Crookshanks | 𝘚𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘴 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬

Chapter 179

Sirius gaped at the two of them in shock. It was Jenna who broke the silence, yelling, "Congratulations!"

    She rushed forward to bring Tonks into a tight hug and Sirius started laughing in happiness and relief that nothing bad happened. In fact, it was quite the contrary. It was the best news they had gotten in ages.

     "Well done, Moony." Sirius laughed, patting Remus on the back, who gave him a sharp look.

      "Oh, this is amazing!" Jenna clapped her hands together, feeling the happiness find its way back to her heart. She suddenly felt hungry for the first time in the past few days.

     Her stomach suddenly grumbled. Jenna smiled goofily. "Sorry about that."

     Andromeda smiled. "Would you like something to eat? How about some tea and cake?"

     "That would be great actually, thank you." Jenna nodded at her in appreciation, and so Andromeda and Ted left for the kitchen. They didn't seem to be more than ten years older than Jenna, Sirius, and Remus.

     "So, how are you feeling?" Jenna asked Tonks as they sat down around the fireplace in the small living room.

     "Good. I mean, other than the morning sickness," she said with a little shrug. "I've been feeling off for a few days, so I suspected that something was up. Turns out... I was actually pregnant."

     "Have you decided on a name yet?" Sirius asked, his grin widening which worried everyone else. "Cause I have a few good ones in mind."

     "We're not naming the kid Elvendork Proof-That-Remus-and-Tonks-Shagged Lupin!" Remus retorted.

     "Bullocks... Why does that oddly sound good to me?" Tonks smirked.

     "See?" Sirius smiled in triumph, looking at Remus. "People love creative names!"

     "Oh, Lord." Jenna shook her head at him in disappointment, suppressing a chuckle.

     After Andromeda and Ted returned with a tray with cups of tea and plates of delicious looking chocolate cake, Jenna finished hers before anyone had reached their third bite. She even stole Sirius's cake as he was eating it and finished it herself.

     Sirius didn't argue and let just her enjoy it, watching her sideways with a smile in admiration. He was happy to see her healthy this way.

     After Jenna placed down the second plate on the table before them and finished her cup of tea, she felt even better, getting a bit of her lost strength back.

     "What does it say?" Tonks asked his father, who was looking through the Quibbler magazine, written by Xenophilius Lovegood.

     "Nothing of importance, but they're supporting Harry and Dumbledore. They've made it clear in their articles," said Ted, closing the magazine with a deep sigh. "The author would be in big trouble if he keeps writing stuff like this. It's just a matter of time before they start to get angry."

     "Any news?" Jenna asked, looking around at everyone in the room.

     "Don't know if you've heard, but Severus Snape has become the new Headmaster of Hogwarts," said Andromeda.

     "Yeah, we heard." Jenna nodded feebly, watching Sirius's expression turn grim and bitter at the mention of his name.

     "It's all over the news," said Remus. "They're saying Hogwarts finally has a righteous Headmaster."

     "Yes, but these are the same people who want Muggles and Muggle-borns dead. Their judgment on this matter doesn't really count." Ted shook his head. "There are rumors flying around, you know. Saying that the Ministry is planning on setting up a Muggle-born registration."

     "Is there even any hope left?" Andromeda whispered, the misery obvious in her tone. It was obvious that she feared for her husband's life, because he was a Muggle-born.

     "If what they say about Harry being the chosen one is true, then maybe yes," said Ted, sighing once more. "He's our only hope now."

     After staying there for another hour and congratulating the couple one last time, Sirius and Jenna got to their feet to return back home.

    "It's okay. I'll escort them out," Remus said quickly before Andromeda could get up.

     With that, the three of them left the leaving room, making their way toward the house's entrance door. But before Sirius and Jenna could leave, Remus stopped them.

    "Listen... About Harry..." Remus started in whisper, catching their attention. "I paid him a visit last night."

    "What!?" Jenna exclaimed, but Remus gestured at her to keep her voice down.

     "Well, where is he?" Sirius questioned with a frown. "Is he all right? How about Ron and Hermione?"

      "They're all fine." Remus nodded. "They're currently staying at Grimmauld Place."

     "Grimmauld Place?" Jenna repeated in surprise. She then turned to glance at Sirius. "How come we didn't think of searching there?"

     "I did. I just wasn't expect them to go there, because of how Snape knows about that place," said Sirius in a hallow voice, his heartbeat speeding up. But at least now they were both relieved that they were safe and sound.

     "It's reverse psychology, I suppose." Remus shrugged. "They knew no one would suspect them to go there."

     "Then why didn't you tell us earlier?" Sirius mused.

     "I didn't want to tell you in front of everyone," Remus said in a low whisper. "Not that I don't trust them, because I do. It's just that... the less people who know about their whereabouts, the better."

    "Didn't they say what they were up to?" Jenna asked, her head starting to feel dizzy. "Did they mention what task Dumbledore had asked them to do?"

      Remus shook his head. "No matter how much I insisted, they said there had to be a reason why Dumbledore didn't tell anyone else. They wouldn't tell me anything. I told them if they explained it to me, then maybe I could find a way to help them. But they still wouldn't budge."

     Jenna sighed in exhaustion, running a hand through her hair. But she then caught Sirius's gaze for a quick moment. One look, and they could both tell what the other was thinking.

     They were going to Grimmauld Place that night.