Chapter. Aligned & Scarce
*Two Hours Later*
Harry Potter Pov -
It happens to be three weeks until the Thanksgiving festival, and Nymphadora Tonks, my dearest friend is alive.
Goes to show that our loved ones we believe to be dead never truly leave us, completely.
Consequently, as Dumbledore stated during my fourth year, there was no spell that can truly bring the dead back to life. Also that while corpses can be transformed into obedient on a living wizard's command, they are little more than zombies with no soul or no will of their own. Make sense on how Elizabeth could only control parts of Albus's mind. He seemed zombie-like, the part he have given to the darkened magic.
The history of the other two witches and vampire... magical abilities are unbeknownst to me. They may each had ties to Europe, however their vendetta with Jacob Black and Leah Clearwater, ran deeper than I knew.
It's strange that this morning i had a dream of how Nymphadora finding me on the train, in the beginning of my sixth year at Hogwarts, except in this dream.. Dumbledore was there, telling me to enjoy my family time together. In the dream Tonks hair was brown. Like the day we first met at the Burrow, it was all too clear that Tonks was extremely unhappy. Unlike this evening. I sat across from her and Teddy as she couldn't stopping giving affection and kissing his face. Teddy wasn't at all overwhelmed, he in fact left Victoire to attend to a drunken Ron at Luna's while he continued to get reacquainted with Tonks, who originally died not too long after his birth.
When Ginny and the kids arrived back from the performance, they all seemed exhausted, including Teddy. As the three of us stayed up late, Teddy watched Tonks and I catch up and have Treacle Tarts.
Tonks was also preparing a Fruit Platter, Chocolate Golden Snitches, and Pensive Jelly –(Blue jelly with whipped cream) for Sarah Black's birthday tomorrow. Tonks was excited to learn of Sarah's special day, I wanted to show appreciation for what Sarah accidentally did.. I knew it was a matter of time that these crimes would stop, once everyone learned Jacob Black was in England.
Tonks hasn't seemed indifferent after the unexpected sacrifices. Her short and spiky, once bubblegum-pink hair, was the same.
I recall being more fearful of the unknown, more clearly during those times with Voldemort, then in the last couple weeks, hiding and protecting Jacob Black's family.
When i sent James to go save Albus from those who set out to use him, i knew i was weakened but i couldn't allow James to be frightened of a thing.
When Sarah transported herself and Embry Call to Henry and Clara, it wasn't long until they found me at Hagrid's. I was beyond grateful. Just as they helped me, Teddy wasn't far behind with Victoire. Elizabeth tracked them all. She must have wanted to sacrifice as many Pure-Bloods as possible. I still have no clue on the spell or ancient Magic that was being cast. Perhaps Leah will find it in Elizabeth manor, if she was to search for it.
"Victoire not back yet?" Tonks asked.
"Not yet." Teddy says, and suddenly in walks Victoire.
"Hello." She says. shutting the door behind her. "Uncle Ronald, is safe and asleep with Luna. Finally." Vic says.
"Good, Rose and Huge are asleep as well with James, Albus, and Lily. Hermione is on a date with Viktor Krum for the night. She will pick the kids up in the morning." Teddy announced, and I hadn't known that Viktor Krum was back in Hermione's life.
"Hmm, sounds like all is well." Tonks says, giving me a wink.
I nodded in agreement. Well indeed. Ron has Luna, Hermione has Viktor, and I'm with Parvati.
"I thought of names." Vic say,"They, actually are boy and girl" She says, looking to Tonks and Teddy.
Teddy nods happily. "Hey, was everything alright? You took longer then I thought you would. I could have given you a ride."
"Oh, it was fine. I just had to have a talk with uncle Ronald. you know how that goes." Victoire say, with a nonchalant wave.
Teddy got to his feet to pull out Victoire chair, and Tonks grins my way. "Was it you, to teach my boy gentleman manners?"
With a smirk, i shrugged.
"Would you like to hear the names i came up with on the way here?" Victoire say, as Teddy got settled into his chair between Tonks and Victoire.
"Yes, of course. Let's hear." Tonks say, happily.
"I decided on Tobias Edwin Lupin and Harriet Dorann Lupin." She says, and Teddy laugh, kissing Victoire hand.
"Beautiful, my love." Teddy commented. I can't believe their eloping before classes at Hogwarts.
"Very sweet names." Tonks say, to Victoire. "Were you aware that Severus Snape's father name was Tobias?"
Teddy nodded. "Yes, it's quite known now, Headmaster McGonagall, allow the knowledge to be taught in the Slytherin common room for first years; impatient younglings."
"Even in our Hufflepuff house, we were taught all about Albus Dumbledore and his legacy. Yet, there's something about Snape father's name Tobias that i love. It also goes to show that parents are our greatest treasures, as well as God-parents. So, of course, Harriet.. is because of you, Harry." Victoire smiles.
"I'm honored, truly." I say.
Don't know why, but i shamelessly thought of the time i caught Teddy experimenting with Victoire, in much shock i had no idea how to confront him on the matters of snogging for the first go around. He was almost in his second year at Hogwarts.
"I know very well that Teddy and I never will truly, know who Dumbledore and Snape were, but growing up at Hogwarts, and from what we've learned from everyone in this family, they were utterly amazing men and Professor's." Victoire say.
I couldn't help but to rethink back to my sixth year at Hogwarts.
The Pensieve, a magical device used by Headteachers to review memories. One most memorable one I ever look, was Severus Snape admitting his affection towards my mother, in short, "Always" Snape replies, Meaning, he always loved her, when she was alive, and after she died. When Snape expressed his concern that Dumbledore was raising me like a pig for slaughter, Dumbledore asked if he has grown sensitive towards me. ... From what the fallout out Snape's and my mother's friendship... He called my mother a mudblood because he was angry and frustrated. He may have wanted to show that he could take care of himself and that he did not need the help of a girl. He didn't want to show people or let them think he was weak. The day of Snape's funeral, I started to wonder ...Why did my mother choose my father over Severus? Couldn't they still remain friends? Then I started comparing my parents to Hermione and Ron. I'm sure my mother chosen my father because he proved so unyielding in his loyalty and selflessness to anyone important to him. Sirius and Remus did make it clear that my father was that towards them.
Snape could never do that while my mother lived, prove selflessness... Only after her death did he finally learn how... towards Dumbledore, and me.
Over the years..I've come to the conclusion that Now, as firmly established, Snape was not the greatest fan of mine, but that didn't mean that he never stopped loving my mother. I'm sure he seen, more than just her eyes in me... at least I hope. I seen and admire all of who Teddy was and is, because all that Tonks was. I'm bewildered to be looking at her in this moment.
Tonks touched my hand that laid over the table, I looked over. "You alright, Harry?" She ask.
I nodded. "Yeah, yes. Of course, I was just thinking... was my mother the only bright spot in Snape's young life." I say.
Tonks exhaled. "Well... back then, Snape's parents fought constantly. His family struggled financially, and Snape was forced to wear poorly fitting, mismatched clothes. As such, he could not wait to leave that life behind for Hogwarts every year. He would immediately change into his robes upon boarding the Hogwarts Express, glad to leave his shabby Muggle clothes behind. Though, shamelessly that made him a target to your father. I believe once Sirius ran away from his troubles, is what opened your fathers eyes to Severus home life. Lily, as well made him see reason on having more empathy for others. Once your father made the effort in changing his ways... she truly fell in love with him."
"Then what happened?" Victoire ask, Tonks and I almost forgot her and Teddy's presence in the room.
It's odd that she's alive. It was as if she hadn't been asleep for over twenty-three years.
"In school James and the group, got into all kinds of mischief. Lily, cared for him, but she was not standing for getting in trouble. I was younger then them, so i always admired them from a far. Honestly, Sirius, my fair cousin was always up for any adventure. He once got in trouble by my mother, yet, talked my father into letting me off the hook." Tonks, looks to Teddy. "I named you after my father. He was a great man. I was born into a prejudiced pure-blood family, my family was singled out for scorn. When i grew, i new had to make a difference somehow, so i became a member of the Order of the Phoenix during the Second Wizarding War. My parents were not members of the Order but assisted occasionally, allowing the Order to use their home as a safe-house during the second war." She looked to me, "Anyway, in my youngling days, Sirius almost always allowed me to lead the way.. Remus was always afraid if James wasn't around."
"What's the worse you happen to get into at Hogwarts?" Teddy asked.
Tonks laughed. "Let's just say it wasn't the smartest move to always be known for getting in trouble. I always got caught and was granted weeks detention."
Teddy laughed.
"I hope, your grandmother and Harry.. made sure you kept your nose in the books." Tonks say.
I nod. "Teddy, made it quite easy. Professor Mcgonagall would say he was a outgoing, nerdy, and was always seen with the smartest quirky girl -Blonde in Hufflepuff house."
Victoire smiles, reaching for Teddy's hand, and he quietly kissed it.
"You know..." Tonks, begins, standing to her feet. "I hadn't notice Snape's love for Lily until her death."
"I had no idea, and would have never thought." I say.
It sure did explained a lot.
"No. No one had." Tonks frowned. "After Lily died Severus continued on without her. He remained a Death-Eater."
"I'm sure in her own way she still loved Severus." I say.
Victoire grinned. "Perhaps in the afterlife they are together as we speak. Amending their broken friendship."
Teddy agreed with a nod.
"Severus Snape's doe Patrous reveals his one true motivation throughout his life: to protect the child of the woman he loved." Tonks say, "Did you know that Remus was very fond of your mother as well?" Tonks, started wrapped up the food she had prepared.
"What?" Teddy exclaims, in shock.
I shrugged. "There were moments I had suspected from our old conversations." I say.
"Mmmhm, but he did not compete with your father for her," Tonks say.
"Wow. Gladly, or i would not be here." Teddy jokes.
I laughed. "Tell me about it." He wasn't the only one.
If my mother had chose Snape... there'll be no me.
"Remus was the most was compassionate, intelligent, tolerant, levelheaded man I've ever known." Tonks say, "Despite having suffered a great deal of prejudice in his life due to his lycanthropy. He managed to retain an ability to see the good in almost everybody and was extremely forgiving. Your parents deaths... were one of the most traumatic events of his life."
I sighed, as Tonks continued... "Severus sent flowers to Lily and James's funeral. Instead of throwing them away, Remus had buried them in Lily's grave."
"Dad was a stand-up mate." Teddy, say proudly.
Tonks laughed, with a nod. "Teddy did you know your father was so ridiculous to think that I deserved someone much better?"
"Hmm... sounds familiar." Victoire say, eyeing Teddy. "After we broke up, Teddy sent me very, long, sad, self-doubting messages."
"Ah.. i'm sure dad never met anyone like you mom, and was scared." Teddy say.
"He assumed loving him...was too much of a baggage than I deserve. I did not care he was werewolf. I loved him and I wanted to marry him deeply... and I would do it all a million-trillion times more." She says and the room went quiet.
Teddy cleared his throat, i assuming wondering why she would want to leave him an orphan. "That's very good to know mum. Come, Victoire... let's go get some rest."
Not saying a word, Victoire did as he did, standing from the table. "Goodnight, Harry, Tonks."
"Night." I say to them both.
"Good night, Vic." Tonks say, and Teddy gave us a nod. Soon as they, headed for the stairwell- Tonks took her seat.
"I know he will always be upset that I abandoned him to fight along side his father." She whispered, to me.
"Honestly, he understands why. I made sure of to remind him constantly.-"
"Tell me, Harry... who was it? Who was it to killed Remus? I know my cousin Bellatrix Lestrange... killed me. She killed many." She mutters.
I glance to where Teddy disappeared, in hopes he couldn't hear. "I never told him..." i say.
"Is the person still alive?" She asked.
"No. He was a Death Eater; Antonin Dolohov. I learned whom Aberforth Dumbledore last sees fighting with him. He is also seen dueling with Dean Thomas until Parvati Patil uses the Body-bind Curse on him. Dolohov and Yaxley were later sent to look for me, after they mistakenly thought i couldn't have gave myself up. When the battle recommences, Professor Flitwick finally defeated him. He's dead." I say.
She laid a gentle hand across my back shoulder. "Thank you."
Narrowed my eyes confuse. "What for?"
"Everything. Edward... he has become twice as the man I could never even dream of." She say, and I could feel my eyes water just a little.
"Honestly, Tonks, I'm glad for all this to be over and the thought of you here right now is... everything. Losing everyone... still hurts. These days, I... only live to prevent others from feeling my sorrow. Teddy ...needs you."
"I wish you did not have to go through any of that, however, Harry... about Teddy, rubbish. He may have needed me years ago, but now...no. You've done such a great job with that lad." She says, then leans over to hug my neck, and put a peck to my cheek.
"He never knew what it was like to know you, Tonks. Now he can." I say.
She gave me a warm smile and another hug.
"I've missed you so much. There's plenty that you've missed." I say.
"I'm aware, yet all I worry for this moment is Teddy and you." She say, looking to my refrigerator door of Ginny, and the kids.
"No worries, we're all.. alright." I admitted.
Tonks smiles "Parvati Patil?" She questioned.
I shrug, a bit with a smirk.
Parvati was great, the greatest and I'm happy to be starting new with her. Last I seen her was this morning, she finally managing to get her family back to their homes.
"I see she seems ..clean, eh." Tonks say, of Parvati.
I didn't want to discuss the topic here, just in case someone, mainly the kids or Ginny -who could overhear.
I laughed, standing from the table. "It's late."
"Aw no, come on. Give me more than that, mate."
I shook my head. "I will see you tomorrow at dinner, Promise?" I say.
In the morning i plan on leaving for Parvati's, before visiting Luna and Ron... Then there's Sarah Black's birthday party that we're all helping to plan.
"If you mean...tonight..Yes." Tonks nod.
"Need any help?" I say, of wrapping up her food.
"No. Thanks. You go rest."
I smiled. "I'm so happy you're back." I hugged her.
She patted my back shoulder. "Me too."
End Of Chapter. Aligned & Scarce