When Tonks was released from the hospital the next morning, the joy did not last long.
The ministry officially released their statement and initiated a great Wizarding war.
They'd finally accepted that Voldemort had returned and the air in Grimmauld Place and amongst the Order completely changed.
Tonks insisted on not wallowing around, which Remus admired, and jumped right into a meeting.
Emeline and Sirius were sat at the far end of the table, where Sirius was nursing a slight hangover and Emeline was yawning widely.
George came to sit next to her and offered her nothing more than a soothing smile.
Her soul felt warm.
"Let's not waste any time this morning. I have an announcement on top of all of this," Kingsley began in a booming voice. "The minister has been removed from his post and they've appointed me Minister for Magic."
Gasps and cheers echoed throughout the dining hall as Kingsley managed a respectful smile.
He tried quickly to quiet everyone down before continuing.
"We're facing a Great War, I'm afraid. We must all be ready; these last few months have only been a taste of what's to come. We need strong duelers, sharp minds, and clear instinct. Please don't let your skills slip to the waste side and buckle down on your traveling habits - we need to be aware of one another's whereabouts. On another matter, Dolores Umbridge has been taken by centaurs in the Forbidden Forest. We've yet to locate her."
Emeline's mouth hung open and Remus caught the twinkle in Kingsley's eye as he ended and took a seat once more.
The rest of the meeting involved intense conversation about many facets of the looming war and what they could potentially expect.
It made Emeline's stomach church uncomfortably once more.
It seemed as though the meeting drug on for hours when they were finally all dismissed for a very late lunch, which Molly had lovingly prepared.
Everyone stood to stretch and move about the house, flexing their muscles and minds as this new information weighed atop them so heavily.
George stared down at Emeline as he stretched his own arms above his head.
"Opening day, Monday, yeah?" He asked happily. Emeline's attention snapped to him from the pit of darkness it was in and she grinned.
"Going through with it on time, eh?"
"It's now or never, love! You still feeling good about it?" The way his voice changed was easily noted by Emeline. She could tell he was roundabout asking how she felt, unsure of what to come out and say.
No one had mentioned Bellatrix explicitly to her, however a few members of the order clapped her on the back or commented on her following in her grandfather and father's dueling footsteps.
She couldn't help but feel proud.
"I feel great, George. I'm thrilled to start."
He seemed satisfied by that and kissed her cheek before running off after Fred.
Emeline gripped the back of the chair in front of her and she noticed Sirius was still sitting at the head of the table, now dozing off.
"Hey!" She snapped her fingers in front of him. "Did you hear any of the meeting?"
"Yes, yes I did. Nothing that hasn't been said before." He mumbled in annoyance.
"Sirius, don't wallow like this. You're alright." She tried to be encouraging once more and though his attitude wasn't completely aloof, he was a bit grumpy from the hangover.
She sighed and turned to leave, then, allowing him the space he needed.
"Hungry, dearie?" Molly asked warmly.
Emeline smiled and nodded.
"Famished, actually. It smells delicious, Mrs. Weasley."
"Thank you, Emeline. George is thrilled to have you working the shop with them. Those silly boys.. I know it will be a hit, but what a time to make yourself so vulnerable to the world!" Her voice was laced with worry and Emeline smiled weakly.
"They'll be alright, you know? Don't let yourself get too afraid. They're strong and wonderful duelists themselves. Besides, they've chosen a quiet corner to open in. I think their clientele will be there for the joy alone."
"Thank you, dear. I try my best. It's been difficult since.."
"I know." Emeline whispered, pulling her in for a hug.
"Oh, heavens, no bother, Emeline!" She tutted her away and swiped at her tears. "Let's get your plate fixed. You need your energy. You open Monday and then what, three days?"
"Yes, three days until the moon." She said politely. "Forgot, honestly." She chuckled as she held the plate that Molly was filling, who laughed also.
"That's interesting; worlds different from your father. He is always on edge beforehand. Much worse after, mind. But beforehand everything seems… sharper."
"It is." Emeline agreed, motioning for her to continue as she added a variety of vegetables, mash, pulled pork and savory cakes. "I notice all of that, too, but it isn't necessarily bad. Dad makes a fuss about it, though…perhaps it's how long he's been at it. I don't mind the heightened senses. But being completely famished is frustrating." She smirked and rested her fork on top of her heavy plate.
"Well, go eat up and get some rest. It'll do you well to have your strength for next week."
•
When night had fallen, Severus arrived just in time before Emeline and Remus were set to leave with their Wolfsbane.
"Still willing to give me a go at it?" Emeline asked quickly, to which Severus surveyed her and nodded curtly.
"In time, Miss Lupin. For now, let's get our bearings about us with all of this new information.
"Ofcourse." She nodded, grabbing both vials as Remus donned his cloak.
"Jacket, pup? I believe you'll need it."
A small sparkle glinted in his eyes.
"Oh, I… well, the one I wore here was actually George's. I'll go ask-"
"-no matter," Remus smiled, slipping off the cloak he had just put on and resting it over his daughter's shoulders. "After you, darling."
She stepped out the front door and gasped lightly, turning to him with a broad smile.
Snow was falling and gently blanketing the London street.
The streetlights twinkled against the shimmering white dust and Emeline held her palm flat open to catch some of it.
"Your mother loved the snow." Remus said softly, losing himself in a thought Emeline felt she was intruding upon. "She always had me rush her outside for the first snowfall of the season. By now, I can just tell that it's happening; an instinct she has imprinted on me I suppose."
Emeline smiled and leaned her head against his arm, which he quickly moved to pull her against him.
"I hope you're not dwelling on what transpired in the department." He whispered, staring up at the falling flakes, his hair and lashes becoming dusted and glittering.
Emeline shook her head in resolve, taking a deep breath as she mashed the small pile of snow that was now in her hand.
"I would do it again if it meant saving my family."
Remus let out a slow breath, watching the smoke of it hang in the air in front of him.
"Your dueling was impressive. I won't lie to you, I was concerned you were-"
"-rusty? I can hear your thoughts, remember?"
He laughed loudly and kissed her forehead, the cold snow hitting his lips first.
"Yes. But you've proved me wrong. You're very gifted in that regard. It will only strengthen as you hone it, especially with your instincts now."
She beamed up at him, basking in this specific praise.
Maybe not attending Hogwarts wouldn't prove to be the greatest disadvantage of her life after all.
"I like to think I have a thing or two to teach you yet, pup."
"Oh, I'm sure." She laughed. "I have a few things up my sleeve, too."
Remus cocked his head to the side before she moved swiftly and hit him square in the chest with a fluffy snowball, clutching the vials of Wolfsbane still tightly.
He laughed loudly and shook his head.
"I can't even retaliate! Those potions are an unfair advantage." He replied, wiping off his cardigan, amused.
"Oh, whine all you'd like." She slung her free arm back around his waist as they walked further down the road.
Tonks peered at them through a top window in Grimmauld Place and her heart felt warm and calm.
She knew it already: this was her family.
"Let's get home. Reckon some good rest will do us well, doomsday. Plus, I've got work Monday morning."
"That you do, darling."
With that, they were gone, and Tonks drew the curtain with a smile.
Author's Note: This concludes OOTP! I cannot believe it.
We will be moving in to Half Blood Prince and a few filler chapters in between that.
Again, a lot of the plot is going to deviate with the Hogwarts issue at hand.
However, Dolores is gone and Kingsley is minister, so our dear Emeline is facing a decision. Thank you for reading, as always!