Broken
Chapter 20 - Broken
Dora’s hands shook as she let Remus’ arm go when they reached her parents’ house. Their front door was clearly blasted open, splintered wood remained on its hinges at the door frame. Dora made to enter, but Remus stopped her and went in first. They didn’t dare light their wands although it was dark. Dora casted Homenum Revelio, tracing two people in her parents' bedroom. Still apprehensive, they made their way there in silence. Dora was relieved to hear her parents’ voices, but she knew she had to check if it was really them. Remus pushed the door open slightly, only to find two wands pointing directly at them.
‘Who are you?! What do you want?!’ an angry voice belonging to a man called. Dora had never heard her father so angry before.
‘Dad...it’s me, Dora,’ she began, Ted, and Andromeda didn’t change their stance so Dora continued, ‘Nymphadora Vulpecula Tonks, I absolutely hate both my first, and second name, my Patronus was a Jack rabbit, but now it’s a wolf, which matches my husband’s….When I was five, I insisted on changing my name to Princess Bubblegum,’ said Dora.
‘Sorry sweetheart, we had to check, the Death Eaters had just been here,’ said Andromeda as she and Ted pulled Dora into a hug.
‘Well, get over here Remus,’ said Ted, beckoning Remus to join them.
‘Are you two alright?’ asked Andromeda, with one hand on Remus’ face.
‘We’re fine, but mostly because we outnumbered the Death Eaters at the Burrow. They searched the entire house before leaving.’ answered Dora.
‘What happened to you two? Are you alright, are you hurt?’ asked Remus, the fear in his voice obvious.
‘Relax dear, we’re fine. We were just paid a visit by my sweet old sister,’ said Andromeda with a sad smile.
‘Yeah, she wished to offer you her congratulations on your wedding, but couldn't stay long, her boss was calling. Apparently they had gotten word about the whereabouts of Harry.’ Ted continued.
How could they even make jokes at a time like this. And why were they being so nice to him? It was obvious the fact that he married Dora only made things worse for her parents.
‘I’m sorry, this is all my fault,’ said Remus, backing away. He hated himself, this was all his fault they were attacked.
‘Don’t be silly son, ‘Dromeda and I knew what we were getting ourselves into as soon as we started going out all those years ago.’ said Ted.
‘We’ll have you know, it wasn’t an ordinary family you married into dear, we Tonks’ are quite brave too, albeit not being in Gryffindor,’ continued Andromeda, ‘ it’ll take more than a few Cruciatus curses to break us,’ finished Andromeda with a smile.
Her Black features reminded him of Sirius, the dark elegant curls, the high cheekbones, and the pale eyes. This was his family too, his family which had to suffer because Remus had so selfishly married Dora. You very well know Sirius would be delighted that you and him are family now, although you did become brothers years ago, said a small voice in his head, which he quashed immediately. Remus would always draw up the worst possible conclusions, and associate them with his afflictions somehow. But when one was a werewolf from age four, one experiences many things others can hardly even dream about, let alone empathise with.
‘C’mon, let’s have a spot of tea down in the kitchen, and repair the house of course, a few more wands would definitely be helpful,’ said Ted, gesturing to the door. His fair hair was stained with dried blood across his temples, but his smile unwavered ever since the moment he knew it was really Dora and Remus.
Remus and Dora insisted their parents sit down and rested while they did the work. Dora waved her wand several times over their sitting room, fixing everything which the Death Eaters had broken. She had even mastered a few housekeeping spells, much to her mother’s delight, which certainly came in handy today. Once she was done, their home was almost as good as new. Although shaken, her parents seemed alright, no life threatening injuries but a few cuts and scrapes here and there. Most importantly, their spirit remained as strong as always.
Remus recasted all the protective enchantments around the house, and then proceeded to make tea in the kitchen. Although in good spirits, Andromeda and Ted were clearly exhausted. Remus could tell from their furtive looks there was something they wanted to discuss, but weren’t sure of how to start it. Dora poured them all tea, spilling some onto the table, but nobody noticed that. They sat and drank in silence for a few minutes before Ted spoke.
‘Dora, Remus, there’s something we need to talk about.’
‘What?’ asked Dora. Her face rapt with attention.
Oh no, this is it thought Remus, he was going to ask them to split.
‘Sweetheart, as you know, I’m a muggle-born. Those Death Eaters...they mentioned they’ll soon be after us,’ he continued, ‘I heard something about a muggle-born registry where people like me have to attend a hearing at the ministry to prove our blood status. But that’s all just a front to round us up and throw us into Azkaban.’
‘We heard they’ve even got snatchers at the ready to round up muggle-borns who failed to turn up for their hearings,’ piped in Andromeda.
‘Dora, Remus, your mother and I have decided it's best for me to leave…That would put you three out of harm's way. I’ll be leaving tomorrow, once I’ve rested up a little, I’ve already packed my things. Dirk Cresswell will be joining me, so I won’t be alone,’ finished Ted.
Remus was lost for words, his jaw clenched convulsively. If anyone was leaving, it really should be him.
‘What?! No way, dad you can’t do this please,’ begged Dora as she took both her fathers hands in hers as her eyes began to swim with tears.
‘There must be another way Ted, you can’t be serious,’ Remus managed to utter.
‘Dad!! Please stay, I’m pregnant, I only just found out, please stay, we can all be together please don’t leave us,’ begged Dora, tears streaming down her beautiful face.
This news took Dora’s parents by surprise, they exclaimed in delight as they hugged both Dora and Remus. And for one golden moment, they forgot that they were in the middle of a war, and that Ted and Andromeda had been tortured just a while ago. Ted brought their best wine, while Andromeda summoned three goblets. Remus noticed they bore the Black family crest, he smiled as he thought of Sirius, and wished he was here with them too.
They began discussing potential names, but Dora put her foot down and said there was no way she would allow her parents to name their baby, however “meaningful” their name of choice was. Remus, Ted, and Andromeda finished the entire bottle between them. It was getting late, and Ted was still adamant on leaving the next day. Andromeda suggested Dora and Remus put up in her old room so they could see Ted off the next morning.
They awoke at dawn, Ted wanted to attract as little attention as he could. The mood over breakfast was sombre, although Ted did try to make his usual jokes, none of them seemed to be working. Tears were streaming down both Andromeda and Dora’s faces. A few tears escaped Remus’ eyes too, although he was careful not to let the others see. Remus had always loved Ted, not once did he ever make him feel like an outsider. Remus was very fond of Andromeda too, although she belonged to the ancient and most noble house of Black, she was so loving, and so kind. Remus hated himself even more for bringing hardship over this beautiful family. They deserved someone so much better as a son-in-law, instead of this poor, old werewolf.
After Ted left, Andromeda and Dora snuggled up on the sofa, both still in tears. Remus couldn’t bear to watch, it hurt his heart too much to watch Dora in pain. They spent the entire day there, Dora only decided to leave as she was expected at the ministry the next day. She didn’t want to draw anymore attention to herself, so she decided it was best she pretended like everything was normal. It was of utmost importance that the Order had spies in the ministry. Dora knew it was only a matter of time before her father’s presence would be requested at the Ministry for questioning. But until then, she decided to go to work as usual.