Don't change a thing for me - INXS - Don't Change

"So how is she, Remus?"

Remus looked up feeling uncomfortable.

"I don't know, Molly," he replied truthfully.

A week after that eventful morning at Tonks's and he was once again sitting in the Weasley's lounge room, this time with Molly, Bill and Arthur. It was Harry's birthday but they had all gone off to bed full of cake.

"You mean you haven't spoken to her yet?" asked Bill.

Remus's eyes shifted around the room uncomfortably.

"Well... no," he lied.

Mr Weasley looked up from his copy of the Prophet to study Remus.

"This wouldn't happen to be about Tonks would it?" he said.

'Oh great,' thought Remus, 'another person to lecture me about it.'

Remus was kind of annoyed knowing that Arthur was also going to try and give his thoughts on the matter. Remus was a grown man, he knew how to sort things out. Instead of saying any of this out loud, Remus just nodded and said, "yes, Arthur, it is about Tonks."

"Ah," replied Arthur thoughtfully as he went back to reading the paper.

Molly however had a stern look as she looked at Remus.

"You know," she said, "that Dumbledore wants you to start your work in two weeks time. You won't be seeing her for quite a while. I really think you should go and see her, even if it's just for a cup of tea or a game of chess."

Remus sat there ocasionally nodding and trying to look as if he cared about what she was saying. He knew there was more to do than just talking to Tonks, but trying to fix things would be much too hard.

"Remus, she's in a terrible state. She isn't well," said Molly.

"Have you seen her?" asked Remus raising an eyebrow slightly.

Molly looked surprised by the tone of which his question was asked.

"Well... no. Not since she was here last, but - "

"I've seen her," Arthur cut through, not looking up from the Prophet. "She is looking quite terrible. Not her usual bright selt. It seems as if she's having trouble metamorphmosing," he looked up when he heard no replies and found a few puzzled looks. "She can't change her appearance," he added.

Molly and Bill gave sad, little nods. Remus felt another wave of guilt wash over him and he found it hard to meet anyones eyes.

"Do you knw why this would be, Remus?" asked Arthur gently.

Remus knew exactly why. He rubbed his brow then studied his hands. He tried to choose his words carefully.

"When a metamorphmagus is feeling..." his brow creased trying to find a good word. "Depressed," he said, "they will have trouble metamorphmosing. I suppose because changing their appearance requires alot of concentration, therefore if they are depressed their minds can't focus properly," he paused, then added, "depression can do funny things to us all."

Arthur continued to read the Prophet but his mind was concentrating on Remus's words.

"So Tonks is depressed," he said.

It was a statement, not a question.

"I didn't say that - "

"But your explaination made it clear."

"Well I didn't mean she - "

"But you said, as I remember, that a metamorphmagus has trouble changing their appearance when they are dperessed."

"Yes, I did, but - "

"And Tonks is having trouble metamorphmosing, which would most likely mean she is depressed."

Arthur looked up at Remus, waiting for a decent reply. Again, Remus had to choose his words carefully, better than last time. He thought for a good, long while feeling three sets of eyes on him, all expecting him to say something. Remus sighed.

"Tonks is going through a hard time at the moment. With everything that has happened to her, it's understandable."

"Well then wouldn't it make more sense to talk with her if she's going through a hard time?" said Bill, "I mean, she would really appreciate the comfort don't you think?"

Remus was silent.

"You are absolutely right, Bill," said Molly, smiling at her son. "What she really needs right now if someone to comfort her and I really thing she's want you to be that person more than anyone else, Remus."

Remus remained silent.

"I get the feeling you might have to see her sooner or later anyway," said Arthur absent mindedly.

Remus sighed again knowing it was innevitable that he'd have to see her eventually, he couldn't avoid her for life, but the question was a matter of when.