The Minister for Magic feigned reluctance to intrude upon the Weasleys and asked Harry to show him the "charming garden" while Percy visited with his family. A quick glance around the table showed Remus that no one else believed Scrimgeour had stopped in because he was "in the vicinity" either, but he was the only one who began to stand in protest.

Harry was already walking forward. "It's fine," he said calmly, much like his mother would have done.

Remus locked eyes with Scrimgeour. It had better be.

Scrimgeour inclined his head in acknowledgement or recognition—perhaps both—and stepped back to let Harry precede him. "We'll just take a turn around the garden, and Percy and I'll be off. Carry on, everyone!"

The moment the door shut, Fred and George jumped to their feet.

"It's not enough you ruined Mum's Christmas, Perce—" Fred said.

"You had to go and ruin Harry's too?" George cracked his knuckles. "I'll have to find a way to express my feelings about that."

"There will be no Muggle-duelling!" Molly cried. "You boys will welcome your brother or—or go to your room this instant!"

Fred and George looked at each other and Apparated.

Ginny walked out the kitchen immediately afterward.

Ron stayed, but he didn't welcome his brother. He kept his eyes on his plate and viciously mashed a sprout with his fork.

Bill said, "Percy, you remember Fleur, don't you?"

"Yes, of course. Congratulations on your engagement."

"Merci beaucoup," Fleur said coolly.

Molly clutched Percy's arm. "The Minister doesn't really expect us to catch up in five minutes."

"He's a busy man, mother." Percy shrugged. "Nothing to tell, anyway. I work long hours."

"And how is Penelope?" Arthur asked.

"Fine, I suppose. We aren't seeing each other anymore." Percy's eyes slid to the window. "Harry's returning to the house. I should go." He strode to the door with undisguised eagerness, only to be halted by the spatter of what looked like parsnips across his face and glasses. "Merry Christmas to you, too, Ronald," Percy said as he stormed out.

Molly broke down in tears.

"I didn't do it," Ron said. "I wish I had!"

Arthur put his arms around Molly. "He came home. That's what matters. Go on and have a nap. I'll take care of the clearing up."

Remus stood and began stacking plates. "I'll help. It's the least I can do to show my appreciation for such a wonderful meal."

"Thank you." Molly sniffed. "I'll go after Harry tells us what the Minister wanted. A man who would use a family's love—" She broke off, catching sight of Harry. "Are you all right, dear?" Molly asked. "You weren't threatened?"

"He wanted me to visit the Ministry so people will think 'the Chosen One' is working for them." Harry squared his shoulders. "I told him I didn't want to be used, and I'm Dumbledore's man, through and through."

"Good for you, Harry!" said a voice near the doorway to the lounge. Ginny became visible. "I walked out so I wouldn't have to talk to Percy," she said, "but I didn't want to miss hearing what happened so I used a charm to sneak back in." She glanced back over her shoulder. "Throwing the parsnips was Fred and George's idea."

The twins appeared right behind her.

"How do you like that? She's blaming us!" said George.

Fred said, "No, she's giving us the credit."

Ginny nodded when George looked to her for confirmation.

He said, "Oh. Guess tickling in retaliation is out, then."

Fred clapped George on the shoulder. "We'll have to do it for fun." He lunged forward, wrapped an arm around his giggling sister's waist, and dragged her off.

George chortled like a fiend as he followed. "Not even the Chosen One and his knife-throwing sidekick will save you now, little girl."

"I think that's our cue," Harry said to Ron. "Do you want—"

"Chosen One before the sidekick." Ron smiled almost as evilly as his brothers had.

"Have counter-jinxes ready!" Bill called after them.

A few seconds later, uncontrolled bursts of merriment came from the lounge.

"The happy laughter of children brings back memories," Molly said, dabbing her eyes with a tea towel. Her face crumpled. "I think I'll have that rest now." She rushed out of the kitchen.

Remus saw the way Arthur's face tightened with concern and said, "Go after her. We'll take care of the dishes."

"Such drama and passion," Fleur said when only the three of them remained. "Eet makes me feel at 'ome."

Bill murmured something in French and kissed her hand.

She blushed and whispered something Remus was glad he couldn't hear: some exchanges between couples should be private. He set glassware in the enchanted washbasin and watched them become clean by magic.

"Mum chose that basin over diamonds," Bill said, coming over to put away the glasses while Remus carried plates and cutlery to wash.

"Zat ees vairy English," Fleur said. "Frenchwomen expect diamonds and ze magic basin!"

"Do they get them?" Bill asked with a grin.

Fleur tossed her hair. "Cela va de soi—zat goes without saying."

Her tone reminded Remus of Nymphadora's playful flirtatiousness. He yearned to see her face, her smile. "It's time for me to go," he said. "I don't want to disturb anyone, so please convey my thanks to Arthur and Molly for their hospitality."

Once outside, Remus reached for his communication mirror. "Nymphadora."

The surface of the mirror became cloudy. Nymphadora's smiling face appeared. "Hullo, love, how was everyone, are you back in Salford?"

He decided to answer the last question first. It was simpler. "I'm standing in the Weasley's back garden. I missed you so much I couldn't wait."

All of a sudden, he had a close up view of Nymphadora's lips as she kissed the mirror. He said, "Everyone was fine, but at the end of dinner Percy came for a visit and brought Rufus Scrimgeour with him." He repeated what Harry told the family.

Nymphadora said, "I don't agree with his methods, but at least Scrimgeour's doing his best to fight You Know Who. That's more than Fudge ever did."

"The end justifies the means?"

"No—"

"—but you don't consider his actions reprehensible."

"I think he was wrong to ask Harry to lie." She exhaled heavily. "I can understand why he did it, though. Scrimgeour thinks wizardkind's duty is to sacrifice for the greater good."

"Even personal integrity?"

"If necessary."

"Ministry first," Remus said, feeling bitterness rise.

"That's his choice, not Harry's...and certainly not mine."

He blinked. "I wasn't implying—"

"I know." Nymphadora's lips curved. "But isn't nice to hear I'd never sacrifice you for some greater good?"

Remus realised he was being much too serious. "Very nice," he said. "How is everyone in Hogsmeade?"

"Filled with cheer. Our favourite barkeep grunted amiably when I wished him a happy Christmas, and dinner up at the castle was...interesting. Besides me, it was only staff, so they spent the whole meal comparing problem students." She rolled her eyes. "I made the mistake of asking if I'd been anyone's problem student during my years at Hogwarts."

"How many raised their hands?" Remus tried to keep the smile out of his voice.

"All of them."

He gave a bark of amusement.

The back door creaked opened and snapped closed. "Professor?" a boy's voice said hesitantly. It was Harry.

"Until later, my love," Remus whispered. He slipped the mirror into his pocket.

Harry said, "Bill told us you'd gone."

"I was sidetracked by snow." Remus smiled at Harry. "Your father's snowball throwing ability was almost as legendary as his skills as Chaser."

"Really?"

"Our snow forts were besieged many times, but never captured, thanks to James." He laughed a little. "There was a time I worried our streak would end. Lily and a group of her friends decided to take us on, and James refused to hit her, even with snow."

"What happened?"

"Sirius used a Disillusionment Charm to sneak out, stun her, and bring her back to our fort as a hostage. With Lily out of harm's way, Sirius, James and Peter fired snowballs at our attackers until they cried for peace and promised to conjure hot chocolate."

"What about you?" Harry asked. "Didn't you throw snowballs?"

"I fancied myself a pacifist," Remus said dryly. "I only made them."

Harry chuckled. "It sounds like fun."

"It was," Remus said. "I hope you'll forget about Scrimgeour and enjoy the rest of your holiday. Have some fun yourself."

"Yes, sir."

Remus didn't feel confident enough yet in his Long-Distance Apparation skills to attempt to journey directly to Salford, so he Apparated to Ottery St. Catchpole and paid the barman at the Jack in the Green to use the Floo. He travelled to London and then to Manchester before Apparating to Salford. He wanted to ensure no one could connect him to the Weasleys.

The precautions seemed silly until he entered the flat and Cleave, Travis, and Haas rose to face him. Remus didn't think they were having a private Christmas celebration. The men held wands, not drinks, and no one smiled.

Cleave said, "Hand over your wand, Lupin."

"Why?" Remus asked strictly to buy time.

"Do what he says!" Travis' eyes glittered with excitement behind his stringy fringe. He pointed his wand at Remus' head.

"I can't," Remus said after casting a nonverbal spell. "I don't have it with me." He'd used a transportation charm to send it to Nymphadora. She would hopefully realise he had done it for safekeeping, not to ask for help.

"He isn't lying," Cleave said to his cronies.

Travis said, "Only one way to find out for sure. Accio wand!"

"He's clean," Haas said impatiently, when Travis cast the spell again.

Cleave sneered. "That's not what Skoll says. Put down the bag and walk out the front door, Lupin. There's a car waiting." He told the other two, "Search the bag and the rest of the flat. If you find his wand, bring it to Dix."

Outside, a light rain fell. It's cold, Remus noted with a sense of detachment.

Cleave waited until the driver of the squire cab had pulled away from the kerb and turned up the wireless to say, "You don't seem worried."

"No use," said Remus. He remembered a saying of Nymphadora's Gran. "It won't add a single hour to my life."

Cleave grunted and fell silent.

Within seconds, the cab jerked to a halt in front of the pub used for pack meetings. Remus asked, "Why didn't we walk?"

"I had my orders."

The growl in his tone was easy to decipher. Skoll doubted Cleave's ability to cast an Anti-Apparation Jinx. Remus wondered why Dix hadn't vouched for his Beta—was it the same reason he was allowing the night's events to unfold? Self-preservation was a very strong instinct.

At the rear of the building, a young man stood guard.

"Frank," Remus said. "How are lessons?"

"Mrs. B tells more'n teaches."

"Have you learned any new spells?"

"Alohomora." The door opened.

Remus was impressed. "Outstanding."

Cleave prodded him forward. "Stop playing the professor and get inside."

The shove to his back thrust Remus through the doorway and into the pub. Three men sat at the bar. Two looked his way: Dix and Skoll. The third man finished draining his ale and wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his robes. In contrast to the other two, he was unkempt, with matted hair and long, claw-like fingernails. Fenrir Greyback. He slammed his tankard down on the bar and focused his gaze on Remus. "Professor Lupin. Funny how you teach but never learn."

"What do you mean?" asked Dix. "What has he done?"

Greyback ignored Dix to prowl toward Remus. "Tell me, did you forget the pain, or did you think you were so smart I wouldn't find out you purchased Wolfsbane Potion?"

"Neither," Remus said.

Cleave inhaled deeply. "He speaks the truth."

"I don't need you to tell me that." Greyback jerked his head toward the door. "Get out of my sight before I carve a reminder into your hide."

Cleave backed away. "Yes, sir."

"Yes, Alpha."

Cleave's eyes flickered to Dix for an instant before he bowed his head. "Yes, Alpha."

When only the four of them remained, Greyback transformed his hands into werewolf claws. "It's been fifteen years, Lupin. Have you forgotten what these can do?"

The pit in the woods...twisting against the chains...howling in agony...the smell of blood—his blood, and the blood of the Muggle who had stumbled upon their camp.

Remus had lived in the woods outside Inverness, foraging, stealing, trying to fit in and relate to the werewolves. His mission was to gather information for Dumbledore and subvert Greyback's sway over the pack. Months passed. He fell out of touch with friends, sacrificed comfort, all in vain. After living like an animal, Greyback ordered him to act like one—to kill a harmless drunk who mistook the pack for fellow homeless living rough. Remus refused and earned "discipline." The man he tried to save Greyback gagged, bound, and tossed into the pit with Remus. After the change, the pack tore him to pieces and then turned on the wolf lying helpless in their midst.

"No," said Remus. "I haven't forgotten."

"Skoll has. He was only a cub." Greyback bared yellow teeth in a feral grin. "We'll give him a reminder, you and I. Tomorrow night."

-

The afternoon was dark and quiet, with villagers tucked away inside warm cottages as they listened to the wireless, rested beside a cosy fire, or watched children at play. Tonks trudged through the snow, relishing her solitude. She didn't have to paste on a smile. She was free to sigh deeply and whisper Remus' name.

It was like being a teenager again, only better. There was no shame over making parents worry, no gloomy fear she would die unloved an old, bitter virgin. Tonks had all the melancholy enjoyment of angst with none of the guilt.

She passed the evening in her room painting her toenails black and taking the quizzes in Cosmopolitan Witch magazines. According to the quiz creators, she was an independent free spirit with a penchant for danger, tons of willpower and the ability to stand up for herself. Tonks snorted. Tons of willpower, yeah, right. That's why she had eaten all the truffles out of the Christmas stocking mum sent and she was holding the communication mirror, ready to call Remus' name if he didn't call hers by ten o'clock.

Four minutes past ten, she called his name. The surface of the mirror didn't change. It continued to reflect only her face. "Maybe Dix threw a party," she said to herself. "Remus might need time to go somewhere private."

Ten minutes passed...fifteen...then thirty. In frustration, Tonks kicked the duvet off the bed. She heard a rattling sound and leaned over to see what had hit the floor.

It was Remus' wand.

I didn't take his wand with me. He had to send it. Why?

She picked up the wand and held it to her chest. Remus was in trouble. He had to be. That's why he sent his wand. That's why he couldn't answer her call.

Wolfsbane Potion—Greyback found out somehow.

Remus had promised to accept the consequences if Greyback found out about the potion he was buying for Dix. She remembered the look on her love's face when she asked if he'd received a "lesson" in pack discipline and cursed. The next night was a full moon.

She pulled on jeans, boots, and a jumper, yanking her cloak off the back of a chair on the way out. Dawlish answered his door on the first knock. He was still fully dressed down to his shoes. "I need a day of personal leave," she said. "I don't have time to fill out request forms and go through proper procedure. I need you, as my supervisor, to exercise your authority to grant a day of leave." She took a breath and added, "Please."

"And if I don't?"

Her eyes filled with tears. Tonks pressed her lips together to keep from crying.

Dawlish took a step back. "You're obviously ill, Auror Tonks. I'm authorising you to take a day of sick leave." He nodded brusquely and shut the door.

She wiped her eyes with her fingertips. Did she really look contagious, or was that his way of getting around approving personal leave? It didn't matter. Whatever his reason, she had time off. Now she had to find out what was happening in Salford.

Tonks Flooed directly to the pub near the council estate. It was Christmas. Nobody was going to be monitoring Floo activity.

She was right. A surprising number of wizards and witches clustered around the bar and tables, but not one of them was positioned close enough to cast a tracing spell. She kept the hood of her cloak up and walked through the crowd without attracting more than a bleary glance or two. Outside, the sky was clear but the ground was wet. Would Trelawney consider that an omen? Remus had experienced a storm of accusations and was now in the clear? There was one way to find out.

The bloke who came to the door of the flat wore a MegaMaggot t-shirt. "Hullo!" she said. "Nice shirt. If we met at the party, I forgot. I'm Nym, here to see Remus."

"He's gone out."

Tonks cast a nonverbal Confundus Charm. "Then I'll wait for him." She took the man's arm and led him inside. She shut the door and steered him over to the futon. "We can have a chat."

"What about?" His tone was confused.

She gave his arm a slight tug to make him sit beside her. "Well, first you can tell me your name."

It took a few seconds for him to remember. "Haas."

"Where is Remus, Haas?"

"With Travis."

"And where is Travis?"

"Inverness," said a deep voice from the stairway. Cleave padded into the lounge.

Tonks rose to her feet. The one time I want to believe in Divination it's only weather. "Where in Inverness?"

Cleave smiled. "With Greyback."

She forced herself to stay calm. It wasn't the end of the world. There were plenty of hours until the full moon, and she knew someone who could tell her where to find Greyback. Tonks said, "Pack business, I understand, when he gets back tell Remus I dropped by."

Cleave moved between her and the door. "Tell him yourself. You're free to wait here." He leaned in close. "Spend the night."

"No, thanks."

"I insist."

She silently prepared to teach him that no meant no.

"Hey," Haas said. "Nym has claws!"

Cleave continued to stare into her eyes. "Are you going to scratch me, Kitten?"

"Depends. Petrificus Totalus!"

Cleave froze.

Tonks raised her hands so Cleave could see her werewolf claws. "I'm not your kitten, but if it makes you feel better, I'm glad you weren't using a Shield Charm. I don't like to hurt people."

"Me either," said Haas. His brow furrowed. "Or do I?"

"Sit there and think about it," she said. "The spell should wear off in an hour." Tonks spoke to Cleave as much as Haas. "Goodbye."

She Apparated to the pub and drank a pint of ale while she waited for the Squire Cab to arrive. The trip to Dix's flat at the Quays was blessedly short—the driver only paused in singing off-key carols to take her Galleons and wish her Happy Christmas.

The building was posh, but the security was lax. The baggy-eyed security wizard didn't look up from his book as she passed him on the way to the lift. Tonks watched the doors close and thought about what Dix told Remus on his visit. "I can't build a brewery if I'm dead." If the Ministry was Scrimgeour's greater good, Dix's was the Salford pack. He expected Remus to go through with his sacrifice, but she had other plans.

No one responded when she knocked, so Tonks cast a Sonorous and began to sing, "God rest ye merry Hippogriffs, let nothing you dismay—"

Dix opened the door. His expression reminded her of Snape, but not his attire. "Snazzy robe," she said, thinking Remus would look better in red silk. "Sorry, I know it's late. I won't keep you long. I just need Lillie and Will's address in Inverness." She saw Dix's eyebrow raise and quickly added, "Cleave told me Remus is there on pack business, so I figured when it's done he'll drop by Will's and we can spend my day off together before—you know—moonrise."

"What if he doesn't visit?"

"Lillie and I go shopping for Boxing Day sales."

"Somehow I doubt that."

She took a gamble. "Whatever I do, your hands are clean."

"Or they appear to be."

"Same thing to Greyback."

Dix smiled faintly as he told her the address.

At the Inverness station, the security troll glanced up from his desk when she exited the Floo. Tonks waved. Rock trolls didn't have expressive features, but his face became less stony. She impulsively conjured a red carnation and handed it to him. "Merry Christmas. I hope it's tasty."

He ate it and belched.

She took that as a compliment.

A bouquet of red carnations was a lot harder to conjure, especially with the cab driver offering non-stop advice. Tonks ended up with pink petals edged in red.

"Too much swishing," the cabbie said.

Tonks looked out the window. "Are we almost there?"

"You sound like my daughter." The cabbie started talking about his kids.

Tonks wondered if Remus was forced to sleep in chains, or if he'd been drugged. The thought of him lying unconscious, stripped of his coat and the hidden communication mirror twisted her stomach.

The cab jerked to a halt beside a nondescript block of flats. Tonks paid the fare and hopped out. There was no lift, so she took the stairs two at a time and was out of breath by the time she reached the third floor. She knocked on the door and gasped out, "Wotcher," when it opened.

Will's light green eyes widened. "How did you know? Delia's Patronus just gave Lillie the message." He waved her into the flat.

The only seating in the lounge was the black futon brought from Salford. Lillie huddled in a fuzzy purple blanket at one end. She covered her face with her hands. "Oh, gods!" Her voice was choked. "Mum's afraid the pack will kill him!"

"No," Will said, "You told me she said they're going to punish him for buying Wolfsbane Potion."

"That's what Greyback said—don't you get it?" Lillie cried. "She told me to find Nym! Mum wouldn't do that if she didn't fear for his life!"

Tonks shook her head. "Wait a minute. How were you supposed to find me?"

Will and Lillie traded a "you tell her" look.

Lillie said, "You had something on me, so Mum wanted something on you. She got Kemp to go around to enquiry agencies in London and ask for Nym. The receptionist at the Blue Moon told him Nymphadora Tonks had gone back to full time Auror work."

"Bubbles," Tonks said. "Her name is Bubbles, and I'm Tonks. Just Tonks." She tried to smile, although she felt like an idiot for assuming if she told Uncle Morty to pretend she'd never worked there, he'd pass the word along to Bubbles. "You can still call me Nym if you want."

"What are you going to do?" Lillie asked in a small voice.

"I'm not going to call in the Ministry if that's what you're worried about," Tonks replied. "I'll rescue Remus myself."

Will said, "Kemp was punished and no one tried to kill him. If you take the professor out of there, he'll be banned. No pack will ever take him."

"I'm his pack," Tonks said, "And I won't risk his life—not for anything."

"What about your own life?" Will asked.

"I have a penchant for danger," she said dryly, "and a lot to do, so if you'll give me an address, a general location, a map—anything you can—I'll be on my way."

Will used an Accio to summon parchment and quill. "Tell the professor that whatever happens, we'll always be his friends."

"We'll always be your friends too," Lillie said. She jumped up to throw her arms around Tonks.

Tonks returned the hug. "Ta, thanks." With a rueful laugh, she gave Lillie the forgotten bouquet.

Will sketched the warehouse from what details Frank had given him in the few letters he'd sent. He didn't know the exact address, but from the location and the description, Tonks knew she could find it.

It was what to do once she got there that was the problem.

She Apparated back to the Inverness Floo Station and travelled directly to the Hog's Head. There was a lone customer in the pub. Annis Black. Annis and the barman talked in hushed voices. They made an interesting couple.

Tonks put up her hood and tried to sneak past them.

Annis called out, "Tonight the wolf in my dream was an astral spirit who howled for his mate."

Tonks said, "If he comes back, tell him I'll be there soon."

If Snape was surprised to find her on his doorstep at one in the morning, he didn't show it. "To what do I owe this intrusion?"

He was dressed in black wizard robes and didn't look sleepy. That was a hopeful sign. Maybe he'd been up reading a book on hexes or Dark Arts and was in a good mood—or as good a mood as someone like him was capable of. "Are you brewing a potion?" she asked. "If you need to watch a cauldron we can talk in—"

"No."

"Do you have...company...?" She tried not to grimace at the mental image of Poppy Pomfrey in a teddy.

Snape curled his lip. "No."

"Then may I come inside and talk to you? I need help."

"Go to Dumbledore."

"I don't want his help!" she shouted. "I want yours, and I'll do just about anything for it, so please have the damned decency to invite me in and listen to what I have to say!"

Snape lifted an eyebrow. "Anything?"

"Just about."

"Then by all means," he said silkily, "come in."

-

A/N: And some readers thought Snape's been in the story so much because this writer has a soft spot for him. Okay, that's true, but he is useful as well as decorative. :D The "knife-throwing sidekick" line came from Ron throwing his sprout knife at Fred earlier in ch 16 of HBP. The washbasin was enchanted in response to alix33 asking if it was like the one in the film. Thanks, alix! Those who have done washing up by hand will no doubt approve Remus putting the glassware in first. :P Although I switched the full moon to the 26th, I looked up the weather on the 25 so I could get that right, at least.

Way back in ch 14, readers wondered what happened in Inverness all those years ago. Now you know!

The readers who let me know they enjoyed the last chapter were...40/16, alix33, Calenmarwen, Carnivalgirl, ChristinaAngel, ElspethBates, ishandtwofourths, Lady Adrienne Faery, ladyofthecelticland, MollyCoddles, Moontime, Operamuse, potteronpotluvhim, Rose of the West, siriuslycrazy4snuffles, sunny9847, WriterMerrin, and Ziroana.