Chapter 8 When Doves Cry

Sarah had taken to enchanting a quill. Her fingers ache from all the new information she was receiving. Magic really was wonderful.

"So Harry found out?"

"Yes."

"He didn't approve."

Tonks laughed, "That would be putting it, mildly."

"Why?"

"I suppose he thought I belonged elsewhere."

"With Remus?"

Tonks shrugged, "Perhaps."

She nodded, "Is that when you and Professor Snape start dating?... Er became public?"

"Yes and no."

Sarah looked confused, "I don't understand."

"I refused him at first. The war was in full swing. We were fighting for opposite sides or so it seemed."

"Did you know…that he was a spy? Did you know he was really on the side of the light?"

"Yes, but who could really be sure where he true allegiance lay? He was a complicated man."

"Yes, he was very convincing."

Tonks stood, grabbing her coat, "Would you like to go for a walk?"

The apparation landed them in a park. It was a beautiful day. The birds sang happily around them.

"Did you ever want children? "

"You assume I don't have any."

Sarah fell behind, shocked at the confession. She quickly caught up, "Did Professor Snape have an heir?"

"In blood, no- but we never felt the emptiness." Tonks pointed to a couple kids playing nearby, "See that girl there," she pointed to a cute brunette toddler. "Her name is Lily. Lily Potter."

"Harry Potter's daughter?"

Tonks nodded. "And that one there," she pointed out a redhead, "obliviously a Weasley. George's boy." Tonks waved to the children, "I could go on, naming them all, but the point is, we did have children. Many of them."

"You never craved any of your own?"

"They are mine. All of them. I never understood the need behind blood passage. It was that prejudice that caused the war."

Sarah nodded, changing the subject, "How did things play out with Harry Potter?"

"He moved on. Fell in love. Got married and had kids."

"He married Pansy Parkinson."

"Yes."

"She was on the opposite side of the war."

"We were all on the same side; the side of survival. One can't help the family they are born into." Tonks sat down, "That's how most were sorted during the war; if your family were Death Eaters, then so we're you. Many people didn't have a choice."

"You mentioned earlier that you haven't seen Mr. Potter in years. How do you know his children? "

Tonks smirked, "I never mentioned that. Eavesdropping is rude, Ms. Reese."

Sarah blushed, "Sorry."

Tonks waved it off, "Pansy is a good friend of Draco's. She visited often with the children. Many times, without Harry."

A brown haired toddler made his way to Tonks, running into her arms. "Well, hello Teddy. How are you?" Tonks picked him up and kissed his cheek, "Aunty has missed you."

"Unc Sevlus. Unc Sevlus." He reached out.

Tonks kissed his hands, "Uncle Severus has gone to live with the Unicorns. Remember, I told you that."

Teddy nodded, "Unc Sevlus ride unicorn."

She laughed, "Yes." He ran back to join the other children.

Sarah pointed to the retrieving toddler, "Theodore Lupin?"

"Yes."

"Is it true what they say? That he was found on the door steps of 12 Grimmauld Place?"

"Yes, but under no circumstances will that appear in your article. We don't condone such trash talk. He is mine as much as Remus'. I defend what is mine. Do you understand?"

"Of course. I apologize."

Tonks stood, "It's getting late. We should head back now."

She hugged each of them. Kissing her goodbyes and promising to come again next week with treats.

They landed back on the front steps of Spinners End. It was gloomy. The sun didn't seem to want to shine here.

Tonks looked at the front door, "The first time I came here, I made him a proposition. It feels like just yesterday. Has it been 14 years? I was a stupid child filled with heartbreak and hormones."

"What was he filled with?"

She opened the door, "Rage. That's what drove him. Deep seeded hatred for everyone and everything."

"Including you?"

She laughed, "Especially me. After all, I had refused him." Tonks sat down, gesturing to the elf for tea. "Who does that? Turn down a man, when he pours his heart out to you." She blew on the cup, "He didn't take it lightly."

*****When Doves Cry, is a beautiful song by Prince. If you haven't heard it yet, I highly recommend listening to it. Prince was a great musician, but he was an even better lyricist. The words alone will make you cry. ******