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Hogwarts Grounds
December 22nd 1998
The chilly winter breeze evaded the layers of clothing and directly impacted my skin as I walked across the snow covered grounds around the frozen solid lake watching the sun slowly start to rise above the forbidden forest.
The castle and grounds were finally starting to recover from the horrible battle scene it had witnessed in May. The night that Tonks and I both almost lost our lives as we fought for the greater good, and our sweet baby boy Teddy almost became an orphan.
The million butterflies in my stomach make me feel like I was about to throw up as I stared up at the giant beauty that is Hogwarts. Today was meant to be the best day of my life. Taking Tonks in my arms and pledging our love for each other, our commitment and that from today until the end of my days I will love her unconditionally.
I draw my wand from my pocket and aim it at the ground. A second later a bench has been conjured out of thin air as I sit down upon it and open my shoulder day and stare down at its content. A heap of homework essays on werewolves from my third year, my handwritten vows for later that morning. And an extremely battered and worn diary.
The book fall to the page I had been reading the second I opened it. The diary entry from the day that Tonks and I first spent time alone together and I knew that she was my one true love. The day that I got thrown into detention on purpose so I could talk to that sweet little girl with bright pink pigtails.
**************
September 23rd 1985
Dear Diary
I have just finished yet another detention. But I can't blame James and Sirius for this one. Or even Peter. No today detention was all my own doing and for a very special reason. For today I got to spend time alone with Nymphadora Tonks or the future Mrs. Remus Lupin if I am ever so lucky.
I suppose I best start at the beginning
Tuesday mornings are always my least favourite. Mainly because we have double transfiguration first thing, Professor McGonagall is known for setting impossible essays on tricky subjects and Padfoot and Prongs always manage to pressure me into writing their essays.
“Moony old champ” James started the second Sirius and he entered the great hall. “Sleep well old buddy”
“I’m not doing it James. McGonagall almost caught us last week when Sirius couldn’t remember the history of animagus despite his four length parchment on the topic. She knows you two aren’t doing the assessments and I beat you she knows you're getting me to do them for you” I said softly, afraid that the fear proving head of house may appear at any moment and catch me.
“Come on Moony. We both got practice tonight. We can't afford enough detention” Sirius pleaded.
“Just the introduction. We can ask for an extension on the rest” James added.
I had barely removed my completed essay from my book bag when the great hall doors flew open.
Professor McGonagall stood in the doorway of the great hall, wearing her typical emerald green cloak and square glasses. She wore an extremely stern face, sterner then even the time Sirius had decided to place a dungbomb underneath her desk.
My eyes are drawn to the girl standing beside McGonagall. The fourth year Hufflepuff student with stunning bright blue eyes and bright bubblegum pink hair, her typical mischievous smile worn boldly across her face.
“Screaming Yo-Yo’s in the Staircase. Nymphadora Tonks you will be in detention for the remainder of the year, young lady mark my words” the Professor growled angrily as she dragged the girl towards the staff table.
“Nice one cuz” Sirius called loudly.
“Mr Black be quiet” McGonagall responded sharply.
I turn around and stared at James and Sirius. Tonks was always massively out of my league. I had never gotten a chance to be alone with her. I knew if I could get her alone I could confess my love and hopefully find out she feels the same way.
“You two can copy my homework under one condition” I tell them.
“Anything”
“Get me into detention with Tonks tonight”
“Get you detention, piece of cake” James said cheerfully as he picked up his pumpkin juice and proceeded to pour it down the front of his robes. “REMUS!!!!”
Before Remus could think Professor McGonagall was storming towards the group. “What in heaven's name is going on here?”
“Remus just threw pumpkin juice all over James Professor. Completely unprovoked”
“Is that true Mr Lupin?”
“Yes”
“Very well in that case I will see you in my classroom at 5 pm this evening for detention”
The second McGonagall was out of earshot I smirked “thanks guys”
Anyway, fast forward to tonight. I bid James, Sirius and Peter farewell on the staircase, and made my way to Professor McGonagall classroom. The second I walked inside I saw her sitting in the front row with her bubblegum pink hair blooming as I sat at the desk beside her.
“Right you two I’m going to go and get some dinner. I want completed essays on rights and responsibilities before I return” my head of year snapped before leaving the room.
“Remus Lupin in Detention well I never” Tonks smirked broadly. “What hairbrain scheme did my cousin get you into this time”
“None” I replied. “I sort of got sent here to be with you”
“Um Remus you do know you could have asked me to Hogsmeade and saves yourself being stuck in this hellhole….”
“It isn’t a hellhole whilst I’m with you Dora”
We spent the rest of the detention talking and joking whilst I wrote both our essays and Tonks spent time designing her newest pranks.
I have never felt happier than I do tonight
———-
Hogwarts Grounds
December 22nd 1998
“Professor Lupin”
I looked up. For a second my jaw dropped at the young man before me. The tall man wearing a black suit matching his untidy black hair and rounded glasses. For a second I thought I was seeing a ghost. Then I stared at the bright green eyes. The eyes of the only other girl who ever had my heart. Lily.
“Harry” I smirked as I stood up and hugged my best man. “I’m guessing your here to get me back to teh castle?” I asked.
“Yes sir, the guests are starting to arrive”
“Harry I’m not your professor anymore. Call me Remus and don’t you ever call me sir again. Your like a second son to me”
The walk back to the castle was sadly brief. As much as I love Tonks and want to spend the rest of my life with her, the butterflies in my stomach will not settle and I can’t help but wonder if I’m being selfish, forcing her to live with someone who every full moon turns into a werewolf.
We entered the great hall and I took in the decorations. Hagrid and the other staff had put themselves out. Where the house banners usually hang were now filled with red and yellow signs declaring Mr and Mrs R J Lupin 4 Ever and the usual long tables had been replaced by rows of seats.
We bypass dozens of friends and family. People Tonks and I went to school with her Ministry colleagues, the other staff at Hogwarts and members of the order. Even some Hogwarts students had stayed behind to attend the ceremony.
“You look amazing Remus” Professor McGonagall tells me, giving me a hug.
“Thanks boss”
As I reach the front row my eyes are drawn to my Mother-in-law Andromeda nursing a sleeping Teddy. The dear old woman who had welcomed me into her home that first summer after Tonks and I started dating and who had lost her own soulmate during the fight against Voldemort.
Kingsley stood at the head of the hall wearing his usual cloak. I second I step up towards him I hear the doors to the great hall open.
If Tonks had been beautiful the day I fell in love with her today she looked stunning. Her hair was a beautiful shade of bright sea water blue and she was even wearing a white dress, the same that her mother wore.
My heart skipped a beat as I took her sweet hands in mine and we stared into each other's eyes.
“Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today at this magical place to witness the marriage of Remus John Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. The couple has prepared their own vowels”
I stared into Tonks eyes as I felt a tear run down my face.
“Dora Tonks today I take you to be my wife for the second time. But instead of being hidden away in secret I take you to be my wife in front of our love ones. In doing so I pledge to love you every single day that my heart beats. I pledge to take care of you and Teddy. I promise that I will protect you from harm way and only buy your anniversary presents from Zonko’s joke shop. I promise that i will never call you Nymphadora and that from this day forward I will love you just as much as I did when we met”
I take the ring from Harry and slide it gently onto her finger.
“Remus. Today I stand here and pledge my overwhelming love and commitment to you. I promise to be gentle and kind and let you win the occasional argument. I promise that I will care for you when you are sick and never leave your side. I promise to love you from this day forward as my husband and my soulmate but also as my best friend in this crazy journey that is life”
Kingsley looked at me as Tonks slipped the ring on my finger.
“You may now kiss the bride”