Happy late Halloween, the day the marauders became nothing but a faded memory for those who remained alive, but not really living. and RIP James and Lily /* [forever remembered, never use always, just until the end.]

Annnndddd happy birthday to my favorite character, the one and only Sirius Black <3 ironically, though, he isn't present here. *sighs*

But I've taken Padfoot's advice in greeting risks. . .

"Well, well, well... you're looking rather fresh," sneered Snape, fixing his cold gaze on Harry.

"Yes?" Harry said uncertainly, his tone coming more in the form of a question.

Harry stole a moment to look at Ron, who was wide-eyed with his face turning into a shade of slight red, equally angered and scared.

"Potter..." spat Snape with as much venom possible, hating the bitter taste of the name on his lips.

Whenever that Potter boy was in his presence, flashes of all the humiliating memories, he'd fallen victim to, would roll over Snape from every side.

The dreadful years of bullying left a deep hole in Snape's self-dignity that he always tried to mend by payback, albeit with much more cruelty.

The Potions master treated Harry worse than he himself had ever been treated, just because Harry was the living proof that Lily chose another person, instead of returning the love Severus gave her.

Snape couldn't, not that he tried, to see the boy-who-lived as anything but James Potter's son, and by so, he rationalized his deeds of abusive ridicule.

Snape gazed longingly at the prophecy, clutched between Potter's fingers... this glowing circle was the dreadful reason that Lily was gone. He glanced back at the boy, a sneer overcoming his expression.

"I see your mission was successful, surprisingly and sadly without much of a loss. Now, give me the prophecy," said Snape in a low demanding voice, extending his hand.

Gathering up his courage, Harry looked at Snape dead in the eye and gripped the prophecy even tighter.

"I am not giving it to anyone but Professor Dumbledore." Harry's voice was steady and powerful, in contrast to the worry growing up inside him.

Harry didn't care about the consequences nor even about that prophecy itself, but there was no way in hell he would so easily hand it to Snape, of all people.

***
Harry's gaze hovered over Snape's shoulder, and his face relaxed with remarkable relief, reassured by the two people that came to the light.

Snape hummed in thought, "what are you waiting for, then? Go, now," his dead eyes daring him to argue.

"But Madame Pomfrey told him not to leave," said Ron, his voice on edge.

"Do I look like I care?" Snape shot him a piercing glare. "Not in the slightest... If you can't reach that conclusion by yourself, Mr. Weasley, then a muggle brain check is in order to do you some good."

Ron's face turned as red as his hair, the heat filling up his cheeks.

"Ten points from Gryffindor, for answering back," said Snape, a smirk of hostile satisfaction plastered on his face.

Tonks, who was listening intently and standing right behind the man with black robes, closed her eyes and changed her appearance to resemble Professor McGonagall.

"Care to enlighten me, Severus, what did Mr. Weasley say that stroke a nerve?" Tonks adopted the strict demeanour of the deputy headmistress.

Before Snape spun around to stare at the sharp expression taking over her face, Tonks caught Harry's eyes and winked.

"As far as I know my job, we never deduct points for answering back, let alone insult students." Tonks eyed Snape from under her round-glasses with a glare, coloured with her stern Scottish accent.

Snape was left speechless, trying to find a way out, while cursing his luck.

Tonks tried her best to keep her expression straight, wanting nothing more than to burst out laughing at the priceless look on the face of her former professor. Ah, how much she missed the good old days playing around!

Ron and Harry had their hands on their mouths, stifling the giggles that would vibrate even the walls of Hogwarts, if let loose.

Remus himself couldn't hide his smile behind his amused face.

***
Tonks tapped her foot impatiently on the floor, crossing her arms against her chest. "I am still waiting for an answer, Snapiee..."

Oops! Abruptly, Tonks fell silent and internally groaned for the untimely slip of a tongue. She whistled innocently, her gaze wandering around distractedly, hoping that Snape had gotten deaf from the shock.

Snape, however, raised a cold eyebrow, his eyes shinning with recognition. "Tonks, you insolent--" he began, frustration greatly evident in his tone.

Tonks shrugged in dismissive defeat, still grinning. In a flash, she transformed back to her bubbly self, her purple hair sticking out.

"Snape!" Remus couldn't help but snap a bit, all of a sudden getting protective.

"And, what do we have here?" Snape asked, his irritation rising by the minute, a dark smirk playing on his pursed lips.

"Last time I checked, the infirmary was visits-free," continued Snape, his voice indifferent as ever.

"Just because you don't care about Harry, doesn't mean everyone is like you," said Remus heartily, still glaring at Snape, his voice steady.

Harry felt a smile forming on his lips, with warmth blossoming within his very soul, at hearing Remus' words.

With a sinking feeling, however, Harry wasn't sure if he truly deserved any of that care... not when Remus acted as if he had forgotten everything.

"Another ten points from Gryffindor, for having unwelcomed guests in the hospital wing," replied Snape, averting his gaze to Potter.

"But, we aren't disrupting anything in the school," argued Harry, slumping his shoulders. "Sir," he added upon Snape's glare, gritting his teeth.

"There's no need for that, you see, I have permission from the headmaster to visit Harry," said Remus, straightening his jacket and stealing a glance at Harry.

Just when Harry thought he was doomed, help came his way. Not for the first time, Remus covered up for him against Snape. A smile washing over him once again, Harry was grateful for having someone like Remus in his life.

Harry's smile made it worthwhile to Remus.

Before Snape could say anything, Remus continued, hiding his smirk behind the cold expression. "Aside from that and with all due respect, Snape, I do what I want."

Harry chuckled, his mind re-playing the incident that perfectly reflected such a statement: under Professor Lupin's suggestive order, Neville's boggart -Snape- seemed the perfect suit for a red handbag and an overgrown dress.

Getting fiercely overprotective, Remus had been respectful, as always, but still allowed the madness within to take charge.

***
Deciding that answering was an utter waste, Snape casted a final sneer to each and everyone who pointedly stared back. He stormed off, scoffing, his black robes sliding against his ankles.

Severus Snape had much more important tasks to deal with, anyway, than trying to instill sense in those who were too thick to understand.

Snape had just came to give Potter a piece of his mind, but now he had even lost the said enjoyment, let alone been made fun of.

"Do you really have a permission, Remus?" Tonks asked, smiling slightly.

Tonks had caught Remus' slight hesitation when he gave such a claim. Not everyone would notice how, for a brief second, he had darted his eyes back and forth with a nervous gulp.

"Er, between you and me... no," replied Remus, a gleam of mischief sparkling in his eyes, one that was novel yet at the same time old.

Just out of curiosity, Remus wanted to ask her about the secret behind the Snapiee reveal but decided against it.

Ron had his fascinated eyes fixed on Remus, staring at him as though he had grown an extra head. With a small "wow" escaping his lips, Ron considered Remus worthy to be the bravest of them all, just for that comeback.

"That was bloody brilliant!" Ron exclaimed in awe, his expression reflecting admiration. "You have all my respect for getting away with what you've said, and to Snape of all."

Remus grinned widely, but he bit back his gratitude when the air filled with fresh sobs.

●●●○●●●

A boy with a neat green tie and school robes swung the door behind him. He called out for the nurse, sparkling tears blurring his vision from the eyes studying him.

Remus slowly reached over to the boy, who had taken refuge to one of the comforting beds. The boy irritatedly brushed a strand of his pitchy hair that had fallen down his face.

The red-faced boy stared down at his hand, a silent tear escaping him with a tremble of his small jaw.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Remus asked cautiously, wanting to soothe the boy but having no idea how.

Remus unwillingly backed away when the boy harshly wiped his tear-stricken face with his left hand, which held a raw wound.

As though plagued with a sharp knife, the scar engraved on his skin seemed to be decaying. Remus had to narrow his eyes to make up what the scar held: I must not cry.

A gasp of shock, it took for the bitter truth to hit Remus all at once... Harry wasn't the only one Umbridge had caused damage to.

The young boy seemed to have been told, albeit so harshly, by the older generation that boys shouldn't and don't cry... especially if they were Slytherins, having to always show nothing but immune strength.

The innocent boy, who didn't look any older than first year, had to act like he didn't care about anything just like people expected him to.

"Just leave me alone," the boy snapped in a failed attempt to hide the desperation from his voice, covering the scars engraved on his hand.

Although it pained him seeing the vulnerable boy hurt to that extent, Remus wasn't sure what could possibly be said to make him feel any better.

But Remus knew exactly what must be done to wipe the little boy's tears and wait for them to dry. Determination encompassing him, Remus vowed to make up for what broke inside such a fragile child.

Actions were, without a doubt, more powerful than mere words in healing throbbing pain. And the Marauders had always and would forever be men of action.

***
Just then, Tonks pushed past Remus to her target, her heart leading her legs.

She launched herself closer to the crying boy, gazing at him sadly. Tonks sat beside him, the bed sinking a bit from the added weight. A frown of pain etched on her face, she remained silent for what felt like forever before heaving a sigh.

Tonks wanted nothing more than to cheer him up, through any means necessary. She wasn't leaving his side until he'd crack a joke, that's for sure.

"Y'know, you look adorable even when your eyes are exercising too much that they sweat," said Tonks softly, hoping to see even a hint of a hesitant smile.

"Now, just breathe, let it all out... so that you can once again smile and make it shine."

The boy sniffed, no longer panting with emotional gasps but tears still messing up his face. He felt a gentle hand under his chin that made him stiffen. His wide hazel eyes looked up at her, meeting her concerned gaze.

Tonks cautiously wiped his tear-stricken face with her thumb, giving him a genuine smile of her own. She was worried that maybe she had gotten too far, but her instincts to offer consolation couldn't be held back.

The boy yearned for comfort that he barely received ever since he left his home for the first time, although his older sister was always there for him.

For a moment just a moment, he relented and relaxed into the touch of care, even if from a stranger, before a frown took him over.

"What do you want from me?" He demanded, his voice harsh, removing her hands from his face.

"Oh," Tonks looked hurt, glancing at her rejected hand with defeat. "I just want you to be happy."

Tonks hadn't taken notice that Remus had left until he came back with a bunch of chocolate frogs.

"Here, eat and thank me later," said Remus lowly, smiling and placing them at the boy's lap. The boy looked Remus over with immense suspicion, his eyes narrowed.

Remus sighed, half-arguing that a slytherin wouldn't trust him that easily. Remus ripped the wrapper out of one of the chocolates and was filled with its delicious taste. "See! Not poisonous."

Once that shabby man left, the boy hesitantly helped himself with one after the other. From the corner of his eyes, he caught sight of the famous Harry Potter talking intently with who he knew to be Weaselbe, or so he had heard.

Moments of silence rang out before he glanced back at the woman who had tried talking to him. She was looking away, her brown hair covering the twisted expression on her face.

He nudged her shoulder, to grab her undivided attention back to him instead. "Want one?" He asked, gesturing to the sweets, although he didn't really support the idea of sharing.

His lips twitched upward into a slow grin, making Tonks' eyes twinkle. She held his hand and smiled when he didn't flinch back.

His chest huffing in pride, satisfaction filled the boy up for being successful in shedding the spotlight of attention on himself again, right after he had just pushed her away.

"No, thank you," replied Tonks, tugging a strand of her hair behind her ear. "So, what's your name?"

The boy cleared his throat, crossing his legs on the bed like she just did. "It's Robert."

"It's nice to meet you then, Mr. Robert, I am Tonks." She extended her hand for him to shake, which he did in a formal manner.

Robert looked at her eagerly, expecting more for an answer, before rubbing his chin. "That's not a girl's name."

"Nymph--" she groaned, finding it difficult on her lips to utter the name she was born with. Tonks steadied herself, taking in a deep breath. "--Dora, Nymphadora, that is, the name my mother gave me while she was so busy cursing her family."

Before he knew it, Robert's wide smile turned into giggles when Tonks gave him a funny look with crossed-eyes.

Tonks was admiring how his expressive eyes shone with laughter, forgetting all about the sadness that didn't seem in its rightful place. He was even more adorable with giggles ringing out than with tears sparkling from his eyes.

Feeling a lot happier than before, Tonks wasn't aware of the involuntary change in her hair into a light shade of purple.

"Wicked!" Robert exclaimed, gasping for breath from the squeals of laughter, his eyes wide in shock and twinkling with awe and amusement.

"What the- how did you do that? Can you teach me, please?" He asked her in one breath, eager anticipation etched on his face.

Robert saw confusion in her eyes and the frown on her creased brow. "Your hair... it turned girly," he clarified and was slightly put off-guard when she laughed so hard that she clutched her stomach.

"I suppose yours should be blue, then, to be more boyish," Tonks teased, playing along the same lines.

Robert adopted a thoughtful expression before nodding sincerely.

"I'd pay anything to see a child with blue hair." Tonks wiped a tear from the roar of laughter.

"So, tell me how to do it," Robert demanded, hope swirling in his gaze.

He knew he could do it, Robert empowered himself, ambition overriding him. He must stand out, he needed something, anything, that would make him feel special and one of a kind.

"Oh, I am afraid not," Tonks breathed, hating the look of disappointment that instantly flickered across his face.

In less than a moment of its construction, his hopes crumbled down, rolling in full speed from the high peak, and Robert blamed himself for building it up in the first place.

"Listen, I can do anything in return," bargained Robert, his voice pleading and his eyes desperate.

"I am sorry, it's just not something to be learned," replied Tonks quietly, sighing. Robert slumped his shoulders and frowned, growing silent once again.

"It's like magic, you either have it or not. And you are magical, just the way you are... many others as in muggles would want to be in your shoes." Tonks said, willing him to believe her forced fascinated tone.

Tonks met his let-down eyes before speaking with much conviction. "The things you take for granted, someone else is praying for, always remember that, and be thankful for what's in your grasp."

Robert only sighed, fixing his gaze on his scarred hand that would forever remind him of what an utter failure he was, thanks to Umbridge.

He had been gifted by such a wounded souvenir to always bear in mind that he was never allowed to be afraid or shook... not even from the Dark Lord's return, which was a pure lie, right?

"Wait, want to see me do a trick?" Tonks asked enthusiastically, trying a different tactic. She hoped against hope Robert wouldn't think she was teasing him with her magical powers that he lacked and so much desired.

Robert eyed her for a long moment, making Tonks' heart hammer against her chest in anticipation. He then nodded slowly, provoking a warm smile from Tonks.

Taking it as a cue for acceptance, Tonks braced herself and played with her appearance into different people and even animals.

After a few trials, Robert began to interact again, stretching his face with laughter, and requested the animal he wanted her to resemble, ranging from a cat to a pig, but not a toad.

●●●○●●●

From the other side of the room, Remus wasn't really listening as Harry and Ron went on and on about how relieved they were and the sense of freedom they had, being finally done with their OWLs. He would occasionally join in with a word or two, but not much of an input.

Every now and then, Remus would glance back at the boy who had broken his heart from the massive amount of pain that weighed upon such weak and slumped shoulders.

Remus mused thankfully that the boy looked much better now and, just happy as he forever should be.

Maybe it was the ongoing bond of understanding between Hufflepuff and Slytherin that made the boy put down his guards around Tonks... or just that Tonks knew how to deal with children, was still an option.

"Sirius has been missing for a while," Harry huffed, changing the subject they'd been engaging in.

Unknowingly to Harry, having the words 'missing' and 'Sirius' in one sentence snapped Remus out of his thoughts.

"What do y'mean? Where is he?" Remus demanded, his heart racing.

The everlasting sensation of concerned panic, which never left Remus alone, arose again to bubble just below the surface.

"Easy there, at Dumbledore is all," replied Ron quickly, congratulating himself when Remus breathed in relief.

"It's just, there's something I need to tell Sirius," said Harry, his voice a bit hesitant.

Remus opened his mouth to assure Harry that he as well would always listen, before realizing that the words couldn't come out.

I am all ears, Harry... I am here for you, me too.

With a heavy heart, Remus shoved his desperate thoughts aside.

Harry was Sirius' godson and James' son, not yours... an inner voice invaded Remus, knowing that he was nothing to the boy he cared about. Remus loathed himself even more for the slight sting of jealousy he felt.

"And what might that be?" Remus unknowingly adopted a sarcastic tone, but his voice remained hoarse, masking the underlying pain.

Harry frowned, glancing at Ron who shrugged and arched his eyebrows, feeling put-down by Remus' attitude. "Er, I could tell you if you're willing to listen."

Remus blinked stupidly, cursing his ears for imagining what he wanted to hear. However, the sincerity pictured in Harry's expression ensured him that it was all real.

"So, thanks for trusting me with... whatever this is," said Remus, his heart exploding with happiness.

"Of course!" Harry said, like it was the most obvious thing ever.

Remus' eyes shone with a twinkle of love, knowing that Harry trusted him --even if just a bit. The wrinkles at the corner of his brows seemed ready to stretch from how wide he smiled.

"Well, spit it out, mate," Ron urged, nodding at Harry, to which Remus hardened his expression.

"Umbridge... it wasn't just that," said Harry, gesturing to his scarred hand, as though nothing more needed to be said.

"Yes?" Remus said slowly, waiting for the worse.

"You see, she was the one who sent Harry the dementors last summer," replied Ron cautiously, helping out his hesitant friend.

"Okay--" said Remus, before the message sank in. "She... what?"

Harry frowned, seeing the shock in Remus' eyes convert to emotional pain.

Of all the horrors Remus expected, this hit him so hard without a flicker of mercy. She had intended to hurt Harry, why? Abusive! Power-thirsty! Sick!

"Also, she was willing to use the cruciatus curse to loosen my tongue, before I went off to save Sirius, er, or so I thought," said Harry, breathing heavily.

Remus felt another sting of torture filling up his wretched soul. Anger that couldn't be held back soon joined in with the horror, clouding his judgment.

"She'll pay once and for all, that's for sure," hissed Remus, wicked determination flashing through his mind.

Harry felt taken over by a newfound sensation of safety, something he had forever craved for but now -finally after nearly losing hope- was in his grasp.

"Anything else I need to know?" Remus asked as steadily as he could, taking in Harry's expression.

"No... well, yes," stammered Harry.

Hope you enjoyed it :D

I've actually done it, created an original character of my own. I still think it wasn't the best I could have offered, sorry. but in my defense, I wrote this in the middle of some personal problems and... just not a very smooth time.

Please, tell me what you guys think on everything in general, and about Robert here in specific. What do you think of him for now? there's still more to him, ofc.

As a start, was it any good?

And dw, he won't be here for long... I won't leave myself distracted by his story. My main characters are still the leading force of this story ^_^

Vote and comment, lovelies, pretty please.

Stay tuned for the next update, after my exams...

Also, you get the chance to redo OR add one scene in the entire movie franchise. Which scene would you choose and how would you change it? and why, what do you find special about that scene?