Running away
Chapter 21 - Running away
Remus had made up his mind. He couldn’t give another reason to the Death Eaters to target Andromeda and Dora. Apart from that, he was sure his child would grow up feeling ashamed of having a werewolf for a father. They would be better off without him. Another reason played at the back of his head, what if he had passed down his condition to an innocent child? He never should have married Dora, although it was the happiest he had ever been in a very long time, it was no excuse for his selfish behavior. He hated the idea of leaving Dora right after her father did, but it was for her own good. At first, he thought of just leaving with a note, but Dora deserved an explanation, maybe that’ll make her hate me sooner, and then get over me quickly.
Remus decided he would go and look for Harry and co. He was certain they would be at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, since it was Harry’s house now. The Order had a shrewd idea that Dumbledore had left them a mission, perhaps Harry would be open to the idea of him joining them. He definitely had the experience, since he actively participated in the first Wizarding War. Remus awoke early the next morning, he got dressed in silence, and packed the bare essentials for his trip. He waited for Dora to wake up in the sitting room, practicing what he would say to her.
Dora woke up when her alarm clock rang, she reached out for Remus on their bed, but found he wasn’t there. This was unusual, they usually woke up together where they would then snuggle for a while before getting out of bed. She pulled on her dressing gown as she stepped out of their bedroom. Dora found him in the sitting room, fully dressed, with a suitcase next to him. What was going on? He looked up as he heard her walk into the sitting room.
‘Dora-’ said Remus with a start, spilling some tea. He immediately cleaned the spill with a flick of his wand.
‘Remus?’ What's wrong? Why are you packed?’ her beautiful features arranged in confusion.
‘Dora, I’ve got to tell you something,’ he said with difficulty, ‘you have made me the happiest person on this planet...but this was a mistake. We should have never gotten together, let alone married. And now- and now I’ve passed down my affliction to our baby’
‘Remus what are you saying?’ cried Dora. ‘You’re being ridiculous, come off it for heaven’s sake,’
‘I’m not being ridiculous Dora, you’re parents were tortured because of me, and so would you if we stick together,’
‘Get over yourself Lupin, we were a marked family as soon as my mum got disowned, this is not because of you’
‘Dora how could I live with myself if any of you got hurt, I’m sure your parents would have been happier if you married someone else, anyone else instead of me. Do you have any idea how lucky we are that they escaped almost unscathed?!’
‘They love you Remus, and you know it. Just drop it will you,’
‘Do they? Or do they just put up with me for your sake? Will they still love me when their grandchild is a werewolf? Will our child love me when they find out I’m a werewolf? Will they love me when they find out I’m the reason for their affliction?’
‘Of course they will Remus, any child of yours would love you. And if God forbid they are indeed a werewolf, who better to understand them, and help them through it than their own father?’
‘The both of you would be better off without me, whether or not our child is a werewolf. You’ll find someone else Dora, someone younger, and whole-’
‘Enough with that Remus, I love you, and I will always love you, we’ve been through this enough times’
‘I’m sorry Dora, this is for the best. You’ll be alright, your mother will take care of you, I’m sure she’ll be happy to have you home,’
‘Shut up Remus, stop trying to make this about me, or mum, or our baby. This is about you! If you wanna go then fine, I’m not gonna mope around waiting for you, I’m raising this baby, werewolf or not, with or without you. I don’t need taking care of, it’s you that needs some sense knocked into!’
Dora stalked off to their, well her bedroom, slamming the door shut. Remus made his way to the closed bedroom door, placing one hand on the door, as he whispered ‘Goodbye Dora.,’ A single tear escaped, and was now trickling down his unshaven cheek. ‘Piss off, Lupin’ was his cue to leave.
Dora was fuming, I’ll show you Lupin, I’ll give this child the best life I can, and I’m gonna love them so much, they’ll never ever wish for a father. Dora caressed her almost flat midriff. It was way too early for a bump of any sort. Dora decided to get ready for work, she didn't wanna be late the first day with a new boss. Although her chances of making a good impression were dashed by her father’s blood status, and her husband, or ex-husband? Dora had no idea what they were once again. She fingered the Lupine pendant around her neck. She had not taken it off, even after Remus left her the first time.
But this time things were different, she had to be strong for her baby, reaching around her neck, Dora unhooked the necklace and took it off. She slipped off the engagement ring, and wedding band Remus had given her, only a few weeks ago. She had half a mind of chucking it out the window, but she decided not to, for the sake of Hope and Lyall. At least their love had lasted, their son’s affliction only made them stronger, according to Remus at least. Dora placed the three articles in a little jewelry box, which she then stuffed into her sock-drawer.
Remus noticed he was being followed, he had deliberately turned back several times to stop at The Three Broomsticks as he wandered around Hogsmeade. He suspected Wormtail would have informed the Death Eaters of the nature of his relationship with Harry, with him being his late father’s best friend. Remus decided to disapparate to the nearest Wizarding Inn he could find for a night.
Alas, when he was leaving the next day, he noticed his pursuer had caught up with him. How were they doing it? Remus didn’t know where to go next, so he went about wandering the Scottish countryside for a few hours. When he finally decided it was safe, he decided on disapparating somewhere near the Burrow first. It had already been searched, maybe the Death Eater would give up then.
Remus didn’t want to impose on the Weasley’s hospitality, nor did he want to answer questions about his wife, or I suppose ex-wife, and unborn child, so he spent another night at another Wizarding Inn in the vicinity. He rose at dawn before disapparating to London, once he was certain he managed to shake off the Death Eater tailing him. Remus materialised at the square outside number 12 Grimmauld place, but alas, there were two Death Eaters outside. Remus then disapparated directly to the front door of Number 12. Thankfully, the Death Eaters didn’t notice.
As Remus stepped onto the threshold, he heard Mad-Eye’s voice. Remus was sure Mad-Eye would have hexed him into oblivion if he knew that Remus had left Dora, and their unborn child. But these thoughts were driven from his mind as a dust figure appeared, it bore resemblance to Dumbledore, only eerie-looking. This must be one of the safety measures put into place by Mad-Eye to stop Snape from snooping. ‘It was not I who killed you, Albus,’ said Remus. At this, the jinx broke, clouding the end of the hall with dust