Chapter 261 - Love (1/2)

”SIRIUS! Come down!”

As the screaming sound came again, Chris and Sirius both sprinted downstairs. Sirius jumped off the last two steps and entered the drawing-room. Chris entered after him.

Remus Lupin, a gaunt and grim-looking wizard with grey and brown hair was lying on the sofa, unconscious. His clothes were more ragged and patched and red with his blood.

Beside him was a crying Tonks, who was a young witch with a pale, heart-shaped face with different shades of hair according to her mood. Right now, her hair was mousy brown similar to her red puffy eyes and sad, ill-looking face.

Aurelia Cromwell was a witch same age as Sirius and Remus, but her oval face, soft brown eyes, pouty lips and golden hair (which was currently pinned on the back of her head) made her look as beautiful as a young Veela. But right now, she was looking anxious and Chris realized she was the one screaming.

”What happened?”

Within seconds Sirius was crouched down beside the unconscious body of Remus and was checking his wounds.

”I was out with Dumbledore,” said Aurelia rummaging through a drawer in a cupboard. ”We had a meeting with the Minister, but before I could get to the meeting a saw Remus' Patronus.”

”Was he conscious when you found him?” asked Sirius.

”Yes, he told me what happened,” replied Aurelia. ”He was following those Malgino's people as planned but he doubts someone alerted them and they attacked. He just got away in time and sent me — here!” She pulled out a potion vial from the drawer and quickly gave it to Sirius as he started muttering a few incantation pointing his wand at Remus' wounds.

”Oh God! This is all my fault!” Tonks sobbed while pouring the potion in Remus's mouth. ”I shouldn't have — oh God! I can't lose another person.”

Aurelia clasped Tonks' trembling hands.

”He is going to be okay,” she said so firmly that Tonks visibly relaxed a little bit.

Chris quickly reached Tonks' side and rubbed her back comfortingly as Sirius finished his incantation and Remus' eyes jerked open.

”You okay, Moony?” Sirius asked.

Remus took in the situation going around him then slowly relaxed and closed his eyes again, nodding.

Sirius and Aurelia sighed, Tonks continued to sob but looked a little less hysterical and Chris let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

This wasn't the first time in the last two weeks Chris had seen this. Many Order members had come to the Grimmauld Place after a few dangerous encounters with the Death Eaters and Malgino's men, some slightly injured, some extremely injured. Those things made Chris realized the crucial situation they were currently in and every injured person makes her more determined than before to face Malgino.

After putting Remus to bed and calming Tonks down, Aurelia and Sirius sat down in the kitchen while Chris and Kreacher made dinner.

”Kreacher can do that alone, Chris,” said Sirius.

”No that's fine,” said Chris. ”I want to cook.”

”You have to talk to Dumbledore,” said Aurelia getting Sirius' focus back to her. ”We can't keep going on like this. Remus is being reckless, purposefully.”

”You think so?” asked Sirius surprised.

”Yes,” sighed Aurelia. ”And Tonks definitely can't work like this, no matter what she says.”

Sirius nodded.

”I will talk to Remus.”

”Kreacher, serve the soup, please,” said Chris to Kreacher.

Kreacher took the soup bowls and did something between a shrug and nod then walked to the table.

”I still can't believe he answers to your orders,” said Sirius looking at Kreacher with wonder.

”It's not his fault that he was taught to hate the Muggle-borns,” said Chris placing the bread and mashed potatoes on the table.

”Oh — I forgot to mention,” said Aurelia looking at Chris. ”Dumbledore is bringing Harry tomorrow.”

”Seriously?” Sirius grinned broadly. ”I will also go with Dumbledore —”