Author's Note: I was minding my own business, listening to my iPod while waiting for my next class to start when I heard the song "Don't Stand So Close" by Sting. It was then that this plot bunny bit me. I hope you enjoy it—and please review!

Disclaimer: I don't see why some people insist I put these here. It's a fanfiction site—everyone knows I will never own Harry Potter, and I highly doubt Jo will come on here and say "Hey, she didn't put a disclaimer! I'm going to sue her!" Not gunna happen.


Don't Stand So Close

Chapter One

He sighed long as he ran a hand through his already messy chestnut hair. Leaning back and yawning, he rubbed his eyes, noting that the bags were becoming less noticeable. The first day and he was already exhausted.

"I don't know that I'm ready for this," he said to himself, as he continued to scribble on his parchment, taking note of which students were struggling.

"Professor McGonagall insists that speaking to oneself points towards lunacy," said a voice from the door.

Looking up, the young professor smiled.

"Yes, well, we all know I'm not the sanest of people, Headmaster," he replied with a slight grin. The Headmaster made his way across the room until he reached a student desk at the front of the class, where he took a seat, pressing the tips of his fingers together as if in deep thought.

"I suppose that makes us equals, then," Professor Dumbledore concluded.

"Is there something that you wanted, Professor?" Remus inquired, confused. "I mean—not to be rude sir—its just that—"

"Only to invite you to join me in the kitchens for a nice cup of tea," Professor Dumbledore chuckled at the young man's awkwardness.

"I don't know that I should, Professor." Remus replied, standing up and gesturing towards the piles of in-class assignments that he had yet to grade. Dumbledore, looking over both shoulders, leaning forward and placing both palms on Remus's desk, lowered his voice in a tone of secrecy.

"Remus, my boy, take it from this old experienced teacher," he whispered, and Remus found himself leaning in, caught up in the intrigue. "It's better to take a break now and then when grading papers. Besides, it won't kill the students to wait one more day before seeing their grade." Dumbledore finished with a wink and a smile and turning, he made his way to the door. Remus smiled. That was the Dumbledore he had known and admired as a young lad. Putting his briefcase down, he followed the Headmaster down to the kitchens.

-&-

"But really Professor—wouldn't you prefer a more qualified instructor to substitute this term?" Remus Lupin inquired of his old Headmaster as they enjoyed the comfortable warmth of the Hogwarts kitchen and the sweet taste of their tea.

"Such as?" Dumbledore said with a little smirk. Remus thought for a moment before answering.

"I don't know. But I don't know that I'm ready for the responsibilities of teaching so many bright young students, either." Dumbledore paused between sips; his long fingers holding his cup as he pondered this new substitute over his teacup.

"I've done private tutoring for less fortunate wizarding families plenty of times, yes," Remus continued, slightly put out by his old Headmaster's silence. "But to be responsible for so many students…and with my condition…I'm unsure about it all." Dumbledore continued to stare, his eyes twitching slightly giving him a bit of a mad look.

"My dear Professor," he spoke at last. "It is not as if I am asking you to remain as permanent staff. It is only a few months. And beside, what else do you have to be doing?"

Remus sat in silence for a few moments, but finally shook his head.

"I suppose you're right, Professor." He concluded.

"Of course I am," Dumbledore smiled. "You need a good challenge anyway. You were beginning to get a bit dull."

"I say—" Remus started indignantly.

"Now there's the adventurous lad I used to know."

"…Yes, sir. I'm up to the challenge."

-&-

Remus sighed as the door closed and the last student exited the classroom. He finally had time for some peace and quiet, some time to collect his thoughts—and wits. He rested his head in his hands, and closed his eyes.

He awoke with a start, looking up at the person who woke him from his sleep. It was Nymphradora Tonks, the young with violet eyes.

"Professor Lupin," she started, shyly. Remus rubbed his eyes, trying to chase away the sleep.

"What can I do for you Miss Tonks?" He asked as he began straightening up his desk.

"I go by Tonks," the smiled, showing her white teeth. "Just Tonks, please."

"All right, what can I do for you Tonks?" Remus smiled, closing his briefcase.

"I'd like to get into your advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Professor," said Tonks, sitting down on the top of the desk behind her.

"Right then," said Remus, sitting back down at his desk and taking out a form. "Now what have you grades been like in your previous DADA classes?" Tonks paused before answering.

"Not exactly…great, sir," she admitted, looking down at her lap.

"Right," Professor Lupin looked up from the form he'd been filling out. "Not great, but good enough to transfer into the advanced class?" Again, Tonks paused before answering.

"Not exactly," she repeated, looking rather flustered.

"What does 'not exactly' mean, Miss Tonks," Remus asked, confused.

"I'm a horrible klutz, Professor," Tonks managed to say, blushing an awful shade of red. "I've only just passed most of my Defense Against the Dark Arts exams, and I don't have the grades I need to get into the advanced class. But if I don't, sir, I won't have the chance to get all the NEWTS I need."

"Why do you need a DADA NEWT, Miss Tonks?" Remus asked, trying to ignore the tears that were making their way down her porcelain cheek. For a moment he contemplated how in the world she kept her skin looking so healthy—then he remember who her mother was. Her mother, Andromeda Black, was gorgeous. He'd had a bit of a crush on her when he was younger, when he and Sirius used to go over to visit Sirius's cousin.

"I want to be an Auror, Professor," Tonks replied, pulling Remus from his thoughts. This seemed to strike a cord with the young teacher.

"Oh?"

"Yes. I'd kind of like to help clear my mother's name by showing the wizarding community that at least us Tonks aren't Voldemort's minions. You know, her being a Black and all."

Remus nodded.

"Then what can I do for you…Tonks?" He asked. Tonks smiled brightly, her violet eyes beaming.

"I was wondering if you could tutor me, Professor," Tonks suggested. "I know that if you told Professor Dumbledore that I had improved enough to be in your advanced class, he would listen to you."

"What makes you think that?" Remus asked, standing up to put some of the books that were lying on his desk into the bookshelf behind him.

"Because you're honest, and Dumbledore likes you," Tonks stated, folding her arms. Remus looked back at her. She seemed pretty confident in her assumptions, and he told her so.

"I don't know that Professor Dumbledore would approve of me giving private lessons to his students," Remus began. "I'm only a substitute until after the Christmas holidays. You'd have to run it by Professor Dumbledore."

"Oh," Tonks said thoughtfully. "Right." Remus continued cleaning up his desk, glancing up every now and then to look curiously at Tonks, who was looking bemusedly out the window.

"Erm," Remus spoke at last. "Don't you have some work to be doing, Miss Tonks?" Tonks' head shot up quickly, looking at Remus Lupin as if she had only just noticed he was there.

"Oh yes," she said, standing up fully. "Talk to you later, Professor Lupin."

She exited the room swiftly, a little embarrassed about the whole ordeal. Remus sighed in relief. He secretly hoped that Dumbledore would not approve their private lessons. He didn't need any more stress, and Nymphradora Tonks promised to bring a lot more stress into his life.

-&-

The next morning proved to be fresh and sunny, and Remus was in a surprisingly cheerful mood. He looked up happily at the enchanted ceiling as he ate his breakfast. The sun shone down through happy little clouds that looked as though there was very little chance of rain. He smiled and engaged Professor Flitwick in a conversation about a practical charm that Remus was having a little difficulty with.

"Oh, I think perhaps it is just your wand movement," Professor Flitwick said encouragingly. Remus thanked him and turned back to his breakfast. And then she called his name.

"Professor Lupin!" Tonks called, approaching him from the Hufflepuff table. Remus grimaced slightly as she stumbled, only just catching herself.

"Professor, I have this note from Professor Dumbledore," Tonks said with a smile, handing him the note. Remus looked up at her before reading it. She was looking at him expectantly, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

I, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, do hereby give Professor Remus J. Lupin permission to give private lesson in Defense Against the Dark Arts to Miss Nymphradora Tonks, so as she may qualify for the advanced class.

Remus looked at the signature almost mournfully. One more responsibility he didn't need. He looked up at Tonks again, whom stumbled slightly, but smiled at him.

"So when do we start?" she asked, scrunching up her nose. Her violet eyes were suddenly a dark brown. Remus looked at her, puzzled, blinking.

"Start what?" he asked stupidly. Tonks rolled her brown eyes.

"Our private lessons, of course," she laughed. Professors, she concluded, could be very strange at times.

"Yes," Remus said, remembering. "How about an hour before dinner? In the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom."

"Sounds fantastic," Tonks said. "See you there, Professor!" And with that she was gone. Remus shook his head in confusion. He knew that all s were a mystery, but Nymphradora Tonks was just downright…. Well, he couldn't place his finger on it, but whatever it was, that was what she was.