As you might have guessed from the title, we're finally meeting Tonks ;)

alix33: Not sure about the pastries, to be honest. I took those from out of the book, and I don't think Rowling specified. Although given I only have the German version of the book at hand, I might have mixed something up when translating it back. About the pound, didn't even think about it, good point! Even if he knew, he'd clearly have gone for the more familiar currency. To be honest, I don't like the name "Hope" much - generally not a fan of names that are just words - but since Rowling provided it, I thought I might as well use it. And I do apologize about the darkness of it all. If it helps, it probably won't get this dark again for quite some time. And there's no way I'm having it end the way DH did!

If I missed a question I apologize, fanfiction seems to have a problem where it'll tell me there are reviews for the story, but not actually display them. I'm guessing they'll fix it at some point, but it means I didn't actually get to read all of your comments yet. (Don't let that keep you from reviewing this one, though! I'll read them as soon as it goes back to normal!)

Meeting Aurors

The ministry people showed up a week after Harry had arrived, a day before the full moon. Remus was surprised it had taken them this long, really.

Sirius and Harry were out when the low gong sounded through the house, indicating that someone had crossed the wards he had set up around the property. Remus had barely enough time to send a Patronus to them, warning them to be careful when they returned.

Usually Sirius abided by the security rules set up by Dumbledore, and only left the grounds in his animagus form. He and Harry had taken up the habit of long walks, on which Harry would tell him about his life, about the Dursleys, his adventures in Hogwarts and all the other things that his godfather had missed while in prison. Usually Sirius was content with listening, but sometimes, especially when they got close to home, he would give in to the urge to say something, and Remus had sent a stinging jinx his way more than once when he returned in human form.

The silvery figure had barely disappeared through the back wall when there was a loud knock on the door, followed by a sharp: "Open up, Aurors here."

Remus pocketed his wand and straightened his patched robes, cursing the pre-moon exhaustion that lay on him like lead.

Time to find out just how many laws you've broken.

Tonks' first reaction upon seeing the little cottage was disappointment. The forest around it was green and brimming with life, birdsong filled the air and sunlight dappled the ground. The house itself stood on a small clearing surrounded by a low hedge, the thatched roof sunk in a little, walls slightly crooked but freshly painted in sparkling white. It looked almost comically idyllic, like something straight of a muggle fairy-tale.

Not the home of a dark creature.

"That's it?" she asked incredulously, unable to contain her astonishment. "He lives here? Not much of a werewolf, is he? I was expecting something a lot darker. A cave, maybe a broken down shed…"

Dawlish sent her a withering look and strut forward without a word, leaving Tonks to roll her eyes at his back before following him.

Of all the people to be sent on duty with… Dawlish had the sense of humour of a dead flobberworm, and about an equal amount of charm. Mad-Eye had used to frown upon her comments as well, but at least with him she had known he was secretly amused. Dawlish on the other hand… Tonks highly doubted he even knew what amusement was.

She decided to ignore his hostility and continued talking while they walked towards the strangely idyllic werewolf den. "So what are we going to do? Just knock on his door, ask him, I'm sorry, do you happen to plan on eating Harry Potter? Wouldn't that be a bit rude?"

Dawlish stopped suddenly, and for a moment she thought he was going to snap at her, but instead he merely drew his wand, murmuring a spell. A second later, a line started glowing softly on the ground, just behind him, vanishing between the trees in both directions.

Tonks let out a low whistle. Obviously the werewolf knew what he was doing. Dawlish seemed less impressed at having crossed the line without noticing, his face growing even darker as he set of again, at a brisker pace now. Tonks had barely time to catch up with him before he knocked on the door. "Open up. Aurors here," he barked, and Tonks rolled her eyes at his harsh tone.

"Calm down. We're here to question him, not arrest him for murder."

Before the older Auror could answer, the door opened, and the werewolf stood in front of them.

Well, he certainly fits the house…, was Tonks first thought as she took in the tall, slightly dishevelled looking man. His robes were shabby and numerously patched, but very neat, and his slightly too long hair was flecked with grey. He seemed tired, his face pale except for the dark rings beneath his eyes, yet there was a polite smile on his face as he looked at the two Aurors standing on his doorstep.

Professor, yes. But werewolf? Tonks struggled to think of any person she knew who looked less like a dark creature.

Dawlish seemed to have no such reservations. "Remus Lupin?" he asked in the same harsh voice as before.

Lupin nodded slowly, perfectly composed although Tonks noticed his eyes flicking between the two of them. "That would be me. How can I help you?"

"Aurors Dawlish and Tonks," Dawlish said, unnecessarily pointing towards the emblem on his scarlet robes. "We're here to ask a few questions concerning your recent living arrangements."

Lupin arched one of his eyebrows (a feat Tonks couldn't help but be jealous of; she never managed to keep the other one that still). "I wasn't aware those fell under the Aurors' jurisdiction."

Dawlish eyes narrowed, obviously irritated by the werewolf's demonstrative calmness. "The do if you're a werewolf living with a minor," he said bluntly. "Can we please come in?"

Lupin hesitated, and for a moment Tonks thought he was going to refuse them. But then he gave a curt nod, and stepped aside. "Can I offer you something to drink? Tea, Coffee? I'm afraid we're out of pumpkin juice."

"No," Dawlish growled, but Tonks decided that she had enough of his rudeness. She wasn't a lowly recruit anymore after all, and technically of the same rank as her colleague.

"Tea would be great, thanks. One sugar, no milk." She shot the werewolf a wide smile and set off towards the kitchen, ignoring his surprised look at her blazing pink hair but inwardly grinning. Being an Auror was fun.

By the time he got the kettle working however, the polite mask had returned to Lupin's face, and he motioned for them to sit. Tonks hadn't bothered to wait and was already looking around the kitchen curiously. There were a couple of pictures on the wall, most of which seemed to be from Lupin's time at Hogwarts, and on the table sat a disregarded Daily Prophet and a small pile of books, the titles of which Tonks had never heard but suspected might be Muggle. The back door stood open, revealing a large, open garden. At the far end stood a small shed that looked like it had seen better days, and in the middle stood a curious wooden pole, about four feet high, on top of which sat a snowy owl. For a moment Tonks thought she saw something move to the right of it, but before she could take a closer look Lupin had closed the door on his way to the cupboard.

"That's quite a strong ward you got out there for someone who is allegedly innocent." Dawlish broke through her musings. He had finally sat down, but his stiff posture betrayed his agitation. Tonks wondered if he was actually afraid of Lupin, and why – werewolf or not, the man seemed about as threatening as a niffler.

"Innocent?" Lupin repeated light-heartedly, frowning a little. "I hadn't realized I was accused of anything to be innocent of."

A trace of red crept into Dawlish's face, and Tonks couldn't help but silently congratulate the werewolf. Annoying people like Dawlish was one of her favourite pastimes, and he appeared to be a natural.

But before the Auror could snap at him, Lupin continued in a far more serious tone: "Forgive me for being paranoid, but I am sure you are aware of public mood towards werewolves, and especially my recent position at Hogwarts. People can do foolish things in anger, and I'd rather not wake up to any unpleasant surprises. Especially since there is a minor living here, as you correctly pointed out."

Tonks opened her mouth to ask if he actually expected a mob with pitchforks on his doorstep, but Dawlish already moved on. "Yes," he said sharply. "A minor. Harry Potter, no less. Are you aware that it is illegal for dark creatures to adopt children that are not their own?"

Lupin didn't flinch, despite the barely concealed hostility. Instead he went over to the stove a second before the kettle whistled – how often did he make tea to have timed it this accurately? Or was it just luck? – and spoke over his back while pouring it into cups.

"I am familiar with the regulations, yes. But I can assure you that I have no intention of adopting Harry, or any other children for that matter. I merely offered him a place to stay during the summer, and he agreed." He levitated two cups of tea over to the table and sat down himself. "Obviously I asked his uncle and aunt for permission. I've got it written and signed somewhere, if you want to see it."

Dawlish narrowed his eyes at him. "Those relatives – muggles, aren't they?"

A short smile flashed over Lupin's face, as if the Auror's question amused him. "As muggle as they come," he agreed, taking a sip of his tea before growing serious again. "I assume you suspect me of confounding them into signing? Maybe put Harry under the Imperius curse so he'd come?"

Dawlish's face reddened, and Tonks knew that this was exactly what he suspected.

"Can we talk to Potter?" she asked, partly to keep her colleague from exploding and partly because she really wanted to meet Harry Potter – mostly because of that, really. She had the impression this Lupin guy could handle an angry Dawlish.

But she was disappointed when the werewolf shook his head. "He's out at the moment, I'm afraid."

"Out?" Dawlish snapped, hand twitching towards his wand, obviously prepared to search the house right now for any secret dungeons which might host under-aged celebrities.

Lupin looked unconcerned. "Yes, out. He's walking the dog, left about an hour ago. He should be back soon if you'd like to wait."

"He's out in the forest on his own?" Dawlish growled.

"No, he's got the dog with him," Lupin corrected patiently, as if talking to a child. Tonks had got the feeling he enjoyed winding up Dawlish. "And I can assure you, the most dangerous thing around here are bowtruckles. Harry's thirteen, not three. And given he's killed a basilisk, I imagine he'll manage to fight off a couple of animated sticks."

Tonks couldn't help but let out a snigger, which earned her a death glare from Dawlish. "What about full moons?" he snapped angrily. "Are you planning to give him a little bite and then howl at the moon together?"

The smile vanished from Lupin's lips almost as soon as it had come, and all the remaining colour drained from his face. "I won't transform here," he said through gritted teeth after a short pause, every trace of amusement gone. "I'll go to a safe place, away from Harry. I do not intend to endanger him or any other person through my condition."

Dawlish seemed unimpressed. "Have you ever bitten another person?"

"No." Lupin's face was a rigid mask now, and Tonks sensed that he was fighting very hard to keep his composure. Any sort of amusement he might have felt at the interrogation was obviously gone.

"Were you a supporter of You-Know-Who?"

"Dawlish," Tonks hissed, abhorred by this sudden aggression. Lupin might be connected to the Sirius Black case somehow – she wasn't aware of the details; at the time Black escaped she had just been a trainee, and given her familial relations to him she had been kept at a distance anyway – but they had absolutely no reason to accuse him of being a dark wizard.

"I was not," Lupin responded icily, raising his head to meet Dawlish's gaze. His blue eyes suddenly seemed very cold. "In fact, I fought against him. Where was it again your family was hiding during the war, Dawlish? Norway? Sweden?"

"You-"

Dawlish had jumped to his feet, but before he could draw his wand there was the sound of the door opening, and a young vice called out: "Professor Lupin? "

All the ice had vanished from Lupin's voice, and the look of unconcerned politeness returned to his face. "In the kitchen, Harry. And I told you, it's Remus."

His eyes were still fixed on Dawlish, who was now hastily sitting down again, and for a moment Tonks thought she could see something akin to triumph flicker through them. He hadn't lost his temper. Dawlish, a trained Auror, had. Tonks knew Lupin was a suspect and she should be wary of them, but somehow she couldn't help taking his side and giving a little grin of her own. Dawlish was quite simply an insufferable prick.

The kitchen door opened, and through it came a teenage boy with messy black hair, glasses, and a scar on his forehead. Almost instantly Tonks forgot all about the case, and couldn't help but stare.

Harry Potter. The real Harry Potter, in the flesh. Somehow he was smaller than she had expected, almost scrawny.

Upon seeing the two Aurors sitting at the table Potter froze, and Tonks was suddenly very aware of her staring. Hastily she averted her gaze, settling instead on the enormous black dog that had padded into the kitchen after the boy and was now watching the strangers with his head cocked to one side.

"Cool dog," she said, trying to break the awkward silence.

And it was a cool dog, the size of a small bear, fur scruffy and eyes of a stormy grey that seemed to sparkle with intelligence. At her comment it gave a short bark, wagging its tail.

"Snuffles, stay," Lupin snapped quickly, even though the dog had barely moved. "Harry, this is Auror Dawlish and his colleague" – Tonks suspected he had actually forgotten her name, and couldn't help but feel slightly insulted – "They are here to ask a few questions. The ministry seems to be under the impression that I have kidnapped you."

Potter frowned, and then turned towards Dawlish. "That's idiotic. Why should he do that?" From his eyes shone so much genuine indignation that Tonks last doubts – if there had been any left at all – disappeared at once. Their investigation was clearly pointless.

Dawlish however remained sceptic. "You are aware he is a werewolf, aren't you Harry?" he asked, in a voice more suitable talking to someone half Potter's age. "Now, if he has in any way threatened you…or promised you things…"

The dog started to growl, prompting Lupin to put a hand on its scruff, but otherwise the werewolf seemed unmoved by those accusations. Unlike Potter.

"Are all the Aurors such idiots? Or did they just send the stupidest pair they could find?" he asked hotly, anger blazing in his green eyes.

"Harry-", Lupin started, but he was interrupted by Dawlish, who was now on his feet again.

"Watch your tongue, boy," he growled, hand shooting towards his wand. "The ministry is simply concerned for your well-being – "

"No, you're concerned about your reputation," Potter shot back. "Can't have Harry Potter living with a werewolf, can we? I got some news for you, Remus is twice the man you, or any of those ministry idiots are!"

"How dare you!" Dawlish wand was actually in his hand now, and Tonks realized she had to act quickly if she didn't want her colleague to face investigation for assault of a minor. Not that she'd mind seeing him in trouble, but as primary witness it would mean a ton of paper work and tedious court hearings for herself.

Lupin, however, was quicker. A mere split second after Dawlish had drawn his wand he was standing between the Auror and Potter, his own wand raised, the detached politeness replaced by cold fury. The dog – Snuffles? Odd name for such a monstrosity – was at his side, all bristled fur and bared fangs.

Suddenly Tonks wasn't quite sure at which side she should point her own wand, and so she just stood there frozen, watching the two men staring at each other with unconcealed hatred on their faces. Lupin broke the silence first, his voice still calm but so full of ice it actually sent a shiver down Tonks' back.

"If you ever point your wand at him again, I will kill you."

Dawlish was so surprised by those words he actually took a small step back, but he quickly caught himself. "Are you threatening me?" he barked.

Lupin was unimpressed, staring down at the Auror with open disgust. Tonks couldn't help but notice that he was a good deal taller than Dawlish.

"No. I am merely stating a fact. Now leave."

He took a step aside to free the way to the door, dragging Potter and the dog with him. For a moment Tonks thought Dawlish would actually attack, but then he just let out an angry grunt, threw one last hateful stare at Lupin and pocketed his wand. "You'll hear from us," he snapped, and set off towards the front door.

Tonks threw an apologetic look at Harry Potter before she followed her colleague. Before the front door slammed shut behind her, she was certain she heard Lupin's dry voice: "Looking forward to it."

As they walked back towards the apparition point, Tonks couldn't help but be confused by the encounter. It was obvious Potter was there of his own free will, and she highly doubted Lupin was actually a dark wizard, even if he was a werewolf. But she couldn't shake off the feeling he was hiding something, and she felt oddly compelled to find out what it was.

But how would she do that? They had found nothing suspicious at all at his home, and they couldn't just question him again without reason, whatever Dawlish had said. Was there any other way she could talk to Lupin again?

As it turns out there was, just one week later.

As soon as the front door closed behind the Aurors, the strength seemed to flee from Lupin's body and he sank onto a chair, face suddenly grey and tired. "I shouldn't have done that."

"What, and just let those pricks insult you?" Sirius snorted. "I'm surprised you didn't hex the bastard. I certainly would have. In fact, I've got half a mind to go after them and maul his sorry little arse."

Harry hadn't seen Sirius this angry since the night Peter Pettigrew escaped, but he couldn't help share his sentiment. He didn't know much about the ministry; in fact, the only ministry employees he had ever met were Mr Weasley and Cornelius Fudge.

Until a few weeks ago he had thought Fudge harmless, a bit bumbling perhaps, a bit condescending, but ultimately decent. That was until the minister had straight out refused to listen to Dumbledore about Sirius, trying to rob him of his soul without so much as a court hearing. From this new experience he concluded that it was in fact Mr Weasley who was the exception, not Fudge. That, or Aurors were simply dicks.

"They can't do anything though, can they?" Harry asked anxiously, "I mean, we didn't break any laws."

"You didn't, of course," Lupin answered, still staring at the wall. "I…depending on how they interpret it, and just how desperately they want to get rid of me, they can get me for threatening an official. I shouldn't have lost my temper like that, it was stupid."

"Ah, but you didn't threaten him," Sirius pointed out, lazily stretching out on the chair Dawlish had vacated. "You were merely stating a fact." He sniggered. "Classic line, Moony. Old, but gold."

Harry looked at his godfather, confused by his unconcerned demeanour. Was Sirius just trying to reassure him or was he really not worried?

"I think I'm going to lie down a bit," Lupin said, levitating the empty teacups over to the sink. "There's some leftover stew in the fridge if you get hungry." With that he slumped out of the room, stumbling a bit as he hit one of Sirius' discarded motorbike magazines that was lying on the floor.

"Is he alright?" Harry asked when the werewolf had disappeared up the stairs. Lupin looked terribly ill.

Sirius shrugged, and summoned a bag of Ice Mice. "Full moon coming up."

"Oh. Does he always get this bad?" Harry felt almost stupid for asking, but despite everything they had learned in class – how to recognize a werewolf, what spells worked on them, how to protect themselves – he knew next to nothing about what lycantrophy actually meant.

But Sirius merely nodded, holding the bag of sweets out to Harry. "Most times, yeah. It used to be a lot worse when he was younger; before Hogwarts there were times when he couldn't even leave the bed the week before. It got better over time, especially once we could stay with him so he wouldn't rip himself apart every full moon. And from what he tells me, the Wolfsbane potion helps a lot with the fatigue as well."

"But he doesn't have the potion now, does he? Snape made it for him."

Sirius face darkened at the mention of the potions professor. "No. He could buy it, but he doesn't have the money and he refuses to let me pay for it. Moony was always very stubborn with that."

As horrible as Lupin's curse was, Harry could very well understand this refusal. After all, he knew how sensitive Ron was when it came to money. "But you'll stay with him, won't you?" he asked. "Or isn't it safe now, without…"

Dad. He couldn't bring himself to say it out loud, but Sirius understood nonetheless.

"It is. I won't be able to stop him, but it's not like he's planning on roaming the countryside. If I lock myself in with him, I'll be able to calm him enough so he won't attack himself, or me. But I can't just leave you on your own for the night."

Harry gasped. "What!? So you'd rather have him bite himself instead of me spending a few hours alone?"

"Not a few hours, a whole night," Sirius corrected. "We got a duty of care; you're not seventeen yet. So it's either this or sending you back to those muggles. Who might actually lock you up again, so I'm not having that."

"What if I stay with Ron?"

Sirius hesitated. "Maybe… But Remus won't want that, he doesn't like making a fuss over himself. He'd be terribly embarrassed."

Harry frowned. "So you'd rather have him stay on his own?" He didn't even wait for Sirius answer, but stood to grab ink and parchment. "I'm writing Ron. We can just tell Remus Mrs Weasley invited me over."

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "He's not gonna fall for that."

"But he can't keep me from going, can he? Otherwise the ministry will show up again 'cos he's keeping me here against my will."

At this, Sirius grinned, pride shining in his eyes. "You certainly are your father's son, Harry."

So did you like Tonks? (not gonna ask about Dawlish)