title: Next Time

author: tinhutlady

fandom: HP, R/T

rating: just a little spooky

 

The potion slipped from Tonks' hand and shattered on the mossy stone pavers in front of her feet, showering her boots with a fine spray of sharp ceramic bits and disgusting-smelling liquid. A chill went rifling up her spine at that same moment, one that had nothing to do with her clumsiness, but rather the low, menacing growl that told her, quite plainly, she was too late.

Remus had already locked himself in, and with good reason.

It wasn't much of a cave, but it had stone walls that prevented digging out, no matter how desperate the occupant became. And the ancient steel latticework set magically into the mouth of it formed a barrier impervious to powerful jaws. In spite of these assurances, Tonks found herself wondering if things wouldn't break suddenly and let the demon within vent his fury out on her.

She deserved it.

She was the one who had lifted his hopes - wondering aloud whether she could find someone else to brew the potion she couldn't, the drink that would keep him sane enough to stay with her in the house during the full moon phase that now balefully glared down at her with unblinking accusation.

The growl repeated itself, and she tried hard to swallow her fear. She couldn't see Remus, not exactly - she was still a couple of meters away - but red eyes that had haunted her dreams seemed to peer out at her from the dark shadows. She whined a little in her throat, hoping it might soothe his temper.

He moved too fast for her to even think of jumping back. Stunned, she could only watch in horror as sharp teeth snapped again and again at the steel, moving faster than she could blink. Fur and foam flecks struck her, even at this distance, as jaws, head, and paws smashed again and again at a cage that wouldn't give.

Tears streaming down her face, she raised her wand, prepared to wrap Remus in bonds that would prevent him from hurting himself further, but she suddenly had a better idea and forced herself to ignore the snarling creature she didn't know and think of the peaceful woods around her. From deep within she called up happy memories of Remus under these trees, laughing, holding her, kissing her, and something full of light and energy erupted from her wand.

The werewolf before her stopped its attack as suddenly as it had started it, and cocked its puzzled head at the image so like itself. Tonks smiled and encouraged her patronus to walk calmly around. The werewolf in the cave paced likewise, its panting breaths slowing with every step. Finally the real beast yawned, snapping its teeth closed with finality rather than frustration, and curled up in the shadows again to resume its interrupted nap. As quietly as she could, Tonks walked away, her patronus by her side until she was halfway back to the old Lupin cottage.

As much as she wanted to, she couldn't stay, not without eliciting another savage attack. And Remus wouldn't want her with him anyway; it would be too shameful to wake as a shell of a human, overcome by the curse once again, and find her nearby. It was bad enough that he would find the remnants of the mug and realize what had happened. Her cheeks burned with heat at her clumsiness, but she didn't dare go back, clean it up, and risk upsetting him again. She sighed heavily and the patronus winked out, overcome by her somber thoughts.

Next time she wouldn't tell him, just surprise him. Next time she would be faster getting it. Next time she'd swallow her pride and let her mother help her make the potion instead of running around Knockturn Alley.

Next time.