A/N: Remus helps a clumsy Tonks as she stumbles out of the fireplace. Ronks because :D.
Submission for:
The Marauder's Era Competition: Round 2 - Your character falls in love with someone - Remus Lupin. Prompts: spinning, game, arched, wrap, golden
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Remus was sitting in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place with a mug of hot chocolate in one hand and the Prophet in the other. He always needed a nice pick-me-up as he read the swill Fudge was feeding the public. He treated this whole thing like it was just one big game, and Remus feared in the end, the Wizarding World would be the one losing.
He was just reading the caption under a photograph of Fudge speaking to Lucius Malfoy of all people when there was a loud clatter coming from the living room.
Remus rose from the table, placing his mug and newspaper down quickly and drawing his wand as he cautiously ran to investigate. What he hadn't expected was to see a spinning bubblegum-haired witch get caught up in the string of stockings on the mantle.
"Aah!" she screamed out as she fell onto the moth-eaten rug before the overgrown Christmas tree Sirius insisted we get 'to make the place more festive'.
Remus couldn't hold back the laughter as he watched the groaning Tonks wiggle on the floor like a worm, wearing the stockings like a wrap.
"When you're done laughing at my expense, you think you could me?" she snapped, her back arched awkwardly with what little wiggle-room she had.
Remus took a few deep calming breaths before he bent low and help to tug and separate the witch from the string of socks. "There we go," he said as he pulled her to her feet.
"Thanks, Remus," she said with a little smile, leaning slightly against him, her face just inches away from his. She was looking up at him expectantly, her eyes reflecting the golden fairy lights around the tree. On her skin, he could smell the scent of peppermint and earth. An unusual mixture but one that seem to fit the little pixie who wasn't afraid of getting her hands dirty.
"Ummm, you can let me go now," she said, her face slightly pink.
Remus jumped away from her, he himself almost slipping on the discarded stockings under their feet. "Apologies," he muttered as he dusted off the front of his robes.
Tonks giggled and picked up the string of stockings, "No harm done really."
Remus nodded and left the woman to replace the stocking on the mantle and resumed his seat at the table. His face still felt slightly hot, and he tugged at his collar nervously. He needed a drink.
He grabbed his mug and took a sip of the slightly cooled chocolate. Needed peppermint.