AN: This chapter takes place in the beginning of summer 1976. I hope you enjoy:) oh and i'm still not J.K. Rowling.;)

Tonks fell out of the fireplace in the hanged weasel pub, with a loud thud. Wincing she stood gingerly, brushing soot off of her purple hot pants, and white sex pistols tee. The old woman who ran the pub sniffed disapprovingly from behind the counter and seemed scandalized when Tonks shook out her hair, which was a white blond with violet highlights and styled in a bowl cut that day, and greeted her with a cheeky "wotcher!" as she headed for the door. She knew that the old woman was staring after her as she headed toward the lane that would take her to the Lupin's, but she didn't care. She was used to receiving disapproving looks for her odd attire and hairstyles. While the cloths she wore were acceptable in the Muggle world, in the Wizarding world it wasn't quite that accepted.

It was just past eleven in the morning and the day was quickly warming up, looking as if it would be rather hot by noon. The closer she got to the Lupin's though, the cooler it got, as a light breeze came in off the sea. The heat didn't bother her. She was too preoccupied with what she would say to Remus. She had waited for him to say something, just like she'd promised herself months ago, but he hadn't. That morning when she woke up a resolve had come over her; she would wait no longer. The night before had been the full moon and while she knew that if her suspicions were true Remus would be quite tired, something told her this was the right time to take action.

What would she say though? "I can't just blurt it out." She muttered to herself. In the near distance she could see the Lupin's small house. " That will go over smashingly. He'll probably look at me like I have two heads and think I have no tact." She had reached the gate. "Right." She took a deep breath and pushed through it and made the short walk to the door. "I'm just gonna have to wing it." Then before all resolve left her, Tonks knocked three times on the door.

She only had to wait a moment before a tall woman answered. She was willowy with auburn hair that was pulled back in a twist at the back of her neck and the same amber brown eyes as Remus.

"Yes?" Mrs. Lupin asked kindly when she saw Tonks. If she was disturbed by her appearance she gave no notice.

"Hello Mam." Tonks smiled, not wanting to come on too strong. "I'm Tonks. I'm a friend of Remus's from school? I was just wondering if he's home."

Mrs. Lupin smiled and gestured for Tonks to come in. "Yes dear, he is. He's feeling a bit down today I'm afraid, but I'm sure he would love to see you. Does he know your coming?" Her voice was lilting, definitely Irish, and soft.

"Oh. No." she said sheepishly. "I just woke up this morning and fancied a chat with him you know? And before I knew what I was doing I was on my way here."

Mrs. Lupin smiled more and tried not to laugh. Remus had told her about this girl and she was every bit as exuberant as he had said. "Yes I know exactly what you mean. Just wait here a moment and I'll go and get him." She headed up a set of stairs and Tonks sat on the edge of the couch looking around.

The inside of the house was comforting, painted in soft blue tones. All the furniture looked like it had seen better days but it too gave off a sense of comfort. On the mantle of the fireplace were pictures of Remus at various stages of life. One of him and a tall man with his build and hair colour caught her eye. In it Remus looked to be about five years old. His hair was lighter then it was now and he kept glancing up at the man as if looking for approval before looking at where the camera would have been and smiling showing he was missing a tooth. The man, who could only be Mr. Lupin, smiled widely and ruffled his son's hair.

"Here we are dear." Tonks looked away from the pictures to see Mrs. Lupin had returned. Behind her dressed in a brown house robe and soft blue pajama bottoms was Remus looking utterly exhausted.

"I'll just go fix some lunch shall I?" Mrs. Lupin said, gently pushing her son forward. "Would you care for anything Tonks? Have you eaten yet?"

"Oh, thanks, yeah. I haven't eaten since six this morning."

She smiled softly again and exited to the kitchen leaving Remus and Tonks alone.

"Dora," Remus sighed as he slowly sank onto the couch beside her. "I wasn't expecting to see you for a few days." He rubbed a hand tiredly over his face and pushed his fringe back. She noticed the hand was shaking slightly.

"Yeah well, I couldn't wait to see you. You know me. Impulsiveness is a fault I just can't seem to beat."

"It's not always a bad thing." He leaned back and closed his eyes.

Tonks bit her bottom lip. She would need to go about this carefully. Perhaps bring it up gradually. "Sirius left home, did you know?"

"Yes." Remus laughed quietly. "He owled me. He's living with James now. Apparently his mother threw a few family heirlooms at his head as he was leaving. One caught him right above the eye. He was amazed by how good her aim was."

Tonks laughed too. "Oh, she was right pissed alright. He stopped over at mine yesterday and told my Mum the whole story. I don't think I've heard her laugh so hard in my life."

"He's talking of buying a flying Motorcycle now that he's not at home. I think I may have him convinced to wait until after we're done school, but knowing him he'll probably show up here grinning like a fool and riding the thing."

Tonks snorted and absently hit his shoulder as she laughed. She didn't miss the wince he tried to cover up.

"Lunch is ready." Mrs. Lupin came out of the kitchen. "I thought we could eat out in the back, it's lovely out there today."

Remus stood slowly and Tonks followed. The back of the Lupin's house opened onto a large garden. There was a myriad of flowers all bright and welcoming. Again Tonks felt a sense of comfort. Mrs. Lupin had set a small table with a tray of sandwiches and a large pitcher of Butter beer.

The hour that followed was very enjoyable. , Mrs. Lupin or Sarah, as she asked Tonks to call her,Mrs. Lupin was her mother in law thank you, was easy going and even easier to talk to. She laughed freely and smiled a lot and the banter that passed between her and her son had Tonks almost rolling on the ground in fits of laughter. After they had finished their Lunch she suggested that Tonks and Remus go for a walk down to the beach. It was much too nice a day to be inside.

They set out immediately. Remus didn't even bother changing; he doubted anyone would see him.

"Your mum is fantastic," Tonks declared hooking her arm through his like she usually did if they were simply walking just for the sake of it.

"She is." He agreed. Sarah was the most important person in Remus's life and his attachment to her ran very deep. She had never treated him differently after he had been bitten, never tried to cuddle him or make him feel he was different. She pushed him to do well and was always there, no matter the time of day, if he needed to talk. It had been she, more so than his father, who had pushed for him to be able to attend Hogwarts.

Tonks took a deep breath of sea air. She could smell the brine and salt and the combination mixed with the dry hot dirt of the road was very appealing. For a while they didn't say anything just walked until they reached the water. They stopped there, at the same place where they had made their resolutions the summer before.

She sat on one of the old logs and Remus stood looking away from her and out at the water. "Remus?"

"Hm?" he didn't turn away from the water. Its rolling movements calmed him and made him feel centered like nothing else could.

"I want to ask you something. Only I don't want to just blurt it out like I usually would."

He glanced back at her. Tonks looked unusually solemn and that look told him he probably wouldn't like what was coming. He looked away again.

"I'm having trouble deciding the best way to ask, you see."

"Well," he said slowly, "Perhaps the best way is just to blurt it out. Sometimes things are much easier that way. Then it's out there and you can't avoid it any more."

Tonks inhaled deeply. Her heart was racing and she felt like she was going to throw up. "Remus are you a Werewolf?"

Remus closed his eyes. This was it. The issue he had tried to avoid since they had met. You knew she'd figure it out eventually, he told himself. Dora is far from stupid; it was only a matter of time.

"Yes."

One simple word and yet it sent a chill down her spine and left an ache in the pit of her stomach.

He still hadn't turned back around. Somehow it was easier to talk if he didn't see her face. "How long have you known?"

"Since March, that's when I thought it for sure, but I've suspected for a while now."

Remus sighed. Sadness was growing in him. He was sure he knew how this conversation would end and he didn't want to put it off. "Do me a favour Dora? Please don't tell anyone. It would ruin any chance I have. I only have two years left of school. I understand if you don't want to be around me anymore, but I need to get through those last two years and then you won't ever see or hear from me again."

Finally he turned to look at her. Tonks sat on the log bench, her arms curled around her. She looked horrified. That look told him everything. This was it. He had just lost his friend like he had always feared he would.

"What do you mean not want to be around you anymore? Never hear or see you again?" There were tears forming in her large grey eyes. "Are you mental Remus Lupin? How would I get on with out you?" she stood and crossed to where he was standing looking shocked. Dora never cried. "You're my friend." She said quietly as she wrapped her arms around him. "I love you. And love means excepting a person no matter their differences or faults."

They stood there, the short spunky Metamorphmagus and the tall reserved Werewolf, holding each other for what seemed like forever.

Remus couldn't believe what she had said. He had been so sure when he saw the look on her face that that had been it. But here she was telling him that it didn't matter. He felt like a great weight had been lifted off of him.

"It's so bloody unfair." She said vehemently when they finally pulled apart. Remus chuckled and she eyed him questioningly.

"That's what Sirius said when he found out."

Tonks shook her head and wiped her eyes. "How did it happen?"

He gestured to the log bench and they both sat down. He then proceeded to tell her about how his father had offended Fenrir Greyback and Greyback had bitten his son in return for the slight. He told her about how he had dragged him into the woods that outlaid the other side of the village and savagely ripped at his shoulder and leg. He said how he had awoken in 's, five years old, alone and in pain, because the healers were too afraid to get close to him. He told her how his Mother had yelled at them until one brave woman had stepped forward and given him something to take the pain away. He continued on in this vain for almost an hour, detailing the events that had taken place afterward and how to this very day his Father still couldn't look him fully in the eye because of the shame he felt for causing his son to bear this burden. He told her how Dumbledore had let him come to Hogwarts and how every full moon he entered the shrieking shack through a tunnel under the Whomping Willow so he could transform. Lastly, he told her how Sirius, James and Peter had become Animagi in order to help him through his transformations.

Afterwards they sat in silence, while Tonks mulled it all over. "Can I see your scar? Where he bit you I mean?" she asked tentatively.

Remus hesitated, but then pulled off his robe to reveal his bare right shoulder. The scar reached almost to his neck and the skin was raised. She could even see the marks where Greybacks teeth would have sat. Slowly, she reached out and touched it gently then pulled her hand back and he pulled the robe back up. Then he lifted his right pant leg and showed her the raised marks on his calf.

"Do they hurt?"

"Only when I transform. And right afterwards as well." He said lowering his leg. "I have more scars, all self inflicted, but those two are the ones that give me trouble."

Tonks shuddered when he said about hurting himself during his time as a wolf. It was horrible. No wonder everyone thought the shack was haunted.

"Thank you for showing me." She said leaning her head on his shoulder. "You could have just told me to bugger off."

"No, I couldn't. Knowing you, you'd keep at me till I gave in. You can be annoyingly persistent when you want."

She glanced up to see he was smiling and that made her smile and poke him in the ribs. "Git."