Disclaimer: JK owns not I!
Author's Notes: I just love Tonks! That's all I have to say
The Order of the Phoenix sat grouped around the large table at number 12 Grimmauld Place. Things had begun happing sooner than expected. Already there had been a mass breakout from Azkaban. Some of the worst Death Eaters escaped including Bellatrix Lestrange.
"The Ministry still refuses to believe Voldemort is back." Said Moody gruffly, slamming his fist on the table. "They think he's behind it." He gestured toward Sirius who was reclining casually in his chair, seemingly undisturbed by the news.
"Calm yourself Alastor. Getting upset will not help." Said Dumbledore soothingly. "Severus has informed me that several small attacks on Muggles and Muggleborns are being planned but the specifics have yet to be decided. As Voldemort does not wish to draw attention to his return, all the attacks are to be random and simple. It is his hope that the Ministry will continue to believe Sirius is behind them and that they will distract from his real plans. We will learn of these small plans in advance and hinder their progress whenever possible as they will undoubtedly endanger many lives, but our main objective is to discover what Voldemort's true strategies are."
Snape was unsure when he first realized he had feelings for her. Maybe it was when she joined the Order of the Phoenix. That was the first time he'd seen her since she had been his student. Looking back, though she had been too young for him, he was surprised he'd never noticed her beauty before. Of course being a metamorphmagus she had had no awkward period with regards to her appearance. He had always respected her though refused to show it, sometimes being harder on her because of it. Seeing Nymphadora Tonks at the first order meeting she seemed more beautiful then he remembered. Although her pink hair had been rather shocking.
Most of all he was happy to find that her feisty attitude he had pretended to despise in class had not been lost. She easily forgot he was once her teacher and had taken to calling him Sevie. Snape knew it was meant to tease him and he acted reasonably annoyed. In truth, he enjoyed the bit of personal attention no matter how small the amount.
He watched her now, fussily eyeing her reflection in a teakettle Mrs. Weasley just set on the kitchen table. He was helpless to conceal the smile on his lips when she made a pouty face.
"I just don't know if purple is my colour." She mumbled quietly to herself.
Stepping up behind her he said, "I think it is charming." She jumped, looking as if he'd struck her. Undeterred he went on; "It compliments your features and skin beautifully." He was appalled by the soft tone his voice had taken seemingly of its own accord.
She gave him a contemplative look, and then scoffed. "I'm not in need of fashion tips from a greasy git like you." Careful to remain expressionless, and without another word he glided across the room and exited the kitchen. He was further humiliated knowing Sirius had been within ear shot. What was I thinking? He knew what everyone thought of him. How foolish.
Tonks was stunned. What was that? Had he complimented her? No. It had to have been an insult and yet… No matter how she spun it, from all angles his words seemed sincere. Also his voice had been void of the venom it usually held. Meaning he was being nice? She marveled at the thought. Meaning I've been very rude.
After what Severus felt had been yet another rather pointless meeting McGonagall and Dumbledore left quickly over school matters that needed to be addressed. Every night it seemed more people stayed for dinner. Some, like Tonks and Lupin even decided to move in. Everyone was welcome but Snape of course had no desire to dine surrounded by people he detested and who he knew returned his feelings with an equal lack of warmth. He was already to the front door when Tonks ran passed him and leaned casually against the door blocking his escape.
"You're not leaving Sevie? Aren't you joining us for dinner?"She was not smiling, her expression was unreadable.
"Actually I was planning on a home cooked meal. In my home." This was far from the truth. He was a fine cook but lacked the time and energy of late to prepare a decent meal. Still he did not wish to remain here any longer than necessary.
"Oh come on." Tonks brightened. "Molly made stew. Smells delicious." She threw herself at him.
Before he could falsely object to Mrs. Weasley's cooking she had him by the arm and was leading him back down the narrow hall.
"Oh and thanks." She was so cheery he could have sworn she seemed drunk.
There was much annoyance in his answer, far more in fact then he felt. "Whatever for?" She smiled up at him.
"For that compliment on my hair." He tried to pull away but she held his arm in a viselike grip.
What was she playing at? She had seemed repulsed by him earlier, now she was all honey. Was she leading him into a trap? He felt her stumble beside him, followed by a crash from that bloody umbrella stand. Tonks' swearing was overpowered by the shouts from Mrs. Black's portrait. With a bang from Snape's wand her verbal assault on "blood traitors" was cut short. She gave a yelp before the curtains closed and all was quiet again.
"Wow." Tonks seemed genuinely impressed. "We need to keep you around more often." They entered the kitchen.
"Ah, there you are." Lupin waved her over.
"We heard you coming." Sirius chimed in. She returned his remark with a light-hearted glare.
"And guess who's staying for dinner." She called out to the room at large. Snape wished she hadn't. Despite her cheery exclamation he didn't feel particularly welcome. He was greeted with glares from some and exasperated sighs from others, both of which he preferred over Mrs. Weasley's false sweetness. Still guided by Tonks, she pushed him to sit down and took the seat beside him, throwing an arm around Remus on her other side.
"Would you like some firewiskey?" Tonks asked offering Snape the bottle. "No thank you I don't drink." He replied knowing he sounded childish. There were a few chuckles nearby but Tonks was the worst. "What, are dear potions master can't hold his liquor?" He tensed; this was no joke to him.
"Miss. Tonks, if I wished to poison myself I know far more effective ways than alcohol."
Mrs. Weasley provided a welcome distraction as she served dinner with the reluctant aid of her children. No one could have made him admit it but the food was fantastic. The company however, left something to be desired. Tonks' attention was kept by Lupin who chatted adamantly in a low voice as if trying to keep Snape out of the discussion. Mercifully, she had seated him at the end of the long table, far from everyone else. She was the only one he sat by, but Sirius took the seat across from his. He had been quiet thus far but seemed unable to remain so.
"Why is it that we are enduring your company tonight?" Keeping his face void of emotion Severus looked to his side. "Miss. Tonks seems to think it important I socialize."
Stabbing at his food Sirius mumbled as if to himself though purposefully loud enough for all surrounding to hear. "Ah, yes. Understandable." He raised his eyes from his plate to meet Snape's. "But why not socialize with your own kind." His eyes flicked to Tonks then back to Snape. "You haven't changed, even back in school you always seemed to try and reach out of your league."
Snape felt his jaw tighten but forced his voice to remain calm. "I realize it must be hard for you, being forced to remain in this house."His voice held as much disdain as possible on the last word, hoping Sirius would never see his family home. "You must miss your mongrel bitches at the dog park."
Sirius seemed to be enjoying this. "At least there are those who would enjoy my company. I can't imagine a whore dropping her standards so low."
Tonks jumped up. "That was bang out of line!" Lupin took her arm and lightly guided her back down to her seat. Reflexively Snape tensed. He didn't need her to defend him and yet he couldn't help but appreciate the fact that she had defended him. Instead of choosing to focus on this happy fact he continued his assault on Sirius.
"If it has four legs or a dick it doesn't count. I bet you were treated right nicely in Azkaban. Tell me; Black was that the best you've ever had?" Sirius' smile faltered. Holding onto her protectively, Lupin leaned around Tonks. "Maybe Sirius is right and you should find some company more befitting your caliber."
Snape sneered, his voice dangerously low. "Such biting words. Should I be concerned with contracting Lycanthropy?"
The shouts that ensued from all around were unintelligible. However Snape thought Tonks seemed to be attacking Sirius and not him. Only Mrs. Weasley could be heard clearly over the din.
"Quiet, all of you!" Everyone fell silent, though many hostile glares were still exchanged. "Really now, you're all acting like children, fighting amongst yourselves." She looked disgusted with the lot of them.
No one said another word for the next few minutes but everyone seemed only barely restrained. It wasn't long before the dinner table began to break up. When Snape left Tonks hurried after him.
Catching him in the hallway she placed a hand lightly on his shoulder. He stopped walking but didn't turn around. "Sorry about Sirius. He can be a right arse at times. See you at dinner tomorrow." And she skipped off.
What was her game? He distinctly heard her defend him from Sirius, than he thought she yelled at Lupin but it had been hard to tell through the mingled shouts. And yet she let Snape get away with a low blow aimed at her boyfriend. He wasn't sure if the others would allow him to remain for dinner tomorrow but despite Sirius' undoubted attendance he found he looked forward to it.