Hello There! First of all, a big thank you to everyone who Reviewed/Favorited/Alerted the story so far. I love you all, will you marry me? This is chapter numerous duos of our little Tonks/Lupin adventure :) Enjoy xxx


Tonks looked at her watch as she hurried across the atrium the next morning. It was seven thirty-five. She was already five minutes late for the meeting she was meant to be at, cursing her alarm clock she hurtled into a lift just in time before the doors clanged shut. She tried to surreptitiously run her fingers through her hair to make it more presentable as the lift descended; it was a deep chestnut colour today as Tonks didn't think she could get away with being late and having pink hair. The lift stopped and Tonks was the first out, she hurtled down one corridor and walked as fast as she could towards the meeting room. She then slipped in through the door and sat down hastily next to an exhausted looking Beth, trying as hard as she could to ignore the numerous pairs of judgemental eyes boring into her.

'What did I miss?' She breathed to Beth as she produced a quill and some parchment from her bag and began jotting down notes. There was a boring looking wizard giving a presentation next to a large map full of magically moving pins which indicated suspected criminals. Tonks looked over at Beth when she got no reply and saw, to her amusement that she was fast asleep, her head propped up on her hand and her quill poised in her fingers.

Grinning, Tonks continued to write, making a mental note to duplicate her notes when the meeting was over. Across the table from them was Slasior Zain, his eyes lazily flickering around the room as his quill wrote for him. Zain caught her eye and he changed his features into what he obviously thought was a charming smile. Tonks looked away in distaste; she didn't know how he had the nerve to smile at her like that when he was so rude. Her anger however loosened a little when she thought of the pile of paperwork waiting for him when he got upstairs.

She heard Beth give a little snort next to her so Tonks stamped on her foot, marvelling at the fact that she had managed to get herself standing this morning, let alone into work on time.


Remus arrived at Grimauld place around lunchtime. Mrs Weasley immediately began insisting that he stayed for a meal and as tempted as he was – 'everything looks delicious, Molly' - he couldn't. He explained that Dumbledore had asked him if he could drop off some sensitive order plans somewhere, seeing as owl post just wasn't safe enough anymore. A harassed looking Dumbledore made his way towards Remus just moments after he arrived.

'Thank you so much for doing this, Remus' He handed over a wad of parchment and a key. 'She isn't in' He explained and with that, he had gone. Lupin looked down, a little bemused and saw the directions to a flat in London. The parchment was addressed to Miss Nymphadora Tonks.

'…oh' His voice was suddenly a little dry, he cleared his throat. Couldn't Dumbledore just wait until Tonks came to the next order meeting? Lupin frowned a little but he knew that Albus Dumbledore had a reason for everything and most of the time it was wise to just not ask questions. 'Right, well I better be off.' He looked around for Sirius but he couldn't see him 'Tell Sirius, I'll be back this evening before we collect Harry' Molly forced a sandwich onto him before he left. He stepped out into the cold, wrapped his cloak around him and then in a split second, the door of Grimauld Place had disappeared and he was standing in front of a white flat door with the number 2c marked in gold lettering.

He carefully took the key from inside his robe pocket, inserted it into the lock and let himself in. He walked in slowly, he wasn't sure why, but he wanted to take in every single detail about his surroundings. He loved how messy it was. It wasn't too untidy but at the same time it had this really… lived in vibe to it. Everything that surrounded him seemed a little bit worn but at the same time, loved. He tried to concentrate on what he was supposed to be doing; he walked into the open plan kitchen and placed the Parchment on the side. Then, taking out a quill he wrote a quick note.

Tonks,

Dumbledore needed you to get this and I'm the acting delivery boy. See you this evening,

Remus

After he put his quill back into his pocket, something caught his eye. Over by the kettle there was a pile of parchment… he moved closer. It looked like there was something on it. He took a guilty and pointless look around before pulling the parchment towards him. In his hands was the most stunning collection of drawings he had ever seen. Each done in what looked like simple quill and ink. But the skill and painstaking detail in which they were drawn was indescribable. The faces of people he recognised were staring up at him.

There was one of Alistor Moody, tracing patterns on his hipflask with his finger, a faraway expression in one eye, his second lay on the table in front of him. Remus sifted slowly through the drawings, one by one, completely gobsmacked. There was one of Ginny laughing, her head thrown back and her hair whipping round her face. One of Ron, looking at Hermione with something Remus had never seen before in his eyes. Hermione, who was immersed in a book was completely unaware she was being watched. One of Sirius, wearing that downcast expression he had when he thought nobody was looking. There was one of the Weasley Twins with their heads together, plotting. There was one of Molly and Arthur Weasley who were sharing a brief kiss. He grinned as he looked through them, each more remarkable than the last.

He stopped at a picture of Albus Dumbledore. This Dumbledore didn't have any twinkle in his eye; he didn't radiate any sort of authority or power. He was simply staring into the distance. The drawing seemed to have captured him in a private moment, just a second of Dumbledore in deep thought, Dumbledore with his guard down. He looked disheartened and oddly vulnerable.

Remus was almost surprised when he reached the last picture, it was one of him. He was smiling warmly and unlike the other pictures he wasn't staring off into an angle; he was looking right out of the portrait into the eye of the artist. Remus liked the picture. He looked… happy.

Then Lupin suddenly realized what he was doing. He hastily restacked the pictures and very, very carefully put them back where he found them. It was this moment that he had fully intended to leave, he had even made his way across the room and towards the door but something caught his eye. A door on the far wall was ajar and he could just see a glimpse into the room behind it. He stopped in his tracks, astonished at himself that he was even considering it. But there was an overwhelming curiosity building inside him, he had no idea why but he felt like he had to see it. Not allowing his conscience time to tell him off, he impulsively walked towards Tonks' bedroom door.

No.

He stopped himself in his tracks.

That's her room. What's in there is none of your business.

He turned around again and before he could do anything else wrong, he left. His heart was pounding at what he'd nearly done as he made his way down the stairs and out onto the street. But his guilt melted quickly and soon he was just thinking about the flat, the piles of books, most of which he owned, the slight mess and the first aid kit out on the counter. He made his way down the street, still thinking. What really amazed him were the pictures, he had absolutely no idea she could draw like that. It was at that moment that Remus decided that he liked Nymphadora Tonks, very much indeed.


This meeting must be nearly over. I am so bored, I could die.

Tonks was still sat in the monthly Auror meeting. In which, they were given an updated list of dangerous people. Technically these were the people that they were allowed to attack, arrest and take into the ministry, no questions asked. Tonks eyes skimmed the list as she half listened to what the man at the front was saying. Then something drew her attention that made her choke, loudly on nothing. She read, re-read and then read it again to be sure. But the name wasn't going anywhere, there is was, printed on the list that was given to every criminal catcher in the country.

Remus Lupin

She didn't even think…she had to say something. 'Excuse me?' The man at the front looked at her, surprised. He hadn't been interrupted for the last half hour. 'I'm sorry but there seems to be a mistake on the list' Murmuring began around the room. 'This says Remus Lupin.'

The man looked embarrassed. 'No. That wasn't a mistake. Now, as I was saying…'

Beth looked at her with wide eyes, having just read the list herself. She mouthed 'Say something!' at Tonks, who spoke again.

'Hang on a minute!' Tonks said, a bit louder. The man looked at her again, now a little annoyed.

'Yes?'

'This is the Remus Lupin that taught as Hogwarts two years ago? 30 years old?'

'…The werewolf.' He replied, curtly. 'Yes.'

Tonks felt an explosion of anger inside her chest. She knew what was going on, she should have known.

'May I ask…?' Her voice shook a little; she looked at Beth, whose face was contorted with rage 'The crime that he committed to be on… this?' Tonks waved the parchment at him.

The man looked uncomfortable. 'Now, well… when it comes to werewolves…'

'How dare you' She hissed, her hand tightened around her wand. 'How dare you give people permission to attack an innocent man, just because he's…'

'Now look here.' The man was getting agitated now. 'This wasn't my first choice, but it's simply a formality…'

'A formality?' Tonks' voice had become shrill now 'No. No. I'll tell you what this is. It's illegal!' She waved the list at him again.

The man began to raise his voice as well. 'He was a danger to those children when…'

'Shame on you' Beth spat, she rose up to her feet, as did Tonks and to their surprise, quite a few others.

'He doesn't work in a school!' Tonks was almost shouting now, every pair of eyes was on her 'You are discriminating against an innocent man who's never hurt anybody. And you're trying to do it behind his back! Don't you understand? This is how it begins. Werewolves are people…' The man tried to interrupt but she talked over him, she no longer cared about keeping her job, there was a rage firing up inside her at the injustice of it all. 'Werewolves are people and deserve the same rights as everyone else. This is a disgusting and petty piece of prejudice and if his name isn't taken off this list, I will do absolutely everything in my power to get everyone responsible fired, even if it means that I am too.' Tonks finished, she was breathing heavily. The room was silent.

'This meeting is over.' The man picked up his briefcase and went to leave, when he reached the door he turned to look at Tonks, anger flashed in his eyes 'There will be somebody will be contacting you soon.'

'I look forward to it.' She replied rudely. The man left.

The room erupted with chatter. Some people smiled at Tonks before they left, some loudly criticised her, some scowled but a good few went up and congratulated her for her bravery. Tonks wasn't taking any of this in; she wasn't even listening to Beth who was talking to her urgently about trying to keep her job. She didn't care. She had a letter to write.

She hared out of the conference room, into the elevator and travelled to her office. Once she was inside, she fumbled through the mess on her desk before she found parchment, quill and ink. She then began to scrawl.

Remus,

The Ministry are looking for a reason to arrest you. I think Umbridge is behind it. I may have made things worse, I'm so sorry. Stay with Padfoot until I sort this out. Also tell Moody to get his arse down here, my job hangs in the balance.

T

She attached it to Beth's owl, Horatio, who was perched on the window ledge. He took off, out of the door and upwards. She then sank down into her chair, that morning hadn't gone quite as well as she'd hoped.


Most of the order of the Phoenix were gathered around the table at number twelve Grimauld place. Lupin tried to hide his amusement at how many people wanted to help bring Harry from the Dursleys. Nobody else around the table seemed to feel the same way apart of course, from Sirius, with whom he was trying to avoid eye contact. Mad-eye was talking to them all when he was interrupted by a sharp tapping on the grimy kitchen window. They looked over to see a plump tawny owl, sat on the window ledge. Mrs Weasley hurried over to let it in.

The bird swooped in above their heads, and to his surprise, landed in front of Remus. He took the letter and opened it at once.

Remus,

The Ministry are looking for a reason to arrest you. I think Umbridge is behind it. I may have made things worse, I'm so sorry. Stay with Padfoot until I sort this out. Also tell Moody to get his arse down here, my job hangs in the balance.

T

His heart plummeted. They were trying to arrest him? What for? He read the note again and without saying anything, handed it to Alistor. How had she made it worse? Suddenly he was filled with guilt. He didn't want Nymphadora to lose her job, just because she stood up for him. He wasn't worth that.

'Jesus…' Moody muttered, with a scrape of his chair, he stood up and left the room at once. Remus knew he was very fond of Tonks and he'd watched her train hard for her job, he wouldn't want to see her loose it.

By this time there was a sea of curious faces staring at him, demanding an explanation of what had just happened. He read the note aloud, it didn't take a genius to work out this was another attack on werewolves coming from Delores Umbridge. Sirius was furious; he began to rage about Umbridge, using a stream of increasingly more creative and obscene profanities. Mrs Weasley scowled at him, obviously worried that his more than fruity language would carry upstairs. – 'Sorry Molly, I couldn't think of any other words' - Although he couldn't say it, Remus appreciated his friend for it. Sirius had a spectacular talent of always making him feel less alone.

The rest of the afternoon passed fairly quickly. Lupin had been taken off his order duties and he spent the day with Sirius. And even though the most part was spent trying to get rid of some particularly macabre pictures from the wall (It seemed the Black family were fond of permanent sticking charms) he had fun.

When it came to the evening, Remus insisted that he should go with the party to collect Harry. 'Look, he's been stuck at the Dursley's with next to no news all this time. You've heard Ron, you know how they treat him.' When Kingsley still tried to convince him to stay, he said 'I really think Harry should have somebody he knows there… Somebody who didn't change into a death eater the last time he saw them' He added as an afterthought. 'Otherwise I don't think he'll go, he's very clever. I taught him for a year. Come on Kingsley, we owe him that.' It seemed that nobody could argue with this. So he headed off late that evening, to meet everyone else at Number four Privet Drive.


Tonks looked round in the darkness and saw a huddle of people standing round on the street. She hurried over and together they made their way into the house. She looked around curiously as they walked silently through the hall. Everything was so…. Clean. She didn't like it. When they found the kitchen somebody flicked a light on and she immediately spotted Remus, Moody was talking to him quietly on the other side of the room. When they met Harry (giving him the fright of his life) and introduced themselves, Tonks immediately volunteered to help him pack. Remus returned to his conversation with Mad-eye.

'What happened?' Lupin asked Mad-eye, concerned. Mad-eye seemed to sense that he was asking after somebody else's fate, as well as his own.

'It's all been sorted. She didn't really need me there at all. I was ready to curse anybody into oblivion who tried to arrest Tonks…'

'Wait! They tried to arrest her?'

'Yeah. Refusal to cooperate with ministry policy or some bollocks like that…' Moody waved this aside with one hand. 'Anyway, she's sorted it all out herself. She'd mouthed off at the meeting, when she saw the authorisation for your arrest on the list, apparently she threatened to do everything she could to get them all fired.' He smiled his lopsided smile.

'She didn't!'

Moody grinned. 'She did, doesn't take any crap from anyone, that girl.' Lupin saw a glint of pride in his eye. 'It's what makes her so good at what she does. Still, not many people would put themselves on the line like that for anyone, not even Tonks. She must have a very high opinion of you.'

Something about what Moody just said seemed to warm Lupin up on the inside. He was suddenly happier than he'd been in a long time, it felt good having somebody stand up for him. It amused him thinking of Tonks mouthing off in a meeting as well, he could completely imagine her doing it. His thoughts, however, were interrupted when Harry and Tonks reappeared with his school things in toe. She laughed when Harry nearly fell over his trunk and it struck him at that moment, just how pretty Nyphadora Tonks was.


So There's chapter two. Please let me know what you think! Reviews are so important for a writer's first story. Thanks for reading and until next time, take care xxx