Tonks's P.O.V.

Several days later I arrive at Headquarters, summoned by Arthur. When I get into the now-familiar kitchen, the only people I see there are the Weasleys and Remus. Arthur's younger kids moved in almost immediately, since their parents and Bill are official members. There're all very nice, especially Ginny and Molly. I like everyone here, except Snape…and it's not just because he insists on using my first name!

"What is it?" I ask, looking at Arthur, since he is the one who called me here.

"Well, Dumbledore assigned the mission of getting Hermione Granger safely here to you and Remus. She already knows so I suggest leaving as quickly as possible!" he says.

"Um…and why should she be here?" I ask.

Ron has told me a bit about Hermione, but if Harry can't come, why should she? Not that I'm complaining! She sounds like a great person!

"Dumbledore considered it would be a good idea." Remus replied.

"And when is Harry arriving, then?" I ask still confused.

"Nobody knows!" says Molly bitterly.

"All right, then I guess we should be going!" I say to Remus and he nods.

We bid the others good-bye and leave the house. I disguise myself into a middle-aged woman with mousy hair. Once outside I look quickly around and groan.

"We're taking the Knight Bus, aren't we?" I sigh.

"Why are you so disappointed?" he asks.

"If you haven't noticed until now, I am like the clumsiest person that ever existed!"

"Oh, come on, you're not that bad!" he says with an encouraging smile.

"Yeah, sure!" I mumble, although I do appreciate his attempt to cheer me up.

In a few minutes we get to a Muggle house and I know whose it is. Remus knocks on the door and a fifteen year-old girl with bushy hair opens smiling.

"Professor Lupin!" she says happily.

He smiles as Hermione steppes back to allow him to come in.

"Hello, Hermione," he says pleasantly. "It's certainly nice to see you again. This is Nympha-" he begins.

"Remus," I growl and he sighs.

"This is Tonks. If you wish to use her Christian name she will likely curse you so I advise you strongly against it."

Unsure of whether he was joking or not, Hermione looks nervously at me and I grin.

"Guessing you're the one and only Hermione Granger?" I ask.

She nods as her parents arrive.

"All good I hope," inquires Mrs. Granger with a wry smile on her face.

"Naturally," replies Remus.

Hermione makes quick introductions and her father does a double take at Remus's name. "You- you taught Hermione in her third year, yes?"

"Well, according to her grades you did a marvelous job," cuts in Mrs. Granger, leaning across her husband to shake his hand.

He laughs. "If I'd just sat in silence at my desk for a year Hermione would still have passed with flying colours."

Hermione flushes. I bet she still hasn't gotten used to receiving praise.

"All right, all right," I say to the Grangers. "It was lovely to meet the both of you but we are on quite a tight schedule so we should really be off."

Hermione gives her parents a tight hug each as they both kiss her on the cheek and then picks up her trunk. They all say their goodbyes and Hermione leaves with us. I almost trip over the front step.

"I suppose you're wondering where we're going?" he asks Hermione, clearly trying not to laugh.

"Yes. I know it's not the Burrow."

"You're right, as usual, Hermione! We can't really talk about where we are going or why it was Tonks and I that collected you but it will all become clear soon enough, I promise."

"Can I change back now?" I start as soon as we turn into a side street off the main road Hermione lives on. "I can actually feel myself aging. Any minute now I'm going to take up crocheting."

"Go on then," he says with a small smile after looking around quickly. "Just remember - one day that will be what you really look like."

I don't appreciate his joke and I give him a dirty look before changing back into myself. "Are you a Metamorphamagus?" squeals Hermione in excitement.

"Ten points to Gryffindor," smiles Remus.

I'm rather impressed at her knowing the term. "Knows her stuff this one does," I say, giving Hermione an appraising look.

"By the way, Tonks, why pink? I thought it was blue before," inquires Remus when we come to a stop near a yellowing lawn.

I shrug and ruffle my new shorter hair. "Fancied a change. What do you think?"

"It's very… bright." He says slowly.

I give him a look of confusion. What is he trying to say?

"It suits you." He says simply then turns away quickly to call the bus.

"What does that even mean?" I am still confused.

"It looks lovely. Now can we get on with this?" he sounds almost annoyed and I scowl at him. I don't know if he's seen me, because the Bus has just appeared.

"Is-is that the Knight Bus?" breathes Hermione, clutching her chest. "I know it's got Muggle-repelling charms on it but we're in the middle of the street and it's still daylight! In 1974 the bus was accused of breaking the Statute of Secrecy and -"

"Has she always been like this?" I ask Remus, eyeing Hermione with wonder. "Hogwarts has definitely improved since my day." As we get on the Bus I realize how nice this girl is. No wonder Dumbledore thought it would be a good idea to bring her.

Remus's P.O.V

"So let me get this straight!" Tonks says clearly confused after my attempt to explain what happened. "Dementors. Attacked. Harry Potter. Here, at his aunt and uncle's!" We are in Privet Drive. It's Tonks's watch and I've come to bring her the news that shocked everyone, including myself. "Yes, that's what I said! It's the third time I'm confirming it!" I say, tring to sound annoyed. But I'm not. I just can't get annoyed when I am with her and it's strange. "Anyway, what's the plan? Do we even have a plan?" she asks concerned. "Well, Mad-Eye thinks it's a good idea to make an Advance Guard and take Harry safely to Headquarters. He says he'd go alone, but Harry probably won't trust him after everything that happened a month ago with the fake Moody who tried to kill him" I tell her. "Harry trusts me, so I think I should come, but others volunteered to, and we can't take everyone." Thinking back, it's hard to believe it's been a month since I've rejoined the Order. It might sound selfish, but it's better that looking for a job and keep getting fired. "He'd have to take me!" she says smugly. "Just because you're his protégée, doesn't mean you get privileges!" I say smiling. In fact I'd like it if she came too. "That's exactly what it means!" she snaps. "You know you'll have to make yourself useful, don't you?" I inquire. "You think I can't make myself useful?" she sounds almost hurt. "I can use a distraction for his family! Like sending a fake notice that they've won a lawn competition!" she suggests. "That sounds like a good idea!" I say genuinely impressed. "But do you know how to use Muggle post?" "My Dad's Muggle-born! Of course I bloody well know how to use Muggle post!" she is clearly upset. "Sorry, my mistake!" I say ironically. There is a short pause before I add awkwardly. "Sirius told me your mother was disowned because she married a Muggle-born." She nods quickly. "Yeah, she loved Dad very much; otherwise she wouldn't have done it!" She pauses before continuing speaking more to herself, because it's more of a whisper. "One day I want to love someone like my mother loves my father. I want it to feel real. I've never had that…" she stares in space forgetting I'm even there. I don't know why but a shiver goes down my spine as she says this. It's the first time I actually feel uncomfortable around her. But why do I feel like this? She's just made a confession, there's nothing wrong with that! But now that I think about it, I'd hate it if she did fall in love with some young Aur- Why am I thinking like this? It's not my problem or concern who she falls in love with! But I still don't like the idea and I refuse to think about it. I close my eyes and try to get it out of my head. When I open them, my heart is pumping harder than it should. "Remus, are you ok?" she asks looking at me strangely. I have to bring myself back to reality and quickly. "Yes, of course I am, why shouldn't I be?" I say tring to be convincing. "Anyway, what do we do now?" she asks quickly in attempt to change the subject and I'm glad she does. "Do we wait for Mad-Eye's instructions?" Suddenly I can feel comfortable around her again. "Well, it was Kingsley who told me about this. He's still at work. I was supposed to announce you and…then wait for further instructions." I don't add that I was the one who volunteered to announce her. "I should get back." I say although I do wish I can stay more.

"Why didn't you send a Patronus?" she asks, ignoring my last sentence. "I don't like using Patronuses." I say simply, but I don't explain why and I have a feeling she'll ask anyway. "Why?" I sigh and sit down on the ground. She sits next to me, eager for explanations. "It's a wolf!" I finally say. "Normally I don't use a corporal form because it might give away my condition." "But everyone in the Order knows-"she begins "Yes, they do, but that's not the point! The point is that anything wolfish disgusts me as well as it does to anyone. I can't help hating who I am!" I finally let out after years of thinking like this. It feels good! "I don't see why you're making such a fuss!" she says confused. "How can you possibly hate yourself?" I sigh exasperated. I wish I could think the same way as her. But for me it is a big deal. "Look, you don't understand! You don't know how society sees werewolves! And in a way they're right, we're very dangerous. I was bit when I was four. My parents had to move every few months when neighbors started to get suspicious of my uncontrollable violence. I can't find a proper job! I always end up fired!" I say, raising my voice. "And yet you found three amazing friends who became Animagi in order to help you!" she says understandingly. "Which is proof that you can find happiness no matter how bad thing seem to get!" "Still, I'm ashamed of what I did…" I admit. She blinks confused. "Why?" "Why? Because I led three underage students into illegally becoming animals! I betrayed Dumbledore's trust! Dumbledore, who accepted my condition and offered me a place at Hogwarts when no other Headmaster would have," I am on the verge of screaming. I don't usually like talking about this. I remember how hard it was to explain it to Harry two years ago. But with her near me it all seems easier. Tonks puts a hand on my shoulder and I force myself to look her in the eye. Now they are pale blue. I've never noticed what color they usually are…Again, I have to force myself back to reality. "You're way too harsh on yourself!" she says comfortingly. "I've known you for a month, but I have been convinced that you're a wonderful person. You've just had an unfortunate incident in the past that casts a shadow over you." "Wow…Thanks…" is all that I can say. She's simply taken me by surprise. "You really think so?" I ask quietly. "I know so!" she replies steadily and pauses before adding. "If you ever need to talk, just know that I'll be here for you!" "I can't put into words how much this means for me!" I say amazed. She smiles and takes her hand off my shoulder. I had forgotten it was there. I suddenly realize I just made a new friend…