Disclaimer: I still own nothing (and dreaming about it doesn't seem to help me for some strange reason…)

Blood of a werewolf

Chapter 4: Vastatore

Two days had passed since that night when Remus had come across Firenze. Two days in which Remus found himself regularly thinking back at what the centaur had said to him, whatever it might mean.

That's the whole point, I have no clue as to what he actually tried to tell me.

Remus had tried to think about something else but none-the-less found himself repeating Firenze's words over and over in his head.

Sorrowful things are happening elsewhere…Yes, that's the exact reason why I'm living here in the middle of nowhere, so why would he tell me that.

The things you hide from could follow you when and whereyou least expect them to…What is that supposed to mean, I somehow doubt Umbridge and her ridiculous laws will follow me here.

A nagging voice in Remus' head however told him Umbridge wasn't the only thing he was hiding for, but he quickly silenced that voice. Instead he started weeding the little vegetable garden he had started three years ago with seeds and roots he had found in the forest.

Working had been the best way to distract his thoughts, but for some reason today it didn't work like it was supposed to. Soon, Remus found his thoughts drifting towards a certain Metamorphmagus, wondering what she was doing these days. Probably working or having fun with some friends. He could still exactly remember how much fun one could have when Nymphadora Tonks was nearby and for a moment he allowed himself to get lost in his reminiscing.

After a moment, Remus shook his head and sighed. I should stop doing this to myself, I won't see her again and this is not making it any easier. He idly wondered why his thoughts seemed to drift towards her a lot more often during the last two days.

It is kind of strange, it's not like she could have anything to do with what Firenze said.

The things you hide from could follow you when you least expect them to…

Remus quickly shook his head. That's ridiculous, I'm not hiding from Tonks, why should I. I actually wish she would come and find me. A frown appeared on his face as he realised that wasn't entirely true, if he had wanted her to find him, he could have easily tried to contact her or anyone, but he hadn't, even Dumbledore had probably no clue as to where he was.

Alright, maybe I'm hiding from her, just like I'm hiding from everyone else.

A voice in his head replied with, but Tonks isn't everyone else. Why should you hide from her? He tried to silence that voice again, but it insisted. You're hiding because you're afraid, afraid she might reject you and afraid she might accept you.

Remus shook his head hard. I'm arguing with a voice in my head that doesn't make any sense, I'm think I'm finally going crazy.

He returned to his gardening, but the voice tried one more time to get trough to him. Firenze might have meant Tonks. Remus finally silenced the voice firmly. He can't have meant her, that's only wishful thinking. This time the voice kept silent.

000

Tonks had been walking in the rain for another two hours when it finally stopped. Relieved she lifted the spells to keep her dry before she continued. The clouds cleared a bit and she could see her surroundings more clearly. Good, now I might even see it when I pass a cave or a couple rocks that could hide a cave.

After another hour, she still hadn't found Grawps cave and she decided to look for a place to spend the night, since it was slowly getting dark now. At the side of the road were a few trees where she could set up her tent out of sight, she shrugged of her backpack and moved to get her tent out when she was stopped by a voice.

"Excuse us miss, but we would like to have a word with you."

Tonks flipped around quickly and recognised the same group of men who had been at the inn, whispering among themselves. About me, she realised now. Instinctively, she reached for her wand in the inside pocket of the Muggle jacket she was wearing. The same man who had spoken before, obviously the leader, stopped her.

"Kindly leave your wand where it is, we only want to talk."

Tonks looked stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered, not saying anything. How did he know I'm a witch? They must be wizards. What could they want?

"You're probably wondering how I know you are a witch? The way you acted in the inn was kind of obvious, you weren't in the least surprised by what those Muggles told you, any Muggle tourist would laugh at them. Besides, Muggle tourists don't come here and definitely not alone." Tonks didn't reply, so the man continued. "You said you could protect yourself, miss, but even for a very skilled witch or wizard is this area very dangerous. We thought it would be a good idea to offer you our company and protection."

"Thanks for the offer but I don't need your protection, I'm sure I can take care of myself." And if I couldn't, I wouldn't want your help anyway. I don't trust these men at all.

The men standing in front of her seemed to get irritated by her decline. The leader pressed on. "You said you have a reason for being here? If you are looking for something, we could help you, we know Transylvania very well."

Damn, why do I have such a big mouth. For all I know they could be working for Umbridge.

After Voldemort had been defeated and the war had ended three years ago, the public had found out that Umbridge had not only been executing so-called Dark Creatures without any real reason, but she also had sent many people to Azkaban for helping Dark Creatures. It's actually almost a miracle that they didn't arrest me.

Word had also leaked out that she was in league with Voldemort, although it was never proven. Umbridge had been forced to quit her post as minister, but ever since then, she had been trying to regain power, together with Fudge, who had been minister before her. A few weeks ago, Tonks had even heard some rumours about the both of them reassembling the last free Death Eaters and preparing for a new war.

It seems a bit far-fetched, but one can never be careful enough... Damn, after all these years, Moody is still rubbing off on me.

"My business here is none of your business and I don't have the time for discussing it with complete strangers."

"Excuse us for our rudeness, miss. I'm Michael Vastatore, this are my brothers Graham and David Vastatore and our friends Jack Didit, Ben Guylt and Al Summers."

Vastatore…Tonks recognised that name and it made an alarm bell go off in her head. Vastatore…Where have I heard that name before? A memory came up in her mind.

It was Christmas Holidays and many members of the Order had come together at Grimmauld place, the Weasleys were there and so were Harry and Hermione. Arthur had just returned from St. Mungo's after being injured during his guard duty. Tonks had been sitting in the parlor, talking with Bill and Charlie, all the while sneaking glances in Remus' direction, who was talking with Sirius and Arthur. Suddenly, Kingsley had entered and Tonks could immediately tell something was wrong by the look in his eyes.

"You never believe what Fudge and Umbridge are up to now. An extra Order meeting has been called together this evening, but I thought it best to let you know beforehand. They are planning on asking the Vastatore-brothers to work for the Ministry, to 'help ensuring the safety of the people'." A silence fell through the parlor. Tonks looked around her and noticed Remus' face had become even paler than it had been moments before.

"But don't we have the Aurors to ensure safety?" Bill had asked. Kingsley nodded, "I somehow don't believe that's their real reason and Dumbledore agrees with me."

"Why?" Tonks had asked. It was Sirius who answered, talking in an unnaturally quiet voice for him, Tonks noticed he had paled too. "Because the Vastatore-family are notorious werewolf-hunters and they are probably in league with Voldemort too." A heavy silence fell in the parlor and all eyes turned momentarily to Remus. He was the first to break it. "They are probably after me, Umbridge knows I'm close to Dumbledore." The next silence was even heavier than the last if that was possible, until it became almost unbearable and Tonks had decided to speak up. "We won't let anything happen to you, Remus." Her voice was soft but resolute and for a moment she wondered if it was really her who had spoken. The next moment, she met Remus' eyes, he had a small, grateful smile on his lips, Tonks felt her heart skip a beat. At that moment, Molly called out for them from the kitchen, dinner was ready.

Tonks clearly remembered that day, it was the first time she saw something close to fear in Remus' eyes. A few days later she had asked Sirius more about the Vastatore-family and he had told her they were known for the cruel, slow, torturous ways in which they killed their victims.

Werewolf-hunters…Damn, could things become even worse? How can I ever get rid of them in time and find Remus while making sure they can't find him?

Michael Vastatore was still speaking. "We don't want to impose, miss, but there are dangerous creatures living in this area, we are only offering our help and protection during your mission." However, something in his voice made Tonks realise she didn't have much say in the matter, they weren't planning on leaving her alone. But I'm not going to let them follow me without a fight.

"It's a very generous offer, Mr. Vastatore, but I'm afraid I must decline. As I said, I don't have much time and I think you might slow me down, besides, I am well capable of protecting myself, I have worked several years as a Ministry Auror at home." Tonks tried her best to keep up a friendly façade, but she felt she would start to fail soon if they didn't leave.

However, Michael Vastatore's friendly mask started to fade too and a face filled with anger and malice started to shine through, Tonks did involuntarily a few steps backwards. The next moment, the men who were introduced to her as David Vastatore and Jack Didit were standing at her side, pinning her arms down next to her and making sure she couldn't escape their grip, Graham Vastatore had pulled out a wand and aimed it in her direction.

"As you can see, it is not a wise idea to oppose us, miss. After all, you are travelling through our domain, it's not officially ours, but we claim it none the less." The rest of the group laughed maliciously at Michael's last words. "I must say you have been acting rude towards us, while I believe we have been perfect gentlemen. We told us our names and presented you a generous offer, but you declined it, you are searching for something in our land without our permission, who knows what precious things you seek, and on top of it, you haven't even told us your name." His voice stayed calm all the time, but in his eyes Tonks could see a dangerous fire burning.

"What shall we do with her?" Graham asked, still pointing the wand at her.

"We have to find out who she is and what she is doing here, maybe we could use her as bait during the next full moon." Tonks felt her eyes widen and her mouth becoming dry. They won't…One look around the group however told her they would indeed.

"You can't do that, it's against the laws and people will come looking for me, my friends know where I am."

"Ah, but you forget one thing, girl, since our good friend Dolores Umbridge has lost her power, we have become kind of outlaws too, one little crime more or less won't really make a difference."

Meanwhile, the last two men, Ben Guylt and Al Summers, had been going through the stuff in her backpack, trying to find some information about her, Ben stood and approached Michael, he was holding a small book in his hands. Oh, no, not my diary…It isn't only personal, it also contains the exact information they are probably looking for.

Jack gave the diary to Michael, who opened it and leaved through it quickly. "So, your name is Nymphadora Tonks, lovely name." Tonks glared furiously, but kept silent.

"Good, tie her up, we'll spend the night here, I will go through this tomorrow and we can decide what to do with her after that."

The men who had been holding her pulled out wands and with a few spells she had ropes bound around her wrists and ankles, they picked her up and made her sit with her back against a tree, with another few whispered words ropes were around her waist and the tree. The two men cast a last glance at her and Tonks saw a hunger burning in their eyes that made her feel nauseous, then they joined their friends who were making a fire and preparing some food.

Before they'll use me as bait, they will probably use me for something else. How is it that I get into such a mess when I'm this close to finally finding Remus. Fate must really hate me.

000

A/N: The name Vastatore comes from the Latin word 'vastator', which means destroyer or exterminator.

Thanks to all my reviewers…

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