The Girl Who Married The Wolf

17. I love you

Tonks' POV

Christmas ended, I received a bunch of presents, Arthur recovered and people were getting back to their usual bitter humor. Completely opposite to the rest, I started being some kind of happy rainbow floating above everyone's heads. Somehow the holidays had made me even happier than ever. Which really annoyed Sirius and Moody and Kingsley and, for some unexplainable reason, Remus.

Because of celebrations and all that stuff my mission with Remus was moved to another day. I know that missions are supposed to be scary and are supposed to be taken seriously but in my case I wasn't scared at all.

I felt I was going insane. Everyone was depressed and I was happy. Everyone hoped to die and I was smiling at sad people in the streets. Maybe it was because of the excitement. I was looking forward to  spend some quality time with Remus. I hadn't seen Remus for quite a long time and I was seeing him that day so...

Maybe I could ask him what had happened to him? Maybe he was going through a rough werewolf-related time... Maybe he didn't turn into a wolf the other month and he had some angry-beast inside of him that hadn't been released... And now he was letting his temper go as a human.

I was really confused.

I mean, I can understand menstrual cycles but "werewolf cycles" are something else.

I stepped slowly out of my house looking around to make sure there was nobody suspicious near. I felt water drizzling above my head. I looked upwards and saw a sad grey sky. I smiled feeling the rain pouring on me.

I walked to a dark corner near my house and apparated.

***

I appeared next to Remus's house. It was a really old and shabby cottage that seemed about to fall apart. I skipped to the door an nearly tripped, I knocked the door. I kept knocking but nobody answered. In that moment I realized the door was actually open. I placed my fingers on it pushed softly.

The passage was dark and as soon as you entered you could have this odd sensation you have when a room has been closed and with no ventilation for a long time.

"Remus?"

I heard a loud crash on the other side of the passaged.

"Remus?" I asked a bit louder this time.

I heard something collide with a wall. I felt rubble and dust falling from the ceiling. A growl came from the same place the other noises came from.

"Remus!" I cried as I saw my best friend, who had just appeared from behind the door at the end of the passage, end up on the floor. I ran to help him get up.

"I thought I was the clumsy one! Why do people like stealing my role?" I joked as I helped the fellow werewolf get back to his feet.

I was about to mock about his scruffy look and lost gaze but then my eyes landed on his. Something had happened to him. Anything. He just wasn't okay.

"Are you okay? If you feel bad maybe you can just skip the mission... I'll do your part of the work" I said as he leaned against the wall.

"No! I'm fine!" He spoke finally. Maybe I was wrong but I could feel the smell of alcohol in his breath.

"Are you sure? Maybe you should stay" I added putting an arm around his shoulder ready to take him to the nearest chair or sofa or bed.

"I'm completely sure!" He nearly yelled pushing my arm away from his body and started walking awkwardly towards the front door.

I know I should have stopped him. I know I should have used some spell on him and taken back to his bed. But I couldn't.

I wasn't going to fight Remus.