Chapter 11-Return to Hogwarts
Unfortunately the holidays ended too soon. I normally look forward to returning to Hogwarts but with that pink toad there, I was actually dreading it. Oh well, at least I have Remus. I also have missed Graciee. I can't wait to see her, Emily, and Iona again.
New Year's Eve came and went. To ring out the old year we had a snowball fight in the park across the street from headquarters.
I was sitting on a bench watching everyone throw snowballs when Remus sneaked up behind me and put snow down the back of my shirt. I screamed and jumped up. Sirius turned around, wand drawn, and saw Remus looking sheepish. I don't know who threw the first snowball, although I have a feeling it was one of the twins. It hit Harry in the back and the next thing I knew snowballs were flying everywhere. About 10 minutes to midnight, Molly came out with Firewhiskey for the adults and butterbeer for the kids.
We counted down the seconds and when midnight came, we all yelled "Happy New Year!". I think the neighbors heard us, they probably thought were mad for standing out in the cold, but we didn't care. We sang "Auld Lang Syne", then went inside, and to bed.
I was woken several hours later by Remus whispering "Nymphadora, are you awake?" in my ear. I was not happy as Remus had interrupted a very pleasant dream.
"No, Remus, I'm not," I said into my pillow.
"Are you sure, love?" Remus whispered against my neck, making me shiver.
"I was, lover, but suddenly I'm feeling very awake," I said, attempting to turn over onto my back, only stopping when Remus began placing kisses on the back of neck, and slipping his hand beneath my shirt to touch my stomach.
"That's good Nymphadora, because I heard you moaning in your sleep, and thought you were having another nightmare."
"No Remus, I wasn't," I said, lifting my head from my pillow, scarcely noticing the blue flames on the nightstand, and tried to fight back a moan. Remus whispered, "It's OK, Nymphadora."
"But Remus-", I began to say.
"Silencing charm, love. You don't need to hold back, ever. Do you understand?"
"Yes, lover, I understand," I whispered.
"Good girl," Remus said, kissing my neck.
I couldn't hold back anymore, and I know Remus didn't want me to either so I arched my back and let out a moan.
"Merlin's beard, Nymphadora, I didn't know you had that in you," Remus said.
"Neither did I, lover, but that felt so good, did you expect anything less?" I asked.
"No, I didn't, and I know you have more in you," Remus whispered against my neck before moving his hand underneath my shirt again.
"Remus, please don't stop, I'll do anything, just please don't stop."
"You don't have to do anything, Nymphadora except enjoy this."
"Why are you doing this?
"Because I want to. It's the first New Year's Day in a very long time I haven't been alone. I don't want to waste it, and this is the best way I could think of to celebrate."
"We have time before we have to be back at Hogwarts and the full moon isn't for another four days yet."
"I know, love, I wanted to talk to you about returning to Hogwarts, but believe me, it can wait."
"Good, because I don't want to think right now, I just want to feel how good your hands feel against me."
"Then think of that, Nymphadora. Turn over and let me look at you."
"No," I said.
"Did you just say no to me?" Remus asked, leaning down and biting my neck hard enough to leave a mark.
I moaned, grabbed the headboard and said, "What if I did, lover?"
"Saying no to a werewolf is a very dangerous thing to do, even if they are your lover," Remus said, running his fingers underneath my shirt and up my back. "Now why won't you turn over?"
"Because that's not how it happened in the dream, Remus, " I said.
"The dream, Nymphadora?" Remus whispered in my ear.
"Yes, lover, the pleasant dream which you chose to wake me from before it ended," I said angrily.
"Well, why don't you tell me what happened in the dream, and I could make it up to you?" Remus whispered, kissing my shoulder.
"Well, actually, it didn't start too differently than it is now, but I think we were in the Room of Requirement," I said.
"We were?" Remus asked. "Then perhaps we should wait until we are back at Hogwarts."
"Are you sure you can wait that long, lover?" I asked.
"No," said Remus. "Now, why don't you tell me what happened in the dream?"
"Well," I said. "It started with you running your hands all over my back and stomach, just like you are now."
"Are you sure, Nymphadora?" whispered Remus.
"Of course I'm sure, I think I know what happened in my- You're being cheeky, aren't you , sweetheart?" I asked.
"Yes, I am," Remus said.
"Well, you better stop, or else you can't have your way with me," I said, annoyed.
"Sorry, love," Remus whispered, kissing my neck. "What happened next?"
"For some reason, I got on my knees and close to the headboard, you pressed your body against mine, and just ran your hands over my body, and that's all you did. I'm sorry if that doesn't sounds awfully exciting, but that's the truth."
It's all right," Remus said, pulling me to my knees, and running his hands from my neck to stomach, and kissing my neck and shoulders. As much as I enjoyed Remus' hands on me, tiredness began to take over. I tried to stifle a yawn but failed.
"Did you just yawn, Dora?" Remus asked.
"Yes, I did. I'm sorry."
"It's all right, "Remus said. "Come here, lie down and watch these until you fall asleep," Remus said, conjuring bluebell flames next to me.
I lay down and felt Remus pull me close, he put his arms around me, kissed my neck and shoulders, and before I knew it I fell asleep.
We woke the next morning to the smell of Molly cooking breakfast. I turned over and kissed Remus good morning. We slowly got out of bed, dressed, and made our way downstairs. The amount of food she makes is enough to feed all the members of the Order and the Hogwarts students for at least a year.
Since it was only a few days until the next full moon, Remus and I were given the days leading up to it and the week of the full moon off. Sirius took most of our shifts.
While Sirius and Mad-Eye were patrolling Hogsmeade, and Kingsley and Emmeline watched the entrance to the Department of Mysteries. Remus began to train me in protecting myself against Death Eaters. I'm not saying Mad-Eye didn't do a good job, but both Remus and I know there's nothing wrong with extra training.
I met Remus in the living room after having breakfast, and stood across from him and slightly to the left, so he wouldn't accidentally hurt me while I was watching.
"All right, Nymphadora, just watch me, and then I'll help you with what I am about to show you, all right?" Remus said.
"All right, sweetheart," I replied.
"Firstly, which is your wand arm?" Remus asked.
"My right, sweetheart," I replied.
"All right, love, this is the first move I'll show you. Raise your right arm above your head, put your left arm out in front of you so you-", "Remus stopped mid-sentence, as if he wasn't sure what to say.
"So I can see where my wand is and aim the spell better?" I asked.
"Exactly. That's a very good way of putting it," Remus said.
"Thank you, sweetheart," I said.
"You're welcome," Remus replied. "Anyway, then you bring you wand down into your line of sight, and then bring it back to it's original position. If you want you can stand how I am with one leg behind you. It may help you balance."
I nodded and said, "I can do that Remus."
"Of course you can, Dora," Remus said. "It just takes practice and believing in yourself. I believe in you."
Thanks, sweetheart," I said, smiling.
"You're welcome," Remus said. "From the position with your wand above your head, turn to your right, and bring your wand down again, turning your wrist in at the end, with a very powerful motion."
"Okay, I get that, I think," I said. "Can you show me that again?"
He did, and I understood it the second time.
"From the second position, bring your left leg forward, your wand across your front, while blocking your center with the other arm."
I nodded, and said, "Seems easy enough."
"It is, Dora," Remus said. "Just remember to put your left arm above your right."
"All right, sweetheart,"
"From this position, what you want to do is turn around and face the opposite direction from what you were and just cast a spell behind you, making sure that you watch where you're aiming the spell, and that your wand is high enough."
"If it's not," I said, "The spell could hit the floor."
"Exactly," Remus said. "There's one more I want to show you. Turn back to your right, bring your left leg forward, bring your wand behind your back, and cast the spell from there."
I hesitated for a moment, and Remus asked, "Do you need to see that again, Dora?"
"No, sweetheart, I understand it," I replied.
"Good," Remus said. "Now would you like to stand next to me so you can practice?"
"All right, sweetheart," I said.
I copied the moves that Remus did and then did them by myself. I got them mostly right, except for move number three. I kept blocking my center with my wand arm instead of the other one. Remus told me not to worry and to keep practicing and I would get better and better. He also said I could modify them for my own personal fighting style. I'll have to think about that one.
We sat down on the couch to rest. I know Remus has been feeling tired out of sorts lately because the full moon is in just four days. Remus said he wanted to go back to Hogwarts starting the 5th and stay in the Room of Requirement again. He said he feels safe there, and so do I. Sirius said we could book tickets in advance.
Molly came in with some tea and biscuits for us to have before I went to Hogsmeade to get some more chocolate for Remus, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the other members of the Order. When I got back I started to head up to the attic and found Sirius, Remus, Harry, Ron and Hermione in Harry's room. I stopped by and asked, "What's going on, Harry?"
"Sirius is trying to get his safe open, Tonks, but he forgot the combination," Harry said.
"I knew it when I found James and Lily's will, now I don't, and that makes me angry," Sirius said, getting up from the floor. I sat next to Remus on the bed and it was then I noticed the safe was in a hidden compartment in the wall.
"Can you use Alohomora to open it, Sirius?" I asked.
"No, I'm afraid not Tonks," I made it so that spells won't work."
"All right," said Hermione, "We know the combination is three numbers, now all we have to do is figure them out."
"I was thinking that it's someone's birthday, and I tried Harry's, but it didn't work unless I just mistakenly did it wrong," Sirius said.
"Why don't you try again, Padfoot?" Remus asked.
"All right, it's 31 right, 7 left, 80 right, pull the handle, and that's it!" Sirius exclaimed. "I was afraid Kreacher had done something to the safe."
"Would he do that?" I asked.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he did, Tonks, especially after what he did to your boots." Remus said.
"Good point," I said. "Now what did you want to find so badly?" I asked.
"This," Sirius said, pulling out a small blue velvet box and handing it to Remus.
"Merlin's beard," said Remus, opening the box. "I'd forgotten you had these, Padfoot." Remus handed me the box. In it were two rings.
The rings looked familiar and then I realised where I'd seen them before. "Sweetheart, these are your mothers, aren't they?" I asked. "I think I recognise them from the picture you showed me."
"Yes, Dora, they are," Remus replied.
I handed him the box, and he passed it around to Harry, Ron, and Hermione so they could look, also. Hermione handed the box back to Sirius who put it back in the safe and closed it.
After supper, I gave everyone one of the chocolate bars I'd gotten when I went to Hogsmeade. Ron took some home to send to Bill and Charlie. Everyone fell asleep, and the next morning we started to pack to go back to Hogwarts. Sirius arranged for Remus and I to take the Knight Bus back the first day of Remus's cycle.
We arrived at Hogwarts and were greeted by Dumbledore and McGonagall. Dumbledore said Dobby had prepared the Room of Requirement while we had been gone.
Remus decided to rest, so I went to practise the wand moves he had taught me.
I don't know how long a practised for, but before I knew it, it had become very dark and very cold.
Realising what time it was, I left the catwalks and headed back to the Room of Requirement. We had only a few hours until the full moon and I wanted to spend as much time with Remus as possible. On the way there, I put my hands in my coat pockets, and pulled out a picture of Cedric. I had forgotten how it had gotten there until I remembered I had found it in the Room of Requirement the same night I had fixed up the Shrieking Shack. How the picture got there, I don't know. Harry said Hermione had told him about the Room of Requirement, but that doesn't mean Harry is using it for some reason, does it? I shrugged, put the picture back in my pocket and apparated to the 7th floor.
I walked in, but was so cold I couldn't bare taking my hands from my pockets or removing my coat. Remus, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, looked at me with concern. "Are you all right, Nymphadora?" he asked.
"I'm fine, Remus, I'm just cold. "It was a very cold day, the sun wasn't out much, and when the sun went down, it got even colder in the catwalks where I was practicing, and then I noticed the moon was almost full, and I didn't want you to be alone."
"I appreciate that, love, but what's important now is getting you warm," Remus said.
"Well, sweetheart," I said moving closer to the bed and kneeling in front of him, "I can think of ways you can warm me up."
"Can you now, Nymphadora?" Remus whispered.
"Yes, Remus, I can," I whispered back, my lips barely inches from his.
"Good. Because so can I, " Remus said, capturing my lips in a desperate, passionate kiss that I knew would leave me breathless. I desperately wanted to touch Remus, but I didn't want him to feel how cold my hands were. That hardly mattered when Remus reached forward and took my hands in is. I know he felt how cold they were, and he broke the kiss.
"Merlin's beard, Nymphadora, your hands are freezing," he said.
"I know, sweetheart, I forgot how cold it was outside and my gloves don't really do anything for keeping my hands warm," I said.
"That's all right, Nymphadora. Put your hands in between mine and I can warm them up."
I did and with seconds my hands felt warm. I don't know if it was a spell or Remus' hands, but they felt better.
"Merlin, Remus," I said. "How did you do that?"
"Pure talent and a very well timed spell," Remus said.
"Well, whatever it was, thank you, sweetheart. Now would you mind giving me my hands back so I can take off my coat?"
"Sure, love," Remus said, helping me to my feet. "I know the perfect place. Go up the steps to the right of the fireplace and you'll see it."
"All right," I said. I did and when I entered the room, I dropped my coat in shock. Remus must have heard it, because he began to laugh. I turned and said, "Remus John Lupin, how on earth did you manage this?"
"It was easy, I just stood outside the Room of Requirement and thought of the prefect's bathroom plus a few extras."
"This is the Prefect's bathroom?" I asked.
"Yes, Dora, at least it was when I was a Prefect. Maybe it has changed since then, I don't know," Remus said.
"Regardless of what it looks like now, sweetheart, this is amazing," I said. "The bathtub alone is the size of a swimming pool. I'm surprised it doesn't have a diving board."
Remus laughed and said, "That would be fun, Dora, maybe we can ask for that. Anyway, the toilets are there along the right hand wall. There's two of those, basically there's two of everything. The sinks are against the wall behind the bathtub, and the closets are on the left hand wall on the other side of the bathtub."
I was so happy by what I saw, I threw my arms around Remus' neck and give him a very big kiss. He returned it and said, "Now that you're feeling warmer, Nymphadora, perhaps you'd like to get into something a little more comfortable."
"I'll do just that, sweetheart," I said. "Why don't you sit on the bed and wait for me?"
"Good idea, I'll make you some tea, and since I know you are probably wondering, yes I did take the Wolfsbane potion," Remus said.
"Good," I said. "Now be a good little wolfie and wait for me."
"All right, jack rabbit," Remus said. "I'll try to be patient."
I picked up my coat and hung it in the first closet, like Remus said. I then opened the second one and found all my clothes. After thinking for a few minutes, I chose my purple and black striped shirt and my purple plaid skirt. I know they didn't quite match, but somehow I just knew Remus would like them.
I walked back into the other room and stood in front of the bed. Remus looked up and said, "How did I know you would pick something like that, Nymphadora?"
"Well, lover," I replied, since it was the first thing I saw in the closet, I figured it was there for a reason."
"They were, but you're positively indecent," Remus said.
I kneeled in front of him, and said, "What's the point in having a lover if you can't be positively indecent once in a while?"
"I can't argue with that, Nymphadora," Remus said, pulling me close for a kiss, and slipping his hands under my shirt.
I whimpered into the kiss, reached for Remus' shirt, pulled it from his trousers and slowly began to unbutton it. I don't know if I placed myself in Remus' lap, or he pulled me into it, but the next thing I knew, his lips were pressed to my neck in the way he knew would make me shiver and he was practically tearing the buttons from my shirt. I heard Remus say my name and I woke from the fantasy I didn't realise I'd been having.
Breathless, and with my heart racing, I removed my fingers which I'd dug into the wardrobe, and turned to face Remus, who was looking at me with concern.
"Nymphadora,-" Remus began.
I held up my hand to stop him from talking and said, "Remus, what in the bloody hell just happened? I felt like I was out of my body or possessed or something."
"You were having a fantasy, Nymphadora, and there's nothing wrong with that," Remus said.
"I know, but I just didn't like the way it felt, I'm not saying it didn't feel good, it just scared me," I said.
Remus moved closer, pulled me into his arms, and whispered, "I'm sorry it scared you , love, but believe me this is not a bad thing."
"I know it's not bad, sweetheart," I whispered back. "This has never happened to me before, and I'm simply not used to it."
"I know how you feel. I'm still getting used to all of this too," Remus said, letting go and turning towards the sink.
"Where are you going, sweetheart?" I asked.
"To get you this," Remus said, walking towards me with a glass of water. "You're very warm, and I think you need to cool down a little."
"Thank you," I said taking the glass, and drinking it while Remus bent down to pick up my coat, and the picture of Cedric, which must have fallen out of my coat pocket when I dropped it without realising it.
"You're welcome, Dora," Remus said, turning towards me after hanging up my coat and taking my empty water glass. "Do you feel better?"
"Yes, I do," I said walking towards him, pulling him closer and kissing him gently. "How did you know something was going on?"
"I didn't, not really," Remus said. "But I heard you drop your coat, and I wanted to see that you were all right, so I came and saw you standing there with your fingers dug into the wardrobe door. I said your name, but you didn't hear me.
"I'm sorry, Remus," I said, turning and walking back towards the wardrobe where Remus had hung my coat. "I must have really been out of my head."
"It's all right, Nymphadora," Remus said, stepping behind me and kissing my neck in spot he knew would make me shiver and my knees go weak. "I know what it's like to lose your mind."
"I know you do, Remus," I said. "I must still be losing mine, because I can't find my wand."
"You put in the nightstand before coming in here," Remus whispered in my ear. "You don't remember?"
"Not really," I said.
"It's all right, love. You don't need to think or worry about anything right now, except for what you want me to do to you," Remus whispered against my neck.
"Why don't you back to our bedroom, I'll change into something a little more comfortable, and then I'll let you know?" I said.
"All right, Dora," Remus said reluctantly.
I quickly changed into the outfit I was wearing in my fantasy. I once again stood in front of the bed, Remus' eyes met mine, and he pulled me into his lap, and before he did anything else slipped his hand underneath my shirt and kissed my neck.
I changed position so I would be more comfortable, and while my brain was still functioning, I began to unbutton his shirt and pulled it from his trousers and gently began to run my hands over his scars. I removed his shirt and ran my hand down his arm. It was then I felt a cut I didn't realise he'd given himself.
I pulled away and looked at Remus' arm asking, "Sweetheart, when did you do this to yourself. Was it during a transformation?"
"I don't think so, Dora. If it was it would have been worse. As it's already healing, I think I may have done it in my sleep. I've done that many times," he explained.
"Good," I whispered. "Now where were we?"
"I forgot," Remus said sheepishly.
I laughed and said, "That's all right," and pulled him close for a kiss.
Kissing Remus seemed to make him remember what he wanted to do, because the next thing I know, he'd turned me around so my back was to him, and he ran his hands all over my back until I pulled them around to my front. He removed my shirt and started to touch me like a man who hadn't been with a woman in years, or ever. Sadly, I have the feeling that's true.
Once again we had to stop when the moon became full, but I didn't mind. I love being with Remus, no matter what form he's in. He promptly fell asleep and I not so long after.
We woke to the sun streaming through the windows and breakfast sitting in front of the fireplace, courtesy of the house elves, or at least Dobby.
I took a quick bath, although I would have preferred to stay in there all day, got dressed, left Remus a note that I'd be patrolling Hogsmeade, and kissed him goodbye. I was glad my shift was with Sirius, as it gave us a lot of opportunities to catch up.
I sat down on a bench outside of Honeydukes to wait for Sirius. As I was waiting, I began to feel sad that I had left Remus alone, and began to cry.
Sirius saw me, kneeled down, and asked me what was wrong.
"I left Remus," I said, my voice breaking.
"What?" Sirius asked, obviously shocked. "How could you leave him, Tonks, especially when he needs you the most?"
"Sirius!" I exclaimed, as loudly as I dared, but loud enough to startle him. "I don't mean I left him, as in ending our relationship. "I mean, I left him at Hogwarts in our room."
"I'm sorry, Tonks," Sirius said. "I jumped to conclusions, and I shouldn't have."
"It's all right," I said. "I understand what's it like not to be able to think clearly." I glanced around and noticed that people were staring at us, or more likely at Sirius. I know there are people that think he should still be in Azkaban.
"Tonks, let's go to Hog's Head, and we can talk," Sirius said.
"All right," I said, standing and wiping the tears from my eyes.
We sat a table with Kingsley, Mad-Eye and Emmeline. After a short discussion, Sirius would patrol with Emmeline and Kingsley with Mad-Eye, and I would be able to go back to the Room of Requirement to be with Remus.
I walked back to the gates and apparated back to the seventh floor. Remus had transformed back by this point. He slowly turned when he heard me enter. "Nymphadora?" he asked, hoarsely.
"Yes, sweetheart, it's me," I said, taking off my boots, coat, and gently climbing onto the bed, as not to hurt Remus. I could tell he wanted to ask why I was back, so I told him Sirius, Emmeline, Kinglsey and Mad-Eye were patrolling Hogsmeade so I could be with him.
Remus smiled before he fell asleep again. The rest of the week passed. I started patrolling again when Remus began to feel better.
On the twelfth of January, just one day before the end of the full moon, and one day before the start of the new term, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and Ginny, took the Knight Bus to Hogwarts, escorted, by Remus, Sirius, and myself. Just before we left Headquarters, I overheard Sirius and Harry talking about the family tree. Sirius explained that my mum had been disowned and burned off the tree for marrying my father, who's a Muggle-born. Since my mother is no longer a member of the family, neither am I, and I was never put on the tapestry. I pretend it doesn't hurt, but it does. Harry also found out that he's related to the Malfoy's. Bellatrix, Narcissa, and my mum are his cousins, and so am I. Draco is also mine and Sirius' cousin. I came down the stairs just in time to hear Sirius say to Harry, "When all this is over, we'll be a proper family."
I heard Harry say, just before walking to the front door, "We already are."
I was glad I had practised what Remus had taught me, because little did we know, that in just twenty-four hours time, all hell would break loose.