Bewitched

Katrina Marie Lupin

Story Summary:
Once, long ago, Remus had a love. As if by a curse, she disappeared without a trace. But when strange memories arise, he begins to ask questions -- is his wife out there somewhere, or is his mind playing a cruel trick?

Chapter 01

Posted:
03/14/2007
Hits:
107


Remus sank into his armchair with a sigh. He had spent the day at Hogwarts, the Weasleys', and the Tonks residence. After the funeral, Molly had insisted on lunch for all of the Order members and Nymphadora had dragged him home to dinner with her mother. It seemed she had not been able to steal away before Andromeda could insist that she stay and visit. Remus knew he wouldn't want to eat with only his mother and two Slytherins, especially him. It was hard to remember that Snape was on their side after what he'd done. Someday, Remus would find a way to forgive Snape for that... but the day after Dumbledore's funeral was not a very promising date.
Dinner had been a quiet affair. At first, Andromeda had attempted polite conversation, but the stony looks of the two men before her must have been rather disconcerting. Malfoy had sat himself next to his godfather while Tonks sat across from him, Remus beside her. Andromeda, bless her soul, had placed herself on the end beside Remus and Snape and had undoubtedly the most unpleasant seat at the table. Only Nymphadora's presence had helped him through the meal. But poor Draco...
As Remus remembered the sour looks he had sent and received all evening he realized how much of a git he had been. Severus was trying to get by on hospitality, a humbling thing, no doubt, and of all people, the only one willing to give it to him was the cousin of one of his childhood tormentors - Sirius Black. Then her daughter brings another unwelcome face to his plate - that of Remus Lupin, the werewolf who had nearly killed him twice. He felt a shiver of pity for the fellow, but then reminded himself of what he'd done to deserve his position and it faded away, though it never truly left. Severus Snape had had a hard life and Remus knew what it was like to suffer the harsh prejudice of others, but most of Snape's were just desserts.
Nymphadora slipped a hand down his front from behind him, her fingers teasing his buttons, as if tempting him, but he truly wasn't in the mood. With a sigh, he leaned his head against her outstretched arm and slid a hand up the nimble limb, her chin dropping to his left shoulder.
"Tonks, what's going on with this world?" he mused, and he felt her smile through his shirt.
"I don't know...maybe there just isn't enough love in the world." He knew she longed to kiss his neck, but the scarred feature remained hidden beneath his collar. He knew she was coming on to him, but he didn't respond. He knew she wanted him and was hiding it terribly, but his patience far outmatched hers.
"Maybe..." He lifted his other hand to her face and she nuzzled into it like a lovesick puppy, her hair instantly changing from pink spikes to a soft, silky, mousy brown. She smiled again, but he just clung to her locks, remembering of when he'd once had another to hold in much the same way...
She hadn't been in his thoughts for many years, but now he couldn't stop thinking about her. Especially with Tonks trying to woo him every time she saw him. For almost five months now he hadn't been able to look at Tonks without thinking about her, no matter what her shape was. It all started at Christmas. With all the ill feeling caused by the Minister's visit, Molly had come up with the idea to have a late Crimbo party and to be honest the joke was on him.
"Here you are, Remus. Everyone's donated something, and it's added to quite a handsome sum,
said Molly as she heaved a sack onto the table, the multitude of coins spilling out before him.
Remus nearly choked at the sight of such a fortune. He gaped at the fellow Order members huddled around the mother smirking at him to get a look at his expression. Tonks beside him slipped a hand into his and squeezed reassuringly. His voice was shaking, but he managed to squeak out, "What's all that for?"
"Well, it's for you and Tonks, dear! I can't stand the poppycock and excuses you keep coming up with about how you can't afford to support a wife, so we decided to give you a little boost."
"Entirely her idea," remarked Alastor Moody from the corner behind Remus.
Remus glanced over to him and they shared a knowing look before Remus turned back to the gold and friends before him. Tonks saw with a sense of self-satisfaction that tears were blossoming in his eyes. But if she only knew the feeling of déjà vu he and Alastor were feeling...
"Alright, Moony, enough is enough," James said. "You're going to marry that girl if I have to Confund you to do it."
Sirius threw a small, yet satisfyingly filled coin purse onto the table and it slid to a halt under Remus' nose.
He glanced at it before looking up to his friends, but Sirius spoke before Remus could argue.
"It's for your honeymoon. Treat her to a good one or suffer my wrath," he added with a grin.