Chapter 45: Making Sense of Dreams

Tonks jolted awake and found Sirius, Cassiopeia, and Remus watching her. "I'm alive!"

"Of course you're alive, Nymphie," Sirius said.

"I...I must have fell asleep," Tonks said. "Guess this isn't that good of a book. What are you lot doing here?"

"We thought someone was being murdered in here," Cassiopeia said.

"Oh, sorry, just nightmares again," Tonks said, "Hey, no offense, Sirius and Cassie, but do you mind if I talk to Remus alone? I need to ask him something wolf related. That is if it's okay with Remus."

"We'll give you two some privacy," Cassiopeia said.

Cassiopeia and Sirius left the library, leaving Tonks with Remus. Tonks shifted uncomfortably. She knew Remus had been avoiding her and she didn't want to make him any more uncomfortable than she was.

"If you're uncomfortable answering anything I'm about to ask you, you don't have to answer," Tonks said.

"I can answer anything as long as it's not about christening or god-fathering. That's driving me insane," Remus said.

Tonks giggled. "Oh my gosh, they annoy you too with that?"

Remus rolled his eyes. "You have no idea. They're mad. I suppose Azkaban does things to you, or they really love their son."

"I guess," Tonks said. "So, I don't know how much you can answer but Greyback...when he is hunting a target, whether children to turn or adults to kill, do you know how far he will go to get to them?"

"He will go all the way," Remus said. "That's what he did when he got me."

Tonks was even more terrified but she had to know more. "Oh...how much did Cassie tell you about what's going on with me? And don't play dumb. I know she's constantly talking about what's wrong with you and gossips about my life."

"She doesn't stop. But what's that got to do with Greyback hunting children?" Remus asked.

"So she told you about the nightmares, then?" Tonks asked. "Does he do that? You know, send things like that to targets?"

"Yes. He did it to me before he bit me," Remus replied, "but what's this about?"

Tonks trembled. "I think he might be getting to me. Before you all came running in, I had a nightmare. Greyback was chasing me. He kept taunting me saying 'You can't run forever. Your days as a Subduer are over.'"

"But you said he was hunting children. Should I be concerned?" Remus asked.

"That's what I'm not sure about. He mentioned your name, but I don't know if he meant you or S.J. Probably both," Tonks replied fearfully.

Remus paled. "Oh God. Cassie is going to go mad."

"Cassie can have her wish now. I'll be S.J.'s godmother," Tonks declared, "I won't let that monster hurt him. I'd rather die or suffer living the rest of my life as a werewolf than let S.J. get hurt."

"She'll be happy you're his godmother, but if I know Cassie, she'll go insane when she finds out why," Remus said.

"Something is still confusing me though," Tonks said.

"What's that?" Remus asked.

"Greyback's other taunt, 'It will give me great pleasure in take away his mate. Do you think he'll mourn for you? The pup will have no choice but to come to my side.' It's as if he knows who marked me...Ha, that's the crazy, reckless side of me that I actively suppress almost wants to go asking who it is, under threat of Cruciatis Curse. Good thing I stopped listening to that side of me. I'd be dead if I went near him now," Tonks said.

A chill ran up Remus' spine. He could not imagine Tonks facing Greyback or her becoming like him. He could not face that risk. It made him sick to even think of Tonks taking that chance.

"You don't want to go near that person," he said firmly. "Don't give in to Greyback. Our priority is to keep that monster away from S.J. Cassie will kill me if anything happens to him and I'll never forgive myself if he becomes a creature like me."

"Right. I...I called out to you I think," Tonks said.

"Why?" Remus asked.

"I don't know. He was coming towards me. I called out the first name that came to mind, which is usually my friend Aaron, but not this time. I called to you for help. I don't know why I just did," Tonks said. Tonks stood up and walked to the window with a sigh. "Mad-eye would be so disappointed. I'm letting this get to me...Why did i become this?" she asked despondently.

"He chose you. Don't let it get to you. You're the best Auror," Remus said brightly.

"Really? Better than Mad-Eye?" Tonks questioned.

"Yes, but don't tell him that," Remus replied.

I don't think I ever will. He probably would mutter something about student surpasses the teacher," Tonks said. "Guess I need more practice in Occlumancy."

"I don' t think Mad-Eye could've carried an infant for as long as you did. He'd go mad, and that's saying something," Remus said.

"He's not one for infants. I know that much," Tonks said.

"That's why you're better. He couldn't have protected S.J. like you did," Remus told her.

"Well, you're good with kids. Did you ever consider having them?" Tonks asked.

Immediately, Tonks wanted to kick herself as she saw Remus squirm. She knew she had made a mistake.

"I did once," Remus gulped.

"What made you change?" Tonks asked. "Oh forgive me, I shouldn't be asking that. There are more serious matters at hand."

Remus shivered. "Do you think that monster will come after S.J.?"

"Possibly, but not if I can help it," Tonks said.

Remus didn't want to imagine the madness that would descend of Cassiopeia and Sirius learning a werewolf was hunting their son. "Sirius and Cassie will go barking if they find out."

"I don't plan on telling them. Why do think I asked to talk to you?" Tonks said.

"I know. My werewolf experience," Remus said wisely, "You know these two will go crazy if you don't tell them, right?"

"And I'm prepared to take the heat from that choice," Tonks said.

"Wow," Remus said, surprised. "Even though you know a werewolf is chasing their son?"

"It's better they not get involved in that world. Surely you understand that. I wish I didn't have to be involved, but I chose this life when I became a werewolf hunter," Tonks said resolutely.

"I understand, but why not? Just so I know when Sirius and Cassie come to kill me," Remus asked.

"Simple, do you know some of the only ways to kill a werewolf?" Tonks replied matter- of- factly,"The killing curse, yes, but that's if you can catch them. You know the other ways cause you are a werewolf. I know them cause I'm a werewolf hunter. They are not. Besides S.J. is safe as long as he stays here. Outside here might be dangerous. We are better equipped to handle werewolves."

"Simple, but try explaining that to them," Remus said. "Their love for S.J. makes them go mad"

"Not simple. Believe me," Tonks countered, "Look, all I ask is until I figure this out, don't say anything."

"I won't, but I don't know how we can keep this up," Remus said fearfully.

"Long enough to get my point across," Tonks said pointedly.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Remus asked.

"No, but I have no choice now. He threatened not only me, but you and S.J. as well," Tonks said firmly.

"How long can we keep this up? I can't imagine what Sirius and Cassie will do if this gets out," Remus said shakily.

"I told you not long," Tonks said.

Tonks picked up her coat and headed for the door. Remus did not like where this was going, but he did not bother stopping Tonks. He knew only one Cassiopeia was enough. He knew Tonks was on a mission and he was not going to get in her way.

"Okay, but this won't be pretty," Remus replied.

"Nope. Have healing potions and spells ready for when I get back," Tonks said.

"Where are you going?" Remus asked.

"If I tell you, you won't let me leave," Tonks said wisely.

Remus did not want to let Tonks go, but he knew he had to. "Be careful and avoid Sirius and Cassie. If they find out, they'll join you."

"I'm not going after him. I'm doing something worse," Tonks said.

With that, Tonks left the room. Remus shivered. He didn't want to think of the much worse thing that Tonks was going to do. Whatever it was, he hoped that she would come back from it.

"A Note From Roza Anne:

Both Guin and myself have had rough couple of year. 2016 saw a lot of bad things happen to me. I lost someone I love and I haven't fully recovered from it and I couldn't concentrate on helping Guin gets more chapters up. I do apologize for the delay. I hope I can get over this depression soon. You all deserve to see the rest of the story from Cassie, Sirius, SJ, Remus, and Tonks. I promise Guin and I will work our hardest to delivery this story too you. Thank you for you continuing support."