A/N : Hello everyone! I'm sorry this chapter took so long to get out. I went on vacation, then got sick with covid, then lost my Internet, etc etc... I hope you will still enjoy it ! Thanks for sticking around.
Regroup
For some reasons, Erza landed on her feet and not her arse, although it was not on purpose, just a sheer matter of luck. Judging by the grunts around her, Natsu and Lucy were not as lucky. Still, her senses were all over the place, she could not tell up from down, left from right, for a few seconds. A crowd around her, moving like a school of fishes, aggravated her feeling of disorientation.
- Walk, said the voice of Hermione. Keep walking.
She was gently pushed in the back, and before she could understand how, her feet were moving one after the other.
- Where are we? asked Ron.
Natsu and Lucy had been helped up by Gray and Wendy, and pushed in the crowd too.
- Tottenham Court Road, answered the witch, in London. Keep walking, we need to find a quiet place to hide and change. Erza, don't do it here! Those people are muggles, they can't see you... do your thing!
People around them, dozens, were looking at them with wide eyes, some gaping at Erza and her armor, some at the weird robes of Ron and Hermione.
- What do you mean, change? I don't have anything with me!
A young, pretty woman looked at him and chuckled. He flustered, vexed.
- I got all we need here, she answered, showing her bag. Told you I was preparing. The extension Charm is not easy, but I think I got it right. Here, turn here, we should be alright!
The alley was creepy, dirty, but at least dark enough so they could swap clothes without getting attention.
- Take this, said Hermione handing over a pile of clothes to Ron. I also have Harry's cloak, maybe we should...
- Why did you pull us out? asked Natsu, angry. We had them, they were all here! We could have just wiped the floor with them!
- Hum hum, she grunted, trying to pull her robe above her head, slightly stuck at the shoulders and revealing her bra much longer than she felt comfortable with. No, we can't. They knew Sirius was there, he managed to get out to safety but... Then they saw me, and I don't know why, but they all come toward us. I think I'm the consolation prize. Anyway, they're after us. Not the guests. They're safer with us far away, now...
A bit further back from the others, Lucy winced and could not prevent a small grunt. She turned, trying to look at her own back, and displayed to the whole group the spreading stain of blood, soiling her white cloth.
- Lucy!
- It's okay, she tried to reassure with a tired smile. It's nothing. Just got cut by a shard of glass when a vase exploded, it's nothing.
But the stain was definitely too big for a simple cut. Mad with rage, Natsu turned and grabbed Hermione by the sweatshirt she has just put on.
- You take me back there. Now! I will burn them all to ashes!
Terrified, she tried to take a step back, but his iron hand was locking her in place. She felt as trapped by a giant beast, not so different from this one time, long ago, when Harry and her had to face the werewolf in the forest.
- Hoy mate, let her go! reacted Ron with force, putting his hand on Natsu's arm.
The heat of his skin was so intense he almost had to let it go on the spot, but hold on as firmly as he could. However, instead if trying to pull him out, he tried to calm things down.
- I want to go back to! I really do. My whole family is there! My parents, my sister! George is hurt, we all saw it! But you need to trust Hermione when she says it's safer for them if we don't go back!
-Natsu! It's really okay! said Lucy. I'm almost healed already!
Wendy, making use of the primary function of her sky magic, had both her hand on Lucy's back, summoning her powers the heal the torn out flesh.
- Tsss... Damit.
He let go of Hermione with regret.
- Damit, he repeated. I hate that! Running like fucking rats.
- Hermione, cut Erza, changed back into some casual clothes and eager to go back to business. Why did you bring us here?
- Not on purpose. It's the first place I thought about...
- Where do we go next then?
- I don't know.. My parent's place is probably guarded, so that's probably not a good idea.
- Leaking Cauldron should not be far? offered Ron.
- Even worse idea.
- Not to stay there! Just to see if we can have an idea of what's going on...
- We already know what's going on! Voldemort took over the Ministry! Any protection Sirius might have, I might have had, it's all gone. What else d'you need to know?!
- Alright.. I was just saying...
- Why not go back to Sirius house? It was safe enough a few days ago.
- We might, but I'm not sure whether it still is or not. I have no idea where he went and we might just walk into a trap...
- Then we destroy it from the inside! claimed Natsu, smashing his fists together.
Erza ignored him.
- Then how do we get in contact with them? she asked. That would be our first priority. Find a place safe, then contact them. We can't stay in this alley forever. And it smells bad.
Just as she said that, two construction workers walked by the alley and stopped, looking at them mindlessly. Erza and Gray did not pay to much attention to them, they looked just like any other muggle curious about their outfits. The men's eyes crossed the wizard's and for a second it seemed that the time froze and they would just resume their walk after a second.
The wands out of their pockets a swift quick move, and the power of their spells exploded the red bricks, where Hermione's head was half a second earlier ago before Ron pushed her out of the way.
- Ice Make : Hammer!
As Gray's invocation suggested, a frozen tool appeared in the air above them, three or four times the size of a human being, and smashed down the disguised Death Eater. One did not react in time and was brought down face first, meeting the ground with a disgusting sound of broken bones, but his head still intact. The second one, with a surprising reflex, back off just a few inches, right on time, to dodge the massive ice block. Distablized, he fell on his arse, his wand still in hand. Hermione did not miss her chance, and before even getting back up, she casted a Stupefy right in his chest.
- The fuck are they? asked Natsu, furious, while Erza and Gray were pulling the unconscious bodies in the alley, out of prying eyes. Luckily enough, no muggles seem to have been present at the time of the skirmish. How did they find us?
Hermione let out a desperate, exhausted sigh. She got back up, lending a helping hand to her savior. Ron grunted and cried out in pain. A deep cut tainted his left right in blood red.
- Bloody hell. Must have cut myself against that stupid bin!
Already, Wendy was on him, her hand on his legs.
- Oh damn that feels good. Thanks Wendy, that power of your is just... incredible.
She gently blushed and focused on her work.
- I should have recognized them, cursed the witch. They were both there when Dumbledore died... I don't know why my brain just didn't register. I think the blond one is called Dolohov.
- I don't give a damn how they're called, snarled Natsu. We should burn them right here, right now!
- Natsu! screamed Erza. We don't...
- He's right, cut Ron. They just tried to! This way we're sure they won't come after us again.
Lucy moved to Natsu. She was close to him, almost close enough to put her hands on his chest, although she wouldn't do it in front of everyone. It was still close enough to raise a few eyebrows, especially Happy's.
- Natsu, she said gently. Since when do we execute people? This isn't you talking. We both know, once the weapon's are down, the fight is over. So don't go lose yourself on that path. You're better than this, and we both know it.
Natsu was maybe one of the most powerful mage to roam Earthland, and possibly one of the most violent, but he was not one for extreme and permanent solution. If nothing else, that would be more Gray's way of thinking. The Dragon Slayer was usually more the forgiving type, eager to drink and eat with a defeated foe if this one would be willing to right his wrongs.
The young man unclenched his fists and scratched his head, ashamed.
- Yeah yeah, I know. Sorry. It's just hard to swallow. We were supposed to protect that wedding, which was the very first wedding of my life, by the way, and instead we just ran like cowards...
- This is not about running away, explained Hermione, this is about protecting Sirius, and the ones we love. That was the best move we could make.
- We could have kicked their asses, he muttered low. That would have been a good move.
But she heard him.
- Not as long as they own the government, and that Voldemort is still out there. Trust me.
- We need to think about our next move, and now, pressed Erza. Can we communicate with Sirius? Or anyone?
Ron shook his head, but Hermione hesitated.
- I practised a bit the Patronus Communication... Like the ghost animal you saw at the wedding. I think I can do it but I'm not completely sure and...
- What do you need to do it?
- Nothing. Just a bit of time and quiet so I can focus.
- Then let's give you that. Where can we...
She was interrupted by some screams nearby.
- They're over here! cried a voice.
- Shit! How?
- Doesn't matter! Get us out of here! ordered the red haired knight.
She put a hand on Hermione's shoulder, preparing to jump into the void. But the young witch looked at her, completely panicked.
- I don't know where!
- Gray! Give us some time!
- You got it!
The Ice mage, suddenly and inexplicably topless again, bend his knees forward, legs wide spread. He joined his hands in front of him, right fist put onto his left palm.
- Ice Make : Wall!
A wall of ice rose from the ground, quickly, blocking the entry of the alleyway completely, cutting them from the rest of the world. It looked like it was at least half a meter thick, and while it was not Gray's most impressive spell, he had put much energy in it to make it solid as steel, making him sweat under the relative british heat.
- No! protested Natsu, rushing to the ice and hitting it with his fist. I don't want to teleport again! Lemme go! I'll kick their butts to kingdom come!
- Natsu! ordered the team leader. They are non-magical folks nearby! We can't fight in the open! Master's order! Now let's go! Hermione, do you know where to go?!
She quickly looked at Ron, and he offered the solution.
- What about that place Harry hated? Privet Drive or something? They won't expect us there?
She hesitated for half a second, not sure if she'd remember the place well enough to apparate a full group there, then moved.
- Okay! Everyone on me or Ron!
Gray grabbed Natsu again, despite his loud protests and reached out for Ron's hand. Behind them, poudings on the ice gave the feeling of a fortress under attack. The enemies at the gate. As soon as he had grabbed it in his own, he felt the now almost familiar sensation of being sucked through a straw. Natsu's screams were cut short by the silence of the void.
- I swear by Igneel, pested Natsu, if anyone does that to me again, I'll leave the guild for good. I mean it.
- I'm sure you will, teased Gray.
Still, Wendy was already over him, using the magic she called Troia, bringing Natsu's overwhelmed senses back to normal. This remedy against vertigo and transport sickness had lost his efficiency long ago, but it could still help with dealing with the aftermaths.
The place they had landed at was surprising, to say the least. Every single house looked as if it was a copy of its neighbour, every lawn so tightly trimmed they looked faked, every cats and dogs so well-behaved they could have been children toys.
- Where the hell are we?
- This is where Harry grew up, answer Hermione. Privet Drive, Little Whinging.
- Did you just cast a spell or something?
She chuckled.
- No, it's the name of the place. But you're right, pompous enough to be one of our spells. I think his uncle and aunt are still living over there.
She pointed at one of the house. The bars on the window had been taken down a while ago, but Ron could still see them.
- Let's not talk about those bastards, he said. I'd rather discuss our next move before they catch up with us again.
As soon as those words left his mouth, a white, ghostly weasel fell from the sky in from of the young man and spoke with the deep voice of Arthur Weasley.
- Family is safe. Don't contact, we are being watched. Meet Padfoot at Headquarters.
And just as suddenly, disappeared in a puff of white smoke. The shoulders of Ron fell down, like the weight of the world had being lifted off of it, and he could finally relax.
- Thanks Merlin, he whispered, as Hermione patted his back with the same shared relief. I guess we can go back to Sirius house then. I'm getting tired of apparating with so many people.
- Ah no! No no! not again!
Natsu's fists started to glow of a dangerous red aura as the fire in his vein rebelled at the thought of getting dragged away again, but taking him by surprise, Hermione sighed and gently pointed his wand at him.
- Stupefy!
Soundless, almost peacefully, he fell on the grass, unconscious.
- That will be much easier to move him like that, she said.
Lucy and Erza shared an amused look, both impressed and appreciative of the young witch's resourcefulness.
When Natsu woke up, an hour later, he was lying on the old sofa of Harry's godfather. Voices were, if not loud, at least tensed.
- I want to go talk to Bagshot! growled Sirius. She has to have something ! James and Lily...
- I know Sirius! I've read the letter too. But they HAVE to be expecting us there. They're not that stupid, she's being watch 24/7 I'm certain of it!
- So what? We just blast their ass back to hell if they show up! We got Fairy Tail with us now. We're invincible! I say we take the fight to them!
Natsu rose from the couch just in time to see Erza, surprisingly, putting her hand on Sirius arm, trying to calm him down.
- We are not invincible, Sirius. We're strong, for sure, very strong. But none of us will have the hubris of thinking ourselves above mistakes. And loss. Except maybe Natsu, of course, he really thinks he's immortal.
- Wait what? muttered the Dragon Slayer.
- Hey look who's up! Rise and shine!
- What happened?
- Hermione found a way to transport you without you being sick, explained Lucy, only twisting the truth slightly.
- Wait a minute, go back, asked Gray, ignoring Natsu as usual. I thought we were looking for a medallion, or a necklace of some sort.
- We are, answered Ron. Except we don't know where it is. We understood just recently that the one who actually stole that Horcrux from the Dark Lord was Sirius brother. He had enrolled in his army, young and naive, and when he figured out how bad it was...
- He tried to do the right thing, in the end, completed Sirius. Stole the thing, and paid with his life. I would never have betted that the little bastard had such a massive pair of balls but... Ah. Well let's just say I wished I had known while he was still alive. Regulus hid the stuff in the house. Thing is, this shithole is as old as Earth itself, and I never really paid any attention to it. Looks like it was stolen, but we got no idea by who... Except Kreacher. He thinks he knows, so he's investigating. And until he comes back, we got squat.
- Who's Kreacher? asked Wendy.
But before anyone could answer, a loud crack thundered through the air, and a filthy human figure crashed on the floor, ridden by a small, strange looking creature pulling his hair and screaming insults and curses.
- Get the bloody hell of me! Aoutch ! Ah! No not the hair! Leave me alone! Urgh! You're hurting me! Get down from here!
A man, hard to describe in the terrible mess than was happening before their eyes, was battling with a small, grey and wrinkled creature clearly focused on trying the peel the skin off his body with its long fingers. Despite the struggle, he managed to get out a wand off the pocket of his dirty trench coat.
- Expelliarmus! reacted Sirius with an expert move of the wrist.
The wand flew in the air, and Ron used the opening to tackle the man violently to the ground. Once the redhead finally blocked him on the floor, everyone had the chance to take a good look at the face, and Sirius froze.
- Fletcher? Dung Fletcher? YOU BLOODY PIECE OF...!
Fast as lightning, he grabbed the man by the collar, pushing Ron aside, and pinned him against the wall.
- Hey, Black! chuckled Fletched awkwardly. Nice to see you... Look I panicked okay? I always thought it was a shitty idea from the start, and no offense, but when I saw half of the Death Eaters showing up at my door I...
Sirius smacked his whole body against the wall against, pulling a painful grunt out of his throat.
- I should kill you on the spot, you bloody traitor!
- No one else fled, declared Hermione. Gray even carried Mad-Eye's body on his back to...
- Well good for you, you little bunch of heroes, but I never...
Sirius threw him on the ground. Fletcher rolled twice until his back hit the foot of the table.
- I don't care about you abandoning your post, you weasel. We all knew you were nothing but a big pile of dragonshit. We also knew you were a petty thief... But stealing from me? FROM ME? Here in my own house? How dare you?!
The magic reacted to his rage and the furnitures around him started to shake. Fletcher sat the best he could against the table and rose his hands in surrender.
- But I thought you didn't care about all this junk? I just thought I...
Sirius's wand sprung right in front of his nose, as a threat to choose his next words very carefully. Kreacher, the weird little thing, had grabbed a massive metal pan and was heading toward the thief if Hermione had not stopped him.
- When you were all at Dumbledore's funeral! I thought... The war was lost! The war IS lost! So yeah I was making a run for it! I heard you say a dozen time that you hated everything in this house, so yeah, I figured.. Why the hell not! Get this ju... This stuff out of your hands, and try to pull myself out of the gutter! Except Mad Eye came looking for me again, and well...
Sirius kicked the table, and Fletcher squeaked.
- There was a medallion in the kitchen's cupboard! That belonged to my brother! Where is it?
- The medallion? Why, is it precious or...?
- You still have it?
Ron scoffed a bitter laugh.
- Nah he doesn't. He's just wondering if he could have gotten a better price for it.
But Fletcher had paled and frozen. Despite Sirius injunctions to explain what he had done with it, he refused to talk, clearly more scared of whoever he was protecting that the last member of the House of Black.
- Screw this. Natsu! Fry his balls off. That piece of shit is going to talk one way or another.
The young mage, until now silent as all his friends, reacted on the spot and approached with a deadly grin on his face. He opened the palm of his hand, and summoned a flamme in it. As he increased its temperature with every step, the flame slowly turned from deep red to a bright white, and the heat suddenly filled the room with an unbearable intensity. He just had to approach from Fletcher to get him to spill everything.
- Okay okay! Merlin! I was selling the stuff on Diagon Alley when that bitch came asking questions about permit or whatever! Damn frog that one. She was about to nail me when she noticed the medallion, and let me go "just that once" in exchange for it! I swear! Merlin get away from me!
- Who was that women? asked the Dragon Slayer with a growl.
- No fucking idea! Some hag from the ministry! Small, round, with a stupid bow on her head. Looked like a damn toad, all dressed in pink!
Natsu lowered his hand and cancelled the fire. The death in his grin disappeared, leaving nothing but a genuine smile.
- See? It was not so hard! What do you think guys?
He turned toward the wizards and then notice the stupor in their eyes.
- What? You know that pink toad he's speaking about?
- Umbridge! I can't bloody believe it! fumed Ron. Out of all the ministry employees, it had to be her!
- You know of her then, assumed Erza.
- Yeah, we know her well. She was one of our teacher in fifth year, the year Harry d... died. Teaching Defense Against the Dark Art. Except that she was one of the worst teacher ever, used barbaric punishment methods which clearly fell in the torture category, refused to acknowledge that the Dark Lord had returned...
- Which makes sense if she's actually working for him now, noted Hermione.
- And now she has the medallion?
- Probably. But we can't be sure, maybe she has thrown it away, or worst , she could actually know what it is and have it brought back to her master...
Sirius was raging, walking across the room like a lion in a cage. He had been closed to punch Fletcher to death, if Hermione had not interfere by obliviating the man and send him on his way, without his memories of the last days, before a tragedy happened. Fairy Tail had watched the whole thing silently, unsure whether they should interfere or not. It was a mission like none before, never had they faced this kind of situation. They were used to having a clear enemy in front of them, and having to kick asses til the victory was theirs. But hiding in secret, searching for unknown items in unknowns hands while those were keeping their enemy immortal... That was a new line on the team's resume.
- Well I guess that leaves us with nothing but one choice, declared Gray. We snag the woman and make her tell us what she's done with it.
- That's not going to be easy. The only place we know for sure where to find her is the Ministry. We don't know where she lives.
- Could we find out?
Ron raised his shoulders.
- Maybe? My father works at the Ministry too, at least if he wasn't fired after this mess at the wedding. I could maybe ask him, but I'm worried it would just bring more heat on the family.
- Then we keep this as a last resort, decided Erza. Let's start with what we can do ourselves. This Ministry of yours, can we get in?
- Not unless you're invited, no. Especially for people on the Most Wanted list like Hermione and Sirius.
- Then we observe from outside. No one there should know about us, and at worst we can use Lucy's spirits to do the stalking. Let's see if we can spot her, or grab as much informations as we can. We'll move from here.
Sirius finally stopped walking, and a small smile appeared on his face.
- I supposed it's time to use Harry's cloak.
The next day, they were all sitting around the table, looking at a hand-drawn map of the Ministry's surroundings, made with Hermione's expert hands and Ron's less-than-expert memories, when Kreacher, who's presence now really changed the dynamic of the house, warned everyone of an guest's arrival.
The three wizards raised their wands in precaution, and did not lower them when Lupin entered the living room with his hands raised.
- Easy folks. It's me, Moony. Marauder's Map creator, married to Nymphadora Tonks, although she hates that name, and I taught Harry to produce a Patronus, which turned out to look just like Prongs.
Sirius finally allowed himself to smile and got his wand back in his pocket.
- Moony! Nice to have you here! Damn mate, what happened to you? You look...
He looked exhausted, almost half-dead, although no wounds were visible. It was like he hadn't slept for two centuries. His old-looking cloak, torn and used, surely did not help with the overall style.
- Still no sign of Severus? he asked.
Sirius just shook his head in a negative answer.
- What's going on? Everything alright outside?
- Yes, but you're under watch. There are at least two Death Eaters outside.
- We know. Natsu wanted to go and fry them up...
- I had to apparate just at the door, so I don't think they saw me. They probably don't know there's anyone in here, otherwise there probably would be an army instead of a two-guys look-out. They keep watching for every place remotely tied to you, Dumbledore or Harry. Please, everyone, sit down. We have much to discussed.
The group first explained the discovery of Kreacher, their little talk with Fletcher, and the plan they were starting to put up. Lupin listened in silence, looking for a way to help, or an advice to give, but before he could discuss the said plan, Ron pressed him about his family and what had happened right after the wedding.
He told the story as best as he could, how Kinglsey's warning saved many of them, that there were as many Death Eaters as there were Ministry employees, which was terrifying... How they had searched the whole Burrows from top to bottom looking for Hermione or Sirius, and turned back when they found the ghoul, how they questioned the family about this "Security Company called Fairy Tale" that caused so much problems. They also had searched other houses from the members of the Order at the same time, without any luck, and burnt one of them in the process.
- They also used the Doloris curse on the Tonks... Don't worry, they're alright now. Still shaken up, but alright.
Everybody stayed silent, fists clenched and teeth grinding.
- And you, what did you do when they crashed the party?
- We escaped to some Muggle place... started Ron.
- Tottenham Court Road, detailed Hermione.
- Yeah, right, but we got attacked by Death Eaters there too.
- What?!
Remus was so surprised he almost didn't believe them, so they explained everything, step by step.
- But... How? I don't understand! None of you should have the Trace anymore! How could they find you so fast?
- None of us have any idea. Trust me, we talked it over and over, but we came up empty. Unless they did manage to put some exception on Hermione for the Trace... But if so, they would know we're here, right?
Remus sighed, and took out a newspaper from under his cloak.
- Well, I'm sorry to be the bearer of more bad news, but I thought you should know.
The newspaper presented a giant headline, next to the picture of Hermione Granger, "Wanted for interrogation regarding the death of Albus Dumbledore", and a possible relationship with the most wanted criminal, Sirius Black. The young witch lowered her head, and pushed the paper's back to Remus, ignoring the loud protests of her friends.
- Well, we knew it was coming. The Death Eaters have the papers in their pockets, that was to be expected.
- But you didn't do anything wrong ! protested Ron again. Come on! People have to know what's going on, right?
Remus sighed.
- Maybe they do, but if so they just don't care enough. Officially, Scrimgeour just quit, they are not going to look deeper.
- Why is this Dark Lord of yours not just, I dunno, proclaiming himself King of Magic, or whatever ? asked Natsu.
Remus laughed, almost genuinely.
- He doesn't need to. Doesn't even want to. That's way too much work to do, paperwork and all boring things. No, he got his puppets to do the dirty work while he can focus on whatever he wants.
- Chasing us...
- I suppose so, yes. Now that both Harry and Dumbledore are gone, he doesn't really have much to worry about. Everyone thinks all hope is gone and the only way to survive is just to lower the head and bend the knee. All heroes are gone, Sirius is nothing but a murderer in the eye of the public... No, there's no reasons for them to do anything.
- It's because no one knows we're here, tried to cheer Lucy with a forced smile.
- And they shall never know, said Remus gravely. Remember the condition, no one can know who you are and where you're coming from. Introducing yourself to our enemies at the wedding was already a mistake!
- Oh Merlin...
While Remus was talking, Ron had opened the newspaper at Page 2, and turned all white.
- They are creating some kind of "muggle-born commission". Shit, Hermione, they started the Hunt... Look at that! "Muggleborn must have acquired their magical powers either by deception or force"... Merlin I'm gonna barf. We can't let that slide!
Hermione had tears in her eyes, tears she was trying very hard to control.
- This is happening as we speak, Ron, insisted Remus, nailing the last nail. They started gathering muggleborns just yesterday... And this is just the beginning. This Muggleborn commission will also prevent any non pure-blood children to go to Hogwarts.
- Oh no...
Hermione had turned even paler, her hands to her mouth. Going to Hogwarts, as a Muggleborn child, had maybe not been as easy as for others, but it had changed her life all for the better (if you discarded all the threats on her life) and the thought of many little girls like she once was, missing on this chance due to the bigotry of a few, was making her sick in her core.
- There is nothing we can do about it anymore... At least not until we cut the head of the snake.
She shook her head with resolve. He was right. All those horrors could only stop with the Dark Lord's death. Until then, every soul in the country would be too scared to fight back. Not without Harry Potter and Dumbledore leading the battle.
- So, what do you got? How can I help? asked the werewolf.
- Help? asked Sirius. Brother, I appreciate the offer, but we got this. We can't have you running around now.
Remus looked both hurt and surprised at the same time. Betrayed.
- What do you mean, "now"? What do you mean by "we got this"?
Sirius looked a bit awkward.
- I mean... You got Tonks now.
- What about her?
- You got married! What would she think if you started running around the country with us outlaws now?
- She will be perfectly safe at her parent's place, thank you very much. She's very capable and can handle herself. Better than me, probably.
There was something strange in his voice, something cold and distant. The idea of her staying out of the fight to stay with her parents was unsettling to say the least.
- Remus? asked Hermione with a little voice. Is everything okay? I mean... between you two?
- All is fine, thank you.
But his eyes crossed Natsu's. The Dragon Slayer had forgotten all about their discussion in the field until that moment, but now everything came back and he was clearly about to say something, so the old teacher felt he had no choice.
- Tonks is pregnant, he finally added, as if the words were ripping is mouth out.
- Oh! Oh! That's amazing ! cheered Hermione, joining her hands together. Oh I'm so happy for you!
- Yeah man ! Congrats! added Ron, followed by Lucy and Wendy, genuinely happy for the guy.
Sirius laughed.
- Fuck, Moony! I'm sorry, but don't be surprised if he looks a bit like me and...
Remus cut his banter short with a punch in the shoulder. His smile looked fake, almost like a grimace.
- Thanks. Can you get me up to speed on the plan now, please?
Silence fell on the crowd.
- Wait, said Padfoot, now very serious again. You're telling me that your wife, whom you just married, is pregnant with your first child, and that instead of taking care of them, you want to risk your neck out with the rest of us?
- She will be perfectly safe with her parents! repeated Remus. I have to be with you! That's what Harry would have wanted. What James would have wanted!
- I'm not so sure about that, snarled Sirius back. I think our good old Prongs would like to know why you'd rather abandon your child.
Lupin's face lost all color. The room got so cold it could have been blamed on Gray.
- You don't get it, Sirius, answered Remus between his teeth.
His tone sounded like a mix of anger and plea.
- Then please, explain. Because I sure as hell don't get it, yes.
- I... I made a huge mistake! Marrying Tonks was a giant, selfish, reckless mistake!
He got up his chair so fast that it fell on the ground. The anger had taken the best of his other emotions, and for a spit second, he looked more like the wolf than the man.
- None of you understand the gravity of my action! By marrying her, I made her an outcast! None of you know what it's like! People refusing to talk to me when they know the fate I am cursed with! Her own family showed nothing but disgust at our wedding! Who in their right mind would like to see their only daughter marrying a goddamn werewolf?! And the child... The child will be like me ! I'm sure of it! There's a reason why my kind avoid procreation! And if by any kind of luck, the Fates decide to spare him, he will be much better without a monster like me around!
He seemed like a mad man, nothing like the calm, quiet, thoughtful teacher they all knew. Thing is, Natsu did not really give a crap about who the man usually was.
- How dare you call your child a mistake?!
His growl was low, but the walls shook all around them. He took a single step forward, lava seemed to be drooling from between his teeth. However, before he could take a second step, Wendy, the quiet little Wendy, stepped in between and put her hand on his chest.
- Let me, she asked.
Then she turned toward Remus. The two of them had created a bond over the few days and battle they had shared together, more than any other mages of Fairy Tail. The personality seemed to be similar, to just click, simply. The young woman spoke.
- Remus, please, I want you to have a good look at us. Natsu. Gray, Erza, Lucy. Even Happy. Me. Look at us.
Her voice was gentle, but there was something in her eyes that made him just comply. So he took a breathe, and looked around, one by one.
- Each and everyone of us here are orphans. Natsu, Gray and I even twice over. Lost our birth parents, then lost the mentor who raised us. Lucy was maybe the most fortunate of us, and still, she has lost her mother at a young age, and more recently, her father.
The blond girl lowered her head, trying to hide the sadness on her face. The death of her father, despite their differences, was still fresh in her mind, and the scar barely healed.
- Yes it is true that we all turned out fine. More than fine. The only reason we did was Fairy Tail. Another family, a new one, as dysfunctional as any, but the best thing that ever happened to us.
Remus wasn't sure where she wanted to go with that. No one did.
- But still, we all have that void inside of us. An empty place that even Fairy Tail can't fill. There's not many things that we wouldn't do to have a chance, just to spend a bit of time with them. Talk to them. Tell them all about our adventures. The friends we met. Tell them we did our best to make them proud.
She had tears in the corners of her eyes, but her voice was still steady.
- So please, I am asking you. Don't do this. Don't deprive your child from this chance. Let him, or her, know you. And even if you think you're worthy of judgement, then let this child be the judge. I have the feeling you would be surprised...
Remus too looked like he was about to cry.
- I... But I can't turn away! I can't go and hide, peacefully with my family, while you take all the risks! Sirius! We are the last of the Marauders! What would James think, knowing that I'm not here to have your back? That I'm a coward!
Sirius smiled, his anger vanished.
- I think that this, he would understand. He knew that stepping away is the right thing to do. That's the choice he and Lily made. And I think you will find that raising a kid might require more strength and courage than facing an army of Death Eaters. Now go. Go to your family, and take care of them. And you have my promise, if we need your help, we will ask for it.
Remus looked up to the ceiling.
- Are you sure? he asked to everyone without looking at them. Are you sure it's better this way?
- Yes we are. We're good, Remus. I'll sleep better knowing that I didn't take a father away from his child.
- But you will call me if you need!
- We will.
Remus lowered his head back and looked at his old friend deep in the eyes, and smiled a bit, Just a bit, but this one looked real. It looked, for a second, a bit less tired. He smiled at Wendy too, and with a silent nod, he turned his back and left the room.
- Thanks Wendy, said Sirius looking at the young Dragon Slayer, after they had heard the door closing. I have the feeling that things would have gone very differently, if it wasn't for you.