God help the outcasts

Hungry from birth

Show them the mercy they don't find on Earth

Tonks smiled as the silvery mist appeared next to her, swirling as if it were trying to take a shape. It was the first patronus to find her, and she was not surprised Neville was managing so well.

"I hope this one actually talks to you."

Neville's voice sounded like he really didn't trust that the message would actually travel with his patronus. From her hiding spot(which was, really, just her standing by the Head Auror office), she sent her patronus back to the training room where the boys were. She followed it, entering the room as it disappeared after telling Neville it had worked.

"But did it have a shape?"

"No, and that's okay. You may not ever produce an animal, not everyone does." Tonks said.

"You got two and I can't even get one!"

"It took me a long time to produce the rabbit and the change wasn't up to me, it just happened." Tonks said, but Neville didn't look any more convinced. "I do wonder what it'll be, if it does happen."

"Probably a worm or something." Neville said, bitterly.

"At least you can send messages with it." Harry said. "I don't know what I'm doing wrong..."

"Alastor was also rubbish at it, even if he never wanted to admit it. Don't worry yourself." Tonks said. "Sometimes took him a few tries, or it'd work if he gave very basic messages, but he also just others do the messages for him."

"Who invented this anyway? It's not mentioned in any of the books that discuss the charm." Harry said as they sat at the small table.

"I'm not sure, it was someone from the first Order, I believe. No one even knows for sure who invented the actual charm itself." Tonks said. "I thought it was Dumbledore who taught everyone to send messages but Kingsley said it wasn't."

"Is it true about Azkaban, that Kingsley is trying to get rid of the dementors? Where will they go?" Neville asked.

"I've heard he's trying but I'm not sure it'll go through. There have been escapes with the dementors there, I'd worry what will happen when they're not."

"Not very competent if escapes happen when they're there, though, are they?" Harry asked. "If prisoners can learn to sneak right by them, like Sirius did,-"

"Sirius was able to because he knew his innocence. That can't be said for the rest. The big breakouts happened because Death Eaters attacked the place." Tonks said. "If dementors are exiled from Azkaban, they could come to more populated areas and try to find food sources here. The Muggles and us would all be in danger. I hate to say, but I disagree with Kingsley's stance if it is true. I hate going to Azkaban with the dementors there, but I think it's necessary."

Harry gave her a disgusted look. "Dementors are terrible, they're inhumane-"

"Trust me, there are more inhumane things the Ministry could do. With the dementors back under the Ministry's control, they're generally safe." Tonks said. "I know you two haven't had great experiences but it wasn't always the Ministry's doing- placing them at Hogwarts was a stupid idea, they went rogue, and then the Death Eaters took over control. Before any of that, the Ministry had full control and there were no attacks, not by the ones from Azkaban. I would be fine if they did away with the Kiss, though. That's not humane."

"So what's to happen to the Death Eaters they're arresting?" Harry asked. "Life sentences?"

"If they're brought in alive, they'll face trials. Most likely life sentences if the evidence is there." Tonks said. "I worry some of the lesser known names could escape with lesser sentences. The ones with the longer histories, the family ties, they'll be in for life. Those that don't, the evidence won't be strong enough. They could claim they were forced and there's no way to prove otherwise."

"Well, what if the Wizengamot doesn't believe them?"

"Then it's fine, and they'll be sentenced properly but if even one does believe them, it throws the whole thing out and the less of them in Azkaban, the more work for us." Tonks said. "Less dementors, more work too. If we didn't have dementors, the Ministry would need people to patrol the prison. If they started a department just for that, it'd be more jobs but it would also be more dangerous. There could be more escapes."

"Have there been updates about the ones still on the run?" Neville asked.

Tonks shook her head. "Not that I know of." She said. "It's strange... some of the bigger names have gone underground, which makes no sense. It does worry me, if they're planning something big, we don't have the forces to combat it. Not until you lot finish training, anyway."

The door to the training room opened and Dawlish walked in. "I'm sending you three on patrol in Hogsmeade tomorrow." He said. "Robards thinks it should be safe enough. Meet up with Roofie at three tomorrow afternoon outside the Hog's Head."

Dawlish left and Tonks dismissed Harry and Neville for the day, but didn't leave the Ministry herself. It was nearly one, so she headed for Kingsley's office. Percy, Kingsley's assistant, sent her into his office without even a greeting.

Kingsley looked tired. His normally clean shaven face and head were no longer- a small layer of stubble had grown. He was wearing a Muggle suit, his earring was gone, and he looked all too Muggle. He usually wore embroidered robes of deep jewel tones when he wasn't wearing his Auror robes unless he was going into the Muggle world.

"How's Remus?" Kingsley asked, leaning against his desk as she sat.

"He seems to be the same. Have you been to see him?" Tonks asked.

"Not since he woke, I have been very busy." Kingsley said. "I am sorry I have not been to see Teddy for a while, as well. That was not my plan for after the war, I wanted us all to be more free to visit, but at least it's not Death Eaters and Voldemort keeping us from meeting, it's just... everything else."

"Yes, reinstating the Capture Unit falls under 'everything else', doesn't it... why would you do that?"

Kingsley let out a sigh, fidgeting with a dragon shaped paperweight. "It wasn't a choice I wanted to make, Tonks. I had hoped to only reinstate the Support Office, but the Wizengamot said the Capture Unit was more important. The world is still afraid."

"They're going after Remus."

"I heard they were investigating some rather absurd claims, yes, and I'm sorry. I have offered to give my word, to tell them everything the Order knows about Remus, but there are some-"

"Some who won't believe anyone." She said. "What happened at Brutum?"

Kingsley froze. "Who told you about Brutum?"

"Does it matter?"

"Well, it does, yes." He said, straightening and setting the paperweight down. "It means that there is possibly someone out there who knows too much about it."

"Someone who faked being Obliviated, you mean?"

Kingsley looked uncomfortable, something she rarely saw before. "I- I suppose if someone could do that-"

"You do that a lot. Twice that I know of."

"What are you getting at, Tonks?"

"Were you there? The night of the riot?"

"There was no riot, Tonks." Kingsley sank into his chair.

"What do you know about it?" She asked. Kingsley looked more uncomfortable, like he wanted to be anywhere else. A thought crossed her mind, a thought she hadn't had before. "You were there. That's the business you and Remus were involved in, wasn't it?"

After a moment, Kingsley finally met her stare. "I was deployed early on, before anything happened. I was stationed there as a guard." He said. His voice shook for a second when he spoke again. "It was horrible. Inhumane. Creatures and cursed humans forced to live in horrible conditions, crammed together in this prison. There was always a fight to break up, multiple deaths every single day. The Ministry hid it because it would have highlighted the injustice these beings were being subjected to. The few of us Aurors deployed there were kept a secret- the department thought we were in various parts of the world doing different missions. I believe the Ministry knew this was the wrong thing to do, but the public celebrated the sudden absence of nonhuman attackers. People stopped disappearing, goblins stopped rebelling, the centaurs were quieted... the public didn't care why it had happened, just that it was finally peaceful between creature and man."

"When did you realise Remus was there?"

"Within a few days." Kingsley said. "They had erected wards to keep various creatures away from each other and the guards. We were instructed never to cross the wards unless absolutely necessary. Greyback's pack was growing inside the prison and they had killed a few of their own before the first week finished. A couple of us were sent in to collect the body a man who had died, and that was when I had spotted Remus. He was away from the rest, I noticed. I don't know when he figured out I was one of his captors, it took a long time for him to trust me afterwards."

"What happened? On the full moon?"

"I do not know the details. I was not there that night. It was not a riot, it was a massacre and our officers never stood a chance, I heard. If I knew who was there, I'd tell you, but I don't know who was sent. Everyone, as far as I know, is either dead of Obliviated." Kingsley said. "I didn't even know anything had happened until Remus appeared at my door right after the sun rose. He wouldn't tell me anything. Stayed a day and then left, he and I didn't speak for five years after."

"Do you know if someone else might know?"

"Why do you want to know so badly?" Kingsley asked. "If Remus never told you, it was for good reason."

"The Capture Unit knows he was there. I need to know everything I can about it if I'm going to help him." Tonks said.

"Do you know Dempster Wiggleswade?" Kingsley asked after a moment.

"From the Daily Prophet?" Tonks asked. Dempster Wiggleswade was well known throughout the Auror office for working with both the Ministry and the Daily Prophet, answering questions sent in by the public so that the rest of the Ministry didn't have to bother themselves.

"He was the one who wrote out every one of the Ministry's statements regarding Brutum's existence." Kingsley said. "From what I heard, he had files and files about it. I don't know where he got his information from, but as far as I know, he has the truth about it."

"Would he be willing to talk about it?"

"He's an old friend, I'll contact him and ask." Kingsley said, heading for his fireplace. He wrote out a letter, sending it through the emerald flames. "I want you to know, Tonks, I will do everything I can to stop these investigations. Remus is a good man and he does not deserve the prejudice he gets."

"But that's true for most werewolves. Why should they get mistreated and cast aside for something they can't control?" Tonks asked. "They should be getting help, the Ministry should be focused on arresting the ones doing the attacking, not the victims."

"I don't disagree, Tonks."

"So what's the plan for the victims, then? They need help getting Wolfsbane, they need help with keeping their jobs if they haven't been fired yet-"

"And I am working on laws to ensure that doesn't happen, but there is a lot of trepidation." Kingsley said. "Wolfsbane is also ridiculously expensive to brew and to get the Wizengamot to agree to helping with the cost of that is a difficult cause to propose."

"What if you had people to sponsor it?" Tonks asked. "Have the Ministry support certain apothecaries in exchange for securing the ingredients at a cheaper cost."

"They would lose profits and many don't want to do that right now when things are still so unstable."

"So they'd be okay with things remaining unstable for others? As long as it doesn't affect them."

"That is unfortunately a very popular stance among magickind, always has been." Kingsley said. "This is not so different than the last war, Tonks."

"But the Ministry won't repeat the same injustices, will they?"

"Not while I'm in office. The Order has fought for equality and now that the Order is controlling the Ministry, I intend to continue that fight. I will make things right for werewolves, and for everyone who has been deemed an inferior being until now."

Tonks was relieved when Wiggleswade agreed to a meeting with her, though she was nervous about meeting him in Knockturn Alley. There had been assaults lately, fights and scams galore, and the Ministry was having trouble reigning them in.

A stout wizard with shockingly dark hair for his age shuffled towards her. "You the Auror?" He asked, his voice rattly.

"Mister Wiggleswade?"

"Call me Demmy, everyone else does." He said in a dismissive tone. She imagined he did not actually like to be called 'Demmy', as he had rolled his eyes when he had said it. "Come with me."

His tone was tired and nonchalant. He turned with a slight flourish of his cloak, shuffling off. She followed behind him quickly. He led her to a rickety staircase between two shops, slowly climbing the stairs. She followed carefully, each stair feeling less sturdy than the last.

He opened a door into a dimly lit, shabby flat crowded with piles of newspapers and boxes of loose papers. "You are looking into Brutum, Kingsley tells me." Demmy said, gesturing towards a chair.

"Yes, I need to know-"

"I don't need to know why, I'll give you any information I have. All I ask is that the Ministry admit to it and take responsibility." Demmy said, sinking onto the paper laden couch. "I know the Capture Unit is returning. I think it's all a big mistake, they aren't working for the people, they're a terrible department-"

"I agree, I-"

"I know you would, lass. Married a werewolf, didn't ya?" Demmy asked. "If you're going up against the Capture Unit, you'll need more than just the proof about Brutum. You need to prove they are more harm than good. Did you know that out of all the werewolves they've captured, only very few survive? Resisting arrest, fleeing, suicide... all things they've claimed as reasons for delivering a dead werewolf."

"I want them disbanded, if you have any proof of any of that, I'll ask for the Wizengamot to vote on it."

Demmy waved his hand. "Ah! They voted the Capture Unit back in, they won't go back on it now. The public needs a say."

"I can't go around inciting public outrage, I could lose my job." Tonks said. "I want to help werewolves, I do-"

"You don't have to do anything." Demmy said. "I've been collecting this proof for years, waiting for a time to publish it in the Daily Prophet. After you read everything, tell me if that's what you want. If you think it'll help get them disbanded, I will publish it all. Let the public see what has been happening, but I need Ministry employees on my side. I need the Order."

"Will the public believe it?"

"I would hope so." Demmy said, pulling out his wand and waving it. A box rose across the room, flying over to them, landing at her feet. "Perhaps your husband's word will also help. He's on the list."

Tonks looked down at the large box at her feet. "I have not asked him about this yet and he has never said anything, I don't imagine he'd want to talk about it."

"Ask him. Mention Dominic. Perhaps it'll convince him to speak out. He's regarded a hero for his actions during the war, people will listen."

"Thank you." She said, picking up the box and shrinking it, putting it in her pocket. "I'll be in contact."

He gave her a nod, leading her to the door. "I look forward to it. It's about time for the public to know what the Ministry has done."

She bid her farewells, leaving his crowded apartment. She Apparated to London, entering St Mungo's and heading for Remus' room.

Tonks entered the dim room, unsure if he was awake or not.

She sat next to his bed, looking at his scarred face. Were any of his scars from Brutum?

She wondered what it had been like for him. He lost everyone he loved and was ripped out of society, labeled a monster for something he couldn't control.

"I recognise your perfume, you know."

"I'm sorry if I woke you." Tonks said.

His eyes opened, staring at a ceiling he couldn't see. His eyes looked more like his own now, the cloudiness that tipped her off to his impairment had disappeared.

"I was not asleep, I simply figure there's no use keeping my eyes open if I can't use them." Remus said. He sat up straighter, holding out a hand. "Where are you sitting, exactly?"

She reached and took his hand. "In the chair right next to you."

"I believed so, but sometimes I misjudge."

"How was the moon? I wasn't sure how you'd feel about me coming back, seeing as you-"

"I asked you not to, but you were never a good listener." Remus said. "I'm glad you did."

"You are?" Tonks asked, her heart fluttering. He was still holding her hand, his thumb brushing circles on her palm.

"I missed you, and I couldn't explain it." Remus said. "It was different than how I missed you when I broke things off and I understand now. Thanks to Harry inheriting James' inability to keep anything quiet for too long, I know that we're married, Dora."

Hearing him call her Dora made her heart skip a beat. She could forgive Harry, who always meant well, especially because this would be the second time he brought the two of them back together.

And hopefully, also the last, she thought to herself.

"What else did he tell you?" She asked.

"That's all." Remus said. "I'm sorry for pushing you away, if I had known..."

"I wanted you to focus on getting better. We have years to be married, but that won't matter if you don't recover fully."

"You'll be alright with a blind husband?"

"Of course, we will make things work." Tonks promised. "You're improving everyday, Healer Davis said. You might be able to come home soon, and we will make it all work."

"Is there anything else I'm not being told? I know the war ended, Harry explained most of it to me, but I feel like there are details missing."

"There's a lot Harry hasn't told anyone, I think." Tonks said. "I don't understand much of it myself."

"He did tell me that he thought we had both died." Remus said. "How bad was the battle, Dora? From what I understand, even if I get my memory back, I did not witness much of it at all."

"It was awful." Tonks said. "And, yes, you were taken down in the first few minutes, Angelina said. I did not make it very long myself. I was fighting Bellatrix, she overpowered me and suddenly, I was waking up, it was all over and you had disappeared."

"What happened to Bellatrix?"

"She tried to kill Ginny, so Molly duelled her, but she fled as soon as Voldemort fell. No one has heard from her since." Tonks said. "What else did Harry tell you?"

"He said we were both hit with bad curses, that everyone was sure we were dead. You, Fred and Colin woke up but I disappeared. He didn't say which curse, so I'm thinking it was one of those new Death Eater invented ones-"

"Yes, maybe it was... I know which curse I think it was but it wouldn't be possible, so I'm not sure myself." Tonks said. "I wish you could remember, maybe things would be easier, to heal you."

"Maybe one day." Remus said. "I asked Harry who died during the year. I'm sorry about Alastor and your father, it's not right."

"Alastor knew the risks. We all did." Tonks said. "And Dad... he knew they were coming for him. I think he knew it was only a matter of time. He came home for Christmas, though. That was nice, to see him one last time before..." Her voice faded. "He died a few weeks before it ended. We were so close. I wish he had gotten to see the end."

And that he could have met Teddy.

Remus squeezed her hand, a comforting gesture that she had greatly missed. She wondered, now that he knew they were married, if he was ready to know about Teddy. The idea of the WCU coming for Remus worried her. Would he be arrested, never to meet Teddy? What if he panicked like before, refusing to stay?

As she thought it, she had the equally intrusive thought that even if he wanted to leave, where would he go? If the WCU didn't arrest him, he was blind and couldn't exactly disappear into the shadows as he did before.

Unless he is the alpha of Greyback's pack, he could go back there.

But he wasn't. She was sure of it. Would the WCU care? No, they wanted to capture werewolves. They never cared why, they never cared who the werewolves were. Tonks wondered, where would the werewolves they captured be sent? Azkaban was overcrowded, still damaged and there was nowhere else.

Unless they tried to petition to open a place like Brutum again.

Kingsley would fight back, she knew, but the Wizengamot might not be against the idea, unless the public knew the truth of why the attacks had stopped last time and hadn't yet stopped this time.

She could easily read everything Wiggleswade had given her, tell him to publish it- but then what? The public could dismiss it as rumour, as lies.

They needed someone who was there.

"Remus, I need to ask you some questions. It's very important that you tell me the truth."

Remus looked confused. "Dora, I don't lie to you."

"Not about most things, I know. You are a brutally honest man and I need you to stay a brutally honest man for me. You know I never pry about your condition unless absolutely necessary." She said. "I need to know about Brutum, Remus."

God help my people

We look to you still

God help the outcasts or nobody will