Summary: At the Leaky Cauldron, Lupin's heart line gets inspected. What could this mean for him and Tonks?
LUPIN'S LOVE LINE
Remus Lupin took a seat in the corner of the Leaky Cauldron and covertly watched as the Grangers met with the Weasleys. He had a glass of wine in front of him and a book in his hand. He'd identified Fester, one of the kidnapers, in the corner opposite him. Lupin looked at the door again since he expected to see the hooded form of Tonks entering, but she still wasn't here. They had apparated separately to the Leaky Cauldron to avoid being seen together. He wondered if Mad-Eye Moody had delayed her for some reason.
Lupin surveyed the families as they met. It was obvious that the Grangers trusted the magical family to care for their precious daughter. Ginny was giving Hermione a warm embrace, but when the young Miss Granger turned to the young Mister Weasley, they both sort of stared across each other's shoulders until Fred and George accidentally bumped each one's shoulder. Ron had to reach out to steady Hermione, and that gave the young witch sufficient excuse to give her friend a warm hug.
Lupin shook his head slightly as he remembered his own youth. He was more amused by the similarity than by Ron's awkwardness. He watched as the Grangers said their farewells. As they exited, he was surprised by the figure who appeared at the door.
Sybill Trelawney stood at the entrance in a diaphanous gray robe with her brown hair flowing from under her hood. The large eyeglasses completed the image of a rather large gray moth as she made her way along the wall to his very corner.
Lupin stifled a groan as she got closer and tried to appear focused on his book, but her voice floated to him. "Why, Remus Lupin! I'd say this was a surprise except that, of course, I knew I'd find you here."
Lupin had to clear his throat to even greet the woman. His eyes kept darting back to Fester as he said, "Sybill, it's nice to see you, but please forgive me for not offering you a seat. I'm expecting someone."
"Yes, I know," said Trelawney, although she sat down anyway. She turned her chair a bit and put her hand on her temples. "I see a young woman with hair the color of..."
Trelawney seemed to stop in confusion. "Oh, dear me, I can't quite picture the color of her hair. Somehow a rainbow comes to mind. Does that make any sense?"
Lupin was actually surprised by the comment, but Trelawney was scanning the room with her head swaying just a bit. He said, "Actually, it does, but really, I'm expecting her any--"
"Ah, you seem quite eager for this woman," said Trelawney. "Here, let me read your heart line. It's best to know if your efforts will be fruitful. After all, you're not getting any younger."
"No, really, Sybill, I just--"
Trelawney yanked his hand away from his book and brought it palm up. "No wonder you're still a bachelor. Your heart line decrees that you're too choosy about your partners. See, it ends right under your index finger."
Trelawney was tsking at him. Lupin sighed, but there was something about the way she was holding his hand that evoked a familiar memory in him. He frowned a bit as he studied her hands, but Trelawney was now tracing her finger along the lines of his palm.
"You'll need to answer some questions before I can help you out if this predicament with your heart line. Do you prefer French poodles or Welsh corgis?"
Lupin's lips quirked into the slightest smile. "Welsh corgis."
"Ah," said Trelawney, although now the woman wouldn't look at him. Then, as she traced a circle on the palm of his hand she asked, "Do you prefer raspberry or pumpkin?"
Lupin leaned in to murmur in her ear. "Are we talking about the color or the fruit inside?"
The slight blush rose on her face, but Trelawney said, "Never mind. Now, uh, let me see, er, what is the size of your wand?"
"Which one?"
She looked at him sharply. "I was referring to your wizarding wand, sir!"
"So was I," he said, then leaned in further to add quietly, "Tonks."
Tonks exchanged a quick glance with Lupin, but didn't release his hand. He continued, "Why the new disguise?"
"Snape saw Faust and Fester acting suspiciously in front of the Apothecary. He told Moody as soon as he showed up. Mad-Eye swears they've set up triggers for sleeping dust."
"So he wants the exchange made now since the shop is on the way to Flourish and Blott's," said Lupin. "Do I take Hermione to the house?"
"Snape's waiting outside to take her to the Order. I need a few more minutes to study Hermione, though."
"Why did you decide on Sybill Trelawney?" asked Lupin as he covertly watched Fester. He raised his glass of wine to take a sip.
"Wanted to tick off Snape," admitted Tonks without hesitation. "Would you believe I caught them in a clinch during my last year at Hogwarts?"
Lupin almost spat out his wine. "You don't mean Sybill and Severus?"
"It's a Halloween I'll never forget. On the other hand, it could just be the firewhiskey that got slipped into the punch." Tonks smirked a bit, then said, "Tell me that story about your wands, Professor."
"My first wand was destroyed during a full moon when a good friend of mine was testing the idea that wands would be impermeable to werewolves."
"He didn't!" Tonks was eager for the story, but kept her eye on Hermione who was now having an argument with Ron about the maturity of his obsession with quidditch.
"In his defense, he did buy me a new one." Lupin looked at Ron and Hermione as well and added, "Arthur really does need to have a talk with the boy."
"Think they'd let me listen? I've never heard the 'talk' that boys get about growing up." Tonks then nodded firmly. "All right, I've got her. Tell them about the change in plans and have Molly send Ginny and Hermione to the lavatory. We'll switch out there."
Tonks rose and left the table to head directly to the washroom. Lupin waited for a few moments then went to the bar to get another glass of wine. This allowed him to approach Arthur before moving back to his seat. Lupin kept an eye on Fester as he waited. - - - - - - -
"You're a metamorphmagus! I can't believe it, this is so thrilling," squealed Hermione in delight, although the imperturbable charm Tonks placed on the room prevented anyone from hearing.
"Tonks can do hair, noses and everything," assured Ginny as she helped them exchange cloaks while Tonks scrunched her face as she concentrated. "Oh, you are really good, Tonks."
Ginny Weasley was staring at identical twin Hermiones. The two looked at each other, one open mouthed in surprised and the other grinning.
"One more quick spell." Tonks touched her wand to Hermione's throat and said, "Vox similis."
Tonks spoke and her voice sounded just like Hermione as she asked, "So, is there one thing I should make sure I do to convince people that I'm the real you?"
"Bicker with Ron," responded both girls.
"Gotcha," said Tonks. "Now, let's take care of the hairstyle. Frizzify!"
Hermione stifled a sigh. She had worked so hard to get her hair under control, but she would look more like Sybill Trelawney under the hooded cloak if her hair was flying around her. She looked in the mirror and dawned the glasses. "Oh, good, I was worried I'd have to actually try to see through these."
"I always carry a pair with fake lenses. I can spell them to take whatever shape I want," said Tonks. "Well, Hermione, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other. You go out first. Walk straight to Remus Lupin and he'll make sure you get to Snape."
"Professor Snape is escorting me back to this safe house?" asked Hermione in almost a whine.
"Don't worry, you'll be pleasantly surprised when you get there. Just ignore the house," said Tonks as she pushed Hermione to the door. - - - - - - -
Lupin stood from his seat as soon as the figure of Sybill Trelawney approached him again. "Here, Sybill, allow me to escort you out."
The pair walked to the door as Ginny and Tonks took their places with the Weasleys. Lupin could hear the voice of Hermione immediately arguing with Ron as he escorted the real young lady to the door.
"Don't worry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny will be safe, I promise," said Lupin as they stepped outside the door of the Leaky Cauldron. He noticed the passage to Diagon Alley proper was already open. "Ah, there's Severus now."
Snape spoke not a word of greeting, but merely said to Hermione, "You're a poor imitation of the real Trelawney."
Lupin smiled blandly at his colleague. "It will do at a distance. Are you ready?"
Snape merely said, "Walk two paces in front of me to the Cauldron Shop, then straight to the back room. We'll use the floo network . Lupin, do try not let these villains get away from you this time."
"I understand, Severus. I, too, would hate to see such a brilliant student harassed by these men any further. It's good of you to show your concern," replied Lupin with his best mild manner.
Snape sneered and nodded to Hermione to begin walking. Lupin waited until they had reached the Cauldron Shop before stepping aside to wait for the Weasleys to head toward Diagon Alley. Just as the Weasleys stepped outside, Lupin heard the sound of a small explosion coming from the Apothecary shop that shattered its windows.
"And this is why your shop was inspected, sir." The voice of Mad-Eye Moody could be heard admonishing the shop owner.
"But, Mister Moody, the combination shouldn't have been volatile," whined the shopkeeper.
"One must keep constant vigilance or accidents like these will happen..."
Tonks followed Molly as she ushered her children on the other side of the street away from the Apothecary. She registered Lupin walking ahead to the bookstore and let herself smile at something Ron was saying. The trap to catch the kidnappers there would now be set, but in the back of her mind, she felt the tingle of worry. If Mad-Eye was willing to blow up the Apothecary Shop, what would he do at Flourish and Blott's?
And as he walked ahead of the Weasleys, Lupin was wondering the same thing.
TBC
Author Note: Hope this moved the plot along. Should finish up with the next chapter. Thanks for the encouraging reviews. A website on palmistry suggested the information about the heart line I provided for Lupin.
LUPIN'S LOVE LINE
Remus Lupin took a seat in the corner of the Leaky Cauldron and covertly watched as the Grangers met with the Weasleys. He had a glass of wine in front of him and a book in his hand. He'd identified Fester, one of the kidnapers, in the corner opposite him. Lupin looked at the door again since he expected to see the hooded form of Tonks entering, but she still wasn't here. They had apparated separately to the Leaky Cauldron to avoid being seen together. He wondered if Mad-Eye Moody had delayed her for some reason.
Lupin surveyed the families as they met. It was obvious that the Grangers trusted the magical family to care for their precious daughter. Ginny was giving Hermione a warm embrace, but when the young Miss Granger turned to the young Mister Weasley, they both sort of stared across each other's shoulders until Fred and George accidentally bumped each one's shoulder. Ron had to reach out to steady Hermione, and that gave the young witch sufficient excuse to give her friend a warm hug.
Lupin shook his head slightly as he remembered his own youth. He was more amused by the similarity than by Ron's awkwardness. He watched as the Grangers said their farewells. As they exited, he was surprised by the figure who appeared at the door.
Sybill Trelawney stood at the entrance in a diaphanous gray robe with her brown hair flowing from under her hood. The large eyeglasses completed the image of a rather large gray moth as she made her way along the wall to his very corner.
Lupin stifled a groan as she got closer and tried to appear focused on his book, but her voice floated to him. "Why, Remus Lupin! I'd say this was a surprise except that, of course, I knew I'd find you here."
Lupin had to clear his throat to even greet the woman. His eyes kept darting back to Fester as he said, "Sybill, it's nice to see you, but please forgive me for not offering you a seat. I'm expecting someone."
"Yes, I know," said Trelawney, although she sat down anyway. She turned her chair a bit and put her hand on her temples. "I see a young woman with hair the color of..."
Trelawney seemed to stop in confusion. "Oh, dear me, I can't quite picture the color of her hair. Somehow a rainbow comes to mind. Does that make any sense?"
Lupin was actually surprised by the comment, but Trelawney was scanning the room with her head swaying just a bit. He said, "Actually, it does, but really, I'm expecting her any--"
"Ah, you seem quite eager for this woman," said Trelawney. "Here, let me read your heart line. It's best to know if your efforts will be fruitful. After all, you're not getting any younger."
"No, really, Sybill, I just--"
Trelawney yanked his hand away from his book and brought it palm up. "No wonder you're still a bachelor. Your heart line decrees that you're too choosy about your partners. See, it ends right under your index finger."
Trelawney was tsking at him. Lupin sighed, but there was something about the way she was holding his hand that evoked a familiar memory in him. He frowned a bit as he studied her hands, but Trelawney was now tracing her finger along the lines of his palm.
"You'll need to answer some questions before I can help you out if this predicament with your heart line. Do you prefer French poodles or Welsh corgis?"
Lupin's lips quirked into the slightest smile. "Welsh corgis."
"Ah," said Trelawney, although now the woman wouldn't look at him. Then, as she traced a circle on the palm of his hand she asked, "Do you prefer raspberry or pumpkin?"
Lupin leaned in to murmur in her ear. "Are we talking about the color or the fruit inside?"
The slight blush rose on her face, but Trelawney said, "Never mind. Now, uh, let me see, er, what is the size of your wand?"
"Which one?"
She looked at him sharply. "I was referring to your wizarding wand, sir!"
"So was I," he said, then leaned in further to add quietly, "Tonks."
Tonks exchanged a quick glance with Lupin, but didn't release his hand. He continued, "Why the new disguise?"
"Snape saw Faust and Fester acting suspiciously in front of the Apothecary. He told Moody as soon as he showed up. Mad-Eye swears they've set up triggers for sleeping dust."
"So he wants the exchange made now since the shop is on the way to Flourish and Blott's," said Lupin. "Do I take Hermione to the house?"
"Snape's waiting outside to take her to the Order. I need a few more minutes to study Hermione, though."
"Why did you decide on Sybill Trelawney?" asked Lupin as he covertly watched Fester. He raised his glass of wine to take a sip.
"Wanted to tick off Snape," admitted Tonks without hesitation. "Would you believe I caught them in a clinch during my last year at Hogwarts?"
Lupin almost spat out his wine. "You don't mean Sybill and Severus?"
"It's a Halloween I'll never forget. On the other hand, it could just be the firewhiskey that got slipped into the punch." Tonks smirked a bit, then said, "Tell me that story about your wands, Professor."
"My first wand was destroyed during a full moon when a good friend of mine was testing the idea that wands would be impermeable to werewolves."
"He didn't!" Tonks was eager for the story, but kept her eye on Hermione who was now having an argument with Ron about the maturity of his obsession with quidditch.
"In his defense, he did buy me a new one." Lupin looked at Ron and Hermione as well and added, "Arthur really does need to have a talk with the boy."
"Think they'd let me listen? I've never heard the 'talk' that boys get about growing up." Tonks then nodded firmly. "All right, I've got her. Tell them about the change in plans and have Molly send Ginny and Hermione to the lavatory. We'll switch out there."
Tonks rose and left the table to head directly to the washroom. Lupin waited for a few moments then went to the bar to get another glass of wine. This allowed him to approach Arthur before moving back to his seat. Lupin kept an eye on Fester as he waited. - - - - - - -
"You're a metamorphmagus! I can't believe it, this is so thrilling," squealed Hermione in delight, although the imperturbable charm Tonks placed on the room prevented anyone from hearing.
"Tonks can do hair, noses and everything," assured Ginny as she helped them exchange cloaks while Tonks scrunched her face as she concentrated. "Oh, you are really good, Tonks."
Ginny Weasley was staring at identical twin Hermiones. The two looked at each other, one open mouthed in surprised and the other grinning.
"One more quick spell." Tonks touched her wand to Hermione's throat and said, "Vox similis."
Tonks spoke and her voice sounded just like Hermione as she asked, "So, is there one thing I should make sure I do to convince people that I'm the real you?"
"Bicker with Ron," responded both girls.
"Gotcha," said Tonks. "Now, let's take care of the hairstyle. Frizzify!"
Hermione stifled a sigh. She had worked so hard to get her hair under control, but she would look more like Sybill Trelawney under the hooded cloak if her hair was flying around her. She looked in the mirror and dawned the glasses. "Oh, good, I was worried I'd have to actually try to see through these."
"I always carry a pair with fake lenses. I can spell them to take whatever shape I want," said Tonks. "Well, Hermione, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other. You go out first. Walk straight to Remus Lupin and he'll make sure you get to Snape."
"Professor Snape is escorting me back to this safe house?" asked Hermione in almost a whine.
"Don't worry, you'll be pleasantly surprised when you get there. Just ignore the house," said Tonks as she pushed Hermione to the door. - - - - - - -
Lupin stood from his seat as soon as the figure of Sybill Trelawney approached him again. "Here, Sybill, allow me to escort you out."
The pair walked to the door as Ginny and Tonks took their places with the Weasleys. Lupin could hear the voice of Hermione immediately arguing with Ron as he escorted the real young lady to the door.
"Don't worry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny will be safe, I promise," said Lupin as they stepped outside the door of the Leaky Cauldron. He noticed the passage to Diagon Alley proper was already open. "Ah, there's Severus now."
Snape spoke not a word of greeting, but merely said to Hermione, "You're a poor imitation of the real Trelawney."
Lupin smiled blandly at his colleague. "It will do at a distance. Are you ready?"
Snape merely said, "Walk two paces in front of me to the Cauldron Shop, then straight to the back room. We'll use the floo network . Lupin, do try not let these villains get away from you this time."
"I understand, Severus. I, too, would hate to see such a brilliant student harassed by these men any further. It's good of you to show your concern," replied Lupin with his best mild manner.
Snape sneered and nodded to Hermione to begin walking. Lupin waited until they had reached the Cauldron Shop before stepping aside to wait for the Weasleys to head toward Diagon Alley. Just as the Weasleys stepped outside, Lupin heard the sound of a small explosion coming from the Apothecary shop that shattered its windows.
"And this is why your shop was inspected, sir." The voice of Mad-Eye Moody could be heard admonishing the shop owner.
"But, Mister Moody, the combination shouldn't have been volatile," whined the shopkeeper.
"One must keep constant vigilance or accidents like these will happen..."
Tonks followed Molly as she ushered her children on the other side of the street away from the Apothecary. She registered Lupin walking ahead to the bookstore and let herself smile at something Ron was saying. The trap to catch the kidnappers there would now be set, but in the back of her mind, she felt the tingle of worry. If Mad-Eye was willing to blow up the Apothecary Shop, what would he do at Flourish and Blott's?
And as he walked ahead of the Weasleys, Lupin was wondering the same thing.
TBC
Author Note: Hope this moved the plot along. Should finish up with the next chapter. Thanks for the encouraging reviews. A website on palmistry suggested the information about the heart line I provided for Lupin.