Tonks and Remus instantly materialized a few hundred yards from his father's small, cozy cottage. All the other houses on the street looked nearly identical to that of Lyall Lupin's.
The houses were lined up as if part of a chess game. The individual yards were separated by white picket fences and high green hedges. His neighborhood even had a small park where children could gather and play.
Tonks sighed; it was nice to see a place that still seemed untouched by the Death Eaters and the violence surrounding them. Tonks had been to Lyall's house once before, but it was under much graver circumstances, and she hadn't really noticed how lovely his home and neighborhood was.
Remus inhaled a deep lungful of fresh air as he walked along the sidewalk. The air was crisp and clear, and Remus couldn't help but notice that it was a devastatingly beautiful day for a funeral.
"Your dad is expecting us, right?" Tonks asked.
"Oh yes, I sent him a message this morning and he said that it was fine. He seems excited to see us." he told her, rubbing her back as they walked.
"Okay, good." Tonks said as they approached the house together.
She had already met Remus' father previously, so she wasn't very concerned at all. looking over. She noticed that Remus looked at ease as well. This made her feel good.
Lyall greeted them cheerfully as they entered the house.
"Hi dad." Remus said
Hugging his father, his father clapped him on the back kindly.
"And, Tonks how are you? I'm glad to see you again."
He greeted her just as happily.
"Hi Lyall. I'm good. Given the current unfortunate situation we all find ourselves in." She explained.
"Ah, yes. I know what you mean." He addressed them both.
"I thought last year I was barely leaving the neighborhood. Now, I'm essentially a prisoner here somedays. Death eaters are out all hours now. Even here, I've seen them occasionally." Lyall shuttered.
"And, this neighborhood has always been safe . Muggles and magical people have lived together here in harmony for many years." Lyall explained, leading them into the parlor off the kitchen.
"I'm sorry to hear that. It's not been great much of anywhere these days." I'm glad to hear this areas has mostly remained safe. Tonks said.
Lyall nodded. "It's so abysmal. And honestly, I suspect thats really only due to how many Muggles we have in the neighborhood. They out number us at least 3 to 1."
"Dad, I didn't realize you were here alone so much. I can come by more." Remus said, feeling slightly guilty. His father was in his 60s now and he worried how he was getting on all alone.
"We both can." Tonks added, as they sat down together.
"Oh? That would be lovely, I'd love the company." he said, looking from one to the other.
he seemed intrigued by this.
"Actually, Dad. Tonks and I, we live together now. So, you could come visit us too." Remus explained.
"Oh, I had no idea. I think that's wonderful." Lyall said, smiling.
"Well, it happened recently, so don't worry you've not been out of the loop for too long." Tonks explained kindly.
"Ha, I'm glad to hear it." Lyall said.
" And that's one of the reasons we came to visit you too. Because we wanted you to know that we are going to get married this week." Remus explained to him.
Lyall was surprised but clearly happy. He almost looked speechless.
"That's-that's wonderful. I'm surprised, but this is great news to get after so much darkness. But, I mean what caused this?" He asked.
"Like I said before, we've made some decisions lately because of the state we are all currently living in. And, we love each other and want to get married." Tonks continued.
Remus nodded.
Lyall looked emotional. "I'm very very happy for you both, then." Lyall said, getting up to hug his son and Tonks.
"We appreciate the support." Remus said happily.
" do you know what, we should have a celebratory toast!" Lyall said happily.
"This should be good." He held up a bottle of pinkish liquid.
"Sparkling wine." He explained.
"Figured it's a little too early for the hard stuff." Lyall chuckled, pouring them each a small glass.
Tonks and Remus gladly celebrated with Lyall, holding their glasses up with him.
For the next hour or so, the three of them enjoy each other's company and continued talks about the pairs pending marriage.
Lyle was fascinated that Tonks and Remus had been able to plan such a thorough trip to the highlands in just a few short days.
"I'm sure you'll both have a lovely time. Just be careful though you never know where the death eaters will be these days. Just keep a sharp eye out."
"Of course." Remus assured him
"We're planning on leaving right after the funeral and I know you're not planning on coming to that." Tonks said
"Oh no, no I'm not. that business is far too sad for me. I'll go and pay my respects to Dumbledore another time. I'll just send you guys off this morning."
"Well, we are really enjoying your company, Dad" Remus told him.
"Oh, the pleasure is all mine." Lyall told them, waving his hands.
Remus shifted in his chair. He'd have to bring up the topic eventually.
Remus cleared his throat.
"Unfortunately, I have to bring up something that's not as pleasant. I am sure you've seen that they are increasing the restrictions for werewolves." He explained.
"Oh yes, I unfortunately didn't see that it is very disheartening." His father said he. " I've been worried."
"Do you know how you're going to deal with the regulations yet?" His father asked.
"Well, that's one of the things I want to talk to you about." Remus said.
"I was wondering if maybe it would be possible for me to transform here in the basement?" Remus asked.
"I have done it before. And I think it does meet the current requirements."
"Oh, of course Remus." His father said.
"If it makes you more comfortable, i could potentially arrange to stay somewhere else that night?" Lyall asked his son.
"If you could that would make me more comfortable., but if not I'll manage" he explained.
"You can stay at our flat, Lyall. We have a spare bedroom you can use." Tonks told him.
"Oh thank you Tonks. That sounds okay with me." Lyall explained.
"It's a plan, then." Remus said.
Later on that morning, it was almost time to go to the funeral.
Remus dreaded each passing second. He wasn't sure he was ready to say goodbye to Dumbledore yet.
Lyall had even taken the time to give Tonks and Remus a tour of his vegetable patch and wildflower gardens.
It made Remus happy to see his father take to Tonks so quickly.
Before leaving, Remus ran inside to go to the loo quickly and when he came out his father was in the kitchen.
"Dad. Hey." Remus said.
"Hi." His father smiled. "Tonks is wonderful by the way." He told him.
"I know. I'm glad you two have taken so well to each other." Remus said
"Your mother would have been so happy too." he told Remus.
"She would have loved her." He said looking out the window towards Tonks.
" oh, dad. I think so too." Remus said, patting his father's shoulder.
" now, I promise I would've gotten you a real wedding gift if I had known about the wedding ahead of time. But, I think you should have this." Lyall said, pulling out a small reddish brown box.
Remus looked at him, confused.
"Your mother was always steadfast in the belief that you would find someone special one day. She wanted me to keep this for you in case you ever wanted it. She would of wanted you to have it. Or, well she would've wanted Tonks to have it. " he told his son, putting his hand on his shoulder.
"You decide." Lyall said, leaving his son in the room by himself, retreating back into the yard.
Remus opened the small burgundy box and saw the ring he'd seen his mother wear for the first 19 years of his life, until her death.
It was a sweet little gold ring with a solitary petite marquee diamond.
It was a perfect ring for Tonks. And he knew it would suit her well.
He closed the box, slipping it in his pocket.
He'd give it to her when the moment was right.
He heard her and his father chuckling in the backyard and smiled as he went to join them.
"Hello." He greeted them kindly.
Both of them smiled as he greeted them.
After a few more minutes, Lyall announced he needed to run inside. Leaving Remus and Tonk's in the garden.
It was now, or never. He thought.
"I have a gift for you." He said turning to Tonks.
She looked quizzically at him.
"What?" She asked interested.
"It's sort of a wedding gift." He said.
Remus took the small box out of his pocket. Opening it up.
Tonks was shocked. She gasped,
"This was my mothers, I want you to have it now. This is me asking you to marry me for real." He said.
She instantly grabbed his face and kissed him.
"Yes. I can't wait to marry you." Said.
"Here, can I put this on?" He asked, pulling the ring out of the box.
She nodded, tearfully.
After he slipped the ring on her finger, they kissed.
"I promise, I'll take really good care of it." She caressed his face, their foreheads pressed together.
"C'mon. Let's go say goodbye to my dad. He'll be happy to see you in the ring." Remus suggested.
Tonks nodded.
Hand-in-hand, together they walked back up to the cottage.
Tonks and Remus walked along the high street leading to Hogwarts.
Many people in all styles and colors of dress passed them on the high street as they walked. some solitary on their journey, while others had huge families to accompany them on the walk to the castle.
"You're okay with me wearing it to the funeral?" She asked, gesturing towards the ring.
"I think Dumbledore would have been really happy to see you wear it." He insisted, despite his own nerves.
"People that know us could ask about it." She told him.
He nodded. Knowing this was true.
"As long as they are people we know I'm alright with that." Remus explained.
They both agreed while they walked, that if Tonks had to speak with any ministry employees she'd turn her ring around so it was less noticeable.
"And, you don't mind?" Remus asked.,
"For you? No way." She told him as she gave him a quick side hug.
Remus smiled a little.
"This is one of those times where I'm going to be uncomfortable. But, I don't care, as long as you're comfortable and unaffected," he explained.
"I guess it's good I don't care either then. It might affect me. IF so, we'll face it together."
Remus nodded. "I agree" he said.
Together they walked quietly as others passed.
Remus felt nervous, the closer to the funeral they got the worse it became.
He knew Tonks could tolerate questions and stares, or people finding out. But he knew deep down it would be harder for him to accept it. He liked to be liked.
He sighed as they approached the gates.
The first people he saw were Molly and Arthur. 'At least the people in the Order would be supportive.' He thought.
She asked, "Anything I can do to help?"
He said, "Just take my hand."
She smiled, and did just that.