The Wizarding Afterlife

Lupin

*J.K. Rowling owns all of the characters.*

SUNLIGHT WAS STARTING TO stream inside the house as Remus entered the kitchen, opening the fridge. It was full of eggs and meat. He grabbed some, then placed them over the counter. He set two pans on the stove and poured oil above them, cooking breakfast.

"'Morning," a voice greeted behind him.

Tonks was standing near the stairs, her bubblegum-pink hair still in tangles. She kissed Remus's cheek and grabbed a mug from the dish rack.

"I'm making hot cocoa," she announced. "Would you like some?"

"No, I'm fine." Remus flipped the bacons on one pan, then adjusted the heat on the other. "But thanks, 'Dora."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "You love hot cocoa, though."

"Well..." the wizard chuckled. "I'm rather preoccupied, my dear." he tilted his head toward the food. "Maybe I'll have some later, if that's all right."

Tonks beamed, then prepared her own drink. She stirred the mug and tasted its contents, humming in satisfaction. Afterwards, she went to the lounge and sat near the front window.

"You could use magic, you know." Tonks mused, seeing Remus transfer the bacons on a plate. "Much easier."

"We can't always rely on magic." he replied a matter-of-factly. "Besides, it's a good way to...think."

Remus transferred the toast to the table, along with the food. When he was finished, he sighed, slumping on the chair next to his wife's.

"I saw him in a vision, you know." Tonks said softly. "Our Teddy."

Remus turned. Tonks was spinning the cup in one hand, absentminded. She stared at the window, her eyes reflected by the first streaks of sunlight.

"He was eleven," she said. "Teddy showed us his Hogwarts letter, Remus. He was so happy. But then..." Tonks forced her voice to remain steady. "There was no one to talk to, at the time. Because we were..." Graves. Dead. Deceased; she swallowed the words. "We were..."

Remus hugged her tightly. Tonks was sobbing, clutching his robes in an effort to regain control.

Teddy Lupin would grow up without his parents. It had haunted him. The fact that he could not be there for his son—to not hear his first words—was a nightmare.

"I know," Remus whispered. He gripped Tonks's shoulders so he was facing her. "I've been thinking about that, too. And I miss him." he wiped the tears from her eyes. "We both do."

STOMP.

STOMP.

At the sound, Tonks wiped the remaining tears away. Remus mustered a nonchalant expression as James and the others entered the lounge.

"Merlin! I knew I smelled..." Sirius frowned when he saw them. "What's wrong?"

James and Lily noticed Remus's expression—the way he was clenching and unclenching his fists. Tonks's eyes were red from crying. Worried, Lily embraced her, rubbing her back. The witch sobbed. The others stared at Moony, who only shook his head in reply.

"I'll get some water." James decided, then ran to the kitchen. Sirius clicked his tongue upon seeing Tonks's expression, and moved next to her, providing comfort.

"Is this about Teddy?"

The question came out of nowhere. Beside Sirius, Fred coughed awkwardly. "Well," he said, "I just thought—"