Hi! Sorry I missed the update last week! Just in case I forget to mention it next week, I will not be updating over Labor Day weekend, cause I'll be out of town. Hope you enjoy these chapters!
I still don't own Harry Potter.
Only a couple of days later, the Potter's were interrupted by a knock on the door. As always, James demanded who was there before opening the door.
"Nymphadora Tonks Lupin and Remus John Lupin," came Tonks' cheerful voice, making James freeze, raising his eyebrows at Lily, who started to smile as Tonks continued. "Werewolves and metamorphmagi, and the most dysfunctional, yet happy family ever."
James yanked open the door, not sure whether to hug him or hit him. One look at his face, and he decided hitting him could wait. Remus smiled with genuine pleasure, but there was obvious guilt in his expression. No one could do self-recrimination like Remus Lupin, and James decided he didn't need to add on how stupid he had been.
So, he hugged him instead. "Welcome back, Moony," he said.
Then Lily was pulling them all into the house, hugging the Lupin's, and guiding them to the sitting room.
Once they were all settled, James asked, "So, how long have you been back, Remus?"
"Nearly a week," said Remus. "Dora and I had to clear up some things before we let you know."
"I imagine," said Lily.
"So, what made you see sense?" James couldn't completely let him off the hook, after all.
Remus gave him a wry smile. "Your son."
James sat up straight. "Come again?" he asked at the same time Lily said, "Harry?"
Remus nodded. "I went to Grimmauld Place after I left Tonks. It's about a month and a half ago now. Before the ministry. I figured I might be able to help them on whatever their mission is. Harry turned me down."
James wasn't sure what to think about that. On the one hand, he was positive Harry did the right thing. On the other, Remus was a very gifted wizard who would have been able to help keep the trio safe.
"Gave me quite the talking to," Remus continued. "He is certainly your son," he added to both of them. "It took a while, but with that and your message, James, I eventually worked up the courage to return. Then it was the trick of getting home without attracting negative attention which took some time, but... I'm here now."
"Well, at least you realized what an idiot you were being," James said, grinning. "Has Tonks caught you up on what's been happening lately?" And the four friends settled in to talk, glad of each other's company in such dark times.
"Kingsley?" Lily asked, opening the door after he had proved who he was. "Sweet Merlin," she gasped, quickly guiding him into the sitting room. Kingsley was bleeding from his head and limping heavily.
James snatched the healing supplies and handed the basket to Lily. "What happened?" he asked, tensely.
"I got jumped," Kingsley said, breathing heavily, "by a group of Death Eaters. Fought them off. Told you it was just a matter of time."
"Are you hurt anywhere besides your head?" Lily asked, rubbing a potion into the head wound.
"Right leg," said Kingsley. "It's just sprained." As the potion knit the skin back together, Lily set to work on his leg.
"James," said Kingsley, suddenly, looking up at him sharply. "You Know Who's name; it's taboo."
"Come again?" James asked.
"They must have placed a taboo on He Who Really Must Not Be Named's actual name. They would not have found me otherwise."
Crap.
James swore. "Well, we'll have to get that information out as soon as possible."
"James," Lily whispered, trying to steady her hands as she worked. "Harry." Harry had never not said Voldemort's name. He'd be found within the week. Fear gripped her. They had no way of contacting him, of letting him know. They didn't know if the trio even knew about Potterwatch.
James paled. "Ron doesn't like hearing the name," he said, with the faint air of grasping at straws. "He'll make sure the others don't say it."
"Yeah," said Lily, because there was nothing they could do, not because she truly believed it.
"We'll have to put it out on Potterwatch," said Kingsley. "Probably do it on more than one episode to make sure as many people as possible hear it. Best to contact the Order too." He stood up and tested his weight on his leg. "Thank you, Lily. I will be going now."
Both Potter's stood up. "Are you sure?" Lily asked. "You could stay a while? Rest up at least. We'd be glad of the company."
"No, thank you, it's quite alright. I'll keep in touch. Try not to worry too much about Harry. It's very possible they've found out about Potterwatch and are listening, and remember, as long as there's no news, he hasn't been caught."
And then he was gone.
