Chapter 4

Company

The next morning was everything but happy. Sirius came down for breakfast in the worst mood he had shown in weeks. The headache from the previous night's drinking didn't make things any better. Remus decided to lock away every single bottle of alcohol he could find. Judging by Tonks' facial expression she would be very eager to help him. It wasn't easy to cope with Sirius if he was like that. The friendly cousin of last night had disappeared and was replaced by a grumpy git who disliked everything and everyone. When she entered the kitchen, he insulted her harshly, so that she was on the point of turning to the door and leaving. Remus held her back with his pleading looks. As much as he should avoid Tonks' company, he didn't want to stay alone with Sirius. At least not today.

Sighing she had sat down next to him and gave him a look of: you definitely owe me something. Sirius kept on moping all day and Remus was unbelievable glad to have some other company than him. Molly wouldn't show up for she had taken a day off from cleaning the old house all the time. Easy enough to understand, the atmosphere was anything but inviting. Nonetheless Tonks stayed with him and helped voluntarily to rearrange the library. They sorted out most of the books in there for they all had to do with either dark magic or the Black's family tree. Nobody needed to read about that, especially because there was a giant version of it in one of the rooms.

From time to time, Tonks broke out in laughter at the titles and Remus couldn't help but smile himself. After some hours of work it was time for lunch and they went down to the kitchen to search for something to eat.

"Look if you can find something cooked by Molly."

"Why?"

"You've never tasted her food, have you?"

"No."

"You missed something. She is a brilliant cook. I've never tasted anything that delicious."

"If you say so I'll try on the next occasion."

She offered him one of her beautiful smiles and Remus felt himself going weak. He tried to concentrate on anything but her face. He didn't have much success. His heart beat rapidly and everything that was not her started to blur a bit. Concentrating was even harder when he heard her erratic breathing and the heat irradiating from her body. She was much too close. Usually it wasn't much like Remus to get dizzy like that with someone he only knew for a day or so. But Tonks was different from every woman he ever met. Both in her personality and in the effect she had on him. Remus started to question his point of view at the whole love-at-first-sight-thing. Because it was exactly what it felt like, if he believed in it or not.

Trying to escape the whole, strange situation, Remus stepped back and went over to the table to put down his empty plate. He knew it looked stupid, but he had to do something or he would end up kissing his best friend's little cousin. A cousin he only knew for one day, who was thirteen years younger than him. And who was very kind. And very attractive. Not to mention beautiful. He tried to get those thoughts out of his head, but he couldn't shake it because Tonks was still in the kitchen. She would think him completely insane if he started pacing and shaking his head without any visible reason. So he decided to turn around and smile at her, acting like nothing had happened. He went back to the cupboard and searched for something to eat, but it seemed like there was nothing left. Suddenly he felt something warm at his back and when he turned his head to see what it was, he noticed that Tonks was right behind him. She was slightly bent over his back to have a look in the cupboard herself. Remus felt a shiver going down his spine at such close physical contact.

"Looks like there's nothing left to eat. How about a little shopping tour?"

"Yeah, why not?"

Grinning she hurried up the stairs. At the door she turned again to see if he would follow. He did and when they entered the warm sunshine outside, she took his hand and apparated.

Nymphadora Tonks' version of a 'shopping tour' turned out to be a visit in a Chinese fast food restaurant in Muggle London combined with a walk to Florian Fortescue's. She even thought of taking something for Sirius as well, although his behaviour didn't deserve ice cream at all. They got back to Grimmauld Place and placed the food in Sirius' room for he was still sleeping. After eating their own food in the kitchen, Tonks had a suggestion.

"Really, Remus, it's much too beautiful out there to stay in here and sort out horrible books about things I don't even want to think of. Let's go back to Diagon Alley, enjoying the day and everything. We should have a go at Flourish&Blotts. You know, replacing that old rubbish with some good books."

Remus laughed and followed her obediently. Book-shopping on a beautiful summer's day with a beautiful girl he had a crush on? Sounded good to his ears.