Kiss me Goodnight

Chapter 3. A Whole New World

CelticLady-Well, here we are again, and I'm already bored with the disclaimers. So, if you really need them, look back, 'k?

dreams

/ Twin telepathy thought

Sunnydale, 11:30 Tina's POV

"Only another half hour." He was looking out at the sunny town—as quiet and peaceful as ever. Nothing really happened in SunnyD, if you ignored the mysterious deaths, anyway.

"I know, Ty." I looked up from The Hobbit, one of my favorite reads.

"Are you ready?" Ty asked, almost vulnerable.

I shrugged, "Of course. You?"

"To be honest, I wish it'd just happen already—I'm so tired of wondering and waiting." He admitted

"Tsk tsk! Patience is a virtue." I chided. He rolled his eyes.

"Whatever... I bet England is real different from here."

"Well, yeah; whole other time zone different." I shrugged, "Ty, we've lived in California all our lives—that's like perpetual summer! England's gonna be cold, rainy, grey. It'll take some getting used to, but everything does."

"True. Are you nervous, you know, about the new school?"

"We'll be a little behind, but we'll probably fit in better there." I hope, anyway.

"Maybe. I hope so. You wanna play nintendo or something, while we're waiting?" he asked.

"Ok."

"Super Mario Brothers 2?"

"You know it."

"Hah! I'm beating you!"

"Not for long! Ooh! You're dead! And by a little Goomba! Nothing more embarrassing!" I laughed, That's what happens when you're overconfident! I thought, grinning. He cursed under his breath.

"Watch your mouth, Ty." A voice came from behind.

We turned around.

"Daddy?"

He laughed, "It's 12 o'clock. Haven't you looked at the clock?"

"Oops..."

"So you're my mystery uncle?" Xander stood in the other doorway, "'Cause I'm not just gonna let you take Kitten and Ty without meeting you first."

"I can respect that." Daddy walked over to Xander, and held out his hand. "I'm Remus Lupin. And yourself?"

Xander hesitantly took his hand, "Xander Harris. So, the whole magic thing—Is it true?"

He nodded, "I'm afraid so. You really mustn't tell anyone."

"He can tell Willow, Daddy. She's our best friend."

"Noone else, though." He said.

"Ok. Tell Auntie Harris that we're going to a boarding school." I decided

"Do you think she'll believe that?"

"Honestly, Daddy, she'll be too drunk to care." I admitted. Sad, but true.

Remus's POV

'Too drunk to care?' Oh my god! Should I really leave my kids with this woman? I don't have a choice... It was the hardest thing I ever had to admit, even if it was only admitting it to myself. I couldn't be a good father to them unless I kept only minimal contact. What choice did I have? I'm a werewolf. If people found out they were my children they'd only be in danger. Most children of werewolves have been killed at birth, to 'prevent a murderous abomination from harming the general populace'. Pure rubbish. Even if they COULD BE dangerous, everybody deserves a chance. They are the only ones who've lived past age two. Maybe it would be ok when they're older, but now, they're young, defenseless. They don't even have wands! Tina's so small, so fragile, she'd be the first to perish, and I cannot allow that.

"Ready to go, you two?" I asked, "We're kind of in a hurry. The Portkey's about to activate."

They grabbed their bags, nodding. The portkey was a bike tire. I saw Tina raise her eyebrow at the sight of it and had to laugh at the doubtful expression on Tyler's face.

"Dad, are you insane."

"Touch it." I commanded. Tyler's eyes widened.

"Yep, he's insane."

"No, this is the portkey." Tina beat me to the explanation. "Can't you feel it, Ty? It practically glows with the magic in it."

My turn to be surprised. "You can see spells?"

"I guess... Spells and auras... it's more orange than I expected... But then, that could just be that particular spell. Is that a bad thing?"

"Oh! No, of course not." I answered quickly, trying not to frighten her. Luckily, the portkey activated just then, and we were pulled into the wild sensations of that method of travel.

"That was fun!" exclaimed Tina. Tyler groaned,

"Speak for yourself, Ti-bee! My lunch is about to make an encore..."

"Ewww! Ty, that's disgusting!" She protested. Ty merely grinned.

"Imagine how I feel, sis." He responded good-naturedly. "So, Dad, what is this place?"

"The Leaky Cauldron."

"Remus? Didn't know you'd be here today. Who're the kids?"

Mad Eye. I waved, "Oh, hello, Alastor." I waited until we were closer for introductions. Tyler stared a bit, but Tina didn't even flinch at Alastor's... um... odd appearance. She smiled, in fact. "Alastor, I'd like you to meet my son and daughter. This lovely little one is Krystina Rea, and he's Tyler John."

Mad Eye gave them one of his rare smiles, "Well, kids, nice to meet you. Y'know, Remus, they have your eyes."

Oh, god. He's drunk!

I nodded, "And Tyler has my middle name."

"Oh, so that's the mysterious 'J'. Three guesses what 'Rea' came from." She gave me a crooked grin.

"Yeah, it was sweet of her. I really did love her."

"Sounds like the feelings were mutual."

"They were." I was startled out of my thoughts by Tina's voice.

"We used to ask mommy about you all the time. She always got that same faraway look. She tried to find you for two or three years." Tyler finished for her.

Later, in the room at THE LEAKY CAULDRON

"Tina, you seem to know the best—What happened to Zel...I mean, to your mother...?" Ty stiffened up, and I saw Tina's eyes go blank. Ty looked angry.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, pixy." I said, hating the way she seemed to fold into herself, hiding inside. It was a feeling I knew all too well.

"No." Her face stiffened, acquired a resolve, "You deserve to know, Daddy..." She took a deep breath, sighed, and began. "It was a week after our eighth birthday. Mommy was holding a mother-daughter dinner in the company Hall. We were late, and she was the hostess, so we were driving fast. It was raining... The other driver was drunk, he didn't see the stop sign... I saw the blood and shattered glass a split second before I felt the horrible pain and before everything was dark. I couldn't move and I was trapped under parts of the cars. I called for mommy. She never answered. Then I couldn't keep my eyes open. I remember a bright, white room, and people rushing around me. And tubes—lots of tubes. No one would tell me where Mommy was. Then, a long time later, Ty came in. He said they said I should have died days ago. No one knew how I survived. I do—it was our bond. Ty held me here, gave me the strength to live. The people said Mommy was dead. I guess I had known already; she never would have ignored me when I called for her if she had been alive. I had to go to counseling, then they had me on all these medications—as if that could make me forget! — finally, they just gave up." She turned away.

Tyler sighed, "She's never been the same, since the accident. Wow... holy crap... jet lag..." Tina was already asleep. I had to smile as Ty staggered to his bed, where he promptly passed out.

Only when I was sure they were both asleep did I allow the enormity of what I had just been told to sink in. My dear, fiery Zelly was gone. And I was the only parent these kids had left. Not knowing what had happened, it had been easy to imagine that she could come back, but now I knew the harsh reality. Rest in peace, Zelda Harris. I should have proposed when I had the chance—I'm sorry. Forgive me; I will always love you.

Next morning Tina POV

"Wands and broomsticks? I thought that was just stereotype?"

"No. You'll definitely need a wand. You saw mine earlier, right?"

"Yeah... This is weird..."

"You'll get used to it." He assured us.

Tyler looked doubtful, "Yah... if you say so." He muttered.

"What's your wand made of?"

Remus POV

"Thirteen inch willow, bendy, core of unicorn hair." I remember as if it were yesterday. "Good for defensive spells." I added.

"Ironic." Remarked Tina, "Considering that Unicorns are pacifists."

Very good. I'm impressed.

"Actually, that's partially why. Considering that the unicorn has so much power, and never uses it for aggression, it is easily released in a wizard's wand."

"I guess that makes sense. You know, Daddy, you'd make a good teacher."

"Do you think?" hmmm... Maybe.

"Definitely! Of course," She grinned mischievously, "My opinion may be slightly biased." She giggled. I hugged her,

"I'd be disgusted if it wasn't, Pixy." I replied. She rolled her eyes,

"Bet you were trouble in school."

I could not deny it.

"Snap!" Said Tyler, "You got served."

"Erm... What?"

"American street slang, Daddy." Tina explained, looking embarrassed.

"Not as bad as your Woodstock jokes, and terrible oldies rock. Can you believe she actually listens to Fleetwood Mac?"

"Guilty as charged, I'm afraid." She replied, blushing.

"Remus! Fancy meeting you here!" Came the friendly voice of Molly Weasley. She smiled, "And who are these two?" Arthur waved cheerfully.

I grinned. These were the perfect two people to make the kids more comfortable with the wizarding world.

"Arthur, Molly, I would like you to meet my children." I said, enjoying the show as the bombshell dropped. It was quite comical, the way they seemed to think, before the sudden dawning of shocked comprehension on their faces. Fred and George definitely would have appreciated it, if they were anything like I remembered!

"Y...your wha...?" Arthur managed. Molly squealed and hugged me.

"So you're a daddy? Remus! That's wonderful! Are they muggles? No, you wouldn't be here then! What school are they in? Where did you find them? Goodness! Will they be going to Hogwarts?"

I sighed, Same old Molly.

"In order, Yes, No, Previously Sunnydale Middle School, Sunnydale California, and yes."

Tyler snickered, Tina looked puzzled.

"Um...Hello." She said.

"And what's your name little girl?" She asked. "Are you and your big brother looking forward to going to Hogwarts?"

"B..Big brother? We're twins, Mrs. Weasley..." Tyler floundered.

"Oh! Terribly sorry!"

"'S ok. I'm Tyler. She's Krystina, but everyone calls her Tina."

Later

"I'm a midget, Daddy." Tina sighed dramatically.

"No, just young."

"Mr. Ollivander thought I was a FIRST YEAR! A FIRST YEAR! Am I really that small?"

"Yes." Tyler answered at the same time I did. She glowered at us and swept moodily out the door.

"So." I said to Tyler, "How did you two get so much money?"

"We're loaded. Mom owned a law firm. One of the world's biggest. When we were born, she secured all our assets, stocks, bonds, trusts, and the like."

"...You don't act like rich kids..."

"Mom never spoiled us. She loved us, but she worked hard to get where she was, and she wanted us to have a good future, but also to know how to work for ourselves. She got this far because of a scholarship."

You always were sensible, Zel. You'd be proud of them, I know it.

Next morning

"Last day... Tonight we get on the train..." Tina remarked to Ty.

"I know." He replied.

"Can we really do this?" She whispered.

"We have to." He said.

"Daddy? Will you write to us in Hogwarts?" She asked.

"Of course, Tina." I answered

"I'm gonna miss you. Do you think we'll be in Gryffindor too?" She looked nervous. I had to smile, remembering when I first went to Hogwarts. Everyone thought I was normal, but those two are late arrivals, they'll have something to prove.

"I don't see why you wouldn't be, but I love you either way." I mean it. I'll always be there, Tina.

"I love you too, Daddy." She murmured, kissing me on the cheek.

Tyler was standing in front of a mirror, eyeing the school robes skeptically. "Dad, I still think these robes look girly. There's no way they do justice to my manly physique"

I had to laugh at that. God! He sounds just like Sirius! I just hope he doesn't start calling himself 'the Gryffindor God!

"Oh, quit it, Ty! You haven't even hit puberty yet!" Tina admonished, showing a streak of her mother's quicksilver fire.

Zelda, you live in those two. Not that I could ever forget you.

On The Train

"That platform was soooo freaky!" Exclaimed Ty. "I totally thought you were joshin' me."

"Seriously, Ty, drop the Americanisms." Tina said.

"Nah. I'm California sexy."

"More like brain-dead from the sun exposure."

This sort of 'arguing' might have worried some parents, but I had grown to see that this constant banter was normal for the twins, and that a good time was had by all. It rather reminded me of my Marauder days.

We were very close to the school, by now, and it was getting dark. I'll never be able to thank Albus enough for letting me accompany them on the train, to see them sorted... Hell, without his help, I never would have found them at all!

Later

When the train stopped, Tina was, as usual, engrossed in a book, and didn't notice until Tyler poked her in the arm.

"Ow! What gives, you monkey?" She asked. Ty just pointed out the window.

"Oh..."

I'll leave you with that for now! Review!