Chapter 30: Aftermath

Sirius hurried downstairs to find Remus. He could not help quivering as he made his way into the kitchen. He was already horrified knowing that Greyback attacked his wife and son. He did not want to know what Greyback did to Tonks. When Sirius barged into the kitchen, he his heart sank. Tonks was holding a knife, threatening to harm herself. Remus was behind her, fighting to wrench the knife away from her.

"LET ME GO! I'M A MONSTER! A FREAKING MURDRER!" Tonks howled.

"Tonks, you are not," Sirius said slowly. "You saved Cassie and my son. You are a hero."

"NO, I'M NOT!"

"If it weren't for you, Cassie would be dead and S.J. would be bitten. Thank you for saving them."

"Shut up!"

Remus looked up at Sirius gravely. "Greyback did this. He poisoned her mind."

Sirius clenched his fists. "I'll kill him."

"I can't get my wand without letting her go. Can you put a Sleeping Charm on her?" Remus asked.

"I can," Sirius replied.

Sirius waved his wand at Tonks, and she fell limp in Remus's arms. Remus was thankful Tonks was asleep.

"Good grief," he groaned.

Sirius nodded. Knowing that Tonks was asleep, he concerned himself with taking care of her as well as Cassiopeia and S.J.

"Where's Dumbledore?" he asked.

"He should be here about now," Remus said.

In a flash, Dumbledore appeared in the kitchen. Next to Dumbledore was Madame Pompfrey. Sirius and Remus were relieved to see the old wizard and healer standing before them.

"Dumbledore! We need help. Cassie and Tonks are hurt," Sirius said anxiously.

Dumbledore calmly held up his hand. "Calm yourself, Sirius. I assure you that everything will be fine. I brought Poppy with me."

"Poppy? Does she know?" Sirius asked hesitantly.

"Yes, she does," Dumbledore replied.

"Dumbledore, can Poppy help Cassie?"

"Of course."

Dumbledore turned to Madame Pompfrey. "I'll leave Mrs. Black to you, Poppy. I'll handle Nymphadora."

"She's upstairs, Poppy," Sirius said.

"Don't you worry, Sirius. Cassie will be as good as new," Poppy reassured him.

Madame Pompfrey scurried away upstairs with Sirius following behind her.

"Now, what seems to be the problem with young Miss Tonks?" Dumbledore asked.

"She's been poisoned somehow. Greyback did it after he slammed Cassie into a wall," Remus explained.

"Ahh, a rare poison at that, I would assume," Dumbledore said. "The only one I know qualified to remove the poison is Severus."

Remus knew Snape's feelings toward him and Sirius. However, he bore him no grudge. He was not going to let anything interfere with helping Tonks.

"Please, bring him here. Help her, please," Remus begged.

"I shall send for him immediately," Dumbledore said. "If you don't mind me asking, what kind of symptoms has she exhibited?"

"Well, she's out of her mind," Remus said. "She's not right in the head. She's bleeding badly, too."

"I see. I shall tell Severus then," Dumbledore said.

Dumbledore waved his wand, and a blue mist shot out from his wand. Dumbledore spoke to the spectral figure, repeating Tonks's dire condition. With another wave of his wand, the orb disappeared. Remus was fearful of Snape's arrival. He knew Snape's temper, especially around Sirius and Cassiopeia.

"Dumbledore, if I may be so bold, warn Severus to hold his temper," Remus said. "I don't want any stress, especially on Cassie, S.J., and Tonks."

"Of course, Remus. I understand," Dumbledore said considerately.

In no less than five minutes, Snape had shown up at the house. Remus was truly grateful that Snape had arrived.

"Severus, Tonks has been poisoned. Help her, please," Remus said anxiously.

"Nymphadora sure has a knack for getting into trouble," Snape said.

Snape bent over Tonks, processing her injuries. After a long moment he looked up at Remus.

"Make her swallow this bezoar," Snape said. "That will buy us some time."

Without hesitation, Remus took the bezoar and put it in Tonks's mouth. "Now what?"

"Keep her from moving," Snape replied.

Snape held up Tonks's arm, and examined it. He produced a knife and cut around the horrid gash on Tonks's arm. Tonks screamed, making Remus glare in horror at Snape. Snape took out a glass vial and collected the blood from Tonks's cut. When his work was finished, he caught Remus frowning at him.

"Don't give me that look, Remus," he groaned. "I need her blood to analyze it to find an antidote."

Remus did not like that Snape was causing Tonks more pain. However, he had no choice but to trust him.

"Do what you have to," he said after a long moment.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," Snape told him. "By the way, she might wake up and go crazy again."

With a pop! Snape was gone from the living room. As soon as Snape disappeared, Tonks jumped awake. Her face was pale and she looked utterly confused and terrified.

"Tonks, please, lie still," Remus said.

Tonks shook her head. "Why did you stop me?"

"You have been poisoned. Severus is going to help you. Lie down," Remus said calmly.

"Why did you stop me? I'm a killer. I deserve to die."

"You're not thinking. You don't deserve to die."

"I do."

Without another word, Tonks wobbled to her feet and staggered to the door. Unfortunately, Tonks did not make it to the door, as she fell a foot from it. Remus hurried to the door and tried to pull Tonks away.

"Merlin's beard! Dumbledore, help!" Remus cried.

Tonks stubbornly pushed him away with what strength she had. "Don't touch me."

"This is for your own good," Remus said.

He waved his wand, and Tonks fell asleep again. "Dumbledore, help me move her to the couch."

Dumbledore nodded and grabbed Tonks's legs and helped Remus ease her onto the couch. After about five minutes, Snape returned with an antidote in hand. Once again, Remus was relieved to see the potions master.

"Severus, thank goodness," Remus sighed. "Tonks tried to walk out of here. I had to use a Sleeping Charm."

Severus frowned. "Well, she is going to hate me. I have to pour this in the wound on her arm. It's going to sting. A lot."

Remus hesitated. He hated putting Tonks through more pain. "Must you?"

"If I don't, she'll only get worse," Snape said grimly.

"Do it," Remus said reluctantly.

"You hold her then," Snape said.

Remus held Tonks tightly, and nodded to Snape. Snape poured the liquid on Tonks's arm. Tonks shrieked and tried to pull away. Alas, Remus's hold on her was too strong. Sirius flew down the stairs.

"What was that?" he asked.

"Severus is torturing her," Remus said.

Snape frowned. "I am not. That was to kill the poison."

Sirius glared at Snape and clenched his fist. "I warn you, Snivellus, you hurt my cousin, and you'll need more than a potion."

"I've done nothing," Snape said as he glared back. "Most of the poison is out of her system, but over the course of the night she will have to drink this."

Severus held up a second bottle and showed it to Remus and Sirius.

"Thank you, Severus," Remus said gratefully.

Sirius was still glaring at Snape. He did not like this potions master in his house. However, he considered that he did save S.J. and now Tonks. For that, he was appreciative.

"Snape, as much as it pains me to say this, thank you," Sirius said, his voice betraying his true feelings. "And Poppy needs you. It's Cassie."

"Yes, yes, I understand," Snape said.

"I warn you: don't try anything on my wife," Sirius said menacingly.

"I have a healing potion for your wife as prescribed by Poppy. She'll be as good as new," Snape said.

"Come with me. Poppy needs help with her," Sirius said.

Sirius led Snape upstairs to his and Cassiopeia's bedroom. Poppy stood over Cassiopeia, who sat curled into a ball.

"How is she, Poppy?" Sirius asked.

"Fine, but I don't think she quite gets that her child is safe," Poppy explained. "I think she might be poisoned, too."

"I FAILED! I'M A TERRIBLE MOTHER!" Cassiopeia cried out. "My baby! I failed him!"

"Cassie, your baby is alright. He's sleeping next door," Poppy said gently.

"NO! I DIDN'T PROTECT HIM!"

"He's fine. He's safe."

Snape eased Poppy aside and stood next to Cassiopeia. "Drink this."

Cassiopeia shook her head. Snape rolled his eyes and pulled Cassiopeia's head back, pouring the clear liquid down her throat. Cassiopeia fell back to her pillow. Then, she opened her eyes and saw Sirius sitting on the side of the bed.

"Sirius, is that you?" she asked in a daze.

"Yes," Sirius whispered.

"Greyback…he came through my window. I was feeding Remus. He tried to bite him. I'm so sorry! I tried to fight him off," Cassiopeia said in despair.

Sirius took Cassiopeia's hand. "S.J.'s fine. He's sleeping. Tonks came back. She defended both of you."

Cassiopeia wept. Somehow, she felt the danger S.J. was in was her fault.

"I'm a terrible mother. I didn't even protect my own son," Cassiopeia sobbed.

"You're not a terrible mother. Greyback is just a monster."

"I am! What kind of mother doesn't defend her own baby?"

"The kind that got injured protecting her son," Sirius said, stroking Cassiopeia's hair. "You did all you could."

Cassiopeia smiled at her husband. Sirius knew how to comfort her. She was relieved that he was proud of her.

"Where's our son?" Cassiopeia asked.

"Sleeping in the next room. Aaron is watching him," Sirius replied.

"He must be so scared," Cassiopeia said compassionately.

"Actually, he is sleeping quite soundly. It's odd. The only people he will do that for are Remus and Aaron."

"Please, let me see him. I want to hold him."

"You are allowed to get up, Cassie."

Cassiopeia slowly stood up from the bed. As soon as she got to her feet, she tripped over the bed post.

"Since when are you clumsy like Tonks?" Sirius laughed.

"I just tripped," Cassiopeia replied. "I want to see our son."

"Fine. Come on, darling."

Sirius took Cassiopeia's hand and led her into the S.J.'s room. Aaron was sitting on a rocking chair next to the crib.

"Aaron, I want to hold my son," Cassiopeia said.

"Who said you couldn't?" Aaron asked. "He's in his crib. I'm just sitting here for protection."

Cassiopeia and Sirius crept over to the crib. S.J. opened his eyes as his mother and father looked down on him. He cooed and kicked his tiny legs as if he was happy to see his parents. Cassiopeia smiled and picked him up from the crib.

"Come here, sweetheart," she whispered. "I'm so sorry. I'll never let them get you. I'll never let anyone hurt you. Mummy loves you."

Little S.J. simply yawned and closed his eyes. Sirius smiled at his son and stroked his cheek.

"That's my brave boy," he said proudly. "That werewolf didn't scare him at all."

"He certainly has more courage than me," Cassiopeia said in agreement.

Cassiopeia kissed S.J.'s head, and Sirius did the same. Then, Cassiopeia gingerly laid S.J. back down in his crib. Just as Cassiopeia put S.J. down, she, Sirius, and Aaron heard a thud! from downstairs.

"Do I want to know what that was, Sirius?" Aaron asked, wrinkling his brow.

"Sirius, what was that?" Cassiopeia added, confused.

Sirius shook his head. "I'm not sure. I'll go see."

Sirius hurried downstairs and was surprised by what he saw. Tonks and Remus were wrestling as Remus tried to give Tonks her potion.

"Remus, what's going on?" Sirius asked.

"Nothing," Remus replied.

Just then, Tonks awkwardly landed on top of Remus. Sirius forced back a smile as he watched Tonks and Remus.

"Doesn't look like nothing," Sirius replied. "Let me help you."

"That would be appreciated," Remus said.

Remus struggled out from under Tonks and held her down. Sirius took the potion in his hand.

Tonks stubbornly shook her head. "I'm not drinking that."

"Sorry, Tonks, but it's for your own good," Sirius said apologetically.

Before Tonks could protest, Sirius forced her head back and poured the potion down her throat. Once Tonks had swallowed the potion, he released her.

Tonks glared at him. "I hate you."

"It was for your own good," Sirius said remorsefully.

"I hate you."

"No you don't. I saved your life."

Tonks rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Leave me alone."

Tonks lay down on the couch, her back facing Remus and Sirius.

Remus grimly turned to his friend. "Should I talk to her?"

"Wait till morning. She's been through enough," Sirius replied.

"No! Remus, stay. I don't mind him staying," Tonks pleaded.

"Alright, Tonks. He'll stay. Won't you, Remus?" Sirius said calmly.

"Of course," Remus said.

You better, Sirius thought to himself.

"Cassie is fine, in case you were wondering," Sirius told them. "I hate to admit it, but Snape saved her with Poppy's help. She's with S.J. now."

"That's good," Remus said with a smile.

"Right. I best be tending to my wife and son. I'll leave you two," Sirius said.

Tonks and Remus were left alone in the living room. Tonks felt sorry for how she treated Remus and Sirius. It was not them she hated; it was Greyback. Her encounter with him brought back many unpleasant memories she tried to forget.

A/N: So, what was Tonks trying to forget? Sorry I haven't updated sooner. I have been under the weather lately. Thank you for the past reviews, as usual. Thank you to my best friend Roza Anne!