And here it is. My promised One-shot that I told you all I was going to do as a thank you for all the continued support while I write 'Magic That Binds'. As I said this is a glimpse into what Remus and Tonks were talking about when Hermione walked in on them the morning she came back.

This CAN be read as a stand alone one-shot, so even if you haven't read my story that this is based on, that's cool.

And this has also not been beta'd, I'll eventually get there, but for now if you want to help me out and point things out, that would be appreciated.

Again thank you all SOOOOOO much for all the support and I hope you enjoy!

Remus was making toast. No—strike that. He was trying to make toast and his efforts were turning out to be a spectacular failure. He looked down at the two squares of offensive bread with a little growl. This was ridiculous. He was a grown wizard, had been a professor of magic at Hogwarts. How could he not master a simple Cooking Charm?

He was about to scrap his botched attempt at the culinary arts and start again when a delicious scent wafted through his nostrils, tickling his sensitive nose pleasantly. He immediately perked up and took another greedy inhale of the aroma that had been, as of lately, driving him crazy.

Honey suckles, leather, nail polish and amber…

Nymphadora.

Had he been a werecat instead of a werewolf he probably would have purred, as embarrassing as that confession was. His cheeks flushed a little at the thought, and he wondered for the millionth time what was wrong with him. His entire world was being flipped upside down by a mere slip of a girl and he was fighting a losing battle trying to stop it.

He found himself stealing glimpses of her whenever he could. Sitting by her in Order meetings just to feel the warmth of her body heat against the side of his arm, searching his mind for any joke he could think of just to hear her bubbling laughter, and opening doors for her just so he could see that pretty blush.

He was consumed with thoughts of his witch—no the witch. Tonks wasn't his. He had to remember that. She would never be his. Why should she be? She, a young witch in her prime, beautiful, funny, likable. And him. What was he but a washed up werewolf with no job, no name for himself, and no prospects?

His inner wolf itched at his brain in irritation, and he roughly shook his head to clear it. Damn the full moon. It was only three days away and he could already feel his wolf pushing to get out. It was a problem that was only amplified when a certain metamorphagus was around him. It was yet another reason why he needed to keep his distance. The last thing he wanted was for his overly aggressive wolfy side to hurt her. He would never forgive himself if that happened.

He took another deep breath. She was right behind him now, and from the utter silence that had taken over the kitchen, he knew she was trying to catch him off guard, to beat the predator at his own game. Silly witch…

"It's rude to sneak up on people," he said, a flirtatious and teasing tone had entered his bland statement before he could get a hold on his tongue.

"Oh, come on!" Tonks exclaimed, clearly displeased. Remus turned around and watched her throw her hands up in exasperation. He couldn't keep the satisfied smile at bay, as her face scrunched up in annoyance.

Merlin, she's cute when she's mad. She made such a perfect picture with her bright, pink hair and leather-studded jewelry. Normally the punk look wasn't something that attracted Remus but on her it just looked so…Tonks, that he just didn't care.

One of her tiny fingers poked his chest and her brown eyes stared at him in accusation, the color of the irises changing to a fiery red. "How on Earth did you know I was there this time!? I did everything perfectly!"

Remus tapped his nose, his smile still as big as ever. "Werewolf, remember? Even if I can't see or hear you, I can still smell you," he informed her.

She huffed, sticking out her tongue at him. "Well, that's not fair. How am I supposed to get around smell? There's no spell or potion to temporarily get rid of your scent."

"But there is one to dull it down so most magical creatures can't pick up on it, save the occasional Dragon or Crup."

Tonks took another step towards him, and jabbed him in his side playfully. "Well then, you gotta show me, oh wise one. Do your professorly duties."

"Technically I'm not a professor anymore," he replied.

So close…gods she was so close. His hands gripped the counter to stop himself from grabbing the witch and burying his face in her sweet, bare neck…that would look so much better marked. With his mark. Made by his teeth.

He shuddered at the mental picture of imprints in the shape of his teeth permanently painting the little dip between her neck and shoulder. A pleased growl nestled in his chest, but he pressed it down, shaking his head again. Damn this moon!

Get a hold of yourself Remus. No biting, no marking, no nothing. You'll scare her away if you don't get control.

"Once a professor, always a professor, Remus. So are you going to teach me the spell or what?" The witch stared at him with big, pleading eyes. Her bottom lip pushed out in an adorable pout that brought a burning blush to his cheeks. Yeah, like I can really say no to that.

"Sure," he croaked, cleared his throat, and then repeated himself in a more confident voice. "Sure."

The smile she gave him made his stomach flip.

"Awesome!" Tonks leaned forward to give him a hug, and a fresh wave of her scent covered him like a blanket. His mind clouded from the olfactory bliss and his hands immediately came to her waist, holding the younger woman to him. His head leaned forward, and his nose dived into her fragrant hair. Merlin she smelled good. He unconsciously pulled her closer. He was drowning in her scent, and he wanted more, needed more.

His nose skimmed through her hair, traveling down until it could trail along the column of her neck. Her pulse was beating hypnotically and his mouth watered to taste it. Just a small taste.

God you smell so good…

"Um, thanks." Nymphadora's gasped words had him blinking down at her.

"What?" he asked, his head still woozy.

"You said I smelled good…sooooo…thanks," she responded, looking away from him at some point over his shoulder. Her entire face was flushed red.

"I did?" he asked, finally snapping out the daze that had fogged his brain up and realizing exactly how close they were and just where his hands had landed.

He dropped his arms immediately, taking a healthy step back. Oh fuck, she must think I'm some lecherous old man. She'll never want to talk to me again. He quickly tried to salvage the situation.

"I don't know what came over me. It was inexcusable—"

Nymphadora's face became redder and redder. "No, really, it's okay."

Remus shook his head. "No, I mean it. I'm sorry about that. I must be more tired than I thought."

The pink in her hair dulled a bit, and she looked away, a frown pulling at her mouth.

Damn, she must be really mad at me. Come on, Remus. Try to make it right.

Scooping up her hands, he peered down at her earnestly. "Please," he said. "Forgive me, Nymphadora."

Tonks released a tired sigh, then smiled wryly at him. "Fine, you're forgiven, but only if you never use that horrible name again."

"What?" He stared at her, utterly confused.

She rolled her eyes at him. "Nymphadora," she clarified. "I hate that name. Don't know what Mum was thinking sacking me with that one. It's horrendous!"

"No it's not. I like your name," he assured her. He loved it, in fact. It was unique, strong, beautiful, just like her.

Tonks looked at him as if he were sporting two heads. "Are you nuts? It's ghastly. Why would you like a name like Nymphadora?"

"Because it's your name." The words popped out of his mouth without a second thought.

Tonks stared at him, both touched and shocked. "Well," she finally said, stepping closer to him with a warm, impish smile. "Aren't you the regular charmer?"

Remus swallowed. "I um…"

A slender finger appeared in front of his face and pressed against his lips. Tonks smiled at him brightly and leaned up on her tiptoes to press a chaste kiss to his lips. "For what it's worth, I like your name too. It's very distinguished. But if you must use my first name, then call me Dora, at least."

"Dora," he tested the name on his lips and found that he liked it. "I'm afraid breaking up my name doesn't yield nearly as pleasant results."

"That's ok." She winked at him. "I'll just have to think up a different nickname for you."

"Sirius and James used to call me Moony," he offered, because he found he really liked the idea of this witch being so familiar with him.

"Nah, I'm going to have to think up something new, something fresh just between you and me."

"Alright," he whispered. He liked that idea even more. A nickname just for him, shared between just them. It was nice, intimate. Remus smiled down at her and allowed himself to lean into her body, soaking up her warmth. He would castigate himself for this moment of weakness later. Right now he was too happy to care.

And cue Hermione walking in and interrupting this fabulous moment.

Alright, that's it for now. Thanks again for reading and check out the pic that inspired this one, 'Magic That Binds', if you haven't already.

As always, ~please review!