This one, without sounding weird and creepy, was actually alot of fun to write. It's not as difficult as I thought it would be.

Just so it's not confusing, this chapter kind of works backwards. It's on purpose though.

Reviews are very appreciated and thank you all for the support

Enjoy.

Chapter 10

Remus Lupin pushed open the door of his bedroom in Grimmauld Place. He moved quickly across the floor and dropped onto the double bed. His head fell into his hands and he sighed loudly. It was getting harder to deal with Sirius these days. Not only was he looking for a fight with anyone who gave him the chance, he took it out on Lupin if others he could attack were absent. The other problem was Nymphadora Tonks.

Ever since she'd told him they were just friends, she wouldn't leave Lupin's mind, no matter what he did. All he could think about, every time they were in the same room, was her lips. He didn't know if he'd be able to control himself anymore if they were ever alone together, so he'd avoided her, making sure no to stumble across her during guard duties.

And what if she had understood what Snape said about him to Sirius. Would she desert him like others had? He threw himself backwards and lay down on the bed, closing his eyes. Lupin heard his door open slowly, and when he sat up, Tonks was standing in his doorway. He instantly jumped to his feet.

"Remus, is that why you're worried– this is just– I can't believe you– I– I– " Tonks stuttered as she stepped inside.

Lupin stared at her. He couldn't stop the urge building inside him to grab her and ravage every inch of her. He wanted to run his fingers all over her soft, delicate skin. To tease every inch of her body, and make her hair turn the brightest shade of red possible.

He felt his hands starting to twitch; he couldn't stand being in a room with her anymore, not without being so close that he could breathe her in. He took a few strides across the room and stood right in front of her. She opened and closed her mouth, muttering things like "can't" and "shouldn't" under her breathe.

Lupin was looking down directly into her eyes. He kept shuffling towards her and she kept stepping back. She looked afraid, and somehow, Lupin knew she wasn't afraid of him, but afraid of what this would mean. He slowly brought a hand up close to her, lightly caressing her cheek, knowing she would probably push him away, laughing at him, or make a moment-killing joke in the way she always did, but she didn't.

He pulled his hands away and ran them manically through his hair as he sighed. He wanted to grab her but something was stopping him. Tonks looked up at him, sighing as well. Although her sigh was not from frustration like his, but it was a resignation. She was resigning herself over to what was about to happen, to him.

Their eyes locked, and after a pause, their lips met soft and tentatively. She tilted her head, giving Lupin all the invitation he need, and it deepened. They fell backwards, pushing Tonks up against the door. Lupin felt like his entire world had just shifted. His stomach lurched in the most uncomfortable, yet strangely pleasing, way.

Her fingers ran lightly through his hair and he placed his hand on her waist, pulling her closer to him. It felt like he'd never kissed anyone like this before. Lupin put both hands on her ribcage, lifting her off her feet slightly, but pulling her against him. It seemed like a wondrous accident that their bodies fit together so perfectly.

Their limbs wound around each other's and found the perfect niches to rest in, holding the other tightly. There was such speed and force in their movements, that it was easy to assume it was aggression, but it wasn't. There had been such a delay and such a building to this moment that neither was holding back. Nerve endings Lupin never knew existed were on fire from her touch. Exploding joyously each time her hands gripped him, desperate to hold on.

They paused for a second and looked at each other. He ran his fingertips lightly along her jaw, caressing her cheek again and staring deep into her sparkling brown eyes. Lupin slid the Weird Sisters T-shirt over her head and she undid the buttons of his shirt, leaving it gaping, his scarred skin on show.

"Remus," Tonks moaned in his ear.

It almost took Lupin's breath away that she was whispering his name. She bit her lip and he stared at them, it felt like he was existing without air when they weren't touching his. He wanted to feel them again, to have her soft warm lips against his, breathing life back into him. He got his wish, and he felt her tongue slide over his, youthful and eager. Tonks' hands ran up Lupin's back, her fingernails lightly digging into his skin.

His body trembled with anticipation as he looked at her. He started tracing patterns on her collarbone with his lips and she shuddered with pleasure. Lupin couldn't contain himself any longer. His lips found hers again and his hands moved down to her hips, lightly touching her skin on the way, running over the goose bumps forming on her stomach and the small scar, just beside her bellybutton.

Tonks' hands moved eagerly towards Lupin's pants, removing the belt and then undoing the buttons. Lupin had just started tugging down the waistband of her jeans, when a large crash made him sit bolt upright from his bed.

"Did you listen to the way he was speaking to me? Snivellus. What a prick," Sirius's voice barked

Lupin blinked a few times, as disorientated qustions filled his mind. He was in bed. Where was Tonks? Why was he standing with her against the door? With a heavy groan, Lupin realized, he'd been dreaming about her, again.

"What right does that slimy git have telling me, I do nothing of use? Just because Dumbledore puts him in Voldemort's circle, doesn't mean he's a bloody god! And what are you doing? Were you asleep?" Sirius said, staring at Lupin looking annoyed and confused.

"No, I was just – Look he's just trying to provoke you Sirius," Lupin mumbled, closing his eyes and trying to relive his dream.

Lupin sighed, he must have fallen asleep as he lay on his bed. Sirius started on an angry rant about Snape and Lupin tried to stifle a yawn. He was so tired. Dumbledore had told him to start making contact with the werewolves and try to convince them to join his side. So he spent days in different locations around Britain, mostly in bars, and pubs, trying to find old friends.

"I'm doing things! Just because Dumbledore doesn't let me leave this place doesn't mean I haven't helped out. Snape didn't have anything of use when it came to how to rescue Harry. You and I knew exactly what to do, but somehow Snape still gets the praise because he's spying on Voldemort. It shouldn't really be counted as a job for him, he loves every second of it," Sirius sneered.

That night, Lupin had come directly from the Leaky Cauldron where he'd be wating for a werewolf he knew, and the entire Order was sitting in the dining room, the only place they could all fit. Kingsley, they'd decided the night Dumbledore hadspoken to Mundungus, was told to look into all the departments at the Ministry involved in magical transport. Initially, they all wanted new members there, as this would be the best place to have a pair of eyes and ears.

However Kinglsey was yet to find one person who would cross sides, and went there yesterday to see if any of these methods would work to transport Harry safely under the radar. He came today to report, that they were heavily watching all the channels from Privet Drive, especially after Harry's violation. When the idea of Muggle transport came up, Moody shot it down instantly. He went on a long-winded tirade about all the gaps in Muggle security that the Death Eaters were probably watching.

Lupin noticed half the people sitting around the table rolled their eyes. Tonks had suggested brooms and Lupin and Sirius were quick to mention how good a flier Harry was. Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape came in an hour after everyone else. Dumbledore wanted more than one person to escort Harry. Lupin and Kingsley immediately volunteered.

Diggle, Doge, Podmore and Hestia Jones asked to go as well. Lupin assumed Dumbledore wouldn't want that many going because it would be too obvious, but Dumbledore didn't say a word. He merely folded his hands and smiled serenely as he surveyed the group.

"Right well, I'll go to then, of course." Moody growled.

Just when Lupin thought they would start the actual planning, Dumbledore said something else

"Nymphadora, would you like to join them? One more would make it even. I've found odd numbers have never worked well in my favor."

He looked across at Tonks. Her hair was a pale green today and she had one of her Weird Sister tops on. She grinned eagerly at Dumbledore. Lupin was trying hard not to focus his attention on her, given she had recently told him they were to be just friends. It wasn't the rejection that made him want to avoid her, but the fact that the more he was with her, the more he was beginning to like her, in a friendly way and maybe, in the tiniest, not just friendly way.

So his theory, the less he was around her, the less he'd think about her in the not just friendly way. The trouble was, every time he'd dozed off over the last week, he'd dreamt about her. Even in his usual dreamless sleep post transformation two days ago, he'd dreamt of her. Always in way that made him feel very uncomfortable when he saw her again in person.

"You bet your last galleon I do. I just assumed enough of us had volunteered," Tonks said.

The meeting progressed from there and Lupin's wish to separate himself from Tonks did not come true. When Sirius and Arthur were wondering aloud how they could actually extract Harry from the house under his Aunt and Uncle's nose, Tonks piped up again.

"Well, we make them leave and not take Harry. My dad would leave our house for a Swansea football game, even if it killed him. It's a muggle sports team," She clarified, as some dumbfounded expressions looked back at her "We just have to find out what they'd leave the house for."

This started a new round of discussions and it was nearly an hour before the meeting finished. Arthur and Dumbledore knew the most about the Dursleys, so they took the floor. Everyone left knowing they'd be returning later that night for another meeting, to revise and fine-tune the plan.

Lupin stayed in his seat as most people left the room, and even though he tried not to, he watched Tonks. She was talking and laughing with Ginny and Bill. Lupin wanted to join them; Tonks's laugh was so warm and inviting. It had only been a week or so, and he missed it already.

But he wouldn't impose his presence on her if she didn't want it. Lupin was so busy watching Tonks, he hadn't even noticed that Snape and Sirius were sitting across from the table from each other, both scowling.

"So, didn't fancy risking your precious little neck for the Order again?" muttered Snape, smirking.

"What?" Sirius snapped at him

"Well, I didn't see you offering your help. Given up already have you? Finally realized how utterly useless you are?" said Snape, enjoying every word.

"I didn't see you offering your abnormally large nose for Harry? It'd easily be big enough for him to hide under," Sirius spat.

"Feeling brave in your own little hidey hole aren't you, Black? Are you ever going to venture out into the world like a man, or are you happy revealing your cowardice to us all." Snape spat at him

"You slimy, greasy piece of –" barked Sirius, as he pulled out his wand threatening Snape.

"Sirius," Lupin said sternly, placing his hand in the pocket his wand was in.

"Shut up Remus. This doesn't involve you," snapped Sirius.

"Trouble in paradise I see. Still squabbling like an old married couple. Of course you're so content hiding away Black, you spent your life hiding behind others. Not game to fight anyone, unless you were with your precious Potter or your scruffy little werewolf here," said Snape, his lip curling slightly as he drew his wand out. "Just give me the chance, oh how I'd love it to be me."

Lupin hardly had time to react. Sirius launched himself at Snape and Lupin grabbed a handful of his robes, holding him back.

You're even more of a coward than I thought," Snape said maliciously, eyeing of Lupin as well.

"Let me go, Remus. LET ME GO!" Sirius bellowed, kicking and fighting Lupin's grip, trying to launch himself at Snape.

A loud ear-piercing scream told Lupin that Sirius's mother had awoken as well.

"Pathetic. Some of us have real Order business to attend too." Snape said loudly, as he straightened his robes.

He turned abruptly and left. Ginny, Bill, Tonks and Arthur were staring over at Sirius and Lupin in shock. Sirius yanked himself free of Lupin and spun round to face him.

"You don't have to protect me, Moony. I'm a big boy, I can't be trained like you," Sirius spat at him. "Just stay out of it."

Sirius stomped off up the stairs and his voice sounded just as loud as if he'd been yelling in the dining hall.

"SHUT UP! YOU MISERABLE FUCKING HAG!"

An ear ringing silence followed. Arthur turned to Ginny.

"Don't tell your mother you heard that."

Lupin stood up, feeling the eyes of everyone in the room on him. He walked out the door and headed straight for his bedroom, so exhausted, and it was then he had dreamt of Tonks.

Sirius was still glaring at Lupin, waiting for him to insult Snape. Lupin didn't have the energy or the tolerance to assist Sirius, he was still reeling from the comments earlier.

"You think he's fine then? You think he's great? That he's doing all this for the Order and should praised. Well you– "

"No I don't," Lupin snapped at him, Sirius's taunting voice finally getting at him.

Sirius looked taken aback for a moment, very clearly not used to be spoken to in such a way. Lupin had only really yelled at him once, many years ago at school. That incident involved Snape as well. This time, it was more the exhaustion talking, not the rage at his condition being used in foul play.

"What then?" Sirius said, still looking stunned.

Lupin took a long time gathering his thoughts, but Sirius stayed looking, waiting for his every word. A habit from Lupin always being viewed as the wiser of the two.

"I don't think what he says is fine but– "

"You think it applies? You think I'm coward?"

"Sirius, would you just allow someone to finish a sentence?" Lupin asked sternly.

Sirius glanced up, not looking the slightlest bit apologetic, but Lupin knew he was going to hold his tongue and wait.

"As I was saying," Lupin continued, fixing Sirius a stare. "There was a promise made for a lack in open hostility."

"But– "

"And I know you will say he is not following said promise," Lupin said over the top of him, and Sirius closed his mouth indicating Lupin had read his mind. "But, things can be said for the man who takes the first step. He is trying to get a rise out of you and every time you are biting back exactly as he wishes."

Sirius let out a sigh, letting his body relax slightly, which Lupin knew to mean he had dropped his rage.

"You don't understand what it's like," Sirius said darkly.

"To be bound by something you hate?" Lupin asked, his eyebrows raised.

Sirius went to say something, and then closed his mouth, grinning instead.

"You got me there," he added.

Lupin nodded.

"But I can't let Snape go like you'd want Moony," Sirius finished. "I don't trust the slimy git. How can you?"

Lupin thought for a moment. The answer was difficult. He found pros and cons each time.

"I trust Dumbledore. If Dumbledore trusts Snape, I trust his judgment," Lupin said carefully.

He seemed to have said the wrong thing. Instantly Sirius seemed to stiffen, and the fire in his eyes that had gone, was back.

"And you think Dumbledore is always right then?" Sirius asked, his voice rising and his tone severe again.

"Not always, but it would take a lot to fool a man like him," Lupin said steadfastly.

"But he's an expert at fooling people. We know all about his little mind reading gifs," Sirius said, his tone back to normal.

"I know you are never going to view Snape as anything less than an enemy, and I admit, it is difficult even for me to do the same, but for the sake of the current situation, don't you think it would be easier to let it go? For peace?" Lupin said, sounding like he was almost begging Sirius to be civil.

"I'm not like you Remus," Sirus muttered. "I don't do things just to be liked."

Lupin felt the sting of the insult hit him. He was finding it more and more difficult to shrug off the comments Sirius sent his way ever since the Dementor attack. He knew it was just him taking out his anger, but he did not want to be the target any longer.

"Then do as you wish," Lupin said exasperatedly, looking at Sirisu blankly.

"Oh Merlin Moony, I'm sorry okay, I just don't – "

"Your first apology. I was beginning to wonder if they were still part of your vocabularly," Lupin said bitterly.

After he said it, he regretted it, knowing it would probably stir Sirius up further. To his surprise, Sirius smiled.

"I didn't know you had a rude streak in you anymore. I'm almost proud," Sirius laughed.

"It wasn't so much rude as observational," Lupin added, but Sirius still smiled at him.

"I'm still proud," Sirius said.

Lupin said nothing, he just gave him a be-serious stare.

"Oh fine, I'll be a good boy. I won't yell at everyone," Sirius said after a while, rolling his eyes as he did. "There. Happy?"

Lupin thought about how exhausted he was, the uncertainty of the future of the werewolf mission he was given, and he thought about the precarious situation with Tonks and his dreams about her.

"Not particularly," he muttered, looking away

To be continued…