Chapter 1: Meeting each other

Remus's P.O.V

I finally arrive. Even thought it seems selfish and everything, I am rather happy the Order reformed because now I will actually have something to do! I don't remember the last time I had a proper job after leaving Hogwarts.

I have no idea how Dumbledore expects everyone to understand Sirius's innocence. Sirius just left me to get the house ready. I do hope everything is all right…

As soon as I memorize Dumbledore's note and think about it, the house appears and I enter. The grim atmosphere can be felt immediately. Everyone is sitting rather tense at the table in the basement and all eyes are on Sirius. I sit down next to him after giving a short "Good evening".

They all seem like waiting for something, or someone. Then the door bursts open and Mad-Eye comes in along with a tall and imposing wizard and a young witch with pink hair. They sit down at the remaining places.

"Before we start, I'd like to announce the arrival of two new Order members." Dumbledore begins Kingsley Shacklebolt." He gestures towards the wizard and we all applaud. I suddenly remember the time I was appointed a teacher. "And Nymphadora Tonks. And of course, Bill Weasly!"

She smiles as again we applaud.

"Thank you, Professor, but it's simply Tonks!" she says kindly.

"You don't like your first name?" Snape asks slyly. I have a feeling he's going to use her first name only.

"I do prefer my surname, Snape!" she replies bitterly.

"So, first of all, you may have noticed Sirius Black here. He is innocent! The real killer of the Muggles and betrayer of the Potters is Peter Pettigrew. No, he is not dead! He transformed into a rat and lived by the name of Scabbers in Ronald Weasley's possession!" continues Dumbledore.

Molly gasps shocked. I needn't have worried. This brief explanation was enough to convince everyone. They all looked relived and smile at Sirius in apology. He smiles back.

"Furthermore, I also deeply trust Severus Snape!"

Not everyone agrees, but we all keep quiet. Dumbledore we must trust.

"Now about the war…" he finally officially starts the meeting.

Tonks's P.O.V

When it's all over, I decide I need to apologize to Sirius. But there's a huge crowd around him. It seems everyone had the same idea.

"Coming, Tonks? We need to go back to the Ministry! Says Mad-Eye, rather harsh, like his usual self.

"I can't leave now!" I reply. "Not until I apologize!"

Mad-Eye simply snorted. "You can do that another day! In case you haven't noticed, there are other people who have your idea!"

"He's my cousin, Mad-Eye!" I hiss.

All of a sudden, Sirius appears at my side smiling. He must have heard me.

"So you're Andromeda's daughter!" he says delighted. "She was my favorite cousin. Her sisters are…uh…" he shudders.

'I think I speak for both myself, but especially for my mother when I say I'm sorry we thought you were a terrible criminal!" I confess.

"It's all right! Everyone thought that! Even Remus, my old friend here-"he gestures to a shabby man who is examining some papers. Sirius pulls him towards us.

"This is Remus, by the way!"

We shake hands and I feel sudden warmth in mine.

"As I was saying," Sirius continues. "Even Remus, my old friend, my best mate, the one who had fun with James and I…and that bloody coward traitor, thought I was the worst person alive!"

Remus just rolls his eyes, looking amused.

"Well, the Ministry had pretty convincing evidence against you!"

He is talking to Sirius and yet his eyes are on me. Somehow that is weird and nice at the same time…Also; I can't make any sense of it. I just smile in agreement.

"Couldn't have put it better!" I pause before I add, "I do have a question, Sirius.."

"Sure, what is it?"

Somehow, I don't know how to phrase it. "Well," I begin, "since Pettigrew spent twelve years disguised as a rat, he must be an unregistered Animagus. And so are you. Also, you were friends…Is it a coincidence?"

Sirius grins and turns to address Remus. He has begun walking away slowly, his face suddenly pale.

"I think this is your story to tell, mate!" he pushes Remus forward and then leaves to talk to Mad-Eye who is sitting annoyed, waiting for me.

Remus is tense and looks at the floor.

"Story?" I ask him. "Ok, now I'm curious!"

Remus's P.O.V

I'm going to kill Sirius! He can't possibly make me tell Tonks what I am! He knows I can't! And he knows she probably won't ever want to talk to me again! But all the Order know anyway and she might find out from them…I don't know what's worse; me telling her, or her finding out from some one else…

"I'm listening..." she says and I force myself to look her in the eye.

"Well…you see…" I begin unsurely.

"It's all right if you don't want to tell me!" she says understandingly.

"I do want to tell you, but I just don't know how!" I say." But you have to promise you won't laugh, grimace, be scared or disgusted!"

Her expression is blank. I bet this is the last thing she expected to hear. But I want her word that she won't react nastily.

"Why should I be disgusted?" she asks confused.

I smile humorlessly. "Oh, you'll see!"

She just blinks and stares.

"Look, if you want to hear the story, you must swear you won't-"

"Fine!" she says almost annoyed. "I promise I won't… do anything listed above! Happy?"

"Yeah!" I say truthfully. Everyone in the Order has accepted me. Why shouldn't she? I guess I'm just scared to be rejected by someone who seems to genuinely appreciate me…

"Well, it isn't a coincidence Peter and Sirius are unregistered Animagi…James was one too- a stag..."

"And so are you?" she tries to guess.

"No, although I'd prefer to be one. They all became Animagi just to keep me company during full moon and I can never thank them enough!"

"So you're a werewolf?" she asks.

I nod. I wasn't that bad after all!

"Wow, I wish I had your friends!" she says smiling.

And all of a sudden I begin telling her everything about my friends and school days and our adventures at full moon… I keep expecting her to make fun of me, but instead she smiles. She looks pretty when she smiles…

"That does sound like fun!" she says.

Right then, Mad-Eye storms into the room. I realize now that we are the only ones there. Tonks whispers a "Good bye!" and leaves before Mad-Eye can explode.