the_debt_of_time

"Learn some patience, and stop worrying so much." She smiled and directed a wink
at Hermione, who felt as if she were about to vomit. "Calm down, love," Tonks whispered
as she moved to Hermione's side. "Everything's going to be fine. Everything and everyone,"
she added, "is fine."
"They are?" Hermione asked, almost choking on the words. She clenched her hands
together, lacing her fingers to stop from fidgeting. "Nothing's wrong?"
Tonks chuckled softly. "Someone might need a bit of an ear-bashing, but that's
normal, innit?"
The fireplace lit with another burst of green flames, and Remus stepped into the
room, immediately seeking out Tonks and Hermione. His reassuring smile left Hermione
feeling as though she had not only his approval of what she had done but also his support
in this meeting.
"Remus!" Bill Weasley stepped forward. "If that really is you.. ." He eyed the man
with a smirk on his face, feigning suspicion. Between the two men, who would likely be
able to smell the lycanthropy in one another, the security questions were pointless. To
appease the anxious crowd, however, Bill asked, "When I woke up in the hospital wing last
month, what's the first thing you said to me?"
"'I told you that I hoped you like your steaks rare.'" Remus grinned and clapped Bill
on the shoulder. "Speaking of which, are you doing all right?"
Bill shrugged, brushing off the concern even as Mrs Weasley huffed over the
reminder of the attack on her eldest son. "Better than you, I'd imagine. I got a little anxious
a few nights ago, full moon and all, but it was nothing I couldn't handle."
"Now that the pups are all reacquainted," Moody interrupted with a scowl, "anyone
going to tell me what the bloody hell was so important we needed to risk another meeting
so close to retrieving Potter?"
Hermione's breathing and heart rate increased as she began to shuffle restlessly.
When she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder, she assumed that either Remus's
enhanced senses picked up the change or she was being profoundly obvious.
"We're not all here actually," Remus said. "Now, before I call our last member, I
need everyone to keep an open mind and remain calm. You can ask all the security
questions you need, but keep your wands where they are. You've already spoken to Tonks
and myself, so you know we are who we say we are. I'm asking you to trust us now."