A/N: Saturday is going to be an absolutely INSANE day for me, so your update comes on Friday this week. We'll go back to Saturdays next week. I hope you don't mind the update a few hours early. ;)
A/N: This story arc has almost wrapped itself up. If you want the story to have another arc to it give me your ideas, otherwise this story has two more chapters (maybe three) and we'll move on to something new. :) I wrote a Jily drabble on Tumblr that's been nagging at me to become more…
Lily and Marlene waited casually near the observatory door. James and Sirius had just grabbed Remus from his office for lunch - off campus - and the two friends were now staking out the observatory.
In a rather dramatic display the day before, Sirius had thrown his mobile across the room in faux frustration and demanded everyone let him look at their phones so he could decide what to replace his with. Remus begrudgingly handed over his phone, and with a bit of luck, Sirius had discovered that Punk-girl had a proper name, Dora Tonks. Her last text to Remus informed him she would be at the observatory the next morning. (Sirius later bemoaned that he had obviously picked the best cell phone of their entire group.)
And so today, plan A went into effect. With Remus off campus, the ladies were responsible for getting Dora Tonks on board, without messing anything up for her and Remus in the process. Lily was just grateful this stakeout didn't require hiding her appearance - her head had hurt from that tight bun into the next day.
"Here she comes," Marlene bumped Lily's arm and she turned to see Dora Tonks walking away from the observatory door.
The two met her just as she made it to the pavement.
"I beg your pardon," Marlene stepped up to her, "But would happen to know where Dr. Lupin's office is? I'm afraid we're a bit turned around."
The pink haired woman nodded politely, "I do. Do you need help getting there?"
"Oh, that would be wonderful!" Lily smiled warmly. "Thank you!"
"It's no problem; I was going to head that direction anyway." She smiled and Lily thought she knew exactly what pulled Remus to this young woman. Her smile lit up her face in a way that was enchanting.
They walked quietly for a moment before Dora spoke, "If you don't mind my asking, are you professors from another university?"
Marlene bit back her laugh. "No, we're just friends paying a visit."
The pink haired woman slowed, "Oh."
"Is something the matter?" Lily saw how the woman's smile had faded, a look of... concern perhaps, Lily wasn't sure...replacing it.
"Oh, no, nothing at all, I'll just show you to his office then." She picked up the pace and entered one of the faded brick buildings.
"I didn't catch your name," Lily smiled encouragingly, thrown off by Dora's sudden change in manner. Coldness? Was that what this was?
"I go by Tonks," she didn't look back as she led them up the stairs.
"Thank you again, Tonks," Lily grabbed the door as Tonks opened it. "I'm Lily, and this is Marlene." She gestured to Marlene as she walked past her and through the door.
"Charmed," Tonks pulled out her phone and began typing.
"Well it was nice to meet you both," Tonks stopped in front of Remus' door. "I'll be off now."
"Tonks," Marlene placed a light hand on her shoulder and Tonks hesitated before turning to look at her.
"I promise you'd have more fun with our group."
"I, I beg your pardon?" Tonks' face was slowly turning red, and her eyes widened.
Lily stood stunned. This was not the plan! What was Marlene doing?!
"We know," Marlene continued. "And we know he thought it was best to keep it from Sirius and James. Trust me, I can't fault him there. But they know now, so why continue to hide it?"
Lily was about ready to gag Marlene and try to talk her way out of it all, but Tonks spoke before Lily could think of a plausible story - or any story other than Marlene being a raving total lunatic.
"It's been sort of fun, hiding it this long," Tonks chuckled, a shy smile creeping onto her face. "But, well if Sirius and James already know, then I suppose there's no point in it now."
Lily felt like she might faint. Going from a set plan to Marlene turning everything on its head and it not blowing up in their faces was more than her poor heart could take.
Marlene dropped her hand and nodded, "Did you send the text?"
Tonks chuckled, "Saw that, did you? No, I haven't sent it. I'll guess Remus isn't here seeing as he hasn't come out to yell at the two of you."
Marlene relaxed visibly, "You're right, he's out to lunch with the lads. Let us take you to lunch. Maybe we can convince you of a better way to let Remus know that your secret is out than that composed text."
Tonks seemed to consider it for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'm always up for someone else buying my lunch." She smirked at them.
The three women laughed as they walked back down the stairs.
Lunch was a fun affair, and Lily realized that this wonderful woman belonged in their group. She was a bit put out with Remus for hiding her for so long actually.
"I have to ask," Lily popped a chip in her mouth, "Why did you two hide your relationship from James and Sirius?"
Tonks sighed, "Remus told me he wanted a bit of time to have me to himself. We haven't been hiding it from the University so it wasn't really a secret. We'd been talking about bringing me around but then," she paused and looked slightly embarrassed. "Well, then James met you and Remus decided that if he could get Sirius focused on a woman as well he'd buy us another few months."
Lily and Marlene burst out laughing, "So that's what he was up to the night at the cinema!" Marlene took a sip of her drink.
"Can I ask if it worked?" Tonks sniggered.
Lily watched Marlene gain control of the blush that just tinted her cheeks and bit her tongue to keep from laughing.
"Sirius and I are going to see where things go," Marlene shrugged nonchalantly.
"Frequently," Lily chimed in and laughed when Marlene glared at her.
Tonks gave a booming laugh. "I'm glad. Remus kept saying the two of you were quite the pair." She checked her watch and sighed.
"I have a meeting in twenty minutes. This has been so much fun, but I need to get going. You'll text me when you have a time set?"
Lily nodded, "And we'll wait for your confirmation before we start setting plans in motion."
"This is almost as much fun as hiding it from all of you," Tonks winked at them as they started for the exit.
"Hopefully you'll like hanging out with all of us too." Marlene bumped her shoulder.
The three women laughed and as they started the walk back to campus, Lily felt like their little group was almost complete.
Tonks parted ways with them and Marlene and Lily walked down the street and climbed into Lily's car.
"You owe me a drink," Lily tossed her phone in Marlene's lap before pushing in the clutch.
"Why now?" Marlene laughed and pulled down the visor mirror to look at her reflection.
"Because you gave me a heart attack when you threw the plan out the damned window!" Lily pulled out onto the street.
Marlene rolled her eyes, "I saw her open her texts to Remus, I didn't have a chance to pull you aside and explain now did I? Besides, it all worked out in the end. Just consider the increased heart rate your cardio for the day."
Lily laughed in spite of her irritation. "Remus is right; you and Sirius are quite the pair."
"Sure," Marlene rolled her eyes, "And you and James are the fucking match made in heaven."
Lily knew Marlene was being her usual sarcastic self, but Lily sort of liked the idea of her and James being a match made in heaven - or at the very least quite the pair themselves.