One last mission
Chapter 9 - One last mission
Before he knew it, Valentine’s day was approaching. Remus had hardly seen Dora in the past month. It was only during Order meetings as they took their places side-by-side that they had a few precious moments with each other. Although their knees brushing against each other was a downgrade compared to what he preferred, he was grateful nonetheless. Remus decided a box of chocolates could never go wrong, he decided on the muggle type as he knew those were Dora’s favourite from when she was a child.
Funnily enough, Dora bought him the exact same chocolate, much to both their amusement. They only had a few minutes to spare after the Order meeting, as they both had to rush off to their separate assignments, they spent their precious few moments snogging in the pantry, and only stopped when they heard the familiar clunk, clunk, clunk of Mad-Eye’s wooden leg. Dora had to stuff her fist into her mouth to stop herself from giggling, while Remus clapped a hand to his mouth to stifle his laughter.
They knew Dora’s mentor wouldn’t be bothered about their relationship, but the fact that they were behaving like teenagers might disgruntle him. Dora grabbed a jar of jam while she stuffed a loaf of bread in Remus’ arms before they exited the pantry, attempting to be nonchalant, although their flushed cheeks and messy hair might have been a giveaway as to what they were engaging in. Mad-Eye gave a noncommittal grunt as he rolled his eyes in their direction, while Molly and Arthur looked rather pleased. They had always encouraged Dora and Remus to get a move on their relationship, although separately.
Dora would wonder sometimes, what were they exactly, were they going out, or seeing each other, or even boyfriend and girlfriend. But she didn’t really mind, Dora was never a stickler for labels, and nor was Remus. Maybe they were friends, who were in love with each other, and snogged whenever the opportunity presented itself. But they hardly had the chance these days, maybe someday when this war is won they could be a real couple.
Days turned into weeks, and then into months, Dora was now part of the team of aurors which were looking for the escaped prisoners. This meant even less time for Order meetings, which really meant less time for Remus, she was still contributing to the Order definitely, only that she barely had time for meetings, she now mostly sent her reports to Kingsley who would present it to the other Order members during their meetings.
Although busy, Dora still made the time to brew Wolfsbane for Remus, she thought this meant more than snogging sessions. Remus was so grateful for Dora, he knew how busy she must be, but yet she set aside time for him. Kingsley was now the delivery boy since he worked with Dora, Remus was happy that Dora always left little notes for him when she sent him each batch every month. He kept them all in the box he had containing the three rings.
Sometimes she would send dried flowers, or Kisses, the muggle chocolate of course, not actual kisses. That was not yet possible in the magical world. On the few instances that they managed more than a few minutes with each other, Remus would cook them a nice romantic dinner, which they would end up eating on the roof. That would be their special place from now on, away from prying eyes of Dora’s dead relatives, or Order members.
It wasn’t till June that Dora and Remus had the pleasure of working together again on a mission, however the circumstances were dire. Harry had witnessed Sirius being tortured in the department of mysteries, and had rushed to London with five of his friends in an attempt to rescue him This false image was planted by Voldemort to lure Harry into the ministry so he could retrieve the prophecy for him. Although all Remus, Mad-Eye, and Kingsley insisted Sirius stay back at headquarters, he simply would not take no for an answer, not when his godson’s life was on the line.
Soon Dora was dueling her deranged aunt Bellatrix, the fact that she looked just like her mother made her hesitate a little before firing jinxes at her. Bellatrix took advantage of this before knocking Dora out with an unknown spell. Remus stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Dora collapse, but noticed she was stirring. He sighed in relief but it didn’t last long as he saw Sirius fall through the veil. He wanted to scream, and break down, but pulled himself together as he saw Harry trying to run through the veil. How he wished he could just run with Harry through the veil and join Sirius, they would be reunited with James, and Lily too. He could hear their whispers from the beyond, and he was sure he even heard his mother.
All Remus wanted to do was to break down in tears, and scream his throat raw. Sirius, my dear friend, my brother, whom I thought I lost, finally came back to me, only to be snatched away so soon. But Remus had to be strong, for Harry. Although his screams and cries broke his heart, Remus held on to him anyway, he only released him when Harry had calmed down a little, but held on to his arm anyway.
The Order members had stunned most of the death eaters, except Bellatrix who ran past them out into the atrium. Harry finally broke free from Remus’ grasp, and ran after her, but was followed by Dumbledore. Remus wanted to go after him, but he knew he had to stay behind to take care of the other kids, all of whom were his ex-students, and more importantly Dora. Dumbledore would take care of Harry, Remus thought to himself.
Hermione was unconscious, Ginny had twisted her ankle, Neville had a broken nose, and Ron seemed delirious. Luna seemed alright apart from a few cuts. Remus fixed Neville’s nose, and wrapped Ginny’s ankle in a splint. Luna helped Ginny walk, and Neville steadied Ron. He conjured two stretchers, for Hermione and Dora. Kingsley and Mad-Eye would be escorting them back to Hogwarts. Remus decided he would take Dora to St. Mungo’s, so that left Harry, who was probably with Dumbledore now. He’d know what to do, Remus couldn't bear to face Harry, not yet at least. The idea of seeing James’ face so soon, right after hearing his whispers from beyond the veil, and knowing that Sirius had just left him again to join James seemed too painful.
Remus disapparated with Dora directly to St. Mungo’s. The next few hours were a blur as he explained to the healers what had happened, and gave them her details. Thankfully the hospital would be contacting her parents. Remus sent a Patronus to a few of the Order members, informing them what had happened. The fact that he lost his last remaining best friend, no, his last remaining brother was just starting to sink in.
Remus wasn’t allowed to see Dora yet, but he waited until her parents arrived, he didn’t want her to wake up alone. Remus recognised Andromeda Tonks immediately, she looked so like her sister, who ironically was the reason they were all there in the first place. Remus introduced himself, but was surprised her parents remembered him, and apparently Dora had mentioned him a fair few times recently.
They were allowed to see Dora for just a few minutes after the healer announced she would be okay. Remus stood back to allow Mr. and Mrs. Tonks to see their daughter, but was pleasantly surprised when Andromeda took him by the hand as she walked towards Dora’s ward. She looked so peaceful as she slept, her chest rising and falling gently. Remus wanted to stroke her hair, and kiss her forehead, but decided against it.
Soon they were asked to leave, Remus said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Tonks, and was taken by surprise when she kissed him on the cheek. They both thanked him for taking care of Dora, and didn’t seem bothered in the least that he was a werewolf, who had been spending a lot of time with their daughter. Although he supposed they wouldn’t have been as warm towards him if they knew the true nature of his relationship with their one and only daughter.
Remus hated having to go back to Grimmauld Place, but Dumbledore insisted they have a meeting. Now that Voldemort was out in the open, hopefully things would be easier. Remus felt so lost without Sirius sitting opposite of him, smirking as he and Dora whispered things to each other. The three Weasley brothers who were there were unnaturally tense, that was understandable, their two youngest siblings could have been killed just hours ago. The tension in the air reduced slightly when Poppy had sent word saying all six teenagers will be alright, although Hermione might take a little longer to get back to her usual self. Remus barely paid attention to what Dumbledore was saying, and before he knew it, the meeting was over. Remus made to leave but was stopped by Dumbledore.
‘Remus, first of all I would like to say I’m so very sorry for your loss. This would have been harder on you than anyone else,’
‘Thank you Albus, I was so thrilled to have him back two years ago, and now I’ve lost him again, for good this time,’ replied Remus sadly, tears filling his eyes.
‘Remus, I know the timing could not be worse, but I need your help, and I’m so sorry to ask now, but it is of utmost importance that you start as soon as possible,’
‘Just name it and consider it done, Albus,’
‘We know that Lord Voldemort will be recruiting all kinds of creatures to his side...I need you to go undercover with the werewolves, Remus. My sources say there are camps in Wales, you must convince as many as you can to come over to our side. And that they are merely pawns in his game before Greyback poisons their minds,’
Remus was taken back in time to his four year old self, he remembered the smell of dirt, mingled with sweat, and blood as Greyback attacked him. He wished Greyback had just killed him then and there. His fists clenched convulsively without him realising.
‘I’ll do it Albus, but I would like to see Harry off before he leaves to his aunt and uncle’s for summer, if that’s alright.’
‘Of course Remus, heaven knows that boy could do with a morale boost. Thank you Remus, please do not hesitate to ask me anything, and do be careful. If you can’t manage to convince them to join us, at least convince them to stay on neither side,’
Remus merely nodded as Dumbledore clapped him on the shoulder before making his way out of number 12 Grimmauld place.
‘The ones that love us, never truly leave us Remus. I trust you know that,’ said Dumbledore before turning on the spot, and disapparating with a pop.
That would be their last meeting there, as headquarters was now at the Burrow. Remus collected the rest of his possessions before disapparating to Yorkshire, he couldn’t spend another minute at that house.