AU: Happily Ever After-Chapter Five
I'm going to post this now because my stepson is on his way home from his grandparents'. I'll try to post the epilouge later tonight =)
Thanks for continuing to read!
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I'm not linking to the other chapters, because if you've gotten this far...
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Chapter Five: Heroes
Chapter Word Count: 1278
Total Word Count: 5616
Additional Author’s Notes: I had originally planned on doing this chapter, and then cut it, then changed my mind when I got a comment that reflected on why I had too. It’s a tad longer than the others, but you don’t mind, right?
Tonks looked around the living room, grinning when her mother sighed, then swore, behind her. It was an absolute disaster, but it was too late to clean.
After their announcement, Molly and George had insisted on turning Remus’ welcoming home party into a victory celebration. Tonks and Remus had protested, but it was Arthur’s quiet endorsement of their proposal that had them finally consenting.
The kitchen door swung open and Harry entered the room, holding a sleeping Teddy. Remus was right behind him, leaning against the doorframe for support. Looking around, Harry commented, “Wow, we really did a number on the place, didn’t we?”
“It was a smashing good party though,” said Andromeda. “Bloody well worth the mess.”
Tonks laughed aloud at her mother’s uncharacteristic attitude, knowing that she was slightly intoxicated. Then she walked over to help Remus, but he waved her off and laboriously made his way to the couch himself.
Harry flopped down next to him, protesting when Remus took Teddy away from him, scowling when he was told, “He’s my son. Only your godson.”
Tonks snorted at the sight of the two of them bickering over who got to hold the baby. She settled the matter by taking Teddy from Remus, slipping into his lap and snuggled up to him. Harry smiled when he placed a kiss on her forehead, then their son’s. “He’s my son too. I have more claim over him since I carried him for nine months, and then gave birth to him. Seven hours of agony.” Tonks smirked when Remus looked properly contrite.
“Seven hours,” laughed Andromeda from Harry’s other side. “Try nineteen hours.”
“No wonder why you only did it once,” her daughter cheeked back.
“And we’re…er, you,” Remus corrected himself before Tonks could. “You’re going to do it again.” He placed a hand on her stomach and smiled brightly. She kissed his forehead.
“Ouch at any number of hours,” Harry said, a shudder running through him. Everyone laughed. He then asked, “Is it all right if I crash here tonight, Mrs Tonks?”
“Of course you can, Harry! Let me get the guest room made up real quick, and then I’ll Floo the Burrow and let them know. I’ll take Teddy upstairs as well. Nymphadora,” she chastised spotting the alarmed look on her daughter’s face, “I know what to do and I’m not totally pissed you know-”
“Could have fooled me,” Tonks muttered under her breath.
“I’m just slightly pissed,” Andromeda finished.
Andromeda looked pleased when Harry and Remus began to laugh. Tonks made a face at her. Taking her grandson from her daughter, she gracefully exited the living room and made her way upstairs.
“I love your mother,” Remus chuckled, laughing harder when his wife rolled her eyes. “That I remember.”
“You two did get along quite well right off, didn’t you?” Tonks mused.
“She’s a lot like Sirius,” said Harry quietly.
“That she is,” Remus agreed solemnly.
Harry let out a deep breath and ran a hand through his untidy hair. Tonks smiled sadly at him. The poor boy…man…had lost so many. She was glad that her husband was still here for him. “I have to ask you something, Remus. Something that happened during the battle.”
Remus looked perplexed. “You know I don’t remember anything over the past year, Harry. I don’t know how I can help…I can’t even remember my own wedding.”
The Healers had warned him that he’d never recover that lost year of memories. So they were going to do them all over again, starting with a large wedding. Tonks kissed him on the cheek, offering him her comfort. He smiled fondly at her.
“Well, not ask per say,” Harry corrected himself. “Maybe you can explain how it happened. Okay-”
“Do you want me to leave, Harry?” Tonks offered softly before he could begin.
Harry looked thoughtful for a minute, and then said, “No, it’s all right. Besides,” he added with a slight grin, “I’m sure Remus would tell you anyways. His wife and all that…”
“If you told my husband something in confidence, Harry, I certainly wouldn’t expect him to tell me,” Tonks told him. “Should I leave?”
“Thanks, Tonks, but no,” said Harry. He paused then said, “It’s funny…calling you Tonks still since your surname’s Lupin now.”
“Actually,” she told him. “We decided that I wasn’t going to change my name yet. I had slight more protection with the surname of Tonks versus Lupin.”
Remus looked thoughtful, and then said, “I can see why we decided that.”
“Well,” Harry said. “You’ll have to change it now. I’ll have Kingsley rush the paperwork…Mrs Lupin.” He smiled when Tonks beamed. “Speaking of, have you been reading the Daily Prophet?”
“Not for the last year,” Tonks said sourly. “And I can’t believe you of all people-” She stopped talking abruptly when Harry jumped up and ran out of the room. Tonks and Remus exchanged confused glances.
He came back into the living room brandishing the newspaper. “Look.”
The top half of the front page was a large photograph of Harry with the headline reading, “Exclusive Interview With the Chosen One”. However, the bottom half’s headline read, “How the Order of the Phoenix Saved the Wizarding World.”
“You’re both are mentioned of course,” Harry told them as Remus began to read.
“Ginny wrote this!” Tonks exclaimed when she saw the name of the article’s author.
Harry grinned. “Yeah, she did. Actually, she wrote both articles. I wouldn’t talk to anyone else.” Tonks smiled at the pride in his voice. “The Muggles have a saying, ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’.”
“Edward Bulwer-Lytton,” Remus murmered. Harry looked impressed he knew the author. “So very true.”
“You’re telling me that the Order’s gone from being outcasts-” Tonks began.
“To the heroes of the Wizarding world, yes,” Harry finished. “And, like I said, you two are included in that.” Remus and Tonks exchanged amazed looks. “Kingsley’s used all his power to keep reporters away from you since the battle. They’re out for interviews from both of you. Especially Remus.”
“Oh my…” Tonks murmured.
Remus looked bewildered. She knew it was a lot for him to take in. Finally, he said, “You wanted to ask me something, Harry?”
“Oh yes! All right…when I used the Resurrection Stone-” he paused then asked, “Do you know…?”
“No,” said Tonks the same time Remus said, “Yes.”
He and Harry quickly sketched out what the Resurrection Stone and the Deathly Hallows were for her. Tonks was astounded…she, like every other magical person, had thought that they were just fairy tales.
“When I used the Stone, you were there, Remus…along with my parents and Sirius. But you weren’t dead, so…how?”
Remus’ brow furrowed and Tonks knew he was concentrating. So did Harry, for he remained silent and waited. Remus eventually said, “The only two things I can think of are that I was since I was unconscious, my soul hovered between life and death. So, when you used the Stone, I could go and be there when you needed me. But I wasn’t truely dead.”
Harry pondered that for a bit, then said, “I guess…who knows how magic works, correct? I’m just glad that you were there for me.” He smiled at Remus, who smiled back at him.
“So am I,” said Tonks.
The three of them sat there for a bit in a comfortable silence until Harry yawned, “I’m going to bed. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Harry,” Remus and Tonks both told him.
When he had gone upstairs, Remus turned to Tonks and asked, “While I do adore your mother, is there anyway we can move back to our own house…soon?”
Tonks threw her head back and laughed.
Thanks for continuing to read!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I'm not linking to the other chapters, because if you've gotten this far...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter Five: Heroes
Chapter Word Count: 1278
Total Word Count: 5616
Additional Author’s Notes: I had originally planned on doing this chapter, and then cut it, then changed my mind when I got a comment that reflected on why I had too. It’s a tad longer than the others, but you don’t mind, right?
Tonks looked around the living room, grinning when her mother sighed, then swore, behind her. It was an absolute disaster, but it was too late to clean.
After their announcement, Molly and George had insisted on turning Remus’ welcoming home party into a victory celebration. Tonks and Remus had protested, but it was Arthur’s quiet endorsement of their proposal that had them finally consenting.
The kitchen door swung open and Harry entered the room, holding a sleeping Teddy. Remus was right behind him, leaning against the doorframe for support. Looking around, Harry commented, “Wow, we really did a number on the place, didn’t we?”
“It was a smashing good party though,” said Andromeda. “Bloody well worth the mess.”
Tonks laughed aloud at her mother’s uncharacteristic attitude, knowing that she was slightly intoxicated. Then she walked over to help Remus, but he waved her off and laboriously made his way to the couch himself.
Harry flopped down next to him, protesting when Remus took Teddy away from him, scowling when he was told, “He’s my son. Only your godson.”
Tonks snorted at the sight of the two of them bickering over who got to hold the baby. She settled the matter by taking Teddy from Remus, slipping into his lap and snuggled up to him. Harry smiled when he placed a kiss on her forehead, then their son’s. “He’s my son too. I have more claim over him since I carried him for nine months, and then gave birth to him. Seven hours of agony.” Tonks smirked when Remus looked properly contrite.
“Seven hours,” laughed Andromeda from Harry’s other side. “Try nineteen hours.”
“No wonder why you only did it once,” her daughter cheeked back.
“And we’re…er, you,” Remus corrected himself before Tonks could. “You’re going to do it again.” He placed a hand on her stomach and smiled brightly. She kissed his forehead.
“Ouch at any number of hours,” Harry said, a shudder running through him. Everyone laughed. He then asked, “Is it all right if I crash here tonight, Mrs Tonks?”
“Of course you can, Harry! Let me get the guest room made up real quick, and then I’ll Floo the Burrow and let them know. I’ll take Teddy upstairs as well. Nymphadora,” she chastised spotting the alarmed look on her daughter’s face, “I know what to do and I’m not totally pissed you know-”
“Could have fooled me,” Tonks muttered under her breath.
“I’m just slightly pissed,” Andromeda finished.
Andromeda looked pleased when Harry and Remus began to laugh. Tonks made a face at her. Taking her grandson from her daughter, she gracefully exited the living room and made her way upstairs.
“I love your mother,” Remus chuckled, laughing harder when his wife rolled her eyes. “That I remember.”
“You two did get along quite well right off, didn’t you?” Tonks mused.
“She’s a lot like Sirius,” said Harry quietly.
“That she is,” Remus agreed solemnly.
Harry let out a deep breath and ran a hand through his untidy hair. Tonks smiled sadly at him. The poor boy…man…had lost so many. She was glad that her husband was still here for him. “I have to ask you something, Remus. Something that happened during the battle.”
Remus looked perplexed. “You know I don’t remember anything over the past year, Harry. I don’t know how I can help…I can’t even remember my own wedding.”
The Healers had warned him that he’d never recover that lost year of memories. So they were going to do them all over again, starting with a large wedding. Tonks kissed him on the cheek, offering him her comfort. He smiled fondly at her.
“Well, not ask per say,” Harry corrected himself. “Maybe you can explain how it happened. Okay-”
“Do you want me to leave, Harry?” Tonks offered softly before he could begin.
Harry looked thoughtful for a minute, and then said, “No, it’s all right. Besides,” he added with a slight grin, “I’m sure Remus would tell you anyways. His wife and all that…”
“If you told my husband something in confidence, Harry, I certainly wouldn’t expect him to tell me,” Tonks told him. “Should I leave?”
“Thanks, Tonks, but no,” said Harry. He paused then said, “It’s funny…calling you Tonks still since your surname’s Lupin now.”
“Actually,” she told him. “We decided that I wasn’t going to change my name yet. I had slight more protection with the surname of Tonks versus Lupin.”
Remus looked thoughtful, and then said, “I can see why we decided that.”
“Well,” Harry said. “You’ll have to change it now. I’ll have Kingsley rush the paperwork…Mrs Lupin.” He smiled when Tonks beamed. “Speaking of, have you been reading the Daily Prophet?”
“Not for the last year,” Tonks said sourly. “And I can’t believe you of all people-” She stopped talking abruptly when Harry jumped up and ran out of the room. Tonks and Remus exchanged confused glances.
He came back into the living room brandishing the newspaper. “Look.”
The top half of the front page was a large photograph of Harry with the headline reading, “Exclusive Interview With the Chosen One”. However, the bottom half’s headline read, “How the Order of the Phoenix Saved the Wizarding World.”
“You’re both are mentioned of course,” Harry told them as Remus began to read.
“Ginny wrote this!” Tonks exclaimed when she saw the name of the article’s author.
Harry grinned. “Yeah, she did. Actually, she wrote both articles. I wouldn’t talk to anyone else.” Tonks smiled at the pride in his voice. “The Muggles have a saying, ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’.”
“Edward Bulwer-Lytton,” Remus murmered. Harry looked impressed he knew the author. “So very true.”
“You’re telling me that the Order’s gone from being outcasts-” Tonks began.
“To the heroes of the Wizarding world, yes,” Harry finished. “And, like I said, you two are included in that.” Remus and Tonks exchanged amazed looks. “Kingsley’s used all his power to keep reporters away from you since the battle. They’re out for interviews from both of you. Especially Remus.”
“Oh my…” Tonks murmured.
Remus looked bewildered. She knew it was a lot for him to take in. Finally, he said, “You wanted to ask me something, Harry?”
“Oh yes! All right…when I used the Resurrection Stone-” he paused then asked, “Do you know…?”
“No,” said Tonks the same time Remus said, “Yes.”
He and Harry quickly sketched out what the Resurrection Stone and the Deathly Hallows were for her. Tonks was astounded…she, like every other magical person, had thought that they were just fairy tales.
“When I used the Stone, you were there, Remus…along with my parents and Sirius. But you weren’t dead, so…how?”
Remus’ brow furrowed and Tonks knew he was concentrating. So did Harry, for he remained silent and waited. Remus eventually said, “The only two things I can think of are that I was since I was unconscious, my soul hovered between life and death. So, when you used the Stone, I could go and be there when you needed me. But I wasn’t truely dead.”
Harry pondered that for a bit, then said, “I guess…who knows how magic works, correct? I’m just glad that you were there for me.” He smiled at Remus, who smiled back at him.
“So am I,” said Tonks.
The three of them sat there for a bit in a comfortable silence until Harry yawned, “I’m going to bed. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Harry,” Remus and Tonks both told him.
When he had gone upstairs, Remus turned to Tonks and asked, “While I do adore your mother, is there anyway we can move back to our own house…soon?”
Tonks threw her head back and laughed.