Chapter 21: Kindness

"Would you go?" Tonks mumbled, tracing the patterns on Remus' jumper with her index finger.

"Would you like me to?" He gently took her hand, his thumb caressing her fingers gently pressing a kiss to the back of her hand.

"If you want," She replied, not wanting to give him the unnecessary pressure. That's the last thing he need. The premature lines on his face were getting deeper as the full moon approaches. Tonks looked up to see him considering with a slight smile on his face.

"Yes, I want to go," Remus decided, his soft gaze fixed on her. She beamed, nodding. His chest shook as he chuckled. A session of reading became an excuse for Tonks to cuddle up to him. He was warm and his free arm was around her shoulder, she fit snugly in the crook of his arm. It made her drowsy but she can't sleep. She'll oversleep and miss the meeting which Voldemort had asked Snape to inform her about.

She pressed her ear to his chest, hearing his strong heartbeat. Tonks sighed. She could listen forever; and that's what she intend to do for the rest of her life if life itself permits it.

"Nymphadora?" Remus spoke softly, his voice coming off deeply from his chest. She loved the way her dreadful name reverberated around his chest.

"Hmm?" She replied; her eyes blissfully closed. When he didn't reply, she opened her eyes and looked up curiously. Slowly, Remus lowered his head, pressing his lips to hers.

The riddle mansion was quiet. That was the first thing Tonks registered. Apart from the Death Eaters on guard, there was no one else. She entered and the closer she went, she realized that she was the only one there.

She opened the door, walking in with her head held high. Voldemort was hissing to Nagini in another language. She guessed it was Parseltongue; the 'serpent language'. Something only Harry Potter and the Dark Lord could do.

The moment the door open, both master and pet turned to her; Nagini arching its back and hissing.

"Nymphadora, come," he beckoned to her, his chin inclined, "I've neglected our training together."

"No my lord, nothing is more important than the mission now," Tonks bowed as she approached.

"I've always found your loyalty…admirable,"

Tonks nodded, humbly.

"But in the past few days," He walked pass her, "I can't help but wonder if your loyalty lies where it belongs."

"My lord?" She spoke, her tone confused.

"The Dark Mark, Nymphadora," Voldemort hissed impatiently. She froze. Tonks heard the wind stir and the hairs on the back of her neck stood but she forced herself to remain unmoving.

Her body was set alight with hot flames, rushing down her spine. It sent her crumpling to the floor, writhing in agony, screaming her throat hoarse.

As abruptly as it began, it stopped to leave a dull but strong ache in her body. She felt cold fingers wrap around her wrist, yanking it up. The rough yank almost pulled her arm from its socket, Tonks was certain but she went with it limply, still convulsing slightly from the pain. Her sleeve was pushed back roughly to reveal smooth ivory skin.

He hissed and she felt his wand press to her skin. Tonks wanted to struggle. She could not be branded now! What would her mother think? What would Remus think? No, I'm not ready!

Her skin felt like it was slit open. She screamed as she felt the wand tip line its way down her inner arm, bringing pain as it went. It felt like forever before Voldemort drop her hand. Tonks felt her jaw hit the floor, sending her vision into starbursts. She felt her body crumple to the floor. Tonks opened her eyes to look at her inner wrist.

There wasn't a mark.

There was a deep gash though. Crimson blood was oozing out to the black marble floor.

"Your loyalty is questionable, Nymphadora," Voldemort said, his back turned. His tone sounded impatient.

"I'm a Hufflepuff, my lord," She spoke, keeping her voice steady as she stood, rising from the floor.

"Yes," He turned on her slowly, watching with narrow eyes, like a snake, "I don't doubt the old sorting hat. But I doubt your loyalty because it doesn't initially lie with me, does it?"

"No, my lord," Nymphadora's reply was quickly and truthful.

"Tell me, then why is it now?" Voldemort stood, balancing his wand in both his hands. He was quick, calculating, ruthless and smart; Tonks knew she was only experiencing the tip of the iceberg of what Voldemort is capable of.

Tonks maintained eye contact, "it is where I belong. My body response to the change,"

"Yes, changing has been your stronger suits," He smirked to reveal sharp rows of teeth. Tonks inwardly smiled and morphed, "your resemblance with Bellatrix is striking."

Tonks' stare intensify into a glare; she know she needn't hide her dislike of her Aunt from the dark lord, he probably knows it better than she does.

"In character and in appearance."

"I can look like anyone," Tonks pointed out dryly, morphing to become Lucius, Narcissa, Yaxley and finally Harry.

"Yes, your talents will be useful," Voldemort regarded her with mildly amused bloodshot eyes, "Dark magic makes you stronger, Nymphadora. You and your wand feel it," He reached out a hand and Tonks reluctantly but respectfully passed him her wand. She felt naked without it even if she was capable at wandless magic, those are normally accidental.

"My lord?" Tonks spoke as Voldemort examined her wand.

"Tell me your plan Nymphadora," He replied, still holding onto her wand. She watched it; sure he wasn't going to snap it in half before speaking. She spoke of her plan, her idealistic case and her backup. She felt uncomfortable. Her inner wrist was still bleeding. In between her talk about Lucius's role, he wrapped a cold hand around her bleeding wrist and casted a non-verbal spell to her wound. Instantly, it sealed, leaving a scar in his place.

Tonks said thanks but inwardly, she knew she could get it heal without a scar. Now she had a mark of her own.

The room she once occupied in the Riddle Mansion was the same. It was still huge, the white sheets striking her as a painful of the number of nights she'd willed herself to sleep; stuffing her fist in her mouth so that she wouldn't make a sound as she cried.

Tonks shuddered. She was done with that life, now she had a mission to complete; for the order. Tonks sat down, removing her boots. The Dark Lord had invited her to spend the night and when he invited, no one said no. It wasn't a choice.

Tonks kept her robes on so that she could stow her wand away in the hidden pocket. She huddled up on the bed, shivering. When her head hit the pillow, Tonks fell asleep but never soundly.

"Morning Tonks," Kingsley greeted stoically as she entered the elevator, yawning.

"Morning King," She replied nonchalantly. The elevator was vacant except them too. She looked at him meaningfully and he nodded; good, there wasn't a meeting or any incident while she out.

The Auror Office was bustling. Scrimgeour had recently requested to step up the security. It was obvious that he wasn't about to buy Fudge's claim to completely disregard Harry's and Dumbledore's claim. Aurors will always be Aurors; skilled but overly paranoid.

Tonks entered her cubicle to see a note on it. She unfolded it, noting the Head of Auror seal at the top instantly.

Meet me at my office.

The cursive words were hard to be mistaken for others'. Tonks sighed, pulling herself off her chair; she shuffled to Scrimgeour's office. After knocking three times, Tonks entered upon his permission from within.

Her boss was standing by his desk, "Auror Tonks, have a seat," He gestured. She eyed him cautiously. The last time he'd called her in was when she was AWOL for a few days, "Tea?"

"No thank you," She replied simply, noting that he appeared nonchalant to not being able to feed her Veriteserum. He took a seat in his high backed chair and seemed to be idling his time away, "Sir? May I know what am I needed for?"

"A little impatient, are we?" Scrimgeour turned to her, a brow raised.

"I have a lot of reports to fill," Tonks made a point to emphasize that fact. The sooner she gets it done, the sooner she could leave and not stay overtime.

"We had a few new Aurors in this year and I'd like you to hand them your reports," He told her and her jaw dropped.

"Sir?" Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"You will do another mission for me," He reached into his drawer and pulled out a manila folder; the ones Mad-Eye had which always had 'top secret' practically spelt all over it. He handed it to her and Tonks practically snatched it out of his hands eagerly, "I want you to investigate Werewolf activity,"

"Werewolf?" Tonks opened the folder, glancing over some details.

"Is there a problem?" Scrimgeour leaned over his desk, "I assume your morphing abilities will come in handy in that area of stealth,"

"Yeah…since we don't have a particularly attractive Auror who happens to be a Werewolf and a talented duelist at that…" Tonks muttered.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing, they're dangerous creatures but I'm fairly sure I can manage," Tonks nodded solemnly and Scrimgeour nodded.

"Spoken like a true mentee of Alastor Moody." He commented and Tonks smirked with pride. "Give me the report anytime you have it ready," He cracked a small smile and she rose, leaving.

With the folder in her hand, she walked back to her cubicle to find the reports already gone. She could now see the white of her desk which was normally buried under reports. She sat down in her chair, casually looking through the folder. Names such as Greyback, Lupin appeared before her eyes and she was acutely uncomfortable about that. She had the whole list of known or registered werewolf in her hand.

This assignment would be easy for her. All she had to do was walk into Greyback's territory; she doubt the Alpha wolf would have the guts or the means to kill her for fear of the Dark Lord but in case, she would inform the Dark Lord of this.

Tonks' eyes wandered further down to the crimes the werewolves were known to commit. There was of course 'passing of their infliction to the list of kids', robbing, raping, terrorizing civilians. Tonks was appalled. She knew how brutal wild werewolves were but she'd never expect them to actually go against their conscience to commit inhumane crimes. Her eyes went to involvement between various werewolves. She frowned and scrutinized a particular information got her interest.

Furrowing her brows, Tonks stood and left.

Grimmauld Place was quiet. It was still early but Tonks was certain Remus was up. She opened the door and entered, walking down the dimly lit corridor. She could hear Sirius' laughter from the kitchen. When she opened the door, Remus' back was to her and Sirius was just facing the door. They were both laughing over breakfast. Upon her entrance both men looked up, both smiling.

"Hi Nymphie," Sirius teased. Tonks shot him a meaningful glare before looking at Remus. He was looking at her lovingly, his weary blue eyes bearing adoration.

Her determination to demand an answer melted away as she smiled at him.

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" Remus stood, pushing back his chair quietly, "I would've came to you if I'd known you aren't."

"I am," She replied, "I'm just certified to leave anytime as my assignment deemed fit,"

"And what is that?" Remus asked, eyeing the folder in her hand. He seemed to have felt her initial confusion and slight anger.

"Remus," She touched his arm gently, "You didn't tell me you were in Greyback's pack,"

He frowned, glancing at the manila folder in her hand.

"You were?" Sirius rose from his seat. Tonks steeled her gaze on her love's face. He seemed to be fighting a battle with himself.

"Remus, tell me," She squeezed his arm.

"It was for a short time," He replied eventually, sinking down into his seat.

"You are his Beta! His second-in-command. The most trusted man in his pack," Tonks cried, sitting down in the seat by him in frustration. Remus looked away, refusing to meet her eye, "Are you on a mission at that time? Was it-"

"No," Remus' reply made her flinch, "I made my decision then,"

"Mate," Sirius spoke, "You said you'd never join Greyback,"

"He bit you, Remus," Tonks frowned. She was trying to deal with an internal conflict with herself. Why would he do something like that? The crimes Greyback's pack committed was too many to count and heinous; which doesn't even cover the cruelty of the things they do.

"And I never forget that but Nymphadora," Remus turned to her, finally meeting her eyes. They broke her heart. His eyes shadowed with the burden he'd carried all his life, the need for her to understand, "I just did."

"Why?" Tonks found herself cupping his cheek, trailing her thumb on a scar along his face.

"I had to learn. I had to know how we live, how I should be living," Her love spoke with such helplessness, utter desperation. Tonks looked at him and knew what she thought she knew about being a werewolf; the pain was barely the tip of the real ordeal.

"You don't have to learn anything more," Tears filled her vision, "You're perfect the way you are,"

The edge of Remus' lips twitched up bitterly.

"Moony," Sirius rounded the table, "You know who you truly are. Your heart is where you truly live,"

Remus forced a smile which deepens the line on his face, "On the moon, even my heart is not spared the change, you know that,"

"And I know it is still kind," Tonks leaned forward, urging him to understand, "The wolf is never what you really are, Remus. You know that, you know I think that."

Remus closed his eyes momentarily as if to calm himself before he spoke, "what is it you need?" He averted her eyes, gazing at the folder. She drew back in surprise.

Tears hung teetering on the edge, "I didn't come to you to ask you about my assignment," She spoke, her voice shaky, "I'm concerned about you."

"I lived through that and I know. I can provide you with all the information you will need," He said and she flinched at his cold tone, contradicting his kind eyes. Tonks could see the sincerity in them but that wasn't what she wanted.

She stood, "I can get them on my own. I just need you to understand. You are who you are. You don't have to fit in anywhere for me to love you," Tonks felt the first droplet of tear run down her cheek and she turned, hurrying out of Grimmauld.

"Cuz…" She felt Sirius' gentle hand touch her arm but she brushed it off and ran to the entrance.

When she opened the door to Grimmauld and felt the warmth of the sunlight on her face, Tonks took a deep breath to calm herself. Her heart broke to think that Remus felt he needed to fit somewhere; eventually turning to the werewolves, resigning himself to fate like that. She winced at the thought of the wild and untamed wolves roaming the woods at full moon, running aside wolf-Remus.

She imagined Greyback, their Alpha, their leader, barking at Remus; his beta. Her breath caught in her throat as she thought of how Remus would have to lower his head to the floor for him, bowing and pledging his allegiance…

"Nymphadora," She felt him before she heard him. His hand was warm on the back of her waist.

"I love you," She turned, pulling him into a hug. His body was tensed; in anticipation for the transformation in a few days. She rubbed his back, knowing he liked it when she did that on the days where the imminent full moon tormented his body.

"Are you going to Greyback?" Remus asked, his cheek pressed to hers. She didn't reply, "Did Voldemort have you work with him?" His voice held a warning growl.

There was no point lying, "Yes," Tonks replied and she felt him gently extract himself from her.

"Greyback is ruthless, Nymphadora," Remus held her arm, "Please, don't go anywhere near him,"

Tonks blinked away tears, laughing dryly, "If I'm going to be your mate, I'll have to man up to these things," She saw him flinch at her cutting words and her heart did a double take as it stuttered.

"Nymphadora, I never want you to be my mate that way. You don't have to change for me," Remus spoke gently, his eyes pleading and weary; his hands holding her arms.

She almost softened but she needed him to understand and to think. He couldn't live like that forever; it will hurt him too much, and Tonks will never allow that. She steeled herself, "Remus…" She held his elbows, hesitating before extracting his hold on her, "Please come back to me when you, of all people, have understood that," She backed away, watching as his face fell, his eyes cast downward, a shadow of hurt over his face.

His eyes looked up just as she spun around, holding back her tears. Tonks turned around a bend and apparated before she could rush back into his arms and kiss the grief away.

Remus watched or rather heard his love disapparate. He felt a part of him going away with her with the urge to protect her but another part of him held back. That male pride and stubbornness that wrapped around his mind and his heart so tightly it was nearly impossible to let loose; nearly.

He is a werewolf and no matter what Nymphadora said, nothing will ever change that fact. Remus could never wish for acceptance in the wizarding community but he did wish it from the person he loved most and would spend the rest of his life with.

She is a metamorphagus and living up to the nature of her name, she is unique. Nymphadora wasn't bothered that he is old, had nothing to offer her or that he is a dangerous werewolf. But she is bothered when he looked down on himself and resigned himself to his fate like that; which in Remus' eyes was the lesser of two evils whether for himself or for the people around him.

His struggle to be accepted was what made being discriminated all the more painful. In Remus' time with Greyback, he could never forget that feeling of being carefree where he is just what he is, part human and a wolf on one day of the month. He needn't feel ashamed of who he is when he is accepted by his fellow wolves. On some of the full moon, when his wolf run astride the pack he led on a hunt, Remus could feel pride and happiness swell in the beast's chest as it did in the man's chest upon the preceding morning.

At that time, he was a comfort and his own sanctuary to finally have found acceptance but now, it was a reminder of what he did, the horrible things he had to.

Remus knew what Nymphadora wanted from him but it was something his own mother had encouraged him to do and failed; accept who you are, be proud about it but keep that part of you that is still human, still that kind, intelligent and gentle man instead of completely giving yourself over to the feral wolf.

"Moony," Sirius touched his shoulder, "don't worry, she'll come around,"

Remus looked up and turned around, closing the door quietly, "No, Padfoot. She wouldn't,"

He wouldn't forget the determination in her gorgeous grey eyes, her beautifully set expression and the way her petite and seemingly fragile frame would tremble and shake when she struggled with her anger and her frustration. Like all Blacks but also completely different from them, Nymphadora's beauty lies in her determination, her stubbornness and her rage.

Despite himself, Remus couldn't help but smiled at that thought. Yes, he could at least try to accept himself as a man who turns into a wolf only once a month, be proud instead of ashamed of who he is. He would try for Nymphadora.

"Padfoot, I will,"

Tonks couldn't get rid of that look on his face; that forlorn and hurt expression on his pale but handsome face. The moment she arrived at her destination, Tonks decided that she never want to see that look ever again.

She entered the Riddle Mansion after bypassing the guards at the gates. Tonks headed straight for the quarters of the Dark Lord. At the door, she saw Nagini on the floor. It slithered over to her and hissed.

"I request an audience My Lord," Tonks spoke, keeping her volume normal, her tone calm.

The door opened. The room was huge and well decorated. Black satin curtains hung over the bed which looked untouched. In the huge armrest, Tonks glimpsed the Dark Lord.

"My Lord," She bowed.

He rose and Tonks stiffened. She'd never interrupted Voldemort like that before; who knows what treatment she was going to be facing. It would be either of the two extremities.

"Speak Nymphadora," His tone was calm and Tonks relaxed slightly.

"I request to know the location of Greyback and his pack," She kept her head angled down respectfully as she thought she should while having a request.

"Why?" His question came out lazily and Tonks instantly know that the pack didn't mean much more than pawns to him.

"The Head of Auror requested my expertise to learn more of Werewolf activity. I wish to effectively complete that task," and learn more of what Remus was actually experiencing then.

"Rufus Scrimgeour?" The Dark Lord turned, his tone turned of that of interest.

"Yes My Lord,"

"Keep it brief, Nymphadora, with your findings,"

"Of course," She said submissively. She heard and felt a slight stir in the wind and she gasped as Voldemort forcefully inserted the location into her mind. She stumbled back in shock and instinctively, pulling out her wand. When she realized that her wand tip was pointed directly at Voldemort, she hastily lowered it.

"Your reflexes are well taught," Voldemort's smooth voice made it almost sickening for Tonks to hear a compliment from him, "Alastor Moody?"

"Yes, My Lord," She bowed.

"You may leave,"

Tonks nodded stiffly and retreated out of the room, disregarding Nagini who hissed at her. She had more important things to do.

The nagging thought of what a powerful Legilimens Voldemort is, bothered her. She was lucky he didn't scope her memories while he inserted them, without even a little eye contact or his wand…

The so-called underground was a sorry excuse for headquarter. It was in the middle of a forest. The ground was damp and muddy, instantly making her clean black robes filthy but unlike most Blacks, Tonks didn't curl her lips in disgust or disdain. She didn't mind being filthy and in fact, splashing around in a wet muddy puddle had been her favorite pastime after a rainy day back in the days when she was younger; much to Andromeda's disgust.

Tonks treaded carefully across the terrain, she didn't want to fall flat on her face; her pride disallowed her to. Her wand was kept in her hand and the folder charmed down to size and hide away in her robes pocket.

The forest was quiet.

Soon, as in her memories planted, she saw a wooden structure but failed to glimpse any werewolf. She casted a soft homenum revelio to find out that there is not a single soul in that house. Softly, Tonks veered off to the left. She saw a patch evident of a smothered fireplace. From her implanted memories, this was where the werewolves cuddled at for speeches from their Alpha. It was also empty.

All of a sudden, a dreadful cry of anguish shattered the silence. It was followed by howls of laughter and Tonks knew where to go. Furious, she ran towards the noise, stumbling once or twice on the forest floor but she went on relentlessly.

She drew back in shock. Greyback was standing in the middle of his pack. Some were sitting while others were jumping in excitement but all of them were cheering and wolf whistling. In Greyback's hand, he was yanking a clump of a young boy's brown hair. He looked no more than 10. His face was caked with dried blood and mud, streaked with tears. His arms and legs were filled with tiny cuts and gashes. He was wearing a set of star-covered pajamas.

Instantly, Tonks know this kid has been kidnapped by Greyback.

"Release him!" She shouted, hearing her voice come out as a snarl. All the werewolves leaped from their positions and held a hostile stance in her direction. Some of them glared at her with hate, some with lust and others with fear or nonchalance.

Greyback narrowed his eyes at her, "Nymphadora Tonks," He growled her name.

"Release him," She warned, raising her wand. She watched as Greyback eyed her wand before jerking his head towards a middle-aged man beside him. That man had shaggy blonde hair, caked with mud. His shabby rags he called clothes hung onto his muscular frame. He wore hole-filled pants. He was the Beta; Tonks guessed.

"Step aside brothers and sisters," he said and they obeyed, keeping a keen eye on Tonks.

She glanced at the Beta mildly before turning to Greyback, "Release the child," Tonks glared, her tone calm and dangerous.

"The Dark Lord has no power here," Greyback sneered, "this is our territory,"

"Power…" Tonks threw her head back and surprised herself as her laugh echoed around the forest eerily, "Is to be claimed," She waved her wand and five werewolves closest to her dropped to the ground, clutching their stomachs as they kneeled and groveled. Greyback looked at them sharply, "Loyalty is to be taken," She kept her eyes on Greyback, downing another few werewolves. Some of them grimaced while others groaned in pain.

"You have no power here, Witch," He spat, yanking the boy's hair harder and the boy screamed.

Tonks found herself laughing instead of seething with anger. She always surprised herself, "Watch me," With her eyes fixed on Greyback and with barely a twitch of her wand, Greyback's Beta fell to the floor. Tonks glanced over at the remaining standing Werewolves. There were mostly women, some looking scared, others furious but she wouldn't resort to that till absolutely necessary.

The Beta screamed in sheer agony, writhing on the forest floor.

"I am known for my loyalty Greyback," She spat his name, "But the world has not seen what I'm capable of and neither has you," She narrowed her eyes, keeping an eye on Greyback's grip on the boy. The poor child was terrified and obviously in pain. Greyback's grip on him could not be gentle.

"Stop and I'll let the boy go," Greyback growled, eyeing his pack nervously. Tonks knew the full moon was waning and they were all more powerful if they let the moon takeover their senses but they are also weaker after torture.

She laughed again, this time, she was terrified upon feeling genuine amusement tickle her from her stomach, "You know better Greyback, than to speak terms with me," Her wand was twitching in excitement from the power she was releasing; it irked her but times like this, this was necessary; she told herself.

Greyback sneered at her but soon, the scream of his Beta doubled and a couple of his pack members started falling flat on the ground, writhing.

"Stop!" The Beta screamed, crawling his way over. Tonks smirked, she knew better. She took a step back but the Beta continued crawling towards her. She knew he was about to reach his limits of his pain threshold, everyone had a breaking point and she was surprised how truly weak Greyback's Beta was. Compared to Remus, this man had no morals. He had no bravery, loyalty and pride. She eyed him with disdain.

"Beg!" She demanded, smirking.

Tonks watch the Beta open his mouth to do whatever she asked but before that, Greyback let out a feral cry and she looked up in time to see him shove the boy to the floor and whip out his wand, shooting curses at her. She smirked, her wand responding in anticipation for a challenge; it loved those. She parried his spell away lazily.

"Avada Kedavra!" Greyback roared, the jet of green heading straight for her. Tonks used the spell Voldemort himself had taught her. They were ideal for handling weak unforgivable curses. She muttered the incantation, watching as Greyback's eyes widened. A black circle formed in front of her and the spell went right into it, with another line of incantation, the black circle shrunk and then expanded rapidly, catapulting the spell into a tree bark.

It exploded and the tree creaked and started to fall. In the blink of an eye, Tonks hit it with a spell so it fell aside, away from the werewolf children she glimpsed.

Greyback stared, his blue eyes filled with horror but mostly rage.

As the racket stopped and settled, Greyback's Beta's cries of plea was heard, "Please! I beg you! Stop!" He was already at Tonks' feet, groveling for mercy.

Tonks looked at the terrified boy and the writhing werewolves. She stopped the spell in an easy flick. She turned and saw the look of horror in the children's faces. They were werewolves. Tonks could see the scars on their faces and the shabbiness she saw common in werewolves. She felt the thrill fade into realization, the power slip away and the guilt sink in.

What have I done?

"Take the boy!" Greyback spat, "And go back to whatever Noble pit you came from!"

Tonks was taken aback but she steeled her expression. She beckoned to the boy. She saw him hesitate, glancing at Greyback once before bolting from his position from the floor. He ran to her with a limp. She took his small hand in hers and turned, walking out of the grasp that the unconscious Beta had on the hem of her robes.

"You might want to change your Beta," She called back casually, squeezing the boy's hand as she walked away. As they walked out of the sight of the werewolves, Tonks glimpsed down at the boy; scared to see the terrified face of the boy but instead, he looked at her with awe, respect and admiration.

"Thank you for saving me," The boy said; his voice hoarse from screaming.

Tonks was taken aback. She'd just scared the living daylights out of the werewolves and this boy and now he was thanking her? Bracing herself, Tonks spoke with something she always knew she had, something she was proud of, something her father had given her to set her aside from the rest of the family; kindness, "You're welcome,"

To be continued…

A/N: Firstly, I'm sorry for spending more than a month for the update! I've been really really busy and sort of struggling to cope. I can't really promise when the next will be but I'll do whenever I find the time!
The rating for this story has changed for mild violence and maybe a little gore?
Anyway, more emotional turmoil for Tonks and Remus here. Hope you enjoyed it! And homage of the third movie for Sirius' line; which I've always liked (the line and the movie).

Thank you to all the reviewers and reader, you guys keep this story going!

DMSTonks: I truly apologise for the long wait! Thank you!

Angelic94: Thank you! I'm so glad you like Mad-Eye; he is so difficult to get right at these moments. Glad you understand Snape, though I was slightly traumatized writing it. About lily's and Snape's relationship, I was touched by the last movie so you can be almost sure that this story will incorporate some lily/Snape romance! Yeah! More Remus-effort for their relationship here, hope you enjoyed it! Thanks so much!

Anonymous . Individual : Thank you so much!

Starxedlovers: I'm glad you liked it! Yeah, I definitely agree with the creep factor of the kiss but…you know how it is, a story is a story (: Thank you so much!

AbsurdAnimals: Thank you so much! Well, let's see shall we? ;)

HammersNStrings: Haha, I cringed too while writing it. I'm glad you understood! I'm so sorry! Surely this update has not been quick! I'm so sorry for the wait once again! Thanks for the review!

Please drop me a review about this chapter!