Written for the IWSC Writing School, Season 4, Round 2
Story Title/Link: To Stay or Go
School: Hogwarts
Year: Exchange 2
Topic: High Stakes and Understanding the Passive Voice
Word count: 861
It was a dark, early May evening, and the threat of foul weather foreshadowed something much bigger than itself. Tonks knew it was coming. Ever since Remus visited Shell Cottage to announce Teddy's arrival, she sensed the end was near. Call it intuition from her tenure as an Auror or a simple hunch, but she couldn't shake the feeling that life as she knew it was about to change.
Not even the presence of the cooing infant in her arms could deter the mounting stress she felt. But Tonks knew her mind wouldn't settle until Remus returned home from another guest appearance on Potterwatch, which she hoped would be soon. She looked down at Teddy, whose eyelids drooped with exhaustion.
"At least one of us will sleep easy tonight. Right, my little one?" Tonks leaned down and nuzzled the baby.
Teddy responded with a sigh and drifted into slumber, bringing a smile to Tonks's face. She gave him a gentle squeeze and set him in his crib to sleep.
As her arms released the baby, a tap sounded on the window. Tonks saw an owl flapping its wings, hovering outside as it waited for her to retrieve the letter tied to its foot, and flew off as soon as it was released. Upon seeing the name 'Dora' written on the front in Remus's handwriting, Tonks's heart beat faster in her chest. Her gut told her this wasn't good.
She tore the letter open to see what update couldn't wait for Remus to arrive home to share in person.
Dora,
Harry's at Hogwarts and he knows. He is preparing to fight at 10. I have to go. I have to fight for James and Lily and Sirius. I knew if I came home to tell you first, you'd talk me out of it, but I have to do this.
I promise I'll be safe, and will return as soon as it's over. Kiss Teddy goodnight for me. I love you.
RL
It can't be. Even though she sensed it, she wished she were wrong. But the words didn't lie. The battle was set to begin at 10. Remus was going.
Tonks's hands shook as she reread the letter. The room was filled with tension thicker than the clouds forming in the sky. It felt like an invisible weight that threatened to crush her beneath the dread. How could he go without her? She's the Auror; she should be the one fighting.
The reminder jolted the sense of duty into Tonks. She should go too. Wasn't this the entire purpose of her career, to fight evil? What kind of Auror would she be if she stood aside and let everyone else fight for her?
The answer tormented her as she turned back to the crib: a new mum.
A knock was heard at the door, and a flicker of hope ignited in Tonks's chest as the sound brought her out of her reverie. Maybe it was Remus. Perhaps he decided to come home after all, to give her and the baby one last kiss, just in case.
"Everything alright, Dora? Is Teddy down for the night?" Andromeda asked as she slid into the room. It only took one look at Tonks's bleak expression for her mum to know something was off. "What's wrong?"
Tonks handed her mother the letter, and Andromeda's brow furrowed while she skimmed it. "No."
"Yeah," Tonks's response was hollow.
She was torn. Should she go and fight alongside the Order—alongside her husband—or should she stay and look after her sleeping baby? It was an impossible decision.
But she needed to choose. There wasn't a lot of time.
"You want to fight too, don't you?" Tonks turned to her mother, who offered a sad smile. Andromeda knew her daughter better than anyone.
"Remus shouldn't be fighting alone."
"But what if—"
Tonks shook her head. The decision had already been made. She just needed to accept it.
"He won't—we won't. We'll be back by morning. Teddy will be safe here no matter what, but if I can fight then I have to. If there's a chance to make this world safer for him, I have to try."
Tears filled her mother's eyes as Tonks hugged her. "I love you," Andromeda told her.
"I love you too, Mum." Tonks turned back to the crib, leaning over the edge to kiss Teddy's forehead. "And I love you, Teddy Lupin. You'll look after him?"
"Of course, as long as you and Remus promise to take care of yourselves."
Tonks pulled her wand out of her robes and nodded. "You know we will, Mum. Constant vigilance, remember?"
"Constant vigilance," her mum agreed.
With her decision made, Tonks looked at her child one more time before turning on the spot and disapparating to Hogsmeade. No matter what lay ahead of her, Tonks knew she was making the right choice. The magical world needed her, and so did her husband.
She missed Teddy already, yearning to stay by his side to protect him, but this was the only way to ensure a better life for him and Remus. So, she had to try. She had to fight.
A/N: Please use the following sentences for grading:
Hiding subject identity: A knock was heard at the door, and a flicker of hope ignited in Tonks's chest as the sound brought her out of her reverie.
Add emphasis to the object or action: The battle was set to begin at 10.
The subject is an unconscious entity: The room was filled with tension thicker than the clouds forming in the sky.
