Summary: Lupin Tonks, Weasleys, Black. Remus and Tonks serve as an escort to Hogsmeade.

Author Notes: Occurs during Order of the Phoenix at the beginning of the summer. This relies on the physical features of Lupin as presented in the PoA movie. Written Aug 13, 2004. Disclaimer: The characters belong to JK Rowling. The story was written for the pleasure of playing with her characters.

SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

MADAM PUDDIFOOT'S

"Pleeeease, Mum. This is the only time I'll be able to see him until school starts," pleaded Ginny Weasley. She was standing between Hermione and Ron as she made her case for the slight detour on their trip to Hogsmeade. Harry Potter's birthday was coming up and his friends wanted to get chocolates from Honeyduke's. Lupin and Tonks were to escort the young Weasleys, but Ginny had another purpose for the trip.

Molly Weasley looked exasperated. "Ginny, dear, we don't have a lot of time to waste at Hogsmeade. Besides, I'm not sure I like your meeting this boy."

Ginny then grabbed Hermione's hand and said, "If you're worried, Hermione can be my chaperone. Or Ron," she added as she grabbed her brother's hand, completely ignoring the chagrin that appeared on both of their faces. Ginny finally added, "Or both of them could come with me!"

Molly exchanged a look with Arthur as he entered the hallway with Lupin and Tonks. He asked his wife, "What's all the commotion?"

"Ginny wants to stop for tea at Madam Puddifoot's so that she can meet her boyfriend. Er, and she wants Hermione and Ron to go with her," added Molly with a wink to her husband.

Arthur leaned in to inspect Molly's eye until she stepped on his toe and said, "So do you think it would be a good idea for Ron and Hermione to go with Ginny to Madam Puddifoot's?"

Arthur looked at his hapless son who was even now struggling to get away from his sister's clutches. The boy was utterly clueless about the setup, so what harm could it do?

"I think we can afford a little splurge. We could rehash some fond memories, Molly."

Molly broke into a sentimental smile and sniffed, "Oh, Arthur, how romantic! That would be wonderful."

"What do you say we all do tea at Madam Puddifoot's? Fred and George already took the floo to Zonko's where Bill is meeting them, so it will just be us. Any objections from the Order?"

"We'll need to confer, Arthur," said Tonks as she pulled Lupin aside. She looked over her shoulder at the Weasleys one last time, then asked, "Ever been there?"

"Thankfully, no, we only spied on James and Lily through the window." Lupin smiled as he added, "James had to keep kissing Lily to distract her from our antics. You?"

"Went there on my first date, then got banned from the place by Madam Puddifoot herself on my second date." Lupin merely quirked an eyebrow, so Tonks explained, "Broken heart, broken crockery."

"She didn't appreciate the metaphor, I take it?"

"Yeah, but I learned to handle rejection much better. I just broke the bloke who broke my heart." Tonks gave Lupin an evil grin, oddly reminiscent of Sirius, who was sulking upstairs.

"I'll try to handle your heart with care, then," said Lupin as he remembered Mad Eye Moody's advice to never hook up with a witch who was an Auror. He could only feel relief at not having to enter the teahouse, though. "So, Madam Puddifoot is out."

Tonks turned to look at Ginny Weasley one last time. "Ah, Remus, look at those puppy dog eyes she's making. We can't say no."

"Yes, we can, we're the adults here," said Lupin stubbornly. Sirius would never let him hear the end of it if the stepped foot into Madam Puddifoot's, regardless of the reason. "Besides, you've been banned from the premises."

"I was planning on morphing anyway. I've got just the thing," said Tonks, turning on her own puppy dog look. "I'm willing to offer a chocolate bribe for your cooperation."

"You fight dirty, Tonks," replied Lupin.

Tonks and Lupin approached the Weasleys. Tonks announced, "There shouldn't be a problem. Madam Puddifoot's will be our first stop."

"But, Mum, I don't want to go! Why can't I floo over to Zonko's?" said Ron as he twisted out of Ginny's grasp. He dashed around his sister to make his escape, but Crookshanks landed in front of him and arched his back with a hiss. Before he knew it, Hermione had grabbed the back of his jumper.

"Oh, no, Ronald Weasley. If I'm being forced to set foot in that frivolous place, then you're going, too," hissed Hermione.

- - - - - - - - -

An elderly woman was stepping out of the fireplace at Madam Puddifoot's and accepted the arm the tall man offered her. She spoke in a high nasal tone. "Oh, my sweet ickle Johnikins! How you have grown!"

"Watch your step, Auntie Nyms. We don't want you to stumble; it would be bad for your brittle bones."

The old woman threw her blue shawl over her shoulder and the edge flicked the man on his nose. He was sure it was deliberate. Still, she leaned into him and pointed, saying, "That table in the corner will be fine."

Lupin led her to the table, pulled out a chair for her and took his own. Curly silver hair framed her heart shaped face, but her eyes twinkled with youth. Tonks leaned across the table and pinched his cheek as she added, "You're such a darling nephew.

Lupin caught her hand before she did something like tweak his ear. He patted her head gently with his other hand and said, "All due to your wonderful influence, but right now, let's get you some tea before you snooze off on me."

Lupin gave their order while Tonks replied. "You just want to make sure I have the energy to take you to Honeyduke's to get you some chocolate."

"Guilty as charged, Auntie Nyms, but your sweet company is all the reward I need." Lupin's eyes scanned the tables and followed Molly and Arthur to where they sat in the opposite corner. Ron, Hermione and Ginny sat at a table along the wall between both corners and were soon joined by Ginny's boyfriend.

"I remember you'd do anything for chocolate when you were just a wee cub. Oh, and how you'd howl if I ran out! The commotion was just beastly," prattled Tonks. She had closed her eyes and could actually imagine a little wolf cub wagging his tail at her with one little fang showing in his mouth.

"Funny how some things never change," said Lupin with a smile as he imagined a wolf cub snatching the blue shawl in his teeth and running off with it. But then his brain registered the decor of Puddifoot's this summer. Nymphs, nyads, beautiful maidens and classic heroes were all flitting across the painted wall. Occasionally, a silvery powder would sprinkle onto the patrons from the ceiling.

Arthur and Molly seemed to be lost in some old memory as they sat there holding hands and staring at each other. Lupin observed, "Look at Molly and Arthur. I swear I can see stars in their eyes."

"It's the effect of the Starlight Spell. See the silvery dust falling on them?" replied Tonks who now spoke quietly in her normal voice. She looked over at the young ones and clucked her tongue. "Poor Ron! He's so gangly he can't help but bump into Hermione."

They watched as Ron moved his long legs to keep from rubbing Hermione's ankles. But then he noticed their knees were touching, and wound up bumping his elbow into her as he shifted again. Somehow he settled into this odd posture with part of his body sideways while still trying to hold a conversation with Hermione about the virtue of quidditch over teahouses.

"That's going to hurt when he stands up," Lupin said in sympathy. The rather delicate chairs were not designed for tall men. He had stretched his own legs to the side under the table, but felt Tonks leaning her legs against him. "You know, this place really is a chamber of horrors. What do women see in it?"

"Why it's the enchanting decorations! Aren't they adorable?"

Lupin threw a stern look her way as he said, "They all seem to be from classical Greek mythology, muggle style. You've got Pan dancing above your head."

Tonks turned around only to have the satyr bleat into his pipes to send her ear ringing. Tonks raised her wand and cackled, "Be quiet, you little blighter, or I'll cut off your horns."

"Don't get your temper up, Auntie Nyms. It's not good for your heart," reminded Lupin.

The satyr trotted away in a snit and glided across the wall to disturb Ron and Hermione who were soon trying to hold a conversation with their hands over their ears.

Their tea appeared and as Tonks was taking a sip, she looked above Lupin's head and sputtered on her drink.

"Having fits again, Auntie Nyms?"

"Above you," said Tonks with a chuckle of delight. "You'll never guess."

"Oh, no, don't tell me." Lupin was thinking of how Sirius had compared him to Artemis the other night.

Tonks was nodding enthusiastically, so Lupin turned to look over his head. Sure enough, there was Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, frolicking about the forest with a bow strapped over her shoulder while a full moon illuminated the background. The white tunic was practically gleaming with virginity.

"You planned this, didn't you? You chose this table deliberately," said Lupin.

Her eyes were wide and innocent. "It was subconscious obviously. I swear it had nothing to do with Sirius comparing you to Artemis. And the decorations are supposed to inspire young men into spontaneously spouting poetry for their lady love."

Lupin looked skeptical. "How can you create a sonnet when you're gagging at the environment?"

"Just focus on the woman, of course. So, come on, let's see what you can do," challenged Tonks.

Lupin looked at her twinkling eyes and was inspired. "Er, yes." He coughed into his hand once, then proceeded. "The moon was booked to appear in this poem, but due countless appearances in teahouses and haiku, I'll have problems conveying my affection for you. The moon is quite delighted with the interest shown by painters and writers and people alone. But at the last minute NASA phoned and bumped up the residuals, so your poem's been postponed. I'm sorry."

Tonks was laughing as she rolled her eyes and said, "No wonder you're a bachelor."

"I thought it was due to my short heart line," replied Lupin.

As they settled for another sip of tea, they watched Ron and Hermione who were now engaging in synchronous movements to avoid being sprinkled by the Starlight Spell that had overtaken their companions.

"Oooh, they do bob rather nicely together. I bet they'd be a good dance partners," observed Tonks.

"They do seem to have a good rhythm going," agreed Lupin as he watched them dodge to the left, then to the right, then lean forward before sitting back, all in an effort to avoid the twinkling dust.

Tonks eyes flicked to the figure of Artemis who now stood between the two of them on the wall. The silver haired beauty froze in a rather elegant pose where she was poised to run. With a mischievous gleam in her eye, Tonks said, "You know, you'd look quite spiffy in a white tunic."

"Right, it's a full moon; I'd be a werewolf. What does one do with the tail, I ask you?"

Tonks joined in his chuckle and said, "Ah, but I can get rid of the full moon and make it a half moon," she said as she gave a light flick of her wand, "so you'd have to be human."

Lupin and Artemis both looked up at the half moon, then at each other. "She's too perky in the wrong places and far too short."

Artemis seemed offended by this remark, but before the figure could string and arrow and shoot it at Lupin, Tonks flicked her wand again. "There, that's better."

Tonks had removed the perky bits and Artemis now had Lupin's face with silver hair while his long body was clothed in a tunic that came just above the knee. The Lupined Artemis seemed to be trying to find pockets for putting hands into.

"Oh, I think I like you in a tunic. Long legs, slender neck, now if you'd just turn around and frolic off," said Tonks, clearly enjoying teasing her companion.

Lupin waved his wand quickly and Artemis assumed the form of Tonks with silver hair. She stood there in a tunic that came to mid-thigh. The Tonked Artemis patted herself and looked quite merry at the return of her perky bits.

Lupin smiled. "Now I think this is better."

The Tonked Artemis decided to run away from these dastardly wizards who were playing with her form, but instead of a graceful exit, managed to stumble and provide her audience with a view of a trim derriere encased in pumpkin colored nickers.

"Did I make an impression on you, Remus?" whispered Tonks as she turned the poor, embarrassed figure back into the proper Artemis who promptly bounded away. Tonks referred to an incident where she had been too sleepy to realize she was flashing Lupin.

"Absolutely," responded Lupin, but now his attention turned to the window. There staring at them with his tongue hanging lop-sided out of his mouth was a large black dog. He seemed to tilt his nose up at them before walking away.

Tonks whispered, "That was Snuffles! I thought he was going to stay put."

Lupin shook his head. "Sirius has spent a lot of time hiding out in Hogsmeade. He knows this area better than anyone, so it's not as risky as being seen in London. Still, we better escort the Weasleys to Honeyduke's and then chase him down."

TBC

Author Notes: Lupin's poem is a variation of Love Poem by David Thewlis. You can find a copy of the whole thing at David Thewlis Online, among other places. I thought it fit Remus/Tonks in this situation.

I was too lazy to look up who Ginny might be seeing at this time, so the boy remains unnamed.

I should post the next and final chapter within the week. Tonks and Lupin catch up with Snuffles at the Shrieking Shack.

Thanks for taking the time to review, but I appreciate just that fact that anyone is reading the stories.

This is another story in the developing relationship between Tonks and Remus, but can be read as a stand alone. If you want the others, just click on Queriusole, and it will take you the others.