I don't own it. * = See Greenholly's Christmas in London.

January: Dora talks with her dad about Remus. He tells her not to give up on him. February/ March: Remus talks with Mitch about life and things. Ideas are formed: Remus sends a Patronus.

In late January, Dora's parents got back from their anniversary trip*. 27 years married. Dora had tea with them and for the first time she couldn't hide what was wrong. "Nymphadora, I know everyone grieves differently, but you've been stuck like this for nearly seven months..." Andromeda began, "... and it's not even your natural colour. Is Sirius' death...the real reason for this, or...?"

Dora sighed. "It's...complicated, Mum." A part of her longed to tell her mother her issues, but... Even though she'd left her dark family and married a Muggleborn, Andromeda was still a very proper woman with stubborn morals and ideals. These included the common belief that all werewolves are bad (a belief that was, to be fair, held by Pureblood fanatics and blood traitors alike). Her mother might just make the problem worse by agreeing with Remus and trying to find someone 'better than him' for her. Really, werewolf or no, Andromeda would take offense at any man who treated her Dora badly. The… werewolf thing…just made it worse.

Andromeda knew that, while her daughter had inherited her looks and temper, she had inherited Ted's personality (though stubbornness was a trait shared by all three). Therefore, Dora found it easier to confide in her easy-going father. If it was serious, Ted would tell Andy later. If not, she'd find out eventually (she wasn't a perceptive former Slytherin for nothing).

So Andromeda stood up. "You talk to your father. I'll be in the study." She took her knitting and left. Dora felt slightly guilty, but also relieved. When she was younger she'd confided in her mother; but her reactions had confused Dora and she'd often had to go to her father to get some advice she could use. Dora blamed this on her mother's parents, who of course hadn't taught her anything other than the cool, calm, snobbish façade that was the Black way.

Dora released a sigh and turned to her dad. "Can you help me understand something Dad? See... There's this man I like... I've known him – have been friends with him – for a while, through, you know, the Order... I'm pretty sure it's more than like, actually, but... I revealed my feelings to him a while ago. Or I tried to, in May, and then again after Siri's death, but he... I know he feels something back, but he won't admit it! He's got this... condition that means he's looked down on by a lot of people. I don't look down on him. He's just a normal person... I don't care about that, I must've told him about a thousand times..." even before May... "but he just won't listen!"

Dora finished her rant, aware she'd been babbling slightly and had become slightly hysterical at the end, but the only person she had told this to was Molly and that had been months ago.
Ted looked her over then said, "Are you 'pretty sure' or 'sure sure'?" he asked.
It took Dora a moment to realise what he meant before she blushed, took a breath and said steadily, "Sure sure."

Ted nodded slowly. "This man... Is he or his he not Remus Lupin?"
Dora froze. Ted smiled. "When Sirius came over here as a teenager, he'd bring the gang with him. I remember Remus. Nice bloke, but terribly downtrodden by society's gits. He reminded me, somewhat, of myself...before I met your mother or mentored Dirk in magical law. I'm glad he's found someone in you. Now, start from the beginning and tell me about him."

Dora did so and explained everything. When she'd finished, Ted said, "Hmm... I see your problem. Give him time. If he hasn't responded by the end of the year, confront him. Preferably in front of witnesses. That'll force his real emotions to the surface. I bet he's buried them with Sirius. Well, the ones that weren't buried with James and Lily."

Dora sighed. "Wish Siri was still here. He told me a year ago that Remus had only just started opening up a bit after the fourteen-year isolation imposed after the end of the first war."
Ted smiled sadly and enveloped Dora in a hug. "You'll get through Dora. Don't give up...ever. He'll realise how stupid he's being one day."

"Soon, I hope." Dora muttered.

Remus sat down next to Mitch wearily. He knew some of the camp abhorred Brendan and his imitation of Greyback and would gladly leave him...if they were offered something that was substantially better that had an actual chance of working. Remus' ideas about joining Dumbledore's side or gaining shelter while remaining neutral had gone largely unheard... Too many were scared of Greyback and his ilk; all knew Remus was being watched.

Too old, too poor, too dangerous...too cowardly and useless. Remus also couldn't help but think of Dora near-constantly, behind close mental shields. He missed her so badly it was like stomach-ache. He loved her so, so much... But he knew he had to stay away from her.

Even if it killed him inside.

Beside him, Mitch cleared his throat. "All right, you've been staring off into space for the past five minutes. What is it?"
Remus shook his head. "Muffliato. The only person I've properly convinced in five, nearly six months is you."
Mitch stared at him oddly. "I don't know about that... I've heard things that suggest otherwise. They just don't want to speak about it in case they finds out."
Remus straightened. "Who?"

"I'll tell you in a second. First, I gotta show you something." From a grubby overcoat, he pulled a slip of paper copied from somewhere. It had names and pictures of several women in the Order and the Ministry (or both). Including... Remus gasped. "Dora." he whispered.
Mitch shot him a glance. "It's a list Greyback and his high-ups, including Brendan, have put together...of those they 'wouldn't mind' turning or at least having a bit of fun with."

That horrid mental picture of Dora that had been bubbling in the back of his mind all year resurfaced again. "I'll warn the Order." He murmured, still looking at the scrap of paper. Dora's photo was a copy of her most recent Ministry picture; the Christmas season of 1995, over a year ago. Her hair changed from blonde to pink to green and back again as he watched, but her cheeky smile was fixed in place.

Remus reached out and touched the picture, staring at her dark eyes. Then Mitch cleared his throat again. He jumped and quickly folded the parchment away.

Mitch was watching him. "You love her, don't you? The metamorphagus."
Remus' mouth opened and shut before he nodded. "But I can't have her. She's too good for me... I'd just drag her down..." he sighed, mumbling, "too old, too poor, too dangerous."
Mitch sighed. "Sometimes I don't understand you mate. Yet I do. I tried similar arguments out on Carmel... She didn't listen. I still love her, I'm just protecting her."

Remus sighed. "I've been giving her no choice but to listen. After all, it's not like we had anything other than friendship before..."
Mitch quirked an eyebrow. "This coming from the man who told me not to give up hope and to listen to friends when I was newly bitten..." he muttered.

Remus blanched. "It's different." he hissed, the words sounding hollow and untruthful even in his ears.
There was a short, tense silence before Mitch said, "You know what I was saying earlier? About people wanting to quit? I've got names. Let's make a plan."

Remus almost smiled. In these times, he'd take action over theoretical stubborn discussion any day.

Oh Remus, honestly! I would love your opinions on my views about Dora's interactions with her parents…