Chapter 10: Weddings &........More Weddings.
'October 7th,' Tonks thought looking at her reflection in the mirror, 'a day to be remembered in someone's life.'
Today was the wedding of the boy-who-lived to the girl who survived the chamber of secrets, along with the wedding of one of the brightest muggle- born witch to attend Hogwarts to the last of the Weasley men.
Yes, today was the day Harry & Ginny, & Ron & Hermione would say their vows. And Tonks was their maid of honour.
Tonks looked at her reflection. She wore simple dress robes of turquoise with alternate gold & silver beads at the collar, cuffs, sides, & bottom of the robes. She chose to go with jet-black hair with streaks of red in them, & light blue eyes. In short, she looked stunning, although she would never accept it.
She left the room to join Ginny & Hermione who were ready. Ginny wore a flowing white strapless gown with a lace over-coat. Hermione, on the other hand, selected a white sleeveless gown with delicate embroidery on it. They both looked enchanting, & Tonks was sure they would leave the bridegrooms senseless.
"So ready for the big day?" Tonks asked as she entered the room.
"Yeah, all set." Ginny replied taking a deep breath whilst looking at the full-size mirror. She turned to look at Tonks & gasped.
"Merlin! Tonks!" At her sound, Hermione also turned to look at Tonks & gasped.
"What?" Tonks inquired suddenly self-conscious.
"You look.......stunning.....I am sure Remus will have a field day being the best man." Hermione replied to which Ginny nodded.
"Wait, Wait, Wait.....REMUS is the best man.... "Remus Lupin"." Tonks asked alert & curious.
Both girls shared a nervous glance.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Tonks asked her ire rising.
"We thought you might not want.....to.....I mean....." Ginny stuttered.
"But I should know who the best man is." Tonks screamed now extremely mad.
"Tonks....we're sorry....." Hermione managed to say.
'What am I doing? It's their wedding, I shouldn't be screaming on them.' Tonks thought.
"Its Ok, I am sorry.....forget about it....Anyway, so are you nervous?" Tonks asked grinning.
It shouldn't matter to her that Remus was the best man, but it did. No matter how much she tried, she could not forget him; she can never get over him. She loved him deeply, yes, but she was also determined. She had ignored Remus for so long, she decided to ignore him for one more day, it wouldn't hurt. Little did she know it was all going to change......
********** XXXXX **********
********** MEANWHILE **********
Harry & Ron were getting ready........well sort of. Harry was dressed in green robes that matched his eyes, while Ron selected dark blue robes. At that moment, Harry was trying to tame his hair while Ron was pacing back & forth.
"You know you are fighting a losing battle, Harry. And Ron, sit down before you make a hole in the carpet." Remus said from the doorway.
Remus, dressed in dark brown dress robes, was smirking at both Ron & Harry.
"How did my dad manage this?" Harry asked exasperated.
"He didn't. He just went to his wedding like that.......but maybe that was 'coz he knew he would be late, & he didn't want to be on the receiving end of one of Lily's hexes." Remus answered, to which Harry gulped.
"Nervous Ron?" Remus inquired smirking at Harry's reaction.
"How did all the Weasley's managed this?" Ron asked.
"They all didn't, the youngest on is yet to be married." Remus replied. Ron stared at him.
"Both of you calm down." Remus tried to lighten the atmosphere.
"We'll see how CALM YOU are on YOUR wedding." Ron replied taking a seat.
"Speaking of which," Harry said sitting on a nearby chair. "Please tell her today Remus. You were a Gryffindor, for Merlin's sake.'
"Yeah, I will...I will" Remus replies looking pensive. "I am still surprised she didn't decline the maid of honour offer. I thought she will if she knew I was the best man."
"Well she wouldn't have. She would've done it for 'Mione & Ginny." Ron replied. "Besides....she doesn't know who the best man is."
"WHAT?!!" Remus asked shocked. "You didn't tell her."
"No, but I think she'd know by now. And you should take it to your advantage." Harry said.
"Yeah, you're right." Said Remus, a smirk creeping to his face.
He was definitely going to take it to his advantage.
********** XXXXX **********
"You may kiss the bride." The Minister said as Harry & Ron leaned in to kiss Ginny & Hermione respectively, before walking towards the Great Hall for the reception. Remus & Tonks followed with their arm entwined, yet with an awkward silence between them.
Dinner was horrible for Tonks. Many of Harry's & Ron's auror friends were invited & that included Amy Herek too, who presently was flirting shamelessly with Remus. Even though Remus was indifferent towards her, Tonks felt a severe ache in her heart.
"Excuse me, I need some fresh air." Tonks said unable to bear anymore & left for the grounds.
Little did she know that she was being followed.....
********** XXXXX **********
Remus saw Tonks excuse herself & leave. He in turn excused himself from Herek who looked very displeased & followed Tonks.
The grounds were decorated beautifully with rose bushes all around & an arch of roses near either end. The sides were lined with carved benches with fairy lights fluttering over them.
'Perfect,' Remus thought as he scanned the ground for Tonks. She sat on a bench near the far end, head low, with the fairy lights casting a glow on her, making her look like a princess.
"Dora," Remus said when he reached her.
She didn't acknowledge his presence.
"Dora please," he tried again sitting next to her. She moved away for him still ignoring him.
"Dora, you have to stop doing this, please." Remus shook her a bit too harshly.
She looked up to him, hurt evident in her eyes. Suddenly he was at a loss of words. He realised he was still holding her, & tightened his grip afraid that she would run away again.
"Stop what Remus?" She said. Remus noticed that her voice shook.
"Stop this Dora. Stop running away from me. Let me explain." He pleaded.
"There's nothing left to explain. You called me to meet you.....to explain me something, but instead you demonstrated it. What's left to explain?" She replied holding back tears.
"That's not what it is.....you don't know the full story......'
"I do Remus, I do......its evident....I am not as petite or beautiful as her. People don't even know what I look like. I am not smart or gorgeous. I am plain, clumsy, & ugly." Tonks finished sobbing.
"You're the most beautiful woman on the surface of this earth Dora. You are beautiful & intriguing.....I know because I have seen the real you. You're not plain or ugly, you're the exact opposite." Remus said sincerely.
"Yeah right....that's why you ignored me for a month, made me suffer, broke my heart, & went out with Herek. Right Remus, I know." Tonks replied still sobbing but with anger in her voice.
Remus released her violently & stood up.
'Why doesn't she understand?' he thought.
He turned towards her, looked at her for a brief moment before taking out a velvet box from his pocket & throwing it at her so that it landed on her lap. Tonks hesitantly opened it to reveal a beautiful, delicately carved diamond ring. She looked up to Remus in surprise.
"You want to know why I called you to Madam Puddifoot's? This is the reason." Remus took a deep breath before continuing, "After I checked out the Manor I realised how scared you were & how much I wanted to protect you, to hold you, to tell you everything was Ok. I realised I wanted to make you mine.....forever.....officially. I wanted to propose you but I was scared, scared that you might run away."
He continued, "I was shunned all my life, no one even wanted to befriend me because of what I was. And I was scared that you would also reject me, even though I am normal again.......that you would not see me fit enough. Whenever I mustered up my courage, I would think about it & back out. I wasn't ignoring you......I was just scared......scared of rejections, scared of losing you." Remus said.
Tonks was looking at Remus, tears still flowing down her cheeks.
"At Madam Puddifoot's," he continued, "I was watching you from the window, still afraid to propose you. Unfortunately, Herek decided to show up & forcefully kiss me. You saw that, apparently getting the wrong idea, but it was never like that. You never gave me a chance to explain Dora, I just needed one chance to tell you that I couldn't care less for Herek, that I don't even know what ice cream flavour she likes."
"What about at St. Mungo's? Why didn't you come when I needed you the most?" Tonks asked her tears now dried.
"I felt guilty," he answered, "guilty for you condition. I felt I had broken my promise to protect you. I couldn't bring myself to face you.....you were so badly hurt &--& I wasn't able to protect you." Remus finished, tears spilling from his eyes.
"You mean..." she said.
"Yes Dora. I was a coward. I love you & I wouldn't have left you for anyone, even it meant being bitten by a werewolf again. Please forgive me." Remus replied sitting beside her.
"I am so sorry Remus," she suddenly hugged Remus, sobbing, "I am so sorry. I love you. Please.....I am so sorry."
Remus replied soothingly, "Its ok Dora. It's over now. It's past."
"How could I be so thick," Tonks sobbed in Remus chest.
When Tonks stopped sobbing & sat up straight again, Remus said, "There's just one thing left..."
"What?"
Remus kneeled in front of Tonks, took the ring & holding her hand said, "Nymphadora Tonks, I swear to love you, hold you & cherish you through all good times & bad, in sickness & in health, till death do us part. Will you marry me?"
Tonks looked back & forth between the ring & Remus, & for a moment Remus thought that she would reject.
"Are you serious?" She asked unsure.
"No," Tonks looked up to him, "I am Remus, Remus Lupin."
Tonks laughed.
"Yes! I will marry you Remus Lupin." Tonks managed through the laughter.
Remus slipped the ring on her finger, & kissed her passionately while twirling her around. When they broke apart, he asked breathlessly,
"Is next week Ok with you for the wedding?"
"Next week.......but Harry & Ron got married today." Tonks replied shocked.
"Is it?" He asked again.
Tonks though for a moment.
"If it's ok with you." She said smiling.
"Next week it is then, c'mon we need to inform the others about the wedding." He said smiling from ear to ear.
As they walked towards the castle, Tonks said,
"Three aurors missing from work at once & all three on their honeymoons, interesting."
"Yeah," her partner replied.
'I am the luckiest man on earth, alive,' Remus though smiling as they entered the Great Hall with Remus hand on Tonks's waist & her head on his shoulder.
'I am the luckiest woman on earth, alive,' Tonks thought as she entered the great hall with Remus, her smile rivalling his.
********** XXXXX **********
A/N: There you go. The condition still holds. The more reviews, the sooner the update. Thanks to all those who reviewed. I am glad you like the story. Ideas & suggestion for the plot are welcomed, & I will be glad if they are linked to the Action/Adventure part, coz I have an outline planned but I am stuck.
I have a question for the readers. I am intending to include a song in the story & I have an idea but am not able to decide, so I will go with your decision.
So which song should I include?
Savage Garden ------- I knew I loved you. Savage Garden ------- Truly Madly Deeply. You Choice (specify).
You all know what to do. Review please.
Till next time. Take care
Bye.
'October 7th,' Tonks thought looking at her reflection in the mirror, 'a day to be remembered in someone's life.'
Today was the wedding of the boy-who-lived to the girl who survived the chamber of secrets, along with the wedding of one of the brightest muggle- born witch to attend Hogwarts to the last of the Weasley men.
Yes, today was the day Harry & Ginny, & Ron & Hermione would say their vows. And Tonks was their maid of honour.
Tonks looked at her reflection. She wore simple dress robes of turquoise with alternate gold & silver beads at the collar, cuffs, sides, & bottom of the robes. She chose to go with jet-black hair with streaks of red in them, & light blue eyes. In short, she looked stunning, although she would never accept it.
She left the room to join Ginny & Hermione who were ready. Ginny wore a flowing white strapless gown with a lace over-coat. Hermione, on the other hand, selected a white sleeveless gown with delicate embroidery on it. They both looked enchanting, & Tonks was sure they would leave the bridegrooms senseless.
"So ready for the big day?" Tonks asked as she entered the room.
"Yeah, all set." Ginny replied taking a deep breath whilst looking at the full-size mirror. She turned to look at Tonks & gasped.
"Merlin! Tonks!" At her sound, Hermione also turned to look at Tonks & gasped.
"What?" Tonks inquired suddenly self-conscious.
"You look.......stunning.....I am sure Remus will have a field day being the best man." Hermione replied to which Ginny nodded.
"Wait, Wait, Wait.....REMUS is the best man.... "Remus Lupin"." Tonks asked alert & curious.
Both girls shared a nervous glance.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Tonks asked her ire rising.
"We thought you might not want.....to.....I mean....." Ginny stuttered.
"But I should know who the best man is." Tonks screamed now extremely mad.
"Tonks....we're sorry....." Hermione managed to say.
'What am I doing? It's their wedding, I shouldn't be screaming on them.' Tonks thought.
"Its Ok, I am sorry.....forget about it....Anyway, so are you nervous?" Tonks asked grinning.
It shouldn't matter to her that Remus was the best man, but it did. No matter how much she tried, she could not forget him; she can never get over him. She loved him deeply, yes, but she was also determined. She had ignored Remus for so long, she decided to ignore him for one more day, it wouldn't hurt. Little did she know it was all going to change......
********** XXXXX **********
********** MEANWHILE **********
Harry & Ron were getting ready........well sort of. Harry was dressed in green robes that matched his eyes, while Ron selected dark blue robes. At that moment, Harry was trying to tame his hair while Ron was pacing back & forth.
"You know you are fighting a losing battle, Harry. And Ron, sit down before you make a hole in the carpet." Remus said from the doorway.
Remus, dressed in dark brown dress robes, was smirking at both Ron & Harry.
"How did my dad manage this?" Harry asked exasperated.
"He didn't. He just went to his wedding like that.......but maybe that was 'coz he knew he would be late, & he didn't want to be on the receiving end of one of Lily's hexes." Remus answered, to which Harry gulped.
"Nervous Ron?" Remus inquired smirking at Harry's reaction.
"How did all the Weasley's managed this?" Ron asked.
"They all didn't, the youngest on is yet to be married." Remus replied. Ron stared at him.
"Both of you calm down." Remus tried to lighten the atmosphere.
"We'll see how CALM YOU are on YOUR wedding." Ron replied taking a seat.
"Speaking of which," Harry said sitting on a nearby chair. "Please tell her today Remus. You were a Gryffindor, for Merlin's sake.'
"Yeah, I will...I will" Remus replies looking pensive. "I am still surprised she didn't decline the maid of honour offer. I thought she will if she knew I was the best man."
"Well she wouldn't have. She would've done it for 'Mione & Ginny." Ron replied. "Besides....she doesn't know who the best man is."
"WHAT?!!" Remus asked shocked. "You didn't tell her."
"No, but I think she'd know by now. And you should take it to your advantage." Harry said.
"Yeah, you're right." Said Remus, a smirk creeping to his face.
He was definitely going to take it to his advantage.
********** XXXXX **********
"You may kiss the bride." The Minister said as Harry & Ron leaned in to kiss Ginny & Hermione respectively, before walking towards the Great Hall for the reception. Remus & Tonks followed with their arm entwined, yet with an awkward silence between them.
Dinner was horrible for Tonks. Many of Harry's & Ron's auror friends were invited & that included Amy Herek too, who presently was flirting shamelessly with Remus. Even though Remus was indifferent towards her, Tonks felt a severe ache in her heart.
"Excuse me, I need some fresh air." Tonks said unable to bear anymore & left for the grounds.
Little did she know that she was being followed.....
********** XXXXX **********
Remus saw Tonks excuse herself & leave. He in turn excused himself from Herek who looked very displeased & followed Tonks.
The grounds were decorated beautifully with rose bushes all around & an arch of roses near either end. The sides were lined with carved benches with fairy lights fluttering over them.
'Perfect,' Remus thought as he scanned the ground for Tonks. She sat on a bench near the far end, head low, with the fairy lights casting a glow on her, making her look like a princess.
"Dora," Remus said when he reached her.
She didn't acknowledge his presence.
"Dora please," he tried again sitting next to her. She moved away for him still ignoring him.
"Dora, you have to stop doing this, please." Remus shook her a bit too harshly.
She looked up to him, hurt evident in her eyes. Suddenly he was at a loss of words. He realised he was still holding her, & tightened his grip afraid that she would run away again.
"Stop what Remus?" She said. Remus noticed that her voice shook.
"Stop this Dora. Stop running away from me. Let me explain." He pleaded.
"There's nothing left to explain. You called me to meet you.....to explain me something, but instead you demonstrated it. What's left to explain?" She replied holding back tears.
"That's not what it is.....you don't know the full story......'
"I do Remus, I do......its evident....I am not as petite or beautiful as her. People don't even know what I look like. I am not smart or gorgeous. I am plain, clumsy, & ugly." Tonks finished sobbing.
"You're the most beautiful woman on the surface of this earth Dora. You are beautiful & intriguing.....I know because I have seen the real you. You're not plain or ugly, you're the exact opposite." Remus said sincerely.
"Yeah right....that's why you ignored me for a month, made me suffer, broke my heart, & went out with Herek. Right Remus, I know." Tonks replied still sobbing but with anger in her voice.
Remus released her violently & stood up.
'Why doesn't she understand?' he thought.
He turned towards her, looked at her for a brief moment before taking out a velvet box from his pocket & throwing it at her so that it landed on her lap. Tonks hesitantly opened it to reveal a beautiful, delicately carved diamond ring. She looked up to Remus in surprise.
"You want to know why I called you to Madam Puddifoot's? This is the reason." Remus took a deep breath before continuing, "After I checked out the Manor I realised how scared you were & how much I wanted to protect you, to hold you, to tell you everything was Ok. I realised I wanted to make you mine.....forever.....officially. I wanted to propose you but I was scared, scared that you might run away."
He continued, "I was shunned all my life, no one even wanted to befriend me because of what I was. And I was scared that you would also reject me, even though I am normal again.......that you would not see me fit enough. Whenever I mustered up my courage, I would think about it & back out. I wasn't ignoring you......I was just scared......scared of rejections, scared of losing you." Remus said.
Tonks was looking at Remus, tears still flowing down her cheeks.
"At Madam Puddifoot's," he continued, "I was watching you from the window, still afraid to propose you. Unfortunately, Herek decided to show up & forcefully kiss me. You saw that, apparently getting the wrong idea, but it was never like that. You never gave me a chance to explain Dora, I just needed one chance to tell you that I couldn't care less for Herek, that I don't even know what ice cream flavour she likes."
"What about at St. Mungo's? Why didn't you come when I needed you the most?" Tonks asked her tears now dried.
"I felt guilty," he answered, "guilty for you condition. I felt I had broken my promise to protect you. I couldn't bring myself to face you.....you were so badly hurt &--& I wasn't able to protect you." Remus finished, tears spilling from his eyes.
"You mean..." she said.
"Yes Dora. I was a coward. I love you & I wouldn't have left you for anyone, even it meant being bitten by a werewolf again. Please forgive me." Remus replied sitting beside her.
"I am so sorry Remus," she suddenly hugged Remus, sobbing, "I am so sorry. I love you. Please.....I am so sorry."
Remus replied soothingly, "Its ok Dora. It's over now. It's past."
"How could I be so thick," Tonks sobbed in Remus chest.
When Tonks stopped sobbing & sat up straight again, Remus said, "There's just one thing left..."
"What?"
Remus kneeled in front of Tonks, took the ring & holding her hand said, "Nymphadora Tonks, I swear to love you, hold you & cherish you through all good times & bad, in sickness & in health, till death do us part. Will you marry me?"
Tonks looked back & forth between the ring & Remus, & for a moment Remus thought that she would reject.
"Are you serious?" She asked unsure.
"No," Tonks looked up to him, "I am Remus, Remus Lupin."
Tonks laughed.
"Yes! I will marry you Remus Lupin." Tonks managed through the laughter.
Remus slipped the ring on her finger, & kissed her passionately while twirling her around. When they broke apart, he asked breathlessly,
"Is next week Ok with you for the wedding?"
"Next week.......but Harry & Ron got married today." Tonks replied shocked.
"Is it?" He asked again.
Tonks though for a moment.
"If it's ok with you." She said smiling.
"Next week it is then, c'mon we need to inform the others about the wedding." He said smiling from ear to ear.
As they walked towards the castle, Tonks said,
"Three aurors missing from work at once & all three on their honeymoons, interesting."
"Yeah," her partner replied.
'I am the luckiest man on earth, alive,' Remus though smiling as they entered the Great Hall with Remus hand on Tonks's waist & her head on his shoulder.
'I am the luckiest woman on earth, alive,' Tonks thought as she entered the great hall with Remus, her smile rivalling his.
********** XXXXX **********
A/N: There you go. The condition still holds. The more reviews, the sooner the update. Thanks to all those who reviewed. I am glad you like the story. Ideas & suggestion for the plot are welcomed, & I will be glad if they are linked to the Action/Adventure part, coz I have an outline planned but I am stuck.
I have a question for the readers. I am intending to include a song in the story & I have an idea but am not able to decide, so I will go with your decision.
So which song should I include?
Savage Garden ------- I knew I loved you. Savage Garden ------- Truly Madly Deeply. You Choice (specify).
You all know what to do. Review please.
Till next time. Take care
Bye.