With Love, || N.B.

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒚-𝒔𝒊𝒙

Dazed and confused about everything that just happened, Nora had no idea where to go. She stumbled through Diagon Alley, her throat tight and chest heaving. Sticky, humid heat surrounded her and sweat stuck to her forehead as she ducked back into the Leaky Cauldron, apparating on the spot.

The only place Nora could think of was a small house right outside of Warwick. With only one bedroom and a bathroom on the second floor, Remus's home was nothing short of cosy-and a bit cramped. Knocking on the door she prayed he was home, and when the sound of footsteps were heard behind the door, she let out a sigh of relief.

The door opened, and Remus looked confused. "Elle? Why are you-"

But before he could finish his sentence, Eleonora finally succumbed to the exhaustion she had been trying so hard to ignore the past few months. "Remus, she-I-" She tried to take a deep breath through a sob, failing miserably, her voice choking.

Remus pulled her into a hug, his hand cradling her head as she sobbed into his chest. "Shit..." he sighed. "Come inside, I'll make you some tea."

An arm still around her shoulders, Eleonora followed Remus inside, taking a seat on the patchwork sofa and wrapping a knitted blanket around herself as Remus moved around the kitchen preparing the tea.

As she sat on the sofa, her breath shaking, she waited patiently. Mugs of tea in hand, he sat beside Eleonora and pulled her into his side, arm around her shoulder. "Now, tell me everything that happened."

As she absentmindedly bobbed her tea bag up and down, she stared off into space, sniffling. "She-well I saw her in Diagon Alley," Eleonora explained. "I dunno what happened, something in me just snapped. And I was angry, and confused, worried. I asked her why she was avoiding me, why she hadn't been getting my letters." Her voice began to shake again and her lip trembled. "Narcissa said that she had been redirecting them-redirecting them to Snape."

"Snape?" Remus gawked. "So he knows about this too?"

"Yes," she cried back, wiping her nose on her sleeve. "God, Remus, I trusted her. I-I was angry when she told me that. She said she couldn't see me again because-" Every wall had fallen down as she wailed. "--because she 'made a vow' to Lucius. She said she was risking a divorce, becoming an outcast, and dragging Draco into the mess too. That she put her needs before her family's. Said she wasn't thinking of the consequences." As Remus held her closer, his hand rubbing her arm, she continued. "She said she was-too vulnerable with me, and was worried she'd cave and run away to be with me. That she was putting herself and me in harm's way."

Remus thought for a moment, taking her words in. "Well, maybe she has a point," he suggested.

Eleonora sat up and looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Remus sighed, "she could have the right idea-redirecting the letters to Snape. I don't think she'd ever want to break your trust on purpose, but they're very close friends so she knew he could be trusted not to tell Lucius." He paused, thinking. "If Lucius did find out that Narcissa was sleeping with someone else he'd want to monitor every letter that was addressed to her. She probably sent out so few notes because those were the only times she was alone long enough to send something."

Eleonora swallowed, her tears stopping momentarily. "Oh my god, Remus," she mumbled, setting the mug of tea down on the table before her hands raked through her hand, realisation dawning on her. "Oh my god, what have I done? You were right Remus, I'm always thinking of the worst when she's was thinking of what would be best. Why do I always jump to these conclusions?"

Remus's hand moved to her back as her elbows rested on her knees. "Elle you're human, and humans make mistakes."

"Not these kinds of mistakes, Remus!" she shouted, regretting it when he pulled his hand away. "I'm-Remus I'm sorry for shouting. You're right, humans make mistakes. I just feel so guilty right now for assuming she was ashamed of...of us...of our relationship. Jesus Christ! She said she loved me, how could I even question that! I accused her of going back to her family's beliefs. I'm horrible, Remus!"