Tonks woke earlier than her husband on Sunday. It had been just two days since the disaster at Bill and Fleur's wedding, and she was feeling anxious over visiting her parents that day. Although she had been sorely tempted to give into her parents' offer of having her and Remus move in with them, Tonks wanted to keep her space with Remus intact at the cottage, come what may. Remus was less enthused by the decision, but had relented to Tonks' wishes.

She got out of their bed and dressed herself slowly, still tired from the weekend. She had yet to feel any symptoms of early pregnancy, thankfully, but had taken to casting the pregnancy revealing charm each morning as an added precaution. Though she had yet to admit it to Remus, her worry over the viability of the pregnancy consumed most of her thoughts. Remus was convinced the child would die before coming to term. Tonks had become rather attached to the idea of becoming a mother to the child growing inside her. Remus was already distraught over the likelihood of Tonks losing her job because of her marriage to him. Tonks didn't want to add to his distress by showing how attached she'd become to their yet-unborn child.

"Dora?" Remus called from their bedroom.

"I'm in the kitchen, Remus."

Tonks saw as Remus emerged from their bedroom, his shaggy hair stuck out in odd angles and his pajamas disheveled. If circumstances were different, Tonks' heart might have burst upon seeing Remus in his adorably sleepy state. As it was now, she could only see the worry in his eyes, the lines in his face grown more pronounced in the last two weeks.

"We're visiting my parents for tea soon," Tonks reminded. "And to tell them we won't be moving in with them."

"Are you sure that's what you want, Dora?"

"I do. I like having our own space. I'd try to move into Mad-Eye's place, as it's bigger than our cottage, but the enchantments around it will take the better part of a day to undo, and that's with me already being allowed through some of them."

"We can work on breaking through those enchantments another time," Remus agreed. "We'll stay here for now, then."

"You should get dressed. Mum and dad will be expecting us soon," Tonks said. Remus went back to the bedroom, dressed himself, and combed his hair.

"Let's go," Tonks said, grabbing Remus' hand and leading them out of the cottage to Apparate to her parents' home.

Once there, Tonks immediately noticed the lack of enchantments. Though she had expected as much, now that the Ministry had fallen, it disturbed her nonetheless. Remus must have felt the same lack of enchantments, as he began muttering several incantations under his breath to reinforce the protections around the home.

Tonks let herself and Remus through the front door.

"Mum? Dad? We're here!" she announced.

Her parents came out of the parlor; each of them had dark circles under their eyes and were haggard in appearance.

"What happened to you?" Tonks demanded. "Something's wrong."

"Tea first," Andromeda said curtly, gesturing for Tonks and Remus to follow her to the parlor. Tonks looked up at Remus, whose face was set into a grimace.

While Andromeda served tea to each of them, Tonks looked at her parents more closely. They both trembled slightly, and the dark circles under their eyes were more pronounced.

"Tell me what happened," Tonks demanded.

"We had a few visitors here yesterday," Ted said grimly. "Unexpected ones."

"Who?" Remus asked, his face tight and pale.

"Death Eaters," Andromeda sighed. "Not my sister, thankfully," she added quickly. "Macnair, Yaxley, and another one whose name we didn't get came to see us."

"What did they do to you?" Tonks asked angrily.

"They tortured us, Dora," Ted said hoarsely. "Cruciatus Curse."

Tonks clapped her hand to her mouth, and Remus put his head in his hands.

"Why? What did they want with you?" Tonks asked in disbelief.

"The Ministry knew we had helped Harry Potter, or one of his doppelgangers, last week," Andromeda explained, her voice also slightly raspy. "They had records of the homes with enchantments. They tortured us to get information of Harry's whereabouts, but of course, we didn't know."

"I'm so sorry Andromeda, Ted," Remus apologized, a pained look in his expression. "We should never have asked for your help."

"We were happy to help, son," Ted replied. "We're shaken, but otherwise okay."

"Dora, we should move in with them," Remus announced. "We could have helped."

Tonks glared at Remus, but knew he was right; as much as she wanted to keep living in his cottage, her body was hot with fury over her parents having been tortured just the day before.

"Why didn't you tell us earlier? You could've stopped by!" Tonks exclaimed angrily. "We'd have kept you safe!"

"You two had your own ordeal," Andromeda said. "That's what we assumed, considering what Macnair and Yaxley said about you both yesterday."

"What did they say?" Remus asked, looking fearful.

"Macnair in particular was upset in Nymphadora's choice of spouse," Andromeda said evenly. "He had various insults too vulgar to repeat for you both." Andromeda looked angry, which intimidated Tonks; rarely did her mother show emotions so strongly.

"Remus, did you threaten Macnair?" Ted asked gently. "He was a rather unpleasant fellow."

"I did," Remus replied, hanging his head down in shame.

"Don't be embarrassed, sweetheart," Tonks said. "You were only protecting me." Tonks looked up at her parents, both of whom had curious expressions on their faces.

"The mating thing is real," Tonks explained. "Anytime Macnair got anywhere close to touching me, Remus was…visibly upset."

"I was ready to rip his throat out," Remus said quietly. "If it hadn't been for Dora, I likely would have murdered him two nights ago."

"Was he threatening you?" Andromeda asked harshly.

"He grabbed my arm before interrogating me, and Remus looked ready to murder," Tonks elaborated. "If I wasn't his mate, I think I'd have been frightened."

"We should move in with your parents, Dora," Remus repeated. "It will be safer for all of us, especially with the…" he looked down at Tonks' abdomen.

"—baby. That's what it's called, Remus," Tonks provided impatiently. "And fine, I s'pose we'll live here now."

"Nymphadora, don't be so glum," Andromeda scolded. "You, Remus, and your baby will be just fine here."

"What about Remus' transformations?" Tonks demanded. "It's not like we have a ready-made cellar for him here."

"I can go back to the cottage on the day of the full moon," Remus suggested. "We'll keep the cottage and the cellar under the Fidelius Charm."

"Let's get our things, then," Tonks said sullenly. "May as well do this before I start work tomorrow."

Remus looked apologetic, while Tonks remained unhappy with the new arrangement, despite the many benefits it would offer them all. She certainly didn't want her parents to suffer the Cruciatus Curse, but her pride was hurt slightly that in the entirety of her adulthood, she had yet to spend a full year on her own.

….

Monday morning dawned bright and sunny. Tonks dressed gloomily for her day at work, as she was expected to finish and submit the list of all Muggleborn witches and wizards in Britain to Umbridge. Further yet, she was dismayed that as Scrimgeour was now dead, Thicknesse was the new Minister for Magic. He was clearly on the side of the Death Eaters and Voldemort. It was only a matter of time before she was sacked.

"Good morning, Nymphadora," Andromeda greeted. "Remus is out in the garden. Your father is already at work."

"D'you think dad will be sacked too?" Tonks asked. "We'll all be without jobs at this rate."

"Your father will work as long as he's able, Nymphadora. As will you," her mother said sternly. "We'll see you when you're home this evening."

"If I make it that long," Tonks muttered under her breath. She shuffled towards the fireplace, which was still connected to the Ministry Floo, and went through the fireplace to get to work.

The Atrium at the Ministry was unusually subdued. The Magical Brethren fountain, to Tonks' shock, had been removed entirely. Nothing had been put in its place, yet, but Tonks had an uncomfortable feeling that whatever would replace it would not be positive. She hurried through the lifts and managed to arrive at the Auror office. The mood there was as somber as in the Atrium.

Several memos were waiting for her at her desk. The first indicated a meeting with Umbridge in an hour to deliver the final list of Muggleborn witches and wizards. The second indicated the new effort to track and imprison "Undesirable Number One" Harry Potter. The third indicated a set of new policies for Ministry workers, which read:

Effective 1st August 1997, all Ministry employees shall be subject to random questioning by the Minister for Magic or those acting on his behalf. Failure to cooperate with questioning shall result in immediate termination of employment. Effective 1st August 1997, All Ministry employees shall be required to sign loyalty pledges to the Ministry. Failure to sign the pledge shall be punishable by immediate termination of employment. The loyalty pledge shall be considered null and void if one or more of the following conditions are met: Knowingly restricting the information of whereabouts considering "Undesirable" individuals, as identified by the Minister for Magic. Explicit involvement in undercover, traitorous, or terrorist organizations. Secretly harboring, aiding, or financing the activities of "Undesirable" individuals. Explicit alliances with "Undesirable" individuals (e.g. marriage, adoption, business partnerships). Explicit alliances with Dark creatures and part humans (e.g. marriage, adoption, business partnerships) to any of the following creatures or part humans (Veela, centaurs, werewolves, vampires, Merpeople, goblins, etc.) Effective 1st August 1997, failure to submit suspicious individuals for questioning. All Ministry workers who suspect another worker of traitorous, terrorist, or undercover activities must report the suspicious individual to the Minister for Magic or inform his office.

Tonks read through the new policies and was horrorstruck at what it was asking of Ministry workers – it explicitly barred her from staying with Remus, as any loyalty pledge she signed for the Ministry would be voided by her marriage to him. Under such draconian policies, even Arthur Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt were at risk of losing their jobs.

"Auror Lupin," Kingsley called. "Can you see me in my office?" Tonks nodded gratefully and followed Kingsley into his office. He put up silencing and locking charms.

"Did you see this rubbish?" Tonks asked angrily. "What do they think they're playing at?"

"It was only a matter of time before this occurred," Kingsley said in his deep, calm voice. "Arthur and I will hold on as long as we can, if only to continue to gather information on the goings-on at the Ministry. Tonks, I'm afraid you have a decision to make." Kingsley looked pained as he looked down at Tonks' left hand.

"I'm not leaving Remus," Tonks said sternly. "I'll let them sack me first."

"I'm sorry, Tonks. If there was anything I could do, I would do it."

"I know, Kings," Tonks sighed. "It comes at the worst timing."

"How's that?" Kingsley asked in surprise.

"We're having a baby," Tonks said softly. Kingsley grinned, and offered a warm "Congratulations!"

"Thanks, Kings, but the timing could not be worse."

"Timing is never ideal for these sorts of things," Kingsley noted grimly. "How's Remus doing?"

"Panicked. I'm hoping it's just impending-fatherhood-panic," Tonks sighed. "Anyway, I should gather my things before I'm sacked in disgrace."

"We will win this war, Tonks," Kingsley promised. "Somehow, we will win."

"I hope you're right," Tonks mumbled, as Kingsley undid the charms on the door. She hung her head and walked out of his office, spending the next hour cleaning her cubicle till it was spotless. Though she had not yet received confirmation of termination of employment, she had a sneaking suspicion that the meeting with Umbridge would settle the matter.

At the appointed hour, Tonks gathered the full list of all Muggleborn witches and wizards – nearly one thousand names were produced, from the oldest, centenarian Muggleborns to the youngest Muggleborns who would not receive their Hogwarts letters for several years.

Tonks trudged reluctantly to Umbridge's office, and knocked dutifully on the door. "Enter," called Umbridge, in her too-sweet voice.

"Ah, Auror Lupin – if that's how you're keeping it," Umbridge greeted in mock politeness. Tonks gritted her teeth but walked into the frilly, too-pink office. Tonks morphed her hair from its usual pink to a neon orange, making it clash spectacularly with Umbridge's decorations.

"I've the list you asked for," Tonks said slowly. "But I wanted to ask about the new policies for Ministry workers."

"Indeed, perhaps you are seeking to keep your employment?"

"I would like to continue working as an Auror, yes."

"So you have decided on the annulment then," Umbridge simpered. "I've drawn up the paperwork for this happy occasion."

"No," Tonks said angrily. "I'm not leaving my husband."

"You understand, then, that this will mean the termination of your employment at the Ministry of Magic?" Umbridge smirked.

"How are these policies fair?" Tonks demanded angrily. "My marriage has nothing to do with my employment!"

"As a matter of fact, it does," Umbridge sneered. "Your alliance to a Dark creature, a half-breed, questions your intellect and judgment. Such judgment cannot be counted upon in any role associated with public safety."

Tonks felt her hair morph to an angry, fiery red upon hearing Umbridge's assertion.

"You think my judgment is flawed?" Tonks glowered.

"My dear girl, clearly you're addled by this association of yours, but who could blame you?" Umbridge said in feigned concern. "Werewolves have always been known for their lecherous tendencies, and it appears you've fallen prey to his attention. If, you choose to annul your marriage, you are most welcome to return to your post."

"How dare you?" Tonks hissed. "These are all lies!"

"That werewolf has really affected your temper, tsk tsk," Umbridge said, feigning pity again. "At least you were able to spend your last two weeks of employment on something worthwhile. Have you the list I requested?"

Tonks looked at the stack of parchment in her hands, and felt enraged that her last task as an Auror had very likely been for sinister purposes. Not leaving Umbridge's eyes, Tonks cried, "Incendio!" pointing her wand at the stack of parchment.

The entire list of Muggleborn witches and wizards went up in flames before their eyes. Umbridge's toadlike, bulging eyes widened in disgust.

"You insolent girl! How dare you! You are no longer an employee of the Ministry of Magic! Turn in your robes and leave my sight!" Umbridge bellowed.

Tonks slipped her Auror robes off and left them in the middle of Umbridge's office, not bothering to look behind her. She stormed back to the lifts, angry and nearly in tears.

"You've been sacked, haven't you?" Dawlish sneered upon seeing Tonks in her state of distress.

"Yes, and I don't care anymore," Tonks lied. "Leave me alone."

Dawlish merely smirked at Tonks before turning the corner to his own office. Tonks, meanwhile, had her rucksack filled with all her personal belongings, and she stopped by Kingsley's office once more.

"Kingsley," Tonks said sadly. "It's over for me."

"I'm so sorry, Tonks," Kingsley said grimly. "I'll try to find a way to make this right for you."

"Don't worry too much, Kings. You're needed here more than I am," she said glumly. "I'll be at my parents' with Remus. We'll be fine for now."

"If you need anything from me, you know how to find me," Kingsley said kindly.

"Thanks, Kings," Tonks said. "I'll be off now. I've a few errands to run before I get home."

Kingsley put his hand on Tonks' shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before she left the office for the last time.

….

Tonks, now freshly unemployed, had the rest of the day available to her. As miserable as she felt, she tried to make the most of her day before returning to see her family.

Her first stop was Gringotts. Once there, she withdrew ten thousand Galleons from the gold Mad-Eye had left her and converted it to Muggle money. The sum was roughly fifty thousand pounds, and the notes were stuffed unceremoniously into her magically expanded rucksack.

Her next stop was at the apothecary. She spent another thousand Galleons there on ingredients for the Wolfsbane Potion. She knew Remus would protest at the expense, but in the case that he could not travel to or from the cellar at their Yorkshire cottage, she wanted assurance that he could transform safely and securely at her parents' home.

Lastly, she stopped by a Muggle bank in an attempt to open an account for her newfound Muggle wealth. Unfortunately, without any form of Muggle identification, she was turned away. She mused, later, that her unusually pink hair had not helped her case.

It was evening by the time Tonks had finished all her tasks. Rather than taking the Floo home, she Apparated just outside of her parents' home's enchantments, and let herself through.

"Remus? Mum? Dad? I'm home!" she called.

"Dora, you're here, finally!" Remus said anxiously. "I didn't expect you to Apparate. Did something happen at work?" He looked at her appearance, and realization dawned on his face.

"You're not wearing your Auror robes," he said flatly.

"Are my mum and dad home?" Tonks asked.

"They're in the kitchen, preparing dinner for us." Tonks sighed, and took Remus by the hand to the kitchen.

"Nymphadora, where have you been? It's nearly nightfall," Andromeda admonished. "I hadn't expected you to stay so late at work today."

"I've been sacked," Tonks said bluntly. "I spent the afternoon on personal tasks."

"What happened, Dora?" Ted asked gently. Remus was squirming uncomfortably in a corner of the kitchen, looking guilty.

"Before you say anything, Remus," Tonks said slowly, "it's not your fault. The Ministry enacted new policies that requires all workers to sign loyalty pledges to continue employment. Being married to a werewolf apparently nulls the loyalty pledge. I wouldn't sign the pledge, so I got sacked. By Umbridge, no less."

"I'm so sorry, Dora," Remus said sadly. "I've ruined—"

"—don't you dare, Remus Lupin," Tonks said angrily. "I also incinerated the Muggleborn list I was preparing for Umbridge. I doubt that helped in my employment."
"You did what?" Andromeda asked, clearly aghast at her daughter's behavior.

"It was after Umbridge insulted my intelligence, told me Remus and all werewolves were lecherous monsters, and that my judgment is flawed enough that I can't be trusted with public safety," Tonks said briskly, counting off the offenses on her fingers. "I think I was justifiably angry."

"Nymphadora, what were you thinking?" Andromeda scolded.

"I was thinking that I wasn't going to annul my marriage to Remus to keep a job working for that hag!" Tonks shouted.

"Dora, maybe we should—"

"Don't. You. Dare." Tonks glared at Remus. "I've told you so many times now. I'm not annulling our marriage. We are waiting this out for now."

Remus looked embarrassed at Tonks' admonishment, while Ted looked amused at his daughter's insistence. Andromeda, meanwhile, was exasperated with the turn of events.

"Anyway, Remus, or dad, do either of you have Muggle bank accounts?" Tonks asked.

"Yes, but why?" Ted asked in confusion. "Gringotts is far safer."

"I converted ten thousand Galleons to fifty thousand pounds today," Tonks said bluntly, as jaws dropped around the kitchen.

"Why in Merlin's name would you do such a thing, Nymphadora?" Andromeda demanded.

"Because eventually, getting to Gringotts will be dangerous, and we might have to live as Muggles for a while. It's not like Remus and I can go down to Diagon Alley holding hands anymore! We'll have to shop for baby things at Muggle stores!" Tonks retorted. "I'm not happy with the idea, but it might be our only option!"

"As much as I hate to admit it, Dora's right," Remus finally said, after an awkward silence. "It is much easier for me to live as a Muggle than as a wizard. We can get things the Muggle way."

"See?!" Tonks said in exasperation. "I thought something through!"

"What else do you have in that rucksack, Dora?" Remus asked. "I smell something unusual."

"You can't refuse this, Remus," Tonks said warningly. "Promise me you'll accept what I tell you."

"I will try," Remus said weakly, staring at her with wide, anxious eyes.

"I bought ingredients for Wolfsbane Potion," Tonks announced.

"No—"

"—don't refuse, Remus," Tonks begged. "What if something happens and you can't go to your cellar? What if you're followed? What if something happens to me on the way to and from the cellar?"

The possibilities of the dangers awaiting Tonks – if there was any method to get Remus to agree with her plans, this was it, she thought. It worked, as Remus was speechless.

"See?" Tonks said triumphantly. "If none of us can make it to the cellar safely, then having Wolfsbane Potion around means you can take it here, transform in a spare room, and sleep the night away as a wolf. We can still put up all your crazy full moon enchantments, but you won't rip yourself apart and none of us have to travel further than we need to."

"That's a clever idea, Dora," Ted praised. "You'll all be much safer this way."

"Thanks, dad," Tonks said gratefully. "I've bought enough for a full year of Wolfsbane!"

"Dora, how much did you spend on that?" Remus demanded. "That's…too much, Dora!"

"It doesn't matter how much I spent on it," Tonks snapped. "I think it's worth it if it means you don't die, and neither my mum or I get ambushed trying to get to you!"

Remus was speechless again, and Tonks felt victorious at her reasoning.

"Next full moon is in a little over two weeks," Tonks said, looking down at her moonstone pendant. "Now that I'm out of a job, I'll have plenty of time to brew it for you in time for the next moon. You can't refuse me, Remus." She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling proud of herself.

"Just like her mother, that one," Ted chuckled to himself. Tonks saw Remus looking gobsmacked in the corner of the kitchen; for the first time in weeks, it appeared that shock had taken precedence over crippling anxiety.

"Anyway, what's for dinner, mum?" Tonks asked nonchalantly, as her mother, father, and Remus all looked at her with mixed expressions of worry, amusement, and exasperation.

….

Tonks woke the next morning alone in bed. She did not think it unusual, as Remus was usually an early riser. It was mid-morning on her first full day of unemployment. She was bitter to have lost the job she'd worked so hard to achieve, but slightly relieved that she would no longer be working for Umbridge and whoever else would be infiltrating the Ministry with pro-pureblood policies.

Tonks kept her pajamas on as she descended the steps to the kitchen.

"Remus? Mum?" she called.

"I'm here, Nymphadora," Andromeda said. "Remus is not here. He told me he had some of his own tasks to complete, or so he told me, and he did not want to wake you."

"Oh," Tonks said, disappointedly. "Did he not tell you where he was going?"

"He was rather evasive when I asked," Andromeda said darkly. "I hope he does not disappoint me."

"How do you mean?"

"He had a thick traveling cloak with him."

"You don't think he's left us, do you?" Tonks asked angrily. "I'm going upstairs to see if he left a letter."

Tonks rushed back up the stairs to her childhood bedroom, which she was now sharing with Remus. She was both disheartened and glad to find folded parchment on her nightstand. Tonks' heart dropped when she saw the parchment, as it had clearly been written in Remus' hand.

Bracing herself for the worst, Tonks opened the letter:

Dear Dora,

I am off to find Harry and company to see how I can be of service to them. I believe Dumbledore left them a mission, and I should like to provide guidance for them on their journey. I am not certain when I will return. I will, of course, send you communication via Patronus in the meantime. If I do not return in time for the first day of dosage for the Wolfsbane Potion, assume I will not return for the full moon.

RJL

Tonks narrowed her eyes at the message. Unlike previous letters or messages announcing his departure, this letter was not laced with apologies, excuses, or declarations of his unworthiness. The letter did not indicate he was leaving permanently, but it had not provided a return date, either. He promised communication via Patronus, which had been one of her conditions upon accepting him into her life again. The letter was unusual and confusing.

Tonks stared at the parchment for several minutes before returning downstairs to her mother.

"Mum, take a look at this," Tonks said, giving Andromeda the parchment.

"I don't think he intends to return, Nymphadora," Andromeda said severely. "He did not provide a date of return."

"He didn't say he was gone forever, though," Tonks retorted. "This is a really odd letter, mum. What if something's wrong?"

"You may have to await his Patronus, should he actually make good on his promises," Andromeda said coldly.

"He promised, mum," Tonks insisted. "He promised. He – he has to keep his promises this time. He just has to." Tonks repeated these words in her head; Remus had to keep his promises now. Didn't he?

….

Days turned into weeks, and Remus had not yet returned. He had kept his promise of communicating with Tonks, with simple nightly Patronus messages merely saying "Safe. Do not reply." The messages were short and cryptic, and Remus' voice didn't betray any emotion. Tonks became more distressed as the full moon approached. What was Remus doing? Was he successfully with Harry, Ron, and Hermione? Were they safe? Would Remus transform with them? Would they be safe with him? The questions plagued her as the moonstone pendant grew fuller.

It was now the evening of the full moon, and Tonks felt more restless than ever. Remus had shown no indication of returning, despite his nightly short messages. She continued to cast the pregnancy reveal charm on herself every morning to ensure the little life inside was still there. She was terrified of the full moon that night; what if the life she and Remus had created suffered from lycanthropy? What if it didn't survive the moon? What if she didn't survive the moon? Tonks had almost considered making the Wolfsbane Potion for herself as an added precaution, but her mother advised her that the combination of ingredients in the potion would, at best, aggravate her early pregnancy symptoms, and at worst, end the pregnancy altogether. Fearing the worst, Tonks decided against brewing the potion.

She was sitting with her head in her hands at the kitchen table when her mother found her.

"He's not coming back, is he?" Andromeda said softly. "I knew it, Nymphadora."

"Mum, he sent a Patronus last night, as he's done every night."

"And yet he has not returned to you. He promised he would return."

"He also promised that if he left he'd communicate with me. He's held that up that end of the agreement," Tonks said grumpily, brushing her limp, mousy brown hair out of her eyes.

"It's been over two weeks, Nymphadora," Andromeda reminded. "He's not coming back."

"You don't know that, mum."

"What husband leaves his pregnant wife to go on an adventure with three teenagers?" Andromeda demanded. "Be reasonable, Nymphadora. The facts are simple. You lost your job, inherited gold, and the man left to be on the run with three teenagers, while leaving you alone and pregnant."

"I'm not alone," Tonks said hotly. "I've got you and dad, and this kid."

"You don't have your husband," Andromeda hissed. "He's left you."

"No, he hasn't, mum. He's going to come back. He has to. He promised me!"

"He's broken promises before."

"MUM, STOP!" Tonks began crying. "This isn't helping!" Though she hadn't wanted to admit it to herself, Tonks was panicked that Remus may have left her again; the distress was enough that her morphing had been affected as well. While she was still able to morph with extreme concentration, being distraught over Remus' absence was taking its toll on her.

Andromeda exhaled forcefully and stood to fix tea. She returned to the kitchen table with tea and honey, which Tonks gratefully took.

"Have you given any thought to what you'll call it?" Andromeda said gently.

"Not Nymphadora," Tonks said, still grumpy. "Anything but that."

"Perhaps after your grandparents?" Andromeda asked. "Not my parents, certainly, but your Tonks grandparents."

"Eugene and Doris? Maybe for middle names…I don't really want to think about it without Remus though."

"Do you know his parents' names?"

"Lyall and Hope," Tonks replied. "I think Hope would be nice for a girl." Tonks paused momentarily. "Mum, what if it doesn't survive tonight? What if – what if it dies?"

"We grieve and move on, Nymphadora," Andromeda said softly. "That's all."

"I don't want it to die," Tonks whispered. "I-I know I never wanted children, but this one…mum, I really want this one."

"We'll have to hope for the best, then," Andromeda said heavily. "Have you felt anything unusual today?"

"No? I'm worried, obviously, but no," Tonks said. "My sense of smell has improved. D'you think that means I have a little lycanthrope in there?"

"Heightened sense of smell is not unusual with pregnancy."

"Mum, what if I die tonight? What if Remus is right, and the baby is a werewolf who rips me apart from the inside out?"

"Even if the child was a werewolf, it's far too small or young to inflict any damage," Andromeda said pensively. "It will be several more weeks before you'll feel movement."

A streak of light lit up the room. Both Tonks and Andromeda stared as the wolf Patronus spoke in Remus' voice, with the same message Tonks had heard over a dozen times: "Safe. Do not reply."

"See?" Tonks cried. "He's still sending messages, mum!"

"I hope you're right, Nymphadora," Andromeda finally said. "For your sake, and his."

Tonks finished her tea and silence and went up towards her bedroom, and flopped down on her bed. She sat, terrified and nervous, as she saw the moonrise from her window. Holding her knees up to her chest, and wrapping her arms around her body tightly, it would be several hours before she found any semblance of rest.

….

A burning sensation woke Tonks abruptly. She felt the heat from the Blood Magic pendant on her chest and panicked, knowing Remus' life was in danger. She looked out the window and found it was nearly moonset. She dressed haphazardly hastily grabbing her rucksack, and rushed downstairs to get out of the anti-Apparition wards set around the house.

Tonks held onto the pendant tightly and Apparated, with her destination as Remus' location at the forefront of her mind. Tonks landed gracelessly in an unknown, forested area. All around her, shrieks of pain and agony rang through the otherwise quiet forest. Tonks was bewildered as she realized she was surrounded by transforming werewolves. She was frightened in the moment, as it dawned on her that Remus had clearly spent the full moon not at the enchanted cellar, but with a werewolf pack. He had not spent the full moon with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but rather, in these unknown woods, with other wolves. Her initial fury was interrupted by the sharp burning on her chest from the Blood Magic pendant.

Tonks turned around, trying to find Remus. Though it was difficult to see and hear through the wails of transforming wolves, she saw his familiar mop of sandy brown, greying hair and rushed to find the freshly transformed human curled into the ground and bleeding profusely.

"Fuck, Remus, no," Tonks cried. She summoned Dittany from her rucksack and began applying it immediately all over Remus' muddied, bloodied body.

Remus was breathing raggedly, and Tonks cast diagnostic spells to determine where his bones had been broken. Nearly half his ribs had broken. Remus would need Skele-Gro for these injuries.

"Episkey!" Tonks cast over several ribs. Remus winced and cried out in pain as she mended the bones. While not perfect, it would have to be enough to keep his lungs intact.

Remus was still pale and battered, and Tonks pulled out several bottles of Blood Replenishing Potion and tipped them down Remus' throat, trying to massage his windpipe to assist him.

Groans and growls, previously unheard by Tonks, were surrounding her. Tonks looked up to see a throng of freshly transformed humans growling and snarling angrily at her.

"Please don't hurt us," Tonks begged. "Remus is my husband. My mate. I'm just trying to heal him."

"The traitor doesn't deserve to live," one werewolf said angrily.

"Kill the mate," another werewolf commanded. "A fate worse than death for the traitor."

Tonks felt the anger welling up within her. She willed herself to stay calm, as she felt the protectiveness for Remus grow ever stronger as the werewolves mocked her and her care for Remus.

The dirtied, muddied werewolves began growing closer to Tonks and Remus, snarling in the process.

"You don't want to threaten me," Tonks said defiantly. "I am his mate, and I am ready to protect him."

"Kill the witch already!" a werewolf shouted.

One figure lunged at Tonks, but she was faster with her wand. "Impedimenta!" she cried, knocking the werewolf back on his feet. The others grew angry as well, and they began converging on her.

In several swishes of her wand, Tonks had stunned nearly all the werewolves in her vicinity. Those who realized Tonks' mastery of magic ran off, until only a half dozen stunned werewolves remained in the clearing.

Remus was still sputtering and gasping for air by the time Tonks was able to attend to him again.

"Remus, I have to get you out of here," Tonks said anxiously. "They won't stay stunned for much longer." Remus was barely conscious, and yet she had to take them away from the forest before they were attacked again.

Tonks felt nervous about her ability to Apparate them both out of the forest, but she felt she had no choice, especially with the other werewolves nearby. She gathered her things and clutched Remus close to her chest, heaving him upwards to make it easier to turn on the spot.

With Remus' weight on her, she staggered in getting up, but managed to turn on the spot with a crack! Tonks felt herself and Remus tumble down somewhere soft, and she knew no more.