Remus woke up tangled in the blankets on the floor. His head was throbbing and his limbs and body felt like lead. Every bone and muscle felt strained. His eyelids were heavy and his exhaustion was almost too heavy to bear. Something wet had woken him up. Something was licking his face.

"Damn it Padfoot." Remus moaned he tried to push Sirius off, but barely managed to lift his arm. Sirius changed back into his human form and sat Remus up against the wall.

"Come on Mate, "Sirius said as he half lifted Remus.

"lets get you to your room." Sirius put his arm around Remus to help hi walk to his room. Lupin felt a sharp pain on his shoulder blade, which he assumed was another injury that would leave a scar. He looked down his body. Sirius covered him with a blanket around his shoulders. He saw a shallow scratch above his right knee, and a long deep gash traveling from the side of his left knee to his lower calf. He noticed some claw marks on his arms, but all in all his injuries were minor. He remembers he scratches and claw marks from is playful fights with snuffles, but the gash on his shoulder and his calf must have been from the initial transformation, when everything was just a cloud of pain.

Sirius applied dittany to the larger cuts, and mended his minor cuts easily enough when they reached Lupin's bedroom. He helped him step into some cloths and laid him down on the bed.

"I'm tellin' ya man, women love scars, you just need to show them off." Lupin smiled the best he could. He raised his hand and Sirius took it,

"Thank you Padfoot." Sirius shrugged.

"What are sarcastic, pains in the ass friends for." Lupin grinned.

"Its in our job description, you just happen to have one of the most stunning at your bedside." Sirius winked which earned a painful huff of amusement from Lupin. Remus felt that he could never thank Sirius enough. Every full moon he would be at Lupin's aid and make him feel better about his misfortunes.

"Oh and Remus, one more thing before you pass out." Lupin forced him self to pay attention to Sirius' words.

"Dora is downstairs. She stayed all night. She wanted to make sure you were ok. Would you mind if she came in? I think she deserves to see for herself." Lupin raised his head slightly. Tonks was still there. She really meant it. Remus suddenly became completely aware of his appearance. He couldn't let her see him like this. He was so weak and broken right now. Lupin shook his head at his friend.

"Why not Remus?" asked Sirius with confusion.

"'Cuz I'm a wreak Sirius, and she'll just pity me." Remus explained.

"I'm not worthy of her concern." Sirius sighed with exasperation.

"Self sacrificing git." Sirius mumbled as he exited the room. Remus went back to her words last night. She said she cared. He felt honored and shocked that he had some how gained the caring attention of a young beautiful witch. She was colorful and lively. She was like a breath of fresh air in this dark place. She invaded his thoughts and dreams as of late, and she cared about him. Sure she just meant it in a friendly manner, but the thought warmed Lupin's heart. But he didn't deserve her attention. She was too young and pure to be tainted by knowing a werewolf. He couldn't let her be stained by his existence. He was a monster who didn't warrant her care. He laid back in his bed thinking to the beauty of Nymphadora. She was funny, beautiful, smart, strong and so much more. He knew he wasn't going to be able to get her out of his mind. He stopped trying to fool himself that he only felt a shallow physical attraction to her; no he fancied her as a person. But he was much too old for her, and would never gain anything more than friendship. That's the way he was meant to live out his life.

—

Sirius reached the bottom of the stairs where Tonks waited. She had been a right mess this morning, worrying over Moony. 'She should be able to see him herself' Sirius reasoned. 'She stayed here all night just to check on him' Sirius reasoned that if Lupin kept going down the path he had started, he was going to loose the interest of his little cousin. He wanted them both to be happy, and he thought they could be happy together, even if it was just as friends. But he knew that Lupin would shut her out, because he was a self sacrificing prat. She looked up a Sirius with questioning.

"Is he ok?" Sirius smiled.

"Yeah, he's just about to take a rest. Go on up and check on him if you'd like."

"Oh no, I don't want to keep him up."

"No, I think he's staying up until you go to see him." She looked shocked.

"Oh- umm ok, I'll just poke my head in." Sirius grinned.

"You do that." She took off stumbling up the steps. Sirius continued down the stairs to the kitchen.

"He'll thank me later."

Tonks stood in front of his bedroom door. She felt the ache in her chest at the moans coming from behind the door. She bucked up her courage and pushed open the door. Remus lifted his head slightly.

"Sirius?" he asked confused.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't just call me a moody middle aged man." Tonks replied. Lupin's eyes shot open.

"Tonks" he whispered warmly. Despite himself he couldn't be angry with Sirius for defying his wishes. Her dandelion-yellow hair washed away his anger, and set aside his pain. She beamed down at him and he stared up at her through his tired eyes. They stared at each other for what seemed like hours, but was really only a few minutes. Lupin looked up at her with warmth and tenderness. He asked himself how he had managed to trick this beautiful young woman to worry about him. He was a middle aged werewolf for Merlin's sake! Tonks didn't know why she was looking at him so intently, as if just to make sure he was alive and here. She hadn't really noticed how worried she was for him. She knew she was being stupid; he had gone through the transformation countless times. She just couldn't get over the fact that this kind, caring, good natured man had to endure horrible pain every month. He didn't deserve that. She realized she was coming off as a bit mental, just staring at him. She lowered her gaze.

"I just wanted to check on you before I head off to work." Remus felt his heart war, but he ignored it.

"Thank you Nymphadora, that is kind of you, but you didn't have to. I've been through this more than enough, and this has been one of my better moons. i can take care of myself." His voice was hoarse and it sounded almost harsh.

"I'm sorry I was just concerned." Tonks continued to look at the ground while she spoke. There was the slightest tone of hurt in her voice. She inched towards him, and bent to her knees by his bed.

"Just get rested." To both Remus' horror and delight she lightly gripped him in a hug, and he felt the lightest of brushes of her lips on his cheek. She left without another word

Lupin let go of a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. He cursed himself for the way he acted.

'She was just being friendly, and you acted poorly towards her, you sounded so bitter.'

He had told himself that he would accept her friendship, so why was he shunning it? Maybe because he knew that he wanted more. It would be disgraceful to admit it to anyone else but himself, but he fancied Tonks. Her smile, her laugh, her outrageous hair and everything about her warmed his heart. At times he found himself unable to resist her companionship and other times he would find himself trying to force her away. He couldn't think clearly when the topic of Tonks was in his mind. He fell asleep with her kiss still warming his cheek.

Some time in the afternoon Lupin was woken up by a series of bangs and screams. A loud bang had set off Mrs. Black, and another source of screaming. Remus sat up curious as to what was going on below him. He was still tired, but no longer in the pain and haze of soreness that he was hours previous. He reached the bottom of the stairs to find a sea of flaming red hair, and both Mrs. Black, and Mrs. Weasley. The air around everyone was smokey, there were red and green embers glowing still from the filibuster firework that seemed to have gone off. Molly was yelling at the twins for there carelessness and lack of control when Remus came into her view.

"Remus," she said in surprise and concern.

"How are you feeling dear? I hope my boys didn't wake you up." Lupin tried his best to smile his usual warming way.

"Oh not at all Molly, I was already on my way down." He lied. All the Weasleys were now looking at him.

"Professor Lupin!" exclaimed the twins in unison. Lupin smiled and nodded at them.

"Do you need help with the rest of your unpacking Molly?" Remus asked.

"Oh no Remus dear. We're fine. You need to rest, and I'll make you something to eat after we're done unpacking."

"Don't be silly Molly. I'm fine and I want to help."

This battle went on a short while longer seeing whether or not motherly instincts would win over gentle-mentality. But in the end Lupin was helping Sirius carry Ron and Ginny's Trunks to their respected rooms while they help their mother unpack here house hold items for cooking and cleaning.

"So, Moony. Did you rest well?" Sirius had a strange grin on his face and Remus felt that he knew why.

"Did you get any visitors?"

"Sirius you have a disgraceful lack of subtlety." He shrugged indifferently.

"But did you?" he pressed.

"You know I did because you sent her up you git. And might I add that I specifically told you I didn't want her to come in." Sirius shrugged again.

"Well in your delirium I thought you meant the opposite of what you wanted so I did want I thought you wanted me to do. Plus you gave me cock n' bull reasons why she shouldn't come up. I just hope you didn't do anything stupid, 'cuz she's still my little cousin and I'lll have to hurt you if you did." Lupin revisited his words from this morning. He had sounded almost harsh and unwelcoming, but she still embraced him. This was the part that confused him. He lightly touched his fingers to his cheek where she brushed her lips. She had done this before, and secretly he wished she would do it more. He shook his head into reality to find Sirius staring at him.

"You alright there mate? You kinda got this glazed over look."

"Fine Padfoot, guess I'm just a little tired." He lied. Sirius gave him a strange look, but continued up the stairs with the trunks. The children were sent to unpack their cloths while Sirius and Remus helped Molly start dinner. Sirius' mood was lifted at the invasion of the Weasleys. As much as he complained about Molly's over drive of motherly instincts, he was overjoyed to have company and something to do other than clean with Kreacher.

At the call for super a stampede of flaming red heads charged the kitchen. After the scramble to get food had past everyone was seated and enjoying their meal and conversation. Fred and George were telling Sirius their wild stories of pranks and about their joke shop products, which earned hearty laughs from Sirius. Arthur and Molly were discussing the arrangements when Hermione arrived and Ron was talking with Remus. Ron was very pleasant to talk to, but he couldn't help but notice Ginny staring blankly at her food. He felt a pang of pity for her, she was the only daughter of seven children, and she had no companions at the table to laugh with or even talk to. Lupin glanced over at Sirius still in a fit of laughter from something the twins just told him after his mirth subsided he caught Lupin's eye. Remus gave the slightest of nods towards Ginny. Sirius saw her and gave an expression for a moment like he was thinking hard and fast. He looked back to the twins and resumed his light laughter.

"You boys are a riot." He patted them on the shoulders.

"You know? I bet you and Tonks would get along just fine." The twins looked at him in question

"Infact" he said turning to Ginny

"I think Ginny here would like her too." Ginny's head perked up at the sound of her name.

"Who's Tonks?" asked Ginny.

"Oh she's in the order. She's actually not much older than you." Sirius replied.

"Yep good old Tonks is worth a good laugh any day isn't she Remus?" Sirius looked to Remus with a plea to help him get the conversation started.

"Tonks is a metamorphagus and a highly respected Auror." he explained to the children who were all staring at him.

"but she also trips over her own two feet constantly and is a menace." They all chuckled.

"She sounds brilliant." Said Ginny with interest. Their conversation lead back to jokes and pranks; with Ginny now adding her voice.

They were all finishing up dessert when the twins spoke up again.

"Wait I remember where I've heard Tonks from." Fred exclaimed. They all looked at him with confusion. George explained.

"We knew we heard the name before, but we couldn't place it until now."

"Yea, know we remember. Charlie used to talk about her." Fred said.

"We where at Hogwarts when she was there for a short time. She was brilliant." George continued.

"She and Charlie even dated for a bit. How could we have forgotten her?" George asked. No one seemed to have noticed Lupin. He had gone suddenly rigid and nearly dropped his tea cup. Some nasty feeling in his stomach was boiling, and the sorce seemed to be Charlie Weasley. He could see Charlie in his minds eye, and had the sudden urge to add to Charlie's scars from the dragons. He saw Charlie embracing Tonks on the night of their last meeting. He remembered the knot in his stomach when it happened.

They finished off their dessert, and dispersed on Molly's orders to go to bed. It was about ten and Lupin was exhausted from his transformation. He and Sirius were left at the table with Sirius reading his magazine and Remus just staring at his hands.

"Go to sleep Moony, you don't need to chaperone me, I promise I won't throw a fit." He said this jokingly, but Remus heard it as an order. He stood up and walked towards the door.

"Goodnight Padfoot."

"Night Moony." Remus trudged up the stairs hearing murmurs from the Weasley's rooms; none of them were even close to being in bed. He reached his room and readied for bed. After his shower and brushing his teeth he fell into his bed with exhaustion taking him deeper into sleep. His last conscious thought was of Nymphadora and the emotional turmoil she was causing him.

'But Gods she's perfect.' He thought as he slipped into sleep.

—

Tonks had a pretty normal day at work. She left headquarters worried sick about Remus. He looked exhausted and drained. She couldn't help but notice the dark purple bruises forming on his arms and face. She admired his strength and wished to go back and tell him how strong he was and how much she admired his courage and kind heart despite his misfortunes. She wanted to hold him and show him how she cared for him. But she reasoned that it would be ridiculous to do so. She morphed her hair into elbow length dark blue and purple glossy hair and headed to work.

Tonks had spent most of her day as a wiry haired old hag. Her supervisor, Zarek Callis, was very picky, and was particular on her disguises. He had her morph down to the very last wart, and would constantly give her tips on how to act in situation. She found this as a complete insult to her competence. She was a fully ranked auror, and she earned respect from more skilled and more important aurors than him, but he found her incapable. Her nerves were set on edge every time she saw his salt and pepper hair and beard. And his low raspy voice made her stomach turn. She was assigned to his team for the field, and quickly discovered that she would rather be back at desk duty. He was only a few years older than she was, but he believed that he was the most experienced auror in the office. The other girls in the office told her that he charms his hair to look greyer than it actually is to attract more women in some twisted way. Tonks found him utterly sickening. But she was forced to work with him.

Tonks was done with her report and field work by nine which gave her time to meet up with her friends at the Leaky Cauldron. She was so excited to have Charlie back in town that she had owled her old Hogwarts mates to have a small reunion with Charlie included. When she walked into the dimly lit tavern she saw her old friend Caelyn Redman. They had played quidditch together and were in the same house and year. Caelyn was an average height girl with cute rounded features. She wasn't chubby, or fat, but she was well built and athletic. She had big hazel eyes which matched her light brown hair which she charmed to have tomato red tips. She was Tonks' best girlfriend at Hogwarts. She was now training to become a healer. One more year of studies and she would be a resident healer.

Tonks felt herself grin at her evil thoughts. Caelyn had been very friendly also with Charlie. But Tonks always suspected that she liked him on another level. She had been overjoyed to come and welcome Charlie home tonight. And she had her back to Tonks, nervously tapping her butterbeer in her hand. Tonks pictured the handsome features of the flaming haired boy in her minds eye. The tingle in her hair and skin told her she was morphed. She approached the bar. With a low masculine voice she spoke.

"Caelyn?" she turned around and spotted Tonks,

"Charlie?" Tonks held back her laughter as she walked towards her old friend. "Caelyn Redman." Caelyn looked at Tonks a bit confused. The low voice of Charlie continued.

"Caelyn Redman ." Tonks took Caelyn's hands in Charlie's and lowered to one knee.

"Caelyn will you marry me?" Tonks was maliciously enjoying the sight of her friend turn redder than a Weasley's hair. She looked horrified and shock. And suddenly Tonks couldn't hold it in any longer. She started laughing and morphing back to normal. Through her fits of laughter she could hear Caelyn yelling at her.

"That wasn't funny Tonks."

"Oh yes it was Cae, and you know it." Caelyn smiled at Tonks unable to resist the mirth of the situation.

They hugged and greeted each other properly as old friend should.

"So how've you've been Cae?" she looked at her butterbeer again.

"Stressed beyond belief, my freakin' overseers' got me on a short leash. She won't let me treat anyone by myself, and she's always breathing down my neck expecting me to screw up." They went on comparing horrible bosses while their Hogwarts friends streamed into the Leaky Cauldron. Hellos were said and they caught up on what was happening in everyone's life. Charlie was one of the last to show up. Tonks knew it was because he was finishing his shift for watching Harry at Privet Drive, but he told everyone that he was waiting for an owl from his boss in Romania. He greeted everybody before he made it to where Tonks and Caelyn were sitting.

"Tonks this is great, it's so good to see you." He hugged her. They had agreed that it was best if no one knew they had seen each other before then. Their friend would have been glad to join the Order, but for now it was only for the invited, so it was their plan to keep it from their friends. He turned to Caelyn and hugged her as well.

"Cae you look amazing." He said. Others would think he meant this in a plutonic way, but Tonks noticed his eyes travel over her with a hint of longing. She smiled to herself as she saw a slight blush creep up her Caelyn's neck.

They ate and drank until everyone was at least a bit tipsy. They all started singing the Hogwarts school song, as well as other folk songs. One of Charlie's old friends, Timmy, from Ravenclaw confessed his love for Natalie, which she laughed off as he did this often. They all told stories of their work and everyone listened intently to Charlie's dragon stories. Just around eleven everything went quiet. Tonks looked to her left to see her two friends Caleb and Marci Standing and waiting for everyone's attention. They were looking at each other their faces filled with happiness.

"Everyone," Caleb addressed the group with excitement in his voice

"we have some exciting news." He looked to Marci who was bursting at the seams with happiness.

"We're getting married." She finally announced. The silence erupted into congratulations and enthusiasm. The pair had been together since fifth year, and everyone was just waiting for this news. In fact they all took a bet on when he would propose. Tonks turned to Caelyn and flipped her two sickles. She looked all around to everyone and smiled

"Pay up everyone. I won." They all laughed and handed her two sickles each. She smiled brightly

"So what made you pop the question mate?" Timmy asked Caleb looked at Marci with tenderness.

"Well I've been thinking about it for a while now, but when the Triwizard Tournament ended with the death of that kid, and all the rumors of you-know-who coming back, it made me think about what would happen if he really is back. I couldn't stand the though of another war, and possibly loosing Marci, so I asked." Tonks eyes flew to Charlie's at the mention of Voldemort and the war. They kept eye contact only for a moment, but it was long enough for Caelyn to notice. She was sitting next to Charlie, and was looking in-between them frowning slightly in confusion.

After a few more rounds of drinks in the happy couple's honor the conversation turned to relationships. Timmy claimed that he was holding out for Natalie, which everyone laughed at. He always said he would wait for her, but always found himself with other women. They were friends even before Hogwarts, from their hometown. And Timmy always claimed they were going to be married with children. But they were just great friends. Natalie said she met a minor league quidditch chaser who caught her interest, but nothing had happened so far. The attention turned to Charlie who blushed and said

"The closest I've gotten to a relationship in to years is with a Maori dragon named Pania."

"What about you Cae?" asked Marci she snorted

"Oh yea I think this guy in the spell damage ward has got the hots for me. He keeps groping me and asking if I find his smile charming, or if I've seen his pet elephant-cat." They all laughed at her lack of love life. Suddenly all eyes were on Tonks and she felt a wave of heat spread through her.

"What about you Tonks?" She avoided everyone's eyes and look at her feet. Luckily her hair was long enough to hide her blush spot.

"No just dark wizards telling me that they'll give me a ride if I let them off." She responded. They chuckled, but Caelyn didn't seem convinced.

The night ended shortly after that. They all said their farewells and headed different directions. Tim and Natalie took the floo while Caleb and Marci apperated out of the pub. Charlie hugged Tonks and Caelyn goodbye and left for the burrow. Tonks walked out into muggle London and started to walk towards her flat. The fast fall of foot steps and panting made her turn around in alarm. Caelyn was racing to catch up with her.

"Hey." She greeted Tonks.

"Hey." Tonks replied. They started walking together toward Tonks' apartment a few blocks away. The silence was filled with the noises of London at night. She wasn't completely sure why Caelyn was walking with her to her flat, but she knew it had something to do with the looks between Tonks and Charlie that Caelyn noticed.

They reached her flat and no soon had the door closed that Caelyn spoke.

"So who's the bloke you're pining over?" A pang of fear stabbed her. How did she know? Her mind lingered on the young features of Remus. His kind eyes and his heart-lifting laugh danced at the front of her mind. She put on a confused face.

"What are you talking about, I told you that I'm not seeing anyone." Caelyn raised her eyebrow.

"I saw you blush spot I know you were lying; you wouldn't look me in the eye." Tonks made a point by looking into her eyes as she spoke clearly.

"I don't know what you're talking about I'm not seeing anybody."

"Nym." She said warningly. She gave tonks a look that told her clearly that she wasn't in the mood. Tonks hung her shoulders in defeat.

"Ok I kinda like someone." Caelyn smiled in victory. But there was a tone of sadness in her eyes.

"Ok so go on what's he like?" Tonks sat on the couch with her with a huff.

"He's so kind and brave."

She went on about the wonders of Remus and how strong and brilliant he was. How his stare made her feel and how when he laughed she was positive the world stood still.

"He has these moments when he's so playful and adoring." She huffed again and fell back into her couch. She was so happy to have someone to say this to. Caelyn looked happy for Tonks, but there was still that hint of sadness. Tonks noticed it and sat right up.

"Is everything ok Cae?" she asked.

"What? Oh yeah, fine." She mumbled. Tonks gave her the same look she had been given earlier. Caelyn hung her shoulders.

"Just tell me. Is the guy… is he Charlie?" Tonks smiled at her friend knowingly.

"No it's not Charlie, you don't know him." Her friend looked happy at this news. Embarrassed, but happy.

"Oh" was all she said. Tonks couldn't prevent the knowing grin crossing her face.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed.

"I knew you fancied him." Caelyn buried her head in her hands. Tonks gloated a bit more about her knowledge of her friend. She stopped when Caelyn sighed in sorrow.

"What?" Tonks asked sitting back besides Caelyn.

"It's no use. He's odviously still pining over you." Tonks' jaw dropped.

"Oh don't look surprised. I saw the look he gave you when we were all taking about Caleb's proposal." She looked moodily at her feet. Tonks shook her head

"No, no you misunderstood, that was something totally different." Caelyn looked as if she wasn't convinced.

"Oh really, what was it?" she asked. Tonks opened and closed her mouth trying to find the right words that wouldn't expose the Order. Caelyn looked back at her feet.

"I thought so." Tonks exhaled heavily.

"Ok, Me and Charlie just believe the rumors that Vol… You-know-who is back. We were just reacting to Caleb voicing it." Caelyn looked relieved, but confused.

"I thought you guys didn't see each other before tonight?" Nothing got past Caelyn. Tonks used to quib that she would have been a great professor. She couldn't lie any more. She was tired and just decided to tell her with as little detail as possible.

"Well that's not completely true." She looked confused.

"Dumbledore as you know believes Voldemort is back." Caelyn flinched slightly at the name, but Tonks continued.

"Charlie and I were asked to join him in fighting against his rising army." She looked a bit horrified, but satisfied with the answer.

"How did you guys get involved with this?" she asked. Tonks sighed.

"Well my old mentor, (you remember Moody, right?) suggested to Dumbledore that I join. And Charlie's whole family just kinda jumped in." A flash of hurt crossed her face.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Tonks sighed.

"I couldn't." she said simply. Caelyn nodded in understanding.

"Ok" she said, sounding excited, "I want to join." Tonks felt her jaw drop.

"W-What?"

"You heard me I want to join. I want to help fight you-know-who." Tonks admired her friends bravery.

"I can't just go initiating members. Its kinda invite only right now, and they'll kill me if they found out I told you." Caelyn's face distorted into anger.

"I'm offering my help." She yelled.

"I know, but its way too dangerous and risky."

"Don't mother me Nym, I've gotten this far without one, and I want to help." Tonks felt guilt surge through her veins. Caelyn lost her mother in the first war when she was eight. Her and her father were devastated and she had to grow up without a mother. Joining the Order must mean more than just bravery to her, it could be her way to avenge her mom. Who was Tonks to deny her that?

"Ok" she sighed.

"I'll talk to Dumbledore." A single tear was forming in Caelyn's eye.

"Thank you Tonks." She nodded. They were never the kind of girlfriends who broke down in each others arms. Sure on some drastic occasions, but they were two girls linked by there similar strength and independence. They weakly smiled at each other.

"So you only followed me here to ask about my fancy?" ask Tonks. Caelyn looked like she just remembered something.

"Oh, no I need a place to crash tonight; my landlord is getting rid of the ghoul in my wall."

"So you just followed me here assuming I would let you stay?"

"Well you are going to let me stay aren't you?" she gave Tonks a devilish smile. They both started laughing. Why it was so funny they didn't know, but they laughed on and on. Tonks set Caelyn up on her pull-out couch and readied herself for bed.

"hey Nym?"

"Yay Cae."

"This bloke you fancy, is he in the group you were talking about?"

"Yea, he is. Why?" Tonks asked

"Because I think he sounds lovely and I want to steal him from you." She replied sleepily.

"Stick with the redheads Cae." She said, "Now go to sleep." They both slept soundly through the night.

A/N: I know I know its horrible. if i get five reviews ill do another chapter... or i'll just do it any ways. i know this took me way too long... but its finally up... still looking for a beta