Here we go! I don't own it. Review please!
The Order gathers to distract Brendan/ Brendan etc. so those who want out can leave.
One week later, the Order gathered at the home of one of Remus' oldest family friends still living. The parents had been friends. The son, some ten years younger than Remus, had followed his parents' example and befriended him. He had a wife. Both were discreet Order members and were willing to do whatever they could to help.
The plan was formed for Order members to attack the settlement and draw Brendan's attention, while Dora, Remus and Wilson Mackenzie, among others, led the defectors away, back to Wilson's house where Fiona would be waiting. From there, Mitch would guide them to the safe village. Kingsley was arranging the supply of Wolfsbane and Wolfsbane ingredients.
The two groups Apparated to the very outskirts of the settlement. Kingsley led Hestia, Dora and Wilson to the back end where they would help round up the deserters and take them away.
A cascade of orange sparks filled the night sky below them. "That's the signal, let's go," Kingsley said. The adult werewolves were gathered nearby. Hurriedly, the group ran to them, using the code words "Break clean" to identify themselves as they pressed Portkeys into hands and used Side-Along Apparation to get the group away. "Where are the kids?" Dora asked one.
She replied, "Brendan always keeps 'em close to the centre of camp. Better get 'em quick... They're the ones he wants the most." She hesitated. "I'll help you," she offered, waving away the Portkey. They were word-activated anyway.
The woman led Dora to the centre of the cluster of huts and shacks. A group of terrified children aged between six and fifteen looked up nervously at their approach. Dora smiled at them. "We're here to get you out of here," she said quietly, "Come with us, quickly."
The eldest looked them up and down before nodding at the others. "She's legit. Do as she says. Youngest first." he all but ordered. The woman with Dora gathered some of the little ones near her and activated the Portkey. Dora handed Portkeys to the others. "Is this everyone?" she asked the eldest. He paused. "The Chief's got a few near his private den. Dunno if you wanna really grab 'em though. They've been converted already, Miss."
Dora sighed. "Well, I've got to try, haven't I?" she replied, sending a Patronus to Kingsley. "You go." she told the teen. "I'll follow in a bit."
He activated the Portkey, while she crept towards the centre of the camp. In a cluster of bushes, she found three children. The older two were around six years old, but the younger one couldn't have been over a year. Furious, Dora thrust Portkeys into the six-year-olds' hands and activated them before scooping up the baby. To her surprise, he glared at her before trying to bite her fingers, growling in an almost wolfish manner. Dora moved her hands out of his reach, fumbling for the Portkey. The baby let out a cry that was more of a howl and a voice behind her said, "Ah-ah, you wouldn't be taking my kiddies, wouldja darlin'?"
Dora spun around. It was Brendan.
"Drop lil Ferus before he hurts ya. Would hate to see a girl like you damaged because of foolishness."
Dora tensed, as 'Ferus' gave an almost malicious smile. "He's not yours to claim, Brendan." she said, trying to seem calm when she was anything but. Find the Portkey. Go on. Grab it and go. she urged herself.
Brendan leered at her. "Ooh, I recognise you now... Nymphadora Tonks, ain't it? Little Nymphie?"
Dora swallowed. She arched an eyebrow at him, while her hand closed on the Portkey. "Away," she murmured. But nothing happened. Brendan laughed. "This is my Inner Sanctum, little Nymph. Portkeys don't work here."
In response, she silently sent a Patronus. Dora was feeling almost panicky now. The Order had been warned that certain people were on Brendan's list. But, as it was to help Remus, she'd insisted on coming. Now, though...
Brendan laughed. "Too late, Nymph! Ferus," he addressed the snarling child, "Attack her."
Dora released the kid and flung up a Shield Charm. Brendan lunged and she threw herself sideways to avoid him. Then she saw the little kid – baby – on the ground transforming. Even though it was only new moon. "What the –?" Dora swore loudly, then shot Stunners at both of them. She had to get out of here...
Brendan lunged and snagged her wrist. He leered at her menacingly and growled for the wolf-boy to come. "First blood, Ferus!"
Where the hell were the others?
As if her thoughts had Conjured him, she heard Remus' voice. "Get your hands off her, Brendan! No!" he all but roared and Brendan and his charge were flung backwards. The boy was knocked unconscious. Brendan attempted to get to his feet, but Remus knocked him back with a curse and launched himself in front of Dora. "Don't move, Brendan. If you want to get her, you have to get through me first!"
Brendan let out a snarl of fury and pleasure. "Ooh, she's yours, is she Lupin?" Remus growled back and Stunned him in response. Dora sat up shakily. Before she could say anything, Remus was there. "Dora! Are you all right? Did he get you?"
She shook her head. "Just scratches. I'm not bitten, don't worry." She said, with a slightly bitter edge. Remus rocked back on his heels. Dora thought she heard him murmur, "Thank Merlin," before he looked at her properly again. "You shouldn't have come," he said, before standing and walking away.
Dora stared furiously after him. Damn him.
Back at the house, they re-joined the others. "Where were you?" Remus all but snapped at Kingsley. "Brendan nearly attacked D-Tonks." He collected himself. Calm down. He didn't... that's what matters. Why was he slipping so much with her name tonight? He had to stop this.
Kingsley gasped. "Hell, I'm sorry Tonks." he said, looking over Remus' shoulder. Remus jumped and turned to see her leaning against the door of the room. She smiled wanly, ignoring him to speak to Kingsley. "Remus took care of it." Dora said briskly.
Kingsley nodded. "So I heard. I would've come, but I was rather preoccupied keeping Stephenson from mauling Bill."
Bill gave a forced smile. "And I'm very glad for it. Mum and Fleur would have my hide if I got injured on this." His clothes were ripped, so he began salvaging them, muttering things under his breath. "Don't know what he meant about third Prewett blood..."
Remus glanced at him curiously. "I suggest you ask your mother. If one like him says something like that, he normally means it." he said. Though ...third blood... Could that be the cause of the Prewett angst with werewolves?
Mitch said, "Oi, Remus, can we start packing 'em away now? We're all here."
Remus turned to him. "You're all going as a group this time I think." he said.
Kingsley nodded and held out the Portkey. "This boot will take you to the centre of the town. It leaves in five minutes." he smiled at them all. "Ministry thinks this is a family gathering in Somerset. But you're actually a little closer to Dover."
The group laughed and began arranging themselves around the old hiking boot. A little girl tugged on Remus' trousers as he stepped away. "Mister, aren't you comin'?"
Remus looked taken aback. For the briefest moment, he imagined going with them and helping Mitch set up the village... Then he met Dora's worried eyes. "No, I can't. I'm still needed here." he said softly. The girl pouted and he added, "Maybe I'll visit sometime."
Kingsley stepped up. "Mitch, you'll be the leader of this group, so we've given you the house that connects to the real, Muggle village outside."
Dora said, now mostly over her shock of the past few minutes, "Oh and by the way, Mitch, I took the liberty of sending a Patronus to your wife." He stared at her. "Carmel and the kids ought to be waiting on the Muggle side when you arrive."
Mitch beamed. "Thank you Tonks. Thank you. This means..." he shook his head and turned to Remus. "She's a good one, Remus. Take care o' her."
The Portkey whisked them away before Remus could muster a proper reply.
Remus, you know he's right…
Review please.