Chapter 2

Why conversations with Sirius are no good idea

Finally, Snape finished his speech, but Tonks had no time to sit down with Sirius though. The moment Snape ended, the next speaker stood and continued. It seemed like the evening would never end. Tonks got impatient and she felt her looks drawn to this Lupin-person again. He really had something. She couldn't explain what, but there was something more to him. Or maybe she was just getting paranoid, not unexpected after years with Mad Eye.

After two more hours, her boring first meeting found an end and everyone went over to her and welcomed her in the order. One after the other they left the gloomy house, only Tonks stayed behind to talk to her cousin.

"So, dear Sirius, what have you been up to in cozy Azkaban?"

"Oh, I just hung out with the Dementors for a while. How have you been, little cousin?"

"Great so far. I made my Auror training and now I've got the job I always wanted."

"Then why are you here? It's not just dangerous to your life, I guess if Fudge finds out about this, you are kicked out of the ministry before you can say 'Quidditch'."

"There you're probably right. But I couldn't sit there and pretend that nothing's going on. I mean, Fudge used to love Harry and now he encourages the press to defame him as much as possible. If there was nothing to his words, why would he do that? There's no other reason than that Harry tells the truth and Fudge doesn't want to see it. Besides, there are enough signs if you try and look for them."

"That's my cousin. At least some members of the family Black are worth mentioning. Are you going to stay here tonight?"

"Well, I guess I could. Do you want me to?"

"Would I ask you if I didn't?"

She smiled at him and went out to the apparition point to get some clothes. As soon as she quit the room, Sirius turned to his friend.

"What do you think, Moony?"

"What do you mean?"

"I want to know what you think of my dear little cousin, as you know very well."

"She's nice."

"Oh, come on. That's all? She's nice? Are you blind or what?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Oh, Moony, don't be like that. I know that look on you. You like her. I can understand it, she's quite hot. If she wasn't my cousin..."

"Sorry, I have to correct myself. I don't want to know what you mean."

With those words, he rose from his chair and made his way to the bedroom. Sirius could be really annoying if he wanted to. Lying on the bed, Remus thought about his words nonetheless. This Nymphadora certainly was attractive. He couldn't deny that. But nobody had to know that he felt somehow attracted to her. She was about thirteen years younger when he remembered Sirius' stories correctly. Her hair was bright blue. And she was stunningly beautiful. There was no way she would ever end up with an old, broken werewolf whose hair turned more and more grey each day. He had heard that war drew people together, but even a war couldn't manage that. It was impossible. He should forget about it and not even dare to dream of her. It would lead nowhere.

But still he couldn't get the memory out of his head. How his heart had jumped when his hand had touched hers while helping her up. How she had smiled at him and how sweet her voice had sounded in his ears. Impatiently, Remus shook his head and decided to sleep to distract him from those irritating thoughts. It had been a long time since his mind had drifted of like this and he was sure that it wasn't a good sign. Especially not when Sirius encouraged it. That just meant that it was the most stupid thing to do. Sirius was his best and last friend, but that didn't make him any more responsible. Turning on his right side, Remus pulled the blanket tighter around his small frame and waited for sleep to come. He expected it to be a long night and he wouldn't be disappointed.