October 9th, 1994

The second meeting for the new Order of the Phoenix was taking place. In fact, it was kind of the first "actual" meeting. Last week was really just getting organized, but this one was serious.

There where not that many new aurors. For the most part, members were either veterans who had returned or previous allies who had joined.

Of course, Tonks was neither of these things. She was young, new, not experienced, and had an awkward disposition. Yes, she was bubbly, but there was an odd insecurity, as if she were always nervous.

As a result of this insecurity, Tonks, despite her friendliness, did not take part in meetings and would often sit very still. In other words, she did her best to avoid the eyes of the other members.

Her avoiding of glances was successful until the second meeting. It was sudden, and it drew the attention of the entire room. Just after the mid-meeting break, as she was returning to her seat, it happened.

Tonks went down with a loud thud. Collapsing onto the floor.

People stared for a moment, thinking she had fallen. After she did not get up, they thought she had fainted.

"Fetch her some water!" Molly exclaimed, pointing her husband towards the kitchen.

Also getting up herself, Molly ran over to her side, but just as she reached her hand out, Sirius stopped her.

"Don't!" he jeered. "Don't touch her."

"What?" Molly questioned, turning her head toward Sirius. "Why-?"

Just as she turned back toward Tonks, a few people gasped. She was moving now, shaking and twitching rapidly, obviously having a seizure.

"That's why," Sirius clarified, in a soft tone that was almost a whisper. "Trying to move her will make it worse."

Tonks stopped within a few minutes. She was able to get up and sit back down.

"Can we continue?" Moody asked, specifically looking at Tonks.

She nodded, but did not make eye contact with anybody in the room.

One Hour Later

When the meeting was over, Tonks got up quickly and was the first one into the hallway. As she made her way down and out the door, she could hear one pair of footsteps behind her.

"I'm not going to stay, Sirius."

"I'm not Sirius."

Tonks turned around swiftly, stumbling a bit on her feet as she turned.

"Oh…Remus, well goodnight to you."

"You aren't going to stay for dinner?" he asked, gesturing to the coat she carried on her arm.

"No," she replied, "I'm not."

"Does it have anything to do with—"

Tonks rolled her eyes. Clearly, she was in a sour mood, much unlike her usual self.

"Remus, I'm not going to put up with the staring. I had to deal with it at Hogwarts, and even worse, they tried to avoid me because they were afraid I would fall on them."

"And by they…you mean?"

"Some of the students."

"Well," he replied, "you will not get that from us."

Tonks sighed. "Look, I know that but…" She folded her arms, thinking of what to say. She hardly knew Remus and to just spit out her feelings would be ridiculous, but she did so anyway. "But I need my dignity in front of the order."

"Your dignity," he repeated. It was not a question, but an understanding. Tonks nodded in response as Remus took out a cigar and lit it.

"Your loss of control," he added, exhaling the smoke.

"An auror needs to have control of their own body."

Remus chuckled, "Funny…I thought we were doing quite well, you and I."

It hit Tonks, the reason why Remus chased her down. Neither of them could control their own bodies.

"I just hate it," she mumbled, "ever since I was little."

Remus smiled a bit. "Well, I think we should eat now and complain later. Are you free on Saturday evening?"

Tonks nodded, very surprised.

"Good," he answered curtly, "7 o'clock?"

She nodded again and did not say anything more. Remus motioned to the door, and with a little push, he was able to lead her back into the house. Tonks tripped on the welcome rug on the way in, but Remus was there to catch her.