|
|
Post by Ted Tonks on Oct 11, 2008 0:52:06 GMT -5
Ted closed his eyes, wondering how much longer his mother's unyielding loyalty would last.
"That's the thing, Mum... I knew she would believe me if I told her what really happened, and that she would stay with me. I don't have a lot of money, I don't know how much I can protect her, especially when she's an auror... I lied to her, Mum. I only wanted what was best for her."
|
|
|
|
Post by Karen Tonks on Oct 11, 2008 1:11:15 GMT -5
"Oh, my poor baby..." she sighed, holding him close again. She was starting to understand a little more about the situation, and she desperately wished she could help him. "You lied to her so she could be with her family, because you thought it was what was best for her. You willingly sacrificed your own happiness for her sake. That's noble... and that's my little boy." She smiled at him, but it was a sad smile.
"Is there any chance that you two could be happy and safe together? Or is it hopeless? If she's as unhappy as you are, there really has to be a way you can be together, right?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Ted Tonks on Oct 11, 2008 1:20:04 GMT -5
Leave it to a mother. "No one else thinks it was quite so noble. But then... no one else knows what really happened." And he couldn't tell them because it would get back to her.
Thank Merlin for Karen, who made Ted feel like it was safe to feel like he was twelve again.
"I don't know, Mum. I keep thinking about it, and she's in danger anyway, being an Auror... but there have been threats, if I were to get back together with her. And I just don't know how to protect her. How can I ever make her happy if I can't keep her safe?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Karen Tonks on Oct 11, 2008 1:39:21 GMT -5
Karen sighed. "My poor baby," she said. She grabbed a napkin from the napkin holder on the table and wiped his face. It was the kind of gesture that most sons over the age of five are embarrassed by, but that a mother can't help doing. Right now, Ted might have been a grown man, but in her eyes, he was still a lost little boy, and she needed to help him somehow. "These people who made the threats... Isn't it your job to stop people from doing things like that? From hurting people? Can you report them? Isn't there something you can do? I know what you're thinking, baby... it's a lot of pressure to put on you for this girl to leave her family for you. But isn't that a decision she deserves to be involved in? Maybe she won't think you're worth it... But maybe she will. Is she worth it to you?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Ted Tonks on Oct 11, 2008 1:43:58 GMT -5
"Yes, she's worth it to me," Ted replied, just letting the woman fuss over him. He dropped by unannounced and unloaded all of this on her... she deserved to fuss over him.
He didn't bother explaining the intricacies of his job or the Black family to her. "I'd do anything for her... for her to be happy and safe and taken care of... and what if she thinks I can do that now, and changes her mind in a year? What happens to her then? I haven't even seen her since it happened... I don't know how she is. But I'm guessing angry, based on the visitors I've been getting."
|
|
|
|
Post by Karen Tonks on Oct 11, 2008 1:56:04 GMT -5
Karen shook her head. "Do you really believe that?" she asked gently. "Do you think this girl is so flighty that she'll change her mind about loving you in a year, in five years, or even twenty years down the road?" She gave him a sympathetic smile. "You've seen your father and I, how we're still crazy about each other after all these years. Yes, it's true, sometimes love can fade... but not when it's the real thing. It will change over the years, it will mellow... it won't always feel so intense as what you're feeling right now. But where there's real love, trust, and communication, it won't fade... it will only get better over time. And that is something you can control, by loving her with everything you've got, by being open and honest with her. If you do those things, and if she truly loves you, I guarantee, she won't change her mind; not in one year or twenty years."
The timer on the oven began to ring, and Karen hurried over with a pair of potholders to take the pie out of the oven and set it on the windowsill to cool, before coming back to sit with Ted.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ted Tonks on Oct 12, 2008 1:31:14 GMT -5
"Even if she did love me like that... and maybe she does... it's too late. I've ruined things between us forever, and she's safer like this, Mum," Ted emphasized this part. "She's safe like this and I couldn't promise her this if we were together. I know you and Dad managed, but it's... circumstances are not the same."
|
|
|
|
Post by Karen Tonks on Oct 12, 2008 9:32:40 GMT -5
"But you said yourself that you haven't seen her since it happened," Karen pointed out gently. "You don't know what she's feeling right now. If she truly loves you, there's a chance she could forgive you."
She sighed sadly, as he mentioned that the girl would be safer without him. She had to admit, the situation did seem fairly bleak. She didn't really understand the danger involved, but she could see that Ted was worried and afraid.
"But is it better to be safe and miserable, or happy, but in danger?" she asked, touching his cheek. "If she's unhappy, as this article seems to indicate, and you're unhappy... then what good is it really doing? There must be a way for you to be together... I can't stand to see what it's doing to you to be apart from her."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ted Tonks on Oct 12, 2008 13:47:06 GMT -5
Ted made a miserable, frustrated noise at his mother's reason. She, naturally, was not the first to say this to him.
"She wanted to meet you," Ted said, only slightly changing the subject. "She doesn't really know what a loving family is like, and I was going to bring her for the holidays. I think you would have really liked her, Mum."
|
|
|
|
Post by Karen Tonks on Oct 12, 2008 18:49:23 GMT -5
The change of subject did not go unnoticed by Karen, but she let it slide for the time being. "The poor dear," she said sympathetically. "I would have loved to meet the girl who's stolen your heart so completely. I will continue to hope that I will, anyway... I refuse to believe this situation is as hopeless as you say. If the girl's family is powerful and rich, but isn't a loving family, I still think she's better off with you than with them."
Wrapping him in another hug, she stroked his back lightly. "I'm not going to tell you what to do, because I don't understand the situation completely, and I am sure you've thought about this from every possible angle. But I do hate to see you so unhappy, and I hope it's not unnecessary."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ted Tonks on Oct 13, 2008 14:42:43 GMT -5
"I don't know what's necessary or not anymore," Ted told her, sighing and running a hand through his hair. It was still getting to long for his taste. He needed a hair cut.
Well, honestly, he just needed to take care of himself. He needed a hair cut, a shave, you name it.
"She moved out of the apartment complex, and I highly doubt I'd be allowed to set foot in Hogwarts... my boss would kill me. I don't know how to see her if I wanted to." He hadn't heard from Narcissa, but even if he did, laying low did not include a trip to Hogwarts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Karen Tonks on Oct 13, 2008 15:17:26 GMT -5
Karen sighed sadly. She had always dreamed about the day when her son would come home and tell her that he was in love, and that he was getting married. She wanted the best for him, and that included true happiness. She wondered silently whether the happiness he felt with this girl was similar to the misery he felt without her. And again, she wondered how the girl was feeling right now. Did she love him as much as he loved her? Was she as upset as he was? If so, there had to be a way they could be together. If not, then he could do better. But without knowing the girl, or having any ability to meet her, she had no way of knowing what to tell him.
"What troubles me most," she said softly, "is that you've already given up. I know the situation is scary, and really... true love is always terrifying at first. Putting that much trust in another human being can be a frightening thing in the beginning, even without the complicated situation you're facing. But you're writing the end of the story, without giving the middle a chance to play out. You've made her decision for her, without giving her a chance to decide what she really wants. I know you feel like you're trapped in Romeo and Juliet, but this is real life, not a Shakespearean play. And sometimes... love will find a way. Just please... promise me you won't give up without a fight. I can't bear to see you so unhappy."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ted Tonks on Oct 14, 2008 0:56:10 GMT -5
That struck Ted in a way he hadn't thought about. He had, as she said, given up. He had always been raised to fight, and while Ted was an auror and built enough to do some serious damage, he was a true lover. But he also knew that in order to be a lover, sometimes, you also had to be a fighter.
"I don't know how to see her," he said, looking up at his mother. "That article has made a royal mess of things, Mum. I don't know how to fix it." He gave her a look that clearly said, please help me fix this.
|
|
|
|
Post by Karen Tonks on Oct 14, 2008 12:16:01 GMT -5
"That's my boy," Karen said softly. "We taught you never to give up, especially when it's this important. I can see how very important she is to you." She pulled her chair closer to him and sat down, so that she was facing him.
"She hasn't moved far, has she? Didn't you tell me that Hogwarts is right outside of Hogsmeade? She's still close by... there's a good chance you'll still see her. And don't you work together? Of course... it's probably better if you don't wait for it to happen. Does she have any supportive friends who might arrange a meeting without her knowing? Someone who knows you, and will be supportive of you? Surely you can't be completely alone in this."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ted Tonks on Oct 14, 2008 12:24:46 GMT -5
"I can only think of one she wouldn't suspect... Arthur's on my side, but she doesn't know Arthur that well, so she'd be suspicious if it were him," Ted reasoned, outloud so that his mum knew he was thinking over it.
"Her sister tried... but I don't know how if she can get Andi off school property... and I can't go to the school. Maybe I can owl her though. I'm just..." he trailed off. What if Andi took one look at him and turned and left?
Well, so what if she did? He'd follow her, he'd take her in his arms and kiss her in a way that shed have no doubt it was all a lie.
|
|
|
|
Post by Karen Tonks on Oct 14, 2008 14:11:21 GMT -5
"So her sister is on your side?" Karen said hopefully. This was a good sign; she was sure of it. "If at least one family member is whilling to help you, then you should definitely take her up on it. The odds may be stacked against you, but there is a chance. If she loves you enough, then there has to be a chance. And I know I'm your mother, but I can't imagine any girl that wouldn't be crazy about you." She smiled at him. "I know I shouldn't get my hopes up, but I am going to look forward to meeting her at Christmas. Does she celebrate Christmas? I was never very clear on the holidays in the wizarding world."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ted Tonks on Oct 17, 2008 12:13:49 GMT -5
Ted was grateful for the slight change of subject, and smiled at his mother as he leaned back in his seat. "Is that pie ready yet?" He asked, getting up to go see if it had cooled enough.
"She celebrates Christmas... well, Yule... same difference, really. Just not the religious aspects of it." He didn't think so, anyway. Maybe she did... it was something he wanted to ask her, but that too would either never be answered, or it would take time. Yes, Ted wanted her back. He just didn't know if it was possible or the right thing to do.
"Remember when I was in school, Mum, and they always sent us home for Winter Holidays? They used to decorate the castle with lights and trees and garland."
|
|
|
|
Post by Karen Tonks on Oct 17, 2008 16:01:17 GMT -5
Karen glanced over at the pie. "Yes, I think it should be cool enough now," she said. "Go ahead and move it to the counter and I'll cut it up. And if you look in the freezer, I think you'll find a fresh carton of vanilla ice cream." She smiled warmly. Sometimes when you were hurting, the comforts of home could really be soothing to the soul. She was immensely glad she had decided to back an apple pie today.
"I really would love to hear more about her," she said gently. "But I understand if it's painful for you to talk about her right now."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ted Tonks on Oct 17, 2008 16:05:08 GMT -5
Ted nodded, moving the pie which was warm in his hands, and at the mention of the ice cream, he turned and gave her a 'what would I do without you' smile. "Did I tell you I was coming home?" he asked jokingly.
A frown crossed his face as he thought of what he should tell his Mum about Andi. "I can talk about her... she makes me smile. I don't know what you want to know, though."
|
|
|
|
Post by Edward Tonks on Oct 17, 2008 16:05:54 GMT -5
Edward had a long day at work, and he was looking forward to be coming home to his wife. Things were always peaceful at home, and just being in Karen's company was more than enough to make him happy.
Walking in the front door, Edward smiled. Karen must have cooked something because he could smell it. "Karen," he called. "I'm home." Edward walked towards where he heard Karen's voice. His eyes laid on Ted and a smile spread across his face. "Theodore," he said happily. "It's great to see you."
|
|
