Tuesday 8th September 1981

Tonks Home, 22:30

Remus tried to fall asleep, he really did. It should be easy. He was back home, right next to his beloved Dora, he was tired and their bed was infinitely more comfortable than the ground. Oh, and he was warm, he had soft blankets and his stomach was full. He was more than ready to fall asleep.

Except that he wasn't. His body just wouldn't let him. And it hadn't, not easily at least for the past few nights. Ever since he came home, actually.

And it sucked because the main thing he'd been looking forward to, except for having Dora and Teddy again (obviously), was feeling safe and secure enough to sleep soundly.

Except that he didn't. He still felt on edge. Like something was about to happen. Which wasn't fair because she knew he was safe. He knew nothing was going to happen. Nothing was going to happen.

If only his swirling thoughts and rapidly beating heart could know that. What were they even doing that for? It wasn't like he needed to be primed and ready for a fight right now.

Then why was his body feeling so restless? Like it had to be doing something? It should be sleeping, that's what it should be doing. Was that really so hard? Why was it so hard?

He huffed and sat up, reaching for the glass of water on his bedside table. Ah, that was nice. He hadn't realised his mouth was so dry.

Maybe that was it, he thought hopefully, settling back down. Maybe now his body would let him sleep.

Except, of course it wouldn't. He closed his eyes and tried to relax, he really did, but for just wasn't coming. Come on! He was tired and ready to go to sleep. Counting sheep didn't even work because when he tried that he only got as far as three sheep before imagining Padfoot chasing them around. Which was amusing but not conducive to sleep.

And now he needed to Lee because of course he did. One quick taking care of that later, he was back in bed, feeling slightly dazed. Why was the bathroom light so bright? That better not have woken him up even more. Even a light doze would be better than no sleep.

Except, he actually felt sleepy. Huh. Well, Remus wasn't about to question that. He quickly pulled the covers over him and rolled over on his side, closing his eyes, breathing in Dora's scent. It was a comfortingly familiar one. She mumbled in her sleep and shifted in a way so that she was spooning him properly. Automatically, he brought his arms around her. He could feel her breathing against him, it was rhythmic and soothing. Slowly but surely, it lulled him to sleep.

Of course, he woke up again not an hour later but at least that hour was a peaceful one.

Wednesday 9th September 1981

Tonks Home, 09:00

Dora bit her lip as she watched Remus. He was reading the paper, just like he normally did every morning. Well, every morning je was here, somehow, she didn't think that he had access to a newspaper when he was on Order missions but what did she know? He could and he just didn't mention it. It was hardly something to mention when he was giving his report, was it?

But now he was home (home) safe and reading the newspaper like he was a normal person. Then they were both going to get ready for the day and get Teddy ready like they were a normal couple.

If you could call them a normal couple when they were living with her parents and had a son and they were in the middle of the war. Oh yeah, and she was a Metamorphmagus and he was a werewolf. Except for all that they were pretty normal, she thought.

Remus yawned widely as he turned a page which made her frown. He was tired. But he had been by her side the whole night so why was he so tired? He shouldn't be tired. He should be well rested and relaxed.

It had been funny the other night, that first night, when he had laid in bed next to her (and oh, how she had missed this warmth). He had exclaimed about how soft the mattress was and basically borrow himself into it. It was pretty cute. Her parents had also been highly amused at his declaration of love for their sofa.

She still couldn't believe that he was here. He was actually home again. How amazing was that? Was she staring at him too much and being a weirdo?

But she hadn't even got to look at him in weeks so she was just soaking him up now. Okay, yes, that did sound weird. She quickly shifted her hair back to the bubble-gum pink that she loved so much before Remus realised that her hair was reflecting her internal embarrassment. As much as she had missed him, didn't mean that she wanted to be teased by him.

Coughing to get his attention, she slid a notebook across to him.

"I took a look at two of those places we were to look at," she told him.

He had made her promise to keep looking for a place for them to live together while he was away on his mission. Even though she had protested that it didn't feel right doing that without his input. Remus had pointed out that they had been going over so many places and made so many lists that they knew exactly what they were looking for. Which she supposed was true. She still made him compile everything into this notebook - everything they had to have, what they would like to have and what were big red flags for them. And then they listed flats and houses they thought meant that criteria. They had been getting through the list steadily before he'd left.

He frowned at the page with the list on it.

"Both a no?"

"Yeah."

"Not even a maybe?"

She shook her head. Why did things always look good down on paper but were horrendous in real life? Landlords really were awful sometimes. Or maybe it was just them and they attracted all the worst places. It was definitely starting to feel like that. They were going to have to branch out into Wales and Scotland if this trend kept up.

"That's a pity," he said with a frown.

She didn't like seeing a frown on his face but then again, you couldn't really help it when it came down to finding a place to live. Maybe they really were being too picky. But Dora knew that she wanted to be settled wherever they ended up for a good while. She didn't want all this moving about every year or so. She wanted them to have somewhere that they could call home.

"We have an appointment for that house just outside London in two days," she told him, pointing one of the last ones on the list. "It looks promising."

As in, the landlord didn't sound like he was a shady character but really, what did she know?

They just had to be optimistic. There were already too many things to be pessimistic about in the world. A little bit of hope wouldn't hurt.

Marauder Flat, 17:30

Peter was shaking, literally shaking in his boots. As in, his hands were actually a blur, he was trembling so much. That definitely couldn't be healthy. But you could hardly blame him! Especially with the situation he found himself in.

Did you know that the Dark Mark hurt? As it, it pulsed and it throbbed constantly. Was it supposed to do that? And, oh yeah, he had a Dark Mark now. Him! Peter Pettigrew! And... and... well, he had consented to it. He wasn't sure how it had got to the point where it was just logical that he got the Dark Mark but apparently it was now.

Was it even logical? He didn't know. How had it even come to this? How did he let it get this far? Surely this wasn't right? But apparently it was? Oh, he didn't know.

His arm throbbed again and he formed fists with his hands. He didn't want to touch it in case he made it do something. Who knew what this thing was capable of. Even Dumbledore didn't know that. He'd admitted as much during an Order meeting once. That's and it would probably just take it hurt all the more.

Though, he would be lying if he didn't feel a little bit smug that he now knew a little bit more about something than the all-knowing Dumbledore. Oh, sure, it was a miniscule amount but it was still something. Not that he could brag about it or anything.

He barely remembered getting it except the blinding pain he had been in when it was seared into his skin. He was pretty sure that he remembered smelling burning. A lot of it. Had that been his skin? Probably. That didn't horrify him as much as it probably should. It was basically a brand, after all.

Not that he had looked at it that much since then. Or at all really. Except to wrap some bandages around it that night because it had been weeping this clear fluid. Which was disgusting. Even then he'd quickly wound the material around his arm, barely looking at it. He'd avoided mirrors since taking the bandage off. Which had been pretty quickly because he hadn't wanted anyone to ask him any questions. The Marauders all fussed too much.

Did he even want to look at it? No. No he didn't. Of course, he didn't. What was wrong with him?

Everything, apparently. It was too long a list. Merlin, how pathetic was be. How did you even get a Dark Mark and not even realise that you progressed to getting a Dark Mark. He was harmless, wasn't he? Poor Peter who didn't have as much going for him as the other Marauders. Not as quick or as witty or as clever. Not sporty or bookish or friendly or flirty. He was awkward and stuttering and not at all confident. But not the lack of confidence that people thought was sweet. There was nothing sweet about him. Nothing to admire. Nothing useful.

But the Death Eaters wanted him, didn't they? They had chosen him. They could have literally picked anyone but they had chosen him. That was something, wasn't it?

He pulled up his sleeve and couldn't help but let out a gasp at his first view of the Dark Mark on his skin. He'd never seen it like this before. He'd only ever seen it up in the sky, all smoky.

This was different, really different. It was smooth and far more detailed. It almost looked like the snake was moving out of the skull's mouth. Which was really creepy. The whole thing sent shivers down his spine.

He kind of wanted to touch it. Was that bad? He felt like that was a bad idea. Actually, it was definitely a bad idea because he could feel the magic pulsing through it.

Quickly, he pulled his sleeve back down again. Ouch. Okay, that had been too fast. Throbbing pain shot down to his fingertips. That hurt.

Friday 11th September 1981

Godric's Hollow, 15:00

James and Lily looked at Dumbledore in dismay. James was inwardly cursing himself - all those swear words Remus knew really did come in useful for times like this. He really should have known better. He could have expected something like this. Dumbledore didn't just turn up at your house without warning for no good reason! Okay, technically it wasn't completely without warning because he had sent a Patronus over and all that. But still. He had sent it just twenty minutes ago, asking when it was suitable for him to come over.

Which, of course, James and Lily had responded with a "right now" because, come on they were in Hiding. It wasn't like they had anything on their calendar. And you didn't keep Albus Dumbledore waiting anyway. So, he had come over. And now James was really, really wishing he hadn't.

Dumbledore had just informed them, literally right now, that he had to advise them to not attend Order Meetings anymore. It was just too dangerous.

Too dangerous to go straight from here to an incredibly secure room? Too dangerous? How was it too dangerous to did that? What did Dumbledore know that they didn't? We're things really that bad out there? How could there just stay put when they should be doing something?

All of these thoughts swirled around James' head so quickly that they went into each other, rendering them incomprehensible. Which was just confusing by the way.

What wasn't confusing was the fact that Order Meetings were literally the only chance they had to get out of the house! Oh, sure, it was just to a very well secured room that they didn't leave until it was time for them to return home. And even then, they only went to Order Meetings which could be properly secured, like at Hogwarts or the Hog's Head. But still, it was a chance to get out of the house and talk to other people except each other and the Marauders (which didn't even happen that often anymore thanks to Order missions and work). Those meetings did their part in breaking up the monotony of being in hiding! And trust him, it was boring. Incredibly boring.

And he loved Lily and Harry. He loved them so much. He didn't even want to know how bad it could be if he didn't love them. Or, even worse, if he was by himself. He honestly thought that it would be better to be on the run in that case.

But Dumbledore wouldn't be budged and they had to obey him. It was a matter of literally life and death, after all.

"Too bad we can't just go around under my invisibility cloak," James mumbled.

Not really meaning anything by it. It was ridiculous, after all. The three of them couldn't go around invisible! He doubted they would all securely fit underneath it anyway.

Dumbledore heard this and raised his eyebrows.

"Invisibility cloak?"

Which of course lead to James explaining what it was and laughing as he recalled how it was used. Specifically, by the Marauders. Which made Dumbledore laugh heartily as well. The man always did have a good sense of humour.

James even went and got it to show him. It was the same as normal. All shimmery and silky.

Dumbledore hesitantly reached towards it and the retracted his hand like he was afraid of it. Which was obviously something James was making up because there was no way Dumbledore was afraid of anything.

James thrust it towards him with am eager smile on his face.

"Go on, try it out for yourself."

There was only a brief hesitation before he did just that, pulling it over his head in a very smooth swoop.

Lily immediately started giggling. It was that infectious giggle of hers, the one that made laughter bubble up inside of you as well. Which was all well and good except for the fact you had no idea what you were laughing at. Like right now, James didn't know what was so funny but he laughed anyway.

"Have I missed a joke?" Dumbledore asked, still under the cloak.

James raised an eyebrow at his wife but she just shook her head. What on earth had set her off like that?

She somehow managed to pull herself together enough to point. James followed her finger, still not understanding what was so funny. She was pointing towards Dumbledore but down. Right down by his...

And now James couldn't stop laughing. Actual laughter. The laughter that came from your belly and kept going on and on and on.

"You, you..." James tried to get out but he just couldn't do it and burst into more uncontrollable laughter.

Dumbledore looked ar9und in what James assumed was a bemused way (as he was still covered by the Invisibility Cloak) as the two of them laughed. Oh, how they needed this. So much. And it was really funny, in his defence.

Finally, Lily managed to briefly get a hold of herself and wiped the tears from her eyes. Sure, more followed as her shoulders continued to shake but at least she tried.

"S-sir, it's... it's your ankles."

The cloak slipped slightly from his head, giving them a view of his hair as he looked down. James looked down again and burst into laughter so over again. You see, Dumbledore was far too tall for the cloak. Which meant, since his head was covered, his legs more or less weren't. Specifically, his ankles.

So, all you saw were these two feet and bright yellow socked ankles just there with seemingly nothing else attached to them.

Even Dumbledore let out a chuckle.