(AN: as always I own nothing besides the ideas of my own creation. Please follow for updates on when I post. I try to post at least twice a month. Also, if you play Hogwarts Legacy you might notice some similar mentions in my story! I've been obsessed with it. It's given me some great writing ideas)

Remus gasped slightly, the lake breeze stung as it blew across his scarred arm.

Remus attempted to readjust himself for what felt like the hundredth time on the cold and uncomfortable wooden funeral seats.

The funeral had been beautiful. Truly. But, Remus hated the part after when everyone was expected to mingle like something awful hadn't just happened.

He watched Tonks from afar, she had been swept off with Mad Eye by a few ministry officials that knew them. They were in animated discussions about something.

Remus was being kept occupied by Arthur and the twins.

Remus could see Tonks parents far off in the distance, talking to a kind and plump little wizard.

He sighed. He hoped deep down that her mother could accept him.

Remus barely heard Fred when he was speaking to him.

He was saying, "You know, I've heard a rumor that there's inferi in the highlands."

"Oh?" Arthur asked.

Remus took his attention off of Tonk's parents, turning to Fred.

"How exactly did you come across that information?" Remus asked, slightly concerned.

"Yeah. I'd like to know that as well." His father agreed.

"Ahh, ask us no questions, we'll tell you no lies." George added, smirking.

Remus raised his eyebrows at Arthur who attempted his best to stifle a smile.

"All we'll say is that we heard it from a reliable source." Fred explained.

"That reliable source better not be Mundungus Fletcher." Arthur sneered.

"Oh please, we'd never believe a word we'd hear from Dungbean." George promised.

Remus chuckled at this nickname.

"Well, I'm sure Tonks and I will be just fine." Remus told them.

"Not planning on doing much exploring, ay?" George mused, boldly.

Remus and his father turned to him, both gave him a deadly look that was still making the twins chuckle and laugh twenty minutes later.

"Look at the two of them." Arthur grumbled good heartedly. Pointing to his sons, who were now chatting up some young witches from the village.

Remus chuckled a little at this.

"At least they are enjoying themselves." Remus said.

"I suppose we have to be grateful for that." Arthur said.

"How's Bill been?" Remus asked, trying not to get distracted by Tonks or her parents again.

Arthur sighed loudly. "He's been okay, he should be able to travel home this week. The healers say he's doing well. They gave us some instructions for the next few weeks and what to do on the 20th."

Remus nodded, he knew exactly what he meant by this as well. The 20th would be the full moon.

"Is he planning on being at Shell Cottage?"

"Yes, he'll be safe in the basement there." Arthur said nervously.

"I wish I could be there for support, but I cannot. Just remember there's still a chance he'll be fine." Remus tried to comfort him.

Arthur nodded, knowing it was safe to vent to Remus.

About 30 ft away Tonks and Mad Eye had just escaped from a gaggle of ministry employees that they knew.

"Do they think they'll win a prize for staying longest or something?" Mad Eye grumbled.

Tonks shot a look at him.

"Oh don't tell me you aren't thinking it too. This dreadful affair has gone on long enough." He whispered, looking over his shoulder to make sure no one could over hear them.

"By the way, congratulations. On you and Lupin. Just stay vigilant while you're gone." He lectured her.,

"Of course.." she replied dutifully.

"How'd your mother take the news?" He asked casually.

"I haven't spoken to her since dad told her, so I suppose I'll find out soon." She chuckled, gesturing over to her parents.

He nodded.

Mad Eye started to speak, but stopped short of what he intended to say.

"Well, when you come back from your little trip, we all need to jump-."

"What?" She asked, instantly nervous.

"Incoming." He said quietly.

She wasn't sure what caused it, but she instinctively turned her ring around.

A few seconds later, behind her she heard a little cough.

"Ahhem."

Tonks turned to see Dolores Umbridge.

"Dolores." Mad Eye greeted her curtly.

"Hello." Tonks said, trying to sound nice.

She giggled, it un nerved both of them.

"We've never officially met, I'm Dolores Jane Umbridge Senior Undersecretary to the Minister." She held out her left hand.

Tonks had no choice but to shake her hand.

Umbridge briefly looked down at her hand as she did., she had absolutely noticed the ring.

Tonks felt herself sweating a little.

"I've been looking for you all week, Nymphadora." She simpered.

"I have to follow up with you about your recent meeting with the head of your department." She explained, in a snotty boastful manner.

"Mmm. I see. Well, I've been out this week, I was injured here at the school the other night." She explained.

"You were present? Were you here on ministerial orders?" She asked.

"She was here on my orders." Grumbled Mad Eye.

Umbridge gave him a sharp look.

"Your orders?" She questioned.

"That's right. I was close personal friends with Albus Dumbledore. He needed more eyes up at the school and i recommended Tonks. She's great at what she does." Mad Eye glared at her.

Tonks watched the interchange quietly.

"the ministry could have stepped in to help at Hogwarts if it was needed. The headmaster need only ask." She said confidently.

She had clearly been offended by Mad Eye.

He laughed, "Perhaps he didn't trust ya no good, for nothing-"

Tonks interrupted him.

"Mad Eye!" She grabbed his arm.

Umbrage looked angry, and she momentarily grimaced.

Then she smiled a nasty smile.. "do you know the ministry has been very lenient with you over the years Alastor. Perhaps that should change in the future."

Mad Eye look like he was just about to respond to her when she cut him off.

"You too, Nymphadora." She simpered.

Tonks chuckled a little bit.

"Tonks has an exemplary record. I trained her myself."

"Well, that records not so exemplary anymore..tu tut, it's a shame too." She said.

Tonks said nothing. Figured it was best to defend herself in a professional setting.

Mad Eye looked livid. Like he could have strangled her.

"I'm sure we will be speaking soon, Nymphadora, I have some things I'd like to speak with you about." She explained.

" since when's it common practice to do a full ministerial review of conduct because of one pricks opinion?" Mad Eye grumbled.

Umbridge completely ignored his comment.

"Oh, soon if all goes to plan, all Ministry officials and employees will be subjected to questioning and conduct reviews on a routine basis. He he. " She smiled to herself.

Tonks and Mad Eye just nodded, almost imperceptibly. Trying to feign understanding.

" I'll be off now, have a good day." She smiled, an evil, self-satisfied, smile as she walked away.

Mad Eye scoffed, "smug bitch."

Tonks had to stifle a laugh.

"Mmm, she sure is."

"What do you think she meant by that by the way? What plan was she talking about?"

"Nothing good." He grumbled"

"Great." Tonks said.

Mad Eye cleared his throat.

"They are trying to railroad you, ya know. It may be best if you just leave now. I have a feeling that soon the ministry won't be fit for any of us to work there." He told her.

"you think I should just leave?" She asked.

"I think you should consider it. Otherwise, they might just force you out." He said. "That's essentially what they've done to me."

She nodded. Perhaps the day that she would have to leave would come sooner than she thought.

"Come on, let's go, people are starting to clear out." He said.

Tonks was eventually able to pull Remus away from Arthur.

Come on let's go say bye to my parents and then we can go. Is that all right with you?

He nodded and smiled. "Lead the way" he said.

Following after her.

Half way to their goal they were interrupted

"Remus." Harry called.

Remus turned around to look at him. It was Harry.

"Go on, I'll catch up to you." He said to her kindly. "I am right behind you"

She nodded before continuing to walk over to meet her parents

Tonks looked back a couple of times, and was worried that Remus looked concerned., while he spoke to Harry.

Tonks made a mental note asked Remus about what they had spoken about later.

Tonks. His father, Ted was beaming when she approached them, and he hugged her happily..

Her mother hugged her too, but not as affectionately as her father had.

"I picked something great out for the two of you that you're just gonna love, I think." Her father whispered to her holding out a package, with a little card that read Mr & Mrs.

"You can take this with you and open it there together. I think you'll really like it and get great use out of it. You'll have to report back to me on how much you like it. I'm considering buying one for myself." he told her mischievously.

Tonks smiled. "Thanks dad I bet it's great. I'll tell you all about it." Slipping the package into her bag.

" Ted!" someone called out

" Oh hello, Theo!" He said going to greet the man who called to him.

Tonks turned to her mother as her father walked away.

Her mother clearly didn't know what to say, but just looked at her.

"I have a gift for you too. Just you though." Her mother told her,

"Oh? You do?" Tonks asked surprised.

"Don't act so surprised. I'm your mother. Of course I'm going to give you a gift. You're getting married." She said.

"I'm glad you're taking it so well. I know it was a surprise" she mused.

"Your father tells me you love this man, so, I'm-I'm trying to be supportive." Her mother said, stuttering.

"Mom, Remus is wonderful. And, you've met him before. he's not some stranger." She said.

"I've met him as Sirius' friend. Not as your-your-." She tried to get it out.

"I love him, and eventually you will too. You just have to get to know him, as my husband." Tonks said.

Andromeda grimaced a little.

"Mom. Don't be that way." Tonks warned.

"I'm-I'm sorry I don't want you to be angry with me, I'm-I'm trying my best. I really did get you a gift." She said, trying to be kind.

"And, I'd love to see it." She said sitting down, gesturing her mother to do the same.

"Here" she said. Handing her a box.

Tonks smiled. Opening it just a little.

It was a pair of white canvas sneakers.

"I figured those would be a little bit more your style, more so than anything I could pass down." Her mother explained.

Tonks smiled at the sight. They were actually quite perfect.

"I love these. Thank you." Tonks said hugging her mother.

"Wait, you are wearing a dress right? You're not getting married in the outfit you have on now?" Her mother looked her up and down judgment radiating off her.

Tonks chuckled wryly. "No mom I'm getting married stark naked. YES, I have a dress. Don't worry." Tonks told her.

"Okay". her mother said. Holding her hands up in defeat.

Her mother smiled after. "Now, go get your father or else we'll never get out of here. Silly man is too nice" she told her daughter, pointing at her father speaking animatedly with two men he seemed to know well.

"I'll try to go speed the process along." She promised, before going to retrieve her father.

As she walked away, Remus was approaching them both. And, as she walked away he was left with no choice but to keep walking over to stand with Andromeda.

She looked at him as he approached her.

She nodded briefly to him.,

"Hi, Andromeda." He said, trying to be polite.

"Hi, Remus." She replied.

Neither spoke for a few seconds. Before Andromeda spoke.

"I hear you're going to marry my daughter. " She told him.

"Yes. I am. I hope that's alright with you." Remus said.

She looked at him for a few seconds before responding.

"You don't think that I know that's what everyone expects and wants from me right now? To automatically accept this. to be happy about it. Like my husband."

Remus sighed.

"look. I just need some time." Andromeda said.

"I'm sorry. I hope in time you'll find it easier to accept this." He said, trying to be empathetic.

Andromeda just nodded.

"Just-just take good care of my daughter."

She grimaced a little as she said it, and he was worried that she was just saying what she thought people would say in that situation.

Remus nodded. "I will."

"It would seem our companions are returning to us" Remus says after a few seconds, as Tonks and Ted were walking back over to them.

As Andromeda looked over, she can see that he was right.

They all greeted each other kindly, and soon were saying their goodbyes.

" You both promise you'll come visit soon, right?" Ted asked as he hugged his daughter one last time.

"Of course." Tonks promised.

And, after that they set off for Hogsmeade Station. From there, they would take a train north, deep into the highlands.

On their way to the station, Tonks and Remus talked on the way. Remus and asked what happened with Dolores Umbridge.

"What exactly did she say to you?" He asked.

Tonks explained to Remus what happened with Dolores and Mad Eye.

"Like I said, I dated the wrong person." She explained.

"Can I ask, What happened between you and that auror, that he made a formal report? That's hardly ethical of him." Remus asked her after hearing the story.

"It was about Cade Montgomery." She explained.

Remus little puzzled at first, but then understanding clearly dawned upon him.

He sighed sadly. "The little boy."

She nodded.

Remus closed his eyes. She was so caring.

"It's not a good time to be a werewolf, certainly not for the first time., certainly not as a child. i too felt very very sad for him." He admitted.

"We disagreed about the choice his parents made. It made him feel I was anti ministry or unprofessional or something like that."

Remus shook his head.

"So, he made it personal?" Remus asked.

Tonks nodded.

"I wasn't too sure I agreed with the parents choice either if it makes you feel better." He explained.

"But, when I was with the werewolves there was another young boy, about his age. He'd been bitten as well."

"His parents didn't choose to allow him to die, but alternatively provided him with no care for his injuries, and sent him to live with a pack of others, like himself, hoping that one of them could help him. His parents had no clue who they were leaving him with. If I hadn't helped him with his bite, he probably would have died." he told her.

"That's not much better." She scoffed.

"No, no it's not." Remus said gravely. "I in some ways got lucky with the parents I had, they cared for me through it all."

"Well, I'm glad. everyone deserves someone to help them, and we might not have met if they hadn't." She said kissing him on the cheek as they walked into the station.

On the train they found a quiet compartment by themselves.

As the train rumbled along the tracks, they watched the beautiful afternoon scenery pass by outside.

"you know, I've actually never been this far north of Hogwarts, the farthest I've been is the Valley."

"actually, me too. Whatever I went away with mom and dad when I was younger we always went to the south. I've never been past Hogwarts either." She told him.

He was glad they got to experience something for the first time together.

Tonks put her head back on Remus' shoulder as they read the paper together. Tonks looked up as a thought, struck her suddenly.

"What do you think Umbridge meant when she said that soon if all went to plan, all ministry officials would be under review? I've been wondering that." She explained, thinking back on the conversation they'd had walking to the station.

"Yes, I did think that was weird that she said that to you. Sounds like she's looking for a promotion." Remus grumbled.

"I hope that's it. I didn't like the sound of it" Tonks explained.

"I'll have to meet with her when I go back to work." She added.

Remus nodded. "Well, I'll always be around to support you after, if it helps. I know she's a bit of a Ah a - Shall we say, a bully." He reassured her.

"Thank you. I just worry things at the ministry might get too bad, that I'll have to leave. Stuffs going down hill fast, or at least that's what Mad Eye says."

"Whatever happens, We'll face it together." He said.

She took his hand before resting her head back on his shoulder. They spent the rest of the afternoon like that, reading the paper, and watching the scenic views outside pass by.

It was around 5 that afternoon when they arrived to the finally stop on the train. They both exited walking across the street to a line of carriages waiting to escort travelers.

Tonks couldn't help but think that It was beautiful to see an area seemingly untouched by the war, some places were still safe it seemed.

She looked over at Remus. He looked happy as well, but she couldn't help, but notice kept glancing at his watch.

"Don't worry, we'll be there within the hour." She told him.

Remus sighed. He had been worried about the timing of everything ever since the new legislation had passed. Being out after dark gave him anxiety now.

"I'm just excited to get there." He told her as they boarded one of the carriages.

"Where to?" The driver asked.

They both looked at each other and smiled.

"Marunweem Lake" Tonks said.

And, on they went.

Later that night, after arriving Tonks and Remus had settled into their quaint cabin overlooking a beautiful stream, nestled between trees in a sweet little valley with a lake nearby.

they had a little cottage that had a ice box already stocked with food, and a soft bed with crisp clean linens.

It was breathtaking. Remus felt his wife had done far too much for him.

"Hey, it's not just for you it's for me too. I want to spend time with you away from the rest of the world. And this seemed like a good place to do it." Tonks told him when he expressed his feelings.

"You deserve nice things." She said, kissing him on the temple.

"I just wish i could give you things like this too." He told her, feeling slightly ashamed.

"I have everything I need." She said, kissing him again.

"you're everything I need." She reassured him.

He kissed her.

"are you ready to go to sleep? We have a big day tomorrow." He mused.

"I'm ready. I can't wait to marry you." she took his hand, leading him over to the bed.

He whispered to her as they drifted off to sleep.

"goodnight."