A Cursed Wound

A/N --

Thanks to all for the kind reviews. This story is winding down. For those of you requesting notifications of updates, please email me with your addresses at looneyluna2000@yahoo.com.

Sarah J -- I had summarized this story as a part of Unforgettable, but hardly anybody read it, much less reviewed. I took that summary down and people started reading and reviewing :)

Anon -- Yes, there is another side to this story with Snape and Granger. It\'s called Unforgettable.

--


Remus shifted in his chair, trying to get comfortable. He was alone in the conference room, waiting for Tonks. Somehow he had to convince her to terminate the pregnancy. The risk of having a lycanthropic child was too great.

He felt guilty for even thinking that. But he had spent most his life as a werewolf. To pass it on to a child -- a baby -- would be too cruel. Bowing his head, Remus closed his eyes and yawned. The last twenty-four hours had finally caught up with him.

A shiver ran up his spine as memories of his latest transformation replayed in his mind. Yes, the Wolfsbane kept the dementia at bay. But how would he explain the physical pain that went along with a transformation. Remus started mentally preparing the argument for terminating the pregnancy.

He knew Tonks. She would never agree to it.

On the other hand, there was a small part of him that rejoiced. He was going to be a father. He was in love with Tonks, and she was pregnant with his child. A small wistful smile curled his lips.

Moody had been very cryptic about the investigation, stating that he did not want to say anything until there was more proof. But he had mentioned something about a potion. That thought faltered as his mind began to wander. He had fought the urge to sleep long enough.

Remus teetered on the twilight of sleep for what seemed to be only moments. He was awakened by the soft click of the door opening and closing. His eyes snapped open and he found himself staring into Albus Dumbledore’s sparkling cerulean eyes.

“Good day, Remus,” the old wizard greeted Remus as he walked toward the table.

“I trust your recent transformation went well,” Albus said and set a dark brown bottle down in front of the werewolf. “Drink this.”

Recognizing the contents of the potion inside, Remus shook his head. “You know I don’t care for Invigoration Draught.”

“You may want to make an exception in this case.” Albus pulled his wand out of his purple sleeve and conjured himself a chair. “The investigation has taken a most interesting turn.”

Remus ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “What investigation? Harry mentioned something about an investigation and Moody said something too. But nobody would or could give me any details.”

Albus sighed, stroking his beard in contemplation. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

“What?” asked Remus, his frustration mounting.

“I am looking forward to all of the children attending Hogwarts, of course,” the old man nattered. “I never thought I would see the day Severus Snape would have a child. It should be quite interesting to see how he deals with his own child in class.”

Remus exhaled, trying to get control over his rising temper. “What do you know about the investigation, Albus?”

“How long have you loved Nymphadora?” Dumbledore conjured two cups and a teakettle. “Tea?”

“Ever since you introduced us,” answered Remus quickly, wondering where Albus was leading with this. Remus had met Tonks at an Order meeting. Even then, she’d been a shameless flirt.

Apparently satisfied with the answer, Albus sipped his tea and set his cup down. “Good. You will need to reassure Nymphadora of that.”

Remus waited for more of an explanation, growing more irritable as the Hogwarts’ headmaster went on. Albus may appear to be a doddering old fool, but he always had a point.

“Fred and George Weasley have confessed to spiking the punch at the Annual Celebration Ball,” Albus explained solemnly. “They were experimenting, actually. They took an extremely old and highly illegal love potion and combined it with other love potions and an occasional lust potion to spice things up. So far, it would appear that only five couples have been affected – you and Nymphadora, Severus and Hermione Granger, Harry and Ginny Weasley, Ronald Weasley and Luna Lovegood, and Arthur and Molly.

“Moody Flooed me once he found out. A pre-trial hearing has been arranged in the hopes that a settlement for all parties can be reached. Judge Bones and I will be presiding.” Standing, Albus waved his wand over the tea set, causing it to disappear.

“Those. Bloody. Irresponsible. Fools,” Remus bit off, shoving his chair back and jumping up. “Did they stop to consider… No, of course they didn’t. I could have seriously injured Tonks. I – I did hurt her. For Merlin’s sake, Albus, I marked her!

“She’s pregnant!” Remus continued. “What if she decides to go through with pregnancy? How do you explain the pain of a transformation to a child?” He swayed on his feet.

Albus stepped forward and steadied Remus. “Perhaps you should reconsider taking the Invigoration Draught. The twins are still giving their statements and their memories are proving to be less than reliable. It appears their research was destroyed in a fire. The search for a cure has become problematic – if one can call love problematic.”

Collapsing into the chair, Remus reached for the bottle, uncorked it, and downed it in one fluid movement. The adrenaline rush was instantaneous. He could feel his heart pounding wildly. He hated this potion because it was highly addictive.

“As far as your… concerns… The latest research shows that the lycan characteristics are more likely transmitted from mother to child. There have been very few documented cases of contamination from father to child,” the older wizard stated softly. “Either way, your child will always be welcome at Hogwarts.”

Slamming his fist on the table, Remus growled, “That’s just it, Albus! What if the child is normal? What if I forget to take my Wolfsbane Potion? I could kill the child. I could kill her. Or worse, they could wind up like me!”

The sparkle left Dumbledore’s eyes as he peered over his spectacles and down his nose at the werewolf. “In all likelihood, your child will be normal. Even without the Wolfsbane Potion, you are a responsible werewolf. With exception to the incident with Severus all those years ago, you have never been a danger to anyone.

“In addition, you are greatly underestimating a certain pink-haired witch. She is an Auror. She’s been trained to deal with werewolves, vampires, and trolls… The list goes on. Tonks –”

A quick knock on the door interrupted the headmaster’s speech. Moody opened the door. “We’re ready.”

--

The last thing Remus wanted to hear was Fred and George’s apologies. Out of respect for their parents, he would nod and move away. Tonks was across the courtroom, talking to Kingsley.

The door to Courtroom Ten opened and the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Ameila Bones, walked in. “Is every one present and accounted for?” she asked, her voice stern and professional.

Kingsley Shacklebolt snapped to attention and looked around the room. “I believe Miss Granger is –”

“I’m here,” Hermione announced breathlessly, leaning against the door and holding her side. Her hair was wild and her cheeks were flushed.

“Good,” Amelia stated and took her place in the Judge’s balcony. “Shall we begin?”

Albus nodded and took his place next to her. “Yes,” Albus replied.

“Firstly, Mister Shacklebolt,” Judge Bones said, leaning over the bench, “what kind of reassurance do I have that this is it?”

Kingsley crossed the room and handed a scroll to her. “This is a guest list of everyone who was in attendance at the ball. We’ve contacted everyone and only found the following were affected: Hermione Jane Granger, Luna Lovegood, Remus John Lupin, Harry James Potter, Severus Snape, Nymphadora Tonks, Arthur Weasley, Ginevra Molly Weasley, Molly Weasley, and Ronald Bilius Weasley.”

Tonks walked across the room and stood next to him. The feminine scent wafted through the air and tempted Remus. Want he really wanted was to pick her up, throw her over his shoulder, and take her away.

Albus looked over his spectacles and down his nose. “If the Aurors could conjure chairs for everyone to sit down? The proceedings may take a while.”

Drawing his wand, Kingsley conjured chairs for more than half the people in the room.

Amelia Bones cleared her throat. “Thank you, Auror Shacklebolt,” she said with a nod and glanced down at her parchment. “Now, let me see if I have this right. Auror Tonks initiated this investigation upon the realization that she and Mister Lupin,” the elegant witch motioned to him, “were under the influence of a lust potion.”

“Yes, Madam Bones,” Tonks stated as she stepped forward. “Remus and I drank the punch at the ball. It tasted funny. Actually, it tasted horrible. When we arrived home we–”

“Thank you, Auror Tonks. That will be all,” Amelia interrupted, obviously not wanting to hear too many details about the effects of the potion. “What led you to suspect Fred and George Weasley?”

Motioning toward Severus, Tonks answered the Interrogator. “Professor Snape was standing by the punch bowl.”

Remus looked over his shoulder at the Hogwarts’ Potions master.

“And you jumped to the conclusion that I was the one responsible for perpetrating the crime?” Severus asked, his tone somewhat offended.

Remus didn’t even attempt to hide his smile. Who would have thought that Severus and Hermione would…Well, Snape always did have a penchant for younger women.

“Professor Snape, would you please refrain from interrupting the proceedings,” Madam Bones stated. “I assure you. You will have the opportunity to have your say.”

Remus heard Severus growl softly.

“First of all,” Dumbledore called out, “there have been no formal charges. This is a preliminary hearing. George and Fred Weasley have exercised a serious lack of judgment.”

Arthur and Molly are your friends, Remus thought. They would be upset if you harmed the red-haired menaces.

“Quite right,” the twins agreed readily, looking behind them with wide, pleading eyes.

“I suggest both of you remain quiet,” Albus warned the twins, the headmaster’s normally indulgent tone cold and severe.

Madame Bones put her hand on Albus’ sleeve. “Please continue, Auror Tonks.”

Tonks sighed in frustration. “As I was saying, I suspected Professor Snape at first.” Tonks turned toward Severus. “Which I apologize for profusely.”

Severus snorted, contempt in every line of his body.

“When we confronted him, he informed us about George and Fred and his suspicions that they had spiked the punch,” Tonks replied with her usual spunk, glaring at Snape as she took a seat next to Remus.

Madam Bones unrolled another scroll. “I have a preliminary report from the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. Based on the Pensieve memories George and Fred Weasley supplied and everyone’s symptoms, they were able to deduce this much: The potion has very complex spell work, which has enhanced the rudimentary properties of the, er, physical symptoms. Not only is there a fertility proponent, there is something else everyone needs to be aware of.

“The Weasley twins combined the lust potions with a variety of several love potions. We’ve identified the primary love potion, which is very specific in its desired effects. The Verus Amor potion is just that -- a true love potion. If taken by predestined partners, they will be drawn to one another inexorably and bound to one another for the rest of their natural lives.”

Remus saw Tonks look at him out of the corner of her eye.

The Interrogator’s words thrummed through Remus’ veins, quickening the physical reaction he had come to associate with being close to his lover. Predestined partners? True love? Bound?

“The Veru Amor potion is strictly forbidden,” Dumbledore stated. “The brewing of it is illegal and cause for an immediate three-month sentence to Azkaban.”

Remus remained stone-faced as Molly started to weep.

“However,” Albus continued above Molly’s wails, “the sentence will be rescinded due to extenuating circumstances.”

Remus heard Severus mumble something under his breath.

“Seeing as Miss Granger, Miss Lovegood, Miss Tonks, Miss Weasley and Missus Weasley are with child, Judge Bones and I have come to what we hope to be an equitable solution.”

As Albus mentioned her name, Tonks started fidgeting nervously in her seat. Remus clasped her hand in his and looked at her.

“As Chief Warlock, it is within my authority to render judgment right now,” Dumbledore stated dully as he read from the parchment. “This is what Madam Bones and I have proposed. All assets and ownership of Weasleys\' Wizarding Wheezes are to be divided between the victims of this ‘experiment.’ George and Fred Weasley will stay and run the day-to-day operations of the business with their salary going toward a trust fund for the education of the children who will be born as a result of their \'experiment.” Albus pushed his spectacles up his nose.

A low murmur could be heard around the room as the other couples discussed the announcement. Fred and George were uncharacteristically silent and still.

“If any of the pregnancies should result in termination or any other unforeseen event…” Dumbledore looked up from the parchment and looked at Remus. “The salaries will go into an annuity for the injured party.”

Remus felt Tonks squeeze his hand before averting her gaze away from him.

“Of course,” Dumbledore announced with finality, “this offer is only good if criminal charges are not filed. If the full Wizengamot is convened, it may take decades for the estate of Fred and George Weasley to be divided amongst the victims. Does anyone here wish to file criminal charges against Fred and George Weasley?”

Molly Weasley raised her hand and everyone gasped.

“Molly?” Albus asked worriedly.

Seeing the mother of seven stand and clear her throat, Remus watched the proceedings with piqued interest.

Molly wrung her hands together nervously. “May we ask for provisions other than what you’ve given us?”

“Mother!” The twins exclaimed.

Molly ignored her children’s pleas, which made Remus grin. Perhaps Molly and Arthur wouldn’t be too offended if I hexed their sons to Hades.

Albus nodded.

“Arthur and I were planning on travelling now that all of our children are grown. Seeing as we will be unable to travel as much with a new baby, I ask the court for childcare provisions,” she stated simply, glaring at her twins and seemingly daring them to argue.

Remus’ grin grew, thanking Merlin that the twins were not going to get off scot-free.

Madam Bones stifled a chuckle. “Add the provision to the parchment, Albus.”

Ron and Luna asked for the provision of childcare too. Then Harry raised his hand.

“I would like to request a provision, as well,” Harry stated as he stood up.

Remus could hear Severus mumbling under his breath again.

Harry stood in front of Madam Bones and Professor Dumbledore. “I request that George and Fred Weasley be placed under magical observation.”

George scoffed. “Will this never end?”

Fred nudged his twin. “Shut up, George!”

“I suggest both of you be quiet,” Albus warned. “Your fate rests entirely on the good graces of those upon whom you\'ve seen fit to experiment. Remus, Nymphadora, do either of you have any addendums to the contract?”

Tonks pulled her hand away from Remus’. “No, sir,” she murmured softly.

Remus shook his head and agreed with his lover.

Albus’ expression became grave as he stared at the man sitting next to Hermione. “Severus, would you like to add anything?”

Severus had the potential to break the contract. He was the one most likely to file charges against the twins. He was perfectly in his rights to do so.

Yes, the twins deserved the worst possible punishment for their total disregard for others.
But was time in Azkaban really necessary?

All eyes were on Hermione and Severus. Hermione whispered something into Severus’ ear, and Severus replied with a feral grin. The exchange between the Gryffindor and Slytherin ended in a kiss.

“I have nothing to add,” Snape stated gruffly.

“Very well, then,” Albus said with finality. “We’ll copy the contract to all parties once the final draft is complete. Molly, Arthur, I remand the twins into your custody.”

Feeling the effects of the Invigoration Draught wearing off, Remus slumped in his chair. Molly started openly chastising the twins as they followed her and their father out of the courtroom. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Luna followed. It was as though he were outside his own body, watching the events unfold before him.

It was almost surreal, watching Severus Snape walking up to Albus Dumbledore.

“Headmaster,” Snape said, pulling a willing Hermione behind him, “we wish to be married at once. Would it be possible for you to perform the binding ceremony?”

Remus could feel Tonks tense beside him.

“It would be an honor, Severus,” replied Albus with a smile. “Perhaps we should Floo to Hogwarts and –”

“No!” The Potions master’s normally cool demeanor slipped. “We need the permanent binding ceremony.”

Amelia Bones stepped in at that point. “Perhaps we should adjourn to the Atrium. I’m certain Mister Shacklebolt and I can find the equipment necessary for ceremony.”

Severus nodded in agreement and he and Hermione left the room, followed closely by the tall black Auror and the two Interrogators.

He and Tonks were alone now.

Turning in his seat, Remus stared at his lover. But before he could say anything, she drew a slow shuddering breath and stood up to leave.

“So there you have it.” She waved her hand toward the departing group of people. “You and I are under the effects of a potion,” Tonks murmured in a shaky voice.

“Tonks, I –”

“Please let me finish,” she snapped.

He nodded for her to continue, his mind drifting and his body screaming for rest. The letdown from the Draught was more devastating than trying to recover from a transformation naturally.

“That night…” whispered Tonks. “I don’t regret it. I never will.”

“Me –” neither, he wanted to say. But she kept on talking and started to pace.

“I had h-hoped,” her voice cracked, “y-you loved me. That you had finally realized how I felt. That you had finally realized that you really should stop being an overly cautious jerk and shag me senseless.

“I realized a few days ago that I was wrong.” She stopped pacing and looked at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. As if she’d had an epiphany, Tonks smiled.

“The baby and I will be fine. If you wish to be a part of his life, I won’t try and stop you.”

Remus didn’t know what to say. It sounded as though she was trying to cut him out of her life.

“I make a good salary and childcare shouldn’t be much of a problem.”

Her words were dull and flat, as though she had been rehearsing them. She paused and silence loomed before them.

“Anyway…” Tonks said as if she had been carrying on the rest of the conversation in her head.

“Tonks, I—”

“Hush, Remus.” She smiled and offered him her hand. “You look like hell. You need to get some rest.”

He couldn’t argue with her reasoning. He grabbed her hand and arm, and she helped him stand up.

“I’ll get you to the Floo network and you can Floo to Grimmauld Place,” she said decisively.

“All right,” agreed Remus, leaning heavily on her as the walked out of the courtroom. “But this conversation isn’t finished.”

*****