Fic: For Better or Worse: Prologue - Red Sky in the Morning

[katyhasclogs]

Title: For Better or Worse
Chapter: Prologue - Red Sky in the Morning
Rating/Warnings: PG (mild language) Rating may alter between chapters.
Word Count: 3814
Summary: Remus and Tonks are soon to be Mr and Mrs Lupin, but marriage has never been simple, especially when there’s a war on.
Author’s Notes: It feels so nice to be posting some fic! This

Comments

[shimotsuki]

Oh, this is beautiful. So wearily sad, but then so satisfying as they finally talk to each other and really listen.

This hits all the right notes -- especially the idea that what they have to do to reach some sort of resolution is really listen to each other. And the idea that part of the problem is that Remus doesn't believe he's allowed to try to be happy. I think these are really key insights in understanding HBP (and early DH).

I agree with your take on Tonks's morphing problems, too, that not being able to rely on Remus didn't help, but other worries and sources of stress were part of the problem. Because I see Tonks as a big worrier, but not as a lovesick "moper" -- and that comes through so well here.

There are some really lovely lines, like even in the almost-darkness she can see the truth in his eyes, and lots of lines that really capture the characters, like He’s gone back to his quiet voice now, and she isn’t sure whether that’s a good or a bad sign.

I very much look forward to more!

[katyhasclogs]

Thank you!

I'm so glad you feel that my take on things is plausible - this is a scene that's been done so many times, so I wanted to do something slightly different. Plus, I do think Remus has a few fairly deep-running issues that are not going to be solved overnight (hence later events) and that if they've had this discussion a million times and not got anywhere, they obviously haven't been listening!

I agree with your take on Tonks's morphing problems, too

Thanks. JKR kind of hits us over the head with their relationship issues, which is understandable, given that she can't spare much page space for it, but it does mean that we end up with a rather simplistic picture of events. IMO, it stands to reason that there was more than one cause of Tonks' troubles.

I very much look forward to more!

I'd better get on with the next chapter then! ;)

[katyscarlett76]

This is lovely. The feel of it is just right for this time frame, you can feel the exhaustion from both of them. The idea that they have been having the same argument whilst not really listening to each other really rang true.

And I'm pleased to find that you seem to have some of the same ideas about Tonks as I do, both with her not actually wanting to be present during his transformation (I've never really understood why so many people think that, I've always thought that she would just want be there to helpful afterwards not during and, depending on how you view her potion skills, brew his Wolfsbane. She's an Auror, she surely knows how dangerous it could be) and with her morphing problems not solely being about him (it's a hell of a year anyway even without relationship problems), both things which are true about my Tonks

[katyhasclogs]

This is lovely. The feel of it is just right for this time frame, you can feel the exhaustion from both of them.

Thank you. This did turn out to be rather more glum than I was expecting, but I think it makes sense, lol.

And I'm pleased to find that you seem to have some of the same ideas about Tonks as I do, both with her not actually wanting to be present during his transformation...

That one kinda snuck up on me - it was one of those things I'd never thought about until I found myself writing the sentance! But seriously, as far as I can see, there's no practical reason that she needs to see it, and it would be pretty dangerous, and you know, she's not stupid - she must know how dangerous a transformed werewolf is.

...and with her morphing problems not solely being about him (it's a hell of a year anyway even without relationship problems)

Yeah, I mean, as much as JKR seems to imply that, there's so much else going on that would contribute. And I always thought that even if it was all Remus-based, a large proportion of that

[sspring92]

Went straight to my delicious account! This was just lovely! I think you captured R/T just beautifully. They were vibrant and very real!
I think it is entirely plausible that he would seem to take all of these horrible things as his personal responsibility. He was so tied up with feeling guilty, he never stopped to think that Tonks is an intelligent person and an Auror and that when she says she didn't care, it wasn't just love sick devotion. She knew what she was getting into!
I can hardly wait for this to continue!

[katyhasclogs]

Went straight to my delicious account! This was just lovely! I think you captured R/T just beautifully. They were vibrant and very real!

Oh wow, what a compliment! Thank you. :)

I think it is entirely plausible that he would seem to take all of these horrible things as his personal responsibility.

I think that scene toward the end of PoA where he lists all the things he's done wrong is incredibly revealing. He has a mega guilt complex!

when she says she didn't care, it wasn't just love sick devotion.

Yeah, she may be a little optimistic, but I don't think she's blind.

I can hardly wait for this to continue!

Aww thanks. :)

[tegdoh]

Oh, I really loved this. You've captured both of their personalities so well, especially Tonks who is so often portrayed as such a lovesick whiner. I love the way she's so rational here. And I think you've done just as well by Remus, who has legitimate concerns but who just takes too much responsibility onto himself. They really talk together like mature adults who care for and respect one another- that's one thing I think is missing in so many fics about this pair.

Well done, and I look forward to reading more!

[katyhasclogs]

Wow thanks.

I'm so pleased you like the characterisations. :) I've never really seen Tonks as entirely the lovesick type - I think she has too much emotional intelligence and self-respect for that.

Thanks so much for your lovely review. :)

[anonymous]

This is so good!! Lots of "lets get back together" fics seem have everything okay after a few "sorries" and "I love yous" but sounds like a couple that have been through a lot. Your Tonks is an Auror who is strong and determined, she's great! I like the tired way they talk things through, and that its Tonks who finds the energy to break down the arguments as Remus ends up with "his heart singing with joy."

I will be watching out for the next part!

Jenny
(Prophecygirl at FFNET and long-time R/T lurker!)

[katyhasclogs]

Thanks so much for your lovely review!

It's always seemed to me that their problems (such as they are) are too deep rooted to just disappear overnight, and I guess we kind of get confirmation of that in DH. At the same time though, the issues aren't insurmountable, and I wanted to get all that across, so I’m pleased you felt it all rang true.

I’m also really pleased you liked Tonks’ characterisation - to my mind, she has her insecurities, but is ultimately pretty sussed, so I’m glad that all came across in the fic. :)