CHAPTER 2

LUPIN

Remus was just as confused as Tonks; why did she act so strangely around him? And, why, was she always so miserable; Tonks didn't seem to be able to cope with much, she always kept the same, dull, mouse brown hair, she lied to him, saying she was fine, when everybody could see that she wasn't and, on top of everything, why did her patronus look like a were-wolf?

Lupin was too busy pondering in his own thoughts that he didn't realise he and Tonks were the only ones left in the dank kitchen; the meeting had finished and all the members of the Order had disapparated to other places that they had to be that night.

"Didn't you realise that everybody else had left, Lupin?" Tonks asked shyly from her perch on the bench.

"What? Oh, it's just you Tonks," he gave her a small smile, "I was thinking, a lot, obviously," he gave a small chuckle, "Tonks?" she didn't look up.

"Hm, yes, Lupin?"

"I'm really worried about you, Tonks – everyone is. So, I – I just hope that you are yourself soon, because I'm missing the cheerful, bubbly you, I think everyone is," he looked up at the clock "Goodness me! Is it that time already?" I'm sorry Tonks, but I have to go now, er- things for Dumbledore." He added hastily.

"Oh, er- goodbye, Remus." Lupin had a brief look at Tonks, whose eyes were red and puffy; she had been crying, he didn't know for how long, but he felt extremely guilty. Tonks jumped down from the bench hastily and made her way to the front door, knocking down the troll foot umbrella stand on the way.

"What did I say- or do- to make her so miserable? Tonks was hiding her face, so I couldn't see her crying, but why was she weeping?"

Lupin pondered on his thoughts for a little longer, and then he walked to the front door, pulled the troll's foot upright and exited number 12 Grimmaud Place.

He trudged along the dark, lamp lit street, his hands stuffed into his shabby coat pockets. Still thinking about the Orders meeting, and the strange events that followed that evening with Tonks, Lupin accidentally walked into Arthur Weasley.

"Oh! Er- sorry Arthur, I didn't notice you; it certainly has been a strange day…" he forced a smile.

"Ah, hello, Remus! Please, do not apologise, for it is probably me who wasn't paying attention. I have seen how strange today has been for you, with Tonks and whatnot, but we are all worried about Nymphadora, so, just try not to get yourself too worked up about things, OK, Lupin?"

"What? Oh, er- OK, Arthur…. Well, goodnight, then." Lupin walked into the darkness, not knowing what to do, or how he could help mend Tonks's broken heart. He didn't actually have to do anything for Dumbledore, and now he thoroughly regretted lying to Tonks.

Lupin reached the end of the street and apparated to The Burrow. Once he reached the Weasley's front door, he knocked. He heard Molly's voice, and then, she was there.

"Oh, it's only you, Remus. I am so, so sorry, but, well, right now isn't the right time to see us," she looked at Tonks, who, once again, looked like she'd been crying.

"Oh! Er- I'm very sorry to have intruded… Well, I guess I'll be going then."

"Firstly can I have a word with you outside, Lupin?" Molly asked.

"What? Oh, yeah, that's fine," he followed Mrs Weasley outside.

"Remus, its Tonks," she said wit a sad smile.

"What's wrong with her? Did you find out?" Lupin had wanted to know what was wrong with his fellow colleague since she recovered from the fight at the ministry.

"Lupin, she's in love," Molly began

"What! But with who?" he exclaimed

"…With you." Molly finished.

"What! With-with me? How could she love me? I mean to say, I'm much too old for her, and too poor, far too dangerous and, there is of course, the fact that I'm a, a were-wolf."

"I know it's a lot to take in, Remus, but you cannot fight love," she said with a small smile. "Just talk to her, because she's feeling, as you know, quite upset.

Lupin made a movement to go inside

"Oh, er- just not tonight, dear. I don't think Tonks isn't in a fit state to talk with anyone tonight," Molly stole another quick glance through the open door at Tonks, whose face was covered with her hands.

Lupin looked too, and didn't know what to feel. He felt it was his fault for making Tonks so miserable, but then he also felt shocked that she loved him. "Well, I best be off Molly…. I will see you tomorrow, I presume?"

"Yes, probably," she looked at Tonks once more, "I don't think we will be Nymphadora, though," she said sadly

Lupin agreed. "Well, goodbye then, Mrs Weasley."

"Yes, well, take care of yourself dear." Mrs Weasley went back inside, and looked like she was trying to comfort Tonks.

Remus took one last look at The Burrow, then disapparated, to a quiet place, where he could think alone.