Disclaimer:I forgot to mention this in my last chapter but I don't own Harry Potter. The only way I could would be if I was J.K. and I'm sadly not.
A/N: Thanks you guys for not thinking my story sucks. It means alot. And thanks to lonna-senpai for all the super sweet comments and to everyone else who reviewed. Thank you you guys! Anyway, I sort of hit a writer's block with this chapter soI hope it's not too corny or unbelieveable.
The mood was very tense the next several days at Grimmauld Place as Harry's hearing with the Ministry loomed ever nearer. Everyone tried to act like he would get off Scott-free but secretly, everyone was as nervous as Harry was. Remus didn't have much time to talk to him as Dumbledore kept giving him small missions and lookouts to go on and he had guard duty. But when he did have a chance to talk to Harry, he tried reassuring him, knowing full well that nothing he said would make Harry feel any better.
"I'm worried Remus." Sirius was to be heard telling him one day.
They were in the library so Remus could grab a book to read later on.
"About what?" Remus asked, knowing full well what Sirius was talking about.
"About Harry of course! What if the Ministry doesn't believe him? What if they expel him? What if they send him to Azkaban?" Sirius' tone grew more worried and fearful.
Remus turned from the bookshelf he was looking at. "He'll be fine Sirius. I'm sure Harry will be just fine. Just try to relax. Harry's worried enough without you too." Remus turned back towards the bookshelf and grabbed a book, Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It wasn't actually a book, but it would do.
"I can't help but feel a little anxious Remus!" Sirius began twisting his hands nervously. "I don't know what I'd do if I let them expel Harry."
Remus tucked the book away into his robes and looked into his friend's eyes. "I know how worried you must feel, we all do. But even if Harry does get expelled, it won't be the end of the world. He still has you, after all."
Sirius gave a small smile that did not reach his eyes. "But, what-what would James say if I allowed Harry to be expelled?" Sirius looked down towards the ground.
Remus had to hold back some tears that were threatening to leak. "I'm sure James would be glad to know that you're taking care of his son." He finally said.
Sirius looked back up with small tears in his eyes.
"C'mon, let's go. Molly still wants us to help clean out the parlor." Remus steered Sirius toward the exit.
"The parlor room? I thought we finished that?" Sirius moaned, his usual manor beginning to appear.
Remus chuckled. "No, we still have much cleaning to do." Sirius groaned and whined in response.
The morning of the hearing, Remus found himself in the kitchen at Headquarters along with Molly, Arthur, Sirius and Tonks. They had all come to wish him luck and Arthur was going to bring Harry to work with him.
"Breakfast." Molly said as she pulled out her wand and started cooking as soon as Harry was in the kitchen.
"M-m-morning Harry." Yawned Tonks, whose hair was blonde and curly. "Sleep all right?"
"Yeah." Said Harry.
Remus knew this had to be a lie, he knew no one had had a decent night's sleep. He felt extremely sorry for young Harry. He had been through so much at such a young age; it just wasn't fair.
"I've b-b-been up all night." Tonks replied with another yawn. "Come and sit down…" She drew up a chair, knocking down the one beside it.
Remus stifled a very small chuckle at this. Tonks; she was so clumsy…and goofy…and pretty…and wonderful. Remus shook his thoughts away; he needed to be here for Harry, not ogling at Tonks! What was wrong with him?
"What do you want Harry?" Molly asked. "Porridge? Muffins? Kippers? Bacon and eggs? Toast?"
Harry decided on toast and Remus saw he looked a pale shade of green. He glanced at Harry then turned towards Tonks, intending on drawing some of the tense attention away from poor Harry.
"What were you saying about Scrimgeour?" He asked her.
"Oh…yeah…well, we need to be a bit more careful, he's been asking Kingsley and me funny questions…"
Remus nodded in understanding, staring at Tonks. He couldn't help it; she looked so beautiful, which was surprising as she had been up all night. Why did she have to do this to him? Molly came over and laid some toast down in front of Harry, diverting Remus' attention. Harry chewed his toast very slowly; Remus could tell that he wasn't very hungry and couldn't blame him.
"…And I'll have to tell Dumbledore I can't do night duty tomorrow, I'm just t-t-too tired." Tonks finished, yawning hugely again.
"I'll cover for you." Arthur said. "I'm okay. I've got a report to finish anyway…" He turned to Harry. "How are you feeling?"
Harry shrugged in response.
"It'll all be over soon," Arthur said bracingly. "In a few hours' time you'll be cleared."
Harry was deathly quiet.
Arthur, clearly not seeing the anxiousness in Harry's eyes, went on. "The hearings on my floor, in Amelia Bone's office. She's Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and she's the one who'll be questioning you."
"Amelia Bones is okay, Harry." Tonks said earnestly. "She's fair, she'll hear you out."
Harry nodded.
"Don't lose your temper." Sirius spoke abruptly, causing Remus to jump slightly. He had forgotten he was even there. "Be polite and stick to the facts."
Again, all Harry did was nod.
Remus, attempting to ease Harry's mind, also spoke. He didn't want Harry to think he didn't care by changing the subject and keeping quiet. "The law's on your side," he said. "Even underage wizards are allowed to use magic in life-threatening situations."
Remus intended to go on but he and Sirius' attention had been distracted by Molly fussing over Harry. Tucking in the collar of his shirt, smoothing out the creases and wrinkles in it…but it was when she attempted to put down Harry's very untidy mass of jet black hair with a wet comb that Remus and Sirius shared a secret smile. They always knew James loved to have his hair messy. Remus wondered what he would say if he saw Molly attempting to put down his son's untidy hair.
After Harry's hair had won the battle with Molly, Arthur and Harry set out for the Ministry. They were going to use the visitor's entrance and use Muggle transportation, so it gave Harry a good image when he arrived at the Ministry. Everyone wished him luck and the two exited the kitchen.
After they had left, Tonks got up and yawned, "Well, I'd best be off. I can probably catch a few hours of shut eye before I have to report to work."
"You still have work today?" Remus asked incredously.
She smiled and nodded. "Hey, that's what I get for volunteering for guard duty. I just didn't think I was going to get stuck with the night shift. Thank Merlin, Arthur's taking my shift for tonight."
Remus wished she would just stay here and get some rest, why should she go back to her flat all-alone?
"Why don't you just stay here?" Sirius asked Remus' thoughts.
Tonks looked at her cousin then at Remus, who blushed and looked down at the table.
"I'm sure Remus wouldn't mind sharing his room with you." Sirius said, obviously seeing the embarrassed look Remus had gotten when Tonks had looked at him.
Remus blushed, if possibly, even redder. He turned to stare at his friend and wanted to strangle him.
Molly ran over and smacked Sirius hard on the arm.
"Sirius, you really need to get your bloody mind out of the gutter." Tonks said.
Remus forced himself to look at her and to his strange relief; she also wore a bright crimson face. Remus also noticed that her blonde, curly hair was threatening to turn bright red again but it looked like Tonks was trying to control it. Red had sprouted at her roots and was slowly cascading down all over. Sirius thought this scene was very funny. He started laughing.
"Oh for heaven's sake." Molly shook her head at Sirius. "You could stay here though Tonks, if you'd like." She turned to her warmly.
Tonks half-glanced at Remus, who was still immensely embarrassed. "No, that's alright Molly. I'll just apparate to my flat. It's no big deal."
Remus couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed by this decision but didn't dare voice this out loud.
"If you're sure." Molly said slowly. She looked from Remus to Tonks and back again.
Why was Molly looking at them like that? It was very peculiar. She had given this same look whenever she had caught the two talking or laughing together. She couldn't possibly know of Remus' growing affection for Tonks, could she? No, she couldn't do Occlumency…could she?
"Night everyone." Tonks said. She smiled sheepishly when Remus looked at her and began blushing profusely again.
"Night Nymphadora." Sirius said.
She gave him a stern look that rivaled Molly's but said nothing more and with a tiny "pop" was gone.
Remus sighed under his breath and got up. "I best be getting off also. Dumbledore wants me to report what Tonks and I found on our mission."
"But I thought Tonks did that already?" Sirius said. He sounded a little hurt.
"Yea, but I guess he wants my account too. I'll see you all later. Owl me as soon as you hear about Harry, okay?"
"Alright." Molly said.
Remus walked towards the door and pushed it open. He decided to apparate right there to Hogsmeade, he didn't feel much like walking a lot. Next minute, he appeared right beside Madam Rosmerta's bar. He started walking towards Hogwarts, determined not to let his mind wander off again. But he couldn't help it. No matter what he did, all he did was think about Tonks. He felt slightly guilty, knowing he should feel more nervous for Harry, which he was already, but Tonks kept pushing the Ministry hearing out of his mind.
She was so sweet and beautiful and he was…well he was nothing. He sighed deeply as he walked along the road that led him towards Hogwarts. What would Tonks say if he told her how much he fancied her? Would she be disgusted and run away? Somehow, Remus didn't think Tonks capable of such behavior. Maybe she would like him back. Maybe she secretly carried a burning torch for him, as he did her. Was that even possible? No, it couldn't be. Why would she even think of going after him when she could have someone young and wealthy? Remus was so caught up in his thoughts; he didn't realize the tall, old man with long silver hair and beard standing at the gates, waiting for him.
"Morning Remus." Dumbledore said pleasantly.
Remus looked up. "Oh, Dumbledore. H-hello." He was surprised by Dumbledore's appearance. He hadn't expected him to be waiting for him.
Dumbledore smiled. "Come in, come in, I have lots to discuss." He walked through the gates, Remus by his side. "How is everything?" Dumbledore asked casually.
"Uh…fine…fine I guess." Remus was taken aback by Dumbledore's interest in his personal life.
Dumbledore nodded. "Good, good." He said quietly. "And how's everyone?" He half-looked at Remus.
"Uh…good. I mean, they're all nervous about Harry's hearing and all but other than that…" He trailed off. Where was Dumbledore getting at?
"I'm glad you mentioned that Remus. I've got to go to the hearing so I have to make this quick." Dumbledore stopped abruptly.
"Okay." Remus said slowly, very confused. "Well, Tonks and I have confirmed that-" He stopped suddenly as Dumbledore's hand went up and he shook his head.
"I'm not talking about that Remus." He said kindly, gazing at him through his half-moon spectacles.
Remus raised an eyebrow. "You're not?"
"No." Dumbledore replied cheerfully. "I want to discuss…a different matter with you."
"Okay." Remus said slowly.
"Here, let's take a short walk around the castle. I don't want us to be overheard." Dumbledore started walking; Remus followed suit. They walked for several minutes before Dumbledore finally spoke. "You know Remus, everyone deserves to be happy."
Remus didn't know what to say to this. What did Dumbledore mean everyone deserved to be happy? Of course they did. Where was this going?
"And I think you of all people deserve that most of all." Dumbledore continued, ignoring the confused expression that was plastered on Remus' face.
"Headmaster, what are you talking about?" Remus had to ask.
Dumbledore chuckled. "I'm talking about you being happy. You shouldn't let something as trivial as being a werewolf stop you from experiencing love."
Remus' mouth dropped open. What the bloody hell was going on? Dumbledore was a mastered Occulmens but he would never read someone else's mind, unless they were a Death Eater or something.
Dumbledore chuckled at Remus' expression. "I know about your…certain feelings for a young someone." His eyes twinkled mysteriously.
"What? Headmaster, I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have feelings for anyone." Remus lied.
Dumbledore continued to smile. "Ah Remus, it is nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone wants to experience love, even you. And I think you should. Love is a wonderful thing, it brings out the best in people, though it can bring out the worst in others." Dumbledore stared absent-mindly at the grass. "But in any case," he said after a moment's of silence. "I think you of all people need to experience love."
"Headmaster-" Remus started to say but Dumbledore interrupted.
"Please let me finish." He asked gently. "Remus, you shut people out and I know you do it because you think that you are protecting them but really you're not doing anything but causing unnecessary hurt and sorrow for them and yourself. People have tried to get you to open up to them. Even James and Sirius tried and you did open up to them…somewhat. But you still pushed them away."
"Headmaster, may I please ask where you're going with this?" Remus felt extremely uncomfortable, even if it was with Dumbledore, whom he'd adopted as a sort of father figure.
"Just let her know your feelings Remus. If you keep these emotions bottled up inside like this, it's just going to hurt her and you in the end." Dumbledore said simply. He grabbed a pocket watch from his robes and gasped slightly. "Oh, Remus, I've got to be heading off to Harry's hearing. Please, at least think about what I've said." And with that, Dumbledore headed towards the gates of the castle and apparated once outside of them.
Remus was very confused. He didn't know what to do or think. How did Dumbledore know about his feelings for Tonks? And it wasn't necessarily love he was feeling for her, was it? What did love feel like? He never had fallen in love with anyone before, so how could he know? He stood there for several minutes before walking towards the gates, intending on apparating as soon as he could. He had lots to think about.
A/N: Well, there it is, Chapter 8. Like I said, I hope it wasn't too corny or too unbelievable that Dumbledore would give Remus advice like that. I was going to have Molly talk to him but I figured she would most likely talk to Tonks and I don't know, Dumbledore seemed like a good choice. I didn't want to have Sirius talk to him either, he's much too busy worrying about Harry but I will have him and Remus have a talk so don't worry. And don't worry, when the kissing starts, it'll be worth the wait (I hope) so please review and tell me what you thought.