Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Tonks slowly opened her eyes. She was in a completely white bed, and the room around her was also white. She stood up, feeling light, as if she were walking on a cloud. Her wounds were gone, her face was clean, her pink hair a mess. She opened the door to the room and discovered a small corridor and some stairs. The place looked very much like Grimmauld Place. Why was she here? Why was everything so spotlessly clean ? Then she heard voices and started down the stairs. She found herself in the large dining room where she had spent countless evenings with Sirius, Remus and the entire Order of the Phoenix. She pushed open the door.
"Hey, cuz!"
She was dazzled by the unusual brightness of the room.
"Sirius? But... I'm...?"
"No, you're not dead! I am, you're not yet."
She frowned.
"All right, then I'm dreaming."
"Sort of."
"In what way?"
"It doesn't matter. You fought well at Hogwarts. You should be proud of yourself. And so can Remus."
Tonks took a seat in a chair opposite Sirius.
"You... You saw us?"
"We all saw you!"
Before Tonks could ask another question, Sirius turned to the large table with a small nod.
Tonks followed her gaze and was startled to see that it was not only her and Sirius in the room, but also James, Lily and Dumbledore. The young Auror blinked several times before opening her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
As Lily placed a hand on Tonks', she spoke up.
"You're sleeping, Nymphadora. But you're not really in a dream. Your body is at the end of its tether, and only your heart is holding you back for the moment."
Horror could be read in the metamorphmagus’s eyes.
"You mean... I'm going to die? But that's impossible! I looked for Remus, I was fine, we... We went home and..."
"And then you collapsed on the floor. Your body couldn't take the shock. But Remus is looking after you, it's thanks to him that you're still alive. For now..."
"But..." Tears began to roll down Tonks' cheeks.
"We're here to help you get back to him." Sirius reassured her.
This had the effect of calming Tonks. She straightened up before turning to the four people in the room.
"What should I do?"
This time it was Dumbledore who spoke.
"You have to convince your body to stay. You have little time left, little energy. You must dig deep within yourself to find the strength to open your eyes. Remus is there, talking to you, stopping your brain from leaving."
"I... I don't know if I can..."
"Of course you can," Lily told her. "You're the bravest person I've seen in a long time. You never stopped fighting for Remus, you never stopped believing."
"Your love is powerful Nymphadora. Dumbledore continued. You have each survived because of it. If you choose to stay, he will join you."
"He could never bear to lose you, Tonks, you know that." Sirius insisted.
Tonks took a deep breath. She knew what she had to do. She stood up, more determined than ever.
Lily and James walked up to her and Lily took Tonks' hands in hers.
"Tell him I'm proud of him, that he deserves this life with you. I know you'll give him everything he's ever wanted, in fact, you already have. Thank you, Nymphadora."
They didn't know each other very well, yet they hugged. Tonks sensed the love Lily had for Remus as a friend and the tears came again. As she pulled away from Lily's ghost, James turned to her.
"Tell him I thank him for looking after Harry. Even though it wasn't long, he did his best."
Tonks nodded and then turned to Dumbledore. Dumbledore said nothing but winked at her and she couldn't help but smile.
Before leaving, she went over to Sirius and hugged him.
"We miss you," she whispered. Remus so wishes you could have been here to meet Teddy."
"I know. But I'm here, forever with you.’"He replied, placing his hand on his cousin's heart. "Now, open that door and go reassure your werewolf!"
"But don't forget, constant vigilance!’ came a voice from the back of the room.
Tonks turned her head and was not surprised to see her former Mentor, Maugrey Fol-Œil, standing there leaning on his cane. With a big smile on her face, she nodded and headed for the door without bothering to turn round.
&&&&&
Remus had been at his wife's bedside for many hours now, kneeling on the floor, resting his elbows on the mattress and his head in his hands.
No sooner had they arrived at their house than Dora had collapsed in his arms. Pale-faced, her hair a faded pink, drained of all energy, that was how Andromeda had found her daughter. At first she thought the worst, but then Remus shouted out that she was not dead, that she had been standing just before they arrived. Together, they hurried to settle her on the bed. The Auror had no serious injuries, but her body was empty, without energy, in shock from the efforts she had had to make both physically and mentally. There was nothing to do but wait for her to wake up and give her something to regain her strength.
Remus raised his head and looked at her. She was a little less pale, but her breathing was as slow as ever. He was afraid, afraid that she would never wake up. This fear was eating him up inside, because he knew he couldn't do it without her. She had been and always would be his light in the fog, his lifeline. She had been there after Sirius's death, she had been there in his dreams during his stay with the werewolves, she had been there, in love and full of life, after Dumbledore's death. She had forgiven him every time he had run away and no one would have done the same in her place. She was his reason for living, for continuing to hope.
A knock at the door drew him from his thoughts. He stood up as Andromeda entered the room, Teddy in her arms. Remus couldn't help smiling at the sight of his son.
"You should get some rest, Remus. I know it's not easy but we'll look after her, won't we Teddy?" She said, turning her head towards her grandson.
"I..." Remus knew she was right but he didn't want to leave her.
"At least go and eat something, otherwise she'll be frightened to see you like this when she wakes up and she'll say it's my fault!"
Remus smiled, placed a kiss on his son's forehead and left the room.
Andromeda sat down in a small armchair near the bed and put Teddy on her lap.
"Don't hang around too much Nymphadora, we all need you here. We miss you very much."
She gently placed her grandson next to her daughter, then settled more comfortably at the back of the armchair before closing her eyes.
When Remus returned to the bedroom a good two hours later, he found his mother-in-law asleep and Teddy in his mother's arms, also asleep. Nymphadora had not moved. He approached gently, laid a hand gently on Andromeda's shoulder and she opened her eyes.
"Go and rest, I'm going to stay here."
She simply nodded and stood up.
"I've put Teddy down by his mother, maybe that will help her come back to us."
Remus simply nodded and took a seat in the armchair occupied by his mother-in-law. He leaned over his wife to tuck a stray lock of hair back behind her ear and then stroked her cheek. She looked so calm, so at peace.
Remus then looked at his son, who was fast asleep. The werewolf still sometimes found it hard to believe. He had given up on the idea of starting a family and then he had met Tonks, who had turned his life upside down. From their powerful love was born this perfect little being. Teddy was proof that nothing was stronger than love, that nothing was impossible. And Remus was so proud to have a son, a metamorphmagus like his mother. As Andromeda had said, metamorphmagi were only born of an incredible union. He blamed himself for fleeing, for giving in to fear. He would have liked to correct his mistake, he would have liked to relive the moment when Tonks had told him the news, to be happy with her, to tell her that everything would be fine. Although he wouldn't dare tell his wife just yet, he hoped he could give her the chance again.
"Remus?"
Lost in thought, he gasped when he heard Tonks's hoarse, weak voice raised for the first time since that famous evening when they had come home.
"Oh Merlin, Dora!" He rose abruptly from the armchair, placed his hands on either side of Tonks' face before placing a kiss on her forehead.
"You gave us such a fright!"
"I... I'm sorry..." She looked sad, still very weak.
"No, no, it's not your fault. I'll go and tell your mother. Teddy will look after you. I'll be right back." And Remus almost ran out of the room.
When he returned, his heart sank at the sight of Tonks, her face red with tears.
"Dora?"
"My darling, everything's fine." Andromeda reassured her.
Tonks moved her head from side to side.
"I just can't do it. She whispered between sobs. I can't carry him, I'm so tired."
That's all it took for Remus to pick up his son and place him on his wife's chest.
"My love. We're here, everything will be fine, I promise. You still need to rest, we'll look after Teddy."
A few moments later, Remus had Teddy in his arms while Andromeda gave Tonks something to replenish his strength.
Suddenly, Teddy groaned. He was probably hungry. Andromeda quickly realised, looking at her daughter, that she wouldn't have the strength to feed her son, so she took matters into her own hands.
"Don't worry, darling, I'll look after him. You rest again."
Tonks wanted to say something but Remus was already getting up to follow Andromeda out of the room.
"Remus, stay, please."
He turned to smile at her. "Of course." He handed Teddy to his grandmother before turning back.
"Lie down with me." Tonks asked in a voice that was still weak but more fluid.
Remus didn't need to be told again. He took off some of his clothes and shoes before snuggling up to his wife under the covers. He had missed her so much. Her smell, the softness of her skin, her warmth. He let out a sigh of well-being, which did not escape the Auror's notice.
"I missed you too." She whispered in his ear.