"What the hell was up with Tonks and Snape?!" An incredulous and slightly drunk Ginny questioned aloud as most of the Order filed out of the room. The Weasley brothers all looked as confused as she was.
"Shh, she's saying GOODBYE to him," Fred observed at the other end of the room. The wide-eyed Weasleys, Harry and Hermione all watched as she whispered something to him. She looked genuinely concerned, but Snape was stiff and indifferent as ever with what looked like her offering of good luck. A moment later, he left the room. Tonks cut back in against the departing Order members and rejoined Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, Harry, and Hermione at the table. She sat down next to Charlie, who raised an eyebrow at her.
"Something you wish to share with the group, old friend?" He gently asked. Tonks looked at him, puzzled.
"Forgodsake, Charlie. You know as well as I do what that man's been going through." Her tone was argumentative, and Charlie looked sheepish.
"Dora, I'm sorry…"
"Dora?" Hermione interjected. Tonks turned to her and smiled.
"Oh, that's Charlie's nickname for me. We went to school together, you know… since age 11."
"And she broke my heart at age 14, I'll have you know," Charlie offered. Tonks playfully hit him.
"Oh shush, you. I did not."
"Yes you did. Ask my mother. I was moping around for almost two weeks. It was terrible!"
"He did indeed," Bill offered. "Til he met that Ravenclaw hussy!" Charlie threw a napkin at his brother and Tonks doubled over in laughter.
"Oh, you two are too much," she said, gasping for air. The younger Order members all watched the three of them with a look of amusement.
"And on that note, I think I'll be hitting the hay. Have to sleep off the liver poison, after all," declared Bill.
"In agreement with you there, Bro. Night, all." Charlie stood up after his brother. He kissed Tonks and Ginny gently on the forehead, smiled at the others, and the two of them left the room.
"Oh hell, I'm about ready to drop. Are you with me, George?" George nodded at Fred's question and the two of them departed as well.
Ron turned back to Tonks. "You know it's funny… I never knew you before all this, yet you're so close to my older brothers." Tonks smiled at him.
"Aww, Ronnie, sure you did. I first met you when you were five. And if I remember correctly, you asked me to marry you." Ron's eyes widened as Ginny and Hermione burst into giggles.
"Did he really?!" asked Ginny. Tonks nodded.
"Absolutely. And he was so serious too, such an intense little boy. But so sweet. The best proposal I've had to date." Tonks leaned over and kissed Ron on the cheek, and his whole face immediately flushed red to match his hair.
"But you're right, soon after that was when both Charlie and I left the country for work and for Auror training. I've always regretted not coming back in more, especially on holidays. I simply adored the lot of you and wish I could've seen you two grow up.
Harry grinned at Ron. "I think your family is the coolest around, mate." Ron was now almost purple.
"Aww, thanks guys," he sheepishly replied. Ginny was blushing slightly now, too. "C'mon Gin, we should get to bed too, before mom catches us out here." Ginny let out a yawn and nodded in agreement. "Night 'Mione, Tonks, Harry." Ron led his sleepy sister out of the room.
Harry looked at Tonks. "You know… I kind of have this mental link with Voldemort…" he began slowly. Tonks was now looking intently but slightly confused at Harry.
"I can sometimes see what he's doing when he's experiencing a strong emotion… and I saw when he was attacking Snape." Tonks sucked in her breath. Hermione put her hand over Harry's.
"But I don't want to go into what I saw," Harry continued. "I do think it was good that you comforted him tonight, Tonks." She gave him a slight smile and sighed.
"I just feel so bad for him sometimes. You know, his first year as a teacher at Hogwarts was my first year as a student."
"Yeah?" Hermione replied, urging her to continue.
"Oh, there's not a whole lot to say, except that while he was as angry then as he is now, I also remember him always looking so scared. Like the world was out to get him. Of course back then, I was a rather moody little kid myself. My crazy pureblood family almost disowned me when I was sorted into Gryffindor, not Slytherin. But that's another story."
"So… Snape was always difficult then, wasn't he?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know if difficult is the right word, Hermione. He most certainly is most of the time, but I think that's because underneath he's still scared. Of being pulled back into the dark ways." Harry nodded. Hermione looked sad.
"Poor guy," Hermione said softly.
"Yep," Tonks replied, giving her a sad smile. She then stood up and stretched. "Ok kids, I've got to get some rest too. I'm on early tomorrow." She hugged them individually and drifted out of the room. Hermione watched her go.
"I'd better follow suit. Are you going to be all right, Harry?"
"Go on to bed, I'll be fine."
"Harry, could I have a word with you alone?" Remus had crept into the room. Harry looked at the man, whose eyes gave away his exhaustion, but with good reason as he had spent the previous night as a werewolf.
"Sure," Harry replied. He gave Hermione a quick goodnight hug and followed Remus into a quiet drawing room. "Er," Harry began, trying to fill up the silence as they entered the room. "I wasn't expecting to see you tonight…"
"I foolishly mistracked the full moon this month. It caught me off guard two days ago because my focus was elsewhere, and I was only barely ready for the change. Professor Snape aided me greatly with some powerful sedatives, but I fear they've left me even more tired than usual."
"Oh," Harry quietly replied. What a unique problem to have to worry about, he thought. Must have been so much easier for him when my dad and Sirius…
At the same moment his thoughts dwelled on Sirius, Remus cleared his throat to bring the subject up.
"Harry … this was Sirius' house, you know." Harry nodded. "Well, as his next of kin, it is now your house. The house and everything in it are yours to do as you wish, now that you're of age. Dumbledore and I were hoping, though, that you would grant us your permission to continue to utilize it as the Order headquarters." Remus' weary eyes met Harry's, brimming with tears. Harry was blinking rapidly despite his best efforts to not get worked up over the mention of his godfather. Harry turned and stared at the wall to his side.
"Yeah, that'll be fine. It's what he wanted, anyway, right?"
"Yes it was," Remus replied softly. "And also, Harry?" Remus' gentle tone encouraged Harry to face him again. "I know I'm no replacement for Sirius, or your father for that matter. But if ever you need me, for whatever reason… I'm always here for you."
Harry produced a small smile. "You don't owe my dad or Sirius the thankless task of looking after me. Nobody seems to benefit from it."
"I'm not saying this out of loyalty to your father and Sirius, Harry. It's you I care about, and it's you I want to help however I can." Remus' tone was so soft, so full of care, that Harry found himself fighting back tears again. Harry moved forward and gave Remus a quick hug.
"Thank you," Harry said after he pulled away. Remus smiled at Harry and nodded, then left the room.
