Things are heating up for our group now… I don't own it.
For every little action, there is a reaction.
Remus stepped off the Knight Bus gratefully, then quickly turned to help Tonks. True to form she tripped on the steps but managed to turn a fall into a leap, grabbing Remus' hand to steady herself. Remus smiled teasingly. "Good save Nymphadora."
Tonks rolled her eyes. "Remus, it's Tonks."
They walked down the road towards Grimmauld Place together and Remus snuck a look at her. It was too easy to tease her sometimes.
They arrived and quickly entered Headquarters. Remus steered Tonks past the troll-leg carefully and she resisted temptation to giggle. He was such a gentleman.
Sirius waited for them down in the kitchen. "How'd it go?" he asked.
"Good." both answered, taking seats near him.
Sirius smirked suddenly. "I can see that. You gonna tell me, or...?"
Both realised they were still holding hands and dropped them, blushing. Remus spluttered and said, "Nonsense, Padfoot... I was just guiding her past the umbrella stand."
A part of him squirmed, though. It had been nice holding hands with her... Sirius' smirk grew. "And helping her off the Knight Bus, then... I don't know... keeping her fingers warm while you walked back here?"
Tonks responded, "You read too much into things Sirius. We are just friends, you daft idiot."
A part of her said ...but wanting more.
Sirius smirked. "Whatever you say."
His friends really could be daft at times. Anyone could see they were meant for each other and liked each other. Except for the two themselves.
Tonks said, "Remus, I've been meaning to ask... um... That Patronus you sent to me on Christmas day, about contacting a Mitch Turpin's family..."
Sirius perked up. He hadn't heard about this...
Remus grinned. "Thanks for that. Mitch was... wait -" he checked the calendar, "- still is, for another week...the man on Arthur's ward who was bitten by a werewolf. I spoke to him for a bit, then decided
he needed some family cheer."
He glanced at the pink-haired wonder sitting across from him. She'd helped him — however accidentally — to understand that. That's why he'd sent her the Patronus. She was one of the few people he trusted (loved) enough to ask such things.
Tonks watched Remus, too. He was so mysterious...so charming. She'd done what he'd asked without question at the time, because she knew he was always sincere — Sirius had once said he couldn't lie to save his life, to his friends anyway. He'd tell you his reasons most of the time and he was honest to a fault*. At other times, Remus was a closed, private person, who held all but his closest friends at arm's-length, afraid to get too close. Tonks hoped she was getting near his close group.
She looked him in the eye. "What did you say to him?" she asked.
Remus swallowed. He never could resist those eyes...
"I'll tell you my side if you tell me yours," he replied, smiling at her.
Tonks nodded. That smile always got her...
[Remus sighed as Molly started working herself into a rage. Muggle procedures weren't that bad... After all, it had been a combination of magical and muggle procedures that had prolonged his mother's life (especially the quality) then eased her end. Remus looked around and saw — how could he have missed it, especially after D-Tonks had tipped him off — the man in the bed nearby was watching them all rather wistfully. He made his way over. "Hi." Remus said quietly, remembering his very acute hearing after he'd been bitten. As he'd expected, the man jumped and turned to look at him, suspicion and confusion evident on his face. "Who...who are you?" he managed.
Remus smiled and drew the curtain just as Molly exploded. "I'm Remus Lupin." he said pleasantly. The outside world was instantly muffled.
The man smiled weakly. "Thanks, then. All the noise was givin' me a headache."
Remus nodded neutrally. "They can get a bit rowdy at times...but they mean well."
The man sighed. "My name is Mitch, all right? Mitch Turpin. And, yes, I'm a werewolf. I was bitten two weeks ago by some nutter of a bloke who told me his name. Stephenson." he paused. "And, yes, it did hurt. I didn't do anythin' except express my views about uncontrolled brutes such as the pack he's part of publicly..."
"And got bitten in retaliation." Remus said quietly. The man froze and frowned at him. Remus extended his hand. "Remus Lupin. Werewolf since I was five — thirty years ago. Greyback, another alpha, bit me in retaliation for a public comment of my father's."
Comprehension dawned. "You're that guy's friend." he looked in the direction of Arthur's bed. "I wasn't particularly kind to him. The Healers had just told me 'what to expect'."
Remus frowned slightly. "Ah. Quite understandable. My father explained things to me." he mused quietly. "I heard the 'real version' later."
Mitch looked at him with an almost desperate look. "Is it true?"
Remus sighed. "What I've learnt is that your senses will change. They've already started, it seems. You'll develop an interest in rarer meat, if you haven't already. Not bloody; just...rarer. Watch out for
your temper; it will become more volatile, particularly around the full moon."
Mitch snorted. "I'd guessed." he glanced towards Arthur's bed.
Remus said, "As for the moon itself...even now you'll be able to feel the tug on you. If you let yourself, you can instinctively feel what phase of the cycle you're in."
Mitch's eyes widened. "Whoa, that's what I've been feeling?"
Remus nodded, smiling slightly. "It can take a bit of getting used to." he paused. Hmm, how to approach the thing that got my attention in the first place...?
"Mitch," he said softly, "Have I been your only visitor?"
Mitch tensed. "No." he said shortly, "A former co-worker of mine stayed around just long enough to give me an official letter of dismissal, take my photograph and tell me I'd been officially registered." he scowled. "I used to work for the Dept. for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."
Remus winced in sympathy. "Some Ministry people can be morons." He said roughly, thinking of Umbridge. "But...no family?"
Mitch flinched. "I was attacked whilst doing something for work. My wife...well, I thought our family hated...creatures like me. I haven't contacted her."
Remus blinked. "I...understand. Has she tried to contact you?" he asked.
Mitch shrugged, looking despondent. "Don't know. They have to go through the Healers first and I didn't want to be disappointed. My brother probably contacted her — he definitely hates werewolves,
whoever they are. She probably listened to him. Maybe it's for the best."
Remus opened his mouth to agree, then paused. "Sometimes I think that, too." he sighed, "But...it's horribly lonely without support. You might be surprised. I know I was."
In his mind's eye, he saw D-Tonks, Sirius... James and Lily. It was good to have friends.
Mitch sighed. "If you say so."
The curtain was suddenly thrust aside. "Mr Turpin? It's time to change your dressings. Hello Mr Lupin. They've stopped shouting now." Healer Smethwyck bustled around.
Remus stepped away and thought for a minute. How can I find out…I can't do it myself…Someone with Ministry clearance... Then he had a brainwave. Kingsley had said, at the last Order meeting before Christmas that the Aurors had been forced to take home a lot of paperwork. But he'd also said he would be on duty, guarding the Minister today. Who else…? Remus then remembered that Dora had the next shift of guard duty of the other sort. She'd most likely be at home getting ready, and there was still an hour before changeover in which she could investigate.
Remus pulled out his wand, then paused. Message-Patronus needs a corporeal shape, a voice in his head reminded him. Do you really want to show Dora what that is? Remus shoved the thoughts aside and sent a Patronus to Dora. She knows what I am. Besides…
Mitch was a good man and he ought to know for sure.
#
Tonks received the message at her flat. A silver wolf soared into her window shortly after she'd gotten back from her parents' place. "Tonks, if you're not busy, could you do something for me?" Remus' voice asked, then explained the problem. Tonks was happy to help. Luckily, the paperwork she'd been forced to take home included an automatically-updating copy of the Werewolf Register. After a few minutes searching through records, she found the information. Silly berks at the Ministry had just transferred his files from his job to here, Tonks thought.
She got the address and went to it. It was a nice little place; white paling fence surrounding a red-brick house with a small front lawn and garden.
She sighed and went to open the gate, then heard voices. "That does it, Lachlan! I've had it with your prejudice — he's your brother, for Merlin's sake!" a woman exclaimed.
"Carmel, please. I'm trying to do what's best for you and your children. They're my niece and nephew after all..." a man (Lachlan) replied, almost desperately.
The woman (Carmel) laughed shrilly. "Mitch is my husband! How dare you..."
Tonks quickly ducked behind the hedge as the door opened. A girl of about fifteen walked out with a toddler in her arms. A young child followed her. The teenager flicked her wand and conjured a couple of playthings for the kids then sat on the grass, listening to the voices inside and wincing.
'Carmel' was saying, "You say it's best for us? You practically moved in here when you told me what had happened to Mitch. I'm beginning to suspect that was to make sure I didn't go and visit him!"
'Lachlan' sighed. "I was hoping to have this conversation later, but..."
The girl winced and muttered, "Putting your foot in your mouth Dad."
He continued, "Listen, Carmel, it's better that you stopped this. He's been...changed, been bitten. Things will be different. He is different. It would be better — for all concerned — if you had nothing
more to do with him."
There was a stunned silence, then footsteps and a slapping noise. "How dare you! You bastard. Mitch is your brother. He's still normal twenty-seven days out of twenty-eight."
A new voice, another woman's, said coolly, "Carmel, surely you realise how this will look? Your children will be ostracised! You will have to take up a job, because no-one sane will hire him! Are you sure you've thought this through?"
Carmel hissed, "Edwina, I've spent the past two weeks 'thinking this through'. Mitch didn't ask to be bitten! Don't..."
'Edwina' continued, "Personally, I think it's selfish of... Mitch. He should've known his comments would make him a target — Ouch!"
The slapping noise was heard again. Carmel shouted, "How dare you! Get out of here!"
"That's your choice, is it?" Lachlan all but snarled, "Well, don't come crying to us when things don't work out! You'll get no help or support!"
'Edwina' said, "Really dear, choosing him over us? He's only a werewolf."
"He is my husband and I love him." Carmel hissed, "Now get out of this house! I don't want to see you again!"
The man and woman rushed out, collected their daughter and left.
Carmel sighed. "Come inside, you two." she gathered up her children.
One asked, "Can we see Daddy for Ka-wiss-mass?"
Tonks stepped forward. "I might be able to help with that."
#
Remus wandered up towards the fifth floor of the hospital. He paused on the fourth, to say hello to Frank and Alice, but left rather quickly; it always depressed him to see them like that.
In the tearoom, he found Harry and the others and sat with them for a bit — learning they knew about Frank and Alice too. They talked about that for a while before Remus brought them downstairs again.
Molly and Arthur were pleased to see them. They sat and talked for a bit longer — Harry explained the details and use of his gift. Just as Arthur began to nod off — as they were about to go — there was the patter of tiny footsteps. A little boy, barely older than five, ran in and looked around, then called, "He is here Mummy!" then he ran straight at Mitch's bed. "Daddy-Daddy-Daddy!"
He took a running leap and managed to scramble onto the covers.
Mitch gaped. "Bobby?" he said hoarsely.
Bobby nodded. "An' Gway-see an' Mummy coming too." he said proudly, then peered at Mitch's face. "You okay, Daddy? Unca Lachie says not nice fings bout you, but Mummy tase him away."
The kid babbled on, but Mitch just smiled and stroked his hair. Then he looked up, hearing someone else at the door.
The woman was carrying a toddler, who squirmed and was put down. She copied her brother and climbed onto Mitch's bed, then grabbed his arm and hugged it close to her face. Mitch smiled briefly at her, before looking up again. "Carmel?" he whispered. She was frozen in the doorway. At his voice, she jumped then ran forwards and hugged him, kissing him on the lips.
Then she conjured a chair and sat next to him, smiling and holding his other hand. Mitch looked over at Remus. Thank you, his eyes said.
Thank Dora, Remus thought.
Molly gave Arthur a last kiss before pressing a finger to her lips and chivvying the group out the door. It had been an eventful day.]
Remus finished the story and Sirius grinned. "Sounds like you two helped make someone's day." he said cheerfully. Then he smirked. "Got a question to ask Nymphadora, Remus?"
Both spluttered. Sirius explained, "After all, she asked you one."
Tonks looked annoyed, "Sirius, I didn't mean it like that... I'm sure he..."
Remus smiled and she quit talking. "If you don't mind, I actually do have a question."
Tonks looked at him enquiringly. He continued, "I know it's a bit personal, but... What's your natural look? I've always wondered."
Tonks stiffened and looked down at her lap. Of all the questions to ask...
Remus added quickly, "You don't have to show it... I was just curious..."
Tonks sighed and glanced up. "Nah, it's okay. I'm just not used to showing it. But...you guys are...friends."
Remus' insides squirmed. While he was glad — extremely so — that she trusted him enough to show him, the last word stung. Just friends?
Stop it, Lupin, he ordered himself, It's better this way. Besides, she wouldn't be interested in the likes of you anyway.
Tonks smiled at Remus, watching the emotions flit across his face. He could be an open book, easily read...and too sweet for his own good sometimes. **
Tonks concentrated, not thinking about any 'look' in particular. She closed her eyes and screwed up her face, feeling it relaxing into its natural shape.
Remus watched as Dora's face folded and twisted on itself. Then the true face was revealed. She was golden-blonde and curly, with dark eyes and a small nose. Her face was heart-shaped; a rounded forehead tapering to a pointed chin with high, angular cheekbones — inherited from her mother's side of the family. The rest of her body seemed small but angular. In short, Remus thought she was perfect. Perfectly beautiful.
"Well?" Tonks asked hesitantly. What was taking him so long to answer?
Remus unstuck his jaw and smiled. "...The look suits you, D-Tonks," he said, cursing himself for the near miss. "I think you look very nice."
Tonks' cheeks went pink. "Thanks. You...you think so?" she replied, "I don't 'wear' it often... Except when I'm alone."
You were wearing it the day you fell off the couch and I realised I loved you, Remus thought. Don't hide it!
Then he realised why she did.
Remus said, "I can see why — it shows you're related to this mutt!"
And a host of other people who are completely nuts, but let's not go there...
Tonks smiled weakly and Sirius said, "Hey!" indignantly.
Remus nodded mentally. Yep. Bang on target.
"But really," he went on, "you look nice. There's nothing wrong with showing your natural looks around here. We won't judge."
For a moment he wondered if he'd pushed too far. Then Tonks sighed. "Sometimes I wish you weren't so perceptive," she mumbled, glancing at her lap. "But you're right." she added, glancing up at him again. "I've known you long enough..." she trailed away, then shook herself and grinned at him. "Thanks Remus."
Remus' heart jumped. "No problem. Besides, no-one's gonna know if it's your real face or not...except us."
Tonks laughed and her eyes sparkled.
Sirius sighed. "Lovely. Now...anyone for a crossword?" he asked.
Remus and Tonks exchanged a glance. "Don't push your luck," they chorused.
But from that day until the end of June, Tonks' favourite look to wear around Headquarters was natural.
* Poor Tonks! She thinks he's 'most of the time…honest to a fault'; and in my 'verse, he is, at least to his close friends (as she realises). However, she hasn't seen the side of him that struggles with his 'main failing…that he likes to be liked' (quote from JKR). After all, it's an internal battle most of the time and she's only heard snippets of what happened during 1993 and before, so Tonks doesn't realise. Yet.
** Here, Tonks thinks she's reading him and thinks his slight frown
was because he was unsure about upsetting her or something. She
doesn't suspect him...yet...