𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒-ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕪 ℙ𝕠𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣❥

𝐇𝐁𝐏 𝟐

Remus, Eric, Ethan and Emily approached the back door of The Burrow, which was surrounded by the familiar litter of old wellington boots and rusty cauldrons; Emily could hear the soft clucking of sleepy chickens coming from a distant shed.

Remus knocked three times and Emily saw sudden movement behind the kitchen window.

"Who's there?" said a nervous voice that she recognised as Mrs Weasley's. "Declare yourself!"

"It's Remus, Molly. I'm with Eric, Ethan and Emily!"

The door opened at once. There stood Mrs Weasley, short, plump and wearing an old green dressing- gown.

"Emily, Ethan, Eric my dears! Gracious, Remus, you gave me a fright, you said not to expect you before morning!"

"I wanted to get them out of the house earlier, I hope it isn't any trouble." said Remus, ushering his children over the threshold.

He stopped right behind his children, taking a deep breath in, "Well hello Tonks."

Emily looked around and saw that Mrs Weasley was not alone, despite the lateness of the hour. A young witch with a pale, heart-shaped face and mousy-brown hair was sitting at the table clutching a large mug between her hands.

'Hello, Remus." she said. 'Hello, guys."

"Hi, Tonks." Ethan and Eric said in sync.

"Hi." Emily mumbled, her hands clasped around her own body as if she were hugging herself.

Emily thought she looked drawn, even ill, and there was something forced in her smile.

Certainly her appearance was less colourful than usual without her customary shade of bubblegum-pink hair.

"I'd better be off," she said quickly, standing up and pulling her cloak around her shoulders. "Thanks for the tea and sympathy, Molly."

"Please don't leave on my account," Remus said, "It would be lovely to catch up with you, Tonks."

"No, no, I need to get going," said Tonks, not meeting Dumbledore's eyes. ''Night-"

"Dear, why not come to dinner at the weekend, Remus and Mad-Eye are coming-"

"No, really, Molly ... thanks anyway ... goodnight, everyone."

Tonks hurried past The Lupin-Black's into the yard; a few paces beyond the doorstep, she turned on the spot and vanished into thin air.

Emily noticed that Mrs Weasley looked troubled.

"Well, I'll come back on the weekend, okay?" Remus said gently, brushing a crease from Ethan's shoulder. "Behave for Molly, please. No silly tricks."

Ethan rolled his eyes but nodded, grinning. Remus ruffled his hair, then straightened — only to see Emily spring to her feet and seize his arm.

"No— don't go." Her voice cracked as she clung to him, fingers tightening in the fabric of his sleeve. "Please don't leave me, Pops."

Remus's expression softened instantly. He cupped her cheek and lowered his forehead to hers.

"You'll see me on the weekend, Emily," he whispered, his voice warm and steady in a way he hoped would anchor her. "I promise you. Alright?"

Emily's breath shuddered. She nodded — a tiny, defeated motion — and bowed her head. Remus wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, his chin resting briefly atop her hair as though he could shield her just by holding on a bit longer.

He pressed a lingering kiss to her crown.

Then he turned to Ethan and Eric, bringing each of them into the circle of his arms, kissing their heads with the same fierce, fatherly tenderness.