They Meet, and They Like It
Chapter 4: They Meet, and They Like It
End of September, 1993
It was Saturday, and Tonks had the day off.
It was late September, and autumn had settled in nicely, with hues of orange and scarlet and red scattering the sky, littering the ground.
She wrapped her scarf tightly around her neck and navigated her way through the crowded city of Hogsmeade. There were people everywhere and, though it wasn't a Hogsmeade weekend for the Hogwarts kids, it was still crowded.
First she went to The Three Broomsticks, where she met with one of her friends, Irene, by chance. She hadn't seen Irene since Hogwarts, and Irene now worked at an Apothecary. They talked for quite a while, until Irene said there was a bloke she needed to meet with that afternoon, and that was that.
Then, Tonks went to Scrivenshaft's, because she knew that she needed some new quills, and James had expressed his interest in a couple for Lily. So she browsed through the shop, buying a set of standard black quills for herself, and eventually, after careful consideration, buying a set of assorted fancy quills for James to gift Lily. She knew that he would insist on paying her for it, but either way, she didn't mind helping out.
Next, Tonks went to one of the smaller bookstores, choosing to buy a few books, both for leisure reading and research. After purchasing Defense and Abstinence and Knowing the Countercurse, both of which were on Mad-Eye's recommendation list, she looked through some other wizarding classics, and ended up getting Wading through the Weeds, Surviving the Cruciatus, and Cheering Charm, all three of which she hadn't before read.
Finally, she headed towards Honeydukes, planning to buy plenty of sweets for herself, since she was hungry, and her parents, because they loved it whenever she bought them sweets. She gathered handfuls of candies from various barrels so that she would have enough to last her a few weeks. So engrossed she was that as she walked further down the aisle, she found herself suddenly bumping into someone who was walking towards her.
Her face was buried into a warm sweater, and she felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I'm sorry," she muttered, looking up at the man she had walked into.
He was taller than her, and he looked older than her, maybe by a few years. He had amber eyes that somehow reminded her of dark chocolate, and he had light brown hair speckled with grey.
"Nymphadora?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
She was so shocked she forgot to chastise him for using her first name. "Er, am I supposed to know you?" she asked. "I'm sorry, I don't remember…"
"It's okay, I don't expect you to," he said with a smile. A nice smile, which caused her heart to start beating faster. "I'm Remus. Remus…"
"Lupin," she finished, the realization hitting her. "Th-that's right, you knew me when I was little. James mentioned it. Sorry, I don't remember any of it."
"James?" he asked, looking confused, tilting his head to the side.
"Yeah. Er, James Potter. He said he was your best friend. I don't know if he was lying, though, he…"
"He wasn't," Remus assured, his expression relaxing. "He… He is my best friend. I just… Wait. How do you know James Potter?"
"Oh, I work under him," she replied lightly. "At the Auror Office."
"You… You're an Auror?"
"In training, yeah," she responded.
"That's… That's phenomenal," he said, looking impressed. "Really good job."
"Thank you," she replied, smiling. "And congratulations, James mentioned you're teaching Defense at Hogwarts. That's really big."
"Thank you." He offered her another smile and leaned against a shelf of assorted chocolates. "What are you doing here?"
"Hogsmeade shopping trip," she explained. "You know. I don't really come across as the kind of woman who likes shopping, but it has to happen."
He laughed. "It's so strange. You were like, six the last time I saw you. Now you're… what, twenty? A woman."
"I've grown," she said, shrugging.
"I didn't mean it offensively," he said quickly.
"I know," she replied, smiling. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh. I like chocolate," he offered, his eyes twinkling. "Thought I'd stock up."
Tonks laughed, watching his eyes. They really were lovely, with depth, like a multitude of colors blended into a rich brown.
She closed her eyes, took a moment to control herself, and then opened them, still smiling. "That sounds lovely. Enjoying your post at Hogwarts?"
"Yeah," he replied, "I like it. Nice to be back, you know."
"I'm really happy for you."
"Thank you."
His eyes bore into hers, and she was suddenly conscious about the way her eyes looked. Had she opted for violet irises this morning? Or some shade of pink?
He seemed to notice he was staring, so he averted his gaze, looking around at the sweetshop around them. "It was really nice talking to you."
"You too," she returned. She hesitated, then added, "I hope I'll see you again."
A wide smile appeared on his face. "I'd love to see you again."
Feeling elated at his words, she gave him a final smile and turned around, leaving Honeydukes feeling, for some reason, not hungry at all.
Molly Weasley sent her son a letter.
She hoped he would get it.
She hoped he would listen to what she had said.
She hoped her children would stay safe.
She hoped for a lot of things.
Percy Weasley walked up to the Owlery, where the family owl, Errol, was waiting for him with a scroll. It hooted at the sight of him, and he gingerly took the letter from the owl.
Dear Percy,
Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban. I know you know this, and I know you understand the consequences of this.
I am concerned for Ron, and Ginny, and the twins. They're still young, and they're still foolish. The implications haven't yet sunk in for them. Percy, I trust that you will be able to take care of them and protect them.
But the reason I am writing this letter is because of Harry. Sirius Black is after him, and Harry does not understand why. By no means should we tell him about the past; that is James and Lily's decision to make. But we need to protect him. I know his mother is at Hogwarts, but he is like our family. He is our family. Please help me keep him safe.
Love,
Molly
"Percy?"
He jumped, almost dropping the letter, and turning around to see who had called his name. He relaxed when he saw who it was.
"Hey, Penny," he said, as she approached him and threw her arms around him.
"Hi, Percy," said Penelope Clearwater huskily. "What are you doing here?"
"Got a letter from my family," he explained, smoothing her hair and wrapping his arms around her back. "What are you doing up here?"
"Message for Allison."
"Ah." Allison was her older sister. "How are things?"
"Pretty good. Did you know Ethan Rutland got a T in Potions today? It's a miracle he managed to get into N.E.W.T. at all!"
He smirked. "Tell me about it. And did you know Ethan likes Brianna?"
Penelope made a face. "Brianna? Gosh, he could do better than that. Brianna like… doesn't even have a personality. She's just a piece of emotionless plastic."
"Agreed. Well, if Ethan's getting T's in Potions, I think Brianna is just about the best he could do."
She laughed, which sounded to him like a pebble creating ripples across the smooth surface of a lake.
"I have nothing to do today," she commented offhandedly, running her fingers through his hair. "Want to take a walk?"
"I'd love to," he replied.
She smiled and took his hand, and they started walking.
James ate an apple.
He was, of course, doing more than just eating the apple. He was thinking. In fact, his mind was about to collapse from thinking so much. So hard.
Of course, he didn't mention this to anyone, least of all Lily, since he knew very well that if he brought it up, they'd make a comment about how hard it was for him to think a lot.
And James couldn't argue with that.
His daughter was in Slytherin. She was befriending people like Draco Malfoy, the son of Lucius Malfoy. The people that had followed Voldemort staunchly, had supported him through the war. His daughter was associating with the wrong sort.
Though Lily didn't seem stressed by it, he felt a strong desire to approach Dumbledore and demand a re-Sort. His daughter, a Potter, couldn't be in Slytherin. It must have been a mistake. They had raised her well, raised her properly. How could Liana have ended up in Slytherin?
As a responsible parent, he wouldn't let his daughter mingle with a Malfoy. He couldn't let her Head of House be Snape. Not Snape, not that vicious, despicable, filthy beast. Anyone but him. James felt his hands curl into fists, anger seething through him at the mere thought of Snivellus Snape.
He didn't know who to talk to. He expected this was how Walburga and Orion Black must have felt when they learned that their son, Sirius, had been sorted into Gryffindor. Sirius Black, that coward. He was just as bad as Snape was. He belonged in Slytherin.
But Slytherin was home to all the baddies, and James couldn't risk his daughter falling into that company. He wouldn't let it happen. He needed to talk to someone, to explain his predicament and seek an answer. But he didn't know who would listen to him and empathize. Who could help him come up with a solution?
Harry hadn't seen his sister since the beginning of term, and he was starting to worry.
What had happened to her? Had Malfoy corrupted her in some way? What was happening? It was all too eerie, too odd, too… too suspicious for his liking.
"Gotcha!" shouted a voice behind him, and he found himself doused in jet-black ink from head to toe.
Spinning around, he saw three figures standing (and floating) behind him. Draco Malfoy was in the lead, flanked closely by Liana- his sister- and Peeves.
Peeves?!
"What are you playing at?" he demanded, yanking out his wand and pointing it at Malfoy threateningly. "What was the need? And you." He turned on his sister. "What do you think you're doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" spat Liana. "I'm standing in the corridor. Why, do you have a problem?"
"Yes," he said through gritted teeth. "You're friends with him?" His head gave an irritable jerk towards Malfoy, who was now standing with his arms crossed over his chest, looking quite smug about the entire ordeal. Peeves cackled.
"Why can't I be?" asked Liana, raking her fingers through her wavy, scarlet hair. "Hmm? It's not like you made any effort to talk to me in the past three weeks. I'm thankful for that, though, don't get me wrong. And Mum and Dad, they keep stalking me. They're obviously upset that I've ruined the family reputation. That's rubbish. I'm sorry, Potter, but I don't care. I am what I am, and if you and Dad and Mum aren't happy with it, then shove your faces up your rears. See if I care."
And then they were gone.
I like chocolate.
Seriously?
It was really remarkable how Remus was able to remember every single word he had uttered in the morning's encounter with Nymphadora Tonks. Now he was pacing up and down his study, reflecting on how stupid he had sounded. He couldn't believe half the things he had said, and now he was wishing more than ever that he hadn't said them.
He couldn't believe how easily he had fallen for her.
Because heck, he wanted to see her again. He wanted to see her again, and he wanted to talk to her for hours and hours. He wanted to watch her, to breathe in her scent, and gaze into her dark violet eyes for hours on end. He wanted to see her smile, to make her smile, to see her laugh, to make her laugh.
What was happening to him?
At least he knew where to find her again. She was an Auror, which meant…
He stopped in his tracks. She knew James. James knew her.
James.
Remus headed out of his room quickly, walking over to Lily's room and knocking on the door. She opened it a moment later.
"Hey, Remus, what's up?"
"Is James here, by chance?"
She tilted her head to the side. "Er, why do you ask?"
"I, er, need to talk to him."
"No, he hasn't visited since last week. What's up? Why don't you come in?"
"No, Lily, it's okay," he declined politely. "Let me know the next time he pops by."
"I will," she replied, frowning. "What happened, though? Is there anything I can do?"
"It's nothing urgent," he assured her. "I just wanted to ask him something."
"Oh. Okay. Are you sure you don't want to come in?" she offered.
"I'm fine, really," he said, smiling. "Thank you, though. I'll see you."
"Bye," she said, a puzzled look on her face. He turned back and headed back to his own room, sitting on the side of his bed and closed his eyes, rubbing at his temples.
What about her was he so drawn to? Why had he developed a crush on his ex-friend's cousin, after just one meeting?
He would have to control this. Oh, definitely. He wasn't able to think about anything as it was. How was he going to be able to teach?
After about half an hour more of these thoughts, and thoughts about her, Remus heard a knock on the door of his office.
He walked over and opened the door to a nervous-looking Harry.
"Harry, what happened?" he asked, opening the door wide for him to come in. Harry walked in and sat down in a chair.
"Professor, I don't know who to talk to," began Harry. "I thought you'd understand, since, well, you've known us for so long."
"Certainly, Harry. What's the matter?" He sat down across the third-year.
"Well, Professor, Liana's been Sorted in Slytherin. And she's off making friends with Malfoy, and just today they drenched me in ink. I got Mum to clean them, but that's not the point. The point is that my sister is friends with my arch-enemy. What am I supposed to do, Professor?"
Remus thought for a moment, and he was about to start saying something when Harry added, in a voice so quiet Remus had to strain to hear it, "It's hard for me to like her."
The poor boy. His sister resented him, that much was obvious, and she was ganging up on him with his enemy to get back at him. It was evident that Harry was struggling to contain his emotions right now. It was his sister, but how could he love her when she was behaving this way?
"Harry," he began, "first of all, it's completely natural to be feeling this way. I've seen it happen before. And I know it's not your fault. Your sister resents you because of the amount of attention you get. James and Lily, as far as I know, aren't partial to you. But when your brother is constantly placed in the spotlight, it's easy to misconstrue every sign of affection that your parents give you as bias. And it's not fair for your parents to neglect you, either. I know you didn't ask for any of this attention. But this is just the way the situation is."
Harry nodded slowly. "Yeah. Yeah, that's… That's exactly how it is."
"Harry, one of the most difficult things for a parent- or an older sibling- to do is to let your child or your younger sibling make their own decisions. Let them stumble, let them fall, let them learn how to navigate. Let them make wrong choices, and let them learn on their own. Let your sister make her own choices, let her make her own friends. If it's wrong, she'll realize it one day. Liana needs to learn how to discern good friends from poisonous friends. Let her learn that on her own.
"However," he continued, "there's no reason for there to be any bullying on her part, or on the part of Draco Malfoy. Let me know, Harry. Let your mother know. Let Professor McGonagall know. Let someone know, Harry, because otherwise it'll just keep happening. Nobody's going to think you're weak. Nobody. Let Liana know that she can be friends with who she wants, but she has no right to pick on you. At all. Have someone like Professor McGonagall tell her that. So Liana won't think that it's just partiality. Okay?"
Harry scratched his head. "Are you sure this will work?"
"Harry, it has to happen this way."
He stood up and held out his arms, to which Remus gave him a hug. The poor boy was going through so much. He was evidently shaken.
"Thank you, Professor," whispered Harry.
"Of course, Harry. Please, come to me whenever you want to talk. About anything. Okay, Harry?"
"Yes, Professor. I-Thank you. I'm just… bothered."
"It's okay to feel that way, Harry. It'll pass."
Harry pulled away and offered a half-smile to Remus. "Thank you. This helped. Bye."
"See you, Harry."
Harry was just out the door when he poked his head back in. "Oh, and Mum told me to tell you that Dad's planning to come to Hogwarts the day after tomorrow."
Remus managed a "thank you."
Harry nodded and left.
That was the problem with being famous, whether it was deliberate or not. There was always going to be a factor of resentment, of jealousy. Remus was quite surprised at how supportive Ron and Hermione had been, sticking with Harry through thick and thin. He was going to have to keep a watch out for Draco, though.
Until then, he'd just look forward to the day after tomorrow.
Dear Lily,
Sorry I haven't been able to visit recently. I've been swamped with this annoying case. I'll probably be able to visit the day after tomorrow, since we're finishing this up tomorrow, and then I just have paperwork to do. How's Harry, how's Liana? Are they doing well? Anything I should know about? And how are you doing? Stay safe and respond soon.
Love you so much,
James
Lily read the letter over and over and over, smiling. He really did seem like perfect husband material, and he was. He was silly, and goofy, but it was adorable. And he could be so serious at times, so serious that had Lily not paid close attention to James's every detail, she wouldn't have been able to discern the two sides of him. He was so sweet, and loving, and caring, and…
Lily shook her head.
She could go on forever.
Tonks snuggled into the covers with a smile that night.
And she knew exactly why.