet you. I should go, I have a flight back to Paris in a couple of hours."

"If you'd like, we can keep in touch." Remus said, standing and grabbing some spare parchment off of the bookshelf. He grabbed a quill, jotting down another address and phone numbers. "This is Dora's mother's place, I've written down the address to the house Dora and I own, and the numbers for both houses. We can keep in touch that way, if you'd like."

Rory took the parchment, and then smiled. "That'd be nice, Remus."

"And if you're ever back this way, and have more time, I'd like to get to know you." Remus said.


"Do you believe him, then?" Tonks asked, later that night as they were laying together, Teddy between them.

"I saw the pictures, Dad's letter... yes, I suppose I do." Remus said. "It is strange, though."

"What is?" She asked.

"Well, I've had a brother since I was sixteen and had no idea." Remus said.

"So you think it's suspicious?" Tonks asked, brushing a hand over Teddy's hair as it shifted from blue to purple.

"No, no. It's just strange, I suppose." Remus said. "Getting used to the idea."

"There's definitely a resemblance between you two." Tonks said. "And I mean..."

She paused, and he looked at her. "I know you're eager to say it, go ahead."

"Your brother's name is Romulus, Remus." She said, and then she started laughing. He shifted closer to her, lifting Teddy onto his chest.

"You may laugh, Dora, but do you forget how that story ends with fratricide?" Remus asked, and she fell silent, suddenly thinking about Harry's visions.