A/N: I'm in the middle of my assessment weeks right now, hence the lack of updates. This chapter isn't finished, but I'll put the second half in a following post coz it ends nicely as it is. Will try to update soon! (Ps, I'm aware that I'm letting Harry have a lot of Hogsmeade visits, I just figured that the older years could have more freedom as to when they went…who am I kidding, I just felt like it, ok?)
The spring days were becoming warmer. Harry was most pleased to find that the sun was shining was he dressed for his trip to Hogsmeade. Ron sat on the edge of his bed, pulling on his socks and giving a huff as he struggled to do so. Harry had made the mistake of asking Ron if he wanted to come with him to meet Remus for a drink in the Three Broomsticks to which Ron had replied that, no, he didn't want to meet Remus at all as "the guy is a complete jerk." Ron had then gone on to say that he would rather hang out with his little sister than Harry, if he was going to see that "low life." Harry had pointed out that Ron had once liked this so-called low life, causing a scowl and a vow of silence from his temperamental friend.
Harry made his way down to the village alone, watching the groups of students in front. He gave a wave to Hagrid who was making his way across the grounds, carrying some unrecognisable dead creature over his shoulder.
As Harry entered the village he checked his watch; 10:57, he would be right on time. He made his way to the Three Broomsticks and sat on a bench outside to wait for his old professor. Remus finally arrived at almost 11:15, a sheepish smile on his face.
"Hello there –"
"Hello there yourself! You're late. Cho Chang's just walked past with a group of mates who were giggling at me," he said with revulsion. "She probably thought I'd been stood up or something." He cringed.
"I'm too much of a gentleman to ever stand you up, Harry," Remus joked as they entered the pub. Ginny was sat with a group of friends by the door. She gave a wave as they passed. Harry noticed that Ron wasn't with her. Probably still sulking, he thought, and then came to the conclusion that he didn't really care. They ordered their drinks and took a table near the window.
"Ron not with you," Remus stated as they sat. Harry shook his head.
"Nah, he still hates you," he said honestly. Remus wrinkled his nose in an obvious lack of caring. They sat quietly for a while, Remus watching Harry, Harry watching the table.
"You're quiet," the elder noted. "Anything wrong?" The boy shook his head and took a sip of his Butterbeer to hide his discomfort. After swallowing rather large mouthful, he spoke up.
"I'm just thinking."
"Now I know something's wrong." Harry threw Remus a scowl. "So…you didn't bring Tonks along with you?" At this, Harry knocked his drink slightly, causing it to slosh onto the round wooden table between them. Keep your mouth shut!
"Er…no she's busy," he replied too quickly then looked down at the table, noting the mess he'd just made. Remus frowned.
"Surely Tonks isn't working over the weekend, that's not like her at all," Remus mused. Harry felt his face going red. "She can't be feeling well."
"Umm actually you're right."
"I am?"
"Yeah, she… she's ill." Harry felt like kicking himself.
"Oh," Remus looked genuinely concerned. "Perhaps I should go see her later." No!
"Er, no! No, don't do that. She's been asleep all day, all weekend actually, yeah. She'll be fine." Harry took another hurried gulp of his drink and offered his friend his best smile of conviction. Remus was unconvinced but let it drop.
"Hermione says hi." Harry was relieved of the change of topic.
"Really? How's she doing?"
"Better," Lupin admitted. "It may be some time before she's ready to come back to school. Still, she's realising that she's going to have to move on. Though I don't think she'll ever get over it."
"No, I don't suppose she will," Harry mumbled. They fell silent again as a group of 3rd Years passed their table.
"You know, I think I will go check up on Tonks," Remus announced, causing Harry to cringe.
"Nah, you don't need to. I checked on her earlier. She's fine really, looking better already. In fact she's better than fine, she's great!" Positively glowing…shut up!
"But you said she's been asleep all day." Harry froze, thinking fast.
"Did I?" he stammered. "Well, not all day… In fact, yes all day. I haven't seen her. I'm getting confused with another day. I see her around all the time, it's hard to keep track." He gave a nervous giggle. Remus raised his eyebrows.
"Ok, Harry what's going on?"
"Huh? Nothing. Why would you think…um nothing."
"Is something going on with Tonks?" Harry's face was getting hotter by the second. He looked around the lively bar, as if in search of something to distract Remus. He found nothing.
"Tonks? Um, no I don't think so…why? Did she say something? … I don't see her much anyway. She hasn't mentioned anything, you'd have to ask her yourself." Harry said all-too-quickly, and then gave a nervous grin.
"Ah, I think I know what's going on here," Remus said quietly. Harry's face fell in horror.
"You do?"
"Uh huh," Remus nodded. "Don't look so worried Harry. Lots of boys your age get crushes on their school teachers." Harry's mouth dropped further, only this time out of indignation.
"What? Remus…no! I can't believe you would even think that! That's just so wrong!" The boy gave a cringe and Remus laughed.
"So I've got it wrong then?"
"Very wrong!" Harry insisted, feeling incredibly embarrassed. Remus gave a sigh.
"Fine then Harry, you tell me. What's going on?" He looked squarely into the boy's green eyes. Harry squirmed in discomfort.
"Tonks is pregnant!" The words fell out of his mouth without him meaning to say them. When Remus failed to react, Harry hoped that he had just said the words in his head. This hope was soon quashed when Remus began to speak quietly.
"Right…I, uh, hmm. You sure?" Harry nodded. "Right…is she sure?" Harry nodded again. "Right…I should go see her."
"No you can't, I wasn't supposed to say!" Harry pleaded, but Remus rose slowly. Harry grabbed at his arm and yanked him back down to his seat and knocking over the dregs of his Butterbeer. They flowed into a pool on the table.
"Uh oh. Listen, stay there I'll be right back." Harry leapt up, ran to the bar to borrow a cloth from Madam Rosmerta, and then rushed back to find that Remus hadn't moved an inch. He wasn't even blinking. Harry didn't know whether to be worried. He quickly passed a hand in front of Remus' eyes. The man scowled and gave him a sharp tap on the back of his hand. Harry withdrew it with a wince. He began to mop up the mess he'd made and spoke to Remus casually.
"Don't worry about it, mate. It's fine…Hey it might not even be yours anyway." He looked shifty as Remus continued to glare at him. "Ok it is. But it's no big deal…it's not as if you have to marry her or anything, this is the twenty-first century after all." Remus did not seem to take comfort in the boy's words. Harry began to chuckle.
"What's so funny?" Remus asked distantly.
"You sly old dog!" he said with a grin. "I knew you wanted to bang her against a wall!"
"Right, that's it. I'm off. I'll see you later." He rose hurriedly, leaving Harry sat alone at their table, dreading his next run-in with Tonks.
