Taijitu

Authors Notes: Hello again to everyone! My apologies go to everyone for how long this chapter has taken. Special apologies also go to Michelle, LunaMoon, Di and Jennifer. You know why. Also thanks go to my beta's Mel and Julie for their work on this chapter and also to Michelle and Jenni for their encouragement!

The afternoon was sunny as Tonks and Andromeda sat in the kitchen of Ottery Cottage. Sunlight streamed through the open kitchen window and bathed the room in a lemony light that reminded Tonks that spring was drawing to a close. Even though it was only the first of September, October was already coming with its usual pre-winter bite that always made Tonks feel slightly saddened.

Andromeda looked up from her cup of tea just in time to see the slightly melancholy look on her daughter's face.

"What is it?" she asked softly. Tonks' expression cleared at once.

"Nothing."

"Dora, I know that look. What's wrong?"

Tonks sighed and shrugged. "Everything's changing. It's all just happening so fast..."

She looked down at herself. Her stomach was starting to swell, showing the first signs that she was carrying a child. She rested her hand on her abdomen.

Andromeda looked closely at her daughter, but before she could reply, there was a knock on the front door.

Tonks was immediately wary. Drawing her wand, she moved across the kitchen and into the living room, towards the front door.

"Who is it?" she called through the door.

"It me- Kingsley! Auror, boss, and all-around ladies man."

Tonks sighed in relief and quickly opened the door. Kingsley Shacklebolt stood in the sunlight of her front porch, his bald head gleaming. He did not look happy.

"What's happened?" Tonks asked immediately.

Kingsley held out a small object. "Snape," he said shortly.

"Snape?" Tonks looked confused. "What about him?" She realised the object Kingsley was holding was a newspaper. She took it and slowly examined the front page.

"No," she said softly, her eyes roaming across the fine print.

"Yes," said Kingsley curtly. "That's all we need. Snape as..."

"Dora?" Andromeda was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, looking concerned. "Is everything all right?"

"Depends on how you look at it," Tonks said dourly. "Here," she held out the paper to her mother who crossed the room and read the print quickly.

"Snape...as Headmaster of Hogwarts?" Andromeda said incredulously, looking up. "After he killed Dumbledore? How can they do this!"

"Well technically, they're saying Harry killed Dumbledore," said Kingsley bitterly.

Andromeda made a disgusted noise. "That's ridiculous."

Kingsley shrugged, looking tense. "We really hoped that You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters would leave Hogwarts alone. You know, Dumbledore's legacy and all that. It's a real blow to the Order to find out he's taking over there as well."

Tonks glanced behind her. "Did you wanna come in, Kingsley?"

Kingsley shook his head. "No thanks, Tonks, I'd better get going. I'm sure I'm being watched."

"Watched?" Andromeda looked surprised. Kingsley nodded.

"Yes. And I don't want to draw attention to you and Remus any more than you already have. You know Bellatrix is out to get you."

"Yeah, I got that the last two times she tried to kill me," Tonks said sarcastically. Kingsley gave her a flit of a grin.

"I'd better get going."

"All right. Thanks, Kingsley. Oh, wait,"

Kingsley paused and Tonks surveyed him.

"You know they're starting the trials today?"

Kingsley's half-grin faded. "Yeah," he said quietly. "They're starting with Perkins from the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts office."

"Perkins?" Tonks said in surprise. "I thought he was a pure-blood?"

"Nope, half-blood, his mother was a Muggle." Kingsley shook his head. "I'm not sure if he'll withstand the Dementors. At his age, the shock might kill him."

Tonks swore quietly. "I wish there was something I could do for him. He's such a sweet man."

"I'm going in today," Kingsley said. "Maybe see what I can do to help him."

Tonks looked frustrated. "I hate not being able to do anything."

The two of them were silent for a moment, and then Kingsley looked at his watch. "I'd better go."

"All right. Thanks, Kingsley. Good luck."

"No problems." Kingsley began to walk down the garden path. "See you later."

"Bye," Tonks echoed. She and Andromeda watched Kingsley get to the end of the path, turn on the spot, and disappear. Tonks slowly shut the front door and turned to her mother.

"This isn't good."

Andromeda nodded, a dark expression on her face. "The Muggle-Born registration committee," she spat out in disgust as they returned to the kitchen. "It's just an excuse for You-Know-Who to weed out the few good employees left at the Ministry!"

"Remus said exactly the same thing," said Tonks, tapping the kettle with her wand. It immediately jumped off the stove and fell to the floor with a clang.

"Bloody hell!"

Tonks swore loudly and kicked the metal object across the room where it crashed into the oven and broke in half.

"Here." Andromeda walked over to her daughter. "Accio kettle."

The kettle jumped into Andromeda's hands. "Reparo."

The kettle fixed itself and Andromeda tapped it smartly with her wand, putting it back on the counter. It immediately began to whistle.

"I don't know how you do that," Tonks grumbled, glaring at the newly repaired kettle with dislike.

"How is Remus?" Andromeda asked, pouring the boiling water into two mugs. Tonks sighed.

"He's all right, he's recuperating."

"Wasn't it-"

"The full moon last night? Yes." As Andromeda stirred the two cups Tonks held out a hand, her hands curling over the hot mug instinctively. She carried her mug to the table and sat with a sigh.

"Why don't I believe you?" Andromeda asked, watching her daughter's face closely.

Tonks sighed again. "The transition was...harder than usual this month. We think it was because of his injuries from the battle in Surrey last week, but we're not sure..."

"Are you still making the Wolfsbane potion for him?"

Tonks nodded. "Snape taught me to make it before he turned traitor." Her voice was bitter.

"Where is Remus?"

"He's upstairs, sleeping. He'll probably sleep for most of the day." Tonks paused for a moment, hesitating. "His transition is always harder if he's worried."

"What's he worried about?" Andromeda asked, blowing on her tea. "Besides the war, of course."

Tonks looked downwards. "The baby," she said quietly. "He's convinced it's going to be at least half werewolf."

Andromeda sighed. "I know." She looked at Tonks. "What do you think?"

Tonks shrugged. "It isn't impossible. Remus is a werewolf. But I spoke to Fleur a couple of days ago, and when she and Bill last went to St Mungo's the Healers assured them that their children wouldn't be marked by the curse."

"Bill isn't a true werewolf."

"No." Tonks frowned. "Which means that he and Remus's situations may be totally different..." She sighed again. "Either way, this baby is ours. I'm determined to love it come what may." She gave her mother a grin. "Call it mothers love if you will."

A soft cough from the doorway made both women jump. Lupin stood in the doorway, obviously listening to their conversation.

"Hey!" Tonks said softly, rising from her chair and moving towards her husband. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"I heard voices," Lupin said hoarsely, placing a quick kiss on her cheek and an arm around her shoulders. He nodded to his mother-in-law, who smiled back.

"Remus. How are you feeling?"

"I've been better," he admitted. "But I'll get over it." He gingerly made his way to the kitchen table and sat down. Tonks went to the sink, but Andromeda stood.

"I'll do it, Dora."

"You're just afraid I'm going to break something," Tonks challenged.

"Yes. And?"

"Whatever," Tonks grumbled, taking a seat next to her husband. He gave her a wan smile.

"Who was at the door?" he asked mildly as Andromeda handed him a cup of tea.

"Kingsley," Tonks reported, handing the Daily Prophet to him. "Snape was named Headmaster at Hogwarts."

"What?" Lupin's eyes whizzed over the words on the front page. "How can they do that?" He sighed. "That's a stupid question. They could do it quite easily. And look, they've appointed Alecto and Amycus Carrow as DADA and Muggle Studies teachers." He gave a bitter laugh. "Defence Against the Dark Arts...what a joke." He threw the paper down on the table. Sighing, he glanced up at the clock and a shadow of worry passed over his face.

"The Hogwarts express should be well on its way. Did you-"

Tonks shot him a sympathetic look. "Ginny managed to send an owl. Harry, Ron and Hermione didn't show up."

Lupin nodded. "I suppose I didn't really expect them to. Going back to Hogwarts would be like a death sentence. Still, I can't help worrying..."

Tonks reached over and squeezed his hand. "They'll be okay," she said softly. He nodded, looking unconvinced. Andromeda took her seat again and the three of them were quiet for a while, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

At length, Lupin turned to his mother-in-law, obviously trying to forget about Harry.

"How's Ted?" he asked. At the mention of her husband, Andromeda turned a slight shade of violet. Tonks looked at her mother.

"Yeah, where is dad? He usually comes to see Remus and I. Isn't he feeling well?"

Andromeda remained silent, sipping her tea, an angry shadow passing over her face.

"Mum?" Tonks prodded. "Where's dad?"

"He's at home, and he's fine," Andromeda said shortly. Lupin and Tonks exchanged looks.

"Umm..." Tonks was obviously searching for the right words. "Look, I don't usually make it my business to pry into your and dads lives, but in this instance..."

"In a nutshell, your father is a big, fat prat." Andromeda's voice was blunt.

Tonks looked surprised. "What's going on?" she asked slowly.

Andromeda looked deep into her teacup, unshed tears glinting in her eyes. "Your father got a letter today," she whispered.

"What?" Tonks looked confused. "From who?"

Andromeda paused. "From the Muggle-Born Registration committee."

Lupin's hand tightened on his wife's as she stared at her mother in shock.

"I thought dad didn't register?" Tonks said numbly.

Andromeda laughed, but it came out more like a sob. "When has that ever stopped You-Know-Who?" she asked angrily. Her hands shook as she clutched her teacup tighter on the tabletop.

"What did it say?" Tonks asked.

"It said that they knew he'd failed to register, and that he'd have to be punished for violating the rules. And he still has to stand before the committee to-" Andromeda's voice hitched, "-to face charges of stealing magic."

There was silence in the kitchen.

"When?" Tonks whispered.

"Next Thursday." Andromeda looked up at her daughter. "Plus, even if he's found innocent, now he has to do a month in Azkaban for not registering in the first place." The unshed tears in her eyes began to fall rapidly, disappearing into her teacup. "I told him to register," she wept. "I told him it would be easier..."

"I've heard first-hand accounts of these so called trials, Andromeda," Lupin said. "Believe me, it makes no difference whether or not Ted registered. If he's Muggle-born, then chances are that he'll end up in Azkaban."

Andromeda's tears fell faster. "I don't know what do to," she sobbed, her hands shaking so much that tear-tinged tea sloshed out of her cup and onto the table.

Tonks stood up and put an arm around her mother. "It's okay, mum," Tonks soothed, her own face pale. "I'm sure the Order can hide him, it'll be okay, really, you'll see..."

But Andromeda just continued to weep silently. Lupin got up and left the kitchen, returning shortly with a white handkerchief, which he handed to Andromeda silently. She looked up, gulping, and took the proffered item.

"Thank you, Remus." She mopped her eyes.

"It's hard for everyone," Lupin said softly. Andromeda looked up at him with round eyes.

"What should he do?"

Lupin frowned and looked over at his wife. She was also frowning, obviously thinking hard.

"I wouldn't go to that trial," he said slowly. Tonks nodded in agreement. "It's just an excuse to throw him in Azkaban. I'll speak to the Order about it. I'm sure we can hide him somewhere. Until then, he should just lay low. There's no sense in attracting any more attention to himself."

Tonks nodded again. "Get him to stay in the house. Maybe think of using the Fidelius charm?"

Andromeda nodded. "All right." She stood from the table. "I should go. I was rather angry with him this morning. He was talking about going on the run, hiding in the wilderness somewhere...what a ridiculous idea." She shook her head. "I'll have to go home and apologise." She glanced at her daughter. "Thanks for the tea and sympathy."

"Ditto." Tonks leaned over and hugged her mother. "I'll come by soon."

Andromeda nodded. Tonks walked her to the door and watched her Disapparate. Then she closed the door and leaned her head against the doorjamb.

"God," she groaned into the hard wood panelling.

She suddenly jumped as she felt two arms encircle her waist.

"You okay?" Lupin asked, his voice muffled by her hair, which was long and honey-blonde.

"No," she whispered. "Snape's just been named Headmaster of Hogwarts, Amycus and Alecto Carrow are teaching at Hogwarts, which is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, the Muggle-Born Registration Committee is in full force, and my father is about to be thrown in Azkaban."

Lupin was quiet for a moment. Then he turned her to face him, putting his hands on either side of her face.

"I can't promise you it'll be okay," he said softly. "But I can promise I'll be here. With you."

She looked at him for a long moment, her eyes bright with tears. "Promise?"

"Promise," he said firmly, drawing her close to him. He held her for a long while, the two of them remaining very still.

"Will the order be able to hide him?" Tonks finally spoke up, her voice muffled against his chest.

Lupin frowned. "I'll speak to Kingsley. Half the Order is already in hiding: the rest of us are just trying to stay out of Azkaban ourselves. I'll try my best."

"So will I," said Tonks firmly.

Lupin sighed, his hand drifting down to Tonks' stomach. "How are you feeling?"

"How am I feeling?" Tonks deflected the question. "You're the one who just went through the full moon. You should still be in bed."

Lupin placed an arm around her shoulder and guided the two of them to the sofa where they collapsed, sprawling comfortably.

"I feel all right, actually," Lupin said, smothering a yawn behind his hand.

"Liar." Tonks poked him in the side, half laying on top of him. He wrapped his arms around her again and she snuggled against him.

"I heard your mother and you talking before," Lupin said suddenly. "About the baby..."

Tonks stiffened slightly. "Yes?" she asked cautiously.

"I think we should get it checked out."

"Where? We can't just go strolling into St. Mungo's right now, you know. We're both wanted criminals!"

"We are not criminals," said Lupin firmly. "It's not a crime not to be evil."

Tonks smiled slightly. "Do we risk it?" she asked quietly.

Lupin frowned, slight lines appearing on his forehead. "I think we have to," he said softly. "We have to know. There has to be some good people left. Besides, they treated Arabella Figg and Cole Jones, didn't they? They didn't end up in Azkaban, did they?"

"We were all afraid they would," said Tonks, sighing. "But the Healers were really sympathetic..." She twisted her head to face her husband. "Maybe we should go to that ward?"

Lupin nodded slowly. "I have a friend who works at St. Mungo's. I'm pretty sure she'll help us."

"All right." Tonks snuggled back onto his chest. She suddenly yawned widely, her face crumpling, and Lupin smiled.

"Maybe we're both tired."

He took his wand out of his pocket. "Accio blanket."

A soft rug picked itself up from the back of the sofa and draped itself across the two of them. Tonks sighed and snuggled closer. Lupin stroked her hair.

"I don't know if I ever apologised for...for what I did."

"You did." Tonks' voice sounded sleepy. "Several times."

"Yes, well..." Lupin frowned. "Do you understand why I did what I did?"

"Sort of." Tonks' eyes were closing.

"I felt guilty. Looking back, there are so many things we should have talked about before we got married. Not that I'm complaining, of course," he added hurriedly, "but it wasn't fair for me to do what I did. I had so many worries, about you and your job, about how your life would be affected by our marriage. And then Bellatrix tried to kill you...twice." Lupin's hand stilled on his wife's hair. "It made me so angry to know I couldn't protect you. And the baby...I was so worried it was going to be like me, and there was more guilt...I'm still worried about that, actually, but after that conversation I overheard in the kitchen this afternoon I feel more okay about it I suppose. Am I making any sense?"

Tonks didn't respond. Lupin looked down at his wife.

"Dora?"

Tonks was fast asleep, her eyes closed and mouth half-open, breathing deeply and soundly. Lupin blinked, surprised. Then he smiled.

"Well, I suppose you don't have to listen," he said to her sleeping form. "It was nice to say it aloud anyway." He watched her closely, surveying the way her chest rose and fell rhythmically with each breath. "I love you so much it hurts," he said quietly. "I hope you know that."

Lupin closed his eyes and wrapped his arms tighter around his wife. Within seconds, he was asleep.

Tonks suddenly stirred and opened her eyes. "I know," she whispered. "And I love you, too."

And with that, she rolled over and fell asleep.

**********

They were still sleeping on the couch the next morning when a deafening crash sounded throughout the house. Tonks awoke with a jerk and immediately fell off the couch with a thump. Lupin leapt up, seemingly instantly awake, and drew his wand, Tonks still swearing as she rose and tried to dust herself off.

"Are you all right?" he asked quickly, his eyes still darting around the room.

"Yes," she replied, drawing her own wand as the crash sounded again. It took Lupin a moment to realise that someone was hammering at the front door.

Tonks hurried forwards and yanked open the door. Then she gasped and took a step backwards. Lupin hurried to her, taking a look at their visitor and started in surprise.

Yaxley stood in the doorway, his face menacing. Behind him stood Dolores Umbridge, her pale face sweaty and elated-looking.

"Where is he?" Yaxley snarled, pushing roughly past Tonks and trying to cross the threshold. Tonks blocked his path with her wand. He eyed her distastefully.

"You wouldn't dare!" he said threateningly, raising his own wand.

"Wait!" Lupin hurried forwards. "We have no idea what you're talking about. Where is who?"

"Don't play dumb with me you filthy half-breed!" Yaxley spat. "You know exactly who I'm talking about!" He tried to force his way past again, but this time it was Lupin who blocked the door, his tall figure suddenly imposing as he drew himself up to his full height.

"I'm afraid I can't let you into my house, Yaxley," Lupin said calmly, his tone icy, "until you tell me what this is all about."

"I'd like to see you stop me!" Yaxley sneered, his own wand still raised. However, he took a small step backwards and surveyed them both with obvious disgust. "Where's Harry Potter?" he demanded.

Lupin was genuinely surprised by this. "Harry?" he asked, bewildered.

"Yes, yes!" Umbridge piped up from behind Yaxley, drawing her own wand. "We know all about Grimmauld Place! We know about the hidden house! We know about it all, Lupin! Did you really think you could hide him forever?"

"What?" Lupin looked stunned, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Yaxley smirked, satisfied.

"Yes...you weren't expecting that, were you?"

Lupin exchanged an alarmed glance with his wife, who also looked taken aback by this new information. Yaxley made an impatient noise with his tongue and snapped his fingers.

"Search the house," he said to someone out of Lupin's line of sight. Lupin was suddenly pushed out of the way as four men in black robes suddenly surged through the door.

"Wait just a second!" Lupin raised his wand, but Tonks grabbed his arm.

"Remus! No!"

"At least your wife has some sense," Yaxley said as he and Umbridge stepped through the doorway. The men in black robes were thundering from room to room, making crashing sounds as they upended things in their search.

"Now-" Yaxley looked around, "-I think it would be best for everyone concerned if you just quietly took a seat, Lupin. And I'll take those," he added, reaching forwards and snatching their wands from their hands. Lupin and Tonks glanced at each other, and then he grabbed her hand and led her to the couch, where they sat silently. Yaxley and Umbridge sat opposite them, Yaxley studying them intently.

"Harry's not here," Tonks said suddenly, glaring at the pair of them.

"I hope for your sake that you're telling the truth," said Yaxley softly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lupin said quickly, his hand tightening on Tonks'. He wasn't about to let them hurt his wife and unborn child. He'd be damned if he was.

"Let's just say that if the Dark Lord finds out you've be hiding Harry Potter, he'll be most...displeased."

There was an unpleasant silence.

"Why are you even here?" Tonks demanded harshly. "Wasn't demolishing our house once good enough for you?"

Yaxley laughed. "Don't you know?" he asked. "It just so happens that Potter and his friends paid us a little visit at the Ministry this morning."

"What?" Lupin snapped. "That's not possible."

Yaxley showed his yellowing teeth. "Oh, I assure you it is," he said.

"Why would Harry go to this Ministry?"

"Funny," said Yaxley slowly, staring at Lupin intently. "I was going to ask you the same thing."

Lupin laughed humourlessly. "Then you're out of luck. I have no idea why Harry went to the Ministry."

Yaxley bared his teeth again. "We'll see."

The men thundered back into the room. "There's no sign they've been here," said one of them gruffly. Yaxley nodded.

"All right. Wait outside."

The men shuffled from the room and Yaxley turned back to Lupin and Tonks.

"Yes," said Yaxley conversationally. "They came to the Ministry this morning. They were disguised, they must have used Polyjuice potion. They came into the trials-"

"Trials?" Tonks laughed bitterly. "Is that what you're calling them? I'd call them Muggle-hunts. Because that's what they really are."

"Watch yourself, your little blood-traitor!" said Umbridge from beside Runcorn, her face suddenly flushed. "Or I might just give you a piece of my mind..." She fingered her wand.

"Calm down," Yaxley said without looking at her. Breathing heavily, Umbridge put her wand away.

"Anyway." Yaxley continued as if he hadn't been interrupted. "They came down into the trials, disturbed the proceedings and stunned the committee."

"Really?" Lupin asked in a calm voice.

"Yes..." Yaxley traced his hand along the line of the armrest of his chair. "Do you have any idea why Potter and his friends would want to do that?"

"No idea," Lupin said woodenly. Yaxley laughed again.

"No, I suppose you don't."

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted as a loud scuffling sound made them turn their heads. A large, burly man in black robes was dragging a tall man through the doorway, both of them struggling. It took Lupin a moment to register that it was Charlie Weasley.

"Charlie!" Tonks stood up.

"We caught him outside," said the burly man to Yaxley. "We think he was on his way in to warn these two."

"So..." Yaxley turned to Lupin and Tonks. "You don't know anything about why Potter was at the Ministry, ey?"

He turned back to Charlie and the man.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Charlie suddenly stiffened: the man holding him slackened his grip and Charlie fell over backwards, as stiff as a board. Lupin started forwards, but Yaxley moved his wand from Charlie to Lupin, and he stopped.

"So," he said softly. "Let's go over this again. Why was Potter at the Ministry?"

"Are you deaf?" Tonks said loudly. "We don't know!"

Yaxley strode forwards and grabbed her arms tightly. She let out a cry of surprise. Lupin leapt forward and struck out blindly, fury overcoming him. His fist connected with Yaxley's jaw and the two of them tumbled to the floor, Yaxley's wand flying out of his hand as the two of them struggled, their fists flailing. Lupin felt a surge of satisfaction as his fist connected again with Yaxley's face and the older man fell backwards with a grunt.

WHUMP!
Lupin was thrown across the room. He hit the far wall and slumped to the floor, dazed. Looking up, he saw Dolores Umbridge advancing on him, her wand raised high, her eyes gleaming in excitement. Behind her, Yaxley stumbled to his feet slowly, his lip fat and bleeding, the beginnings of a brilliant black eye sprouting on his face. He wiped away the blood at the corner of his mouth furiously, his eyes narrowing as he took in the stunned figure of Lupin on the floor.

"You shouldn't have done that," he hissed. He leant over and snatched up his wand. Then he turned and strode towards Tonks, who had been advancing silently on Umbridge, trying to get her wand back.

"No you don't!" he snarled, seizing her around the waist and dragging her backwards. She struggled with him, trying to get free, but it was no use. Lupin tried to struggle to his feet but Umbridge hurried forwards and flicked her wand. Lupin fell back onto the floor again, his head searing with pain.

"Remus!" He heard Tonks cry out from inside his daze, and shook his head. He looked up to find Tonks still struggling with Yaxley, obviously trying desperately to reach her injured husband.

"Stop!" Yaxley snapped, slapping her across the face. She cried out again, a line of red blood streaking from her cut lip and over her chin. Lupin yelled in frustration and attempted to get up again. Umbridge raised her wand and again he fell back with a shout of pain.

Yaxley ignored him and shoved Tonks, where she fell into a chair, chest heaving. He placed either arm on each armrest and leaned towards her, effectively pinning her in her seat.

"We know all about Grimmauld Place!" he hissed at her. "The idiotic Granger girl took me there when she tried to escape. There are a dozen Death Eaters in the house, right now, tearing it apart! When Potter and the others return, they will be arrested! Now-" he leaned closer still, so that Tonks craned her head as far back as it would go, "-there is no use in lying anymore. We know that Grimmauld Place is the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix! We know everything!" He grinned triumphantly as Tonks shrank further back in her chair. "Now- where is Harry Potter? I know you know! Where is he? Where is he!" Yaxley shook the chair violently.

Tonks looked over at her husband, who stared back at her silently. She nodded.

"All right," she said quietly. "We'll tell you."

"What?" Yaxley looked incredibly surprised by her change of heart. "You will?"

"Yes," said Tonks resentfully, staring up at him with hatred. "You're going to kill us unless we do, aren't you? So what choice do I have?"

Yaxley relaxed slightly. "True," he said, baring his yellow teeth again in what was supposed to be a smile.

"Watch her, Yaxley," Umbridge suddenly said from her position guarding Lupin. "It might be a trap!"

"Shut up you stupid woman!" Yaxley snapped back. "She's defenceless! You have her wand! What exactly is she going to do?" He turned back to Tonks. "Talk!" he demanded.

Tonks looked down. "Well," she whispered. "They did come by here a few days ago...and they told us...well...they told us..." Her voice was becoming more hesitant and less audible so that Yaxley had to lean closer.

"Yes? What? What?" He shook the chair again so that Tonks jumped. Her fingers trembling, she choked back a sob.

"Well...they told us..." Tonks suddenly looked up and straight into Yaxley's eyes, her voice strong and clear. "They told us to tell you to go to hell, actually."

Before Yaxley could react, Tonks lifted her knee violently. Leaning over her, Yaxley was in the perfect position, and Tonks' knee connected solidly with his crotch. Yaxley's eyes went wide and he let out a small squeak before he toppled over backwards, clutching his crotch in extreme pain.

From the other side of the room, Lupin suddenly swept his leg out in an arch. Umbridge, who had been too busy watching Yaxley interrogate Tonks, now let out a startled shriek as Lupin tripped her and she fell to the floor. Tonks dove across the room as Lupin wrestled with the toad-like woman and jumped into the fray, snatching her wand from Umbridge's pocket.

"Get out of the way!" she shouted to Lupin, aiming. Lupin took one look at his wife and dove to the side.

"Stupefy!" she yelled. Umbridge, who had been half-rising from the floor, now fell back to the ground with a thump. Lupin quickly bent down and retrieved his own wand and Umbridge's, pocketing the spare.

"Well," Tonks panted, out of breath. "That was fun."

"Yeah, it was," Lupin agreed. "Now we just have to...Dora, look out!"

Tonks ducked automatically as a spell shot over her head and cracked the ceiling plaster above her. She turned to find Yaxley on his hands and knees, aiming his wand at her.

"Petrificus Totalis!" Lupin said hurriedly.

Yaxley dropped to the floor.

There was silence for a minute.

"How good a team are we?" Tonks said to Lupin. He smiled.

"Very good," he pronounced as they made their way over to Yaxley. Tonks surveyed him.

"After that, I don't think he'll be able to have children. Thank God."

Yaxley blinked up at her, his eyes betraying his fury.

"Defenceless woman, indeed," she scoffed, nudging him with her toe. "You stupid prat."

Lupin laughed, looking over at his wife. Then he frowned.

"What?" she asked.

"Your lip," he said softly, reaching out to touch her face where Yaxley had smacked her, wiping the dried blood from her lip. She winced but smiled.

"It's fine. Really. I'm an Auror, I've had worse. Much worse."

"Are you sure you're all right?"

"Yes," she said firmly. "Are you sure you're all right? You're the one who got thrown across the room."

"Fine enough to get out of here," he said, hurriedly looking over his shoulder. "It's a wonder Yaxley's men didn't notice the commotion going on in here..."

"We're lucky they didn't," said Tonks, grinning at him.

Before he could restrain himself, Lupin leant over and placed a soft kiss on his wife's lips. She looked surprised but returned his gentle kiss willingly. When they broke apart, she smiled at him bewilderedly.

"What was that for?"

"Just because."

They stared at each other for a long moment, and then Tonks' eyes fell on something on the floor and she jumped.

"What? What is it? Is it the guards?" Lupin asked, whipping around and hurriedly drawing his wand again.

"No- Charlie!"

Tonks hurried across the room to where Charlie lay, still Petrified. They both knelt down in front of him and Lupin tapped his wand against the man. There was a flash of red light and Charlie suddenly raised his head, able to move again.

"Bloody hell! I'm over here Petrified, and you two are making out in the corner!" he grumbled.

"Sorry, Charlie," Tonks grinned, helping him to his feet.

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled, dusting off his robes.

Lupin glanced around. Maybe two minutes had elapsed since he and Tonks had duelled with Yaxley and Umbridge. Soon somebody was going to notice the two Ministry employees had failed to reappear, and would come looking for them...

"Here." Lupin handed Charlie Umbridge's wand. "I'm assuming the guards out there have your wand?"

Charlie nodded.

"You're going to have to use this one, then, for now."

Tonks glanced around. "We should find an inconspicuous way out of here."

"Back door?" Lupin suggested. Tonks nodded.

"It leads out onto the alley and then to the catchment. We should be safe if we can get away from the house."

"Come on, then."

Lupin had just started leading the way to the back door, when there was a shout behind them.

"Oi! What happened 'ere?" A guard had appeared at the entrance to the house. His eyes took in Yaxley, immobilised near the window and Umbridge, stunned by the sofa. Then his eyes drifted towards Lupin, Tonks and Charlie. He looked stunned for a moment, and then opened his mouth.

"Escapees!" he yelled. "They're escaping! They're escaping!"

Lupin, Tonks and Charlie all whipped out their wands as the other three guards suddenly charged back through the front door and spells began to fly everywhere.

"Protego!" Tonks shouted. The spells of the guards rained down harmlessly against the shield, and Charlie dove at the nearest guard with a yell.

"Stupefy!"

The guard ducked and fired his own spell back at Charlie, missing him by inches. The pair began to duel furiously, their wands flashing. Lupin raised his own wand.

"Furnunculus!"

One of the guards yelled and fell to the ground, boils breaking out all over his body. Tonks turned to Lupin.

"Well-"

Her sentence was never completed, however, as another guard turned to face them, his wand raised.

"Deprimo!"

Lupin and Tonks jumped sideways as the jet of red light headed for them and blew a hole in their living room wall. Lupin rolled to the side, trying to get an aim at their attacker.

"Diffindo!" he yelled. The guard dodged the jet of light and parried the hex, sending another straight at Lupin, who ducked as the wall behind him cracked with the force of the spell. He raised his wand again, just as he heard Tonks shout.

"Confringo!"

"Expulso!"

The two spells connected with the guard at the same time. The man was lifted off his feet, smashed through their living room window, and fell out of sight.

Tonks turned to the last guard while Lupin aimed his wand at the guard duelling with Charlie.

"Stupefy!"

The man duelling with Charlie, caught off-guard by Lupin's spell, crumpled to the ground, stunned. Both Lupin and Charlie whipped around the find Tonks standing over the last, and apparently unconscious, guard.

"Okay," she said, turning to them. "All done!"

The two men stared at her silently. Then Charlie shook his head. "Sometimes you're a scary woman, Tonks."

Tonks grinned evilly. "Come on, we need to get out of here before more people show up to find out where Umbridge and Yaxley have gone."

"You're right." Charlie bent down next to the nearest guard and rummaged in his robes, grabbing his wand from the pocket. "Let's go."

"All right." Lupin raised his own wand. "Let's go."

The three of them started for the back door. Charlie moved through the entrance first, then Lupin, and finally Tonks, who hesitated as she started to leave.

"Wait."

"What is it?" Lupin also stopped and looked at her enquiringly.

"Charlie-" Tonks glanced at the young man, "-you go on ahead. We'll be out in a minute."

Charlie frowned. "All right...but don't be too long. Backup could be here any minute."

Tonks nodded and Charlie slipped out the back door. Lupin took his wife's hand.

"Dora? What is it?"

"We..." Tonks hesitated, taking a few steps forward and looking around the ruined living room. "Our house...we're not going to be able to come back here, are we?"

Lupin surveyed her face. "No," he said gently.

"I thought so," she said sadly.

"It's too dangerous here now. The Death Eaters will be here soon. If we stayed here, we'd be killed. It's time to go into hiding, Dora. We can come back...some day."

"Some day," she repeated, sighing. "Where are we going to go?"

Lupin shrugged. "We need to tell the other members of the Order. We need to get to the Burrow, and then to someplace safe. Maybe your parents house?"

Tonks nodded. "All right. Come on, we'd better go."

Lupin put an arm around her waist and, with one last wistful look at her first real home with her husband, Tonks turned and left the Cottage, walking out into the sunny yard beyond.

**********

"Where's my son!"

"Molly, calm down..."

"I will not calm down!" Molly Weasley ranted, striding about the kitchen. "The Death Eaters have just searched my house for the second time in two weeks, my son was in a deadly battle with Yaxley, and no one knows where Ron is!"

The kitchen of The Burrow was crowded with people. Tonks, Charlie, Fleur and Bill sat at the table whilst Lupin stood against the counter with Arthur Weasley, trying to reason some sense into Molly.

"Molly, if the Death Eaters searched the house, then they would have seen that ghoul is still in Ron's bed," Lupin reasoned. "From what I've heard, Harry and the others were disguised by the Polyjuice potion. No one really knows whether it was them or not!"

"Who else would break into the Ministry?" Molly exclaimed. "It could only be them! And the fact that Grimmauld Place has been invaded by Death Eaters would certainly seem to indicate that it was them, wouldn't it?"

The kitchen was silent.

"We don't know that," said Arthur quietly. Molly turned to him, her face anguished.

"Oh, Arthur! What if they've been hurt? Or killed..." She started to sob. "I don't think I could bear it if they'd been killed..."

Arthur wrapped his arms around his wife grimly and held her while she cried.

"If Harry or the others had been killed, you can be sure that You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters would be telling everybody they could," said Bill dourly.

"He's right, Molly," Lupin said.

The chatter suddenly fell silent as they heard the front door open. They all drew their wands immediately. Tonks drew a sigh of relief when she saw Kingsley stride into the kitchen.

"It's true," he said bitterly, throwing himself into a kitchen chair. "They've found Grimmauld Place. There are about five million Death Eaters going in and out of the building."

There was a stony silence as everyone took in this disturbing turn of events.

"The good news though," continued Kingsley, "is that Harry, Ron and Hermione seemed to have disappeared without a trace. I heard Greyback ranting about it while I was under the invisibility cloak."

Lupin and Tonks exchanged glances whilst Molly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank God! They're still alive...but where are they?"

There was another silence.

Lupin didn't want to ponder what might have happened to Harry, Ron and Hermione. He was praying that they were all right, but since they had no way to contact each other, there was no way to be sure...

Tonks suddenly shifted beside him, and he looked at her.

"I think we'd better go," Tonks said hesitantly. "After the battle back at the cottage, we're wanted criminals. They're going to be looking for us. And the first place they'll look is here."

Lupin nodded. "Tonks is right. We should go." He stood up and extended his hand to Tonks to help her to her feet.

"Where are you going to go?" Molly asked wearily, wiping away her tears.

"Tonks' parents," Lupin explained. "We're thinking of using the Fidelius Charm."

Arthur nodded. "Let us know when you're settled."

"All right." Lupin looked at Charlie. "You're welcome to come with us," he offered. "They're going to be looking for you, as well."

Charlie considered this for a moment. "No thanks, Remus," he said after a moment. "I think I can do more if I'm on the run."

"Where are you going to go?" Molly asked fearfully.

Charlie shrugged. "I might stay with Fred and George for awhile, see if I can do anything there."

Tonks and Remus, sensing the family wanted to say a proper goodbye, said their farewells and headed out of the house, Kingsley following. When they got to the end of the path, Kingsley turned to the pair.

"Let me know soon if you two are safe, okay?"

Tonks nodded. "Of course we will. Will you be all right?"

"Sure." Kingsley smiled slightly.

"Be safe," Lupin said, extending his hand. Kingsley accepted it and they shook hands.

"You too. Take care."

With that, Kingsley turned on the spot and disappeared. Lupin turned to Tonks.

"Ready?"

She nodded and the two of them grasped hands, turning in tandem.

They reappeared at Tonks' parents house. Tonks sighed and started to move forwards.

"I'm looking forward to a long, hot bath, and..."

She stopped in mid-sentence as she heard screaming coming from inside her parents house. She turned to Lupin fearfully as the screaming continued. The two of them drew their wands and bolted for the front door. It burst open before them and they skidded into the entrance to the kitchen, wands held at the ready. What they saw there made them stop short.

Andromeda Tonks was screaming at her husband, pounding on his chest, her face a mask of fury.

"You-you-you-" she screamed, continuing to hammer her husbands chest while he tried to grab her arms.

"Mum!" Tonks yelled. "Mum, stop it!"

Andromeda stopped her barrage and turned to her daughter, tears pouring down her face.

"What's going on?" Tonks demanded, her eyes darting between her mother and father.

Ted raised his arms in a gesture of defeat. "Dora..." he started, but Andromeda turned back to him, her eyes flashing.

"Why?" she demanded. "Why, Ted?"

"I've told you why," Ted said tiredly. "They're coming, and if I'm here when they do..."

"WHAT'S GOING ON!" Tonks yelled at the two of them and Andromeda whirled around to face her daughter again.

"Your father is leaving!" she shouted, tears still cascading down her pale cheeks.

"What?" Tonks' brow furrowed. She turned to her father. "Is that true, dad?"

Ted was silent for a moment. "Yes," he said eventually. "It's true."

Andromeda let out a wail and flung herself into a kitchen chair, sobbing.

"But - why?" Tonks looked stunned.

"You know the Ministry's coming for me," Ted said grimly. "If I go to that trial I'm as good as dead. And if I stay here, I'm endangering your mother and anyone else who happens to be here."

"But...Remus and I are going to stay here," Tonks said dazedly. "The Ministry are looking for us, too, we barely managed to escape with our lives this afternoon. We're going to perform the Fidelius charm...we'll all be safe, dad. You don't have to go."

"Yes!" Andromeda jumped out of her chair and grabbed her husbands' robes. "You hear that, Ted? The Fidelius charm!"

"No, Meda," Ted said gently, looking at his wife. "The Ministry already has a trace on me. The Fidelius Charm will never work as long as I'm here..."

"No...that can't be true!" Andromeda looked wildly to Lupin. "You know about these sort of things, Remus...you tell him! Tell him it's not true!"

Lupin was very quiet. "I'm afraid Ted is right," he said eventually. "The Ministry has a residence trace on all Muggle-Born's it has sent letters to. The Fidelius Charm would be no good."

Andromeda burst into fresh sobs.

"If I go on the run, I have some sort of chance of surviving," Ted said desperately to his wife. "Do you understand? They can't trace me if I'm constantly on the move."

Andromeda just shook her head. "All I know is that you're leaving me," she choked out.

"Ted." Lupin stepped forwards. "We don't have to perform the Fidelius Charm. We can all just stay here and fight them off when the time comes. I think we'd have a good chance of winning."

Ted smiled at him sadly. "And then what? Even if we managed to defeat the first of them, more would come. And besides, I want to know my wife, daughter, and grandchild are safe. I won't risk having them hurt."

Lupin nodded slowly. If it were Dora, he would feel the same way.

"No!" Andromeda clutched his robes again. "I won't allow it! I forbid it!"

"Meda, how are you going to stop me?"

"Then take me with you!" Andromeda changed tactics in an instant.

"No." Ted's voice was firm. "Dora needs you here. And I won't endanger you by taking you with me."

The fight suddenly seemed to drain out of Andromeda and she leaned against her husband, sobbing quietly. He encircled her with his arms, tears slipping down his own face.

"It won't be for long," he whispered into her shaking figure. "I'll be home faster than you can blink an eye. You'll see. The war will be over soon and everything will be back to normal."

But Andromeda just continued to sob.

Lupin felt Tonks shaking beside him and looked over to find her crying quietly. He reached over and she leaned into him.

"Remus." Ted looked at his son-in-law over his wife's head, his voice gravely. "You'll be the secret-keeper?"

Lupin nodded.

"But - dad," Tonks choked. "If Remus performs the Fidelius Charm, you're not going to have any way to find us again."

Ted was silent, and Lupin knew instantly that Ted didn't plan on coming home until the war was over. Tonks just shook her head, tears flowing down her face.

"I...I have to pack," Ted said, untangling himself from his wife, but keeping hold of her hand. "Meda, come help me."

Andromeda and Ted left the room, Andromeda still sobbing quietly. Tonks turned to Lupin, her face anguished.

"Isn't there any other way?" she asked pleadingly. Lupin shook his head.

"He's right- it's safer for him if he goes on the run. They'll find him here for sure."

Tonks burst into tears. Lupin extended his arms and she fell into them, sobbing. They stood there for several minutes, both of them silent, Tonks still crying, until they heard someone clear their throat.

"Remus?"

It was Ted.

"Can I speak to you a moment?"

Lupin nodded and let go of Tonks, who wiped her nose on her sleeve.

"Dora-" Ted addressed his daughter, "-can you please go check on your mother? She's not taking this very well."

"You think?" Tonks hiccoughed sarcastically, moving past her father and disappearing up the stairs and out of sight.

Ted sighed and turned to Lupin. "Shit."

"You can say that again."

Ted smiled slightly. "Any suggestions where I should go?"

Lupin shook his head. "Somewhere wooded?" he suggested. "Somewhere where there's going to be a lot of cover and not a lot of people."

Ted nodded and the two men were silent.

"Ted," Lupin finally said hesitantly. "I...I love Dora with all my heart. But...if you believe you'll be safer with two people..."

"No," said Ted immediately. "Your place is here with your wife. I can take care of myself. Besides, it's nice to know that you and Dora will be here to take care of Meda in case anything...happens."

Lupin nodded and Ted studied him.

"Which brings me to why I wanted to talk to you...you're going to be Secret Keeper, right?"

Lupin nodded and Ted continued.

"Good. I'm almost ready to go and I just wanted to ask you a favour..."

"What is it?" Lupin asked curiously.

"Please...please take care of Meda for me. And Dora. She loves you so, Remus..."

"Of course I will." Lupin looked taken aback. "I'm surprised that you even felt you had to ask."

Ted shrugged. "I'm just making sure." He checked his watch. "It's time I got going," he said.

His words seemed to draw his daughter and wife, who emerged from the stairs, the latter carrying a large rucksack, which Ted grabbed. All four of them headed for the front door silently, and stepped outside into the cooling night air.

"Ted..." Andromeda was still sobbing, and Ted pulled her to him.

"It won't be for long," he soothed again. "I'll be home soon, I promise..."

"I love you," she whispered against his chest. "Please don't go."

"I love you too." Ted's voice was pained. "So much."

He let go of his wife and she stepped away, still crying. Ted turned to his daughter, his face illuminated by the glow of the setting sun. Tonks stepped forward and fell into his arms, tears streaking silently down her face.

"I love you, Dora. And I'm so proud of you."

"I love you too, dad. Please take care of yourself," she pleaded. He smiled and put a hand on her belly.

"I will. And you take care of that little baby, all right?"

Tonks nodded. Ted turned to Lupin and extended his hand, which Lupin took. The two men shook hands.

"Remus." Ted's voice was shaky. "I truly believe that Dora couldn't have found a better husband. Take care of my family."

"I will," Lupin said, their words reminding him of the day he had married Tonks, and of a happier time and place.

Ted nodded, took one last glance at his family and walked to the end of the path.

"I'll see you soon."

With that, he turned on the spot and disappeared.

Andromeda wailed in anguish and Tonks strode over and wrapped her arms around her, tears soaking the front of her own robes. Lupin placed his hands on Tonks' shoulders silently, his heart heavy.

The three of them stood out the front of the house for a long time, watching the sun sink slowly beneath the horizon. Finally Andromeda's sobs subsided and she raised her head from her daughter's shoulder, stood shakily on her own legs and moved slowly into the house, as if in a trance.

And still Tonks stood rooted to the spot, watching the spot where he father had disappeared. Lupin moved forwards.

"Dora?" he asked. "Dora, we should go inside."

Tonks shook her head. "You-Know-Who is slowly taking away pieces of my life," she whispered. "First Dumbledore, then Mad-Eye, then our house, now my father. When does it end, Remus? When?" she turned to face him pleadingly.

Lupin shook his head. "When he's defeated," he said quietly.

Tonks sighed, her eyes puffy and dried tear-tracks on her face, her body illuminated by the glow of the almost-set sun so that she seemed to be on fire. "When do we have to do the Fidelius Charm?"

"As soon as possible," Lupin said quietly. Tonks nodded.

"Do you...Do you think there's any way he might come back?" she asked hesitantly.

Lupin said nothing, but Tonks read what she wanted to know in his expression.

"All right," she sighed. "Come on, then. Let's do this."

Lupin placed his arms around her tenderly, guiding her back into the house.

As the door closed, the sun finally sank behind the horizon, plunging the world into the darkness of night.

In the darkness, Ted Tonks apparated into the wooded area behind where the Quidditch Cup had taken place. Looking up at the stars, he wondered what his family was doing now, and an ineffable sense of sadness and loss came over him.

"Goodbye," he whispered. "I'm going to miss you."

Authors Notes: As always, I really want some feedback, so let me know, okay!