Tonks paced her bedroom, managing to fall only twice, a new record for her. Her hair was changing as new ideas ran through her head. Jet black when they were bad, Bright pink when they were good. But in the end, black ruled over them all because there was always a loophole.
She was trying to think of an idea of how to get Harry out of the Dursley's and over to the Weasley's without anyone noticing. Brooms were out of the question. Voldemort had spies everywhere who would see through that silly little spell that made you translucent. The invisibility cloak would fly right off his head! And the Floo Network? Get real. That was too closely watched over by the ministry (which was full of Voldemort's spies anyway). Harry couldn't apparate. And a sidelong apparation was dangerous, you never knew who was watching the spot where you were planning on appearing. It was obviously too far to walk.
What a dilemma. Tonks' thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. It made her think of the days when she left her door unlocked and just shouted for the person to come in. Times were too dangerous for that now.
She went to the door, tripping over the leg of the coffee table and bumping her head on the chair. "Who is it?" Tonks whispered cautiously as she rubbed her head.
"It's Remus."
Tonks' heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice, the blood rushed to the part of her head that was forming a bump. "Come in, Remus! Come in! You had me worried."
She opened the door and Remus walked in. "Why? Any unwanted visitors?" Remus asked just a bit too forcefully. Tonks liked his concern.
"No, it's just this time…"
"Aaahhh…yes, the feeling has come upon us all." Remus sighed, and then looked a little angry. "Why didn't you ask me a question only I would know the answer to? Everyone is supposed to Tonks, it's a safety precaution."
Tonks smiled at him. "Sorry, I was just excited to see you. I've been locked up in this house for days trying to figure out how to get Harry to the Burrow without anyone knowing."
"Yes…that is a problem." Remus's expression turned brighter. "I forgot! I brought you coffee!" Remus pulled out a bag from Starbuck's.
"Thanks, Remus! That's so sweet!"
Remus smiled weakly, "Well, in these troubled times, a little coffee could help us all."
"Right you are, my friend." Tonks said half laughing, half depressed.
They stared at the ground nervously for a while, waiting for the other to break the ice. Neither spoke up, figuring the other was thinking noble thoughts to rescue Harry. Tonks was thinking about Remus, about how he had that sad little smile that made her stomach twist. Why was he always so depressed anyway? He was a werewolf, and Dumbledore, the man who gave him the opportunity to be anything in the world, was dead, killed by one of Harry's teacher who was an enemy of Remus, but had actually helped Remus when Remus taught. Two of his best friends were murdered. The other turned to serve the man who killed another of his best friends and his best friend's wife, who also attempted to kill the couple's son. And had another follower who murdered the other. His life was so complicated. Tonks started to cry, silently at first, but Remus noticed, he had been watching her.
"Tonks? What's wrong?" Tonks only started crying harder. "Tonks, what's wrong?" Remus asked again. She started sobbing, way out of control.
"It's all so complicated! I don't understand! Nothing's ever simple."
"Nothing ever was simple." Remus said quietly.
Tonks continued to cry.
"Should I …erm…ask Molly to…ummm…come for a visit?"
"Oh, Remus! No, no, I'm so sorry!" Tonks said wiping her tears off on her sleeve.
Remus pulled a wad of tissues out of his pocket and handed them to Tonks. "Thanks Remmy." Remus looked confused. "Oh!" Tonks exclaimed, her cheeks turning redder every passing moment. Remmy was the name she called Remus in her own little fantasy world. Remus started to laugh. His laugh sounded unpracticed; like he hadn't done it in a long time. It made Tonks laugh too, even though she didn't know what she was laughing about.
"I like it," Remus said through his laughter, which was becoming louder and somehow firmer, "I like it a lot!" The ice was broken.
A little while later, Remus left, and Tonks was in a great mood. She went to go visit Kingsley Shacklebolt at the office.
"Hello, Kingsley! It's a lovely day isn't it?" Tonks said, soaking wet.
"Uuummm….I hate to tell you Tonks," Shacklebolt said looking at Tonks strangely, "But it is pouring rain."
"Really? I didn't notice," Tonks said nonchalantly as her hair made a puddle on the floor, which, in being her clumsy self, she almost tripped in.
Kingsley looked concerned. "Are you feeling quite alright Tonks? You don't even have work today."
Tonks giggled. "I know, I just thought I'd come to visit you!"
"Well…okay…I guess… Have you seen Remus lately?"
"Yes, I just saw him a while ago, he came to my place and-"
Kingsley looked relieved. "That explains it all."
Tonks was confused, but didn't lose her smile. "Explains what?"
"Explains the strange behavior."
"What strange behavior?"
"Tonks," Kingsley said slowly, "Surely you aren't so oblivious as to not know."
"I'm afraid I really don't know what you're talking a bout." Tonks said, smile faltering, being afraid that he did know. Kingsley gave her a look telling her to give it up. "Is it really that obvious?" Tonks asked quietly, who had by now turned white as a sheet.
"Yes." Kingsley said rather plainly, making Tonks think that he could have broken it to her gently. "But I'm sure Remus likes you too."
"I have to go home now." Tonks said, beginning to feel sick. "I don't think I'm feeling very well."
The last thing Tonks heard before apparating, was the sound of Kingsley laughing.
