Lonely

Chapter Four

After the events that took place on August 1st, things quickly spiraled in the wizarding world. To their credit, You-Know-Who and his followers overtook the government in a seemingly silent coup, and if Leo and her family hadn't been brought in for questioning the change would not have seemed so drastic. One of the first orders introduced by the new Ministry was the implementation of a "Muggle-born Registration Commission," requiring all muggle-born witches and wizards to register with the Ministry. Her father said he would refuse to register out of principle, a fact which seemed to thankfully have so far gone unnoticed. Leo was sure that this wouldn't last for long however and began to dread her return to school even more. She felt that if she remained at home she could somehow help in keeping her father safe, and had once again argued with her mother about going back to Hogwarts.

Leo had relented when her mum had said in a firm voice, "Leo. We have to think of your father. Think about what happened just a few days ago, all of us being brought in. Even with the way my family has treated me, the Black family line gives me protection, and through me, the bloodline protects you as well. Your father isn't so fortunate. We have to choose our battles so as to not draw attention to ourselves."

After this conversation, Leo had not brought up the subject again. She thought of Hannah's mother, or what her uncle had said at the Ministry about her mum and dad being unfit parents. She knew that if she wasn't on the Hogwarts express when it left platform nine and three quarters, it wouldn't be long before the Ministry was once again pounding on their door, this time to collect her, or worse, come for her father.

Leo felt as though her nerves were always on edge, constantly in fear of someone coming for her or her father. She tried not to let it show but she knew her mum and dad were shaken up from their trip to the Ministry as well.

As Leo and her parents sat reading in the sitting room a few days following the events at the Ministry, there was a sudden knock at the door. Leo's father sat up quickly. As far as Leo knew they weren't expecting anyone and she felt her blood seemingly freeze in her veins. She was soon calmed though when the door was opened to reveal her sister. Her mother hurried to the door to give Dora a hug. "Oh, Dora, Remus, come in. We're so glad you're alright." Leo stood to greet her sister and brother in law as well. "Hullo Dora, Remus." Her sister came to hug her, and Leo noticed she brought with her a large piece of luggage that was stuffed full. "Oh! Are you two staying the night?" Leo asked and her mum and dad looked from Dora to Remus curiously. Leo surmised that she was not the only one who hadn't been informed of the visit.

Remus shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. "Ted, if I could talk to you outside for a moment?" He said, running a hand through his hair.  Dora laughed, but it was a flat sound without any true amusement. "You may as well say it here Remus, Leo and mum will hear about it anyway." Remus shot Dora an apologetic look, clearing his throat again before saying, "We're expecting. I mean, Tonks is pregnant." Their mother's face lit up. "Oh, Nymphadora!" She exclaimed and hurried over to pull her daughter in for another embrace. Their father placed his arm around his wife's shoulders and smiled down at the two of them.

Leo's eyes, however, did not leave her brother-in-law's face. She felt something didn't seem right about the situation and how the two of them were acting. "Why the bag then?" She asked blandly. Remus avoided her eyes for a few moments before they met hers. Leo was aware of her mother and father watching her as well. Lupin spoke quietly. "I don't expect you to understand Leo, but Tonks and I decided, well, I think it would be best if, if she stayed here with the three of you. For safety." Her parents looked at Dora curiously. "That's fine of course Nymphadora, the two of you can have your old room." Her mother said kindly. Lupin shuffled his feet. "It'll just be Tonks. I think it's best, and will keep her safer, if I am not here."

There was an awkward silence, and Leo's father was the next to speak. "Well Dora, if that's what the two of you have agreed, you know you're always welcome." Dora nodded, Leo noticed that her sister's hair had returned to the mousy brown color it had taken on the previous year. Leo shot a disappointed look at Remus, who quickly averted his eyes and after mumbling a few more sentences to her father and kissing Dora, exited out the door.

Dora waved her wand to lift the bag she had brought with her and began to move toward the staircase that led up to her old bedroom. Leo could tell that her sister did not want to discuss what had happened, at least not at the present moment, and let her be. She had a feeling that her mum and dad thought the same as her, Leo's mum quickly headed to the kitchen to tidy up and her father sat back in his armchair to continue reading.

Leo shot her father a glance, he peered over the top of his and matched her curious expression. "Something on your mind Leo?" He asked kindly. She shrugged. "Dunno. It's just weird." She said softly. "It just doesn't seem like Remus. To leave." Her father nodded, looking at her kindly. "Times like this can bring out the best in people, and sometimes it can bring out our worst. When people are afraid they can do things they never thought they would."

"Why wouldn't Remus want to be with Dora though, if he's afraid?" Leo said scrunching her nose. Her father sighed. "Perhaps he really does think that Dora will be safer without him, and is acting out of what he sees to be as selflessness." Leo opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by the sound of her sister's footsteps on the stairs. She quickly opened her book and pretended to read, but her mind was still contemplating on what her father had said. Leo supposed she understood his point, however, was frustrated by the thought of how complicated people could be.

It was the same with Harry, always trying to protect others and keep everyone happy, all the while not considering that maybe it wasn't up to him. Leo wished that people would be more considerate of others when they decided to be selfless.

The next few days passed without much excitement. The Tonks family settled into the new normal of having Dora around and Leo could almost manage to forget the events that happened at the ministry and the changing world. That was until the owls began to arrive. A week later, Leo walked into the kitchen to find her mother and father sitting at the table peering at a piece of paper. As soon as she entered the room, however, her mum tucked it out of sight in her pocket.

Another week passed and it was now the middle of August. This time it was Leo who collected the mail from the slot and her heart began to pound when she saw the letter at the top of the pile. It was addressed to her father, but the large red lettering on the front was enough to give her a good idea of the letter's contents.

Ted Tonks

Urgent Information Re: Muggle Born Registration Commission

Immediate Response REQUIRED

Leo walked to the kitchen in a haze, handing the letter to her father who was sitting at the table drinking a cup of tea. As soon as he read the envelope, he met her eye with a sad look. "I'm sorry Leo." He said solemnly, although she wasn't sure what he was apologizing for. Her mum and Dora approached, and the four of them stood together in silence, none of them sure exactly what to say.