Author's Note:

For some reason I feel the things in this chapter are a bit forced...? Please do review and tell me what you think. Still loving Lupin and Tonks. I hope you enjoy this chapter thought, somehow. Haha BTW, (for me) it's finally summer vacation! 3 And thank you to all those reviewers and everyone who read. Thank you so much ^_^

P.S. Thanks to LOGINPASSWORD apparently Andromeda is Sirius' cousin? I was a bit fuzzy on the whole thing so I decided to list her as his Aunt at first, but then I editted and changed it so that she was his cousin again er...idk but I edited so I didn't place Andromeda as his aunt anymore. I hope that solved a bit of the confusion...if this confused u more just don't read this haha sorry ^_^


Chapter 07 – No Letters, No Word, No News

She was unhappy, and he could see it. She didn't bother to change her hair color as much whereas in one meeting she would mess around with at least twenty different colors. Tonks' eyes were always off somewhere else, thinking, pondering about the safety of those close to her, and the threat Bellatrix and Malfoy posed. Remus would find her alone in the library often, her eyes staring distantly into the flames of the chimney fire. He didn't know exactly what he could do, what he should do, but he knew he had to do something. It burned him up inside to see her sad.

And so one night, just as the first day of winter arrived, he had pulled her into the library and attempted to push away any bits of her unhappiness. They ended up talking for hours in wonderful conversations, and he felt so warm around her despite the freezing air outside.

She sat with her legs up on the sofa, a warm cup of hot chocolate in her hands as her eyes were distantly looking pass him, outside into the cold night. "…that's probably why I fear Bellatrix so much. I've seen her torture people." Tonks had finished her story as Remus listened so intently in to, his clairvoyant eyes soothing her woe. "I'm so weak," she laughed bitterly.

"You're not weak Nymphadora," he spoke softly.

Dora's been the one providing me comfort ever since we met. It's my turn now, and yet I feel like I'm failing her, I'm unable to comfort her.

"You're far from weak," he added, looking at her with emotional eyes. "You're the bravest, strongest woman I've ever met. You are smart, strong, beautiful, funny, and caring. Don't think so low of yourself."

She smiled wanly. "Don't forget annoying."

"Not annoying, unique," he breathed, uncontrolled as he took a gentle hold of her hand across the table. "I've always enjoyed how colorful you are, how carefree you are. You make life brighter…more exciting."

You add color to my world of drag. If only I could be something special, a part of yours.

"Remus why do you always only see the good in people and never the bad?" she suddenly asked him. He didn't know how to answer her as a pair of confused eyes gave back at her and Tonks laughed quietly, a weary laugh. "Thank you, for not judging me," she smiled, her eyes signaling to her hair and her finger playing with a strand of pale violet.

"I'm in no position to," he smiled. "Thank you, for not judging me," Remus replied as his eyes signaled towards the half moon up in the sky.

They were quiet for quite a long time after a game of chess began. Remus' face full of thoughts made her chuckle, forgetting about her woes while her innocent, non-calculative moves made him smirk, forgetting about his fears. Their foreheads touched a few times as they both hovered over the chess board, and their fingers glided against each others' often as they made their different moves. Tonks soon found herself feeling a lot better, at least being able to forget about her worries, even if it was only a temporary escape. They had locked the door to the library and so no one beside Remus was in her world for that night.

Outside, it began drizzling in the middle of the night, and they paused for a short while, listening to the falling rain. Their hearts calmed with the pitter patter of the rain drops on the ceiling and the window. During that time, they both found that despite everything around them, just each minute alone with each other made them so happy and so warm.

"You know, I used to be so afraid of the moon, especially when it turns full."

"I'd be too if I were you. Each month it's a harbinger of pain and fear."

"But I'm not anymore," Remus admitted for the first time.

She looked up from her gaze on the board and the box of candy beans beside them.

"Not ever since you spent the full moon with me," he spoke in a weak, soft voice.

"I'm glad," she smiled affectionately, sending waves of tenderness into him. "It's good having someone there for you. When you're down I'll help you. And when I'm down, you catch me and pick me up," she sighed a deep thought as her eyes timidly shied from him.

It's always good to have someone standing by you. Thank you, Nymphadora.

Remus smiled blissfully and nodded. "Often times quite literally too," he teased.

She sniffled a laugh and nodded, embarrassed. "I'm thankful for you helping me, a klutz extraordinaire." When Tonks looked up again, they were both suddenly trapped in a spell bound gaze of pure and innocent affection, so powerful and real. They were hushed by emotions. Then, almost subconsciously, they found their faces touching, their lips touching, and soon they only had each other and only saw each other. Tonks felt her heart beat in a different rhythm, one she could get used to. Remus felt himself warm up, his heart jumping like crazy and smiled. They both hovered over the chess board, knocking over pieces while their world collided.


Early in the morning, the cold breath of a new winter caressed their faces gently, as the soft sunlight made even the dreary walls of Grimmauld Place a warmer and brighter place to be. Remus' eyes opened up first, tired and slowly adjusting to the sunlight that was already high on its way climbing the horizon. He'd never slept better in his life, even if he had slept sitting upwards on a single leather armchair with his feet resting on the chipped glass coffee table where a chess game sat unfinished. Across from him was a long leather sofa, settled by a young, pale pink haired Auror who still was soundly asleep.

His tired eyes soon grew awake as he sighed and pushed himself up straight, watching in a serene silence as the young woman slept. His wounds had been healing, and only two still bothered him. Remus slightly winced when the half healed gash below his shoulder blade rubbed against the rough fabric of his jumper and the leather of the armchair. The pain though left him quickly and he shuffled to reorganize himself while watching Nymphadora Tonks ardently. The golden rays of the sun made her skin glow magnificently, and a small smile that still sat on her lips made him smile like a fool in what one called, love.

Then, Remus' eyebrow rose in warm amusement as she stirred. Tonks began opening her eyes, cringing against the blinding sunlight. Remus chuckled as he raised his good arm up, covering the sunlight that blinded her eyes by a shadow his hand casted. She smiled and he could see her debating whether or not to sleep again, but she soon got up and yawned.

Ever since the attack, this had been the first time I've seen Nymphadora so at ease, when she's asleep. Maybe my attempt to comfort her had been a success. I do hope so. Though I'm beginning to wonder why she hadn't left for work in the past few days. She could be on leave.

"Good morning," he greeted in a soothing, velvet voice.

"Morning Remus," she sighed placidly, stretching her arms as more of her skin glistened in radiant sunlight. Her jeans were rolled up part way and her Weird Sisters tee was crinkled.

"You're terrible at chess," he smiled and dropped his arm, pointing to the unfinished game as he abruptly flinched when his careless arm touched his half open wound on his ribs.

She had noticed and placed a gentle hand over him, soothing him. "You're quite candid this morning, now aren't you?" she smiled with a twinkle almost like Dumbledore's in her eyes.

He chuckled. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," she nodded.

A lot better. The whole night you've arranged with hot chocolate, Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans, and chess in the library, locked, had been because I was unhappy.

"Thank…"

"Don't thank me. It's all that I can offer. I'm not a romantic and this is the only way I know how to take away a little of your unhappiness."

"Fine, you noble prat," Tonks sighed and smiled. "Come, I can smell Molly's cooking."

Not romantic? Last night had been the sweetest thing I've ever experienced. You're so different from the rest, so much more stable and willing for me. Thank you, Remus.


That early winter morning had been a quiet morning. Tonks didn't even create a ruckus as with Remus' reminding words, avoided the troll's leg umbrella stand and any other obstacles in Grimmauld Place as she snuck into the kitchen, finding Molly around at the stove and jubilantly making breakfast. She smiled as Remus sat down with the Daily Prophet, completely oblivious to the conversation between her and the Weasley matriarch, as it seemed.

"You're looking a lot happier Tonks, I'm so glad."

"Thanks Molly," Tonks smiled. "It's all thanks to Remus," she whispered.

"Oh that's wonderful my dear. I knew I saw something building between you two," she smiled kindly, shaking her head with a look of a mother as she realized her child had grown up.

Looking at Molly, I can't deny that I was missing mum, even with her strict ways.

"You know Molly you act like my mum did when I was a kid. It's nice," she found herself admitting as Molly nodded and smiled even wider, her eyes closing with the grin.

"Speaking of which, Tonks you don't speak of your mother Andromeda very often. You do write to her don't you?" Molly asked.

Bloody hell, I am so dead the next time I come home. I had completely forgotten for months! If Molly hadn't reminded me, I think I'd forget for months more. I've just been so busy lately, and I'm so dead when I come home. But I'd still have to soon. After all…it'd been months.

"Don't tell me you didn't even send her a single letter," Molly spoke softly like a mother.

"Well, you see…things just sort of got in the way," Tonks defended weakly.

"Oh Tonks dear, you must write to her soon. I'm sure she's so worried about you. Especially after the news of Bellatrix Lestrange's escape and all, she'd be even more worried if you don't let her know about you any time soon."

"But with Remus, mum will…" Tonks wondered, the thought just coming to her mind.

"Remus is a kind and gentle man, werewolf or not. I am sure that there will be no problems. You match each other," Molly smiled kindly. "You make him happier, I can see that. And Remus stables you, quite literally sometimes too," she chuckled. "Andromeda is no fool. She'll accept him in due time," she comforted the worried young Auror.

"Thanks Molly. That really helped," Tonks smiled as she came over and sat down beside Remus, a warm cup of coffee in one hand while she handed him a steam mug of tea in the other.

Both of them were quiet for a minute, listening as Molly's pots and pans clicked metal against metal in her preparations for breakfast. Remus read his paper, but Tonks could see him glancing at her intimately, ever so often from behind the papers. She'd smile, and after a while he finally set it down, folded his arms on the table and leaned into her, looking at her with gentle and caring eyes. They made her feel a lot better, eliminating all the worries she'd came across. She loved losing herself in the sweet ocean blue and he loved losing herself in her color pool of rainbow. They were quiet for a bit longer until Remus' smile turned into words.

"Should we visit your parents?" he asked her, a bit contemplative.

She nodded, her face mere inches from his. "They have to meet you," she smiled softly.

"Right and we won't tell them about…"

"We'll tell them Remus," she cut him off before he could finish as his eyes dropped towards the end of his sentence. Remus suddenly looked up at her. "Unless if you don't want to."

"I want to," he replied. "But I'm just afraid of how they will take it."

"If you want to then that's all that matters. They will warm up with time I'm sure of it. Besides, in no way am I leaving you so they can just deal with it," Tonks spoke in an assuring tone. Her hand was under his subconsciously, fingers interlocking and a smile appearing.

"Would your parents want to see Padfoot too? I'm sure he'd love to pay them a visit."

"That's a great idea Remus," Tonks chimed. "Sirius can ease up any awkwardness too."

Remus nodded, smiling now as he looked closely at her face. "Will I ever get to see your real hair color?" he found himself asking her.

Tonks was a bit surprised, but she wasn't mad. She shrugged her shoulders like a child. "Why not my face and just my hair?" she asked him with a tease and a tug in her tone.

"Because I have a strong feeling that this is your real face," he smiled. "Will I?"

Tonks made a mock sad face and nodded, resting her chin on her free hand. "Unfortunately yes, when we visit my parents. I made a deal with them that whenever I visit I'd look like my supposedly natural self. But metamorphmagus don't have an exact face so…"

"I have a strong feeling this is your real face and it's beautiful," he smiled, stroking her cheek. "Hopefully when you see your parents safe and sound you'll feel a lot better."

I'm doing this completely for her. I know I should probably face Dora's parents sooner or later, but normally I'd rather it be later, not during such a bad time like so. But I know if she saw them safe and sound she'd be a lot happier, and her safety and happiness is top priority at any given time, no matter what.

Tonks nodded and proceeded with playing with his fingers that were locked within hers.


It hadn't occurred to her how nauseating the feeling would be until she found herself standing at her parents' door in the breezy winter night. Her hands were intertwined with Remus' while Sirius was standing behind them, grinning, hoping to surprise one of his favorite cousins. Tonks realized that ever since she joined the Order, she hadn't even contacted her mom since and was worried wondering how they'll deal with her sudden appearance, not to mention her being accompanied by a kind and gentle werewolf and a childish and moody Azkaban escapee.

"Nervous Nymphadora?" Remus asked her softly with a warm smile.

She nodded and sighed.

"Did he just call you Nymphadora?" Sirius suddenly asked, rubbing his hand and breathing out a visible breath. "Why isn't she ripping your head off? Why aren't you ripping his head off?" he asked, annoyingly curious. "No one calls her Nymphadora and lives."

"Oh bug off Sirius," Tonks smiled, watching as he intentionally stirred her lips to part.

"You two make me gag," Sirius rolled his eyes. "Now that you're smiling, knock."

"Wait, I still have to change," she spoke in a sadder sigh.

"Oh yes, that deal with your mother," Remus mumbled, still holding her tight.

Tonks scrunched her nose and closed her eyes as she morphed. Her face didn't look that different, except her cheekbones were higher and her eyes were a bit darker. She now had shoulder length straight black hair and vivid green eyes. Remus held his breath. For a moment there he thought she looked like Bellatrix Lestrange, the woman he recognized from the last Wizarding war. It wasn't until his gaze landed on her eyes that he knew she wasn't anywhere near Bellatrix. She was Nymphadora, kind and colorful, loving Nymphadora Tonks.

"Wow Tonks, you look a lot like your dear Aunt Bella," Sirius commented slyly.

"Sirius, don't ever compare me to that ghastly woman!" Tonks freaked a little too loudly, narrowing her eyes in accusation of Sirius as she knocked on the wooden door. The house was set in a small village with similar houses a few blocks up and down the street. It was well concealed enough and looked like a cozy little home with a small garden and cabin like features.

Note to self: Never speak of Nymphadora and Bellatrix Lestrange in the same sentence.

The wooden door suddenly opened quickly. An average sized man with fair colored hair and a roughly shaven face eyed them carefully at first. He wore a simple jumper with brown pants, looking like something out of Remus' closet with its casual shabbiness. The man only saw two out of the three visitors, a pink haired young woman in mismatching multi-colored robes, and a still young man with premature lines and light brown hair flecked with grey in a shabby light blue cardigan. A wide smile broke across his face as he pulled Tonks into his arms tightly.

"Dad!" she smiled, hugging him back as he led them into the house.

"Dora!" he exclaimed in a warm fatherly voice. "You didn't even tell us you were coming, and with guests too!" Her father, Ted Tonks, smiled as he gave Remus a firm handshake. He still didn't catch sight of Sirius, the man who was basically hiding behind Remus and Tonks altogether, hoping to surprise his distant relatives.

A tall woman stood in the middle of the living room with her arms akimbo and looking at them with her chin high and a gaze that was the signature Black stance. She had long black hair, pulled up into a tight bun with visible streaks of grey. She had lines on her face and wore a set of black and grey robes, much to Tonks' distaste and preference for color. The woman eyed them warily, and only caught sight of the young pink haired woman and the thin man with light brown hair. She had her lips pressed into a thin, unreadable expression as she looked into Tonks' eyes.

Oh Merlin, she's mad. What do I do? When mum's mad it's so scary.

"Wotcher mum," Tonks spoke timidly with a hard swallow.

"So you now decide to show up, unannounced, after months with no letters, no word, and not a scrap of news?" she yelled in a thundering voice. "We were so worried and we thought something bad had happened to you! Reading the Prophet everyday with the terrible news of Aurors disappearing didn't really help either! Nymphadora how could you do this?"

"I…I didn't mean to mum. I was just so busy! At least I'm home now right?"

The woman sighed, dropping her intimidating act to her one and only daughter. "You had us so worried. You couldn't have at least sent an owl now and then to let us know you're alive?"

"Like I said mum, I was so busy."

"And who's this young man beside you?" the woman asked, beginning to warm up.

"Uh, hello, mister and misses Tonks," Remus smiled nervously. "I'm Remus Lupin…"

"My boyfriend," Tonks finished firmly, standing taller and more defiant as she waited.

The change in Andromeda's eyes suddenly flickered visible when she recalled the name Remus Lupin from the back of her mind. She warily shook his hand after Ted and gave him a firm, unreadable smile. "Nice to meet you Remus, Nymphadora you didn't tell us you had a boyfriend. You didn't tell us anything." Her voice seemed strained.

Remus noticed this change and suddenly found himself backing up knowingly. He remembered she had seen him with Sirius when they were still in school and was well aware of his condition. Sirius hid quietly behind them, poking at Remus and mentally sending him a message with his stare that sounded something like: man-up-Moony-she'll-warm-up-eventually .

"Why don't you stay for dinner?" Ted offered with a kind smile, seeming unbothered by the rhetorical fact that Remus was a werewolf. "And who's this young man?" He finally noticed.

"Well I wouldn't say young anymore eh Ted," Sirius laughed nervously.

Andromeda's eyes widened at the sound of his voice. She looked back into the once handsome face of a man, now hallow and haunted but managing a Sirius-like smirk as he fiddled with the loose thread on the long sleeve of his jacket. He laughed nervously looking at them.

"Sirius!" she nearly shrieked, pulling him into a tight hug. "How did you…"

"Long story mum," Tonks sighed, pulling Remus over to their kitchen table.

"Now you'll have to stay for dinner and tell us everything," Ted smiled kindly.

Tonks always did love how open and kind her father was. She could see the silent understanding in him that his daughter was intimately associated with a werewolf, but he seemed unaffected by it. As for her mother, Tonks could only hope that with time, she'd understand and see things her way. She remembered Molly saying Andromeda was no fool, and she hoped so.

Dinner that night had been a lot different than what she had grown accustomed to. The cooking was homely, but very different from Molly's usual extravagant feast. No matter, all their bellies still filled happily with the food Andromeda had made. Sirius went into conversation after conversation, leading them in stories about his childhood with Remus, about his past few months growing closer with Tonks, and luckily was helping Andromeda warm up to Remus' presence. Even though the man spoke a lot more than he ate, Remus could see that at least Andromeda didn't have that skeptical look in her eyes when she looked at him anymore. Tonks let out a sigh of relief as well, playing with her food beside Remus and her dad.


"…mum there's also some bad news we needed to inform you," Tonks finally spoke.

Andromeda looked up from her chilling glass of water, her eyes dark and gloomy.

"Did you read the Prophet?" Was all Tonks could manage as her eyes flickered to Remus.

Her mom nodded solemnly, setting down her glass with a little more force than necessary. Her jaws were clenched and her lips pressed in a tight line. "Bella has escaped."

"We'll help put up more protection charms around your house before we leave," Tonks spoke softly, her hand intertwining with Remus' under the table, but not discreet enough to be unseen by her watchful parents and Sirius' intent gaze.

Dinner grew a little quieter after news of Bellatrix's escape. Tonks ended up playing with her food the rest of the time while Andromeda was speaking with Remus, trying to get to know him more and despite her high tilted chin, she would occasionally nod approvingly.

When dinner had ended, Remus and Sirius were sitting in the living room by the cozy fire, having an animated conversation with Ted about Muggle contraptions and the ones Remus had been introduced to, mainly by Tonks. As for Tonks, she hesitated to speak alone with her mother, but still lingered her presence around the small kitchen of her childhood home.

"This is the most serious you've been in a relationship," Andromeda finally spoke. "Are you sure about this?" she asked Tonks, drying the dishes with a bit more noise than usual.

She didn't have to think twice. Remus had been the only man to ever make her heart sing like a canary on replay, and she knew exactly how she felt for him. She nodded firmly. "Yes."

"He's thirteen years older than you though. Besides, he's a werewolf…"

"Mum I don't care," Tonks cut her off. "You can see it for yourself mum. Remus is kind and gentle. He completes me and he stables me. We both match so well together." She turned to look at Remus who sat in the living room. "I love him mum. I love him more than anything."

Andromeda sighed, forgetting about her Black family pride as she turned to look at her daughter with weary, motherly eyes. "I just don't want you to risk everything for…someone. You're still so young. Are you sure you won't regret this?"

"You risked everything for dad." Tonks' point had silenced Andromeda as they both looked into each other's eyes with a newfound understanding. "And I won't regret this mum. I love him and I know he loves me too, just as much and maybe more."

Her mother sighed again. The sigh was longer and weary as she turned from her daughter to hide the upward tug of her lips. Despite the fact that her only daughter was running around with a werewolf, she couldn't fight the settled feeling inside her. "It seems you're finally growing up now," she spoke warmly as her eyes drifted off into the dark skyline of the horizon. She was then running some thought through her mind. "And thank you," she suddenly spoke.

"What for?" Tonks grew a bit confused.

"For bringing Sirius back," she answered softly. "I had wronged him all these years."

"He forgives you mum," Tonks replies softly, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder and glancing at Sirius who was happily laughing his head off in the living room. "Things will get back to how they used to be soon," she sighed.


Late into the night, Sirius had engaged in a full on completely exaggerated and animated conversation with Tonks' parents as she had pulled Remus out all to herself. She led him around as they wandered the small home. Remus slowly grew accustomed to the surrounding, even finding small dents and oddities in the walls and floors, caused by Tonks, when she was little. They'd stop, he'd question warmly, and she'd tell him of the silly adventures of hers when small.

Soon they eventually found way to her room, a room she hadn't touched for years. When he saw her room, Remus hadn't expected anything less from Nymphadora. Posters of rock bands covered her walls and her bookshelf consisted entirely of an album collection with over a thousand different CDs. Her room was so colorful, it was nearly blinding, but it was neat in its own way. He saw that it was cluttered a bit, small, but neat and everything had its place. He allowed her to lead again as they sat down on a colorful bed with maroon colored sheets.

"It's a lot cleaner now than how it used to be when I lived here," Tonks smiled.

"It expresses you though," Remus replied gently. "You kept your CD collection here?"

"Those are the old ones. I have the more updated ones in my apartment."

"I would say. Nymphadora won't just leave her beloved music unattended," he teased.

"Same goes for you with your books and chocolate. I still don't understand how you like dark chocolate. It's so bitter," she smiled, diverting into various topics.

"I don't understand why you like white chocolate. It's so sweet," he laughed softly.

Their eyes met as Tonks turned around on her bed, her body still in his loving embrace. Remus held her closer to him and again another spell of love bounded them together. He stroked her face gently and played with her deep black hair that still looked great on her as his lips uncontrollably found its way to hers. He kissed her gently. Then he kissed her hard, feeling an intoxicating warm feeling devour him. He loved it so much.

Her lips tasted like white chocolate, the sweet and sugary taste that usually he'd turn from, but with her it was so hard to resist. It tasted like the block of white chocolate she'd consumed right after dinner. Her lips tasted warm and loving, fulfilling, sweet, and sugary.

His lips tasted like dark chocolate, the bitter and intensity was something she usually would ignore or shy from, but with him she couldn't control herself. It tasted like the dark chocolate he usually had in his pockets. His lips tasted worn and mature, bitter but sweet.

They were opposites and they knew that. He saw himself as being old and she was young. She saw herself as being childish and he was mature. Yet they completed each other to the ends of the world. She was the color in his life and he was the support she always needed.


Remus' meeting with her parents turned out to be a lot better than he expected, and as a thank you note, Sirius had forced them to allow him a walk under the crescent moon as payment for being such a great help. Much to their reluctance and fear for him, the three ended up strolling down a dirt road amidst an empty field of high grass in the cold autumn night that was close to winter. Tonks pulled her robes tighter around her body as Remus held her close, walking alongside each other with immense warmth radiating off their skin and faces. It was out of pure luck that around Andromeda's home, there was darkness to act as their cover.

"Ah I haven't gotten to take a walk in forever!" Sirius sighed, stretching his arms.

"What are you talking about? We take you on walks all the time," Tonks smiled.

"Not as a human. And most of the time I had to be put on a bloody leash!"

"I don't think this time is any different," Remus smiled genuinely, breathing in cold air.

"I heard that Moony."

"No he's missing a leash this time," Tonks smiled, snuggling up close against Remus as they followed behind Sirius. The three let out a small laugh that echoed in the cold silence of the autumn night. Remus couldn't help but gaze up at the silver moon that lit up the night sky. It looked so beautiful and at rest, yet he couldn't help but sense a feeling of fear stride through him whenever he looked at the lunar marvel. Why must he be condemned to fear such a beautiful thing? Every day he'd watch as the silver beacon swallow the sun, taking away its warmth and bringing him the night. The sight was wonderful at dusk, but when the moon finished its conquer of the sky, fear would arouse in him. He didn't want to fear the moon, but he couldn't fight it.

"You alright Remus?" Tonks asked softly, her warm, hazel eyes looking up at him.

He nodded. "Just looking at the crescent moon," he smiled wanly and pointed upwards.

When he looked into Tonks' eyes, Remus suddenly felt his fear withdrawing. Being with her, standing beside her, he no longer felt like a monster. He no longer feared the lunar marvel when he was with her. Standing with Tonks in his arms, he suddenly felt human again, felt warm and alive. He looked back into her eyes for reassurance, and soon all the fear and doubts left him.

"Sorry if mum made you feel uncomfortable."

He shook his head and his smile turned genuine. "It's alright. It takes time, right?"

She was glad he thought on the positive side and nodded, resting her head on his chest.

"You know, we might be the only Blacks who aren't complete disasters," Sirius sighed.

Tonks looked up, intrigued by the topic. "How many relatives are still living?"

"Just a few, but most of them I've lost complete contact with, or severed contact with."

"The entire family is bad?" she couldn't help but ask, receiving a comforting squeeze from Remus as he quietly listened beside them, watching as Sirius walked slowly in front.

Sirius nodded. "They say it's in our blood."

In our blood…? Would that mean both Sirius and I have a chance of going bad? No, even if I have Black blood in me, I'm still not one of them. Like Sirius. He's more a Black than I am, but he's a noble man.

"I'm not like them," Tonks accidentally mumbled out loud, audible only to Remus.

"No you aren't," he reassured her seriously but warmly. "You're Nymphadora Tonks."

She couldn't help but smile a little. "Do you always have to use my first name?"

"It's beautiful."

"You're lucky I like the way it sounds when you say it," she mumbled again.

"Ay would you two stop flirting?" Sirius laughed. "You're making me feel so lonely here. Why don't we just return to Grimmauld Place before I die of third wheel loneliness? My best friend is dating my cuz. It's downright creepy," Sirius faked an exaggerated shiver, grinning jokingly at them. His grin widened even more when he caught sight of their mock stern glares.

As they walked down the broken dirt path, neither of them could deny the feeling inside of them. The feeling was warm and tender, one of a kind that was irreplaceable. With their hands intertwined and their legs brushing softly against each others', they were unable to hide their smiles. In the chilly autumn night, they had each other, and that alone made the night warmer and brighter. Remus looked into her eyes, and he no longer felt a sense of fear for the moon. She looked into his orbs of blue, and her world felt complete. There were no doubts, no questions.

This feels…right.