Nymphadora Tonks shook out her damp bubble-gum pink hair, ignoring the droplets of rain falling from the ends. Standing at the steps of Grimmauld Place, she peered at the iron-clad door. She traced her finger along a spiral pattern engraved on the cold metal, while muttering an incantation that Dumbledore told her, under her breath. Stepping back, the door silently swung open, revealing a dark, dingy hallway.

Tonks took a cautious step into the hall, lugging a giant purple suitcase behind her, groaning with the effort. Tonks would have like someone from the Order to come with her, maybe her friends like Emmiline or Hestia, but they were all away on assignment. Now that the Death Eaters have gone into a search for something to do with a prophecy, the Aurors have been working full-time. But Kingsley did mention that a bloke named Remus Lupin would be staying at Grimmauld Place, too. Tonks finally managed to sort out her messy appearance, and peered into the dim hallway. The wind caused the door to suddenly slam shut, triggering a rapid torrent of screaming from somewhere in the darkness.

"Filthy mudbloods and traitors prancing about in the house of my fathers! Muggles and oh-so-high wizards tainting the noble blood of my ancestors!"

"Shut-up!"

Tonks pointed her wand at the still-screaming picture hanging on a wall, shutting the pair of curtains, effectively silencing the stern looking woman. Luckily Kingsley had warned her about what to expect, what with Sirius' mother. Shaking her head, Tonks turned to head up the long flight of stairs. Unfortunately, the wheels of her suitcase caught on the bottom step, and the cover flew open, spilling its contents everywhere. Tonks swore loudly.

"Ugh, you stupid good-for-nothing piece of –"

"Need some help with that?"

Tonks looked up to see a tall, brown-haired man standing at the top of the staircase. Though dressed in a torn and shabby coat, he looked as if he was trying hard not to smile. His hair had streaks of gray, though his face held an ageless quality; a sort of sadness was etched in it, but he also had a twinkle in his eyes. Tonks found herself staring slightly open-mouthed, then blushed and looked back down at the mess.

"Oh yes, please," she said.

Coming down, the man chuckled softly, "Welcome to Grimmauld Place. You've met Sirius' mother." He indicated the picture on the wall. "I'm Remus Lupin by the way," he added.

"Nymphadora Tonks, trained Auror, but I prefer to be called Tonks," she grinned.

Remus merely let out a small laugh. "Here, let me help you with that."

Pulling out a wand from inside his coat, he waved it over the scattered objects still on the floor, muttering a spell under his breath. Everything flew neatly into the open trunk and it neatly snapped shut.

"Thanks," Tonks said pulling out her own wand. "I got it from here." Flicking her wand, she pointed it at her luggage. "Locomotor Trunk."

The suitcase obediently hovered in mid-air, and Tonks gently guided it to the second bedroom on the left. Pleased that she hadn't messed anything else up, she turned back to Remus, who was watching her with interest.

"So, when did you get here Remus?" she asked him.

Leaning against the wall, he replied, "Oh just a few days ago. Dumbledore asked me to look over the place while Sirius is away. I was going to go down to the kitchen for a cup of tea, when I hear the portrait screaming away again."

Tonks laughed, "What a welcome,"

"Well, hopefully I can give you a better first impression. Care to join me?"

"Sure, I'd love to," Tonks grinned.

Maybe staying in this cold and drafty house wouldn't be as bad as she first thought.