Friday, 30 August, 1991
The wedding day had arrived.
Tonks was dressed in a simpler version of her mother's wedding dress, her pink hair was up in a braided chignon that Andromeda styled, and despite her mother's protests, Tonks insisted on wearing white trainers, rather than heels. She knew she was clumsy enough in flat shoes and didn't want to provide any more opportunities to embarrass herself in front of her new husband and his family.
Tonks stared at the card that held her demographic information. It had been sent with the notice to Eligible Wizard #60-W31-029X, notifying him of his upcoming matrimony. Her short file, titled 'Eligible Witch #72-W18-1798M,' held even less information than she had of him. It listed her age, her house, Hufflepuff, her wand core, unicorn hair, and one line of family information.
" Pureblood mother and Muggleborn father. No siblings. Ministry requirement for son not applicable due to marriage date of parents."
Looking up at her parents, Tonks wondered if they had wanted more children. They married at the end of 1971, just days before the new legislation was passed that would require couples to have sons to carry on wizarding family names. That was the reasoning given at the time: Tonks had since learned that the wizards behind the legislation were unhappy that some families were having only one child, and the whole purpose of the 'Wed the Witches' act was to increase the magical population. Andromeda and Ted were spared from having to keep going for a son, while Blythe's parents, who married only a month after the Tonkses, had to have Blythe and her brother, Paul.
The Ministry magistrate had already come by to inform Tonks that her chosen bachelor and his family had arrived. The ceremony would begin in ten minutes. A knot formed in her stomach: she was really going to marry a werewolf and would need to conceive a son with him within five years.
She really hadn't thought that last part through.
"I'm sure he's just as nervous as you are, sweetheart," said Ted, reaching out to squeeze Tonks's left hand gently.
Andromeda said nothing. Tonks knew her mother vehemently disagreed with the decision to choose a werewolf, but when all the top candidates were set side by side, the wizard she had chosen was the best among them. Tonks was certain that if it wasn't for his lycanthropy, he would've been chosen right away or married without having to go into the catalogue.
The magistrate came back to the little waiting room. They were ready for her. Ted led the way out of the room, while Tonks stayed back a few paces with her mother, her cheeks flushing at the thought of what lay ahead.
"Mum, do you think I'll have to . . . do the thing with him . . . as soon as tonight?"
"I'm sure he's expecting it," Andromeda replied tightly. "You don't have to if you don't want to, but he might not make it easy for you to refuse."
Tonks clung closer to her mother. She knew what to expect, even what it would look like, but in all her years at Hogwarts, Tonks never had sex with anyone. She hoped her husband would be gentle with her; given his age, she was sure he was well-experienced in bed. She would be devastated if her inexperience led him to laugh at her, or tell her she was bad at sex. If all else failed, she'd ask Blythe's husband for the special potion he made for her and try to speed up the process of having a son.
"We're here," Ted whispered. "Through this door and we'll meet him." He turned around, took Tonks's hand in his, and kissed her cheek. "No matter what happens, you'll always be our girl. We'll help you whenever you need."
Tonks's eyes watered. She held her head high and stepped inside the small chamber that would witness her marriage.
The sight that awaited her was nothing like what she expected.
Only two people stood in front of the magistrate. A younger man with premature lines on his face and greying hair had to be the eligible bachelor. To his right stood a wizard with white hair, grey robes, and a solemn face.
Tonks walked up to the magistrate and turned to face the man who would be her husband.
Remus's mouth grew dry and his heart skipped a beat as soon as he laid eyes on the young woman who had chosen him.
She was breathtaking.
Her face was heart-shaped and her dark eyes twinkled like stars in the night sky. She had pink hair (he wondered if she charmed it that way), and it was pulled up into an elegant twist, with strands framing either side of her face. Her white dress fell below her knees, and it was cut so Remus could imagine her curves. Her shoes—white trainers with pink shoelaces—gave her the appearance of a woman who marched to the beat of her own drum. Her nails were painted black and she had colorful bracelets on both of her wrists.
There was no doubt in Remus's mind that had it not been for the catalogue, or the Ministry legislation, a young woman like her would never have deigned to even speak to him.
Remus was certain this is how Peter felt when he married: there was no way he could've gotten this lucky (although in poor Peter's case, his wife Laura expected Sirius or James, given the demographic information in the catalogue, not realizing that both men had already been married). Remus prayed that the beautiful witch before him would give him a chance. He would promise to be good to her, to respect her, and to make it as painless as possible to be with him.
He had spent the entire week doing whatever he could to ensure his bride would find some comfort and joy in her new life. His house was pristine, the cupboards were well-stocked with fresh food, and he'd put up with Lily and Amelia redecorating to their heart's content to ensure the space was good enough for a young woman to live in. Remus would offer his new wife her pick of any of the three bedrooms. If it came to it, would ask Peter and Laura how they conceived Walter and give his wife the same option should she choose not to be with him.
As Remus gawked at the loveliness before him, he desperately hoped she was willing to be with him.
"Let us begin," said the magistrate. "Today we are joining Remus John Lupin and Nymphadora Andromeda Tonks in matrimony."
Remus burned her name into his memory.
Nymphadora, Nymphadora, Nymphadora.
Her name was Nymphadora, and when the magistrate told him to do so, he turned and took her hands in his.
Remus, Remus, Remus .
Tonks turned the name over in her mind. She knew she shouldn't stare, but she kept stealing glances up at the man holding her hands. He was tall, had sandy brown hair speckled with silvery strands, and a few lines on his face, making him look a few years older than his true age. His robes looked new, though not as well-styled as the ones her mother made.
It was hard to keep her eyes on his when there was so much to look at and pay attention to.
She repeated her name for the magistrate and heard Remus repeat his. In his voice, there was a gentle lilt, suggesting he was Welsh. The magistrate then began a short speech, detailing the reasons for marriage and why the Ministry wanted strong families. There were faint lines on Remus's hands, a dusting of sandy brown hair on the back of them, and when she darted up to meet his gaze, she saw his expression was guarded.
Perhaps she wasn't what he had wanted in a wife.
"Are there rings?" asked the magistrate, startling Tonks from her increasing anxiety.
"Yes," said two voices. The white-haired man standing behind Remus pulled out a box, while Ted pulled out two.
"This belonged to my late wife," said the older man, who Tonks assumed would be her new father-in-law.
"That's lovely," Andromeda said softly, peeking over Tonks's shoulder to see the modest ring within the box. "Nymphadora, will you accept his mother's ring?"
Tonks couldn't tell if her mother was asking her a question or giving a command, so she nodded, and Remus's father gave the ring to Remus.
"We had my parents' rings," said Ted, putting one of the boxes away. He glanced at Remus with a thoughtful look. "Will you be wearing a ring, Mr. Lupin?"
Remus looked down at Tonks. "Would you like me to wear a ring, Nymphadora?"
Tonks balked at hearing her name coming out of his mouth, but he didn't know her yet. She looked back at her mother for reassurance, and when Andromeda nodded, Tonks nodded back at Remus.
"Yes," she murmured. Remus smiled at her, and she took the ring from her father. It was a plain, golden band, but if he was happy with it, she would be also.
The magistrate continued with the ceremony. They exchanged vows, which forced Tonks to meet her husband's eyes while she promised her fidelity, affection, and life to him. They exchanged rings, and Tonks couldn't help but stare at the sparkling diamonds she had received. The ring was nicer than her grandmother's, and knowing it came from her husband's mother made it just as special to her.
In no time at all, the magistrate was ready to conclude the ceremony. A few more words were said, and finally Tonks and Remus were pronounced married, husband and wife in the eyes of the law.
Tonks lifted her chin, trying not to quake at the idea of kissing a stranger in front of her parents. Remus pressed his lips together, eyes searching her face, and she drew closer, expecting that he would want to kiss her. He bent his head down, and instead of kissing her lips, he placed a quick, chaste kiss on her cheek.
It was odd, feeling disappointment that he didn't want to kiss her, while simultaneously being relieved that she was spared from kissing a man she just met. Remus took her left hand, and seeing that Andromeda and Ted were gesturing for them to leave, Remus and Tonks followed her parents out of the room, where another young and trembling bride was waiting with her family in the corridor.
"Hello," Remus said quietly, turning to her when they were back in the waiting area. "I'm Remus."
"Wotcher," Tonks returned softly. "I'm Tonks."
Remus blinked at her. "Tonks?"
"I know I'm a—I'm sorry, I already forgot your last name—but I don't like my real name." Tonks flashed a glare at her mother, whose gaze hadn't left Remus's. "I go by Tonks."
"Okay," Remus agreed. "Tonks it is. My surname's Lupin, but you don't have to take it. Not unless you want to." The melodic lilt in his voice made him seem warmer to her somehow, or perhaps it was the gentle kindness in his eyes as he spoke.
Tonks heard a throat clearing behind her. Her father had his brow lifted, and she said, "These are my parents, Ted and Andromeda."
Tonks pointed to her mother and father. They exchanged pleasantries with Remus, and then Remus's father, Lyall, was introduced. Tonks didn't know whether to stand next to her new husband or her parents; she was unsure of where she would go now or even where she would live.
Her fate was now firmly sealed. She was no longer a Tonks, but a Lupin.
Remus wanted to hold his wife's hand again. She stood, not looking anyone in the eye, but at least she seemed to be admiring the ring he gave her. He felt his mother-in-law's eyes on him, which were familiar, but he couldn't place where he'd seen them before.
"We thought we'd invite you to lunch," said Ted, breaking the awkward quiet among them. "Get to know each other better over a good meal, eh?"
"Actually," said Remus, after meeting his father's eyes, "my dad and I prepared something at my house. It could, er, give you a chance to see where I live?" He felt like a flobberworm under his new mother-in-law's stern gaze, but his father-in-law seemed receptive, and his new wife— wife! —nodded along.
"Mum, Dad?" said Tonks, "what do you think?"
"It's up to you, darling," Andromeda murmured. She bent and whispered something in Tonks's ear. Remus stood back with his father, his shoulders tensing as he awaited their decision.
"I want to go," Tonks decided aloud. She peered up at Remus, with her eyes looking lighter than they had before. "Where do you live?"
"In Wales," Remus replied, releasing a breath. "Thirty miles from Cardiff."
"Can you speak Welsh?" asked Tonks.
"Remus's mother, my late wife, was from Cardiff," said Lyall. "We met in a forest nearby, Coed Craig Ruperra. Remus got his mam's way of speaking. She taught him in Welsh and English."
"I've, erm, got the address," Remus said. He fumbled with his pocket and pulled out two slips of parchment. "We can use the Floo network."
The Tonkses agreed to the suggestion. Lyall and Ted made small talk while they went up the elevator, back to the Ministry Atrium, and found the open fireplaces. Lyall went first, followed by the Tonkses, and Remus went last, after waiting a few minutes for everyone to settle into his living room.
When he landed on his hearth, he was relieved to see everyone there. Lyall and Ted continued their conversation, commenting on the house, its location, and the improvements Remus made over the years, while Andromeda and Tonks murmured to each other over what they saw.
"It's like the Hufflepuff common room, with the plants," Remus heard Tonks say. She smiled as she said it, which made him grateful for Amelia's help.
"My friend, Amelia Black, was a Hufflepuff," said Remus, meeting his new wife's enchanting eyes. "She and another friend helped prepare the house for you."
"Amelia Black?" Andromeda scrutinized Remus. "You don't mean Sirius Black's wife, do you?"
"Sirius is one of my best mates from school," Remus replied evenly. "Do you know him?"
Tonks clapped her hand over her mouth. Ted chuckled and came to meet Andromeda.
"He is my cousin," said Andromeda. "He is only family member I keep in touch with."
"Oh . . . er." Remus felt stupid, realizing that his new mother-in-law's eyes were also Sirius's. "I work for him, with him, at The Marauders' Market, in Diagon Alley. Sirius and James Potter own the shop. Peter Pettigrew and I co-founded it with them."
"You work there?" Tonks asked, her jaw dropping slightly. "And you're best friends with my mum's cousin?"
"I thought Sirius only had one business partner," Andromeda said, eyeing Remus curiously. "I knew of James and the shop clerk, but not you."
Remus clasped his hands together. "I work in the back. James and Sirius own the shop and Peter's our clerk. I'm in charge of the storeroom. I charm most of the products, away from sight, as customers aren't keen to buy from me. We keep my involvement under wraps, due to my condition."
Though Remus was looking at Andromeda, he spared a glance at Tonks, whose eyes crinkled down at him in pity.
"Anyway," Remus said, clearing his throat, "can I show you the house?"
The suggestion was met with resounding enthusiasm, so Remus led the way to show his new wife and her family that he had nothing but good things to offer.
Remus's house was bright and clean. Tonks liked the wall of books in his living room, covering corner to corner with lots of volumes that she could read through. There were three bedrooms. Remus was quick to offer her the option of choosing a room while she settled in, if she chose to stay. It wasn't a difficult choice to agree to move in with him, and she took the second biggest bedroom, as she suspected the largest one was Remus's, and Tonks didn't want to displace her husband in his own house.
It was hard to believe that he was a werewolf, given how kind and generous he was, but Tonks supposed those were her own prejudices rearing their ugly heads. Remus's father, Lyall, recounted the story of the night that Remus became a werewolf. It filled Tonks with pity for her new husband, who had been suffering since he was a little boy. Ted asked about the Wolfsbane Potion, and Remus replied that his friend Lily dutifully made the potion for him every month. He even pointed out the shed behind the house, revealing its location, as it was under the Fidelius Charm. It was enchanted with the strongest protections he could conjure, and not once in the ten years that he had lived in the house had there been any problems with his situation.
More stories were recounted over a delicious lunch. Remus and his father had made a traditional Welsh feast for the Tonkses: there was roasted lamb, a hearty stew they called a cawl, a goat cheese and leek tart, homemade crusty loaves, and an apple crumble that Tonks had two slices of. While they ate, Andromeda and Ted told their story, Lyall shared how he had met and fallen in love with his wife, Hope, and what it was like to raise a little lycanthrope.
Tonks's Metamorphmagus abilities were revealed, which stunned both Lupins. Lyall had nothing but awe and admiration for Tonks's abilities, while Remus was close to speechless. Tonks didn't know if it was from surprise or disgust—some people didn't trust Metamorphmagi, or thought their abilities were freaky—but she thought that the way Remus looked at her, it wasn't with scorn or disapproval.
After lunch, Lyall made tea for Andromeda and Tonks, while Ted and Remus went back and forth from the Tonkses' home in Bromley to get Tonks's belongings. The more time she stayed at the house, the more Tonks saw herself finding happiness in her new life. There were books, a large garden that had herbs and vegetables, ample space for two people to share, and Remus himself seemed like a good man.
Tonks wasn't sure if she could fall in love with him, but she was hopeful that they could be friends, and that the process of making a baby with him would be tolerable.
Yet all too soon, it was the late afternoon and all of Tonks's things were put where they belonged. It would take time to unpack her books and decorations. Her clothes and personal items were put away, which made Tonks feel like she was eleven years old again and settling into her first night at Hogwarts, away from her parents.
Andromeda helped Lyall put all the food away and clean up after their lunch, and then it was clear it was time for everyone to go.
Ted, Lyall, and Remus were deep in conversation near the front door. Andromeda hung back by Tonks, whose apprehension grew over what came next.
It was all fine and well for Tonks to say she would live with her husband, a werewolf, while her parents were seated on either side of her. It was perfectly fine that Tonks had gotten married only hours before.
It was suddenly terrifying that this wasn't a one-time event, but the start of a new chapter in her life, where she wouldn't be just Tonks. She would be Mrs. Lupin, wife of Remus and mother of whatever children they produced. But when Tonks observed Remus from across the room, she saw fear in his eyes, and it left her to wonder if he was just as nervous as she was.
After all, Remus was a werewolf, and from the stories his father had shared, most people were cruel to him for something he had no control over. Tonks knew it could hurt to be with him, but she would try to be brave like Blythe and all the other young women she knew.
Tonks glanced again at Remus. He was deep in conversation with his father and Ted, the three of them seeming to share an understanding among them. Remus's eyes flickered back at her and she looked away, not wanting to be caught staring at him. The men shook hands, making it clear that it was time for Tonks to be left alone with her husband.
"Write to me first thing in the morning," Andromeda said quietly, as she hugged Tonks tightly. "If anything is wrong—we'll find a way to help you—"
"I'll be okay, Mum," Tonks mumbled, "I've got a feeling it's going to be . . . not bad?"
Andromeda let her go. It was Ted's turn next, and he gave her a big bear hug, repeating Andromeda's words. All Tonks needed to do was find her way home, and they would help her.
Lyall gave Tonks a hug too. She was unsure about it, but he seemed kind too, and undoubtedly loved his son. Tonks wondered if Lyall was nervous for Remus, as much as Ted and Andromeda were for her.
The Floo lit up. In a matter of teary-eyed moments, there was no one in the living room but Tonks and Remus, and no sound but Tonks's heart pounding in her chest.