The continuation... This gets a bit lengthy, and parts will be repeated in WHA, when I've updated it (and given it will be tackled last, as it's a WIP, I have no clue when that will be!).
Oh, and I apologise for my shoddy medicinal knowledge. I've tried to research, but feel free to constructively correct me.
As everyone started celebrating, Remus turned back to the problem identified earlier. "So...I've lost some of my memory." he clarified. Pomfrey nodded.
"We can do tests later, when you've had a bit of rest." she said. Remus realised he was suddenly very tired. Tonks felt the same, but before she voiced it she said, "Remus, my name is... Dora. We'll sort out everything else later. Okay?"
Remus nodded and Pomfrey said, "Come on – I'm taking all of you through the Floo to my office."
Madam Pomfrey took all patients to the Hospital Wing and got them settled (that took awhile). Then she returned and slipped out into the Great Hall.
Everyone was settling onto seats, congregating in groups around the tables, listening to news and sharing stories.
"Sonorus," she said, "If I may have your attention," everyone – bar two of the Trio, exiting the Hall – turned to her. "I would like everyone, at some stage today, to go to the Hospital Wing for a check-up. Don't all come at once. Thank you." she quieted her voice then turned to Minerva McGonagall. "Minerva, as soon as possible come with me."
Poppy hurried out of the Hall after collecting Tonks' wand – Tonks had remembered Bellatrix taking it from her as she 'died'.
She walked quickly back to the Hospital Wing, pausing for a moment in the doorway.
The few beds not filled now would be filled by the noon, she knew.
She checked on her patients then slipped into a private room next to her office. Tonks and Remus were asleep on a bed she had enlarged. She watched them for a moment then, satisfied, went out to attend to the others.
#
Minerva McGonagall was rather surprised at the Matron's request. Well, she thought as she made her way upstairs, as I am the Headmistress, I suppose it makes sense to come sooner rather than later, but really...
She glanced at the Trio behind her. She had met them near the Head's office (hers – again – now) and as they were all going to the same place, they were walking together.
They arrived at the Hospital Wing shortly, and Poppy ushered them in. She checked them over, then said, "I'm glad you came here together. I need to show you... Two of my patients."
The group were puzzled, naturally. "Two believed to be dead... Are alive."
They gasped. Mr – no, Harry, said, eyes wide, "Who-what-?"
Poppy smiled and beckoned them towards her office. They followed her quickly, Harry leading.
When he saw who it was, he stopped in the doorway and stared. "Remus and Tonks?" he whispered hoarsely.
The others gasped, and Hermione pushed him forward so he wasn't blocking the doorway. They all crowded in. Harry walked forwards slowly and gently touched Remus' hand atop the bedspread as if to reassure himself that they were real.
"How?" he asked quietly, an unreadable expression on his face. Minerva glanced at her colleague. That was a question she'd like answered, too.
Poppy sighed. "I don't know," she said blankly, "The only explanation I can think of is that they weren't quite – gone – before... Just enough, with their injuries, to seem like it, until I misfired a Diagnosis spell."
"Injuries?" Harry echoed. The Matron nodded. "Quite severe – but I was able to fix them up. Mostly." she hesitated, then continued, "However… Harry, you'll need to prepare yourself. Remus' injuries have had the unfortunate side-effect of making him lose all memory of events since October 31st, 1971."
Harry stared in open-mouthed shock, while Minerva gasped, Ron swore and Hermione froze. There was a pause, then Hermione said quietly, glancing towards the two on the bed, "Tonks knows, I suppose?"
Poppy nodded. "Yes. But there has not been much time to discuss it. They've been sleeping since the battle ended." she looked again at Harry. "I'll need to wake them soon. Sleep is a useful healer, but in the case of head injuries, or others that cause…unconsciousness…it can also be dangerous. When I wake them, Remus will be curious. He will want to know. And we must tell him. It wouldn't be fair otherwise."
Harry swallowed, seemly understanding her meaning. "You want my – our – help." he whispered.
Poppy nodded. "He watched part of the last stand…after all, it was hard not to when Molly – reacted – like she did."
Ron smiled, but quickly sobered. "In other words, he saw Harry, and heard who he was. He would've already started making connections. Now, he'll push and pester until he gets answers." he said. Spending summers with Lupin (Remus) had taught him that.
Harry agreed, and looked as though he was about to speak further, when a voice stopped him. " 'He' has awoken, and is not exactly comfortable with others speaking about him while he's here." It said sardonically. Harry's head whipped around, and a broad grin of relief and sheer joy spread across his face. "Remus!" he cried, then swallowed, seemly unable to say anything more. Poppy's own heart squeezed at the look on his face; glancing at Minerva, she saw the same expression there.
But a Healer's work is never done, as Poppy reminded herself as she stepped forward to reassess her patients – for Tonks had woken, also. After having completed the checks satisfactorily, she concluded, "Well, it appears you are on the mend. Remus…have any recollections occurred to you whilst sleeping?"
They waited with baited breath, but Remus merely frowned and, after a moment, shook his head. "Only some that confirm the date which I'd thought I was waking up to." he said, somewhat distractedly. He glanced at Tonks, and it was clear to Poppy that his thoughts had returned to the fact that he did not remember anything about the woman he had (apparently) married.
Quickly, Minerva stepped in, and in no time at all re-introductions were underway. The expressions on Remus' face when he learned that he had friends who accepted him for what he was, and that all those gathered around him (including his wife) did as well brought a lump to Poppy's throat…As did his expression when he learned what had happened to them.
"And I – forgot – all that?" He was finally able to say. He then shook his head and turned away, tears in his eyes. Harry had put his head in his hands. No-one knew what to say, for what else could be said, after all?
A commotion at the door of the ward caused Minerva to remove herself briefly to deal with it. After a few minutes of strained silence from the group around the bed (punctuated by hurried whispers and exclamations from the other end of the ward), Minerva returned.
Hermione had been watching Harry. Now she said quietly, "I know it's…impertinent to say the least, but I – I have to ask… Tonks, do you have any idea how you survived? Madam – erm – Poppy – didn't know, but…"
Tonks sighed. "Well…not exactly. Details of the hour or so surrounding our – Incident are sketchy at best. According to Poppy -" she indicated the matron with a nod of her head, "That's to be expected…Something to do with consolidation… Anyway, I think... I have this feeling… we were dying when Madam Pomfrey saved us... We even went On for a bit."
As the group made shocked noises, Tonks screwed up her face in an effort to remember. "We got a chance to be saved because - to quote Dumbledore, 'love itself [is] a magic beyond all spells'." Tonks glanced at her husband. "Or at least, I think that's the case... that phrase sticks out, anyway…"
Harry's eyes widened, and Minerva thought it looked like he'd just understood something everyone else couldn't.
Then Tonks frowned. "Oh, that reminds me." she said quietly, "Mum - has someone-"
Harry jumped in, grinning. "I'll do it!" Tonks nodded at him.
Madam Pomfrey gestured to her fireplace. "Use the Floo."
Tonks said, "It's Picnic Cottage - Front Room." He thanked them both then went to get Andromeda and Teddy, who appeared minutes later. Harry came through the Floo with Teddy first. Tonks took him, noting Harry had held him correctly, and how they seemed to have bonded in the space of a few minutes. She soothed Remus' fears with Harry's help, watching his delight. Then Andromeda came.
As Madam Poppy Pomfrey watched the reunion, she nodded to herself, satisfied, and shared a look with Professor Minerva McGonagall. Another job done.
As I said at the top, the full version of that conversation that the Trio and Minerva had with Remus will be in WHA. I hope it wasn't too confusing…
Up next…This story, and thus my main timeline, twists even more dramatically.