So my brilliant co-writer Unique . normality and I want to know something. A. Who wants a prequel? B. Do people want us to skip forward a little, only a few weeks/months and continue with the story or go more slowly? We will still have blissful and wonderful interactions for everyone's favourite families! If anyone has any ideas they would like to see PM me and we can see if we can include them!
For all my readers of A Life More Ordinary, I promise I will update soon! I promise! I am just feeling very un-enthusiastic about it right now!
"Hey!" Tonks entered the house and found her mother in her studio.
Andromeda Tonks looked up and smiled as her vivacious daughter tripped over an easel.
"How are you, Darling?" She kissed the girl's smooth cheek. "Have you put more dye through your hair?" The woman arched a dark eyebrow and Tonks grinned.
Shaking her bright red curls she nodded. "Like it?"
"It's very you." Andromeda smiled indulgently. "Cup of tea? We haven't seen you for a while."
"It's been a week, Mum. I have been busy with work."
"And?" Andromeda looked at her sharply. "What aren't you telling me young lady?" She busied herself at the bench.
"I might have run into someone a few weeks ago."
"Oh?"
"Sirius." She said very meekly.
"You saw Sirius?" Andromeda set the teapot on the table with a loud thud. "How is he?"
"He is good. So are Remus and Harry."
"They are all together still then?"
"They are a perfect family." She propped her chin on her hand. "Why did you guys stop talking? You never really did tell me."
Sighing softly Andromeda led her daughter back towards the studio. "Sheer Black stubbornness." She mused. "It was eight years ago now. Harry was at school. I suppose I was a little wary of Remus, I always said that Sirius would need to watch him around Harry. That having him around after being so emotionally and physically damaged could be bad for the boy growing up. I am not entirely sure what happened, but Remus had become more withdrawn more edgy. Sirius came over one day and that's when we had a horrible row."
"What happened to your face?" Andromeda turned Sirius' head so she could inspect the ugly bruise that blossomed over his cheek and jaw.
"It's nothing." Sirius pulled away and managed a grim smile. "How are the paintings?"
"Fine. Sirius, what happened to your face? Did you get in a fight?! You know things like that could affect your custody of Harry!"
"It wasn't a fight, Andy. It's nothing."
"Sirius Black! Tell me what happened now!" Andromeda folded her arms and glared at her cousin.
Sirius sighed and hung his head. "Remus had a bad dream last night. It took me longer than usual to wake him. He fought out."
"Remus hit you?" She looked horrified. "Sirius! He did damage! This was only last night and you are already bruised this badly! Did you see a doctor?"
"No. It's not that bad. Superficial and it wasn't his fault, Andy, he didn't know it was me and when he realised…" Sirius' voice trailed off as he remembered the horror and grief etched in his friend's face.
"Sirius, you can't keep doing this! He is emotionally unstable. Think about Harry."
Sirius scowled. "He would never hurt Harry. Come on, Andy. Stop being so hard on him! He knows you don't like him."
She sighed, exasperated. "It's not that I don't like him, Sirius. I just think he is bad for Harry. He is emotionally unstable."
"Emotionally unstable! God, Andromeda, listen to yourself! You sound like our mothers! He was tortured for twelve months!"
"I know! And I think he is a brave man, but Sirius, think of Harry! Remus didn't mean to hurt you but he did! What if he hit Harry? Or worse!"
"What do you mean 'worse'?"
"I have heard stories, Sirius, what if he injures Harry somehow."
Anger made Sirius flush deeply. "He would never hurt Harry!"
"But he might! Remus is unstable; he is emotional and clearly has violent outbursts. You think that growing up walking on eggshells is good for Harry?"
"Remus loves him!"
"Which will make such a difference when he hits him." Her voice was sharp.
"How dare you!" Sirius was furious.
"I am thinking like a mother, Sirius! A parent! Which you are not! You are not a parent!"
Sirius stepped back, his face was pale. "No." His voice was like ice. "I am not a parent. My godson's parents are dead and my best friend and I are raising their son as best we can. I am sorry you seem to think that we are unfit for that job. You have never stepped into danger in your life. Yes, maybe Remus is damaged but he loves that kid and Harry worships the ground he walks on. You have no idea of how we live you don't deserve to."
"And he left, slammed the door behind him and we haven't spoken since."
Tonks swallowed. "That was pretty harsh." She said softly.
Andromeda sighed. "Perhaps it was, but I was worried for Harry. Remus was so emotionally fragile. He was withdrawn, barely spoke to anyone other than Sirius or Harry and he seemed so cold and aloof. I didn't think it was a good thing for a child to grow up around someone so… stilted. Perhaps I was wrong. Would you… would you tell Sirius I would like to see him again? He always was my favourite cousin."
Tonks nodded as she swivelled herself around on one of her mum's stools, thinking. She understood that her mum was just thinking like a mother but she had seen Remus around Harry. She knew it would kill him if he were to harm one messy hair on that boy's head.
"I'll tell him," Tonks said, knowing it would be good for both of them to make amends. "I'm sure he'd like that. Maybe bring him some food; he sure did like the leftovers I took him the other day without telling you." Tonks grinned as her mother rolled her eyes.
"So you say they're alright? How's Harry?" Andromeda asked as she set down her mug before sitting before her painting once more and critiquing the new addition to the top corner.
"Brilliant. He's one of the nicest teenagers I've met in a long time," Tonks snorted, thinking of all the rascals she had to deal with at work. "Great football player, too. Much to Sirius' entertainment. Thinks the boy is the next Beckham."
"He always did love his sports," Andromeda shook her head, reaching over for the paintbrush so she could fix a few spots. "Have you seen Remus at all?"
"Sure," Tonks said as she stilled herself on the chair long enough to take a sip of tea. "Ended up hanging out with him the other afternoon, actually. He's obviously a little shy but super nice. You should see his sketches, you'd like them. He's supposed to be a writer, too, so he must be a talented fellow."
Andromeda silently painted for a moment before turning around to look at her daughter. "You've spent time with him?" She asked, surprise coloured her voice.
"I know he has some problems with people but it doesn't seem too bad around just one person," Tonks surmised with a shrug as she continued to spin in the chair.
"Or maybe it's just you," Andromeda said lightly, raising a thin eyebrow while her daughter's brow furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"You are the most non-judgemental person I have ever met, sweetheart. Remus probably feels comfortable with you because of that."
"I guess." She took a mouthful of tea. "I am going over tonight." She pointed to her bag. "Remus asked to see some of my photos."
"Did he?" Andromeda smiled. "Well, just be careful, I know you think me harsh but Remus went through a lot, he is emotionally damaged."
"And Sirius isn't?" Tonks sighed. "They ground each other, Mum. I don't think I have ever seen two friends that are closer. It makes some of my friends and I look superficial."
"Are they…?"
Tonks' laugh rang out loudly. "Lord, no! Both as straight as arrows! I think Sirius will have to know that you asked."
Andromeda shook her head. "Don't you dare!"
Tonks glanced at her bulky black wristwatch. It was early, much earlier than she had anticipated coming but her mother had an appointment and she hadn't felt like staying at her childhood home and thinking of the rift that had separated her mother from her cousin. The more she thought about it, the more she brooded. Glancing at the watch again she lifted her hand and rapped on the door. There, it was done. She couldn't go hide down in the lobby of the apartment building until it was later in the afternoon. She leaned against the doorframe, sure that she would hear any noise before it swung open and was deep in thought about how to broach the subject of her mother to Sirius when the door opened and she stumbled.
Remus reached out an automatic, steadying hand and stopped short of actually touching her as she righted herself.
"Well, I always know how to make an entrance around you." She grinned at him and was pleased to see the amusement in his eyes. "I am early, so feel free to tell me to run away for a few hours if you are busy."
"Rubbish." Remus beckoned her inside and shut the door behind her. "You arriving means I can stop working."
"Oh!" She frowned, slightly dismayed, as she stared at the dining table that was covered in papers. "I did interrupt you."
Remus shook his head. His eyes flickered to the clock. "Harry will be home soon. I would have stopped then anyhow. Tea?"
"Would be lovely. Ta. Want any help?"
Remus' eyes flickered up and he frowned slightly. "No." His words were shorter than he had intended and her head snapped up, eyes widening in surprise.
He cleared his throat. "Why don't you sit?"
Nodding she settled into an armchair and looked around. "How do you keep this place so immaculate? Sirius doesn't strike me as the 'put things where they belong' type."
She watched as he placed the loose papers into a draw on the cabinet and turned back to her. "He isn't." His voice was softer, the momentary harshness banished. "If you were to open his bedroom door then you would find that all the things he leaves here get thrown into that room."
Tonks laughed. "Sounds like what my mother used to do! I think she was very relieved when I became reasonably tidy after moving into my own apartment."
"You moved out even though your mother lives nearby?"
Tonks huffed a laugh as she accepted the tea from Remus. "My mother didn't entirely approve of my choice of career. She thought I should do something tame, go to university, get an arts degree. When I went into the Police force I suppose she was worried that something would go wrong." She glanced at him from under her eyelashes.
"And you would turn into Sirius."
She nodded, relieved at his understanding. "By then they weren't talking. So I guess she was scared that it could happen all over again. Stupid really, it was entirely different."
"She is still a mother." Remus pointed out gently.
"Maybe."
The front door was suddenly flung open and Harry's voice, slightly hysterical, rang out.
"Uncle Remus!" Four children suddenly spilled into the sitting room and Remus was on his feet. His eyes flickered over all four of them in an instant and he frowned.
"Ginny, what is it?" He moved around the lounge and gathered the girl into his arm.
Ginny's bag dropped to the floor and she flung her arms around his neck. "I hate school." She said and burst into tears.
"Shh, Love. It's all right." He rubbed her back soothingly. "What happened?" His eyes met Harry's.
"They were saying things to her at school. Calling her names!" Harry's face was flushed with anger.
"She ignored them for ages, Mr Lupin." A girl who Tonks didn't recognise spoke quickly. "We didn't find out until school was over. We could've done something!"
"I see. Ginny, look at me. That's a good girl. Now, what did they say to you?"
Tears spilled down the girl's white cheeks, they weren't tears of pity but of anger and hurt. She mumbled something under her breath before hiding her face against his shoulder.
Harry and Ron shifted with all the male discomfort of feminine tears.
"Boys, go and start on your homework in Harry's room, Hermione would you turn the kettle on for me and then go join the boys."
Three children instantly scattered and Remus guided Ginny to the lounge until they sat side by side. He tilted her chin so she was forced to look him in the eye.
"You know it's not true?"
She nodded miserably. "I ignored all day, I promise! It was when I saw the others that they started getting meaner and I just got so angry! It was stupid."
"It was not stupid, Ginevra Weasley." His voice was firm. "Never think that."
She nodded and smiled weakly. "Yes, sir."
"Good girl. Tea?"
She laughed now and nodded. Waiting until Remus left she turned to Tonks who had been sitting in her chair, rather shocked at the sudden events and unsure about where she should move to.
"I am sorry to interrupt, Tonks..." She sounded utterly miserable, ignoring any surprise she may have had at Tonks' presence in the house.
"Rubbish," Tonks waved her off, trying to sound extra cheery now that she was involved. "We weren't discussing anything important. Are you ok?"
Ginny nodded and slipped her shoes off, tucking her feet under her she sighed. "Mr Lupin will remind me that I am special and wonderful and that I can ignore what they say because I am better than they are."
Tonks handed the girl a tissue from her purse. "Has this happened before, Ginny?"
The girl nodded, drawing her knees to her chest and resting her chin on them. "You and Charlie used to be so confident, everyone in my family was really. And then there was me. When I was little, only about seven I suppose, I was bullied at school. I stopped talking, stopped eating much food, and just withdrew into myself. We had known Harry for about a year by then. Mr Lupin would come over when Harry and Mr Black came to the house but he was always silent, barely said two words and I was too shy to talk to him. When I went silent everyone was worried. They used to come over once a week, every Sunday. I would sneak outside and just sit on an old log for hours. Mr Lupin came outside one day and just sat beside me. We didn't talk for hours. That happened every week." Ginny sniffed and began to pick at the hem of her school dress. "Finally after about a month he turned, looked at me, and told me that I was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. I promptly burst into tears and he held me so tightly. I have never forgotten that."
Tonks glanced towards the kitchen. She knew Remus was giving the girl a moment with her to compose herself, to distract herself.
"He seems very fond of you."
Ginny smiled brightly. "It's quite a mutual feeling. He is so easy to talk to." She looked up and smiled as Remus entered again and handed her and Tonks a cup of tea.
"Finished?" He asked rather dryly.
"Uh huh. Thank you." She sighed. "Sorry for ruining your shirt.
"Hush." Remus frowned at her. "You can talk to me whenever you want, you know that, Ginny. You are not to listen to a word they say. Do you know what I see when I look at you?"
"A tear-stained fourteen year old?"
Tonks was astonished to see the smile flicker across Remus' face. He clearly was fond of this girl. "No, I see a young woman who can still smile even when she is hurting, who is strong and courageous, and who doesn't flinch from things that others do."
Ginny flung a pillow at him and Remus effortlessly tucked it behind him.
"You are a strong girl."
"And school is only for another few years." She sighed. "I know." She stood, stooped and kissed Remus' cheek. "Thank you. I am going to wash up."
Remus watched her leave and Tonks watched his hand tighten.
"Will she be ok?"
"She is stronger than she credits herself." Remus mused. "And she has good friends and family."
Harry appeared suddenly. "Hi Tonks." He grinned. He had changed out of his uniform. "Is she ok?" He looked worried.
"She will be fine." Remus reassured. He glanced behind Harry as the other young people joined them. "Staying for dinner?"
"No." Ron shook his head. "But can you help me with homework? Hermione refuses."
A soft chuckle escaped Remus. "Go and get it."
Tonks blinked. In the space of half an hour she had seen him comfort a crying girl, accept teasing from Harry's friends, and laugh.
Ron whooped and bolted.
"Tonks, this is Hermione Granger, she and Harry are close friends. This is Sirius' cousin, Tonks."
Hermione smiled a little shyly. "It's nice to meet you. Harry mentioned that you had met." Her shyness faded as Ron handed Remus his homework. "You can't help him, Mr Lupin!" She exclaimed indignantly. "He will never learn!"
Remus flicked through the papers before handing them back to Ron. "Re-read the instructions and break them down into steps." He was evidently ignoring the girl's indignant huff. "Once you have done that you will have the answer."
"Really?" Ron looked delighted.
"Really." Remus confirmed.
"Thanks!" Ron winked at Hermione. "See, he didn't tell me the whole answer."
"Are you making Mr Lupin help you with your homework?" Ginny had reappeared, face miraculously free of all traces of tears.
"He is!" Hermione looked so righteously indignant that Tonks had to hide her amusement behind her hand.
"Sirius is coming home early." Remus interrupted what could have potentially been a rather explosive argument that had probably been repeated more than once in his home.
"Really?" Harry looked surprised. "How come?"
"Because he wants to see his brilliant, charming cousin." Tonks grinned.
Harry laughed at her. "But of course he does. Did you bring your photos?"
"I did indeed."
"Cool, can I see them after dinner?"
Tonks nodded.
"Harry, we should do some homework before we have to go." Hermione shifted. "We have exams next week."
"Are you sleeping, Hermione?" Remus asked suddenly.
Hermione's cheeks flushed bright red. She mumbled something unintelligible.
"Hmm. You need sleep. If you study before you go home promise me no studying tonight."
She looked torn before nodded. "I promise."
"Excellent." Remus' eyes met Harry's and the boy nodded slightly.
"Aha, my favourite godson returns. And before dark, just as well, Remus was getting ready to pace." Sirius' loud voice greeted Harry as he entered the lounge room. Tonks smothered a laugh at the look Remus shot his friend.
"Everyone home ok?" Remus asked.
"Yup, and I told Mr and Mrs Granger that Hermione promised not to study tonight." Harry flung himself on the thick carpet. "She looked like she was about to punch me!"
"Are she and Ron dating yet?" Sirius inquired.
"No. They are still being stupid." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Course they are." Sirius shook his head. The phone rang and Sirius rose instantly. "Hello?" He rolled his eyes dramatically. "Give me a minute." Covering the phone he spoke quickly. "I have to take this. Sorry, Tonks. Don't look at me like that, Rem." He vanished into his room.
"I have to start on dinner. Will you be ok if Harry entertains you for a while?"
"Of course! I have been dying to talk to Harry about his elusive uncles."
Harry sat up, he was grinning. "Ask away!"
Remus shook his head and limped into the kitchen.
"Where to start?" Tonks made sure her voice carried. "Tell me, how do they make sure you are so nice about them? Threaten you with no dessert?"
"Lock me in my room." Harry was laughing. "With no pudding. It's been a hard childhood."
"I can tell." She smiled. "Tell me about Remus? Sirius is easy to know."
Harry shrugged. "What do you want to know?"
"You are fond of him?"
"Yeah." Harry hesitated. "I guess Uncle Sirius is the fun one, we do stupid things together. Play football. But Uncle Remus is the one who doesn't care if I have a problem at midnight and who always knows that to say. He wrote a book for me when I was a kid you know."
"Did he?"
"Yeah." Harry jumped up and began to search the shelves.
He returned with a wide, thin childrens book. On the cover was a lush forest surrounding a large, knotted tree. Beneath the tree sat a black dog, a stag, a wolf, and a plump rat. Entitled "The Marauders," the book said it was written by R. L. John with illustrations by Andromeda Tonks.
"Oh! I remember this!" Tonks exclaimed as she flipped the book open and saw the adventures of the animal friends play out page by page. "I remember my mum drawing for this. Remus wrote it?"
"Yup! He used to make them up on the spot when I wouldn't go to bed. He eventually wrote them down for me to read when he was teaching me and I think Uncle Sirius sent them to a publisher behind his back after getting your mum to draw for them." Harry grinned, remembering begging for more Marauder stories as a kid, promising exemplary behaviour in exchange for just one more story. "Uncle Remus was furious."
"So he's always been there for you," Tonks murmured, looking down at the book in her hand. There was a difference between reading a child a book and writing one personally for him. She thought it was incredibly sweet.
"He taught me how to read as soon as I could. I stayed with him was little while Sirius worked. He used to apologise for not going out to zoos and stuff like that but I always had a great time," Harry shrugged from beside her, completely relaxed. He didn't mind telling Tonks all about his Uncle Remus; it was good to see him make a friend. "He always made things fun for me no matter what he was going through."
"He's lucky that you weren't a bratty kid," Tonks teased despite the truth. Harry was a good kid and, despite his apologies, Remus seemed to have done a great job.
There was a soft thump in the kitchen and a sigh, causing Harry to snicker softly. He was about to stand but Tonks shook her head.
"I'll go see if he needs any help. Why don't you go see what is taking Sirius so long, his room can't be so messy that he's gotten himself lost, can it?" Tonks stood before laughing at the incredulous look on the teenager's face.
She left Harry in the living room and walked to the kitchen, keeping her laughter in check as she saw Remus bending over to pick up some pieces of carrot he dropped.
"At least I know you won't just put those back in the pan like Sirius would," Tonks quipped, crossing her arms with a smirk.
Remus looked over at her with a sheepish smile. "Well, now that you've caught me," he said slyly, tossing the pieces into the bin. "And please don't you believe everything Harry tells you about me. Sirius has programmed him to ignore all my faults... and there are many." His voice was cynical.
Tonks was about to open her mouth to respond when the air in her lungs left in one single breath. She had been fascinated by his selflessness and bravery, exemplified by his mere presence here. He went through and survived God knows what yet none of that mattered if Harry asked him of anything. Since she met him she had found his shy and self-deprecating manner rather endearing as it contrasted the typical personality of most people she spent time with. Yet, his secret dry wit kept him from being boring and definitely explained his ability to deal with her cousin.
But what Tonks didn't realize, what she did not see until just now as she walked into the kitchen and found herself struck dumb, embarrassingly, by how young and attractive he was behind his scars when he smiled, was that she had somehow developed a rather girlish crush on the man in the short time she had known him. A man who had no piercings, no tattoos (that she knew of, but that was for another conversation), no weird coloured hair, and not even a beard (yet, she noticed, he seemed to have a bit of stubble that caused a few butterflies to form). He wasn't in a rock band, he wasn't some starving artist, and he didn't seem the type to frequent nightclubs. He was the furthest from Tonks' type that a man could get, yet she found herself blushing as he looked back over his shoulder at her, raising an eyebrow.
"I hope you aren't waiting for me to drop something else. I promise there is no need to arrest me for breaking the five second rule." Remus smiled at her again, oblivious to the way that smile and her sudden epiphany made her a bit light-headed, and turned back to the dinner he was making (which is bound to be as delicious as the last, she thought with a sigh).
"No," Tonks blurted out as soon as she realized he was probably waiting for her to say something. "I just... er wanted to uh... help. You. If you needed it."
"Thank you, Tonks," Remus said genuinely. "But I'm actually almost finished. Maybe next time?"
Tonks just nodded quickly, attempting to make a quick escape when he called her name again.
"Yes?" She squeaked.
Remus looked at her for a moment, searching her for a reason for her slightly off behaviour. Not wanting to find the answer in himself, he quickly asked, "Your name... does everyone call you Tonks? It seems rather..."
"Harsh? That was kind of the point," Tonks said, shifting on her feet. "At school I would get teased for my first name so I got people to call me something less... fluffy. And it works for my job, too. I need people to see me as tough, not as a Nymphadora." She said the name with distaste.
"Well... I think it's quite pretty," Remus said before clearing his throat. "But I understand your need for something different for the workplace."
Tonks shrugged. "To answer your other question, my mum doesn't call me that, obviously. She insists on calling me by what she named me. But my dad calls me Dora, which I don't mind."
"Dora," Remus almost whispered, testing it out without a purpose as he stood there, not having noticed he had taken a few steps towards her.
"You... you can call me that if you prefer," Tonks found herself saying, kicking herself internally for sounding so breathless and hopeful. "I- I mean... you and the er... gang." She flippantly waved her hand to the living room where she assumed Harry was with Sirius.
Remus blinked at her for a moment before giving her his shy, yet genuine, smile. "I'd like that, thank you," he said before jumping slightly when the oven signalled it was preheated.
Tonks waved awkwardly as she watched him turn around to put the casserole dish in the oven, making her escape back to the living room where she could breathe easier.
