THE BEST OF ME

Chapter 11: REVELATIONS AND FINDINGS

Previously:

"Can Professor Flitwick just transport this papers to Professor McGonagall by spell?"

The door swings opened and on the other side was their female professor who's always cladded in green robes and a hat on the top of her head. Her stern eyes stared at the two boys below her, "What's your business here Mr. Lupin and Mr. Weasley?" She asked and the young werewolf quickly showed the stack of papers that he's been carrying all day.

"Professor Flitwick had send us here to give this papers to you, professor." He explained with a straight face; although, it broke when he spotted Tonks behind their teacher.

"A penny to your thoughts?" She whispered; her stormy gray eyes staring softly at his own forest green orbs. Then, he saw a green glimmer passing her eyes and when he closed his eyes for a second it was gone. Realizing, that he hadn't answered her question, Remus shook his head; then, bit his lower lip.

"That's why...when the day came that you, Remus Lupin reveal yourself, I too will reveal myself to you." She justified and both were silent after that. The young Hufflepuff was about to pull away when he quickly tightened his hold, "Please don't leave me..."

Now, he understands...what he was afraid of all this time, why he is having this conflicted feelings

There was silence, for a second; then, she answered. "Don't worry, I'm not leaving you."

"You know, I'm kinda envious of Tonks..." Bill commented, his cerulean eyes staring intensely at him.

His redhead friend shrugged, "I'm envious that whenever something is bothering you, she knows what to do." He stated while he scratched his head, clearly aggravated that he felt useless. "What kind of a friend am I if I couldn't help you."

The young werewolf's forest green orbs widened in astonishment, shaking his head, he clamped his hand on his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Bill, you're always a great friend to me, so stop bothering about it if you can't help me or not. With you by my side is already enough." He proclaimed and a small smile made its way to the redhead's square face.

"Thanks, mate."

"The book said to stir the cauldron clockwise, four times..." Bill stated, his finger on the book, as he red the instructions for the Herbicide potion. Remus nodded and started to stir the foaming liquid like what his redhead friend had said. Although, he raised his eyebrows in question when the potion turned into pale green than acid-green.

He turned to Bill, looking skeptic at their finished potion. "Are you sure it said acid-green?" He asked and the Weasley nodded, his red eyebrows furrowing in the middle, as he leaned back and held the book in front of his face.

"Remus, did you add two measures of Horklump Juice?" The other Gryffindor boy questioned him, his cerulean blue orbs staring at him, as if he's a private detective figuring out if he was the murderer or not. He smiled at that thought, well those Sherlock Holmes novels that Tonks advised him to read might have turned him into a mystery maniac just like the young girl.

He arched his eyebrows and clutched his chin with his thumb and index finger—a habit that he recently got—as he begun to think. "Well..." He begun, trying hard to remember his every steps in the process of making this potion, "I had done the two meaures...the spines of lion fish...then, the ..." That's when it clicked, he now remembers a simple mistake that he had done; which made the young werewolf sheepishly smile at the redhead.

"I really suck at potions...sorry, Bill." He apologized while scratching the back of his head, embarrassed about a little mistake. "I must have left the potion to heat a little longer...peace be with you, Williams."

The redhead besides him sighed, "It's fine mate at least it didn't explode like last time." His tone was angry at the end and Remus recalled the reason for last time and he turned to the table were Ceasar and Ferrer sat at.

He gave his friend a comforting pat at his shoulder which he received a thankful smile from his redhead friend. Bill was about to open his mouth when their was a disapproving sneer from behind them. Both boys turned around to find their potions teacher behind them wearing a grim look on his face. His nose curled up in a displeased manner.

"It's odd to see that the little brother hadn't had the same skills as his older brother." He spoke in his plain baritone voice, his black beady eyes eyeing their potion with disapproval. Although, despite their teacher's rude attitude, Remus' eyes widened in shock when the man knew his brother.

Well...when he looked at it, Professor Snape looks like the same age as his brother if he's still—It's clear that the professor might have been his brother's schoolmate when both are still attending Hogwarts when they were young.

Although, he knew most of his brother's friends and he doesn't remember the greasy haired professor in the picture, so both older men must have a bad distaste for each other. He must have guessed it right since the beginning of the year his professor has a dislike for him.

Despite the professor's (maybe) disliked of him, he wanted to know more about his brother's school days. He pursed his bottom lip in a thin life, staring up to meet the professor's stern eyes.

"You knew my brother?" His teacher sneered in response at his question.

Their teacher replied to his question with an annoyed sneer. Remus felt himself getting irritated at the man's obvious rudeness to his brother and him. "That man, you're so called brother is the most digilent potioneer I know." He stated in his deadpanned voice, "However, his foolishness always kills him."

The young werewolf straightened up, "What do you mean?" He asked and the man heaved another sight, it was clear that he had ruffled his teacher. He felt his stomach churn at the idea of knowing his brother more when he was the same age as him, attending this school and making friends.

"Would you ever stop asking questions, Lupin." He said, staring down at him before sighing. "For your information, your brother's foolishness almost got him expelled and I wish he did."

Wait...his brother never mentioned this, he looked up at his teacher, his eyebrows raised and his lips pursed in a thin line. He felt his gut somewhat twisting, his throat dried and his forest green orbs contracting in size. The emotion anxiousness flood him, as he have feeling that he might regret his next question.

"What do you mean by that professor?" At his question, the greasy haired man look up before his black beady eyes bored into him again. "Oh, curious are we, Lupin." The man in black robes stated, his face impassive. "Your so called brother attempted to create a cure for a certain illness of a love one." When he said that, there was a hatred glint in his eyes, as it daze down at Remus.

The auburn haired boy flinched, he knew that his brother love him so much—did he? so why did he k—that he even told him one day that he'll create a potion to cure him and he did that in his school, at what cause? Him almost getting expelled and he frowned at that. His ears picked up at the sounds of footsteps and he looked up to see their professor leaving their table to inspect another one.

He raised an eyebrow when he watched the familiar scene of their professor insulting one of his students.

"How stupid of you to mixed up shilver fish and lionfish's spines." Their professor rolled his eyes at the young quivering boy, "Don't you understand differentiating colors, size or even read the book on how it looks like?"

"Sorry, sir!"

He released a sigh and when he turned to his potion partner, he found a ridiculous sight. The redhead boy wore a silly expression, he had pulled his eyelids up by his finger and he stuck out his tongue. Amused at his friend's silly face, he snorted. "What's the hilarious face for, William?" He arched an eyebrow at him when the Weasley dropped his silly act.

Bill flashed him a grin, "I had a feeling that I need to cheer you up."

Sighing, he playfully punched his shoulders. "Thanks, mate."

"Got your back, Remus." He returned his gesture with a raised palm which Remus gladly collided softly with his own hand.

Ten minutes had passed with them chatting when their professor finally announced the class' dismissal. Both of them gathered their things and when they were out of the door, somebody tried to pushed the young werewolf, but he had already sensed the presence behind him and his stinky stench. He twirled to the side and watched, as his pusher's outstretched arm touched nothing, but thin air. Although, the person lost his balance and fell first on the floor.

He saw Ferrer coming to his friend's rescue and he felt someone grabbed his right shoulder. He twisted his neck a little bit to see his redhead friend leading him away. "Come on let's go."

Remus followed him trough the halls until they reached the grasslands, both him and Bill sat down on the grass, as they begun chatting. That's when both of the two boys noticed something, "Hey where's Tonks?" Bill spoke the intended question out which the young werewolf shrugged in reply. It felt wrong that the young Hufflepuff wasn't with them.

"Maybe she's in the infirmary, library or even in detention." Remus answered him; although, he was hoping the right answer was at the last two, he doesn't want the young girl to be hurt.

The redhead snapped his finger, "Wanna bet that she's in the infirmary." Bill laughed and he shook his head at his friend's decleration. "Gambling is bad." He quoted loudly which he received a playful push from the redhead, but it wasn't strong enough for him to budge.

Bill flashed him an annoyed glare which the young werewolf rolled his eyes in reply. He watched, as the redhead flopped down on the grass, using his arms as a cusion at the back of his head.

"Don't tell her, but Tonks' presence kinda bring up our group's whole mood." He stated and Remus couldn't help, but agree with him. It was true, that the girl is capable for bringing up everyone's mood. Even if she steps in a room full of somber people, she would likely be the one to cheer everyone up.

Remus looked up at the sky, "Do you want to look for her?" He asked his redhead friend who smirked in response.

"Nah..." He droned out which Remus smiled amusely at. Both of them lie silently on the patch grass, watching the clouds passed by. Neither speak, although—Bill quickly sat up, "You know what, let's find Tonks." The redhead told him and Remus felt a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead, as the heat of the sun penetrates his skin. The young werewolf nodded, standing up and giving his friend a hand. "Yeah, I kinda miss Nymphadora's hyper active aura." He stated and at the same time, pulling his friend off the ground.

Remus dusted off some dirt from his sleeves before walking back to the castle with Bill following along side him. Both of them entered the school, made their way up the steps to the library. His redhead friend quickly scan the left side of the library while he walk towards the muggles section and quickly scanned it. Seeing their Hufflepuff friend wasn't here, Remus grabbed Bill's hood and quickly dragged him out to the hallway.

"Let's check the infirmary." Both of them were about to go down the moving stair case when he picked up a familiar scent. He stopped, turning to another stair case that leads to the school's kitchen. Although, it was faint, he decided to follow it. He twisted his body to where the faded scent is going, he was to focus on his task, he almost left Bill. However, the redhead was smart enough to follow him.

"..."

When the scent really lead to the kitchen, his nose picked up the familiar smell of jasmine. A smile appeared on his face and he softly pushed the door open to find an amusing sight, Tonks was scrubbing the kitchen's floor by hand. There was a snort from behind him and the young girl must have heard it too since she looked up to glare at the Weasley boy.

"You did land yourself at detention." At his statement, the Hufflepuff girl glared at him and her fringe fell on her face. That's when he noticed it, her robes were on a table and she wasn't wearing it, so her hood isn't present on her head. He raised an eyebrow at the fiery red color present on her hair. He must have been staring to long because the young Hufflepuff's voice snapped him out of it, "It's only hair dye, Remus; although, does it looks nice?" She questioned him, making the auburn haired boy blink twice before answering her.

"Uh, you look nice—beautiful, bust mostly nice." He stumbled on his words and he wanted to kick himself for embarrassing himself in front of her.

She smiled at him, "Thank you, Remus."

He felt his face getting a little hotter (he blames the humid air in the room) and his hands were getting clammy, so he popped his collar up and slipped his hands in the pocket of his brown trouser. He stared down at his shoes, finding them interesting; although, he quickly looked up when he heard her shoes' thumps on the tile floor; then, just in a nick of time. He brought out his arm and caught her when she slipped. Remus sighed in relief, but seeing that he was a little to close to her made him blush. His arm were wrapped around her stomach and her back was a little close to his chest.

Slowly, he uncurled himself from her and let out a loud cough. "You should be careful next time, Nymphadora." He stammered quickly and there was a laugh from behind him. Bill snorted, "You won't finish cleaning this place, Tonks. If you always keep slipping." He teased with a mocking grin present on his face and it disappeared when a wet white cloth was thrown at the redhead's face.

Bill let out a yelp and quickly took the cloth off him, "Ewww, Tonks!"

The young werwolf laughed at his friend's misfortune before turning to his other friend, "Do you need another pair of hands, Nymphadora?" He asked and at the use of her first name, she glared at him, after that, she shook her head, indicating a no to his offer.

"It's my punishment, Remus, don't bother about it." She reached out a hand to his face to brush away an auburn lock that fell on his right eye. Tonks combed his messy hair before softly ruffling it, "Besides, I'm almost done."

She went back to work, leaving him and his jaw dropped a little bit. He popped up his collars and slipped his hands back to his pocket again before going to Bill. He stood next to him and the redhead striked up a conversation which Remus happily indulged; although, he found his eyes gazing back at the young girl.

"..."

"Have you joined any clubs yet?" Tonks questioned to the Gryffindor boys who were laying on the patch of grass. Remus watched the young girl, shifting her position until she settled to laying down besides him. Bill nodded his head and the young werewolf stared up at the vast cloudy blue sky.

He decided to answer her, "Why are you asking me that, Tonks? Didn't we joined the duel club at the same time." He claimed with a grin on his face, "Although, I'm thinking of joining one muggle club..."

At this, their redhead friend spoke up, "Whatver muggle club you chose, I'll join you Remus." He announced with a smile.

Tonks nodded, "Me too Remus, I don't want you guys leaving me behind."

The auburn haired boy let out a smile at his friends' words, "Hhhm..." He hummed while leading his eyes back to the sky. A comfortable silent was created in the atmosphere and the trio joyfully basked in it. There watched the clouds rolled by with a satisfied smiles on their faces.

The days went by fast, Remus' time at Hogwarts had almost come to an end (it's still April). In those moments he had made a lot of memories at his first year in the wizard school. Getting detention for the first time because of a certain Hufflepuff witch, sneaking out of their dorms, bonding with Skips, he and his friends having tea with Hagrid and so many more that it would take too long to count.

It was a month before the end of the school year, he was at the small lake that he and his friends found; also, it was the cause of why his two friends ended up in the infirmary due to getting sick. He was sitting on a boulder, playing with his black baby Hungarian Horntail friend. Skips begun skipping fast, as he tried to get the stick that he threw earlier. Besides the auburn haired boy was his friend Bill who was dipping his legs on the cold water. Summer is almost here, seeing that it was getting a lot more hotter for the last two weeks.

Full moon was tonight and he was feeling sick and lightheaded, so he decided to come outside for fresh air. He was about to open his mouth and chat with his redheaded friend when he heard the running of shoes, clamping lightly on the fresh green grass. The scent jasmine was present in the air and he looked up to see Tonks, looking quite pale and he let out a concerned frown, "Are you getting sick, Tonks?" He questioned him and the young girl smiled back in response, but it felt forced.

"Wotcher, guys!" She greeted, but her voice wasn't the usual enthusiastic tone. Then, she turned to him. "I'm fine, Remus."

Skips must have noticed her because the baby dragon had started rubbing his snout on her right shoe. The young girl smiled, "Nice to see you too, Skips." She said and at the same time scratching the baby dragon's chin.

Tonks patted the baby dragon one more time before walking towards Remus, she sat down next to him and suddenly placed her hand on his forehead.

A grin appeared on her face, "I should be asking you that, Remus." She whispered while withdrawing her hand from his forehead, "You're the one who looks sick than me."

He shyly looked away, still surprised at the girl's action. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Well—"

"You aren't gonna stop asking me questions aren't you?"

The girl smirked at him, "Maybe." She shrugged her shoulders at him.

At her answer, all Remus could do was roll his eyes at her. 'Typical, Tonks behaviour.' He mused while shaking his head. He heard his heart tuning into a slow and torturous beat and it felt like an arrow suddenly pierced him; followed by the weird shock of lightning.

He was fully focus on studying his heart that he didn't registered the young girl besides him got up to join their redhead friend who was still submerging his feet in the cold crystal blue water.

Lifting up his head, he found his green forest eyes gazing at the heart shaped face of his Hufflepuff friend. His gaze linger at her for a minute before turning to Skips who was peacefully sleeping besides him. A smile appeared on his face and he brushed the pad of his fingers along the baby dragon's relaxed spikes.

However, his joyful eyes had mixed with melancholy and the torturous beat of his heart stops. His stomach churned and he bit down the walls that was at the corner right of his mouth. He released a sigh; arching up his neck, he stared at the sky. His minds deep in the dark abyss, as he thinks of what?

He leaned down, his back touched the hardness of the large flat rock he was sitting on and he placed his right arm under his head, as a pillow. Feeling the presence of the near full moon tonight, he felt his whole body stiffened up and face getting a lot warmer. Deciding his headache was ripping out his brain, Remus closes his eyes and sleeps.

His dreams where the usual, him in his wolf form attacking people or him reading in a library. But, he didn't expected this kind of dream. He was in his wolf form, it was raining and his right leg was badly hurt. He looked up to see a young girl, but she couldn't recognize her face because it was a blur, but her voice was clear.

"Buggers, you're hurt." A tone of concern laced with guilt was speaking out in her voice, as she spoke to him. "You shouldn't have saved me, Mr. Wolfie..."

There was a sigh from the mystery girl, "You should have run when I released the bear trap on your leg." She scolded him.

He was about to scurry off when the young girl patted his head, "But, thank you." She leaned her forehead to his, her eyelids closing and she slides her face up until her soft lips touched his forehead. The girl placed a soft kiss and he stood still when she pulled back.

However, before Remus could see what happens next, the dream faded away and he found himself waking up. He blinked, clearing the blurriness of his eyes. He still hear the voices of his friends and the light snores of Skips. He recalled the dream, puzzled on what they are? Is it a dream or not? But it feels real, like a memory.

That girl in her dreams and the girl he met in his wolf form...are they one?

"..."

The full moon passed by and like every time of the month, he found himself injured and bloodied, but he didn't expected to find three long diagonal cuts on his bare chest. There were a lot of dried blood, but he didn't see the wound being swollen, no, it was cleaned, but it still bloody hurts. Groaning, he stood up, limping towards his clothes and when he was done dressing up, he begun walking back towards the castle..

However, when he tried to climb the stair that leads to the entrance, he was having a hard time. He clenched his teeth, biting down his scream, as his (not so good) right foot hit the hard cobblestone step.

'Bloody!' He closed his eyes tightly shut, 'What happened to me last night!?'

Ten minutes of struggling and hissing later, he finally made it to the hospital wing and when Madam Promfrey saw his body full of abrasions plus the broken foot, she quickly lead him to one of the hospital beds and made him sit. She shifted his position before fixing him up.

The school healer told him to rest and he was excused from classes for the whole day. Nodding, he found himself getting sleepy and before he knew it, he had drop his head down on the soft pillow.

Hours later, he woke up and the sun light from the outside was yellowish mixed with red and orange. He let out a yawn and was about to cover it with his right hand when he felt something heavier than an empty space on his hand. He looked down to see Tonks, her right hand was holding his and her left arm was used as a pillow. He was worried that she—her neck might get stiff because of the position she was sleeping, but he doesn't want to wake her up. That's when he picked up another smell in the room and his head shot up to see Bill in a chair, his arms crossed and neck tilted to the side, his right cheek touching the head of the chair.

His heart melted at the sight in front of him and he looked down at his and Tonks' link hands. He softly squeezes it before pulling it up, smiling he brushed the pad of his thumb at the soft and smooth skin of her hand. Closing his eyes, he pulled her hand closed to his lips and he felt the pure smoothness of her skin on his lips. He slowly opened his eyes and brought her hand back. A soft smile appeared on his face and again, he softly squeezed her hand.

Remus turned to his redhead friend, placing his free hand on his shoulder, giving it a thankful squeeze. He leaned his back to the soft pillow, as a joyful smile was presented on his lips.