Sorry it's been a long time, but i had several weird plot ideas for this one and how it should go- finally decided on this. It's going to get a bit more light-hearted and hopefully more funny from now on! Thanks to all those who reviewed last time! Read, enjoy and review, if you wish. Thanks, Molly x

Fishy Phoenixes

All work and no play, as the saying goes, is how it should be, and that's the sentence that's ruling my life at the moment. Ruling it, ruining it- you could say they're the same thing.

Everyone's noticing how downcast I am all the time and it's really starting to annoy me now. Can't I just be depressed without everyone commenting on it all the time?

At work it's the entire auror office, making jokes out of my appearance and asking me where Tonks is gone, because they can only see Nymphadora. I just ignore them.

At home, it's my mum, who's made me permanently move in with her again, cooking enormous meals for me all the time. It's my dad as well, when he'll suddenly go all serious and say "where's my silly sunshine gone?"

I'm sick of it, just sick of it. I don't know what to do, where to go, or who to talk to. It's driving me insane.

I arrive at him after another long shift of taunts about it and find mum in the living room, clutching a shocking pink leaflet in one hand and a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows in the other. I groan.

"Here's your chewy choco, darling," she smiles and goes back to the leaflet.

"I asked you to stop making me these yesterday. I don't need one every time I get back from work, mum."

"Mmm."

"Mum? Are you even listening to me?"

"Yes, dear, I am making your dinner, just let me finish this…"

For Merlin's sake. I watch her read the leaflet, wondering what it could possibly be about to be so interesting to her.

Eventually, she lowers it and looks at me. "This might be very interesting for you, Dora."

Oh Merlin. It's for me. "What is it?"

"Blind dating. I'm going to book you a date for tomorrow night. It's supposed to be very successful indeed. Listen to this quote- this one right here- 'I met Archibald through your blind dating course- I married him two weeks later and have had a total of 28 children with him so far. We both have steady jobs- he's a goblin working for Gringotts and I'm working the Ministry in the Goblin Liaison office- we're perfect for each other!' Isn't that brilliant, Dora? Don't you want happiness just like that?"

I stare at her in disbelief. "What I don't want is to be knocked up by a goblin, have 20 odd kids and go on a blind dating course! What are you thinking? Are you crazy?"

"Of course I'm not crazy, dear. I just want to see you happy. And if that means that you marry a goblin and have 28 children, so be it."

"But not if I marry a werewolf? Mum, are you seriously trying to tell me you'd rather I be with a goblin than a werewolf?"

"A goblin wouldn't bite you, dear. But that's not the point- the point is, you're going on a blind date tomorrow night and you're going to enjoy it."

I stare at her as if she's gone mental. She has.

"Now, do you want turkey unicorns for supper? Or perhaps fishy phoenixes?"

Mental. Absolutely off her rocker.

"I'll do you a surprise, shall I? Yes, a nice surprise. Now, go and get in the shower, Dora, the water's nice and hot. Why don't you get into your pyjamas as well, get nice and comfy?"

I cannot believe her. She smiles and leaves the room. I stick two fingers up at her retreating back and storm out of the house, slamming the door.

I start walking, not really knowing where I'm going, and don't stop until my feet are aching and the sky is dark.

I throw myself down at the foot of a tree just as rain starts to fall. My tears soon join the wet on my face, and I hold my head in my hands.

Something silver approaches me from the gathering gloom. And I recognise Molly Weasley's voice.

"Wherever you are, thought you might like a chat. Please come round, your mother isn't here."

Sighing, I struggle to my feet and wipe my face. At least she's better than mum, I think as I apparate.

She's stood in the yard in an old green dressing gown, awaiting my arrival. She takes one look at me and rushes to hug me.

"Oh Tonks. Come in, come in. Don't worry, no one's here- your mother let me know you'd gone out, so I told her I'd send someone out to find you. You can stay the night here if you like, once she knows I've got you safely here. And then you can come for dinner this weekend too."

"Thanks, Molly. No, it's fine, I'll go home, I've got fishy phoenixes waiting for me."

"Well do come in for a while. Do you want a cup of tea?"

"Well… perhaps just one."

"Come on then, dear." She steers me inside the house and busies herself with the kettle. "So, blind dating then, eh?"

I groan. "She wants me to be happy, apparently. She said she'd rather me be with a goblin and 28 kids than with a werewolf."

"28 children with a goblin? Whatever brought that on?"

"Oh, well, there was this review of the dating service on the leaflet…"

"I see. Tonks, dear, do you actually want to date anyone?"

"Of course not! I'm waiting for him, whether he wants me to or not. I especially do not want to blind date. What good could possible come of it?"

"Hmm. " Molly comes over to the table and hands me a mug of steaming tea, before sitting down herself. "I think she really just wants to see you happy Tonks, like she's told you. We all do. None of us likes seeing you how you are at the moment."

I take a sip of the tea. "How did you know I like it with four sugars?"

"It's a talent of mine. Now don't change the subject. Why don't you try going on one of these dates and then if you don't like whoever it is, then at least you can say you've tried? How about that?"

"Hmm. I don't know, Molly. I really- I really don't want to go on one. I'm not in a fit state to be meeting new people- look at my hair, and my face- I don't know. I really don't want to do it."

"Then is there any way you know of that can get you out of it?"

"I don't think so. Mum's pretty adamant. As she always is about everything concerning me."

"That's only because she loves you, Tonks. You can't blame her for trying- she is your mother, after all."

"I don't want her interfering in my life, though, Molly. Sure, she can get worried about me, fine, but I wish she'd just stop trying to solve my problems."

"But then, if you can't solve your problems, and she can't solve your problems, then who can?"

We both know the answer to that one, and she sighs. "You can't wait for him too long, Dora."

"I know, I just…"

A sudden noise from the yard makes us both sit up, alert.

Molly goes to the door. "Who's there?" she says nervously. "Declare yourself!"

"It is I, Dumbledore, bringing Harry," replies a voice.

Molly flings the door open. "Harry, dear! Gracious, Albus, you gave me a fright, you said not to expect you before morning!"

"We were lucky" says Dumbledore, gesturing for Harry to come inside. He looks much taller, his face thinner. "Slughorn proved much more persuadable than I had expected. Harry's doing, of course." He notices me. "Ah, hello, Nymphadora!"

Harry turns around to look at me too, and double takes at my appearance. Can't say I blame him.

"Hello, Professor," I say as warmly as possible. "Wotcher, Harry."

I force a smile. "Hi, Tonks," says Harry.

"I'd better be off," I say quickly, not wanting to get involved in awkward conversation. "Thanks for the tea and the sympathy, Molly." I nod in her direction.

"Please don't leave on my account," says Dumbledore kindly. "I cannot stay, I have urgent matters to discuss with Rufus Scrimgeour."

"No, no, I need to get going," I say quickly. The fishy phoenixes are calling. "Night-"

"Dear, why not come to dinner at the weekend, Remus and Mad-Eye are coming-?"

Oh Merlin, not Remus. I can't stand another dinner like last time. "No, really, Molly… thanks anyway… goodnight, everyone." I nod a final time and Molly waves, looking worried again.

I walk briskly outside and apparate quickly before she can manage to persuade me to come back.

Before I can unlock the door mum comes running and flings it open. "Where have you been?"

She looks so worried I decide to tell her the truth. "I went for a walk, then to Molly's."

"I've been out of my mind with worry, you know! Absolutely petrified! Thought you'd run away!"

"Well, I haven't, okay? Look, I'll go on the blind date if you really want me too. Just one, mind you."

She beams with delight. "Oh Dora, dear, thank you, thank you. I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time. Would you like something to eat or did you eat at Molly's?"

"I ate there," I lie. "I think I'll just shower and go to bed, if you don't mind."

"Okay then, dear. Nighty-night. I love you."

"Love you too. Night."

I trudge upstairs and get into the shower, letting the hot water soak my skin and drive all thoughts from my head. In those five minutes of bliss- I'm not aching for Remus. I'm not even dreading tomorrow.

And then I get out of the shower, and it all comes rushing back.