Chapter 43: Mrs. Lupin
The day before, Tonks shifted back to her parents' while Remus stayed at their house. He busied himself with repainting the exterior of the house with magic and doing final touch ups to their room. Remus laid the wooden floor with thick milk coloured carpet at the tip of the bed, did some gardening as well. He wanted to keep out the nerves by keeping busy but everything he did, he thought of her. Remus planted flowers of every colour because he knew she loved colours. He made sure the stony path into the house in the garden was made as even as possible; although he knew Tonks would still surely trip on it.
Remus smiled as he prepared dinner for himself. He was going to marry her tomorrow and he knew she loved him, however impossible and ridiculous it sounded. Tonks made sure he knew before she left for her parents' home.
"Remus," She tugged on his hand as they apparated to Moody's house from Grimmauld Place. He turned to her with a small smile. Her eyes were red and swollen and it broke his heart, "I-" She started.
"It's okay, Tonks," He interrupted quickly, knowing she wanted to broach that topic; Charlie.
"Remus, please let me finish," She implored, taking a step closer to him, "we…we kissed," she admitted, frowning, looking disturbed at that idea.
Remus clenched his jaw, he knew that. But it still hurt, and more when she said it.
"And it is our goodbye," She told him solemnly, "Charlie was like a good friend to me and then a brother. I love him, but only as a brother. He took care of me in Hogwarts and we grew up together, it's impossible for me to see him as lover,"
Remus felt the weight on his chest lift as he realised he trusted her; every word she said. He would admit to himself that he did entertain the possibility that Tonks would call off the wedding, for Charlie and it ached but hearing her tell him all that, it was a relief. Despite that, he was concerned.
"Charlie's better for you though," Remus muttered, holding her hands, "and you know, I just want the best for you. I just want you to be happy, healthy. You deserve so much,"
"If I really do deserve so much, why won't you give yourself to me?" She muttered and Remus was stumped. Tonks' brows knitted together, "Remus, I can't see Charlie that way. He's not a lover to me," She averted his eyes and buried her face into his chest, "you are,"
Remus sighed relief inwardly and wrapped his arms around her, wanting to shield her, protect her, "Why are you so good to me?" He wondered aloud.
She huffed in frustration, pulling away to look at him, "Because I love you, idiot,"
Remus laughed to himself quietly. Tonks was right, he was an idiot. Everything Tonks did for him, he would do for her and for one reason, the same reason. Coming to terms with the fact that it was possible Tonks did feel the same for him, as he did for her, was a relief and it was exuberating to realise.
Dinner was a quiet affair and it left Remus with more nerves and excitement. He took his time, washing the dishes by hand, unwittingly smiling all the time.
When he had nothing else left to do, Remus took out a book of Oscar Wilde's to read but he couldn't seem to concentrate on the words. Fiddling with his wand in one hand, Remus toyed with the idea of contacting Nymphadora. He missed her. The house was too quiet without her. He placed the book on the shelf and paced in front of the fireplace. On the mantle, they have framed up the photo of Mad-Eye with his daughter, Lyra, which Remus salvaged from the rubble. Beside it was a photo of Remus and Tonks in front of Mad-Eye's house, it was the first day they moved in. Remus left an empty frame for their wedding photo.
He reached for the floo powder, about to floo the Tonks' residence but thought better of it. Andromeda strictly said that they shouldn't meet the day before the wedding, that it was bad luck. Despite Nymphadora throwing a fit, they abided by Andromeda's superstition.
Instead, Remus waved his wand. He watched his patronus flow out the end of his wand but taking no shape, just like how he preferred it.
Hello, are you well? He inserted the message and the patronus disappeared through a wall.
Sighing, he flopped down onto the couch, restless. He was toying with his wedding band when a wolf patronus bounded to him out of nowhere. It was a beautiful thing to be honest; its fur had a beautiful shine to it and its eyes were amber and twinkling happily. The only evidence that it was a werewolf and not a regular wolf was the shorter snout and the tuff tail. Noticing them made Remus cringe. It was a stark reminder of his affliction and that Nymphadora would be marrying one tomorrow.
The wolf sat on its hunches and looked up at him. When its mouth opened, Tonks' voice came out. "Bored, you? I miss you. Mum's going crazy,"
Remus chuckled. He waved his wand and replied; I miss you too, I can't sit still. Why?
This time, Remus heard a tap on the window. He saw the Tonks' brown barn owl. Remus opened the window, fed it treats while he read the note in Nymphadora's loopy handwriting.
I can't either! I don't know. She's fussing over my wedding dress and my heels even though I told her I wouldn't want to wear the heels tomorrow. Why is your patronus non-corporeal sweetheart?
P.S. The patronus crossed Mum and she bit its head off so I used Fool here.
Remus smiled, gazing at their poor family owl, named 'Fool'. He sat down and summoned his ink pot and quill; writing his reply beneath hers on the parchment.
Whatever you wear, you'll be beautiful. He hesitated, as he read her question, before deciding to skip it. Andromeda sounds antsy about tomorrow.
He tied the parchment on the barn owl as it held its leg out dutifully. Remus let it nibble his finger affectionately before it took off.
Don't avoid my question or I'll question you on our wedding night. Arse kissing will only stall this till tomorrow night.
Remus smiled, shaking his head. That's his fiancée, stubborn, fiercely protective of him even if it's against himself. He picked up his quill but thought better of it. Abandoning the parchment on the table and the quill, he snatched up his wand. Going to the window, Remus gently gestured for the barn owl to leave. The owl hooted and left without a letter. He walked purposefully out the door, snatching his coat off the rack at the door. He disapparated the moment he felt himself passing the second layer of wards.
The Tonks' household was still lit. Remus could hear conversation coming from the living room with his acute hearing. The full moon was 4 days later. He looked up, where he knew Tonks' bedroom was and felt his breath catch as he saw Nymphadora leaning out the window.
"You'll catch a chill, silly," Remus muttered, gazing at her. Her hair was bubblegum pink and her face was pale in the moonlight. He heard the flutter of wings overhead before seeing their barn owl landing on Tonks' window sill. She frowned as she checked the barn owl over. Remus grinned as he crept closer. "Nymphadora," He called, barely above a whisper.
He saw her freeze, her wand already in her hand as she looked down.
Her eyes widened and Remus saw the smile his heart was yearning for, "Remus!" She whispered, "What are you doing here?" She leaned over the window sill so much that Remus was afraid she'll tip over.
"I missed you," He mouthed.
Tonks grinned. To his horror, she sat on the window sill, throwing her legs over it and started climbing down. Remus was at lost as to what to do other than be prepared to catch her as he watched her climb down.
He heard a gasp as her foot slipped and she fell. Remus lunged forward, catching her but losing his footing and falling back. He bit his lips as he fell, not wanting to alarm Andromeda and Ted of their rendezvous, glimpsing Tonks do the same.
"I'm sorry, are you alright?" Tonks whispered. She was sitting in his lap looking unscathed, to his relief.
Remus smiled, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips before replying, "Fine, I think I'll have a sore bum though,"
"A pity…you have a fine arse," She smirked and as she predicted, Remus coughed softly and looked down, trying to conceal his blush, "and still a prude I see," Tonks leant forward, making Remus' heart beat faster.
"And you're still a tease, of poor humour," Remus commented dryly as Tonks kissed his nose.
She smiled, "I feel safe with you, Remus. Despite being out in the open at night, when my wand had flown to Merlin-knows-where," Tonks lay her head on his collar bone as he intertwined their hands and wrapped an arm around her, "Because I know you'll never let go, no matter what,"
Remus pressed a kiss to her hair in promise, "Even if I'm dead," He rubbed her arm warmer, "come on, it may be summer but the cold winds are chilly," He helped her up and summoned her wand, handing it to her.
"Come in for a while?" She asked, her eyes hopeful for him to stay a while more.
"If Andromeda doesn't mind-"
Tonks snorted, "of course she'll mind," Remus raised a brow, "come on, Lupin, it's just a climb," She teased, already making her way up. He chuckled, shaking his head as he followed her.
"You're sure your parents won't break in," Remus asked again as she snuggled under her sheets and beckoned him over.
Tonks rolled her eyes, "Even if they did, there's nothing to see. It's not like we're going to have pre-wedding sex," She paused, smirking, "wait, are we?"
Remus chuckled, sitting on the edge of the bed, rigid. Tonks did have a way of making him nervous.
She pouted, looking disappointed, "No?"
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, smiling, "we could," Remus didn't know where the courage came from.
Tonks looked as surprised as Remus was. She snaked her arms around his torso and kissed the nape of his neck, "Get in bed, please? I wouldn't want to be a bride with eye bags,"
Remus obliged, shedding his coat and placing it over the back of the chair before snuggling under the cover with her on her small single bed, "You could morph it away," He quipped and she poked her tongue out at him, which he claimed swiftly.
"Nymphadora! Get out of bed!" Andromeda's voice was practically deafening and too close for comfort from her room. Remus woke, grabbed his coat and was already half way out the window by the time his bride stirred.
Tonks laughed, rubbing sleep away, "My mum isn't Bellatrix, Remus! Though, she does make a point of carrying her wand around the house,"
Remus ignored her jape and smiled at her, "Good morning sweetheart. I'll see you at the wedding, I know you'll be beautiful," He told her quickly before climbing down the window just as Andromeda entered the room without knocking.
"Mum...I'm not a child anymore!" Remus heard Tonks complain, "can you knock? Please?"
"Even if you sleep naked, there's nothing I haven't seen," Andromeda countered.
"And if there was a guy, naked too?" Tonks challenged and Remus blanched, almost missing his last step down. He heard chaos ensued as a crash was heard.
Smiling, he disapparated.
His dress robe suddenly looked too shabby and old. His gelled hair looked like it had too much grey in it. His face had too many lines and scars. His dress pants looked too frayed. His bow tie looked crooked and faded.
Remus averted his gaze from the mirror and sat down on the edge of the bed, staring at the cream carpet, wringing his hands.
What did he do to deserve Nymphadora? She was young, beautiful and full of life. He's a bookworm, a werewolf and old to boot. He's boring while she's brilliant. How could he even think to lay claim on her like that? To seal her fate. Their wedding. Last night when he thought about it with her in his arms, it sounded perfect, getting married in a church with no one present but Tonks' parents. Now it sounded pathetic. He didn't have the money to afford throwing a party and even if he did, his reputation forbad that. She was better off with Charlie…Even if it stabbed him where it hurt to think that.
He leaned over, burying his face into his hands.
"Remus," Remus jumped, startled. In front of him was Tonks' wolf patronus, standing on all fours, "Don't you even begin to doubt yourself. The person I love is you. Whether you're old or poor or dangerous, I love you and will love only you. Please be there for me, or I will kill you,"
He stared, stunned even after the wolf had dissolved. He seemed frozen for a whole minute before he laughed. Trust Tonks to threaten him on their wedding day.
Remus stood, smoothing non-existent folds of his dress robe and adjusting his bow tie one more time before taking a deep breath and leaving the house to apparate. Pushing his doubts aside, he was focused as he apparated. He was going to make Nymphadora Tonks his wife.
The church looked magnificent and old. It was the same church his parents were wedded in. He walked in and greeted the priest who was going to wed them, and then he waited.
"Mum, for the last time, I'm not wearing those!" Tonks exclaimed, exasperated as she glared at the white heels.
"Well, you can't possibly be thinking of going to your wedding in those Auror boots!" Andromeda snapped, fussing over her hair.
"No," She replied, "I'm not wearing any shoes," Tonks announced as if it's the most normal thing in the world.
Andromeda looked aghast and Ted rolled his eyes, "Dora, your feet will be filthy,"
"I don't care!" Tonks snapped, "no one can see them anyway! I would have enough trouble walking down the aisle in his gown!" She scowled at the long flowing gown that she had tripped over many times already just by walking from her room to the door.
Andromeda opened her mouth to protest but Ted sighed and stopped her, "Forget it 'Dromeda. We'll be late for the wedding if we argue any further. Leave her be," Tonks grinned and hiked up her gown to walk outside for apparition. She heard Andromeda muttering behind her as they followed.
With a deep breath, Tonks gathered her nerves and apparated.
The church looked beautiful. She couldn't believe Remus looked sheepish when he suggested it.
Andromeda sighed, seemingly coming to terms with her daughter's lack of footwear as she stood in front of her. Andromeda did final touch up on her hair before kissing her on her cheek. Tonks smiled a tight smile, feeling her anxiety and nerves bubbling.
Andromeda turned and entered the church before them.
"Ready, Dora?" Ted raised his arm and Tonks gulped, looping her wrist over the crook of Ted's arm. She felt her dad take a step and couldn't seem to move her feet.
Tonks had worried Remus would feel insecure as he got ready and had sent him a patronus to boost his confidence; knowing that man needed it after all he had been through that had beaten down his confidence. Now, she was feeling that insecurity.
"Dora?" Ted frowned.
"Daddy…" She started, "Am I pretty today?" Tonks suddenly felt very stupid.
Ted looked horrified she would ask that, "Everyday, Dora,"
"What if I'm not a good wife?" Tonks tightened her hand around his arm.
"Remus would still love you," Ted offered and Tonks couldn't help but look skeptical, "The look in his eyes, when he looks at you, changed my mind about him the second time he came around. A look which told me, he would love my daughter, truly and fiercely until his last breath."
She looked down. He was right, Remus would love her. And that was enough to carry her down that aisle, smile at the little people witnessing, smile that special smile for her handsome husband, allow her father to entrust her with Remus and say the words. I do.
He kissed her. It was sweet. It was tender. It was breathtaking.
"You look amazing," He whispered in her ear as they parted. She felt like she had lost her voice and settled to press a kiss to his cheek instead, laughing.
With her hand in Remus', they turned to thank the priest and then to Tonks' parents. Andromeda was sobbing into her hankerchief.
Ted patted Remus on the shoulder. Tonks was surprised to see Molly and Arthur behind them. Molly had tears in her eyes as well as she leant forward to hug Tonks, "Molly, thank you for coming," Tonks smiled but froze as she looked past Molly's shoulder and saw Charlie leant up against the wall at the side of the church.
She smiled tentatively at her and he walked over.
He was wearing a smart suit, his hair combed and he was smiling at her.
"You look…beautiful, Tonks," Charlie told her with a small smile, pulling her in for a tight embrace, "Take care of her, Remus,"
"I will," Remus replied, nodding solemnly.
"Thanks Char,"
A bark startled them. They looked up in time to see a shaggy black dog pounce on Remus. The dog had his tongue hanging out and his mouth was curled in what looked eerily like a grin.
"Snuffles!" Tonks laughed as the dog turned to her, licking her face.
"Oh no, you don't!" Andromeda snapped, grabbing Snuffles roughly by the scruff of his neck, yanking the dog off her despite his whine of pain of having a clump of fur torn out, "Her make up took an hour!"
Snuffles whined even louder, eventually sat beside Andromeda, barking at Remus.
Remus laughed, "No, you don't get to tell me 'I told you so'!"
Snuffles threw back his head and barked again.
"I know I am lucky," Remus smiled, gazing at Tonks.
Snuffles escaped from Andromeda's side and barked at Remus again, his hackles raised and growling slightly.
Remus snorted, "As if I'm capable of it. Auror Tonks will knock me on my arse,"
Tonks watched in disbelief, "how can you understand what he's saying?"
Remus shrugged, "He's predictable that way," He ducked as Snuffles dove.
"Welcome home," Remus whispered in her ear. He slipped his hand in hers and together, they walked across the grassy hill towards their house.
The flowers that he planted yesterday brightened up their dull garden and made Tonks squeal. Her hair turning the brightest pink he had ever seen. Smiling, he watched her lean over to smell the flowers.
"Thought you might like them,"
"I love them," She assured, beaming at him. Gently, he tugged her towards the house and earned a smirk, "so eager, Mr Lupin,"
Remus chuckled, "Merlin…What am I to do with you?" If he was to be honest, he was awestruck with how beautiful she looked. She wore a simple and elegant white halter neck dress which left her back bare. The flowing fabric clung onto her curves snugly. Around her neck, Tonks donned a choker. It was beautiful and exquisite, an emerald jewel in the center of it.
"Whatever newly wedded husbands do to their wives," She sauntered, uncharacteristically gracefully, closer to him with every word. Remus stopped breathing as he felt her slim body up against his. His throat suddenly felt uncomfortably dry.
"Nymphadora," He spoke but his voice came out croaking.
She frowned, leaning in and kissing him on the lips, hard, "don't call me Nymphadora!"
"Not even as your husband?" Remus' voice sounded too high to his ears as Tonks placed both his hands on her shapely hips.
"Not even as my husband," She confirmed.
"But you're not a Tonks anymore," Remus protested half heartedly as Tonks nuzzled his neck, "and it's impersonal, Dora," he decided firmly and smiled in triumph as she nodded. Sucking in a sharp breath as she pressed a firm kiss to his neck, he growled, sweeping her off her feet and into his arms.
"Remus," She laughed as he marched her into the house and straight up the stairs and into their bed room. Remus placed her gently on the bed, using scourgify on her muddy bare feet.
He frowned, crouching forward, holding her feet gently in his hand. Her toenails were painted bubblegum pink to match her hair, "you should've worn something," Remus told her disapprovingly as he saw the cut on the sole of her feet.
Tonks laughed, "And trip to hurt my knee instead of my feet? And ruin my dress at the same time? No thank you,"
Remus chuckled, raising his wand. He muttered a spell and watched, satisfied as the cut sealed itself. He healed several cuts that she had. When he was done, he heard her laugh, "What?" Remus looked offended but pleased she was happy.
"You wonderful, caring man, distracted by a few cuts from our initial intention of being here in the first place," She cupped his cheek in her hands and felt them warming up.
"Sirius would probably accuse me of being gay," Remus muttered, averting her eyes.
Tonks scoffed, "Sirius...is a prick and you are the kindest-" She removed his dress robe and unbuttoned his vest, "sweetest-" Her deft fingers removed his bow tie within seconds and began unbuttoning his shirt, "funniest-" She pushed his vest and shirt completely off him, revealing his bare torso, "and sexiest man I've ever met," She paused and Remus looked away.
He was too pale, too thin and had too many scars. Remus knew from the time he had in Hogwarts. Sharing a bunk and Sirius Black and James Potter, he found out that his thin body was incomparable with theirs. He would have gotten a tan every summer as James and Sirius got theirs but he was too embarrassed to remove his shirt at the beach because of his scars-
"Oh Remus," He could feel her small hands hold his face and slid down his neck. Remus couldn't look at her; he couldn't stand seeing her looking at him with disgust. Her hand rested on his abdomen as she reached up to fist the back of his hair, pulling him in for a kiss.
He was thoroughly surprised as she kissed him. She moaned into the kiss, breaking for air and pulling him in for a hug.
"Dora…" He muttered, "How can you want me?"
"How can I not?" Dora breathed out on his shoulder, her hands on his scarred back, "Do you?"
"What?" He could hardly hear her with blood roaring in his ear.
"Don't you want me?" Her voice was sensual and all Remus could feel was her soft lips on his shoulder.
He almost laughed, his trembling hands touching her bare back, "Since the very beginning." Her quickened breaths as his warm hands touched her back emboldened him. His fingers undid the knot at the small of her back and unzipped her dress a small way down her back.
Remus stared as her dress pooled around her waist.
She was beautiful. He had always known that but right now, she looked stunning and he couldn't seem to avert his eyes. His mind was blank but of her. His hands trembled, hesitant to touch her; she looked so perfect. Her cheeks had a faint blush and he smiled, brushing her cheek with the back of his fingers.
She wound her arms over his shoulder and fisted his hair with both her hands. Dora pulled Remus closer and on top of her as she lay back onto the bed. Remus went.
"Nymphadora…" He whispered, kissing her collarbone. She moaned, arching her back and pressing them closer together. He smiled as he rolled off her and wrapped his arms around her instead. She was evidently falling asleep, "Nymphadora," He whispered again, inducing a sleepy smile from her, "Nympha-"
She laughed as she pressed her lips to his, "Don't push it,"
Remus chuckled, amused, "You didn't mind that about 2 minutes ago,"
"2 minutes ago, you were making sweet love to me," She muttered, her eyes closed and her words slightly slurred. Remus kissed her forehead and let her sleep while he studied her.
Her morph was completely gone; loss in their throes of passion.
He glimpsed two large scars. on the back of her shoulder and her arm. as she shifted. Her legs were slightly longer without her morph and her hips were wider. Her hair was mousey brown that matched his perfectly. She still had her heart shaped face but Remus noticed her cheekbones were slightly different. The Dora he was used to had slightly rounder cheekbones. It wasn't hard to guess that she had inherited high cheekbones from her mother's side of the family and had morphed it away, resenting her relatives. Her lips are the same; the ones Remus loved to kiss.
All in all, she doesn't look much different. Dora was still Dora, his wife now.
"Goodnight, Mrs Lupin," He whispered as he gazed at her, chuckling to himself in the dark, too happy to succumb to sleep.
A/N: I hope this remedy the previous chapter which got Remus/Tonks fans a little worried! I'm, admittedly, not good at wedding scenes and describing clothes, as you can probably tell, I hope you enjoyed it all the same!
A big thank you to the reviewers of last chapter; JKStorm501, remusdora, Guest, Guest and Lupinesence! You guys made this chapter come out real quick with your evident angst! ;)
Oh and I thought of an idea to make a companion piece to this story, of Mad-Eye and Bellatrix (a slightly more complete picture than what I gave in Mad-Eye's memories), what do you think?
Please do drop me a review to tell me about this chapter and the idea!