Disclaimer: All original themes, characters, etc, are property of J.K. Rowling. Content of this story is mine, yo. ;D

Rated T: Not intended for slash-haters or 'littleuns'. Mild sexual scenes, adultry, inappropriate language, and some more stuff.

A/N: This update is super late. I'm sorry! Believe it or not, I'm still writing it! I had to reread chapter one and two to remember what was going on though... Haha.

Lips

Chapter 3: Talking After Dinner

--

Amidst the entire werewolf section of the ministry, rumors were circulating of a marriage contract approval. Werewolves, before marriage, needed ministry approval, assuring that the werewolf wasn't forcing their partner to be wed, or the like. It was extremely rare to have an approval between a werewolf and a human, but that was exactly the nature of the rumor. Apparently, one Remus Lupin and one N. Tonks were to have a ministry-approved (and ministry-monitered) wedding, sometime soon.

Arthur Weasley, having a friend working in the beast control field, had heard many variations of the rumor, and was quick to dispel all the most outlandish ideas, such as Tonks having been bitten by Lupin, or Lupin having bribed the ministry into approval, despite Tonks being forced to marry him.

Naturally, Remus was asked about the wedding, and would blush instinctively when the subject arose.

"Well, I thought the time was right, is all," he would say when asked why he had proposed, as he undoubtedly would be by every curious being. "Yes, I do love her." Honestly, Remus didn't really understand how someone could think he'd ask her to marry him otherwise. Occasionaly, however, he felt a twinge of fear that, perhaps, someone knew he had initiated the engagement in panic.

Tonks, on the other hand, was asked why she had agreed quite a bit more frequently than Remus was asked why he had proposed, to which she would bitingly reply, "I love him!" However, typically, it was not a curious being that would inquire, but a housewife certian Tonks was charmed or cursed, or an arrogant aristocrat, remarking on her social status dropping to a level even lower than a flea (for a flea at least had some magical value, such as a potion ingredient).

Eventually, the rumor travelled, as all gossip does, across all the branches of the ministry, and into the ear of Assistant Auror Harry Potter.

Swivelling in his chair, Harry smiled down at his nearly finished report, detailing his last mission's success. He stretched slightly, allowing himself a bit of pride at the accomplishment. Nearby, voices could be heard whispering, as usual, and the green-eyed man wondered what new handbag or broomstick had been released to have the workers so excited.

"Harry! I've got something to tell you!" A slightly chubby man of thirty or so waddled over to the-boy-who-lived, flaring his nose happily. His shoes sloshed oddly as he walked, and he smelt like the kind of dust that clogs your throat every time you inhale, causing you to cough.

"What?" Harry scrunched his eyebrows together, looking at Michael Dovery. Michael was the type to indulge in idle gossip, but Harry rarely bothered himself with such useless drivel. Harry did his best to seem at least politely interested.

"D'ya' know the laws on werewolf weddings, right?" He was just barely able to keep from hurting Michael. All civil workers, like Harry, had to take an exam to be allowed to work for the country, and the test included basic laws, such as those pertaining to marriages.

"Yes, I do."

"Good. Well, anyway." Michael shoved his hands on Harry's desk, only slightly missing the ink bottle at the top right of the parchment bearing Harry's most recent report. Harry screwed the lid on the ink, to protect against other possible attacks against his work, as Michael looked at him apologetically.

"Sorry, there. Anyway." Dovery paused, seeming to have forgotten what he was going to say. "Oh, yeah. Well, there's been an approval! Between some nitwit of a girl and one of Greybacks's pack!"

Harry eyed him. "That can't be true! His pack is in prison, except a select few, who are still going through trials." And then it dawned on him, just as Dovery began his explanation.

Remus... "There's that one... Lupine, or somethin' like that. He's not in Azkaban, for some stupid reason. Apparently never was too active in the werewolf business, but he's admitted to having been bitten by Greyback. He's the one! Marrying some stupid broad who's able to change her shapes and all, she's probably more like age sixty..."

Feeling faint, Harry heard Dovery's distant ramblings trail off. He could almost feel the vibrations in the wind, caused by the words, enter through one ear, work around his brain in cold whisps, and leave through the other ear.

He breathed in sharply, aware of Dovery's sweaty hands--or were they someone else's?--grip his shoulders strongly. They drew Harry from his thoughts, and he looked up at the man oddly, swatting his hands away. "Don't touch me!"

"Sorry! Just seemed like you were a bit sick." Michael smiled at him, and placed one of his hands on Harry's shoulder again. "S'alright if you're afraid of werewolves."

"I'm not afraid of werewolves!" Harry said annoyedly. "Go away!" He glared now, and watched as Dovery's face fell sadly, and then hardened, his chubby cheeks a deep pink, and his eyes slightly squinted. His lips, though in a permenant pout due to his weight, drooped even more than regular.

"Right, well. Seeya on Monday, then."

Harry turned away from Dovery as he exited his office, redirecting his gaze at the papers on his desk. His chest felt like what he imagined a corsette wound too tightly around his breast would feel. He was so anxious. Not depressed, or angry, or anything else he would have imagined he would be at such news. He was simply anxious.

--

That night, Harry struggled over many different ways of which to address the matter with Remus. He most definately would not talk to the man in person. And he would not have a friend relay the message. He would not owl Remus. He would not firecall Remus.

Harry exhaled, sick of repeatedly ruling out all of his options as he thought it over and over. He looked in the direction of a pile of ashes at the foot of his table, evidence of his failure to write a proper letter to Remus. Deciding to try again, Harry picked up his quill, and found a spare bit of parchment to write a short note to his ex-professor.

Remus,

I've heard a rumor that you're to be wed to Tonks.

Contact me sometime, so we can talk.

I'm open tonight. If your not, I'm usually available during late evenings, and over the weekend.

Yours,

Harry

He blushed as he wrote, suddenly creepily aware of the fact that he had not written to Remus in years, and yet it was still second nature to sign off affectionately. Soft chills ran through his arms, his throat feeling strangely wet and hot, as he rewrote the letter, careful to sign it with a generic 'thanks'.

--

Remus woke with a start. Sharp tapping could be heard on the window of his bedroom, caused by a rather distressed bird. Just as he was about to stand in order to allow the ridiculous bird in, the bed began to shift weight as Tonks stood and, walking around the bed, headed straight to the window.

A gray owl flew in, and tumbled to the floor, exhausted. Tonks leaned down and untied the note from the creature's leg, unfolding it as she drew it closer.

Remus sat up, as Tonks face contorted in confusion.

"It's for you, dear." She said, walking over to the bed with the letter outstretched to Remus. He accepted it greedily, as he rarely recieved letters, and was curious of its contents.

After reading it, Remus's hand fell limp at his side.

"I... Don't know about this, Tonks," he admitted. Should I reply? Remus wondered. He wanted to see Harry.

"Well, you can't go see him today, since that Ron boy is coming over for auror advice."

Annoyedly, Remus replied, "I'm not an auror, so I don't have to be here to help. I'd just be in the way." As Tonks tried to object, Remus continued a bit more loudly, "Afterall, Harry could change his mind about this, and it's important to me to be able to get along with him, since I don't want to create a problem at the wedding." He smiled, hoping such an obvious attempt at gaining her favor was not seen too clearly.

She smiled back, and said, "Oh... I'm sure Ron would love your company, but if you really want to talk with Harry, you can. I appreciate it, dear." She hugged him slightly, leaning over the bed awkwardly.

"Thanks, dear." Remus replied. "I'll just let Harry know that today's fine." After Tonks had nodded and left, in search of breakfast, Remus scribbled his note to Harry.

Harry,

I'll see you tonight.

How about a muggle place?

The engagement has resulted in constant annoyances from the wizard society.

Remus

He twisted a string around the note tightly, fastening it to the owl's leg, but the bird just lay still on Remus's floor for some time. Remus tried urging it to leave, with treats (all of which it ate happily, despite remaining on the floor), with toys, and even forceful pushing, but all were for naught. He began to worry that Harry would never recieve the note when, suddenly, the bird, having had enough rest, flew away.

--

"Where's Remus going then? Seems to be getting ready to go somewhere." Ron said off-handedly, gulping down half his tea cup's worth.

"Oh, he's going to go talk with Harry." Tonks answered, smiling across the opposite end of the furnished table both were seated at. The heavily lit room gave both an aura of energy and sophisication, despite the darkness outside the room, as the light from the lamp overhead fell in wide rays.

Ron's eyebrows rose in surprise. "After what happened the other day?"

Nodding, Tonks replied, "Remus said he wanted to be able to get along with Harry at the wedding."

Skeptically, Ron grinned. "That's good, but what if something happens while they're out?"

Frowning as she sipped at her tea, Tonks sighed. "I'd trail 'em, but I've got so much work to do."

"You know, if we're almost done here, I could trail them for you..." Ron offered gently, making sure he could pretend it had been a joke if she had not been serious.

"Oh, I couldn't possibly ask that of you!" Tonks quickly said. "Hermione would be very worried, anyway."

"I'd let her know first!" He yelled amusedly in response, glad to finally have something to do.

Looking up cautiously at the younger man's vibrant, red hair, Tonks said, "Would you really?"

The shuffling of Remus preparing was heard. In a hushed voice, Ron replied, "I'd be glad to."

--

Looking across the room at the table Remus and Harry were seated at, Ron felt uneasy. So far, they had not noticed him, but he continued to worry about the weak disguise he was relying on. He swallowed, feeling the saliva slide down his throat warmly. Merlin, I'm tired... Remus and Harry hadn't created any problem at all, and, were, apparently, having a rather good time. Such a good time, in fact, that they had been there for, undoubtedly, more than two hours, leaving Ron to awkwardly have to keep ordering more and more food as he sat alone at his table. His stomach was full, and soon he'd have to leave. Harry and Remus had finished their meals some time ago, but continued to sit and talk, despite their check having been brought to them, and several hints from the waitresses and waitors that they should leave.

Suddenly, both men stood, as Harry set the amount due on top of the check. Ron made a sigh of relief when he noticed them making an exit, and he stood slowly to follow, scrummaging his pockets to pay the outrageous amount due for all the food he'd bought. He was glad that he had less money problems now, but he knew Hermione would be upset about so much money being spent at once. As he turned to head for the doors, he noticed that Remus and Harry had already managed to leave.

He walked quickly, perhaps suspisciously, through the exit, almost jumping when he noticed the two men talking as they stood near where Ron had emerged. The natural redhead pulled his coat a bit tighter, and fluffed his fake brown hair a little, hoping they didn't recognize him. However, the worry seemed ridiculous, as the men seemed to be rather absorbed in eachother. Ron walked a little closer, and then leaned against a wall, pretending to appreciate the night sky as he eavesdropped.

"...Not sure, Harry. Tonks is at home waiting for me." Remus voice tuned in as he finished.

"Well. Er. How about a, uh, hotel?" Harry sounded uncertain.

Ron looked down at the men oddly, noticing they were standing rather close, and Remus looked somewhat frightened. The werewolf gulped gently and then lent in close to Harry, saying something Ron couldn't hear. They stayed like that for a little while longer, exchanging a few words, and then Harry's hand held Remus's, and they both looked around emberrassedly as they walked off.

Ron, scared, and clueless of how to react, headed home silently.

--

"Is this it?" Asked Remus.

"Yeah. It looks cheap, but it'll work." Harry replied awkwardly. Remus smiled, his heart beating fast.

Harry payed for a one night stay and the overwight blond at the desk wished Harry and his father a good trip, but seemed to apply emphasis on father, as if to imply that she knew otherwise. Remus wondered if she thought he was picking up a street whore. Neither men said anything to this, and simply walked up to their room, saying nothing. After climbing two flights of stairs, they reached their room, both anxious to get inside.

As Harry pushed the key inside the lock, Remus pressed himself against Harry's back shyly.

"I'm not..." Remus began. Harry opened the door and dashed in, his former professor close behind. The younger man, facing the door, shut it strongly and placed his arms against the badly painted wood, dropping the keys.

Remus stood awkwardly behind him, his eyes trailing Harry's back. "I... Uh." He stuttered. It had been a long time since they'd done something like this. He wasn't sure how to handle it.

Harry pulled away from the door, bits of the peeling, yellow paint falling from it, and faced Remus. "So here we are." He said.

Remus nodded in response and took a few steps closer to Harry, obviously out of his element. Face blushing, the werewolf reached over to his former student's arm and brushed off bits of dry paint the door had left behind. He continued to stare firmly at the spot his hand remained. Harry pulled his limb back, and grasped Remus's hand in his own, carrying the hand to his chest. The tawny haired man clenched Harry's pale blue shirt tightly, and drew the younger man's shirt up just barely enough to reveal the thin lower torso, and the inviting naval. The assistant auror lent closer into Remus's hand, and rested his head on his ex-professor's chest, pressing their bodies together languidly.

Slowly, Harry began to remove Remus's clothes, but grew impatient, and in a rush, tore them away from the werewolf to reveal his flushed, naked upper body. Again, Harry placed his head on the man's chest, closing his eyes as his cheek pressed against the hard, pink nipples. Remus could feel his former student's hot breath in short, quick puffs, and Remus's breath hitched as he clung to Harry's tender body even more desperately. Harry drew back slightly, just far enough to claim Remus's moist lips with his own.

It was an odd and arousing sensation that Harry and Remus had never felt with any other lover; they couldn't help but indulge in the intimate pleasure. It was so much warmer, softer, harder, and better.