Taijitu

It was more than two weeks later before Lupin decided it was safe to leave the house again.

His, Tonks' and Charlie's names were splashed across the Daily Prophet, along with Harry and Hermione's, in big letters that let the whole world know they were all wanted for questioning regarding the death of Dumbledore.

"Can't they come up with another excuse?" Tonks said in disgust, throwing the paper down on the table on the fifteenth day of their exile. "Soon the whole order is going to be wanted for 'questioning'."

Andromeda looked up from the kitchen table and nodded. Ever since the departure of her husband she'd been quiet and subdued, staying in her room for hours on end, requesting solitude. She only ever came to the kitchen for meals or when Tonks could convince her to have a cup of tea. All her fight seemed to have disappeared following Ted's exit from her life, and she spent most of her days staring at the ceiling in her bedroom, silently counting the cracks in the roof and marking time until her husband reappeared.

"I wouldn't be surprised," said Lupin, walking in from the backyard and catching the last words of their conversation. "I haven't heard from anyone in the Order, so I can't be sure, but I'm guessing they're all being closely watched."

Tonks nodded. Lupin moved to the sink to wash his hands.

"Where did you get the paper, anyway?" he enquired. Tonks looked guilty.

"Nicked it," she said evasively.

"What?" Lupin looked over at her from the sink.

"You mean you left this house?" Andromeda looked furious, showing more expression than she had since Ted had left.

Tonks nodded guiltily.

"Nymphadora Tonks!" Andromeda's eyes flashed. "That was a moronic thing for you to do! What would have happened if you'd been caught?"

"But I didn't get caught," Tonks protested. "I was very careful. I morphed, they'd never have known it was me..."

"Still!" Andromeda rose from her chair. "Your father didn't leave this house just so that you could put yourself in danger!"

"I know that!" Tonks rose as well. "You think I don't know that? I didn't put myself in danger!"

"You just buck up to your ideas, young lady!" Andromeda snapped.

"Don't treat me like I'm a child!"

"Then stop acting like one!" Andromeda pushed her chair away from the table and stormed from the room. They heard her stomping up the stairs and then heard her door slam shut. Tonks dropped back into her chair with an angry huff.

Lupin slowly dried his hands on a towel and approached his wife. She looked up at him and made an impatient tutting noise.

"Don't tell me you agree with her!"

"Well," said Lupin carefully, taking a seat. "I do think it was a little silly to go out by yourself, Dora."

"I was perfectly safe!"

"And for a paper?" he asked gently. She made another angry noise.

"We've been in this house for fifteen days, Remus! I'm going crazy!"

"I know," he reached over and stroked her hand lightly.

"I'm an Auror, and a member of the Order," she continued, slightly more calmly. "I'm used to being in the thick of things. It kills me knowing that I'm just sitting here while one of our friends might need help."

Lupin nodded. "It's hard being cut off like this."

"You're damn right it is," Tonks sighed, her anger subsiding.

Lupin was silent for a minute. Then he looked at her carefully.

"I think it's time we risked a visit outside," he said quietly. She looked over at him quickly.

"Really?"

"Yes." His brow furrowed as he thought. "There are things we have to do. None of the Order has any idea where we are, or if we're safe. We have to get word to them. Plus, I was thinking this morning...you're what? Three months along?" He gestured to her stomach.

"Four," she corrected. Lupin nodded.

"We can't wait any longer. We have to get you checked out, see if the baby's all right, and see...if..." Lupin swallowed. "If the baby is going to be a werewolf."

Tonks placed her other hand over Lupin's own and squeezed. "All right," she said softly. "When?"

"Tomorrow?"

Tonks nodded. "Are we going to tell mum?"

Lupin looked puzzled. "Why wouldn't we?"

"Well, she's going to get upset, isn't she?"

"She is?"

"Well," Tonks looked over at her husband. "Your husband has disappeared, there's a raging war going on, you're stuck in a house for your own protection, and your only daughter and her husband are planning on going out into this dangerous world to find out if your grandchild will be a werewolf or not. Tell me, would you be worried?"

"Fair point," Lupin sighed.

"I'll go tell her." Tonks rose from her chair. She was halfway around the table when she suddenly let out a gasp and clutched her stomach, resting one hand on the table for support.

"What? What is it?" Lupin immediately rose from his chair, his face a mask of concern as he hurried to his wife. "Are you in pain?"

"Nooo..." Tonks' eyes were wide.

"What is it, then?" Lupin asked, surveying her with worry.

"I..." Tonks looked up, her eyes shining. "I think the baby just kicked!"

"What? Really?"

Tonks nodded, grinning. "Here." She guided his hand to her stomach. They were silent for a moment, and then Lupin jumped, a huge grin spreading over his face.

"I-I felt it! He kicked!" he said jubilantly. Tonks nodded, smiling.

"My son kicked!" Lupin said cheerfully, his hand still on Tonks' belly in case the baby decided to do it again. Tonks raised her eyebrows.

"Son?"

"What?" Lupin looked up from her stomach, eyes dancing, obviously not listening to a word she was saying.

"You just said 'he' and then 'son' within two sentences of each other. You think it's going to be a boy!"

"No I didn't!" Lupin protested, still looking a bit dazed.

"Yes, you did," Tonks corrected, laughing.

"Did I?" Lupin looked slightly confused. "I don't even remember. It's just...wow...what an amazing feeling," he said softly, his eyes drawn to his hand again. Tonks felt tears welling up behind her eyes and sniffed. Lupin looked up, surprised.

"Dora, what's wrong?"

"It's...it's just nice to see you taking such an interest, that's all," she smiled, her eyes shining with tears. He frowned and took his hand away.

"Have I really been that distant with him?" he asked softly.

"Yes," she said. "And you said 'he' again."

Lupin smiled slightly but looked troubled, looking back down at her stomach. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I guess I didn't realise what I was doing. Everything's just happened so quickly. I mean, look at the past year. Dumbledore's died, we've gotten married, the war has broken out again, you're pregnant, we're in hiding, and Harry, Ron and Hermione are who knows where, trying desperately to defeat the most evil wizard of all time."

Tonks watched him silently, letting him talk without interrupting. She had a feeling this may have been coming for quite some time.

"And now," Lupin continued, still looking downwards, "our baby might be a werewolf. I can't help thinking that he will be. I...I just don't want to get my hopes up," he finished quietly. "Whenever something good happens in my life, it always seems to get taken away. I suppose that subconsciously I thought that if I didn't really get involved with you and that baby that...if anything happened...it wouldn't hurt so much." He finally looked up. "But I've just realised that I'm already involved. I've been involved since the first day I met you."

Tonks smiled and reached up to touch his cheek. "I love you," she said. "I'm not going anywhere. And I'm not letting you go. Not now. Not ever."

Lupin leaned forwards and gently touched his lips with her own.

When they broke apart, Lupin's hands drifted slowly down to her stomach again, and Tonks followed, placing her hands over his own.

"We're going to have a baby," he said quietly, awe in his voice again. Tonks chuckled.

"Yes, we are."

"It's going to be a boy."

"You don't know that!" Tonks protested, laughing again. Lupin just smiled.

"Call it a fathers instinct," he said, but then his face became pale. "Oh, blimey."

"What? What is it?" Tonks asked, worried.

"I'm going to be a father. Oh, God."

"Now, now," said Tonks sternly. "You're going to be fine."

"But I've never been a father before!" said Lupin desperately.

"Thank God," said Tonks sarcastically, trying to hold back a smile as she watched her husband have a much more normal father freak-out.

"I'm...I'm not really sure what to do..." he started uncertainly, but Tonks suddenly raised her hand and put a finger across his lips.

"Shh. Calm down, it's going to be all right," she soothed. "We have my mother and, in case you haven't realised, I've never been a mother before either. And you have Arthur to ask if you have any questions. You're going to be fine. Big breaths, Remus. Big breaths."

Lupin nodded, calming down slightly. "You're right," he said in a relieved tone. "I'm being silly."

"Yes, you are."

He glanced at her, amused. "Way to be supportive."

She grinned back and poked him in the side. "Well, it was pretty funny watching you just now. For a minute it looked as if you'd eaten a pound of Doxy eggs for breakfast."

He smiled, his face back to its normal colour. "You just wait until you're in labour."

Tonks' smile faded. "Labour?" she squeaked.

"Now who's worried?"

**********

The next morning, Tonks and Lupin got ready to leave.

"Be careful," Andromeda pleaded as Lupin helped Tonks with her cloak at the front door.

"Mum." Tonks, her cloak now around her shoulders, turned to her mother. "We'll be fine. I promise."

Andromeda nodded fearfully. "All right. When should I expect you back?"

"No later than five," Lupin said firmly. "If we're not back, do you know what to do?"

"Remus!" Tonks admonished. "She's already worried enough! Did you have to ask her that?"

"Yes," said Lupin bluntly. Andromeda nodded.

"He's right, Dora. I need to know what to do in case anything happens. And I do," she added to Lupin, who nodded.

"Ok. Well, then, we'll see you soon." He opened the front door. "Ready?" he asked Tonks. She nodded.

"Ready. Old lady, right?"

"Right."

The three of them had discussed this last night. There wasn't much Lupin could do about disguising himself expect keeping a low appearance but Tonks, being a Metamorphmagus, had the distinct advantage of being able change her appearance to whatever she wanted.

"Ok." Tonks screwed up her face with a slightly pained expression, as she did whenever she was transforming. Lupin waited patiently, expecting her to change into an old woman.

Except that she didn't.

Tonks opened her eyes and looked down at herself. "I didn't change," she said unnecessarily. Lupin frowned.

"No." Lupin looked at her. "What happened?"

"I'm not sure," Tonks said uncertainly. "Wait, I'll try again."

Once again she closed her eyes, screwing them up with obvious effort. It was a full minute before she opened her eyes again, still looking very much like Tonks.

"It's not working," she said worriedly. "I can't change..."

"Has this ever happened before?" Lupin asked. Tonks shook her head.

"The only time I ever have trouble metamorphosing is when I'm really worried. Which I'm not," she added. Lupin's frown deepened and he turned to Andromeda.

"Do you remember Tonks ever not being able to change? Maybe when she was young?"

Andromeda shook her head slowly. "No. Only, like she says, when she's feeling extreme emotions like sadness or depression."

"Remus, you don't think it could be the Fidelius Charm, do you?" Tonks asked anxiously.

Lupin thought about this for a moment and then shook his head. "No, I don't think so. Grimmauld Place was under the Fidelius Charm, wasn't it? And you never had any trouble there."

Tonks began to look frustrated. "I'll try again."

She closed her eyes and screwed up her face. She stood that way for several minutes, her face becoming redder and redder as she struggled to change. After five minutes, Lupin finally reached out a hand.

"Dora, it's no good..." he began, but cut himself off as Tonks began to morph.

It seemed to take an abnormally long time, with Tonks hovering between being herself and a little old lady. Then Lupin blinked and old-lady-Tonks finally stood there, her hair iron-grey and in tight curls close to her head.

"Did I change?" she asked in a squeaky voice, looking down. "I did," she finished, sounding relieved. Then her eyes rolled back and her knees shook, unable to support her weight, and she began to crumple to the ground. Lupin darted forwards and caught her quickly.

"Dora!" Andromeda stepped forward.

"Ooh..." Tonks groaned.

"Are you all right?" Lupin peered down at her in concern.

"Wow." Tonks shook her head, standing on her own feet again. "For a minute there, I got really dizzy."

Lupin surveyed her. "I don't think you ought to change again until we get to St. Mungo's," he advised. "Something's obviously wrong."

She nodded. Andromeda looked even more uncertain than she had before.

"Look, maybe you ought to stay here..."

"And do what?" Tonks asked in the same squeaky, old-lady voice. "We have to let the Order know we're ok. And we have to go to St. Mungo's."

Andromeda nodded. "You're...you're right, I suppose. Just...be careful, all right?"

Tonks and Lupin nodded.

"You sure you're ok?" he asked. She nodded and they walked to the end of the path. Tonks waved to her mother and then she and Lupin grasped hands and turned together, disappearing into inky blackness

**********

"Remus!"

Molly's cry was music to Tonks' ears as Molly hurried towards them across the backyard, and flung her arms around Lupin.

"Uh...Molly," greeted Lupin, patting her uncertainly on the head.

"We thought you'd been hurt or killed!" Molly finally released the rather puzzled Lupin and stepped away.

"Who's this?" she asked suspiciously, taking in the metamorphosed Tonks.

"It's me, Molly. Tonks," Tonks added as Molly looked perplexed.

"Tonks? Is that you? Are you...are you sure?"

"Quite," Tonks said dryly.

"Freeze!"

A new voice rang across the yard, and Arthur Weasley came hurrying towards them, his wand pointing directly at Lupin and Tonks. "Molly, step away," he ordered sternly. Molly took a few steps backwards uncertainly, drawing her own wand.

"Show yourself," Arthur said sharply to Tonks and Lupin, keeping his wand steadily pointing at them.

Lupin and Tonks raised their hands immediately. "I am Remus John Lupin, werewolf, member of the Order, friend of James Potter and Sirius Black, married to Nymphadora, and I am sometimes known as Moony," said Lupin quickly.

Arthur relaxed slightly, but didn't lower his wand. "And you," he jerked his head at Tonks. "Who are you?"

"It's me, Arthur. Nymphadora Andromeda, who likes to be known only as Tonks, married to Remus Lupin, carrying his child, etcetera, etcetera..." She eyed Arthur warily, who still hadn't lowered his wand. "What's this all about, Arthur?"

He didn't respond. "If you are Nymphadora Tonks, then change back to your normal appearance," he said sharply.

"She can't, Arthur," Lupin explained hurriedly. "She's having troubling morphing. We're worried if she changes again she might hurt herself."

"Fine," Arthur said in the same sharp tone, addressing Tonks. "What shape does your Patronus take?"

"Remus," Tonks answered immediately. Arthur relaxed visibly, turning his wand on Lupin.

"Ok. And you. What did I tell you on the morning of your wedding?"

"You told me I was afraid of happiness," Lupin said immediately. "That I was afraid of being happy, but that Tonks was waiting for me, and that I loved her very much."

"He did?" Tonks turned to Lupin. He nodded, his eyes still on Arthur's wand.

"Aww, Arthur, that's so sweet!"

Arthur's eyes darted between the two of them. He slowly lowered his wand and Lupin breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sorry," he apologised, rushing forward to shake Lupin's hand. "I had to make sure it was you, Remus. We haven't heard from either of you in over two weeks, we were starting to think you'd been killed. And then when you apparated in here with just you and Tonks metamorphosed...well, you can understand why I might have thought it was a trap."

"I understand perfectly," Lupin said, raising his own wand. "But now it's my turn. What is your dearest ambition?"

"To find out how aeroplanes stay up," said Arthur instantly. Lupin smiled, lowered his own wand and leaned forward to take Arthur's hand. "That's actually why we've come," Lupin explained as if nothing had happened. "Just to check in and see that everyone's all right."

"Well, thank goodness, we were starting to get worried," said Molly, hurrying forwards again. Arthur glanced over at her, and Lupin knew they were going to be exchanging words later.

"We're sorry we couldn't come sooner," Tonks explained as she returned Molly's hug. "Remus and I thought it wasn't safe enough to leave the house until now."

Arthur nodded as he led the way to the house. "We read about your father, Tonks," he said quietly as he opened the back door. "He was on the list of Muggles who have failed to register and are now missing. I'm assuming he's on the run?"

Tonks nodded silently.

"Have you heard from him?" Molly asked gently, sitting in a kitchen chair. Tonks shook her head jerkily.

"No."

"We performed the Fidelius Charm the night he left," Lupin explained. "He has no idea where the house is, or how to get in contact with us."

There was a silence as everyone reflected on where Ted might be now. Then Lupin glanced over his shoulder.

"Speaking of which, as Secret Keeper..."

After making sure no one else was in earshot, he let Molly know the location of Tonks' parents house, and they both nodded. Arthur brought cups full of steaming hot tea to the kitchen table.

"What's happened since we left?" Tonks asked, accepting her cup and taking a sip.

A dark shadow fell over Arthur's face. "We've been searched two more times," he said darkly. "Once looking for Harry, Tonks and Charlie, and the second time..." Arthur hesitated. "By the werewolf interrogation squad."

Lupin looked shocked.

"What?"

He accidentally knocked over his cup: the dark liquid spilled out of the rim and the tea went everywhere. Tonks made a grab for the cup and managed to knock it off the table where it fell to the floor with a tinkle of broken china. Tonks dove under the table to retrieve the broken pieces, swearing.

Molly bent down as well and the two of them disappeared under the table.

"You have an enormous price on your head, Remus," Arthur said, almost apologetically. "Have you been reading the Daily Prophet?"

Lupin shook his head jerkily. "Tonks managed to sneak out yesterday and get it, but not really, no."

"Well, here." Arthur tossed something across the table to Lupin, who caught it deftly. "Page two."

Lupin rifled through the pages and then raised the paper to eye level, disappearing behind it. There was a moment's silence, and then Lupin let out a word that Tonks had never heard him use.

"What is it?" she asked, emerging from under the table with the newly repaired cup in her hand.

"Here," he said disconnectedly, shoving the paper to her.

"'Wanted,'" she read, "'for questioning regarding the death of Albus Dumbledore'." She looked up. "Well, that's not unexpected, is it? I'm wanted for that, too. So's Harry and Charlie."

"Keep reading," Arthur advised while Lupin looked on silently. Tonks returned her eyes to the paper.

"'Also wanted,'" she continued, "'for the use of an Unforgivable Curse on'...what!"

Lupin looked over at her silently.

"Me!" she said in outrage. "They think you've performed an Unforgivable on me? Which one?"

"The Imperius curse," said Arthur tiredly. "Kingsley was able to find out. Apparently You-Know-Who can't accept the fact that you two are married of your own free will."

There was a nasty silence.

"There's more," said Lupin. Tonks automatically returned her eyes to the paper and began to read again.

"'Also wanted for questioning regarding the deaths of...' Oh, Remus. No."

Lupin looked down at the table. "James, Lily and Sirius," he said hoarsely.

"The article says that they had it all wrong," Arthur added. "Sirius was never guilty of murdering James and Lily. But then they also clear Peter as well, they say he was in hiding because he was afraid for his life..."

"So they're saying it was me. That I murdered three of my best friends," Lupin finished.

"It's just to try to find you, Remus," Molly said consolingly. "They know now that any support you might have had from the general public who don't really have an idea of what's happening is gone. Plus now you'll have the Snatchers after you- you've got a thousand galleon price on your head."

"Snatchers?" Tonks asked as Lupin remained silent, looking down at the table.

"Sort of bounty hunters," Molly explained. "They're looking for Muggle-born's that are on the run, or members of the Order, or anyone who's trying to oppose You-Know-Who."

There was a silence. Then Lupin got up from the table and strode from the kitchen silently, out the back door.

"Oh, dear," said Molly worriedly. "Maybe we shouldn't have told him."

"No." Tonks rose also. "He needed to know. We need to know, we have to be prepared for what's out there. We can't hide forever." She shook her head. "Bloody hell. I never thought that they'd...well..." She trailed off, and then moved out the back door as well.

Stepping into the unusually sunny day, she shielded her eyes and looked around.

He was standing at the far end of the yard, his hands on either side of the fence that led to the orchard, his head bowed. She slowly approached him. He looked over his shoulder slightly, but said nothing. She swore she saw him reach up to brush something away from his face, but she couldn't be sure. She finally reached him and wrapped her arms around his middle from behind.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hey." His voice was gravely and her heart contracted painfully. He sounded so sad.

"It's probably not safe to be out here for too long," she reminded him gently.

"I don't care."

She let go of his waist and stepped around to lean against the fence. "You okay?"

"No."

"Talk to me?" she suggested gently. He finally turned to her and he saw tear tracks on his face.

"What's there to talk about?" he said dully. "I killed my three best friends and you're under a hex that's made you fall in love with me. What's the point in hiding it any longer? I confess."

"Remus - "

"No, don't say it." He looked back across the orchard. "I'm tired of hearing it."

"And what do you think I'm going to say?"

"That I shouldn't worry about it. That I should just let it slide. That they're just trying to bait me so I'll come out into the open."

"Well, that bit's true," she conceded. "But I wasn't going to say that."

"You weren't?"

"No." She brought a hand up to his face, stroking his cheek lightly and noticing the slight moisture underneath her fingertips. "I was going to say that if it were me, I'd be furious. You're taking it well."

"Am I?" Lupin laughed bitterly, turning his face back to her.

"Yes," she said, her eyes searching his. "Too well, I'd say."

He was silent.

"Don't keep it hidden from me," she said, her hand still on his cheek. "You can't shut me out anymore. I know you too well."

He lowered his gaze. "I hate this," he whispered.

She nodded but kept silent.

"Me, murder James and Lily?" he continued, speaking almost to himself. "And Sirius, too? I would rather have died myself than let anything happen to any of them!"

She nodded again. "I know."

"I know they're just trying to bait me. I know they are. But still..."

"It hurts," she finished for him. He nodded, his eyes on her.

"Yes. And then to say I'd cursed you...As if no one could love a filthy half-breed unless they were under some sort of spell..."

"Don't believe a word of it," she said, suddenly stern, removing her hand from his cheek and grabbing hold of his shoulders. She gave him a little shake. He smiled slightly.

"How can I believe it? I know I didn't hex you."

"You know what I mean," she said severely. "I know the insecurities you have, Remus Lupin: you forget how well I know them. I know what you're thinking. I love you." She shook him again. "And nothing - nothing - " she stared at him intently, " - will ever change that. Do you understand me?"

He was silent for a moment, seeing the truth in her eyes. He nodded slowly, his eyes still glittering strangely with moisture.

"Good." She smiled at him. "One day soon the day will come when we can both show everyone how wrong they were. When we can stand up and fight openly for what we believe in."

He smiled slightly and drew him to her, taking in her familiar scent as she wrapped her arms around him. He was suddenly reminded of the starry night when he and Tonks had stood on this very spot, arguing whether or not they should even get married. Lupin remembered all his doubts and fears and suppressed a shudder. What would his life be like right now if he hadn't married Tonks? It was likely he'd be in battle somewhere. Or dead.

But what about her? Would she be safer if he wasn't around?

"Don't even think it," she suddenly murmured into his chest.

"What?" He looked down at her. She raised her head.

"I know what you're thinking," she said. "And if you weren't around, I'd probably be dead by now, along with my parents."

"How did you know that was what I was thinking?" Lupin asked, surprised.

She laughed softly. "You forget how well I know you."

"You don't know Legilimency, do you?" he said suspiciously.

She laughed and hit him on the arm. "No!"

He grabbed her arm in mid-hit and pulled her close to him, and her face to his own. Their kiss continued for a long time, until they finally heard someone clear their throat uncomfortably.

"Ahem..."

Tonks and Lupin started and pulled away from each other, looking around. Bill Weasley stood a few feet away, looking embarrassed.

"Uh," he said again, obviously uncomfortable. "Sorry to interrupt, but dad told me you two were here and I needed to speak to you."

"Oh." Tonks and Lupin let go of each other, Lupin looking slightly embarrassed.

"What's up?" Tonks enquired.

"Well - " Bill stepped closer, lowering his voice, " - I've had an unexpected visitor at my place."

"Unexpected?" Lupin repeated, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Yes," Bill hesitated. "Ron's at my house."

"What?" said Tonks loudly, "R - "

"Yes, but please, shh!" Bill glanced towards the house. "He really doesn't want anyone else in our family to know he's here..."

"Is he all right?" Lupin asked quickly. Bill nodded.

"He seems to be. He's a bit shook up, but okay."

"And Harry and Hermione?" Tonks interjected. "Are they all right?"

Bill nodded hesitantly. "I think so. Ron's acting really strange, he doesn't want to talk about them."

"Well, where are they?" Lupin asked.

"Ron won't say."

"Why has he come back?"

"He won't say."

"How long is he staying?"

"He hasn't said. I know," added Bill vehemently, catching the look between Lupin and Tonks. "I know I don't know much, but Ron's acting like such a clam. That's why I've come to you."

Lupin and Tonks exchanged another glance.

"I need you two to come back with me," Bill explained. "Maybe you can get him to open up a bit more. He's always liked you two."

Tonks looked doubtful. "Aren't Molly and Arthur going to notice something's up if we suddenly decide to take a nice leisurely house visit with you when we're both being chased by Death Eaters?"

"She's got a point," Lupin said, frowning.

Bill looked slightly desperate. "He's not himself, Remus," he worried. "He's so quiet...it's not like him."

Tonks was quiet for a moment, and then she sighed. "You go," she said to Lupin.

"What?" Lupin turned to her.

"You go," she repeated. "I'll...I'll think of some excuse to tell Molly. Just...make sure he's all right, okay? And I'll let my mother know we're going to be late."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm sure. Go," she added as Lupin continued to look hesitant. "I'll be fine."

Lupin was silent a moment more, then nodded. "All right." He leant forward and placed a kiss on her cheek. "I'll be back soon."

She nodded and then stepped back to watch as Lupin and Bill turned on the spot and disappeared. Then she sighed and looked up at the sky.

"Not another one," she said. "Just...no more surprises today, okay?"

And she made her way back into the house.

**********

Lupin and Bill reappeared in the backyard of a small cottage overlooking the sea. Bill immediately began to move towards the back door, Lupin following.

"Nice house," Lupin commented.

"Thanks," Bill replied distractedly, opening the back door.

"I'm back!" he called. There was no response. Bill frowned.

"Fleur's at work, but Ron should be here," he said, turning to Lupin. "Hello?" he called again. There was still no reply.

Lupin drew his wand, Bill following suit. Slowly they crept through the laundry and into the hallway. They suddenly heard footsteps approaching them and suddenly Ron Weasley slouched into view.

"Hey!" he said, putting up his hands in surprise as he saw Lupin and Bill's wands pointing at him. "What are you doing?"

"Who was your first love?" Bill shot at his younger brother, who looked startled.

"Hermione...I mean..." Ron blushed bright red as the words slipped out of his mouth. Lupin smiled and lowered his wand as Bill made an angry noise and lowered his wand also.

"That wasn't a fair question!" Ron stuttered at his older brother.

"Why didn't you answer me?" Bill sounded irritated. "I thought the Death Eaters had been here and dragged you off or something."

"I didn't hear you," said Ron defensively. "Besides, wouldn't the Dark Mark be over the house if I'd been killed?"

"Still," Bill grumbled, stowing his wand in his back pocket. "Answer me next time."

Ron rolled his eyes but remained silent. He turned to Lupin.

"Professor," he said hesitantly, as if unsure how Lupin would receive him. Lupin supposed that Ron, too, was remembering the scene in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place.

"Ron," said Lupin warmly, extending his hand. "It's good to see you. And please - call me Remus."

Ron's ears went red, but he nodded. Bill glanced between them, and then nodded briskly.

"Right. Well, I'll leave you two to catch up. I'm going to be outside if you need anything."

He left the hallway quickly, and there was silence.

"Well," said Ron, still slightly awkwardly. "Did you want to come into the living room? We can talk there." He gestured and Lupin nodded.

"All right. Lead the way."

The two men walked into the living room and Lupin took a seat in an armchair. Ron sat in one next to him, and Lupin decided not to waste any more time. He leaned forward.

"How are you, Ron?"

"I'm - all right," said Ron, obviously surprised at being asked such a forward question.

"Bill says you've been not quite yourself."

Ron was looking at Lupin like he'd grown two heads. "Not quite myself?" he repeated. Lupin nodded.

"You want to talk about it?"

"Do I - er..." Ron was lost for words. "Not really, no."

"I didn't think so." Lupin leaned back in his chair. "Beautiful house, isn't it?" he gestured. Ron nodded mutely.

There was a hush as Lupin surveyed the house, comfortably situated in his chair. If there was one thing he'd learned from observing Dumbledore over the years it was that, if you sat in silence for long enough, people told you things they didn't really want to talk about. And so with that thought in mind, he didn't try to fill the silence but instead let it extend, almost to breaking point.

"Okay," Ron suddenly burst out. "I'm not exactly sure why you're here."

"You're not?" Lupin's eyes were back on Ron.

"No," said Ron bluntly.

"I thought it would be obvious. I'm here to make sure you're okay."

"You are?" Ron looked taken aback. Lupin nodded. "I thought Bill'd brought you here to find out why I've abandoned Harry and Hermione."

Lupin felt a jolt of surprise at that statement, but let it pass for the moment. "I'm just here to make sure you're doing okay. Bill's worried about you," Lupin added gently.

Ron sighed. "I'm fine."

"Really?"

"No," Ron sighed again. Lupin smiled.

"You wanna talk about it?"

"I..." Ron hesitated. "I've abandoned my two best friends."

"Why?"

Ron shrugged. "Loads of reasons," he said evasively. Lupin sighed.

"All right. I won't press you for information you don't want to give. But can you answer me this, at least - are Harry and Hermione all right? Are they safe?"

Ron paused. "Yes," he said finally. "At least, they were when I left."

Lupin sighed. "Thank goodness."

Ron glanced over at him briefly.

"Now," Lupin leaned forwards again. "Do you want to tell me why you left?"

Ron shrugged. "Well...we were on our...mission - " here he glanced at Lupin, who just nodded, " - and Harry and I had this huge argument. We hadn't eaten for a couple of days, Hermione's a really bad cook, and things aren't going so well with the mission, we're getting nowhere...And, well, I sort of snapped. I told Harry he had no idea what he was doing and I...sort of...stormed out." Here Ron paused. Lupin nodded again, feeling immensely sorry for the young man who sat next to him.

"Go on," Lupin urged.

"I would have gone back!" Ron said desperately. "I really would have! But as soon as I apparated, I was caught by a bunch of Snatchers! I managed to get away but by the time I got back to where they'd been, they were gone!" Ron looked down at his hands. "I've messed things up pretty bad," he finished quietly.

Lupin leaned forward and touched his shoulder. "It's nothing you can't put right," he said kindly. Ron looked up.

"But I have no idea where they are! How am I supposed to find them again?"

Lupin frowned. "I don't know," he said slowly. Ron shook his head.

"Who says they'd even be glad to see me?" he said bitterly. "Harry and Hermione were looking pretty cosy when I left..."

This surprised Lupin. "Harry and Hermione?" he asked confusedly. Ron nodded miserably.

Lupin was silent for a moment. "Ron," he said slowly, "I've known Harry and Hermione for a few years. I've never seen any indications that their relationship is anything other than friendship. Like brother and sister," he added. Ron looked cheered by this.

"You think so?"

"Of course," Lupin said, smiling.

Ron just sighed. "But how am I supposed to find them again?"

Lupin was silent, lost in his own thoughts. "Thanks goodness they're ok," he repeated to himself again. Ron shot him a furtive look.

"Harry regrets what happened in Grimmauld Place," said Ron quickly. Lupin looked up.

"I deserved it," he said shortly. Ron nodded, obviously wondering how far he should push the subject.

"Are you... I mean, are you and Tonks..."

"We're living together again, if that's what you mean," Lupin said, smiling. "Harry took care of that. Of course, we're in hiding, you must have seen the Prophet..."

Ron nodded. "It's bollocks," he said bluntly. "Oh, and speaking of Tonks..." Ron smiled for the first time. "We overheard her dad and Dean Thomas a couple of days ago. It looks like they're doing okay."

Lupin smiled, feeling relieved. "Dora will be overjoyed to hear that. She and her mother, and me, for that matter, have been extremely worried." He stood. "I have to get going." As Ron stood also, Lupin shook his hand.

"Take care, Ron," he said. "And remember...everyone deserves a second chance. I got mine - " he fixed Ron with a look, " - don't waste yours."

"I won't," Ron said. "Thanks, Remus."

Lupin nodded and made his way from the living room, running into Bill in the kitchen.

"Well?" he asked.

"Well obviously he wouldn't tell me what Harry and Hermione are up to, or where they are, but he did let me know that they're okay. And I think he'll be okay, too," Lupin added, glancing back into the living room.

Bill nodded. "So he's going back?"

"I think so. As soon as he can find where they are."

Bill sighed. "Okay. I don't think I really expected any less from my brother."

Lupin clapped him on the back. "I have to get back."

"All right. Thanks, Remus."

And with one last glance at Ron in the living room, Lupin turned and left Shell Cottage.

**********

"So my father's all right?"

"Yes," said Lupin as they made their way quickly up High Street and stopping in front of Purge and Dowse.

"Thank God," Tonks sighed. Lupin smiled over at her.

"I thought that might make your day."

"Not half," Tonks agreed. Then she looked up at the ugly dummy. "Wotcher," she whispered. "We're here for the maternity ward."

The dummy nodded and gestured. Tonks and Lupin walked through the glass into the waiting room of St. Mungo's hospital.

"Keep an eye out," Lupin whispered to Tonks, keeping his head hidden. She nodded and started to turn to the left, but Lupin suddenly grabbed her arm and steered her to the right, past the welcome witch.

"Where are we going?" Tonks whispered as Lupin led them through a maze of corridors. "Maternity's this way."

"We're not going to maternity."

"We're not?"

"No. Remember I told you I know someone who works here?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, she works on the ground floor."

"What - magical artefact accidents?" Tonks whispered as they passed a sign. "Remus! If your friend works on this ward, she's not going to know too much about werewolves and children!"

"You'd be surprised," Lupin said grimly, leading them down a seemingly endless walkway.

"Remus..." Tonks started quietly, but Lupin suddenly stopped and pointed.

"Here we are."

Tonks looked to where he was pointing. A large sign read 'Pearson Parson Ward.' A smaller sign underneath that one informed Tonks that they were about to enter a ward for people with spell damage. Lupin grabbed her hand and pulled her forward.

"Come on!"

They entered the ward, Lupin leading. Tonks started to stop at the front desk, but Lupin pulled her on, looking in every room on the ward until he reached the last doorway. Peering inside, he made a noise.

"There she is."

Tonks poked her head inside the doorway and looked around. A woman in her mid sixties stood there, dressed in the lime-green robes of a Healer, talking to a man whose head and body were a violent shade of orange. Tonks thought the woman looked strangely familiar: her hair was brown and piled atop her head in a loose bun, she was tall and willowy, and she carried herself with a quiet grace Tonks thought she had seen before. And yet, Tonks mused, she didn't remember ever having met this woman before.

"Who - " Tonks started, but Lupin put a hand to his lips.

"Shh."

The woman suddenly turned and spotted them in the doorway. For a moment she stood, frozen, her jaw slack. Then she paled and looked around quickly, hurrying towards them.

When she reached them, she looked between Tonks and Lupin, staring at them silently.

"Hello," Lupin said pleasantly.

The woman drew herself up to her full height. "Are you mad?" she hissed, clamping her hand down on Lupin's arm in a vice-like grip.

"Ow!" he protested as she began to lead them quickly up the ward, her eyes darting this way and that.

"What you were thinking," she continued. "Coming here, I don't know. You're wanted for murder for Merlin's sake. Never did have any sense, always running around..."

"Nice to see you, too," Lupin said quietly.

"Oh, don't start!" the woman hissed, leading them into a small room. She closed the door hurriedly and then turned to the two of them, breathing heavily.

"Well?" she demanded, staring at them. "What the hell are you doing here? I don't hear from you in seventeen years, and then suddenly one day you decide to show up and start causing trouble?" The woman caught sight of Tonks' morphed form for apparently the first time. "And who is that?" she added, pointing at Tonks.

"I'm sorry," Tonks returned, "but who are you?" She turned to Lupin, who was still watching the woman. "Remus, what's going on? Who is this?"

Lupin turned to his wife. "This is Adira," he said simply. When Tonks continued to look confused, he smiled slightly.

"I'm sorry, I should introduce her properly. This is Adira Lupin - my mother."

Authors Notes: Buh, buh, BUHHH! So, what do you think? As always, please review!