Remus was not in a good headspace right now. He could admit that to himself now because, well, he really wasn't. He was supposed to be better at this. He had gone through things like this before. It should be old hat so to speak. And yet... everything seemed to be weighing on him.

Dora. The Ministry. The Order. Dora. Harry. Yes, it had just happened yesterday but still. He was worried about everything. It was like no one knew what they were doing or what they were supposed to be doing. Because they didn't. That was the difference this time around. Last time they had a plan. Plans.

They didn't have that now. Even before the Ministry fell (it was still bizarre to think that) and was technically on the same side as they were, they hadn't known what to do. How could things spiral into confusion in a few short months after Albus' death? He had thought that they were reasonably capable of identifying what needed to be done and carrying those out. But they weren't. Too many things had happened (too many people had died) and everyone had just been thrown off course. They were trying their best, they had to, but it didn't feel like enough. Nothing felt like enough.

He didn't like this hopelessness that was constantly enveloping him. Was this how Dora felt last year? She had told him that it just felt like everything had been slowly moving in on her all at once until it was crushing her. Yes, that's what he felt like what was happening. And it was horrible. How did Dora cope? He felt like he was hanging on by a thread.

"What's up with your face?" Dora asked, throwing herself next to him on the sofa.

Huh. She hadn't even heard him come in.

"Charming, Dora," he said, giving her a kiss.

"Aren't I always," she said with a smirk.

"Obviously."

"Seriously, what's up?"

Remus hated the fact that she had that concerned look on her face. And it was because of him. He didn't want to worry her.

Dora must have read his mind because she told him, "Remember what we promised each other."

"No more secrets."

"And no more hiding things."

"Yes."

And he agreed with that wholeheartedly. He just didn't know how he was supposed to share something when he couldn't put it into words.

He ran a hand over his face, "Nothing feels right."

"Because it's not."

She sounded so accepting of this. Remus was envious.

"I don't like knowing what to do."

There. There it was. His fear. He didn't like being useless. He had already had too many instances in his life been useless.

Instead of saying anything, trying to uselessly make him feel better, Dora curled into him, resting her head on his chest.

"Neither do I."

[xxxxxx]

The day got better. Still no communication from Harry, Hermione or Ron but that was to be understandable. They were technically in hiding. Doing whatever it was that Albus gave them to do. Remus frowned at the thought. He still hadn't figured out just what that could be.

"Hey," Dora tugged at his arm. "We're snuggling. Which means no frowning."

He couldn't help but smile as he looked down at her. This was definitely one of his favourite things to do. Just sitting close to each other or in each other's arms. The latter of which they were doing now. Dora had come home for work desperately needing a hug and he was happy to provide it. What he could get out of her was that nothing bad had happened but she was constantly on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop so coming home was just a relief.

To make up for his lapse, he started pressing kisses all over her face which made her shriek indignantly. He knew she got fondly annoyed when he did that because she could never kiss him back. But it made her blush and make indignant noises so it was always worth the thump on the arm.

Remus frowned as he leaned in to kiss along her jaw. There was the smell again. He definitely wasn't imagining it.

"What's that face for?" She asked, catching him.

"You smell weird," he said bluntly before he realised what he was saying.

"Thanks," she said drily. "That's just what a girl wants to hear."

"It's not a bad smell." He backtracked quickly. "It's not like you forgot to put on deodorant or something."

Because it wasn't. It wasn't a good one either though. Like he said. It was weird.

"Did I forget to put on deodorant?" She asked raising her arms and giving herself a tentative sniff. "No. I'm good."

"I said that."

"Yeah, but you still thought I smell weird."

"You do smell weird."

She gave him an unimpressed look. "But you can't tell me what the weird smell is?"

Remus made a frustrated noise. "No, I can't."

[xxxxxx]

Why could he not put his finger on what was wrong with Dora's scent? It was hers but it wasn't hers. It was all very confusing. And infuriating.

"You definitely smell weird," Remus said to her as they were curled up in bed together. It felt like it had been weeks since the wedding when it was really only less than two days ago. It was only the third of August.

Not exactly bedroom conversation but the change in her scent was very noticeable now. And it was a good distraction for today. It was late in the morning and Dora didn't know what was going to happen to her at work. Of something was going to happen to her at work. There was no word from Harry and everyone else. The Order was walking on eggshells and holding their breath. Somehow it only now felt like they had lost control.

"Again?"

Remus deliberately sniffed her, something she rolled her eyes at but didn't comment on.

"Yeah. Again."

"Seriously? What do I smell like?"

Remus sniffed her again and then leaned back in frustration.

"I don't know. You still smell like you but different? I can't put my finger on it."

It was just one more thing that he didn't know or understand. Something he definitely did not need right now.

"Does it mean I'm sick?" She asked worriedly. "That's why someone's scent would change, right?"

"Yes," Remus agreed. "But that scent change is usually more obvious. Do you feel sick?"

She hadn't mentioned anything but then again with all the worry would she be able to tell of she felt unwell? He knew he wouldn't.

Dora thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"No. I don't think so?"

"What do you mean you don't think so?"

"Well, my stomach has been a bit upset but I think that's just down to my nerves. Stress is definitely not good for your guy let me tell you."

"Have you been sick or anything?"

She shook her head again. "No. Just an off feeling. Kind of twisting? But it doesn't last all day or anything. Or even every day."

That probably was down to stress unfortunately. But he didn't think that would change her scent? Maybe make it a bit mutes or something- stress really did affect the entire body - but not change it in the way he was smelling.

Oh, what was it?