"Well, that wasn't too bad," Tonks said in a friendly tone, escorting Remus back out of the Department of Mysteries.
"No, not bad at all," Remus said, relieved. Somehow he didn't think it was a coincidence that Dumbledore was there outside the Ministry that morning. Brilliant, that man. He wondered suddenly if he had come to see him the night of Black's escape to provide him with a much needed alibi too, but that must have been a coincidence. How could he have known Black would escape?
"Just curious," Tonks continued. "How do you know Mad-Eye?"
"I, uh, worked with him way back at one point. And you?"
"He's training me to be an auror. Couldn't ask for a better mentor."
Remus nodded. "Thanks, by the way, for what you said to that Umbridge woman-"
"Oh, please. She can be a real bitch," Tonks said, and Remus' admiration of Tonks grew.
"Right," Remus said as they entered an empty lift. "Thanks all the same." Tonks smiled as their eyes met, and he felt a sudden pounding in his chest. He dismissed it at the time though as the joy at having passed the interrogation.
"Guess you don't need this anymore," Tonks said taking his silver badge that read 'Suspect' off the front of his robes. "Or rather," she tapped it with her wand. The letters moved to forming new letters, reading instead, 'Professor'.
"Good luck at Hogwarts. You're going to need it! Everyone knows that position is cursed."
"I'll take my chances," he said, again feeling a thumping in his chest and Tonks replaced the silver badge on his chest.
They reached the atrium.
"Here we are. You can have this back now," she said, handing his wand back to him.
"Thanks." Their hands touched momentarily as he took his wand from her.
"Stay out of trouble, Lupin," Tonks said with another wink.
"I can't make any promises," he replied playfully.
"You don't want me to have to track you down, do you?"
"I wouldn't mind if you did," Remus said, surprising himself as he said it. The words hung in the air and Remus looked away awkwardly. "Sorry, I think that was the truth potion talking..." He then realized how stupid that sounded; the truth potion makes you tell the truth.
"So, you want to see me again," she asked, her grin returning.
"Yeah," he said awkwardly, half wishing he hadn't taken the truth potion, and half grateful he had.
There was another awkward pause between them. Remus opened his mouth to speak, but Tonks cut him off.
"If we were to see each other again, over drinks or something, I'd probably enjoy it." Tonks paused again, looking uneasy. "But the thing is, Lupin… the thing is, we're not allowed to see anyone who's been involved in an open investigation."
"Right..." he said shortly.
"Sorry..."
"No, it makes sense..."
"But...," Tonks continued, "...if hear anything about Sirius Black, and think the auror office should know about it, we could discus it over a pint." Tonks grinned again. "Just send me an owl... If you can remember my name, that is."
Remus laughed. "I don't think I could forget your name, Nymphadora."
"What did I say about causing trouble?"
"To not cause trouble. Sorry- truth potion again."
"Yeah, that was a question, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was. Now stop that."
"Stop what?"
"Asking me questions! I have to answer them all, you know."
"Right, sorry," Tonks said.
They stood for another moment in each other's presence which neither seemed eager to quit just yet.
"Well..." Tonks said finally. "I'll see you around, then, Lupin."
"And you, Tonks."
