Author's Notes: Thanks again to my beta reader Shimotsuki for her help. The relationship between the Tonks and Malfoy families in this story is slightly AU in the post-DH world, but I liked it too much to cut it.

Previously, in "Transformations": Tonks is injured during an Auror-raid, and is treated by her old friend, Healer Martin Eggers. Sirius feels growing envy of Remus as Remus prepares for his first date with Tonks, and Bill keeps Sirius company while Remus is out. Remus and Tonks enjoy their first date.

Chapter 4: Bad Luck, Good Luck

"We were all very happy with your last translation, Remus," said Emmeline Vance. "Your grasp of the text and your seemingly effortless fluency were very impressive."

Remus grinned as he fetched some tea. "Thank you, Emmeline. I'm glad my work was up to your standard." He was still floating on a happy cloud the day after his evening with Nymphadora. Sirius had woken up in one of his dark moods, but it wasn't enough to bring Remus down, and his day only got better when Emmeline stopped by with an unexpected offer.

For several months Remus had been doing free-lance translation work for her publishing firm, Little Red Books. Emmeline was a Senior Vice President, and had pulled some strings to get him the work in spite of the restrictive new legislation that declared werewolfism to be valid and legal grounds for denying or terminating employment.

Sirius continued to skulk in the kitchen while Remus fetched some tea.

After a few opening pleasantries, Emmeline said,

"Above and beyond our standard, is more like it. So, do you think you're ready to take on a new project?"

"Of course I am! I'd be delighted to have the opportunity to continue working for you."

"Then you shall. We have a project for you to start immediately."

Remus beamed. "I can't thank you enough. I'm sure it wasn't easy convincing your associates to utilize me in the current political climate."

"It wasn't as hard as you might think. Besides, anything for a friend," she said with a warm smile.

"So what will I be translating this time?" he asked.

Emmeline looked down at her cup, and swirled its contents nervously. "Well—this isn't really in your area of expertise like the last set of books, but ever since his hospitalization we've been seeing higher demand for the translations of the works of—"

"Gilderoy Lockhart," Remus said simultaneously with her. His face fell. He'd avoided Lockhart's books with a passion, and now it seemed that he was going to be forced to study them with a depth that they certainly didn't deserve.

"You seem to have anticipated me," said Emmeline, with a smile. "I know you don't think much of the man, but his titles have always been some of our biggest sellers. We'd love to get out some more German translations by the summertime. We've already released his first five volumes in German, but the woman who translated them for us has since given birth to triplets, and decided to be a full-time mother. So we are in desperate need of someone with your talent for translation. Do say you'll do it?"

Remus sighed, and nodded his head. "I'll do it. But I can't say that I'll enjoy it."

"You will enjoy the pay check, I daresay. We've decided to raise your pay by three sickles a page."

Remus sat up straight. "Three sickles a page? That's nearly a forty percent raise!"

Emmeline smiled. "It is. But keep in mind that Lockhart's works will sell much better than those academic books we had you working on before. So the pay reflects that."

Remus didn't know what to say. "Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me. Thank you."

"Like I said, Remus, anything for a friend. We'll want you to start with Voyages with Vampires. I'll get you the working manuscript and your employment contracts tomorrow."

After Emmeline left for the night, Remus's head started spinning with the thought of his new earnings. He wouldn't get them for several months—not until the translation was complete, but it was still a tantalizing prospect. With his last pay-check from Little Red Books he had managed to pay off nearly all of his old debts, so most of the pay from the new project would be his to spend as he chose. One of the first thoughts that came to his mind was that he'd actually be able to afford to buy Nymphadora a proper birthday present. But her birthday wasn't until the end of February. Am I already thinking of this relationship in terms of months? Is she?

Remus went to bed with those thoughts still swirling in his mind.

The next evening, Nymphadora came by after work. It was amazing to him how easily they fell into their old pattern of relaxing with Sirius in the parlor. Bill and Dung also came by, and they all took up their usual banter and casual conversation. Only this time, instead of lounging on the sofa, Nymphadora sat on the floor in front of him and leaned back against his legs. And instead of keeping his hands very cautiously to himself, he gave in to the temptation to start casually running his fingers through her hair. And she just as casually reached up to take one of his hands in hers, to stroke the back of his hand with her thumb.

Dung made sure to thank them—bawdily and repeatedly—for his winnings from the betting pool.

Friday morning, Remus awoke without any of the sense of nervousness that he had had the day of their first date. Instead, all he felt was eager anticipation.

Just before Remus left to pick Nymphadora up at her flat, Sirius shot him a playful look. "You'd better be careful, tonight, mate," he said.

Remus raised an eyebrow. "Are you finally getting protective of your cousin?"

"That's not what I meant by careful," he replied. "Today's Friday the thirteenth. You might be in for some bad luck, if you're not careful. Maybe you should stay in instead."

Remus shook his head. "I'm not superstitious. The whole idea of Friday the thirteenth is nothing but a myth."

"I don't know, mate. I've heard some pretty convincing evidence," said Sirius, tossing his wand up and down in the air.

"I think I'll take my chances."

"Okay. But don't say I didn't warn you."

Remus just shook his head, and headed for the door. As he reached it, a black cat appeared out of thin air, yowled, arched its back, and walked across the doorway in front of him. He turned to look back at Sirius. "Very funny," he said. Sirius just laughed.

Remus picked up Nymphadora at her flat without further incident, and the couple shared a quiet meal at the Leaky Cauldron. He had taken his first look at Voyages with Vampires earlier that day, and he was able to share a few of the more amusing passages with her. In return, she told him about a developing case in which a series of very dangerous anti-Muggle booby traps had gone off, sending eight Muggles to the hospital. They still hadn't found any likely suspects.

After they finished their meal, they took a stroll down Diagon Alley. As they passed quality Quidditch supplies, Nymphadora said, "Let's pop in here. I've heard that the Cleansweeps have a new model out. I'd love to take a look."

"Certainly," said Remus. "Do you plan on playing for the Magical Law Enforcement team again next year?"

She shrugged. "Don't know," she said. "With things going the way they are, I probably won't have time."

Remus nodded quietly in agreement. It was frustrating to think that the war had barely begun, and that an end was still nowhere in sight. Their lives might not be normal again for many years to come.

They admired the new Cleansweep for several minutes, discussing its merits and shortcomings. Just as they were turning to leave, the door of the shop opened and a young couple strode in. The young man froze, as did Nymphadora. They stared at each other in surprise. Nymphadora spoke first. "Hello Simon. It's been a long time."

"Hello, Nym," he replied. Nym? Who in the world calls her Nym? "How are you?"

"Good," she said. "More than good. And you?"

"Very good. Very, very good," he said, putting his arm around the waist of the young brunette woman standing next to him. He had close-cropped blond hair, and though somewhat short, had a well-defined athletic build. He looked to be close to Nymphadora's age—maybe a year or two older.

"Um, Nym, let me introduce you to Daphne. Daphne, this is Tonks," he said.

"Good to meet you," said Tonks, reaching out to shake the young woman's hand.

"Good to meet you, too," said Daphne.

"This is Remus. Remus, Simon," said Tonks.

"A pleasure," said Remus, shaking Simon's hand. He had a firm, strong grip.

"We were just checking out the new Cleansweep," said Tonks. "Were you on the development team?"

Simon nodded with a broad smile. "I was. And they were happy enough with my work that I was just promoted to Assistant Head of Development."

"Well done!" said Nymphadora. "I'm happy for you. It's what you've always wanted."

He nodded. "It is. And while we're sharing happy news," he paused, "Daphne and I are going to be married. We just got engaged last week."

A look of shock and hurt briefly crossed Nymphadora's face before she recovered herself, and smiled. "Congratulations Simon! Daphne! That's wonderful!" She stepped forward and gave quick hugs to both of the young couple.

"Thanks," said Simon, his face a little red. "It's still so new that we haven't even set a date yet."

"I'd like a June wedding," said Daphne, "but Simon wants to wait for October."

"Why wait?" said Nymphadora. "The sooner the better, I say."

Daphne smiled, but Simon looked at the ground uncomfortably.

"Well," said Nymphadora, "I wish you the best with your plans. It was nice seeing you."

"Nice to see you, too, Nym," said Simon, with a straight face.

Nymphadora wound her arm tightly around Remus's elbow. "Let's get out of here," she muttered quietly.

Once they had reached the street again, Remus looked down at Nymphadora who was frowning and still clutching tightly to his arm. "Would you care to explain that little scene to me?" he asked.

"He's my ex," she said.

"Is he the one who…?"

"The one I almost got engaged to? Yeah. That's him." She continued to frown, and wasn't meeting his eyes.

Remus felt his stomach twisting in a knot. She had never spoken much of the men in her past, but he knew that she had only had one long-lasting serious relationship, and that relationship had gotten as far as talking about marriage. And now he'd seen him. The man who broke her heart. Based on her reaction to the news of his engagement, Remus was afraid that she might not be over him yet.

"She couldn't have been more than nineteen, could she?" said Nymphadora suddenly.

"No. She certainly looked less than twenty," he replied mechanically. What was he even doing here with her? He was nothing like the handsome, young, gainfully employed man that they had just encountered. I'm the rebound relationship, he thought mournfully. She needed a complete change of pace to get over him, and she chose me. This won't last. Soon enough, she'll have had enough of me, and move on to someone else more like him.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry for being such a grump," she said, looking up at him with a hesitant smile. "He just caught me by surprise. I shouldn't let it ruin our evening."

Remus nodded mutely. He wasn't sure he could trust himself to speak. "Hold on," said Nymphadora, pulling him to a stop. "You're not…You don't think I still…? You're not jealous? Are you?" She looked incredulous.

Remus's mouth hung open. "I don't…No. No. Of course not," he lied.

"You are. You're jealous! I never took you for the jealous type, Remus," she said, suddenly smiling.

Why was this something to smile about? "There are plenty of things you still don't know about me."

"Apparently," she said, still smiling. "And you don't know everything about me either. I didn't get upset because I still have feelings for Simon. Because I don't," she said firmly. "I got upset because seeing him reminds me of what a silly little love-struck fool I was with him, and I never want to be like that again. Do you want to know why we broke up?" she asked.

He gave a little nod. "If you want to tell me."

"We broke up," she said, "because what he really wanted was a little brood-mare to stay at home and have his babies. And he failed to inform me of this fact until right before I took the final Auror qualifying exams." He could hear the ire rising in her voice. "He thought he could have it all—a strong, confident, ambitious woman, and a happy little homemaker all in the same package. He wanted me to give up on my dream after three years of back-breaking work in the training program! And he seemed to think I'd be happy to do it! And no, he didn't chuck me. I chucked him. Every time I see him I remember how infuriating he is, and I get angry. That is the only reason I got grumpy just now. Okay?"

"Okay!" said Remus, stunned at her vehemence.

"So you have absolutely no cause to feel jealous," she said. Her smile danced back around the corners of her lips. "But it's really sweet that you were."

"Sweet?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. He felt his own smile returning.

"Yes, sweet. I'm not the type of girl that blokes usually get jealous over."

The twinkle had returned to her eyes. "You are just the type of girl that I could easily get insanely jealous over," he said. His voice was playful, but his sentiment was completely honest.

"Oh really?" she said, moving close to him, a now familiar desire burning in her eyes.

"Really," he replied, leaning down to kiss her.

Just as he was pulling her close to deepen their kiss, a harsh, mocking laugh interrupted them. They pulled apart, and looked in the direction of the laughter. It was Lucius Malfoy.

"Please," he said, "don't let me disrupt your touching display." His sneering voice made the hairs on the back of Remus's neck stand up.

"Maybe you should try minding your own business, for a change," retorted Nymphadora angrily.

"Temper, temper Nymphadora," said Lucius, striding closer to them. He grinned foully. "I think it is very much my business when my own niece chooses to bestow her affections on a dangerous creature."

Nymphadora's face grew hard, and she started forward. "How dare you! The only creature here is the one I'm looking at!" She stared hard at Lucius.

"This, coming from a shapeshifter. How ironic," he said.

Nymphadora seemed ready to reach for her wand. Remus took her by the elbow. "Let it go, Tonks," he said. "He's not worth it."

Lucius laughed again. "How droll! The werewolf seems to fancy himself better than me. What does your mother think of this little fetish of yours?" Lucius continued to ignore Remus, addressing all of his comments directly to Nymphadora.

Her lips tightened. "My personal life is none of my mother's business," she said.

"So you haven't told her yet?" said Lucius. "Should I be the one to do the honors? Or shall I let you surprise her yourself?"

"You stay out of this Lucius—or so help me…"

"You'll what? Trip and fall on me?"

Nymphadora was dangerously red, and her wand arm was still tensed. Remus decided it was time to step in. "We've had enough of this. Come on, Tonks. Let's go."

"I'll be seeing you," said Lucius to Nymphadora as Remus led her away.

Once they had gotten out of his earshot, Nymphadora spoke up. "Insufferable prig! Hideous snob! How dare that Death Eater murderer call you a creature! He's the creature!"

"I can't disagree. His acquittal was the biggest fiasco of the last war."

They walked in silence for another moment, as Nymphadora silently fumed. One of her Order assignments was to conduct surveillance on Malfoy and his family. Remus knew that the task hadn't been easy for her. He was beginning to see why.

"I'm sorry," he finally said. "Tonight hasn't exactly gone how I planned."

"No one could have planned this," said Nymphadora. "This is what you expect from nightmares—not window shopping."

They were passing the Magical Menagerie, and a black cat sat preening itself in the window. Remus halted abruptly, and Tonks stopped to look back at him.

"What is it?" she asked as a smile formed on his face.

"Sirius warned me not to take you out tonight."

"Why?"

"It's Friday the thirteenth."

Nymphadora smiled, and then started to laugh. "We've certainly had our fair share of bad luck."

"I'll second that."

"Perhaps we should head home before we have any more."

They spent the last hour of their evening together pleasantly ensconced on Nymphadora's sofa, listening to the Wizarding Wireless together, and their bad luck seemed to have been left behind in Diagon Alley. But Remus couldn't help but let the events of the evening leave some lingering doubts in his mind. What would Andromeda Tonks think of her daughter's new relationship—especially if she heard of it from Lucius Malfoy?

And despite Nymphadora's reassurances, he continued to wonder why she was with him, instead of another man like Simon.


As she often did, Andromeda spent her Saturday morning shopping at Diagon Alley. Just as she was coming out of Monique's—her favorite home décor boutique—she saw a familiar face across the street outside of Flourish and Blotts.

She started across the street. "Martin?" she called. "Martin Eggers?"

The young Healer turned to look at her. "Mrs. Tonks. How are you?"

"I'm wonderful," she said, shaking his hand. "How are you doing?"

"Very well, thanks," he said. "It's nice to see you again."

"The pleasure is all mine," she replied. Yes, he was a very handsome young man. And Healers made very good salaries. Her daughter was finally on the right track with this one.

"How is Tonks doing?" he asked. "I hope her shoulder isn't giving her any more trouble?"

Andromeda was taken aback. "Her shoulder?"

"Didn't she tell you? She dislocated her shoulder earlier this week, during a raid."

Andromeda hated when she was reduced to gleaning information about her daughter's life from third parties. If only the girl would realize that these were the sorts of things mothers wanted to know, their relationship would be so much easier. "She hadn't mentioned it. But then, she doesn't like to worry me about her little injuries—she already knows how nervous her job makes me."

Martin smiled. "I can understand. It's not the safest of occupations. But she's quite good at it. I treat lots of the injuries for the Auror squad, and I assure you that hers have been minor in comparison to some. And they all speak very highly of her."

Andromeda smiled. Yes, this was just the sort of solid, practical, tactful man her daughter needed. "Thank you, Martin. That's very nice to hear."

"You're welcome."

"Martin," she said. "Do you have any plans for New Years Eve?"

He looked a bit surprised, but answered quickly. "Not yet."

"Well, Ted and I always have a party at our home, and we always like to invite some of Nymphadora's friends to join us so that she doesn't feel surrounded by old fuddy-duddies all night. I was wondering if you would like to come this year?"

Martin looked indecisive, so she decided to sweeten the pot. "I know she isn't planning on bringing anyone, so it would be nice for her to have a friend there to keep her company."

That caught his attention. "She's really going alone?" he asked.

Andromeda shook her head. "I'm afraid she's been so caught up in work lately that she's been neglecting herself. It would be so nice to have you come and remind her what she's missing." She knew she was being too obvious, but he certainly seemed interested.

At last, he nodded thoughtfully. "Yes…I'm fairly certain that I can come."

"I'm glad to hear it. I'll send you a formal invitation sometime next week."

"Thank you, Mrs. Tonks."

"I'm so glad we ran into each other, Martin," said Andromeda.

"Yeah, me too."

They bid each other goodbye. As she headed back down Diagon Alley, she swung her shopping bags happily. Yes—today was turning out to be a very good day indeed.


Work had kept Tonks away from Remus all of Saturday, and she was desperate to see him. She could tell that the Friday night fiasco had really shaken his confidence, and she was eager to reassure him. As early as it seemed polite on Sunday, she headed over to Grimmauld Place.

She let herself in, and poked her head into the parlor to see if he was there. She was shocked to see him wearing a traveling cloak, shoving a book and some sheaves of parchment into a small trunk sitting on the sofa.

"Remus? What's going on?"

He to look at her as he shut and latched the trunk. "I'm so glad to see you—I was afraid we'd miss each other."

"Miss each other? What's wrong?" She stepped toward him, wondering what had happened.

"Nothing's wrong—but some urgent business has come up. I received word from Dumbledore early this morning that I'm needed in Europe. The Austrian Ministry of Magic has arrested a man suspected of funneling funds to the Death Eaters, and spreading propaganda on their behalf. One of Dumbledore's friends in their Council of Warlocks has granted him permission to send one of his representatives to participate in the interrogations. And he chose to send me."

"Because you're the only one fluent in German."

He nodded tersely. "I may be gone for several days. I wanted to tell you in person. In fact, I was about to leave for your flat when you got here."

"I'm glad I made it before we crossed paths."

"So am I." The look in his eyes was intense. He closed the remaining distance between them, and took her in his arms, kissing her hungrily on the mouth. His kisses never failed to make her insides feel like they were melting, and her brain feel like it was floating in the clouds.

When he finally pulled back, she wobbled on her feet, and put her arms more tightly around him, leaning into him for a warm hug.

"I'll miss you," he said softly into her hair.

"I'll miss you too," she replied. She had missed him every time Dumbledore had sent him away on assignment these past months, but she was certain it would be even worse now.

"Hurry home," she said, looking back into his eyes.

"I will," he said, and kissed her again.


By noon on Monday Tonks was already missing Remus terribly. She knew he would be back by the end of the week, but five days seemed far too long.

Just as she was returning to her desk after lunch, an owl fluttered up to her. She took the note attached to its leg, and read. "Tonks—I just found out that that American troubadour I was telling you about is playing another set tonight, at a little pub in Edinburgh. He was really fantastic, and I'm thinking of catching him again, but none of my usual crowd can make it. Would you like to go? –Marty."

Tonks smiled. This would be the perfect distraction from her thoughts of Remus. She quickly scribbled a reply, agreeing to go. He sent an owl back, telling her to meet him outside St. Mungo's at nine o'clock. Her day went much faster now that she had something to look forward to.

That night, she met Marty, and they Apparated to Edinburgh together. "This is a great place," she said as they entered the pub, "but I haven't been here in years. I just haven't had time."

"Well, I'm glad you have time tonight," said Marty. They found a table not far from the stage, and Marty got them some beers.

The troubadour really was fantastic. Tonks was sure that he had placed some sort of charm on his guitar to make it sound like four instruments were playing at once—and she heartily approved. What was the point of being both a wizard and a musician if you couldn't use one to benefit the other?

As always, Marty was fun to talk to. He kept her amused with stories of some of his crazier patients—all anonymous, of course, though one of them sounded suspiciously like Mundungus Fletcher. When it was her turn to buy the next round, she stood up and went to the bar.

"Tonks!" exclaimed a familiar voice.

She looked to her side, and saw her old friend and former Quidditch captain, Eddy Balfour. "Eddy! I didn't see you here!"

"We're sitting in a booth in the back," he said, indicating the direction. "I thought that was you up front. Funny running into you again so soon," he said. They had last encountered each other less than two weeks earlier at the Weird Sisters concert.

"Isn't it?"

"Say," said Eddy, gesturing at Marty, "weren't you with a different bloke last time?"

"Oh—yes. Remus and I are still together," she said hastily. "But he's out of the country on business. Marty and I just came as friends."

"That's cool."

"And is your fiancée here?"

"No. Felicia is taking a girl's night out with her friends, so I'm here with a couple of mates."

"Sounds like fun," said Tonks, nodding as the bartender brought her the pints she had ordered.

"Yeah, yeah," said Eddy. He glanced around and then leaned in closer to her. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

Oh damn, she thought. He had better not be hitting on me after we just finished discussing our significant others.

"What is it?" she said, in as neutral a tone as she could muster.

"It's just…" He paused, and then lowered his voice. "I don't think I believe everything I read in the paper, these days. You know—about Dumbledore, and Harry Potter. I was there, in the stands, at the end of the Tri-wizard tournament. I saw him show up with Diggory's body. He didn't look like a kid playing games to get attention. It was more than that. And I don't think he's crazy either. When I heard that he was saying it was You-Know-Who, I was ready to believe him. But then Fudge came out against him. And the Prophet started running all these stories. And each story is more unbelievable than the last—it's almost like reading the Quibbler, these days." Eddy shook his head, while Tonks listened in stunned silence.

All of the members of the Order were supposed to be on the constant look-out for potential recruits, but she had been so caught up in her own little world with Remus and Sirius, that she'd never thought to look beyond her work associates to seek recruits among her old friends. And here was Eddy, telling her that he'd been doubting Fudge since the beginning of last summer. I've been a blind fool.

"I don't know what to believe anymore," Eddy continued. "I was hoping that as an Auror, you might be able to tell me what's really been going on."

She returned his intense gaze. This was the moment where she had to be most careful. "As a loyal Auror," she said, "it is my duty to tell you that I support and uphold the policies and positions of the Minister and his administration. However," she paused, "as a person of principle, and as your friend, I have to tell you that Fudge is full of shite, and you shouldn't believe a damn word that he or his propaganda department churn out."

Eddy's face grew somber, and his grip on his glass tightened. "So you believe that You-Know-Who really is back?"

She nodded tersely. "And I'm not the only one. There are people, acquaintances of mine, who aren't waiting for the Minister's approval to start defending our country, and our way of life. Are these," she felt her mouth going dry, "are these the sort of people you'd been interested in knowing more about?"

Eddy stared at her hard for a moment before answering. "Yeah. Yeah I would."

"Are you free later this week?"

He looked down at his drink, and then said, "I can get away Wednesday night." He looked back up, waiting for a reply.

She was supposed to sit guard duty by the Department of Mysteries Wednesday night, but this was an opportunity too good to pass up. "I'll be there," she said. "I'll owl you tomorrow with the specifics of when and where."

Eddy nodded. "I'm glad we ran into each other," he said.

"Me too."

They parted, and returned to their separate tables. "Hey," said Marty. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," she said, nodding. "Everything's fine. I just ran into an old friend."

"Oh." She looked hard at Marty, suddenly wondering how many other of her old friends would be sympathetic to the Order's cause.

"Marty?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever given much thought to the things that Dumbledore has been saying about You-Know-Who?"

Marty looked at her in astonishment. "I…haven't given it too much thought. I don't usually have time to read the paper."

"Could you start thinking about it? Please? What he's been saying—it's important. It might be the most important thing happening in the world right now. I would mean a lot to me if you would look into it, and give it a little thought."

Marty still looked surprised, but he also seemed to be listening to her seriously. "Okay," he said. "I'll look into it." He hesitated before continuing. "You know my parents are Muggles, and I didn't grow up knowing about the war. To me this world of ours has always seemed like someplace special—some place exempt from the sort of violence and war that Muggles face every day." He paused again. "Was I wrong?" He sounded almost like a little boy, facing the fact that there was no Santa Claus for the first time.

"I'm sorry, Marty," was all she could think to say.

He nodded quietly. "Okay. Okay."

They remained silent for quite a while after that—listening to the music, and lost in thought.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading! If you leave a review, Remus might casually run his fingers through your hair, or even give you a lingering kiss goodbye.