Disclaimer: I do not own or tend to profit off this fanfiction piece. All the characters and storylines are inspired by the Harry Potter series. So all the rights should be given to JK Rowling and WB (although I hated how they pretty much edited out Tonks/Remus storyline)

Synopsis of the story: This story is Remus/Tonks fanfiction, (and possibly Sirius/Remus friendship, IDK yet). The story takes place during the fifth novel and this is my interpretation at how the relationship between Tonks and Remus initiated. The story entails how the budding romance began; specifically it shows how much Remus was afraid to open up to Tonks, but some how he allows her in, but is love enough for these two?

Chapter 1 Tired

It was the last day that students were going to be at number twelve Grimmauld place before they headed to Hogwarts. Although no one dare mention it, everyone in the Order knew that it was dark times they were facing, and that these so-called kids were going to face much more than the average teenager should have to face.

"Are you okay?" Remus walked up to a nervous Sirius.

"Yes… and no." Sirius whispered, "I don't want him to go Remus. I want him to stay. If anything happened to him, and I was not there… How would I ever forgive myself?"

"Don't think like that Sirius."

"These are mad times? We are just going to sit on asses and pretend that these kids are safe?"

"Be honest with yourself…"

"What are you playing at?" Sirius said frustrated. Remus couldn't imagine being stuck in this house all day, and it would only be natural for Sirius to want company.

"I mean what are you real motives? Do you think you are being a bit selfish and just want Harry to stay?" Remus's words did not come out as quite as he hoped, and quite frankly, he sounded like a jerk to Sirius.

"Are we all well over here?" A young loud voice crept into the conversation, "Whatcha whispering about?"

"Not now Tonks!" Sirius said firmly, as he misguided his anger towards her. Obviously knowing that it was best for him to leave, Sirius muttered, "I am going to say goodbye to my Godson, unless it'll be too selfish of me?"

"What's wrong with him? Bit mental, isn't he?" Tonks said after Sirius walked off.

"Nothing, he'll be fine."

"Are you okay?" Tonks said.

"Me, I'm fine." Lupin said robotically.

"You don't look fine?"

"Er… Just tired I guess." Remus mumbled. The truth was that he had never been so tired in his entire life. Balancing his lycanthropy and the Order was much more difficult than most people would expect. But he refused to admit that was worn out or needed a break. He had very little friends, and the last thing he wanted was to let them down.

"Stressfully job, isn't it?" Tonks murmured.

"Hmm." Lupin, said not really listening to her until she said, "You know, no one would blame you if you wanted to take a break." Tonks suggested kindly.

"Who do you think you are?" Remus felt so insulted. "Look, I don't even know why you are here. You were barely a child during the first war. Look at you now! You are still a child. Who do you think you are telling me that I'm tired?"

"Blimely, Remus. I was just making an observation, and trying to talk to you. Like an adult. You don't think the others can see that you're tired? We are all tired! There no need to deny it! And I don't appreciate you judging me. You don't even know me."

"No offense, but you are a kid. You don't think the others can't see that. Changing your hair, playing puppets with the kids, and stumbling around. You think you should be a bit more serious? I bet you don't even know what we are fighting over."

"Piss off why don't you?" Tonks said frustrated and walked off.

Her walking off, however, only proved his point that Tonks was emotionally unbalanced.

Before Lupin could figure out what to do next, he felt a strong firm hand gripping him from behind.

"Lupin," Moody's deep voice spoke. "Why don't you take the night off?"

"That's okay."

"I'm sorry, if that sounded like a suggestion. It was more of an order."

"I'm fine." Remus insisted, hoping that Moody didn't overhear his conversation with Tonks.

"A rested mind is a focused mind."

But before Lupin could set up a defense, Moody scurried out of the hallway. Why did he need to take the night off? Yes, at times his lycanthropy could drain the life out of him, but he was able make it work. Was what Tonks said was true? Where the others looking poorly on him?

Chapter 2 preview: Tonks and Remus have another argument at the breakfast table, but does Remus get more afraid because their conversation hits close to the heart?