Nova's Universe

Chapter 1 (1998)

Charlie

The tighter Nova's grip became on my hand the further we followed Andre and Penny, their silence a chilling counterpoint to Penny's muffled sobs and the grim set of Andre's jaw. It wasn't a good sign.

"I... I don't know when... or who," Penny choked out, her voice cracking. "Andre found... them." She gestured towards the bodies of Tonks and Remus lying side-by-side on the floor.

A wave of nausea washed over me. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to force down the scream clawing its way up my throat. Nova, tears streaming down her face, ripped her hand from mine and stumbled towards Tonks. She sank to her knees beside her friend, her sobs echoing in the sterile silence of the room.

The sight of Nova's grief tore at my heart. I was the only one, besides Tonks herself, who knew the depth of their bond. It had been a year after we moved to the Sanctuary that Nova confessed her secret - she was closer to Tonks than Penny. She'd made me swear to secrecy, worried about how Penny would react. After all, despite not being teenagers anymore, Penny still considered Nova her best friend. The revelation would sting - all four of them were incredibly close.

Nova had always lamented the lack of time she spent with Tonks. She confided in me that in our final years at Hogwarts, particularly after we started dating, she felt a growing distance between herself and Penny. Tonks, on the other hand, was a constant source of support and understanding. The news of our relationship, a secret we foolishly thought we could keep, became a turning point. Sharing it with Tonks felt liberating, forging a deeper connection than ever before.

To Nova, Tonks revealed a softer side, a hidden gentleness that masked her mischievous exterior. Nova regretted taking so long to see Tonks for who she truly was - kind, supportive, and utterly accepting.

Voldemort's return had intensified their correspondence. Nova worried constantly about Tonks, who was perpetually on missions to infiltrate Death Eater meetings and gather intel for the rest of the Order. She also kept us updated on the situation in England.

Then came Sirius's death. The news cast a long shadow, reflected in Tonks' increasingly erratic letters. One day she'd be cheerful, the next consumed by a desire to vanish. Alarmed, Nova, with Olivia's help, brought Tonks to the Sanctuary for a week. Moody grumbled his disapproval, but Nova couldn't shake her concern for her friend's well-being.

Nova learned about Tonks' feelings for Remus then. Tonks never thought she'd find someone who made her feel that way, and considering how Tonks acted around boys at Hogwarts, Nova knew this was serious.

From then on, Nova sent encouraging messages, telling Tonks not to give up hope and to keep looking for a way to make Remus see a future together.

I remember the day Nova got a very important letter from Tonks. I practically tripped down the stairs, worried something was wrong. Nova was pacing the living room, a huge grin plastered on her face. Shaking with excitement, she rushed over before I could even touch the letter and blurted out that Tonks and Remus were together!

Every letter from Tonks brightened Nova's day. She missed the girls and worried about everything happening back in England, so hearing everyone was safe was a relief. Tonks might have been ecstatic when Nova told the girls about her pregnancy, but it paled in comparison to Nova's reaction to Tonks' letter about it. Nova, wrapped in a blanket like a little fluff ball, cried on the sofa for what seemed like hours. She was happy for all her friends, but especially for Tonks who finally gave in to her feelings and stopped holding back - something Tonks had struggled with a lot.

We were among the first to visit after Teddy was born. Remus was over the moon to be a father, and seeing them as a small, happy family was heartwarming. Nova, however, was speechless when Tonks asked her to be Teddy's godmother. Remus had already asked Harry, but Tonks wanted Teddy to have a godmother too. "There wasn't even a question in my mind," Tonks had said, her voice thick with emotion. "If I ever imagined having a sister, she would be just like you. I want Teddy surrounded by a family who loves and adores him. Nova, will you be his godmother?"