A/N: I'm not gonna say anything...I'm just gonna smile :)
It hardly felt like a month, Remus thought as he opened his door to Andromeda Tonks once more. The woman offered no greeting, but stepped inside. She headed straight for the kitchen and Remus followed, feeling as if his stomach had suddenly turned to lead.
"Hello Molly," Andromeda greeted the woman.
"Hello Andromeda," she replied with a curt smile, and then looked to Remus for reassurance.
"Where are the twins?" Andromeda asked. She looked around the kitchen needlessly, as it was clear that they were not present.
"They're sleeping," Remus said pointedly.
"We've just got them settled," Molly added, her tone lighter than the man's. She felt a confrontation brewing, and hoped to avoid it. Andromeda stared at them for a long moment.
"I am to return to Canada tonight," she announced and the man nodded.
"I know you are. But you are mistaken if you think for once second that you are taking my children with you."
Andromeda's nostrils flared in annoyance. If she were one to growl, she would have done so. Instead she smiled sweetly and adopted a voice that rivalled Umbridge. It made Remus cringe in disgust.
"I really don't think you can stop me, Remus. My grandchildren were born in Canada, they will be raised in Canada. That was always the plan."
"That was always your plan!" Remus was shouting now, and he saw Molly flinch from the corner of his eye. "You want to hear my plan? I planned to be at the birth of my children…I wasn't. I planned to spend the rest of my life with Nymphadora…I can't. I plan to raise my children, here in this house…and now you're telling me I can't do that either?" He gave a bitter laugh. "What right do you have, Andromeda?"
The woman paused, clearly taking in all that he had thrown at her. She gave a small, almost regretful sigh.
"In case you've forgotten, Remus, there is a war going on. Grief can sometimes make us overlook the dangers. I only want what's best for the children. It's not safe for them here…and then there's the fact that…" she trailed off, but Remus recognised the look in her eyes.
"What? That I'm a werewolf! Do you honestly think I would ever hurt my own children… or anyone! I'm not a bad person, Andromeda. Whatever reasons you have for wanting to take my children that cannot be one of them! I won't allow it to be, do you here me? I am their father, Andromeda. And I am human too!"
Faint crying could be heard from higher in the house. The three adults regarded each other. Andromeda moved first, towards the stairs. Remus was hot on her heels. Molly watched the twin's guardians leave at a pace, heard them bickering as they did so. Doors were slammed causing the crying to amplify.
Molly sat down wearily and blew a strand of fading red hair out of her face. It was almost funny how Harry, as a child, had not been wanted at all…and here were two people fighting to love these children.
Molly wanted them to stay, of course she did. The twins were her only hope of happiness during these dark times. Perhaps it was selfish of her, but she couldn't help it. They needed a reason to carry on.
Mrs Weasley crossed to a pile of newly laundered baby clothes. Some had come from Andromeda, and some were Molly's own. She lifted out a baby-grow. It was cream, though it had probably been white once. Molly smiled as she remembered holding Bill in her arms for the first time. How happy she had been. Who would have guessed then that so many more would follow? Her thoughts turned to Percy, her estranged son, and hoped that wherever he was he was happy…and safe. These truly were hard times, and the worst was yet to come. Mrs Weasley knew that not everyone would survive this war; she was realistic. But she was still allowed to hope, wasn't she?
A bang from the next floor jolted her from her thoughts. She smiled slightly, recalling the familiar noise; the umbrella-stand being knocked over. The woman swallowed sadly. It was a noise she hadn't heard in a while, and she was surprised to find that her eyes filled with tears at the sound of it.
She instinctively looked up to the top of the stairs. So many times the bright, young Auror would enter with an apologetic grin, head for the teapot, spill the milk (again, with an apologetic grin) and share her day with Mrs Weasley. Then, when Tonks had been given the post as Defence teacher at Hogwarts, the woman rarely saw the young witch. When Tonks and Charlie had started seeing each other, Molly was so pleased that such a kind and dependable girl had fallen for her son. But it wasn't to be. Molly still loved her like a daughter though, and she would love these twins like her grandchildren. Mrs Weasley began to turn back to the laundry, when a voice made her freeze.
"Hello Molly."
The woman held her breath and looked back to the stairs. Had she really heard that voice? Could she really see that familiar figure? This house was known for playing tricks on ones mind.
"Did you miss me?"
Molly dropped the baby item she was holding. She threw her hands over her mouth, shocked that she was shaking.
"I'll take that as a yes," Tonks said with a grin as she skipped down the steps. The witch dumped her travel bag on the table with a thud, and opened her arms wide. Molly embraced her numbly, feeling the arms close around her. This was too real and she wasn't sure if she liked it.
"Hey, Molly you're trembling," the younger witch whispered in concern. Mrs Weasley began to sob into the girl's dark hair. "What's wrong?"
"I…We thought you were…Oh Merlin, Dora we thought you were de…dead!" Molly stuttered a cry. Tonks frowned and pulled away from the older woman slightly.
"Why would you think that?" she asked with a nervous laugh. Molly was sniffing now, wiping her face with her apron. "I mean, I know I was away longer than planned but didn't my mother tell you–"
Tonks was cut off by another wail from the woman. She frowned as the woman buried herself into her shoulder once more. Tonks patted her on the back comfortingly.
"Well, I know my mother's been here," she observed, seeing the baby items scattered around the kitchen. "Molly, please stop crying! Tell me what's going on!" she said firmly. Molly nodded and took a seat. Tonks joined her, staring at the woman expectantly. Mrs Weasley took a deep, calming breath, wiped her blotchy face once more, and began.
"Your mother told us that you were dead, Tonks. She said you'd died after child birth," she mumbled quietly. Tonks gave a bark of a laugh. It echoed around the quiet kitchen.
"Don't be daft."
"It's true. We all thought you were dead. We all believed her…why would she lie?"
Why, indeed. Tonks frowned, studying the pained expression on her friend's face. She gave a little shiver.
"Why would she do that?" she asked herself, rather than Molly. "She was meant to tell you all that I was fine and would be home in a month. I couldn't wait for Remus to see the twins so I told her to take – Oh God, Remus!"
"He was devastated. Even more so because your mother insisted on taking the twins back to Canada with her tonight."
"What!" Tonks screamed, jumping up from her seat. She couldn't believe this. What was her mother thinking!
"Where are the twins, Molly? I have to see them."
Molly nodded, knowing the heartache that a mother would face, when being separated from her children for any length of time.
"They're asleep upstairs," she began and Tonks headed for the staircase.
"Thank you for taking care of them Molly," Tonks said quickly but sincerely. Molly nodded again, feeling honoured to be able to help.
"Wait Tonks!" The woman stopped in her tracks. "You really should talk to Remus."
"He's here?"
"Yes, with your mother."
At these words, Molly saw a flicker of grim abhorrence in the young woman's eyes. It was not often seen in the eyes of an Auror. Tonks gave a nod and continued up the steps to find Remus…and her mother.