Special mention: This chapter is for HammersNStrings for not forgetting this story or me for that matter! And reminding me about all the poor waiting readers out there! (:

Enjoy!

Chapter 31: Live

"Wake up dog,"

Remus was jolted awake as he was given a vicious kick to the rib with the toe of a boot. He groaned; his torso ringing with pain, his voice muffled into the mud. The moon had not been kind. He ached everywhere.

Squinting, Remus glimpsed Hilliard looming over him, a smirk on his lips. His guard was up. With little or no thought for modesty, Remus struggled to stand. Around him were a dozen men, all dressed in their rags. He studied each of their faces; the burly one with a deep scar across his face was glaring at him.

"You got nerves, I'd give you that," Hilliard spat at Remus' bare feet.

Remus frowned, opening his mouth to speak but a voice rang above all others, "Get away," Greyback emerged as the crowd parted to let him past. His lips twisted into an angry snarl. The Alpha yanked Remus towards him before the aching man could react; leaning in closer and looking at Remus with murder in his dark brown eyes. Without any preamble, Remus was backhanded square in the face. He fell unceremoniously into the dirt, his head ringing.

From his nose, blood began to flow rapidly. Remus wrinkled his brows as he felt a tingle on his brow. Blood slithered its way down the contours of his face. Irritated and in more than a little pain, Remus blinked away the blood and scrambled up to his feet unsteadily; his pride wounded.

It was then did Remus realise what he had done.

He was currently sprawled beside the wood of the house that he had wanted to break into.

"What were you doing?" Greyback roared, kicking Remus in the gut as he made to stand. It knocked the wind out of Remus, leaving him once again against the mud, winded and out of breath, "how dare you go near that house," Greyback leaned over and hissed, his sour breath was overwhelming. Remus wanted to retaliate but thought better of it. His shoulder hurt with a burning ache and he was greatly outnumbered.

Instead, Remus tilted his head back and looked the Alpha in the eye, unafraid.

"I know," Greyback whispered, "you could be a spy," Remus tensed but didn't let it show, "or, you could be a pathetic dog, finally learning where you truly belonged,"

Remus clenched his fists into the mud, resisting the urge to spray dirt in the Alpha's face and hit him senseless. He grinded his teeth and kept in his temper, swallowing his pride.

Suddenly, Greyback brought back a fist and caught it in Remus' cheek swiftly. He fell back but refuse to even groan as pain shot through his face. Starburst exploded around his vision. He spluttered, choking on blood. He dug his fingers into the mud as the pack roared with laughter.

"Watch yourself," Greyback hissed before turning away from him, "Take him,"

Remus started to get to his feet again only to feel two men grab him around both arm and dragged him away as he struggled to stand. He tugged against them but they were stronger. Together, they dragged him into the woods.

"Let me go!" Remus growled, shoving them off in a fit of anger. One of them stumbled back, the other letting go. They were both bigger than he was, broader in the shoulders with larger biceps but Remus had his magic and he knew they knew next to nothing about it; Remus drew his strength from that knowledge.

The one with slits for eyes and a heavily scarred chest spoke, "leave him," He turned away and walked back to camp but the other, with shaggy brown hair and thick unkempt beard, stood his ground, glaring at Remus. Remus stared back at him. He could feel his legs trembling but eventually the man turned and stomped back to camp before Remus could collapse.

When they were both out of sight, Remus doubled over, hugging his throbbing ribs. Tasting metal in his mouth, he spat into the grass to see red. He pinched his nose between his thumb and forefinger before gingerly straightening out. Suddenly conscious of his attire, or lack thereof, Remus stumbled through the bushes and found his clothes draped over the boulder as he left it.

It was damp from the night but the cold fabric brought relief to his aching body. As he was tugging his arm through the arm hole of his shirt, he groaned. Remus glanced at his shoulder.

A large and ugly purplish bruise was spread wide over his shoulder, the middle portion of it so dark that it was almost black. Remus grimaced. It was normal to get bruises after the moon; it could be a result of the breaking and reforming of bones where sometimes, the joints hurt themselves while reforming. However, the look of this bruise puzzled him. Remus knew his bruises and cuts and this wasn't something he normally saw due to the moon.

He prodded it hesitantly only to withdraw it, wincing. With an irritated huff, Remus tugged his shirt on and trudged back to camp.

All over the camp, men and women were seen in pairs, talking and interacting in the most intimate manner that made Remus look away. Remus knew, sometimes, the feelings one had in human form or in wolf form remained through the transformation. He wondered idly what happened during the moon; how had he fared through mating season.

Did his wolf not find a suitable mate and wandered off to sleep in the camp instead? Remus wondered as he squatted by a puddle to splash cold water in his face.

He caught his own reflection.

His complexion was pale and sickly, his eyes were surrounded by deep dark eye rings and his cheek was hollowed thin. Along his chin and cheek, rough stubble was also growing. His left cheekbone had a bruise forming where Greyback had punched him and his cheek swelled slightly in the imprint of a hand where the Alpha had slapped him.

Blood dripped from his face and into the puddle. Remus watched as ripples disrupted the clear surface of his reflection, the water now tainted with a crimson droplet. Above his left eye, a deep cut stretched from above his left eyebrow, dragging across to just at his eyelid; above his eye. Where the cut dug at his eye brow; it was deepest and blood seeped out from raw flesh. He noticed his left eye was also subconsciously left half opened due to the cut.

Another scar. Remus touched it stoically, his hand coming away thick with blood. He washed it in the puddle before splashing more on his face to wash away dirt and blood.

He had more of those than he cared to count but the number didn't take away the sting of having one more to disfigure him further. He already had one across his face; from his now bruised left cheekbone to his chin. Remus remembered the night he had almost tore his own face off as a young wolf; angry and frustrated at being locked up probably.

As he walked back to his tent, Nymphadora's lovely heart shaped face swam into his thoughts. He smiled. From her eyes to her lips, she was perfect. The thought of him standing by her filled him with disgust but he can't stay away; he was drawn to her, he wanted to love her and always be there; even if it's just to keep her safe.

And now, here he was and she was elsewhere; somewhere, hurting, probably crying, and probably d-

No.

Remus pursed his lips against the thought.

She is not dead. She can't be...

Tonks' eyes snapped open abruptly with not the faintest trace of sleep in them. The side of cheek was pressed up against Mad-Eye's robe. She shifted stiffly from him, wincing as her back throbbed where Greyback had dug his knee into.

Mad-Eye grunted as he woke too, his one brown eye opening and glancing around their surrounding once before turning to her.

"How're you feeling?" He asked gruffly, his hand touching her mousy brown hair. Since their captivity, Tonks couldn't help but noticed the increased affection he showed her; the care, that in the past, Mad-Eye would've concealed easily with rough shouts, sharp barking or even shoves. Her head ached where Greyback had grabbed a clump of it to yank her head back.

"Good," She replied, her voice cracked, hardly above a mutter, "you?"

Mad-Eye dropped his hand, "Alive," He glanced away to the corner where the plate of foul smelling food was still left untouched.

Without warning, Tonks broke down into tears. Sobs wracked her thin petite frame and her hands trembled as she wiped them off angrily. She felt his arm pull her towards him and Tonks let him.

Of all the tortures Bellatrix and the Dark Lord had put her to, Tonks had never broken down and yet, Greyback was another matter altogether. In merely the past few days, Tonks had lost count of the amount of threats and torture Greyback had performed. They made her tremble in fear at the thought.

She hated how weak she was being but this was beyond what Tonks felt she could take. In merely the past few days, Tonks had had gashes and bruises more than she had at her Aunts' and Mad-Eye…

Hot brands had found their way onto his skin, burning it down till it blackened and bled. A broken arm was the least of his concern. Boiling oil had been set to dribble onto his hands, making the wrinkled skin raw and horribly knitted together to form ugly burnt scars.

Tonks had removed the splinter and cleansed his wound herself with a couple of tricks she had learnt with Voldemort but healing it was beyond her without her wand. Once, she made a deep cut that left him bleeding for a day by accident as her wandless magic went awry. Soon, however, the wound closed itself, leaving a scar.

Greyback had not asked them of anything but Tonks knew it wouldn't be long now. He went an extra mile to demonstrate what truly awaits Mad-Eye if she did not do his bidding and it had worked.

Now, Tonks would do anything he asked of her.

She felt Mad-Eye pat her on her back gently as she sniffed the last of her fears, "He won't touch you again," Tonks tensed, the fist that was holding his shirt clutched the fabric firmer.

"I don't want to talk about it," She replied stiffly, withdrawing from his embrace.

"Then I'm not talking about it," He rid her off the tear track on her face with his index finger. Tonks could see the raw tormented skin on his finger in the corner of her vision and her courage faded.

Silence filled their prison.

"I heard them talking," Tonks spoke thickly.

"I did too," Mad-Eye replied, averting her eyes.

Tonks looked for a moment before sitting a little straighter, "Mad-Eye, I-"

"They are wolves out there, Nymphadora," Mad-Eye cut her off, looking her dead in the eye now and Tonks suddenly wished he didn't. When he did, she could see the concern he had for her, the motive behind his scolding. And thus, Tonks couldn't bring herself to rebuke him with a smart remark or to loathe him for forbidding her, "Lupin or not, he is a wolf last night and he would savage you just as Greyback have and will,"

"I love him," Tonks replied firmly, "He loves me,"

"And his wolf loves the smell of your flesh, the taste of your warm blood on his tongue," Mad-Eye wrapped his hand around her arm firmly; "Do you ever listen to me? No matter who a werewolf was, when it is a wolf, it would see nothing more of you than its next meal,"

For a moment, Tonks was stumped. She recalled how Remus had saved her from the other wolf but also how he gave chase and waited under the tree for her; for his opportunity to fill his stomach.

"If he is truly out there, he could help us,"

Mad-Eye grunted his affirmative but Tonks knew they were both thinking of how it was ever possible when Greyback kept such a close eye on them.

They were both well aware of the guards he placed outside. Sometimes, he came in on his own but other times, he brought in his guards that held both of them down while Greyback taunted her. On Mad-Eye's part, the man hardly screamed and never pleaded for mercy; all Greyback had after Mad-Eye's first taste of the hot brand was more verbal japes from the old Auror. But Nymphadora knew it hurts him; she sees it in his eyes at night as he struggles to shift, in his discomfort when his wounds troubled him.

In the dead of the night, after jumping in fright at every howl or bark, Tonks heard loud banging on the other side of the wall she leant on. It was accompanied with a howl, some barks and more banging; as if the wolf was trying to get to them.

Initially, Tonks was terrified at the prospect of a wolf so near, but she thought of Remus; her love, who was a wolf. Every full moon since she fell in love with him, her thoughts were rarely far from him during this time. At this thought, she felt comfort that he was now within the proximity of his touch, save for a wall in between.

Tonks knew how foolish she was being. What were the chances of Remus being here? It was too good for Tonks to even think on it. Nonetheless, with irrational hope still left and with Remus in her mind, she had hammered on the wall with her fists as a reply. The banging on the other side had stopped abruptly but before she knew it, Mad-Eye had his hand around her wrist and another cupped over her mouth.

She turned to him in protest to see the hardened look in his eye that impressed the idea of no debate to her firmly. Tonks kept quiet but spent the night huddled by Mad-Eye, thinking of Remus. The wolf out there was quiet eventually and stopped trying but Tonks knew it was still out there. There were regular sounds of scrapping on sand and howls. It sounded so miserable that Tonks huddled closer to Mad-Eye and wished for sleep to come.

"The next time Greyback comes, I will keep him occupied and you have to get his wand out of his left back pocket," Mad-Eye's low raspy voice startled her out of her thoughts.

"What?" Tonks frowned, asking stupidly, "Occupied…how do you intend to do that?" She deliberated on the question but Mad-Eye refused to meet her eye or to reply her question.

"When you do get his wand, I want you to apparate. They don't have anti apparition wards set up here. Apparating to Hogwarts would be safe enough. Find Albus and-"

"What about you?" Tonks interrupted; her voice cracking.

"Nymphadora, we can't both escape. I'll just have to nick one from the other werewolves later whenever I can. Besides, I'm without a leg, remember? I would be useless even if I did manage to apparate," Tonks could feel her eyes watering and hated herself for it. Tears came easily to her now; she couldn't recall the last time she was strong. A red and raw hand cupped over the side of her head gently, "Remember what I taught you…"

"Constant vigilance," She whispered along with him, eliciting a slight smile from her grim mentor.

"You were always the cheeky one," Mad-Eye chided in a low tone.

Tonks chuckled, "you meant smart,"

"If you are smart," Mad-Eye paused, growing solemn once more, "you will do as I say and get yourself out of here. You can't let Greyback use you-"

Footsteps approached and Mad-Eye cut off into silence as they both listened. Tonks staggered as Mad-Eye caught her arm in a vice-like grip and pulled her closer to him. The sound of the padlock opening was deafening in their small prison. The small hatch opened and sunlight flooded in, casting a warm glow across the filthy floor. Without a word, a plate of food and water was shoved in.

The hatch slammed shut, enveloping them in semi-darkness again.

Mad-Eye's grip on her didn't loosen as he listened for a while longer; hearing footsteps and some whispering. The footsteps didn't fade and Tonks knew the werewolves guarding their door were back in duty. Finally, Mad-Eye released her.

"Fetch the plate over," Mad-Eye gestured. Tonks got up dutifully and lumbered weakly to the tray, picking it up and bringing it over as he instructed. She had not had anything to eat in days. Both Mentor and Mentee had had a silent agreement to not consume anything for fear of poison. She placed the tray beside Mad-Eye, "we would have to eat, or we will be counting our own death by starvation."

She cringed as the stench of the food hit her full in the face; it smelt sour and foul. Tonks had not the slightest idea as to what they gave them, although, her closest guess had been stalled meat.

Tonks watched gingerly as Mad-Eye picked up the twisted wooden bowl with stiff fingers and sniffed suspiciously at the water inside. It looked clear but one can never be too careful. Just as Tonks was about to open her mouth to ask how were they going to test the food before consuming them, Mad-Eye tipped back his head and took a gulp of the water.

Tonks choked on her words and she lunged forward but Mad-Eye had already lowered the bowl; which was still half filled with water. Some spilled onto his robes and the front of his vest as she attempted to shove it away.

"What are you doing?" Tonks cried, appalled.

Mad-Eye ignored her, tasting the water on his tongue before leaning over and taking another small sip. Time passed and Tonks watched in horror as Mad-Eye remained quiet, waiting.

About, seemingly, 5 minutes passed before Mad-Eye turned to her, handing her the bowl, "drink," He pushed it into her hands as she stared, dumbstruck, "drink, before you die of thirst," Mad-Eye growled, very nearly tipping the water into her mouth himself.

Tonks relented and took a sip which turned into hurried gulps. The water tasted cool and sweet on her tongue. She could feel some dripping down her chin and onto the front of her clothes but she couldn't find it in her to care. She was parched. Since they have abstained from eating any of the food they provided, they have gotten to consuming as much rain water as they could; which dripped from the roof.

Tonks could've sworn she heard a low chuckle before Mad-Eye said, "Slowly, before you choke to death," Tonks lowered the bowl, wiping her chin sheepishly on the back of her sleeve.

"You should really stop talking about death," she frowned, handing him the bowl with its remaining water. Tonks didn't wait for his reply, sitting down and curling up by Mad-Eye with her head on his arm.

"Don't you want some more?" Mad-Eye asked. She shook her head, her eyes closed. Silence filled the cell as Mad-Eye drank and set the empty bowl on the plate. Tonks felt him shift.

"I'm not eating that," She announced, her eyes still closed. Mad-Eye froze, "It smells foul," Tonks found herself complaining and Mad-Eye sighed, sitting back to lean against the wall. Tonks continued, "And I forbid you to experiment the food with yourself,"

He snorted at her choice of words. Furious, Tonks withdrew, her eyelids flying open.

"Don't you get it?" She sat up and away from Mad-Eye, "You can't die! I don't what I'd do…"

"You will live," Mad-Eye fixed her with an intent stare with his remaining one brown eye, "D'you hear me?" He demanded fiercely, "No matter what happens to me, you must live. You must use what you are taught for the good,"

Tonks was terrified, with both that idea and Mad-Eye. Tears welled up in her eyes and her voice shaky, "You have no idea…what you're asking,"

"I do!" He grabbed her roughly around her arms, "No matter what happens, even if it means watching me bleed to my death, remember what we are fighting for. Don't ever lose sight of that!"

Tonks shook her head, her lips quivering, "I'd rather die!"

"Nymphadora, listen!" He shook her roughly, something akin to murder in his eye, "You can make a difference in this war. You-know-who has made a terrible mistake, trusting you. You don't know what you can do. He taught you himself!"

"You taught me," Tonks shot back, "you taught me never to leave a man behind; self-sacrificing-"

"To what end now? Huh?" Mad-Eye took her face in his hands, willing her to see sense, "I also taught you duty, to the Order; to our cause! Like you'd learn any of what I tell you," He spat, venom in his voice she had never heard before, letting her go.

Tonks sniffed as Mad-Eye sat back, staring at the plate of stalled meat,

"I'm not strong enough for this…" She hated herself for whimpering but that seemed what she was only capable of at the moment.

Remus stirred, restless. His cot was damp from his sweat as he woke. He sat up, wiping hastily at his forehead with a sleeve. He froze as his dream came back to him.

He heard her.

He was a wolf in his dream, running; eager. However, his hopes were dashed and Remus found himself facing a wall. He threw himself countless times against it but it didn't yield and then he knew she was right there. However, he woke before anything else could he done. Even in his dreams, he bled and hurt from his wounds.

Even in his dreams, he didn't see her, didn't touch her, couldn't comfort her.

Remus sighed heavily, reaching over gingerly and drew out the photo that was safety tucked away in his rucksack. And there she was. Tonks was in the girl's every feature and Remus sought comfort from such.

"Lupin," Heiser grunted as he sat up from his cot, "what you got there?" He prodded his thigh, wincing.

"Nothing," Remus shook his head, shrugging.

"Something from a girl?" Heiser smirked.

Remus couldn't help but chuckle bitterly, "an old man like me…no,"

"Oh yeah? I heard girls fancy the professor type,"

"Yes…" Remus deliberated before continuing, "But not the werewolf type,"

Heiser's smile faded. He averted Remus' eyes and glanced around on the ground before standing from his cot gingerly, "yeah…tell me about it…" And with that, Heiser left the tent, perhaps in search of better company. That was fine by Remus. Although Heiser's company was more than satisfactory; as least no injuries and pain came with that, Remus preferred being left alone to his thoughts.

Just as Remus' eyes resumed their eager sight of the younger version of Nymphadora look-alike, a bright flash of light sent him to his feet, his free hand flying towards his wand at his pocket. But he found nothing there but torn fabric.

"She's here…" The pale white smoke lingered, forming naught before vanishing into thin air. She's here…

Tonks opened her eyes abruptly. She hadn't a clue what had woken her.

"Mad-Eye?" She muttered as she made to sit up from her position against his shoulder, "did you hear-"

Her voice was cut off as the door flew opened abruptly. Tonks and Mad-Eye were still squinting from the sudden light when she saw Greyback looming over her. He leant over and took her by her upper arm, yanking her to her feet. She yelped, glimpsing Mad-Eye lunging for her but falling short as his stump made him clumsy.

Greyback snarled; dragging her to the door as the werewolves guarding the door took Mad-Eye by his arms, stilling his futile attempts to give chase. She struggled, flailing uselessly against Greyback; for all the good that did her…

"Nymphadora," She could see her mentor straightening himself from the ground, shouting after them, "Remember what I said! Remember!"

"Shut up, old man," A werewolf stepped in front of Mad-Eye, pushing him back.

"Let me go!" Tonks growled as Greyback grasped her hair in a fist and yanked her head back to meet his eye.

There was murder in his eyes and it terrified Tonks.

A sound of metal on metal caught Tonks' attention. She turned away from Greyback just in time to see a werewolf unsheathe a long dagger from his belt.

The werewolf approached Greyback and Tonks made to squirm but they didn't go for the slash as she thought they would. Without a word, the dagger was handed over, hilt first, and Tonks felt the cold steel brush her skin; making her shiver. Greyback grasped the dagger, letting her go but before Tonks could bolt for the door, left ajar, the other werewolf had both hands on her arms.

Greyback advanced towards Mad-Eye who met the werewolf with cold loathing. The Alpha towered over her mentor and sight terrified Tonks.

"No…" Their objective began to lay itself out before her as Greyback snarled, lunging forward. He grasped Mad-Eye by the hair, yanking back his head just as he did with Tonks, exposing Mad-Eye's throat, "No!" Tonks struggled and screamed. The voice didn't sound like hers.

"You sent that patronus," Greyback whispered into Mad-Eye's ear, "Where did you send it?"

Mad-Eye turned and met Greyback's eye, his reply never coming.

In one smooth movement, Nymphadora watched as Greyback opened her mentor's throat from ear to ear.

To be continued…

A/N: I'm alive! I apologise for the long wait! Regrettably, life caught up to me after all. From the last time I posted, I already had half this chapter up and the other half refuse to find its way into my packed schedule. I sincerely apologise to the readers whom I have tormented!

On about the story! This is a major development and could be traumatising for some, or most but it has to be done! I am not yet fully satisfied with this chapter and wishes to make some changes but I don't want to keep you guys waiting any longer. So I have decided to update first and do any editing later; if needed. Do not hesitate to alert me to any mistakes found here!

A major thanks to the reviewers of last chapter! You guys rock! Thanks go to mp22mp22, LoopyLuna13, Professor Pang, ajlover, Furionknight, Tonks23, Sarah15, paardenlaura, tt crews, Lupinesence and HammersNStrings.

Tt crews: I hope your question about Tonks' meaning of the knock is answered here in Tonks' perspective but if it's not, feel free to leave a review telling me so or even PM me!

Sarah15: Sorry about the long wait! I don't have a fixed schedule about my story. It's mostly updated once a week when I am free to do so but if I am not…well, this wait was pretty terrible, so… I apologise once again for the wait!

Don't forget to leave me a review! :)