Fear and Jealousy
Chapter 11: Jelly Baby
"Tonks wait..."
Tonks stopped as her foot hit the first step, feeling as though she'd been caught in the act. Although she knew he hadn't the merest hint of what had gone on between herself and Snape. She avoided Remus' gaze and turned to face the corner chair, ashamed. The 'butterflies' were stronger than ever, and they were spreading further down. Strange, she thought, but not unpleasant.
"Was this you?" Asked Remus, holding up his cloak as she turned to look.
She nodded and returned her gaze to the moth eaten scatter cushions. Remus stood up from the table and came a little closer.
"Why?"
"You weren't going to do it."
"True," he took a step closer. "Thank you."
Tonks shrugged still with her back to him.
"You shouldn't keep doing this you know."
She turned around, folding her arms. "Excuse me?"
"All these things you do for me. Mending my cloak, and I know it's you sneaking chocolate into my sock draw." He gave her a weak smile. "And all the tea."
"So what are you saying exactly Remus, you want me to stop being nice to you?"
"Well, yes. You're running yourself ragged."
"Trust me, chocolate and sewing are nothing right now." Tonks still avoided eye contact. "But if you find kindness so offensive I'll stop."
"Oh Tonks I didn't mean..."
"Save it Remus." She made for the stairs again, Remus grasped her shoulder.
"I'm sorry."
Tonks reached up and held his hand. "So am I."
To her surprise he didn't flinch, instead he placed his other hand on her waist pulling her closer. A few tears tumbled down Tonks' face. She'd been here before and it was never anything more than a fleeting moment of weakness on his part. As they stood together in the dark, the butterflies felt like they were multiplying. She felt the feeling in her fingertips now, almost flowing out of her. She turned and put her arms around his neck, a predatory smile creeping across his face. His eyes flashed a brighter yellow as he kissed her as passionately as he'd always wanted to and she surrendered to him. Tonks pushed him against the wall, tearing at his shirt, gasping as he nibbled on her earlobe and down her neck. He kissed her lips again as her fingers played with his greying hair. Remus pulled beck and sniffed.
"Tonks."
"What?" No no no don't you dare stop she thought.
"Tonks I think you've been enchanted."
"What?" She let go of him.
"You smell of almonds and your fingers are blue." He had smelt much more than that on her, but the betrayal was too much for Remus to deal with.
"Oh."
"This wasn't meant for me. We shouldn't."
"Fine." She shot him a look of utter loathing before storming up the stairs. Damn you Severus Snape.
Tonks emerged from her room at 5am. She hadn't slept. She headed to the kitchen to load up on coffee. She only had a half day at the ministry, then minimal duties for the order. Maybe I'll get 10 minutes to myself today, she thought as the kettle boiled. She made the strongest mug of coffee she could stomach, than laced it with a healing draught Snape had left in her kitchen cupboard.
"Ah that's the stuff."
A creak of the ceiling board told her Remus was awake. Tonks didn't want another confrontation. She drank the rest of her coffee and struggled to put her boots on before his footfall reached the stairs. Not quick enough. Remus' cautious head peered around the corner.
"Um...sleep well?"
"Nope," she said flatly.
"Well, y-you should get some sleep before Harry arrives tomorrow."
"Don't worry, I'm not going to The Burrow. No-one's going to see the dirty laundry."
She finished lacing her boots and headed for the door.
"I'll sleep when I'm dead."
