They argued so much. And no matter who started the argument, who threw the last taunt, no matter what they'd even been arguing over- she was always the one to apologize. She just felt so guilty.

Guilt was one of the things she just couldn't live with. It ate her up; even when everything was his fault, she ended up apologizing.

That had only happened a few times; most of the time it was her fault. He knew that she was using him, that she was still wanting and missing Charlie.

Things were changing though. She didn't want to use him like that anymore. Even though he blatantly let himself be used by her. Her feelings were changing. She knew that he had intense feelings for her- saying it any other way was too intimidating for her. She couldn't admit to herself that he loved her, more than she had ever loved anyone. He wasn't just an item of convenience any more though; something was there. Something different, something that gave her whole fleets of butterflies whenever he touched her, something that made her squirm with delight when his lips touched her body.

Only now he wasn't talking to her, and she wasn't talking to him.

She missed Scabior. His laugh, his witty sarcasm, his touch. But he could hold a grudge forever, so she would have to apologize.

Not that she actually remembered what they'd been arguing about. Insignificant details.

Leaving the library where she'd been pondering this, she headed back to her dorm, still trying to figure out what she could say- and more importantly, what she had done. She had a vague idea of how she could make it up to him that she was sure he would appreciate… that and an apology ought to do it.

She was still smiling at this thought when she left the common room and opened the door to her dormitory.

The smile quickly left her face though, as she first heard, and then saw, that he was already busy doing what she had planned to do with him to complete her apology. Only he was already doing it with someone else.

She felt a sudden and very violent urge to throw up.

She felt the blood leave her face, and as she slammed the door behind her, she heard him swear loudly.

She didn't even know where she was going. As long as it wasn't back there, she didn't care.

It wasn't long before she heard him running after her.

"Nymph- wait-please, let me explain…"

She turned to throw him the evilest glare she could muster. It was slightly ruined by the number of tears she hadn't even realized were pouring down her face.

The fact that he was in the midst of doing up his belt buckle made her even more furious.

"Go away!" she managed to choke out, before angrily pushing her way through a terrified group of first years.

"NO! let me explain, please, it's not what it looks like, I thought-"

"NOT what it looks like?" she hissed, pulling him by his tie into an empty classroom. "You were on top of her! I think it was exactly what it looks like! You can't tell me you were helping her with any of her homework!"

"You don't understand-" he reached out to take her by the shoulder, but she pushed his hand away.

"Don't touch me. Don't ever touch me. I can't believe… you… you were on MY bed!"

"Nymph…" he tried to hold her hand this time, but she pulled it out of his grasp, crossing her arms across her chest.

"After… after all that time you told me you wanted me… you do this. Was that your revenge or something? Because of that stupid argument?" she pushed her hair back from her face. "I know I've treated you like shit, and I've used you, but I would never dream of cheating on you. I would never do that to anyone."

"You don't get it!" Angrily, he stomped his foot, which she realized now was bare. "I thought… I thought that was you!"

That made her stop.

"What?" she raised an eyebrow, staring him down. He didn't look like he was lying. He looked desperate for her to believe him.

"I don't know any of your bloody roomies, do I? You- she- said she was trying a different look. She apologized! I thought-"

"That bitch!"

"Apparently."

Sighing, Tonks pulled out a chair and collapsed in it. Warily, Scabior pulled on up next to hers.

"You know I would never hurt you like that. I love you too much to ever do that to you."

She nodded, brushing away her angry tears.

"I should've… I should've realized it wasn't you. Everything… it was different. It was-"

She held up a hand. "I don't want to know."

"Right. Well, Nymphadora. I really am so, so sorry. Forgive me? Can you?" when he took her hand in hers, this time she didn't pull away. She just looked the other way.

"I don't know. I mean- it's not your fault. It's her, that skank. I just thought you knew me well enough to tell me apart, even when I look different." She sighed. "It's times like these being a metamorphmagus really, really is the pits."

"I should've known." He whispered. "You're right. But I… you can't imagine how bad I feel right now."

"I think I can. I still feel the urge to throw up."

"Sorry." He said automatically.

She shook her head. "It's not your fault. Just… just maybe if I don't look like me… I don't know, ask me something only I would know. Because I'm sure shagging the wrong girl must be traumatizing."

"It is a little bit. I just never thought anyone would feel the need to pretend to be you to get in my pants."

"She thinks you're ruggedly handsome." Tonks shrugged. "She only found out we've been together last week, so she's probably been really pissy. She's been an utter cow to me, that's for sure."

"hmm. Didn't know she existed until half an hour ago."

"Half an hour? Were you shagging her that whole time?"

He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and just shrugged.

"Merlin!" Angrily, she kicked the chair next to her, sending it tumbling as she stood and started pacing.

"I didn't know I was cheating until you walked in. it was an accident! I know that sounds stupid and crazy… but it's entirely plausible with you being a metamorphmagus."

"I know!"

"I wont do It ever again. I'll check, I promise."

She sighed. She hated how it felt, being betrayed like this. But she had used him to her own purposes, and so long as he was telling the truth, he really hadn't known. So she ought to forgive him.

"You better check. You should pick up your shoes too. And slap the bitch if she's still there. I'm not going back, I'd rather risk not having my potions book."

He gave a small smile at that, and stood, before hesitantly kissing her forehead.

"I love you. Don't forget that."

She just nodded, before leaving the classroom and heading towards the dungeons for her potions class.

It was going to take a long time before she convinced herself it wasn't really his fault.