Dora had disappeared off somewhere, which Remus didn't really like her doing. It wasn't that he was jealous or worried she'd get swept off her feet by some random man, but just that he was always uncomfortable in crowded shops. So, he focused on Evan, rocking her pram gently, as he waited for his wife to reappear. He caught a glimpse of an older woman craning her neck as if to look at Evan. Remus pretended to busy himself by reading the list Dora had shoved into his hand, written in her messy and illegible scrawl. He always found it amusing that she wrote so horribly messy at home, but he had seen her fill out work reports in neat and easy to read writing, and often wondered how she had managed to write so differently based on where she was.
Remus refused to go to shops without her if she wrote the list, because he honestly could not read her writing. Dora would have to tell him to write his own list and only then he'd agree to go without her, but he preferred they went together anyway- because he really did not like crowded shops.
"Oh, she's adorable! How old?"
Remus looked up, pulling the pram as close to himself as he could, as the middle aged woman he had spotted a moment before approached him and leaned to look at Evan. She had frizzy blonde hair and the brightest red lipstick Remus had ever seen. Dora usually wore darker makeup on the occasions she wore it, so perhaps that was why he found the colour so distracting on this woman.
"Six months in a few days." Remus said. He knew it was normal, people always commented on babies and young children in public. They had endured it for years with Teddy, which is why he had to wear a hat constantly- which earned many harsh comments from older women during the summer months. However, it didn't mean Remus was comfortable with it, from years of his general distrust of people. His grip on the pram tightened.
She straightened up, giving him a rather toothy grin. "I have four of my own, they're always so nice at this age, don't you agree? Hard to handle them alone, of course, but you seem to be doing it well enough."
"I am not doing it alone."
"Oh, of course not, that's the wonderful part of grandchildren, you can hand them off to their parents!"
Remus heard Dora laugh and was a bit relieved when Dora stopped next to him. "Thank you for keeping him company, but really, we should go."
The woman eyed Dora with a peculiar glance, before turning and walking away.
"I think she thought Evan was my granddaughter, and you laugh?" Remus asked, turning to Dora.
"Actually, I was already laughing when I saw her eyeing you up. I just waited to see if she'd actually come on to you. She was just taking a bit longer than I thought she would, considering she was staring at you like she wanted to jump you."
"And why would you want her to?"
Dora shrugged. "Boost your confidence a bit, perhaps."
"No, you just like to see me squirm."
A smile pulled at her lips. "Alright, you got me."
Remus walked into the classroom connected to the greenhouses. He knew Minerva would likely introduce their new Herbology teacher at the staff meeting later, but he wanted to stop in anyway. The classroom itself was empty, with a few piles of books left behind by Pomona on a couple of the desks.
Neville walked out of the door leading to the greenhouse, nearly dropping the bucket he was carrying.
"Jesus, you scared me, Remus!" He said, but then he let out a bit of a laugh, setting down the bucket. He leaned against the desk he had stopped by.
"I am very sorry. I heard there was a new teacher and wanted to come and see if you need any help."
"I didn't think Minerva told anyone yet."
"No, but I have a source in the Auror department."
"Right, you would."
"And, Minerva did tell me." He said. "How are you coping?"
Neville had been injured on a mission in June, nearly losing his leg, and the permanent damage had ruined his chance of continuing on as an Auror. Around the same time, Pomona had decided she wanted to retire and Minerva suggested the two reconnect. Pomona spent weeks teaching Neville while he recovered enough to take over as Herbology Professor. Dora said Dawlish had been disappointed that the department would lose Neville. They had visited him often during his recovery but hadn't known until a few days before, when Dora returned to work, that he wasn't returning to the department. Remus had only found out the day before that Pomona had been mentoring Neville when Remus had returned to the school the day before and Minerva had told him.
Neville shrugged. "Some days are better than others." He said. "How are things now that you're both about to be back to work?"
"They feel normal." Remus said. "Ruth and Andromeda like to share babysitting duties, so we never have to worry our schedules will inconvenience anyone. Do you need any help? I have time. Luckily, Reginald leaves my classroom in impeccable condition when he covers for me, better than I've left it during previous summers, even."
Reginald Harris was Remus' permanent substitute. He had actually taught the class during the 1986-1987 school year, so he knew Dora, and had been one of the few not to endure some strange accident or injury. Now, he was glad to help on a very part time basis, whenever Remus needed it. Remus truly appreciated him.
"Pomona came and checked everything a few days ago, so there's not much to do for me to get the greenhouses ready." Neville said. "I just want to be familiar with the classroom."
"Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me." Remus said. "After today, I won't return until the first day of classes, but any other time."
"Of course." Neville said. "I appreciate it."
April, 2005
Ginny froze when she walked off the pitch following Gwenog's call and saw Dora standing near the door to their locker rooms. She was in her Aurors robes, and her face gave away that this was not a social call.
"What's happened?" Ginny asked.
"Harry is in St Mungo's." Dora said. "You should come immediately."
Ginny didn't even get changed. She stored her broom and went with Dora. "What happened? Was it a curse?" She asked as they walked through St Mungo's. Dora didn't even stop at the front desk, leading Ginny directly to the Spell Damage Ward.
"Yes." Dora said. "We finally caught up to Rodolphus but he has new friends. I cast a Shield Charm but I was too late, by a fraction of a second, and it hit him."
"How bad?"
"They don't know yet, it's a new curse." Dora said, facing her in the corridor outside of a room. "Would you like me to go and get your parents?"
Ginny shook her head. "Don't leave me."
"Okay." Dora said, squeezing Ginny's hand. "I'll stay."
"Mrs Potter, I presume?" A Healer who looked like he had been working at St Mungo's since it opened had approached them. Ginny nodded. The Healer gestured for her to follow and cast a questioning glance at Dora when Ginny grabbed her hand to ensure she followed. Clearly, Aurors did not follow the fallen's families past this point usually. But Ginny figured, Dora was family at this point. And she was not sure she could handle any bad news alone.
Harry was laying on a bed, so perfectly still and pale, she nearly assumed him dead already. To her horror, his eyes were open and glazed over and suddenly, Ginny felt like she was going to throw up.
"What happened? What is it?" Ginny asked. "Is he dead?"
"No, Mrs Potter, he is not dead." The Healer said. There was another Healer writing notes on a file. "He is merely petrified."
Ginny felt the bile rising and suddenly she was eleven and staring down at petrified students in the hospital wing. Dora's hand was the only thing tethering her to this moment and keeping her from sinking into the memory of her possession.
"Unfortunately, it is a complicated case." The Healer continued. "Based on Auror Lupin's description of the curse, it is a newer one. We find it difficult to treat-"
"You- you can reverse this, right? He'll wake up?" She asked the Healer.
"At this moment, we know he is alive and will not die."
"But will he wake up?" Ginny asked.
Her heart dropped when she noticed the two Healers exchanged unsure glances.