Trying to get a little better at this! Anything you highly recognize comes directly from OOTP during the battle at the department. I didn't think I had any business trying to rewrite something JKR made so perfect.
Remus and Sirius slowly made their way downstairs into the kitchen, where they continued their silence over tea. The water continued to rush upstairs, and neither man knew what to say. But finally Sirius broke the silence.
"She's been up there a while. Do we go make sure she's okay?" For the first time in his long life Remus wished he had the ability of Alastor Moody, so all he would have to do was look up and know of the woman was safe.
"Maybe we just call through the door and ask. I don't want to make her nervous." Remus said. Sirius rolled his eyes and his friends inability to believe he was not scary, yet went up with Remus anyway.
Remus tapped once on the door. "Dora?" He didn't catch his slip, Sirius did, and smiled. "Are you alright?" There was a long pause that caused Remus's heart to pound. Come on Dora. Tell me you're okay. He begged in his head.
"Is- is Lily back?" Her voice cracked as she called out. He breathed a sigh of relief before hearing the pain in her voice. Sirius tensed beside him.
"Not yet." Remus didn't give himself time to be rational before he pushed the door open with his foot.
"Are you alright?" He was still standing in the doorway; he didn't have to shout, but he also didn't feel like he was completely invading her privacy.
"I- I didn't notice before…" She began. "Hold on." She stuck her hand out and grabbed her wand before muttering something. I black object flew through the door almost hitting Remus, before dropping behind the curtain. "Shut the door Remus." She said.
He shot one glance back at Sirius before his best friend smirked just slightly, his eyes still shadowed with concern. But he pulled the door closed anyway.
"I didn't notice this before, I don't know why I would see it really. But I need your help." The pushed the curtain back and Remus had only a second of heart pounding shock before he realized the black object was a bikini, and that was was not standing before him naked.
Almost immediately the shock returned when he saw a wide open gash on her leg, still bleeding enough that he was wondering how she hadn't passed out yet.
"Every time I try to heal it… it, well, it gets worse." Remus cursed under his breath knowing she couldn't hear him. He wracked his brain for every dark spell Greyback could have used, and working through the counter spells. He looked at the size and shape of the cut, the depth. Then he thought of something else.
"That must hurt a great deal?" He looked at her eyes for the first time since walking in. He saw the tightness, an attempt to mask the pain. She nodded.
"Okay, I'm gonna try this then." He prepped, before taking in the scene before them. "Grab my arm." He commanded, she set her wet hand on the sleeve of his sweater, gripping tightly. He nodded, and then with a flick of his wand watched in relief as the wound began to close. Tonks hissed through her teeth at the pain, nearly slipping down. He threw his other arm under hers, holding her up, before deciding to use all the strength he had before the moon and puledl her from the shower all together. He quickly lowered them both to the floor so he wouldn't worry about dropping her the way they were positioned.
She reached over him, shutting the water with a tap of her wand, before dropped her head against his chest. He had her cradled in his lap, the water from her boy soaking through his clothes. He couldn't even bring himself to care. Her breathing was quick, quick enough that he knew the pain had not completely diminished. He waited until it had evened out, until her head dropped against his shoulder, until her soaking wet brown hair spread over her face and onto his neck. Then he spoke.
"Are you okay?" He asked her, ducking his head down so his breath tickled her ear. She tried to repress the shiver that worked its way down her back, and then nodded.
"Thank you." She whispered back, turning her head up, getting water on more of his clothes. He made no move to get up, so neither did she.
He began to twirl her hair through his fingers, brushing out some of the knots, twisting strands into little curls. Her breathing hitched again, and he looked down as her hands flew to her temples and began to rub them.
"Tonks?" He asked, waiting until her hands slowly lowered to continue. "How long did he hold that unforgivable on you?" Remus asked her, knowing that the headaches were an after effect of the curse, and that it was probably worse than she was letting on.
"It's okay. It'll pass." She avoided the question, just as they heard the door open downstairs. James and Lily must be back. He watched her face darken with a blush as she quickly stood up.
"We should change." She said, pulling him to his feet. He smiled at her, waving a drying charm over his clothes, before winking.
"You change. I'll meet you down there." She shook her head at him, a small smile playing at her lips, but nodded anyway, and walked into her room, shutting the door tightly. He debated waiting for her for a moment, before deciding better and walking down to find his friends again. Sirius didn't say anything, his face seemed concerned though.
Lily and James were holding containers of chinese food, the smell practically intoxicating, they dished out quickly, everyone adding their favorite thing to the plate they were making for Tonks. They filed into the study and took their place on various couches and seats, Tonks walked downstairs, her hair twisted up into a bun held by her wand, entering the study Sirius summoned her over, strategically placing himself so the only place for er to sit was sandwiched in between himself and Remus. She hesitated before shrugging and taking the seat. He handed her the plate and she dug in with vigor.
Remus had not known Tonks as one to be fearful. Her response to this attack by Greyback had him baffled. She appeared so emotional when she returned back to headquarters, and Remus knew there was more to that than just her feeling violated by having that animal in her home. She looked much better now, having color returned to her cheeks and her hair… He tried not to dwell on that train of group ate in silence for a bit, a peaceful kind of silence that nobody was willing to break. But Sirius could only last so long in peace.
"I talk to Andy the other day, Tonksie." Sirius said, stabbing a piece of broccoli with his fork. "She told me to yell at you for your inability to keep in touch, and for not bringing me around yet." He winked at his younger cousin, who let out a huff.
"You know the only reason I don't bring you around is because I'm scared they're going to decide they like you more then me. Then where would I be? On the streets I bet." She laughed easily with him. "But really, I think I can get by with a short day next week at the ministry, maybe we could go see them then." She smiled at him. "It's hard to keep so many secrets from them though, but I'm sure they know more than they let on. They don't ask many questions anyway." She said. Sirius laughed boisterously.
"That's because they're afraid of hearing what Mad-Eye may be torturing you with this time. She chuckled again, clearly thinking of some comical story the other three were not informed on.
"God Tonks, I remember the first time Mad-Eye came after we told you all. He walks in and you point your wand at his face. I thought he was going to kill you." James said. Remus couldn't stop himself from laughing, remembering his own memory of Tonks doing the same thing, the first time they met.
"I'd rather go down dueling him than let him catch me off guard. It tooks months of training for me to be as quick with him as I am. Plus I learned that he will mercilessly hex me if I'm not ready, but as long as I stand strong, wand up, he lets me by." James shook his head, still visibly impressed.
Lily laughed then, "And remember that first night? When we all thought you were going to take Dumbledore out?" Tonks choked on the butterbeer she was sipping as everyone burst into laughter.
"I have no idea what I was thinking!" She cried, her eyes huge.
"I bet you could take him." James said with a wink. TOnks rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"He really didn't know what to do when you walked down. I don't think he was expecting you to be on guard so quickly." Lily said, still smiling at the memory, that was much funnier in hindsight then it was in the moment, Remus decided.
"Well I had no idea what to do. Security questions are something I really only held on to for Moody, so I didn't have one on hand for him. But when I saw you two- you must get better at not moving when disillusioned, by the way- I saw you, and I had no idea what I was going to do." She was speaking with wild animation, Remus watched her fondly before remembering what happened next.
"It was then you called me down right? You sounded so calm yet nervous in your tone, I figured you'd broken an important plate or something. Then I get down there and you have your wand aimed at Albus's face. I thought you had lost it!" He watched a blush creep up her cheeks before she morphed it away.
"It would be mildly in his character to have just bound me or something too. At least he made me feel good by letting me think I had a shot." She added, getting a new chorus of laughter from Lily and James.
"He was surprised though, you were quick. I've never once seen the man uncertain, and in that single moment, he was. Even if it was just for a second. It was enough." James shook his head, his dark, messy hair flying with the motion.
"Moody will be back soon I imagine." Sirius said, standing and grabbing the plates from the rest of his friends. "Be ready." He added to Tonks with a wink.
She stretched her arms over her head, yawning hugely.
"Maybe he'll give me a by tonight, I'm so tired I don't even know if I would hear him come in." She snorted slightly, knowing that wasn't true. You could hear Mad-Eye's wooden leg from a mile away.
"He probably will. What will he be bringing over you think?" Lily asked, taking Sirius's spot on the couch, James sitting on the arm of the seat next to her.
"Probably my work robes, the potion I was brewing, any documents from work I left… I can't imagine what else, but knowing Mad-Eye he'll decide that something else was unspeakably important. And change all the wards." She rolled her eyes, as Lily nodded.
"You're obviously going to stay here for a while though." James said, his tone sounding like that of an older brother. Tonks rolled her eyes again. Keep doing that and they'll get stuck that way. Remus bit his tongue to keep from saying the words out loud.
"I'm really fine guys. He got in, and I got out. I can't imagine this is the last time it'll happen. And I can't-"
"Tonks." Remus cut her off quickly, catching the attention of everyone in the room. "Please stop talking." He said. He knew she would understand what he was trying to say: I don't want to imagine people breaking into your home and trying to kill you. It's better if we don't mention it, even if it is likely. She raised one eyebrow slowly, but nodded at him anyway. He caught the end of Lily's smirk before Sirius came back in.
"James, fancy a game of chess?" He asked, sitting at the table in front of the fireplace. James beat him most times, so naturally he nodded and walked over.
Tonks settled into the couch, leaning her head back and letting her eyes close as they began their game. It wasn't long before her head started slipping, her breathing even as she slept. With no forethought in the action, Remus draped his arm over her shoulder and adjusted her so she was leaning on him completely, her back resting over his chest. Lily watched the gentle way he handled her resting form, but pretended to be completely engaged in the game Padfoot and Prongs were partaking in. Mad-Eye came in a few minutes later, and much to everyone's surprise he did move through as quietly as he could. He pushed open the door to the study and set Tonk's bag on a table.
"Good thing she's sleeping." He said gruffly, eyeing Remus in a way that made him feel like a student being rebuke by the teacher. "I put her clothes in her, and reset the wards. Tell her they're the same as my house but for her. She'll understand. And don't tell her I came in and let her sleep. She'll think I'm getting soft." Remus practically felt Sirius biting his tongue to hold back the sarcastic reply.
"She has work in the morning. Make sure she gets there." He said to Lily. Then without so much as a goodbye he was walking out of the room.
"He's always so cheerful." James said when they knew he was gone. Pick on him as they may but it was clear they all had a soft spot for the man.
"I never knew him to be caring for anyone really. I knew he would die for all of us, but the way he loves her, it's like she's his child." Lily said, looking at Tonks with a fond smile.
"I think there's a lot about Moody's story that remained unknown to us." Remus found himself saying. He often caught that idea from the cryptic words Tonks would say in defense of her mentor when their roasts would get too much for her. She knew more about him than probably anyone in the order save for the headmaster himself, and Remus wanted to credit her that. The rest of the night moved forward until everyone settled in for bed. Nobody mentioned the werewolf, or the pink haired witch whom they had left sleeping on the library couch.
"Just a few days and the kids will be home!" Lily sang her way through Grimmauld place early on the morning of June eighteenth. Molly was rubbing off on her terribly, but nobody seemed to mind. Nothing about this year was normal, and Remus was thankful for the light his friends brought to the otherwise dark home. There was one question that remained unanswered: where would Harry be staying. Everyone knew he figured it would be at Grimmauld, but for his own safety, Dumbledore was considering sending him back to his aunt and uncle's house. James and Lily didn't know that though, and Remus couldn't bear to tell them until the decision was finalized.
He sat at the table flicking through a rubbish copy of the daily prophet, which they started receiving after Tonks had to be the one to inform them of the mass Azkaban breakout. As per usual there was nothing worth while in there, but at least if there ever was they would be ready for it.
Tonks had Sirius at her house, and by permission from Mad-Eye James was roaming the area as a stag. Remus was thankful for the silence, it was the first time in a long time things had been this quiet, and he loved Lily enough to never mind talking to her.
"Lily?" He began, wanting her full attention. "A while back you and James mentioned a plan to get Sirius's name cleared, but I never got to hear what it was. Would you be able to explain it to me?" He asked, knowing they would be able to drop the conversation the moment they thought their friends would be back.
Her eyes grew a bit wider, and she pulled out the chair next to him. "It involved Wormtail." She said, using his Marauder name with a shudder. She hated saying Peter, and Remus understood. He did too. They hardly ever used his real name when he came up- which was rare in and of itself.
"That doesn't sound good." He said to her, knowing they couldn't trust him to help them at all, or do what he said he would.
Lily looked at him, her eyes holding a deep understanding and anger he had never seen from her. She did not like this plan.
"James says we should write to him, because he would never believe it was us enough to actually say anything to anyone. They all think he's crazy, snape has said that much," He didn't miss the tension in her face when she mentioned her old friend. The day Tonks took his memories of Lily was a dark day for them all to discuss, but sometimes the way Severus looked at Lily… Remus wondered if Tonks really took everything she said she did.
"SO he'd keep it quiet. I don't understand what you writing letters to the traitor would help anything." Remus was usually good about following his friends crazy plans.
"Well once he got nervous enough, which we all know wouldn't take long," They both scoffed, then chuckled together. "We'd start, sort of blackmailing him. We know enough about him to make it hurt, but we can stay anonymous enough that he could think it was you or Sirius doing it." She checked his face as he was brought into the plan indirectly. He tried to hide the wince, knowing his role would become larger as time went on.
"So when we finally have him shaking we get more people involved." She checked again, he cracked a smile.
"You involve them after you're in this deep so they can't tell you it's a bad idea?" He asked, she nodded, confused at why that was so funny.
"That's how James and Sirius got me in on everyone of their stupid, or even some of the more hurtful, pranks." He smiled larger, before getting serious again. He ushered for her to continue.
"Then we arrange a meeting. But we play the power card. We have order members crawling, with Snape making sure he doesn't utter a word of it to any death eaters. Then we just… nab him." She said the last part sheepishly, as if realizing for the first time the fallibility that came with hoping he would just come.
"The idea here is that you prevent him from changing to his rat form… then you force him to." She said, her eyes downcast.
"Why me?" He asked, without thinking his tone through.
"You're the best with those kind of spells, and James and I are going to be there, standing, so we can't do it. And the whole point is to get as far into this as we can without Sirius knowing-"
"He's going to hate that when he finds out." Remus cut her off. Her eyes flared slightly, and he couldn't help but feel an irrational joy at her anger he missed so much.
"Yeah well I bet he won't mind too much when he can show up at Harry's Hogwarts graduation not as a dog." She snapped, with no remorse. Remus nodded.
"Who's to say he won't run when he sees me." Remus asked.
"He won't see you." She replied, as if it were the most obvious idea ever.
"Right, of course." He said sarcastically, mocking her tone. She gave him a wry smile before standing up and throwing her arms around him.
"I missed you so much." She whispered in his ears. She seemed to remind him of that truth any chance she got. He didn't mind, it was comforting to really know his friends cared for him as much as he did for them.
They sat like that for a while, Lily leaning against Remus, just enjoying the nearness of the others company for a while. Remus was slowly letting his guard down. Yes he knew there was a war pending, but how could one not feel relaxed when sitting with their best friends?
He shouldn't have been so stupid.
"Sirius!" Dumbledore's voice rumbled through the house, ripping the two friends apart in its intensity.
"Sir?" Remus called from the kitchen, knowing Dumbledore was fully aware where Sirius was, and that was not in the house.
Dumbledore burst into the kitchen, his face a mask of frustration Remus had never seen before.
"Get them back here!" He ordered, and without question Remus sent an urgent patronus to Tonks and James. Lily frantically asked Dumbledore what had happened, and Remus felt a sinking fear in his own stomach. Seconds later their friends rushed through the door, Mad-Eye and Kingsley following behind.
"Department of Mysteries?" Moody asked, Dumbledore nodded once. Before Remus even had time to ask what was happening Alastor was dragging him and Tonks out the door to apparate. He didn't stop to wonder what Lily and James were doing, it was too dangerous for them to be out.
"Harry and his friends are there. Death eaters came, probably him too." Tonks spit the words as they rushed forward, Remus taking in the order members around him.
"Potter and the kids are top priority. Then we make sure they don't get the prophecy!' Mad-Eye barely gave them all time to breathe before he shouted their take off.
They all disappeared, and before Remus was even finished blinking they were in the department of mysteries.
Things we not good.
Much to Remus's shock and fear Sirius was standing next to him. But there was nothing to say of it now. They had a battle to fight. There was a great deal of shouting happening around the room, and Tonks jumped right in the middle of it firing a stunning spell right at Malfoy's back, then rushing down the steps to the middle of the battle to help the kids. Remus tried his best to keep tabs on everyone that was fighting, but he had to give almost his full attention to the death eater that was in front of him. Thankfully he was easy to fight off, the mask making him unidentifiable. He took a moment to breathe, scanning the room for the others. He caught a glimpse of Sirius, holding his own well enough. He caught the edge of an image that stopped his heart as Tonks tumbled down the concrete steps, Bellatrix laughing victoriously. His mind scream at him to help her, but Remus instead ran to Harry's aid right as Lucious got too close again.
"Harry, roundup the others and GO!" Remus shouted to the boy over his shoulder, parrying away a spell he did not know the owner of. That model continued as Remus went from dueling one person on the offensive, to fighting off stray spells defensively, trying to hold his own.
It was when Dumbledore finally appeared Remus felt himself calm down. Everyone froze except for Bellatrix and Sirius, who were dueling madly. It was like Sirius was taking all the anger he had pent up from inside Grimmauld place and was throwing it at the woman in force. Then time slowed. Remus watched as the woman aimed a perfect stunner right at his chest. It was a simple spell really, one that he should have simply been able to recover from, that is if he wasn't standing so close to the veil. Remus's feet were pulling him toward his best friend, even though he knew no matter what he did there would be no way for him to reach Padfoot. Instead he was able to get to Harry, as Sirius disappeared behind the veil forever. Remus's mind went on autopilot as he grabbed Harry, holding him back from rushing after his godfather. It took all of Remus's restraint, all of his self control, all of his emotional hardening to grasp Harry, to hold firm himself.
We were going to set you free Padfoot. You could have been free. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Remus screamed to his friend in his head, even though he knew it wouldn't change anything, and no trick from Dumbledore could prove this terror false. Sirius was really gone. Dumbledore had most of the remaining Death Eaters grouped in the middle of the room, holding them with body binding spells Thankfully Moody crawled across the room to where Tonks lay, and was attempting to revive her; behind the dais there were still flashes of light, grunts and cries-Kingsley had run forward to continue Sirius's duel with Bellatrix, Remus wished for a moment he could join the man, before remembering the boy in his arms.
'Harry?' Neville had slid down the stone benches one by one to the place where Harry stood, with Remus's hand still protectively on his arm.
Remus tried not to listen to the words the friends exchanged, opting instead to help Neville's crazy legs.,
"Here," said Lupin quietly, and pointing his wand at Neville's legs he said, 'Finite.' The spell was lifted: Neville's legs fell back to the floor and remained still. Remus felt physically sick, but he had to hold fast "Let's-let's find the others. Where are they all, Neville?" He managed to stutter out turning away from the archway as he spoke. He barely heard Neville's answer as Kingsley cried out, and Bellatrix began to run away victoriously. Harry was rushing out of Lupin's grasp before the man even realized what was happened.
"Harry-no!" Remus shouted, knowing there would be no way to ever face James and Lily again is Harry died here with Sirius.
"SHE KILLED SIRIUS!' bellowed Harry. 'SHE KILLED HIM-I'LL KILL HER!" Dumbledore gave Remus a stern nod, before pursuing after the pair. Neville, unsure what to do, seemed all too eager to lead Remus to the location of his friends.
Hours later, word arrived to the hospital wing that Harry was all right, Dumbledore was with him, they were back at the castle. Remus felt his shoulders slump with the weight of the evening's events, and barely even looked up when her heard Ginny's small voice.
"Professor Lupin?" She asked softly, so soft he probably could have pretended he didn't hear her. But he couldn't do that. He looked up.
He watched her eyes break, and realized in that moment that he was crying. He heard her whisper something to herself, before waving him over and patting the seat next to her bed, he got up and numbly walked over to her, setting himself in the seat. He wondered for a moment if she might be like her mother, and dote on him in such a way that would probably make him feel worse; but much to his shock and relief, she didn't utter word. She simply grabbed his hand and held it in hers as her own tears fell. He heard the door open again, and not a moment later Ginny released his hand, and Lily Potter walked up, no protection. She took one look at his face then paled.
"Where's Harry." Her voice was bleak. Remus quickly shook his head.
"With Dumbledore, he's okay." She seemed only mildly relieved, before something else dawned on her.
"Tonks?" She asked, grabbing Remus's hands. He shook his head again. Lily looked absolutely confused. "I don't understand Remus. Everyone's alright, what's…" She looked around taking in the faces of the kids and the tears that marked their cheeks. She took in every face and person before her eyes landed back on Remus, understanding mixed with uncertainty.
"Remus…" She whispered, her voice cracking.
"Where's James?" It was hardly a question, his voice was raw.
"He's on his way." She said, not turning as the door was shoved open in a timely manner. James Potter walked over briskly, looking at the two before explaining that Dumbledore had Harry. Remus nodded numbly as James scanned the room the same way Lily had.
It was then he noticed Remus was crying, at this point he wasn't making any effort to stop the tears either. He didn't have the energy.
"Moony?" James whispered, his own heart accelerating at the uncertainty. Lily leaned into James, before looking back up at Remus.
"Where's Padfoot?" The words were thick with emotion, and Remus didn't even have the willpower to give a reply. He felt physically sick. He watched James grow paler and paler. Madame Pomfrey pushed a chair over, and gently pulled James down into it. He didn't protest, then Lily sat into his lap.
"Moony…" James said again. Remus didn't move. "Please Remus!" James sounded hysterical.
"He's… damnit." Remus couldn't get the words out. "Dammit!" He didn't even regard that he was shouting in front of his old students, or that we was likely scaring his friends. "He fell through the veil." Remus groaned out, falling back into the seat next to Ginny's bed, his face in his hands.
"There's nothing we can do now James. He's gone."
Dumbledore chose that moment to make a very dangerous entrance, Harry rushing behind toward his parents. James jumped to his feet glaring at the headmaster, as Lily embraced Harry.
"How could you let this happen?!" James roared in such a way that caused Poppy to back up in alarm. Dumbledore remained frozen, his face impossible to read. "You let him go in! You let him die!" James took a step toward the man, Remus leapt to his feet to stand behind James in case things started to get further out of hand.
"James, there was nothing I could-"
"You could." James cut him off, his voice venomous. "You could, and you know it. You let him rot in Azkaban, you let him die tonight. You let them go years thinking we were dead. You have your reasons, sure." His voice was bitter to a cutting point. "But you could have stopped this." As if without thinking James shoved out of the hospital wing, the doors falling shut behind him with a slam. Lily looked after him longingly, Dumbledore made move to follow.
"All due respect sir," respect was the last thing Remus wanted to give the man, but he had to hold his head. "I really think you should let him be for a moment." Dumbledore regarded Remus with a cautious look before nodding.
"I have some things that need sorting. I'll be back to check on the kids soon." Remus nodded. "Oh." The headmaster turned around slowly, his eyes downcast. "Until we know the owner of headquarters, I caution you not to go back. I will send Alastor to get the essentials for your living. If you need help working out the living arrangements let me know." With a flurry of his deep purple robes he was gone from the room.
"Will dad be alright?" Harry asked Lily, looking at the doors. Lily nodded her arm over Harry's shoulder.
"He will be. He just needs a minute. This was common when things would go wrong while we were… away. It was hard." She then turned to her son. "But are you okay?" She set a hand on his cheek.
He nodded ever so slowly. "I think so." He was lying. She knew it, Remus knew it. But she nodded.
"Oh Harry. How we've missed you." He let her pull him into a tight hug, just as Mad-Eye pushed open the hospital wing doors. Remus almost smiled at the old man's resolve.
"Shouldn't you be in St. Mungo's?" Remus asked him, watching as he walked over to them. Moody grunted his answer. Clearly 'doctor's orders' held no meaning to the man.
"Nymphadora's there. Should be waking soon." Alastor said the words casually, but Remus was quick to catch the hidden command. He was to be there when she woke. He had to tell her about Sirius.
Harry looked up at Moody. "She'll be okay then, Tonks will?" Concern was dripping from his voice, he felt responsible. Mad-Eye nodded.
"Back to normal in a few days. Anyone that falls as much as that girl will survive a tumble down a few stairs." Harry looked skeptical, probably thinking about how flying down feet of concrete was not simply a few stairs. Both kept their mouths closed.
"I best be off then?" Moody nodded to Remus. "Will you two be alright?" Remus asked Lily and Harry. Harry nodded, surprising the man by giving him a hug.
"Thank you, professor." Harry said, squeezing him.
"I'm glad you're safe." Remus said back. He then looked at Lily.
"Try and send James back, alright?" She twisted her red hair in her finger nervously. Remus nodded.
"I'll see you soon. I will work out living situations. You don't worry." He said, walking out. Again the unsure denominator was Harry. Where would he end up? After the unimaginable events Remus couldn't imagine James and Lily letting him out of their sight for the whole summer. But if it was safest…
He shook his head trying to rid the thought as he disapparated to St. Mungo's. As he did he realized the danger involved in the action at this point. Voldemort was openly back. Things were going to have to change very quickly for their level of comfort.
He went to the desk giving the witch there Tonk's name. She gave him a confused smile and said. "You're Remus?" He nodded, feeling his cheeks redden a bit. "She's been asking when you'd arrive. Only been up for a few minutes, best hurry." He didn't have to be told twice rushing to the proper wing, and searching the doors. He pushed her door open, hoping it was the right one, feeling his face brighten when he saw her lying there, her hair not it's natural brown, but not pink either. He wondered if she knew something was wrong.
"Remus." She said, smiling. He tried to push away the guilt that said she should not be that happy to see him. He was wrong for letting her. But if it's what she wanted, who was he to deny her happiness? Selfish, selfish, selfish…
"Dora." He felt himself say back, smiling down at her as he fell into the seat next to her.
She brought her hand up to his cheek, setting it there. "What's happened?" She knew. She could see it in his eyes. "Harry?" He shook his head, feeling the tears sting again. Traitorous tears.
Yet Tonks, unlike Lily, seemed to know right away what happened. She gasped, and her hand shook against his face. He placed his larger hand over hers, holding it there, watching as her grey eyes filled their own pain.
"No." She whispered brokenly. "No, no, no. Please Remus. Not him." She knew. On one hand he was beyond thankful he didn't have to say the words again, on the other watching her heartbreak in front of him was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do.
"He... " Remus took a shuddering breath. "He fell through the veil. There was nothing… We couldn't do anything. It wasn't even a killing spell. It was stupid." He said the words, feeling the same body aching pain he'd felt when he said them to Lily.
She leaned her head back on the pillow, her eyes closed, as she heaved in a deep, painful sounding breath. She let it out in a groan that cut through Remus in a deeply physical way. He'd seen her cry before, but this was different. Her tears fell in total silence, almost as if she didn't even know they were falling. Without thinking about it he stood from the chair, lifting her body, and setting himself in the bed with her. She curled into him, wrapping her arms around him, seeming to know he needed some way to be held together.
She was holding him together.
Hours later, they hadn't moved, and every once in awhile he would feel a stray drop wet his shirt. He held her, as she held him. There weren't words to make it any better. He didn't even realize when he fell asleep. But she did. She was sure not to move too much as to not wake him, and when Lily pushed open the door, Tonks made sure to gesture for quiet. James followed in slowly behind her. Thankfully Harry stayed back at the castle.
Lily smiled at the sight before her, taking the seat that Remus first occupied when he came in.
"He's been out for a little while." Tonks said to the Potters softly. "I think it's going to be a long road." She added, trying to step around the truth of her own pain. James nodded, looking down at his hands.
"Tonks, we actually had a question for you." He began looking at Lily with what appeared to be excitement; as much excitement as one could have given the circumstances. "We have to move from Grimmauld place. Because we don't know whose possession it's in. And Lily and I were thinking- with your flat being compromised and everything, what if we all got a flat together…?"
Tonks looked back at Remus, and nodded. "That seems like a good idea. Harry too?" She asked them.
They shared a cautious look before Lily said "We have to work that out with Dumbledore, but James wasn't in any state to talk to the man rationally, so it'll have to wait until later." Tonks couldn't help but smile at James embarrassed face. He caught her eye and scowled, which only caused her to laugh more.
A second later Lily joined in, which only surmounted Tonks' joyous sound, and at the sight of his wife double over in chuckles, James felt himself give into the laughter too. Tears streamed down their faces as they found everything and nothing to be the funniest things of the day. They didn't even notice when Remus woke, until he spoke.
"What in the hell are you laughing about?" The words could have sounded angry, but there was a jolly glint in his eyes, that allowed Tonks to continue on her happy hysterics. Remus joined in until finally the sound died down and the four were gasping for air.
"We're going to be okay." James said, nodding his head. "Padfoot would want that." Tonks head was resting on Remus's collar bone, both agreeing with James words.
"I still want the world to know of his innocence." Tonks said softly. Lily sighed, wondering if it would be worth the danger now.
"They will, one day." Remus began. "This war will end. And everyone will know that Sirius was innocent."
"And that the Potter's live." Tonks added with a wink.
"And that werewolves are people too." Lily said, her voice holding a passion that touched Remus's heart more than she would ever know.
"One day." James said, pulling his wife into him.
Many hours and many stories later a healer came in with some sleeping potions. After some jokes and pleading from Tonks, Remus was given permission to stay overnight with her. James and Lily promised to come back as soon as they could. The healer set the potions on the table next to the bed and walked out after TOnks (and Remus's more convincing) assurances she would take them. The door was pulled closed and Remus turned on the pink haired woman.
"You are going to take those." He said, trying to sound menacing. She cracked a smiled and nodded.
"Of course, Remus. I should be out by tomorrow if I do." She said with a smile. It was the same smile that never failed to jolt Remus's heart, but he could see today how it still held pain. He wished for the millionth time, and certainly not the last, that he could protect her from the pain of war.
"Dora." He began after a pause, trying to sound casual.
"Mm?" She said, slidin over so he could sit in the bed next to her.
"I just wondered… Your flat was broken into and all, and I have to leave Grimmauld, and I have a small cabin out in the country. But that doesn't necessarily seem like a wise place to live when I could be needed at any moments notice. So I had been thinking about how to make everything work and I was figuring it would probably be safer for you - now I know you can handle yourself, don't think for a second I don't - but I don't like the idea of you living alone now anymore than I did on those nights when you didn't stay with us at -"
His words got cut off as the woman placed her hands on his cheeks and dropped a fleeting kiss on his lips.
They hadn't kissed in a very long time, even though he had relented months back and said that, yes, they could be together. Because of that he was not at all bothered by the interruption it posed.
"You were rambling, Professor." She said with a wink. He shook his head trying to get his bearings straight, thankfully she was the one keeping her head now. "And yes, I want to live with you. And Lily, and James." He felt his face break into a grin. Just hours before he wasn't sure if he would ever smile again. But now he was able to think about living with his best friends. Sirius's absence would be felt, but this was better than he could have hoped.
In the place of words, he decided he would simply kiss her again. If he was going to drop all of his reservations he may as well make her happy while doing it. She giggled against his face, pulling away and burying her head in his neck.
"Bloody Hell you kiss like…" She didn't even finish, dropping her head on the pillow and huffing. He felt himself getting worried about what she meant, when suddenly she hit his arm. "Trust me, it's a good thing. But listen, I can't pass out Remus, they won't let me leave." She tilted her head his way and smiled, a bit brighter this time.
"Now pass me those potions like a good healer, because we've got some house hunting to do tomorrow." Being with her, talking about houses and friends. It was almost like he could forget he was a werewolf, like he could be normal wizard with a happy life. Don't think about it now. She's happy. He picked up the tray of potions and held it out to her. There were four there, and he was certain there was some order to it. Without words, or even a true breath in between she grabbed them each with purpose, and downed them quickly.
"I'll be falling asleep any second now." She grumbled.
"Good." He kissed the top of her head. "I love you, Nymphadora." He said to her. Moving to sit on the chair so she didn't have to squish to the side of the bed.
He slept in the chair that night, but it wasn't just the chair that made it a horrible rest. He had continued dreams Sirius dying. It was like a broken record playing over and over in his head. But it was better in the morning, when true to their word Lily and James came back, bearing pastries, and smiles that told Remus there must be good news. Tonks caught on too.
"You talked to Dumbledore then?" She asked, breaking her cinnamon roll in half and handing the other piece to Remus.
"We did. And he says, with Voldemort being in the open now, we may as well jump the gun too." James said. They had been charmed so that people wouldn't be able to recognize them.
"Isn't that a little crazy?" Remus asked, thinking that if Voldemort knew Harry wasn't under the protection they all thought he was, then it would be much more dangerous for all of them.
"It's totally crazy. But who is actually going to stop us on the streets right now to ask if we're Lily and James potter?" He had a point. "No one." He answer his own question followed by an eye-roll from his wife. "We have to change our look up a bit, but I think it could work." Tonks nodded, seeming to be expecting another ianswer.
"And Harry?" She finally asked, looking at them with wide eyes. Lily smiled.
"He's going to be living with us… but also living with my sister." James scowled, but didn't say anything.
"We're going tomorrow to tell them we're alive, and we expect that things won't go over well, but I do have hope that she will be at least a bit understanding and willing to help. Remus remembered the few times he'd met Petunia, very few when Lily was actually living.
"If she doesn't?" He found himself asking before considering the implications.
"Then Harry just stays with us full time." James said with a shrug, obviously hopeful that would be the outcome. Lily rolled her eyes again, but remained silent.
She continued in her silence, but gave away the joy with her eyes, as she watched Remus rip his own fruit pastry in half and hand a piece of it to Tonks as she just had moments earlier.
"I should be free today. Shall we find a flat?" Tonks said excitedly, biting into the breakfast sweet. "I like the cinnamon better." She added to Remus as an afterthought, he merely smiled down at her, intentionally ignoring the telling glances Lily was giving him.
"Sounds good to me. Just one favor." James began. "Could we try and stay in-"
"Muggle London?" Tonks cut him off easily. He nodded in surprise. "I already thought that one through actually. My parents are there, and I realized how safe that is for them right now with everything going on. Plus then you two could go out much easier, and as long as we find a way to rig up the fireplace we have instant access in and out of anywhere we need to be. It's great really." James gave Remus a nod of approval before looking to TOnks.
"Exactly what I was thinking." He said.
In unusually perfect timing the healer walked in. She gave quick instructions for Tonks, though she seemed to be talking to Remus understanding he was the more responsible one with her healing patterns, before telling her she was free to go. James sent a Patronus to Mad-Eye telling him of their whereabouts and flat hunt, before they were all off the muggle London, hoping to have everything worked out in a speed unknown to most people trying to move somewhere. But it worked. Remus had past knowledge of his time in the muggle world, as well as a few connections to speed up the process. They had found the place by lunch, then they simply had to get the proper amount of money transferred over, and they would be set to go. Tonks gushed about it over hot drinks at the local cafe Remus remembered.
"It's perfect. Absolutely perfect. It's secluded, lacking neighbors with reasonable suspicion. We could probably let the owls fly with no questions nd-"
"Tonks," James interrupted her with a smile tugging at his lips. "You could do anything you want without question there. The old lady neighbor was looking at you like you had six heads. Your hair is pink, you fell down the stairs twice and dropped the keys just trying to open the door." He had Lily and Remus laughing as he retold the events of their morning. Thankfully Tonks was a good sport.
"Well good then. Three bedrooms, a place to floo, and I have furniture we could bring in." She clapped her hands together, not seeing the way Remus smiled down at her excitement. It was almost possible to forget for a moment that Sirius should have been there with them. Almost possible. He decided not to bring it up. There was no need to acknowledge that everyone was feeling the same burden of the missing piece that he was.
Tonks set her head on his shoulder as they sat. James filled them in on his conversation with the headmaster. His face turned red with anger when Albus explained to James that he told Harry why Voldemort tries to kill the Potter's in the first place. He explained Harry's rage at Sirius's death, his fear at having to go back to Privet Drive. Harry's anxiety about being away from his parents for too long again, as if this were all a dream that could disappear at any moment. James then explained how Harry had continually beaten death, and how Dumbledore believed that no matter how obvious they were about their being alive that Voldemort would have no ideas the Potter's were okay, because he was so focused on Harry and trying to kill him.
He explained how Harry often felt alone, because there were things people wouldn't understand, like why he cared so much for Sirius, and how it was possible that he could fight the darkest wizard and not die. They didn't understand why privet drive was so bad, and why Dumbledore seemed to have such a special place for Harry. There were so many questions the young boy had, and no answers.
"That's why we want him to live with us this summer. Even if it's dangerous. I don't think Voldemort is strong enough to send people to Privet just to check on Harry. He trusts that's where Harry will be, and he knows about the supposed binding spell that's on him." Lily eased her perspective into the conversation easily.
"It does seem like a lot resting on chance and assumption though, don't you agree?" Tonks asked, looking cautious.
"Definitely." Lily said, seeming unfazed. "But this is fifteen years we're trying to make up for. I can't just not fight to have him under my roof. He's my son." Tonks nodded, letting her eyes wander the shop in front of them, watching all the people bustle around.
"So much ease here." Remus said to her as he watched her, and the people. She nodded.
"They don't even know they should be afraid." She said, sounding deeply troubled. "THey don't realize what's happening all around them. How their lives are hanging in the balance. It kills me." He nodded, his chin brushing the top of her head.
"That's why we have to fight, Dora. Because their lives do depend on it." He then noticed James was watching them, listening. He nodded at Remus's words.
"I think it's better that they're kept in the dark, but I don't want to imagine what would happen if-"
"James stop talking." Tonks said, not realizing how much she sounded like Sirius when they were all in school. James took a quick breath in, looking pained for a moment, before he broke into one of the largest smiles Remus had seen in days.
"You are certainly his cousin. Spitfire just like he was." James said, as Tonks, for probably the first time, let herself blush without trying to morph it over. It was of the highest compliments she could receive, which is probably why he handed it to her so quickly.
"So how do we tell your sister that you're taking Harry?" Remus asked, figuring that the kids would be done in less than two full days, so this was an important thing to figure out.
"Oh, we have a great plan…" James smiled deviously.
Thank you thank you thank you! Editing the next chapter now. Please review and let me know your thoughts! Until next time - Bea