Chapter 22
That night Tonks and Remus were sitting on the settee in her parents' parlor after Ted and Andromeda had gone to bed.
"So how are they really?" Remus had recounted to Tonks his conversation with the foursome at Grimmauld Place.
"They seem fine. They don't have the best of circumstances, of course, but I think they at least have a plan of how to proceed." He sighed. "I'm just worried about how the Death Eaters found them so quickly after they disapparated from the wedding."
"Yeah, it doesn't make sense. The only way I know of is someone grabbing onto you as you apparate."
"I know. I had no idea what to tell them."
Tonks sighed. "But at least they're strong kids, and Sirius will help them."
"Yes, and I don't even want to think about our end of the war before the Order meeting tomorrow." Tonks rested her head on his shoulder in silent accord. "I just want to relax for a while and enjoy the company of my wonderful and vivacious wife." His face showed pure contentment and joy as he looked at her.
Tonks really wished that he wouldn't say things like that or smile like that when she had something serious to tell him, something he probably didn't want to hear. "There's something I have to tell you first."
"What's that?" His eyes took on a worried cast.
"I…Umbridge fired me."
"Does she even have the authority to do that?"
Tonks shrugged. "It was Thickeness' signature on the notice. I just got to hear the lovely news from her." Disgust was evident in her voice.
"I'm sorry. I know how much you loved being an Auror, and that you probably lost it on my account."
"Stop." Tonks knew that she had to cut him off early to prevent him from wallowing in self-recrimination. "This is not your fault. It's not like I would've been any use at the Ministry now that the Death Eaters have taken over. I probably would've had to quit soon any way."
"I know. I just wish that it didn't have to be like this." She nodded and wrapped her arms around his waist.
She wanted to tell him her other news and get it over with. She began, "There's something else I have to tell you. I'm-" The word stuck in her throat. "I'm glad you're home safe." She chided herself yet again for being an utter Hufflepuff coward. Remus didn't seem entirely convinced that that was what she meant to tell him, but he simply smiled.
"As am I. As am I."
They settled into a comfortable silence, although Tonks still felt a little guilty about not telling Remus something so momentous.
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Several nights later there was an Order meeting to discuss the latest state of affairs. They met at the Burrow, as per usual, because Grimmauld Place was too heavily guarded by Death Eaters recently to make apparition safe.
Remus and Tonks had arrived early and were reassuring the Weasleys of Harry and the others' relative safety. The rest of the members trickled in steadily.
When everyone was gathered, there were a few moments of awkward silence. As he had since the first meeting after Dumbledore died, Remus filled it. "Well, as we all know, our current circumstances are far from ideal. However, there is hope yet. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Sirius are still alive and intent on completing the mission that Dumbledore set to them, although they do not feel able to divulge what it entails. We must continue to do as Albus always said, and put our faith in them. We must do our part to ensure that they can do theirs. The fight will be difficult, and we have already lost ones dear to us." He paused briefly so that each could remember Emmeline Vance and Alastor Moody. "But I am sure that we will prevail. The majority of us may die in the attempt." It was the grim reality that they faced. "However, we have no choice but to win. Voldemort fights for power and a twisted sense of his own rightness and infallibility. We fight for survival. We fight for our families. We fight for love and I have to believe that that is a force stronger than any Voldemort can even imagine."
Tonks marveled for the millionth time at Remus' ability to say exactly the right thing. She noticed all the people seated around the table sit up a little straighter and set their jaws in firm and purposeful determination. Despite the loss of their leader, she rejoiced that Remus was there to replace him. No one had ever formally acknowledged that he had done so, and Remus himself refused to hear of it. However, they all knew it was true. He had been a pillar of quiet strength throughout the trying summer.
And he was her husband! She still thrilled at the thought, although she sometimes felt like a silly schoolgirl for indulging in that level of excitement.
Tonks was broken out of her musings by the continued discussions about Voldemort's infiltration of the Ministry and its increasing bigotry against anyone, or anything, who was not a pureblood.
"Does anyone else have something to say?" inquired Remus after they had thought of all they could for the time being with regard to the Ministry.
Fred and George glanced at each other and raised their hands almost tentatively, which was unusual for them. Remus nodded at them to go on.
"Well, Fred and I have been thinking-"
"We know that the Death Eaters are trying to track down and disparage Harry and us at every turn," Fred continued without a break.
"And we thought that it might be helpful to the resistance to report on our hero's movements."
"And any other news that the Prophet refuses to print."
"And let people know that there is still hope." They finished in unison.
Some, especially Molly, looked dubious, but Remus wore a thoughtful expression. "What did you have in mind?"
"A programme on the wireless." George held up his hand to stem the immediate protest that sprang up, that everyone would be able to hear it and they would surely be lost to Voldemort. "Lee Jordan reckons that he can rig the system so that you need a password to listen in."
Fred added. "We already have a few locations for broadcasting in mind."
Tonks piped up. "It sounds bloody brilliant to me if you work out the kinks and make sure that the signal is secure." The twins grinned appreciatively at her.
"And anyone who appears will have a codename of course."
"That's only prudent," said Arthur with a small smile.
"Well, if you have a firmer proposal ready for the next meeting, in about a week, I think we can all vote on it then." The glint in his eyes told Tonks that he had already made up his mind in favor, but the Order always remained essentially a democracy on strict principle. No one had any other business.
Tonks and Remus returned to her parents' house that night, exhausted but animatedly discussing Fred and George's proposal.
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Roughly two weeks passed in a blur of Order responsibilities and Tonks' increasingly constant nausea. Remus had taken to looking at her with some concern and treating her gingerly, as if she would collapse at any moment. She knew that she couldn't put off telling him any longer.
One night they were both free from Order duties. Tonks and Remus were sitting in her old room that they had appropriated. She cuddled comfortably against his side. "We don't get nearly enough time for this," she said sleepily.
"I heartily agree." He ran his fingers through her characteristically pink hair.
"Do you ever think about our lives after the war? I know that sort of daydreaming is dangerous, but we need to have some goal to keep us going."
"Only recently." He looked at her sheepishly, almost guiltily. "I think about us. When I was with Greyback's pack, I hardly dared dream of the next day, nonetheless after the war. But since I've come back and we've gotten…married…" He looked as if he still couldn't quite believe it and caressed her cheek to reassure himself that she was real. "It's become ridiculously easy to imagine a future without pain and loss."
Tonks twined her fingers with his. "I feel the same."
"I only hope we get to see it."
"I have a good feeling about it. Like you said the other day, we have the most important things to fight for." Her free hand, as it had so often of late, rested on her abdomen.
He developed a small frown at her words. "I also said that the majority of us may die in the war."
She shuddered slightly. "We all understand that, but let's not worry about it tonight."
"Certainly." He kissed her slowly and softly. "Are you feeling better? You were sick again this morning."
She stiffened. He had given her the perfect segue; she simply had to say the words. "I'm fine."
"If this goes on much longer, I think you should see a Healer."
Tonks had to fight to repress a laugh that was bubbling inside her at Remus' cluelessness about her symptoms.
"I don't think I'll need to see a Healer for at least another a few weeks." His brow furrowed in question, and he stood, preparing himself for a long argument on the subject. "We're going to have a baby."
Shock was displayed prominently on his features. Then, he broke into a broad smile that lit up his whole face. Tonks stood, so that they could embrace. Remus twirled her around in his arms before setting her gently back on the floor. "Are you sure, Dora?"
She nodded, flushed and beaming. He kissed her again, trying to express the joy that words could not. "You can't imagine how happy this makes me."
"Actually, I think I can." Her grin shrank slightly. "I know the timing's not that great, and…"
Remus cut her off with a finger on her lips. "I know, but the worrying can come later. Right now we should enjoy the moment." They returned to sit on the bed. "I love you, Nymphadora."
"I love you, too, Remus," she replied. She touched her lips to his. They continued in that vein for some minutes.
Later, after Tonks had fallen asleep, Remus lay awake, gazing at her. He laid a hand reverently and protectively over her stomach and drifted off to a land of pleasant dreams.
A/N: As per request, I tried to add more fluff to this chapter; I hope there was enough for your tastes. I'm putting out a warning that there will probably be at least a week or two between updates between now and the end of the story, as I am now back at school to start my second semester of college. I'm also really sorry that I've been shamefully remiss in replying to your kind reviews; I'll try to get caught up. I continue to appreciate all the support, and reviews motivate me to write faster. Wink, wink; nudge, nudge.
And for getting through that note, I offer a Remus to celebrate with you about any important news you have.