Title: Letters
Author: kerrymdb
Format and Word Count: one-shot, 998 words
Rating: K
Prompt: Too Much
Summary: Remus’ new job gives him startling insight to his bride .

Letters

Remus Lupin stooped over his desk and ran his hand through his hair. He glanced over what he had written.

Dearest Gladys,

On this Valentine’s Day, I wish to take this moment to let you know how dear you are to my heart. Your letters have sustained me through my darkest hours. Now, as I travel the road to recovery, your continued support means more than ever.

Yours in Admiration,

Gilderoy Lockhart

P.S. I was most distressed to hear of your beloved poodle’s illness. My thoughts are with you through this most trying of times.

A knock on the door caused Remus to look up. There was Lockhart, dressed in pale lilac robes. “Lupin, once you finish responding to those letters, another stack just arrived.”

“Mister Lockhart, you said I could leave at seven,” Remus said at once, looking at the clock on the wall that now showed eight. “My wife is waiting for me at home.”

“Then she’ll just have to wait, Lupin. I need you to finish these letters tonight,” Lockhart told him. “I have a party to attend. Lock up when you’re done.”

“Yes, sir,” Remus mumbled.

He watched Lockhart leave the room and with a sigh, threw down his quill in frustration. It would take hours to finish responding to these letters. And Tonks would be at home, waiting for him, so they could celebrate their first Valentine’s Day as a married couple.

But at the same time, he did feel some gratitude towards Lockhart for being willing to hire him in the first place. Lockhart was somewhat of a medical miracle, as no one expected him to ever recover his memory. Instead of going back to his old life of exploiting witches and wizards for his own profit, Lockhart realized his lifelong dream, and started Lockhart Hair Care Products. Remus was Lockhart’s personal assistant, and spent a great deal of time reading and answering his fan mail.

Remus briefly wondered if he could charm his quill to answer all of the letters for him, but he knew that was impossible. Instead, he headed to the fireplace to tell Tonks not to expect him for a while.

~~~~~
Glancing at the clock, Remus saw that it was now eleven o’clock at night. Thankfully, there was only one letter left and then he could get home and celebrate what was left of Valentine’s Day. He picked up the letter and read:

Dear Mister Lockhart,

You probably don’t remember me, but almost seven years ago, right after I graduated Hogwarts, I saw you at the Leaky Cauldron. I was the witch with the pink hair and the Weird Sisters t-shirt. I sometimes wonder if you ever think back on that conversation. It’s one that I’ll remember forever.

Remus paused in his reading for a moment after glancing at the signature. Tonks sent Gilderoy bloody Lockhart a Valentine’s Day card. He could hardly believe that she, of all women, would have fallen under Lockhart’s spell. Remus never mentioned to Tonks that one of his responsibilities was answering Lockhart’s fan mail. She would have no idea that her husband would be the one reading this.

You see, that one conversation changed my entire life. I told you that I had been accepted into the Auror training program, but was thinking of following the Weird Sisters on their European tour for a year instead.

You told me that Europe was a brilliant idea because witches simply don’t make good Aurors. I then proceeded to throw my drink in your face.

The constriction in his chest seemed to be easing. This seemed much more like a letter Tonks would have written.

I had actually already written the letter to the Auror training program, turning down their offer. That was, until we talked. That very moment, I knew I was destined to be an Auror.

A year after training ended, I was asked to join the Order of the Phoenix, where I met the man who would become my husband, a man I simply can’t envision life without. Everything I have, my husband, my career, my friends, in some odd way, I owe to you. I just wanted to thank you and to let you know that I will certainly be buying products from your new hair care line.

Cheers!

Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin

Remus sucked gently on the end of his quill, trying to figure out exactly what to write. With a flourish Lockhart himself would have been proud, he placed his quill on a fresh piece of parchment and wrote:

Dearest Nymphadora,

One of the greatest joys in my life is to know that I have helped change the life of one of my admirers. So I’m sure you can imagine my delight upon reading your letter. However, do not thank me for the gifts in your life.

A weaker witch might have agreed to my ill-advised comments and gone to Europe. You made the choice to fight. Not I. Also, as a believer in fate, if you had gone to Europe, somehow, you still would have met and fallen in love with your husband, just in a different way.

From your last name, I wonder if you are married to Remus Lupin, my trusted employee? If you are, I know how loved you are by the way Lupin’s face lights up when he talks of you.

And on this Valentine’s Day I wish you all the love and happiness in the world.

Sincerely,

Gilderoy Lockhart

P.S. The robe you ruined by throwing that drink cost seventeen galleons. I will gladly accept compensation in either galleons or a draft from Gringotts.

As quickly as Remus could, he posted the owl and watched it fly through the window towards their small apartment in Diagon Alley.

Grabbing his cloak, Remus hurried to lock up. Now he just had to beat the owl home so he could enjoy her reaction to the letter, not to mention the forty-seven minutes left of Valentine’s Day.