Of Nymphs and Werewolves

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Chapter 3

Remus stood up, swaying slightly. His head felt leaden-heavy. The bottle of potion was still in his hand as he followed Healer Fraderlick back into ward fifty-six.

The little room was dark; night had fallen while Lupin slept, and the only source of light was a small candle by Tonks' bed. She was lying quite still…

"We nearly lost her at one point," said Faderlick beside him, as they approached the bed. "Two of the spells, very Dark Magic, weren't cast properly at the time… Caused some real damage to her chest - the reason she was out of breath. You called us just in time, a few more minutes and she would have not stood a chance of recovering."

"Will she… Is she…" Lupin couldn't finish the sentence. Fraderlick smiled slightly.

"She's going to be fine," he nodded.

It was as though a heavy stone had fallen from Lupin's heart. He looked at the figure lying on the bed, his eyes filling with tears.

"She's still weak," continued the Healer. "We'll keep her in for another few weeks, but we're positive she'll make a full recovery."
"Thank you," whispered Lupin, not wanting the Fraderlick to see he was crying. "For everything."

"Your welcome," replied Fraderlick kindly. "If you need anything, just give us a shout."

With that, Lupin was left alone. For a moment he stood, overcome with emotion, gazing down at her face. The pained expression had left it. She was lying, her chest rising and falling quite freely, her cheeks lightly flushed in sleep. He knew better than to wake her, and blew out the candle by her bedside.

The moon shone through the window in the tiny room. It would be full in three days time, which meant he had to be well out of St Mungo's by then, but now he simply drew the curtain, not letting such thoughts creep into his head.

She was alive, she was going to live…

Lupin sat down in the same armchair. It was strange thinking that, only a few hours ago, he had rushed from it in such different spirits.

He looked down at the potion in his hand. It was nearly empty… There would be no need for it anyway, now.

He would have to talk to the others about drugging him like that, it gave you the most awful headache after…

Then he remembered the dream he'd had… The fateful night on the roof…

If it wasn't for that night he'd maybe have never come to love her like he did today. He'd have silenced his little infatuation. After the roof incident, though, every attempt of trying to drown her out had exactly the opposite effect. Maybe he couldn't forget that look in her eyes, or the feel of her lips on hers, but it had been the turning point in the realisation of his feelings.

After that night they didn't meet again for a long while. When they did though, he was struck by the change in her. She was no longer bright and bubbly, she had lost the liveliness in her voice, not to mention the ability to change her appearance. Then, her Patronus had taken a different shape… He couldn't believe it, what he'd thought was a simple crush had grown into a deep and most powerful feeling. There was no hiding from it, despite the fact he tried his hardest to.

Again and again he'd told her to carry on, but then it wasn't as though she had a choice. He had conveniently forgotten what it was like to be in love.

Then came the night of Dumbledore's death…

Bill Weasley was lying in the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts, his face mangled after the savage attack by Greyback. Fleur, his fiancé, mopped up his wounds, watched by Molly, who had the most curious expression on her face. Tonks was leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, her face unreadable. Arthur was standing by Bill's bed, accompanied by Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville Longbottom and another girl Lupin didn't know. (AN: Luna Lovegood)

Mrs Weasley spoke:

"Our Great Auntie Muriel," she said. "has a very beautiful tiara - goblin made - which I am sure I could persuade her to lend you for the wedding. She is very fond of Bill, you know, and it would look lovely with your hair."

"Thank you," replied Fleur stiffly. "I am sure zat will be lovely."

Then, suddenly, both women were hugging each other and crying. Lupin raised his eyebrows at Arthur, but his eye was caught by Tonks, who looked furious all of a sudden.

"You see!" she said in a strained voice, walking up to him. "She still wants to marry him, even though he's been bitten! She doesn't care!"

Oh no…

"It's different," said Lupin, barely moving his lips and looking tense. "Bill will not be a full werewolf. The cases are completely -"

"But I don't care either, I don't care!" Tonks had seized the front of his robes and shaking them aggressively. "I've told you a million times…"

"And I've told you a million times ," said Lupin, staring fixedly at the floor, avoiding her gaze, "that I'm too old for you, too poor… too dangerous…"

"I've said all along you're taking a ridiculous line on this, Remus," said Molly, still hugging Fleur.

"I am not being ridiculous," replied Lupin, feeling cornered. "Tonks deserves somebody young and whole."

"But she wants you," said Arthur, smiling slightly. "And after all, Remus, young and whole men do not necessarily remain so." He gestured sadly at his son, lying between them.

"This is…not the time to discuss it," said Lupin helplessly, avoiding everyone's eyes. "Dumbledore is dead…"

"Dumbledore would have been happier than anybody to think there was a little more love in the world," said Professor McGonagall curtly, dismissing his attempt to change the subject. The doors to the Hospital Wing swung open and Hagrid walked in.

His face was swollen as he sobbed, a vast spotted handkerchief in his hand.

"I've … I've done it, Professor," he choked. "M - moved him. Professor Sprout's got the kids back in bed. Professor Flitwick's lyin' down but he says he'll be all right in a jiffy, an' Professor Slughorn says the Ministry'd been informed."

"Thank you Hagrid," said Professor McGonagall, standing up quickly and turning to the group gathered around Bill's bed. "I shall have to see the Ministry when they get here. Hagrid, please tell the Heads of House - Slughorn can represent Slytherin - that I want to see them in my office forthwith. I would like you to join us, too."

Hagrid nodded and shuffled out of the room. McGonagall spoke to Harry.

"Before I meet them I would like a quick word with you, Harry. If you'll come with me…"

Harry followed her out of the room, murmuring "See you in a bit," to the others.

Lupin stayed silent, not daring to lift his gaze from the floor. He could feel Tonks' angry glances.

"We'd…er…better go too," said Neville. The other's nodded. The four teenagers left, leaving Lupin, Tonks, Fleur, Bill and Mr and Mrs Weasley. There was an uncomfortable silence, before Tonks let out an impatient noise.

"I think I'll return to my post," she said grimly. "Make sure there's no more trouble."

Lupin felt his stomach flip over.

"Tonks…"

But she was already out of the door.

Three pairs of eyes swerved to rest on him.

"I still think you're being very silly, Remus," said Molly matter-of-factly. She had let go of Fleur and was now sitting on a chair. "And egoistic."

"Listen, I really don't feel like being interrogated right now…" began Lupin, but he was cut off by Fleur.

"I do not see ze problem…" she said, blinking at him. "She loves you, does not she?"

Lupin sighed. Not another one…

"And you love 'er, do not you?" she pressed on.

Lupin closed his eyes. Arthur spoke.

"It's time you woke up, Remus… Sirius would call you a stubborn git if he knew…"

"Sirius would have torn me limb from limb if he knew I'd fallen in love with his cousin…"

"No he wouldn't have," said Arthur exasperatedly. "He would have forced you to go after her now and tell her how you really feel."

"Go on, Remus," said Mrs Weasley. "Tonight's events prove that life's too short to be noble…"

She trailed off, going a little pale.

"Besides," said Fleur. "Zat 'air colour really does not suit 'er…"

Lupin lifted his eyes to find them all watching him eagerly. Mrs Weasley nodded encouragingly.

"Thanks," he said simply, before turning on his heel and striding out of the door.

He had just walked out of the Entrance Hall when he saw her walking down the path to the school gates.

"Tonks!" he shouted. She stopped and turned around, surprised.

"Tonks! Wait!"

Lupin jogged up to her. She stared at him, frowning.

"What?"

Remus felt his mind go blank and his mouth suddenly go dry.
"I… um…I…"

She stood, waiting. "You…?"

"I…I love you."

Her eyes widened.

"I… I love you and I… I want to be with you, Tonks."

There was a ghost of as smile playing about her lips now. She seemed intent on letting him suffer.

"And I'm sorry for being… um…"

"A stubborn git?" she was grinning now. There was a distinct Sirius-like expression on her face.

"Well…yes…" he finished lamely. "Will you forgive me?"

Her eyes narrowed shrewdly.

"Can I call you Wolfie?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Remus laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Well… I suppose… Only when we're alone together," he replied, and then he kissed her.

"Remus?"

Lupin spun round. Tonks was sitting up on her bed, smiling at him…

This is not the end, there's one more chapter to go!

But in the meantime, you can review this one… ;)