Something Radiates – Chapter 4

The Last Assignment

The next day, Remus begrudgingly joined the group of Order members gathered in the kitchen. They were having breakfast before the end-of-the-week briefing. It was a tradition started by Sirius, who had always insisted on entertaining, in order to do something with his time. Remus supposed that no one had the heart to stop the tradition, just because the man who started it had died. Besides, Molly seemed quite enthusiastic to pick up the responsibility of cooking for fifty.

Remus hadn't really wanted to come down. It was only when he heard voices from his room that he figured that, if he were to continue working in the Order, he might as well at least make an appearance before the meeting began. The last thing he needed was to be accused of being untrustworthy, which they were bound to assume. What other type of person would completely avoid the other members, aside from one with something to hide? It was rather awkward, being around those people again. They, of course, all knew what had happened earlier that week. No one really approached him, and he was almost pleased to keep it that way. He could always ignore the nervous glances coming from the other members, as long as they did not speak to him.

As Remus nibbled on a piece of buttered toast, Tonks stood next to him. For a few minutes, she did not speak or even look at him. She merely leaned against the wall, sipping coffee and staring out at the crowd, occasionally nodding a hello to someone. He wanted to move, but knew she was standing beside him for a reason, and that, if he moved, she would follow anyhow. Instead, he finished his toast and then began to play with a loose thread on his sleeve cuff. Finally, Tonks reached over him to place her coffee mug on the kitchen table, brushing her arm against his chest. She stopped, mid-reach, and blushed slightly, before promptly dropping the mug, porcelain shattering against the kitchen floor.

She gasped. "Oh gosh! Oh no, I'm so sorry!"

He chuckled and performed a mending spell, before picking up the mug and placing on the table, as had originally been intended. Blushing an even deeper shade of pink to rival that of her hair, Tonks stared at her shoes as she spoke.

"Enjoying yourself?"

"Absolutely," he replied sarcastically.

The last of her embarrassment faded as a small smile found her lips. "You know, I just might have a silly idea…"

"Do you now?"

"Yes. It may just be a bit… outlandish… but why don't you, oh, I don't know, talk to people?"

He shrugged. "I haven't not spoken to anyone. Nobody's spoken to me and therefore I did not reply."

She frowned, slightly confused by his logic. "You could try to start a conversation."

He could not quite hide the bitter tone in his voice. "I could, but why put myself or the innocent bystander into such an uncomfortable situation."

"They aren't ignoring you because they're mad, if that's what you think."

"Is that so?"

"They're just afraid that they're going to say something to hurt you, that's all."

His eyes narrowed. "How do you know this?"

"I talk to others," she shrugged. "I hear interesting things, now and again."

He was just about to retaliate when Remus felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and found himself face-to-face with Dumbledore, who greeted him with a genuine smile on his face.

"Remus, it's a pleasure to see you."

"Same to you, sir."

"You're doing better, I gather?"

"Yes, much better, thank you sir."

"Well," he beamed, "It's nice to see you've decided to join us."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, sir," Tonks interjected.

Dumbledore turned to her and his smile grew. "I would not have expected anything less from you, Tonks."

She smiled in return, before turning to Remus and squeezing his hand. He rolled his eyes at her slightly, but could not hide the small smile that formed on his lips. Just then, Bill and Charlie Weasley, who were working locally the next few months, walked up to them, shaking hands and greeting Remus in a manner that was just a tad over-friendly. Remus' smile faded immediately and Dumbledore cleared his throat. For a split second, Remus wondered if the man could sense his discomfort.

"Well, I suggest you take your seats," he warned them, "Because the meeting is just about to begin."

Tonks and Remus nodded, before sitting beside each other at the long wooden table. Miraculously, Dumbledore was able to restore calm and manage to get all the members seated in little over five minutes. He noted with reverence that Dumbledore had a natural gift of drawing obedience from others. Remus had come to view Dumbledore in this light many years before, though. Ever since the man had allowed Remus to attend Hogwarts – before Remus had even met him – Remus knew that Dumbledore was not an ordinary wizard. This revelation had only been fortified over the years, and especially over the past week. Dumbledore had visited Remus only briefly in the hospital, but his clear blue eyes shone with understanding, and had lessened Remus' guilt, just a bit. He knew Dumbledore still trusted him and looked at him in the manner that he always had. In fact, Remus would not have been surprised if Dumbledore had been anticipating Remus' actions all along…

Remus' thoughts were interrupted as the headmaster began to speak. His expression was unreadable, but not at all unfriendly, as he went over the events of the previous week. Nothing major had occurred. A member of the order had been hurt, but was recovering and there was no need to re-tell the story, considering gossip spread quite quickly in the tight environment. Remus blushed as all eyes strayed to his face. They certainly knew the story. Next, Moody rose, and warned them to, as always, be prepared for the worst.

"Constant –"

"Vigilance," Tonks interrupted, "So we've heard."

Most of the Order members tried, with difficulty, to suppress laughter. Moody scowled at her. "You'd better watch yourself, girl –"

"She's right, you know," Bill Weasley interjected, "You're very predictable."

"Yes, and doesn't that make you an easy target?" Tonks asked, "Predictably, I mean."

"No. Now, if you would like to leave –"

"Let's get on with this," Snape said loudly, "Some of us have better things to do than sit here and listen to the three of you bicker."

"Yeah?" asked Tonks, "Like who?"

Dumbledore rose. "That will be enough."

"Right, moving on," Mad-Eye continued, "We don't have much planned for the coming week. Arthur and Kingsley, find out as much as possible about Fudge. If he's going to resign, I want to know about it before The Prophet does."

"Right," said Kingsley.

"You've got it," Arthur agreed.

"Good."

"I think you've forgotten one last thing, Alastor," said Dumbledore.

Moody's magical eye surveyed Dumbledore. "Ah, right. The little matter of Harry Potter." At this comment, many people sat upright in their chairs. "He'll be joining us at Headquarters again. We'll need someone to fetch him up tomorrow."

Hands flew up. Remus sighed. He was supposed to be the one to bring Harry, but supposed that privilege had been stripped from him.

"No, no, someone's already got the assignment - Tonks."

Her head snapped up in alarm. "What?"

"You're assigned to get Harry tomorrow. Aren't you paying attention? Or are you busy trying to find another way to undermine my authority?"

She blushed at this comment, before sobering. "But Moody, that's R –"

"Wait!" he growled, "I didn't finish!"

"Oh."

"Tonks, you will accompany Remus tomorrow, on his trip to Privet Drive."

Remus gaped at Moody. Was he serious? He was allowed to leave Headquarters and see Harry? Mad-Eye sent a rare smile his way. Remus smiled back.

-

At precisely noon the next day, Tonks and Remus stood outside of the Dursley house, staring up at it with interest. They didn't have much of a plan, Remus realized, although they didn't really need one. Things were much more simple this time than the last time. They would just knock on the door and take Harry away. They no longer needed to move under cover. Everything was out in the open anyway. They were to use a Portkey, made by Dumbledore, in order to return to Headquarters. If anything, the plan was much too simple.

"So… we're just going to… knock?"

"I guess so," he mumbled, "Although we should probably try not to upset the Muggles."

She grinned. "But that's no fun."

"I suppose it isn't, but we're here on business."

"Yes." She straightened dramatically. "Business."

Remus sighed in return and shook his head. "I'm glad we have an understanding. However, perhaps you should do something about, err, your looks."

She scowled. "Oh Remus, I'm not going to change my hair! They've seen me like this before, they can handle it."

"Yes, but when we met them at the train station a few weeks ago, we were trying to scare them. If they feel threatened now, they may not let Harry leave…"

"Oh, fine."

Remus watched, transfixed, as Tonks' eyes closed tightly in concentration and the hair on her head turned from short and pink to long and blonde. Her form-changing abilities had always intrigued him. Last year, Tonks had looked very smug indeed when he admitted that, out of all the different witches and wizards he had encountered, he had never met a metamorphmagus before. She noticed him staring and looked away, attempting to hide the blush that crept upon her cheeks.

"Better?"

He smiled as she glared at him. He was struck at how mundane and un-Tonks that hair seemed. It was rather sobering. "Much," he replied, without truly meaning it.

"All right, let's get going then."

She raised a hand to the door and knocked loudly. There was a bit of shuffling from the inside and a muffled voice said, "Get the door, Boy!" A few moments later, the door opened slowly, revealing Harry on the other side. Harry stared, unblinking, as Tonks waived enthusiastically at him. A genuine smile broke out upon the boy's face.

"Hello Harry," said Remus.

"Professor… Tonks…" he stared at the pair of them incredulously. "I didn't expect -"

"Who's at the door, eh?"

Before Harry could walk outside, his uncle came over, pushing Harry out of the way to get a good look at the people on the other side. He froze, as his face turned an angry shade of purple.

"You," he growled at Remus.

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Dursley," said Remus.

" NOW WAIT, SEE - I HAVEN'T BEEN MISTREATING THE BOY!"

"We know," replied Remus calmly.

"Don't step a foot inside my house or I'll –"

"You'll what?" asked Tonks with a forced kindness.

"I'll –" his voice dropped, "Get away from my house or you'll regret it."

Remus sighed. "Listen, this will only take a moment. All we need is Harry –"

Vernon glared at Harry, at his side, and gripped the collar of his shirt. "I don't think so."

"Really," said Tonks, "Would you like us to use force? Because we will."

A sneer broke out on his face, as he looked Tonks up and down. "You'll hurt me? I don't see that happening anytime soon, dear."

"Oh, but I do," said Tonks, as she pulled her wand out from underneath her robes.

"Tonks…" Remus warned in a harsh whisper.

She gave him an assuring look before turning back to Dursley.

"All right, all right! Take the goddamn boy! Makes things easier on me, anyhow. Never wanted him in the first place –" Vernon began to walk away from the door. "BUT DON'T THINK OF COMING INTO THIS HOUSE!"

Remus stopped at the threshold he was about to cross. Instead, he turned his head to the right where Harry was watching anxiously. "Right, Harry, we'll wait out here. Pack up all your things and meet us outside as quickly as possible."

Harry grinned at the pair of them, before speeding up the stairs. Remus stared after Harry for a few moments, before he heard Tonks' content sigh and turned toward her.

"I love when he smiles like that. Makes you forget how horrible this war is, especially for him."

Remus did not reply. He agreed, but it was too painful to admit this.

A few minutes passed, before the sound of something heavy banging down the stairs filled their ears. As Vernon harshly scolded Harry for making too much noise, Harry opened the door and practically ran out of the house. Remus dragged his trunk, as Tonks carried Hedwig's cage down the house's path.

"Right," she told Harry, "You just take hold of the Portkey. We'll handle your things."

"All right."

With a nod in Remus' direction, Harry touched the charmed hanger that Remus held out to him. Remus smiled at Harry until he disappeared from view. Once he was gone, Remus paused for a few moments, breathing the air in deeply. It was a beautiful summer day, he mused, almost longingly.

"You coming?" asked Tonks, holding the Portkey out toward him.

Remus blinked a few times. He had forgotten she was still there. "Yes, of course. Sorry, just got…distracted."

Remus took hold of the Portkey and, as his feet hit the Headquarters' floor, he wondered when he would ever step foot outside again.

A/N: Thanks for the lovely reviews! I really appreciate them, especially the detailed ones. Reviews are the most helpful tools out there. :) I've been trying to update every Saturday, but, unfortunately, I was unable to do anything this weekend. You have my teachers and the SAT's to blame for that. Ah, speaking of which – yes, I am American, so I apologize (see?) for the many Americanisms that have, undoubtedly, found their way into my writing. As always, thanks to my wonderful beta, Yen. I hope this chapter is satisfactory. TBC…