The Talisman of Monguk

Chapter 27: Into the Sunset

As luck would have it, Lupin received an unexpected inheritance in July. More than a year after his death, Sirius Black's estate was finally settled. He left Lupin some wizard gold, not enough to make him rich, but, to Lupin, it seemed a princely sum. It was certainly more money than he'd ever known. As for the remainder of Black's estate, Sirius left the house at Grimmauld Place to Albus Dumbledore for headquarters and the bulk of his fortune and his beloved motorcycle to his godson, Harry Potter. Hagrid had been storing that bewitched piece of machinery in an old shed at Hogwarts all these years and was very glad to have someone finally take it off his hands.

Combining some of his money with her savings, Lupin and Angela purchased a quaint cottage in the countryside near Beecher's Knoll. The cottage itself had only three rooms and a bath. They were a large and sunny kitchen, a sitting room, and a bedroom. The house was actually more of a bungalow, but it had a sizable lot around it, plenty of land for gardens and additions to the house.

As a wedding present, their friends pitched in to help them prepare their house. Tonks, Molly, Ravena, and Mrs. Hawkins helped decorate the cottage. Angela insisted on arranging the kitchen herself. The other ladies busied themselves with the rest of the rooms. Ravena and the Hawkins family purchased the bedroom furnishings as a gift.

Hagrid, Mad-Eye, and Angela's brothers helped Lupin build an additional structure next to the cottage. This building was for Lupin's use during his transformations. It was a single room with a fireplace on one wall. It was furnished simply with rugs on the floor for warmth, a cot, and the small farmhouse table and chair that had been in Angela's apartment. At its entrance, they placed an arbor in front of the doorway and planted wizard roses at its base. The wizard roses would grow up the arbor, framing the door with their fragrant blooms. In addition to being decorative, the roses were planted there for security. The rose's monstrous thorns acted like a gate, blocking access to the entrance. They would retract only when a particular bud near the base of the rose was touched. It was because of this building that the Lupin cottage became known as the "The Den."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Angela and Lupin's wedding was an intimate affair, a simple ceremony among friends. They asked Dumbledore to officiate. He was pleased to accept and even offered to host the event on the lawns of Hogwarts.

The wedding took place on a warm August afternoon. A white canopy down on the Hogwarts lawns near the lake marked the location of the festivities. Chairs lined a small aisle that led to the center of the awning. A few friends gathered there, talking excitedly.

Under the canopy, Albus Dumbledore stood, looking majestic in robes of midnight blue with a matching wizard's hat. His snowy beard flowed down in front of his robes like an ermine collar. Remus Lupin waited expectantly beside him. He wore simple black dress robes over a freshly pressed white shirt with black trousers. He stared down the aisle with a hopeful expression. A very nervous Arthur Weasley fidgeted next to him. He kept checking his pockets for the rings and glancing over at this wife Molly.

At last, the rest of the wedding party approached. The first to arrive were Lupin's parents, Julius and Emma. Julius Lupin was an older version of Remus, with the same eyes and face, but much less hair. He was the very picture of an English gentleman in a waistcoat and tails, proudly walking down the aisle with his wife on his arm. Emma Lupin, wearing robes of turquoise, was taller than her husband and thin. She still had streaks of brown in her gray hair and a kindly face. Her lips wore a blissful smile for the occasion.

Eudora Hawkins, escorted by Francis, came next in a smart suit of powder blue, her snow white hair perfectly coifed beneath a matching pillbox hat. Ravena, as maid of honor, was luminous in a demure gown of pastel green chiffon. As Ravena took her place under the canopy, a sly smile played on her ruby lips and she whispered to Lupin. He turned scarlet and looked away, grinning.

Angela, escorted by Paul, now walked down the aisle. She wore a short-sleeved gown of white silk and chiffon. It was simple, but elegant and flattering. Her chestnut hair was swept up on her head, her soft curls adorned with roses and baby's breath. She carried a bouquet of pale pink and white roses. When she saw Lupin, she blushed, a radiant smile on her pink lips. Lupin caught his breath and looked at her with adoration.

The ceremony itself was brief. Dumbledore spoke a few words. The couple exchanged vows. As Dumbledore pronounced them man and wife and the couple kissed, Emma Lupin exclaimed tearfully, "I never thought that I'd live to see this day. It's the happiest day of my life!"

Under a second canopy was a table covered in white linen, laden with savory dishes. Here, friends and family mingled as they ate. Fred and George Weasley talked with their younger siblings, Ron and Ginny, and Ron's inseparable friends, Harry and Hermione. All six laughed raucously as George demonstrated his latest joke shop invention - Backfiring Broomsticks. Mad-Eye Moody took the opportunity to introduce himself to Ravena. She listened politely as he tried to impress her with tales from his past as an Auror. Kingsley, Tonks, Molly, and Arthur conversed with Minerva McGonagall. Angela's brothers enjoyed a pint or two with Hagrid. All three were growing more than a little misty-eyed. Paul kept casting longing looks in Miss Tonks' direction.

Lupin and Angela were engaged in conversation with his parents. Lupin had never looked happier. He stood by his bride's side, grinning at them all.

"Remus, she's a lovely girl," said Emma Lupin, smiling and dabbing her cheek with her handkerchief. "I couldn't be happier for you both."

"Yes, congratulations and welcome to the family," added Julius.

"Thank you," replied Angela, holding tightly to Lupin's arm and beaming back.

"Dad, have you seen the cottage?" Lupin asked.

"Indeed!" Julius replied, nodding his head. "Eudora was kind enough to give us a tour just yesterday. Very nice. But...er...don't you think it's just a tad small? You'll have to make additions soon, I hope. You know, to make room for the little ones."

"But, Dad," protested Lupin with a chagrined look. "We've only just married."

"Well, I was much younger than you are, when we had you," Julius pursued. "It's about time that you started thinking about a family."

"Dear, your father has already picked out names," rejoined Emma.

"Yes, of course," Julius said, with a jovial grin. "I'm looking forward to dandling little Venus or Mars on my knee."

Angela and Lupin exchanged bemused looks. Lupin just shook his head.

"Right then," Lupin said, taking Angela's hand and leading her away. "We really should go make the rounds. Kindly excuse us."

Meanwhile, Eudora Hawkins spoke with Dumbledore. "You are looking very well, Albus," she said. "The years don't seem to touch you at all."

"Thank you, Eudora," Dumbledore replied with a smile and a nod. "You are looking quite well yourself."

"Well enough for my age," she said, with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I can't thank you enough for this wonderful reception. Your generosity toward my family is overwhelming."

"It was my pleasure, Eudora. Think nothing of it."

"It certainly is a welcome change to see you under pleasant circumstances," Eudora said, casting a watchful look at her two sons.

"Well, yes," Dumbledore replied, his eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles. "We must make allowances for youthful exuberance."

"Mischief is what I would call it," she rejoined with a little scowl in the direction of her sons. "I hope that they won't give you too much trouble now that they've joined the Order."

Angela and Lupin approached with Harry.

"Ah, Eudora, have you met Harry Potter?" inquired Dumbledore.

"No, I haven't," replied Eudora, turning toward Harry with obvious interest.

"Harry," said Angela, "I'd like you to meet my mother, Eudora Hawkins."

"Let me get a better look at you, dear," said Mrs. Hawkins, putting her hands on Harry's shoulders and fixing her piercing blue eyes on him.

Harry squirmed uncomfortably. Several of the other guests turned to watch.

"Don't be alarmed, dear," Mrs. Hawkins said, staring into Harry's face. "I'm not interested in that scar. I'm interested in your eyes. I've always believed that the eyes are the windows to the soul. My, but you have lovely green eyes."

Harry continued to squirm.

"Mr. Potter, I can see that you are very brave," she continued, still searching his eyes. "I also see a little mischief in you. But what is most astonishing for a young man your age is that I see compassion, loads of it." She released him and added, "It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, young Mr. Potter."

Harry looked back at her dumbfounded and stammered, "Er...pleased to meet you too."

Then Mrs. Hawkins turned to Dumbledore. "Very interesting young man you have here, Headmaster."

"Indeed!" Dumbledore replied, winking at Harry.

"Now, if you will excuse me," Mrs. Hawkins said, "I need to speak with the girls. Angela! Ravena!"

Angela and Ravena also excused themselves and walked off a little way with Mrs. Hawkins. Lupin, Mad-Eye, Dumbledore, and Harry stared after them with amazement.

"How does she do that?" Lupin wondered.

"All of the Hawkins women are quite extraordinary," Dumbledore replied with a wink.

"Intriguing!" added Mad-Eye with his magical eye focused on Ravena.

"Exasperating!" chimed Francis, as he joined the group.

"Intoxicating!" sighed Lupin, gazing at his wife.

Francis guffawed and clapped Lupin on the back. "Take a look at Paul," he said. "It seems that he's having a go at serenading Tonks. Doesn't look like he's doing very well though."

They all looked over to see Paul holding Tonks' hand and singing her a love song with an earnest expression on his face. But Tonks screwed up her face and changed her appearance with every line. She had a pug nose, then a pig snout, then pointy ears, then lots of hair, and then no hair at all, and so on. Paul's face changed too. His was getting redder with every verse.

"Poor chap," remarked Francis. "I imagine that he'll win her in the end though. He's very persistent."

By the end of the song, Paul looked crestfallen at Tonks' rebuke. Then he spotted Ravena.

"Ah," Paul said, grabbing Ravena's hand and pulling her towards him. "Now here's a lady that knows how to respond to a serenade."

Paul sang to Ravena. She beamed up at him and fluttered her eyelashes coquettishly. Then she laughed at their well-rehearsed game. As the song ended, she leaned in toward her cousin and gave him a reassuring peck on the cheek.

By now, the sun was setting over the lake. Fairies appeared under the canopies to light the festivities. Angela and Lupin decided that it was time to leave.

Lupin flashed his bride a mysterious grin and nodded to Hagrid. The gamekeeper returned the nod, and then marched off into the forest. They heard an eerie wail coming from the direction of the trees. Minutes later, Hagrid emerged leading a sleek black skeletal horse.

The creature had white eyes that glowed like beacons against the ebony flesh. It snorted, sending mist flying from its flaring nostrils. The great leathery wings attached at the horse's withers beat rhythmically against its body. The dragon head tossed and the beast whinnied. It was an unnatural cry, the one that they'd heard coming from the forest.

"What is it?" Angela asked.

"It's a thestral," Lupin explained. "Our ride home."

"You can't be serious?" Angela replied, giggling. "So we're going to ride off together into the sunset on one of those?"

"Yes," he rejoined with a wide grin. "That was the general idea. Although, technically, we'll be flying."

"Flying?" she exclaimed. Angela's face fell. "Remus, there's something that you should know. I'm afraid to fly."

"But surely, you've flown on a broom before, haven't you?" Lupin inquired with a look of disbelief.

She shook her head. "I'm probably the only witch in Hogwarts history to fail Broomstick Basics," she replied, blushing with chagrin.

Lupin looked crestfallen. This was not the response that he'd hoped to get. Seeing the disappointed expression on his face, Angela reconsidered.

"Well, I suppose that I could try," she replied with a sigh. "How bad could it be? And you'll be right there with me, won't you?" She flashed him a nervous, but hopeful look.

He grinned at her and took her hand in his. "Of course," he said with a reassuring smile. "I promise that I'll hold you the whole way."

Lupin approached the thestral and mounted it, as if riding came naturally to him. His left hand grabbed the horse's long black mane and his right reached down for his new bride. Hagrid lifted Angela onto the creature and set her in front of Lupin. She sat sidesaddle, trembling as the beast fidgeted under her.

"Grab hold of the mane," Lupin instructed. "Keep your head down and hold tightly."

Then he wrapped his right arm around her and grabbed hold of the horse. The force of his body against her back pushed her forward into position. She took hold of the long silken threads of the creature's mane with shaking fingers.

"Ready?" he asked.

She nodded.

"But Angela," protested Ravena, running toward them with the bridal flowers in her hands. "You can't leave yet. You forgot to toss the bouquet."

"You can keep it, Ravena," Angela replied, giving her cousin a warm smile. "It's yours, cousin. It'll be your turn next."

Ravena beamed back at her. She stuck her nose into the bouquet and inhaled the sweet damask scent of the roses. Then she cast a wistful glance up toward the Hogwarts castle.

"Goodbye," Angela called out. "And thanks, all of you."

"Right then," Lupin whispered to the beast, "To Beecher's Knoll."

Their guests waved and cheered. Lupin gave the thestral a sharp nudge in the flank with his heels. The beast whinnied again and then gave an enormous lunge into the air with its powerful haunches. The leathery wings expanded to the sides and flapped, as they soared skyward.

Angela's stomach plummeted from the force of the launch. Her fingers gripped the mane with white knuckles. She looked down for just an instant as the Hogwarts lawns rapidly retreated from sight. Her eyes squeezed shut. She felt the muscular body of the horse beneath her and Lupin's arms wrapped tightly around her.

The flight of the creature leveled off. It glided now with effortless ease on the wind currents and thermals, the wings barely moving. Angela still did not dare open her eyes. Lupin's right hand let go of the thestral's mane and wrapped around her waist, pulling her securely to him. His body nestled against her back. He leaned forward so that his head rested against hers and whispered in her ear.

"You know, you're missing a glorious view," he coaxed. "Come on. It's all right. Take a look."

The shelter of his embrace quelled her fear. Angela peeked and then opened her eyes wide. An explosion of color met her gaze. The crimson sun sank into the horizon, sending shards of ochre, tangerine, vermilion, indigo, and violet dancing among the clouds. She gasped.

"Oh, Remus," she exclaimed. "It's beautiful!"

"Yes," he whispered back. "You are."

THE END