Chapter 6
Meredith had started to get used to the magical world, but she had not been prepared for the abilities of her new friend Dora. Everyday
Dora's hair was a different color. Yesterday it had been green, today it was bright orange.
"I can't change the style yet," Dora said, "Mum says I'll get stronger as I get older. I'll be able to change my entire appearance not just my
hair color"
"I wish I could change my hair," Meredith said playing with a strand of her red hair.
"NO," Dora said adamantly. "I love your hair. It's so pretty." Meredith giggled. From the door way Andromeda watched them. It did her
heart good to see the two girls playing together. Hopefully Meredith's friendship with her daughter would make this go smoother. The full
moon was tonight. Remus would be transforming in just a few hours. He had dropped Meredith off for a "play date" that afternoon.
Andromeda didn't approve at all of the way he was handling this. She sighed, pasted a smile on her face and poked her head into the
room.
"Hey girls," she said. "Meredith, Remus just flooed me. He had to do something important and you're going to stay with us tonight."
Meredith looked confused.
"What did he have to do?" she asked. "Why didn't he tell me?"
"Oh don't you worry about it sweetheart. He'll be back tomorrow." Meredith's eyes filled with tears and her face fell. This was how it
always was. Even when people were nice to her for a little while they all left her eventually. No one wanted her because she was ugly and wierd.
"No he won't," she said. "He doesn't want me anymore. He's not coming back."
"Meredith," Dora said. "Remus will be back. He wouldn't just leave you"
"Yes he would," Meredith said. "They all do." She buried her face in her knees and let her tears fall.
"Oh sweetheart," Andromeda said wrapping her arms around the little girl. 'Remus you prat!' Andromeda thought as she hugged
Meredith. There was no convincing the girl that Remus did want her and he would come back for her tomorrow. She just curled up on
the sofa and wouldn't speak to anyone.
"Meredith," Dora said holding out a plate of food. "You need to eat. Please." Meredith turned away from the chicken and potatoes Dora
offered her. Dora sighed and went into the kitchen.
"I don't get it mum. Why does Meredith think Remus won't come back?" Andromeda looked over at her husband Ted. Ted gave her a
nod that clearly said "I got this one"
"You see Nymph," Ted said. "When you've had the kind of life that Meredith has had, it becomes hard to trust people. Remus was the
first person Meredith ever really let herself trust. But when that trust is challenged, it can be difficult to believe that you won't be hurt
again."
"Do you think she'll be able to trust Remus again?" Dora asked. Ted smiled.
"I'm sure she will. This is just the first separation between them since she went to live with him. The first time away from a parent is always
hard for a child."
"That's right," Andromeda said. "Like the first time we left you with Grandma and Granpa Tonks. You wailed and cried and begged us
not to leave you"
"Really?" Dora asked. "I don't remember that"
"Well you were only three at the time."
Around nine o'clock Meredith had cried herself to sleep. Ted carried her upstairs and tucked her into Dora's bed. Dora came in dressed
in her pj's.
"You okay with sharing your bed?" Ted asked her. "Yeah, it's cool," Dora said. Ted gave her a hug and tucked her into bed.
"Night, Nymph," he said turning out the light. "Night Dad." Ted went downstairs where his wife sat at the table with a cup of tea. "Merlin,"
Ted said sitting down.
"Mm hm," Andromeda said.
"I'm gonna kill Remus," Ted said. "How could he just not tell her?"
"Would you tell a five year old child you're a werewolf?"
"I don't mean that. How can he just leave her and not even warn her? He had to know that it would freak her out."
"He's doing what he thinks is best, Ted. And whether it's right or wrong we have to let him find his own way in this. Angela wouldn't have
left her daughter to him if she hadn't thought he was up to the challenge?"
"I guess you're probably right," Ted said running a hand over his eyes. "Of the four of them, Remus was always the most responsible."
The next morning
Last night had been miraculous. He'd transformed just like always. But he was aware of everything. He'd looked down and seen his paws
and known they were his hands. He'd recognized his basement, it was as though it were simply a human being in a wolf's body. He'd
curled up on the floor and gone to sleep and when he woke up he was still weak but he remembered everything. This was going to
change the lives of so many werewolves. He whistled as he walked down the street to Andromeda's house. He was anxious to see
Meredith. He felt bad about the way he'd left her, but he was afraid if he told her that she would have to stay at Andromeda's house for
the night, she would ask a lot of questions he wasn't ready to answer. He knocked on the door and was quickly ushered into the kitchen
by Andromeda.
"Well," she asked him. Remus smiled. Andromeda gave a small cry and hugged him.
"Oh Remus that is so wonderful"
"It was amazing," Remus said. "I knew exactly where and who I was. Just amazing. Where's Meredith?"
"Still asleep," Andromeda said. "It's probably best not to wake her. Why don't you sit and have some breakfast, get your strength back"
"Thank you," Remus said. "So how did things go here?" Andromeda frowned as she poured him a cup of tea.
"Not so good," Andromeda said. "Meredith was pretty upset." Remus hung his head. He had expected as much.
"She was so certain you weren't coming back for her. She wouldn't eat, she just curled up on the sofa and cried"
"Oh Merlin," Remus said. "Is this how it's gonna be everytime I have to leave her?"
"I highly doubt it," Andromeda said. "The first time is always the hardest. Once she knows that you'll come back, it will be easier for her
when you leave." Remus sighed.
"I don't know what I'm doing Meda," he said. Andromeda smiled and patted his shoulder.
"No parent does. Heck I've been a parent for nine years now and I'm still just making it up as I go. You're doing fine Remus. It's obvious
that Meredith adores you"
"It's strange," Remus said. "A month ago I didn't know she existed. And now I can't imagine my life without her"
"Amazing how quickly it happens, isn't it?" At that moment Nymphadora came down the stairs dressed in blue pajamas her hair a deep
purple.
"Wotcher," she said.
"Morning dear," Andromeda said, "Is Meredith awake"
"She was still asleep when I woke up. Didn't get too much sleep last night. Woke up a bunch of times. Bad dreams I think"
"I better go up and get my little bundle," Remus said. He went upstairs and found Nymphadora's room. Meredith was curled up on her
side facing toward him. Her eyes were closed but he could see the tear stains on her cheeks. He sat on the edge of the bed and gently
shook her.
"Meredith," he said. "wake up love." Meredith slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a few times before she focused on him. When at last
she saw him her face lit up into a huge smile.
"Remus," she cried sitting up and throwing her arms around him. "You came back"
"Of course I did," he said stroking her hair.
"I was scared," she said softly. "I was afraid you weren't going to come back. I was scared you didn't want me no more"
"Oh Meredith," Remus said. "I'm sorry. I should have told you before last night. There are going to be times when I'm going to have to
leave you. But you have to know that I will always come back"
"You promise?" Meredith asked.
"I promise," he said. Meredith smiled and Remus thought his heart was going to melt.
"Okay," Meredith said hugging him. Remus kissed the top of her her head.
"Now, why don't we got down and get some breakfast"
"Okay," Meredith said suddenly feeling very very hungry.