'Don't Lose Hope'
Disclaimer: Okay, so we know the drill by now, all the characters, themes Etc… Etc…Etc…all belong to the GREAT J.K Rowling.
Chapter Two: Keep it Alive
He had been in and out of conscious for weeks now, wakening wearily to be force fed, raw bloody meats and horrid potions tipped down his throat that burned and churned the inside of his stomach.
Remus lupins sensitive ears fixed to his surroundings, the wall he was pressed against felt cold and damp against the raw skin of his back, his eyes were unfocused and clouded over as he squinted in the bright light. He could make out tall Elm trees circling an oval shaped patch of over grown meadow in front of him.
The rising sun cast shadows, enveloping him into darkness again. There was a loud 'crack' to his left and a figure loomed closer from the shadows, drawing nearer with every lite footstep. A women with matted dark hair that came to her waist, dressed in ripped worn greying robes and with the lingering smell of blood, leaned over the still captive.
"I see your awake, finally, I was wondering when it would be time for my fun with you…"she drawled in a scratchy earthy voice.
"What is it you want with me wolf?" replied Remus in a tired tone. They had held him captive here pinned to the wall of a stone building for weeks now, keeping him alive, without hope of escaping. Magical binds help him upright to the mould-encrusted wall; he couldn't even lift a finger let alone raise an eyebrow in frustration. Only his mouth could move, the wolves wanted to hear him screaming in agony whilst they tortured his sorry sight of a body, blood dripped from every limb. Angry welts were appearing over his bare chest from being whipped and taunted, until the point of losing consciousness.
"Well done Mr Lupin, so you have realised it is we, 'The Werewolves' who captured you after all, not the stupid Death Eaters" Snarled the women, inches from his face, she was so close he could taste the blood on her breathe, his inner wolf screamed at himself, wanting to share that blood! Lucky for him, the women covered his mouth with hers ferociously, biting at his lips, and sharing the strength of blood that all Werewolves craved at some point during the month. His mouth took over all thought but one, TONKS! He broke the kiss, pulling away sharply, whispering, "Must not forget Nymph!" he felt a sharp nail under his chin, pulling his face up to meet hers.
She ran her long nail up his neck, lifting his chin ever so slightly, and whispered in his ear, "your dead to her now, Remus. The whole wizarding world thinks you were killed, by us weeks ago."
"Exactly why am I alive, get on and kill me then you fowl beast!" growled Remus in a horse voice. He was scared deep down, trembling, on the verge of crying even. The thought of his Nymphadora thinking he was dead, he could not imagine it. He let out a long shudder through his body at the thought of her being hurt. 'I will come out of this alive! I must return to my Nymph!'
"You live because we have a special task for you to complete, before slaying your body and feasting upon your flesh by next full moon" she breathed.
"And what task would that be, wolf?" hissed Remus back at her.
"I'll admit Remus, your manners surprise me, I was informed you were quite the gentlemen, and here you are talking to a lady, and yet you have not asked my name…tut, tut" She wagged her finger in front of his face, in mock surprise.
"Let me excuse myself, Madam, as you may not be aware that it is not every day I am chained to a grimy old wall." Spat Remus in disgust with sarcasm rising in his tone, "So I apologize profusely for having forgotten my general manners for the time being, in the meantime, what would the 'Madams' name be?"
"Much better Remus", she almost squealed with joy, as if she was getting pleasure out of a man being so polite. "And my name, sir, is Ezmarelda, descendant, of Fenir Greyback." Remus had let out a gasp of surprisement and horror, at this particular peace of information. "Yes, I know Remus, my father gave you your bite, and you may even be pleased to know that he passed away in the war against the dark lord." Sighed Ezmarelda her joyous mood coming to a standstill. .
Remus felt a slight pang in his stomach, sure he did not know this woman, but she had lost someone close to her and he knew how that felt. He thought to himself, that maybe she wasn't all bad, she hadn't been nasty or vindictive to him yet. People change he reminded himself. "I'm sorry, for your loss," He whispered sincerely.
"Oh, Please, like you could care less, one of the most dreaded creatures of our time dies! And you apologize to his child as if you actually cared!" she threw back him, "I don't need your pity!" and with that there was a sudden 'Crack' and she apparated.
"Damn it, now I don't even know what my purpose for being here is!" cried Remus in utter despair, and cursing himself for being so empathetic.
The hot water blasted form the shower, as a sombre Tonks clambered underneath its comforting heat. She lent against the tiled wall and pulled her hands up to her face and quietly sobbed. Her body slid to the floor of the shower. Water rushed over her. It was here she let out a howling sob; her day at the ministry had started bad, and ended worse!
"Auror Tonks! This is unacceptable!" Tonks cowered under the height of Shacklebolt. Tonks had always liked Shacklebolt, he was a compassionate man, strong minded, but did not tolerate tardiness from his workers. "This is what, the THIRD time you've been late this week!" he bellowed into her timid face, he could see her eyes swelling, getting the glistening look juts before you cry. In a much lower, calmer tone, he said kindly to her, "follow me tonks, we need to talk about this. Once and for all."
Tonks scuffed her way behind him, chewing the sleeve of her deep black robes absently as she went. Kingsly opened his office door and pointed awkwardly to the spare chair situated in front of his grand oak desk, piled high with documents and various files of Deateaters cases. The Auror department in particular had been very busy these last few months following the war looking for rouge wizarding groups, practicing the dark arts.
Tonks took the chair offered in front of her, tripping over a cardboard box on the way, spilling the contents over the wooden floor.
"Don't bother" Grunted Kingsly as tonks started bending to pick the contents. He flicked his wand and they all whizzed back into place and the box hurled itself into a lower shelf. "Sit Tonks." He ordered, as he took his own seat in the large leather office chair. He leaned forward elbows on desk and looked into her eyes. "This has been a problem with you, ever since…" He trailed off, seeing tears welling up in Tonks eyes. With a swift fluid motion, he pulled a handkerchief form the tip of his wand and handed it to the girl. Tonks let out a sob and started bawling her eyes in front of her boss. How pitiful she must look she thought to herself.
When she had gotten over the most of her crying, she sniffed and looked back at Kingsly. "I'm Sorry Sir." He nodded in response, waving his hand in a gesture as if to say don't worry about it. Taking her cue to continue Tonks tried again. "Ever since…Remus…I've felt numb."
"Your not happy Tonks, its clear to everyone here." Tonks took a deep shuddering breath and shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "Tonks, I think…I think, that we will have to suspend you for a month or two" He said quickly, not looking into her eyes, "I just want to see you pull yourself together Tonks, You're a stand up Auror when your at your best…but lately you've been falling behind, always late, not getting paperwork completed in time, not filling out paperwork correctly." He took a moment to compose himself before saying; "Some of the other Auror are starting to complain, your becoming absent minded, reckless on missions, over looking dangers, and forgetting guidelines of the Auror code."
At this last statement he had looked her in the eyes, and hated the way her eyes showed every emotion, right now they were pleading with him for a second chance.
When she did not respond he cleared his throat and stated, " I'm sorry Nymphadora", She didn't even retaliate to her given name.
A/N Hi, i hpe you liekd this chapter, it took me a bit of time and thguht of how i could write it, things kept popping into my head, did u liek the name Ezmarelda, hehe, thats my name, well the full version sorta, it means Emerald.
Well happy Readng to you all, will have next Chapter posted in next couple of days.
Cheers, Chow. :)