Chapter Text
May 2, 1998 - Hogwarts
Was this what death was? Because she still felt pain. It seemed as if she was tumbling through some sort of vortex, falling. She saw the vague outline of bodies falling, including one that was all too familiar. Remus. She’d mourn him later. She couldn’t leave Teddy an orphan. She shot back into consciousness.
Strong arms were holding her down.
“Easy,” someone said.
“Wha- What happened?” she slurred.
“We won,” someone said shortly from nearby. Kingsley. Tonks felt clearer in the head, but she couldn’t move to look around.
“Where’s Remus?” she asked, almost regretting it. She was certain she knew the answer.
“Dead,” Molly said quietly. “Fred, too.”
“And it’s over?” Tonks asked. Molly nodded. “Take me to his body. Please.” With more strength than she expected from the woman, Molly dragged Tonks over to the body of her husband. With the knowledge that there was no more fighting, she closed her eyes and cried.
The Weasleys were all gathered around Fred’s body, pale and still. George and Percy were taking it the hardest, obviously. George, face in his hands, was beginning to think he’d never be happy when he heard a familiar voice.
“Psst! Georgie!” He whipped his head around, not seeing the source. “Here!” He snuck off to where he heard the voice.
“Who’s there?” George asked. “And what do you want?”
“Down here,” the person said. George looked down and almost screamed.
“Shh!”
“Fred?” he said, barely audible. Fred grinned and nodded.
“I can’t stand,” he replied. He gestured to the mess where his leg had once been. George bent down to speak to his brother.
“What happened?” Fred grimaced.
“Leg got hit,” he explained. “I didn’t want to stop, so...” He held up a small vial with some dark potion still in it. “I polyjuiced and imperiused a Death Eater to fight in my place.”
“But - how?” George looked around, confused.
“Special brew,” Fred grinned. “Won’t wear off if someone involved dies. So if I die or he dies, he’ll still look like me.”
“Brilliant!” George gasped.
“But don’t tell anyone I’m alive,” Fred added. “We’re going to prank them. Potion wears off tomorrow morning. I’ll take Death Eater Dave’s place then.” George laughed.
“Deal, Freddie.”
When George returned to his family, he found that Ron and Charlie had left their little circle. Ron was with Harry and Hermione, Charlie with Tonks.
Charlie slid down next to his friend who nodded at him weakly.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“He didn’t expect to make it out alive,” she responded quietly. “I told him he would.”
“And I thought the wife was always right.” He smacked a hand to his mouth. “I’m sorry. That was pretty insensitive of me.”
“Nah,” Tonks said. “That was actually funny. It just hurts to laugh.” She huffed (sighing was too painful), and said, “I’ll just tell Teddy about how brave his - what was that?”
“What was what?” Charlie asked. She pointed.
“His eyelids just fluttered - it happened again!” Charlie nodded and got closer to inspect Remus, watching as the movement became more frequent.
“Something’s happening,” he agreed. “We need to ask the expert.” He turned around. “Pomfrey!” She came rushing over.
“What is it, Mr. Weasley?” she asked in a rushed tone. “I’m in a hurry.”
Charlie nodded. “I can see that,” he chuckled. “Lupin was confirmed dead. But his eyes...”
“They’re fluttering,” she observed. She thought for a second, then stood up. “He needs to go to St. Mungo’s. Now.” She turned to Tonks. “You, too.”
“What’s going on?” she asked, Charlie helping her to her feet.
“Remus is dead,” Madam Pomfrey said. “But the wolf is still alive.”
The destruction of Hogwarts was enough so that the anti-Apparition charms were broken. Charlie grabbed Tonks and Remus and Apparated them to St. Mungo’s.
-
May 5, 1998 - Ministry of Magic
Kingsley Shacklebolt had hastily gathered every living member of the previous Ministry of Magic for Death Eater trials. The trial of Dolores Umbridge was the very first trial, followed by the trials of the Carrow twins. Three days after the battle, at precisely 11 o’clock, Draco Malfoy, his head hanging, his hair limp, entered the makeshift courtroom, facing Kingsley and twenty-four members of the Wizengamot.
“Draco Malfoy,” the minister said in a deep, clear voice. “Take your seat.” Draco silently obeyed, sitting in a chair in the middle of the room. He did not pay attention to the opening part of the hearing, until he heard an unpleasantly familiar voice speak up.
“Witness for the defense: Harry James Potter.”
Draco snapped his head up, looking around for his school enemy. Potter was sitting in a chair nearby, calmly staring at Shacklebolt.
“Due to the tight schedule,” Potter continued, “I believe we can try his mother at the same time, as well.” The minister nodded, and an attendant left the room, coming back with Narcissa.
Still exhausted, Draco paid little attention to the rest of the hearing, as Potter defended him and his mother based on their last-minute defection. Finally, Kingsley stood up.
“Both defendants,” he announced, “Are cleared of charges. We will, however, be keeping a close watch on your family. You may exit.”
The attendant led them out, and Potter followed. Draco saw his mother give him a slight nod of thanks. He barely saw his father before he was ushered into the courtroom.
Narcissa looked around the area to ensure she and Draco were out of earshot of anyone else before she spoke: “Go home to Lyra. I will wait for your father.” Draco nodded and disapparated.
-
Rosier Manor in Berkshire looked as formidable as ever, Draco thought. He approached the door and knocked, and an small, wrinkly house-elf answered.
"Is Draco here for Young Mistress Lyra?" he croaked.
"Yes," Draco said. The elf nodded.
"Follow me," he said. "She is with Beezy's Mistress." Draco followed the elf, Beezy, through the halls, until he opened a door to the parlor. "Mistress?" he called. "Draco is here for the little one."
"Come in," came a voice from inside the room. "Thank you, Beezy." Draco entered the room. His grandmother was in a chair, Lyra sleeping in her arms.
"She's quite the little angel," Druella said. "What's happening at the Ministry?"
"I'm walking free," Draco replied. "Mother, too. She's waiting for Father's trial to finish."
"That is excellent news." She smiled. "I'm going to miss spending every day with her, though." She gestured to Lyra, who was beginning to stir. Since Lyra had been born, her existence had been kept a secret from everyone except family, and, oddly enough, Professor Snape. Though, Draco reasoned, Snape was somewhat family, being his godfather. Lyra had stayed at Rosier Manor in Berkshire, with her and Draco's maternal grandmother, and only surviving grandparent, Druella Rosier Black. Even in her advanced age, Druella was sharp enough to care for Lyra full-time, except when her family visited, so she had agreed to do so for Lyra's safety. Lyra, who was now lifting her head up.
“Dwaco?” she asked. He grinned and walked over to take her from Druella.
“Yes,” he said. “And Mum is coming back soon. We’re free, Lyra.” She looked at him questioningly. “I don’t know about Dad,” he sighed. “But come on. Let’s go home.”
-
A Few Days Later - St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries
Andromeda did not tell her daughter what she was planning. She didn’t tell anyone, except her coworker, Dev, who would be helping her.
The plan was to attempt to revive Remus during the full moon. While Tonks was still recovering, Dev transferred her to the next room over, assigning an intern to watch her.
Dev returned a few minutes later, carrying a large cauldron.
“A fuck ton of really fucking concentrated healing potion, Boss,” they announced, setting it on a table. Andromeda nodded.
“I’m not your boss, but thank you,” she said. She transferred some potion into a bag connected to an IV, connected to their patient. “I’ve set up the ECG and all the other shit.” Dev laughed. “We just need to wait for the moonrise.”
The two spent the time before said moonrise strapping Remus to the bed and going over their plans. Finally, they looked out the window to see the sky growing darker, and a few minutes later the machines in the room started beeping.
“The wolf,” Andromeda muttered. She and Dev assumed positions, her at the IV and Dev with their wand pointed at Remus’ chest.
“ Vivifica hominum,” they said. The machines went silent, and time seemed to stop. Suddenly, the ECG began to beep.
“A heartbeat!” Andromeda exclaimed. Remus began to turn into the wolf. “Fuck!” Both Andromeda and Dev jumped back as the wolf tried to free himself from the restraints.
“We can’t celebrate yet,” Dev muttered. “He has to be alive by the morning.”
The two waited all night, listening to the monitors, and began to nervously watch their patient. After his transformation back to human was complete, Dev and Andromeda checked his vitals, staring at each other in shock.
“I’ll go tell Dora,” she said. Dev nodded and she left the room, finding her daughter, still asleep, and the intern, Cara, as well as Harry and Teddy.
“I let these two in,” Cara said. “I hope it’s okay. But Ms. Tonks is actually stable. She needs all the rest she can get.” Andromeda smiled.
“Thank you, Cara. I know this was a hard job, but you’ve done well.” Cara smiled. “But I need to wake her up. As her mother.” Cara nodded.
“Sure.” She stepped aside and Andromeda gently nudged her daughter awake.
“Wh- what?” Tonks mimbled.
“Wake up, Dora,” Andromeda whispered. “I need to tell you something. About Remus.” Tonks’ eyes shot wide open.
“He’s dead, isn’t he?” she asked. Andromeda shook her head.
“No,” she said. “He’s alive. By some goddam miracle, he’s alive.”
Remus regained consciousness a few days later.