The Story of the Marauders

Twenty-Nine: Remus

REMUS
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"Hey Moony, I'm going to Hogwarts to speak with Dumbledore. Thank you for writing him," Calysta strode past him as she pulled her blue cardigan over her shoulders and put the hood up against the wind. "Wanna come?" She asked him.

"Nah, that's okay," Remus waved her on. "I'm heading back to the manor once this final order is picked up. The person is late."

"Well, good luck to you. I'll meet you at home when I'm done," She closed the door behind her and left Remus to wait for the final pick-up by himself. Personal orders were a new thing Remus had started. With more money in their pockets, Calysta and Remus made a new business program that would help bring in some more coin with personal requests for books. Before, it had just been a take out and return policy, like a public library, but now customers were able to purchase books to keep for themselves.

Remus silently paced over to the record player that sat on the edge of the counter. He'd brought it from his own home (Calysta had convinced him to sell the place once and for all) along with Muggle records he'd received from Calysta for his birthday not too long ago. She'd gone out and bought him records she recognized from Sirius' collection. She ignored his rejections for gifts. Remus would rather not argue with her.

The day before, Sirius' own cousin called in to the shop and requested books over the Ministry, pertaining subjects especially for Auror positions and history. Remus knew vaguely that Andromeda Tonks was Sirius' favorite cousin. Really, the only family member he could bare to be around for longer periods of time. He was disheartened in their third year when his parents would not allow him to go to her wedding to a Muggleborn student. He then became outraged when she was burnt off the Black family tapestry. No word was heard from or about her once she was disowned from the Black family line.

"Aurors, The Finest Wizardry Protectors." Remus mumbled aloud, running his fingertips over one of three titles. "How Wizard Warriors Came To Be." Wizard Warriors. Remus rolled his eyes. Aurors were treated so dramatically sometimes. Remus was truly fascinated with them in his younger years. It turned out not to be all the glory it was theorized. Protecting witches and wizards was hard work; Remus would tip his hat to any witch or wizard taking that responsibility on full time.

"'Lo? Hell-ooo!" A young woman's voice sounded after the bell over the main door. A stream of light thuds followed. Remus furrowed his brow in confusion, picking his pace up a little to see what had occurred.

"Hello. Are you alright?" Remus held out a hand to the girl kneeling on the floor by a short table near the fireplace. A few books that had been stacked previously that night were now strewn under it. Remus did not mind. The girl had striking light blue, unevenly-cut hair that measured to her shoulders. Couldn't have been more than eighteen. She smiled and her cheeks colored pink. Her hair changed to match.

"Oh yes, yes, thank you! I'm just a bit clumsy," She shrugged, grabbing hold of the werewolf's hand. She stared at him a second, only blinking herself out of her trance when Remus glanced away from her. She cleared her throat and began speaking again. "I'm here to pick up my books. Mum said she ordered them from Moony. Is he here?" The girl looked around the shop in case anyone else was present.

Remus couldn't help but chuckle. "I am he. And I have your books. " The girl's face brightened and she stood straighter.

"Great! How much for them?" She began to dig in her pockets until Remus shook his head.

"Andromeda already paid for them," Remus waved her forward. "They're in the back office, if you wish to accompany me." He smiled, nodding his head in the direction of the office.

"How do you know my mum?" She asked.

"My mate Sirius is her cousin," Remus answered simply. The girl tilted her head to the side.

"Right..." She muttered, moving on. "I like this place. Can't believe I haven't been yet! How long have you been open, a few months?" Remus looked sideways at her and quirked an eyebrow.

"Try eleven years," He chuckled. Andromeda's daughter gasped, her jaw dropping.

"Again, I can't believe I haven't been here!" It sounded as if she were groaning. "Well, it might be because I've been in school," She tapped her chin in thought. Remus smirked to himself and held aside the beaded curtain to the office, permitting the girl to walk under his arm. It was not hard, for she was even shorter than Calysta. Once inside, he picked up the tied bunch of books with her name on the tag.

"I take it you just graduated?"

"From Hogwarts. I was in Hufflepuff!" She informed him proudly. Remus smiled with genuine interest. "I have many plans already for what I'm doing in my future."

"Let me guess..." He jokingly tapped his chin, pretending to read the titles for theatrical action. "You want to be an Auror...Nymphadora?" The girl crinkled her nose, offended.

"Call me Tonks, please," She huffed, but took the pack of books gently from Remus' hands. Remus held his arms up defensively.

"My apologies, Tonks." He gave her a look to express sincerity. She turned up her chin proudly.

"Accepted. Now, thank you for my books. I've heard it's quite tough to get in," Tonks noted. Remus agreed silently.

"You'll do great. I've read most of these books. They're very informative," He commented. "Should assist you well." Remus assured her.

"Good news, good news. Well, have a nice evening, Moony!" She muttered something that sounded like 'odd name'. But Remus caught it either way.

"Remus, actually. Call me Remus." He said. Nymphadora grinned.

"Remus," She impersonated his tone perfectly, which surprised Remus. "I don't mean this in offensive taste, but I can give you some homemade healing potions that will clear those scars on your face," She giggled and waved at him before exiting the shop. Remus released a breath he had not realized he was holding. Something about Tonks piqued Remus' interest. Remus was torn from his thoughts by someone clearing their throat.

"Call me Remus." Calysta snapped a book closed with one hand, placing it back on its shelf without breaking eye contact. Her tone, Remus thought, was meant to tease. Remus rolled his eyes.

"How was Hogwarts?" He directed the conversation away from himself.

"Harry's in Gryffindor," Calysta said happily, stepping closer to Remus slowly, who met her gaze with a pleased expression. "Dumbledore says he's already making friends."

"That's great!" Remus gave her a smile. Calysta narrowed her eyes. Lines around her mouth looked as if they were suppressing a grin. He raised his eyebrows at her. A choked sound left her throat before she bent over in a fit of laughter.

"You are shameless!" She breathed through cackles. Remus leaned away from her hand that clapped him on the shoulder. "You'll do great! Ah-haha!" She repeated from Remus' and Tonks' exchange. Remus felt his cheeks warm despite the lack of feelings for the girl (as Remus was sure that his friend was implying).

"How much did you hear of that?" Remus breathed in annoyance. Calysta wiped a pinky under her eye and took a deep breath.

"Most of it. I followed her in. A lot of work to do at Auror school if she didn't even hear me. And I'm disappointed in you, Moony, for surely you would have heard me, what with your wolfie-senses. I walked practically right next to you!" Calysta began laughing again. "Must have been lost in her eyes," She said dreamily and held her hands together to the side of her head.

Remus scoffed, shoving her away playfully. "Cal, she's nearly thirteen years younger than you and I."

"Didn't stop my grandparents," Calysta mumbled.

"What was that?" Remus inquired. Calysta placed her hands on her hips.

"Nothing," Calysta purred. "Nothing. At. All..." She smiled at him again, spinning on her heel. Remus once again simply rolled his eyes.