Ok, hello people, I am off sick today. And by off sick I mean I begged my mum to let me stay home to do coursework because today is a day of PSHE at school, and I loathe it. And since I wrote this I decided you needed to read it, can't keep ya hanging. Was gunna say that due to exams I won't be updating as much but we all know I will because writing this story helps me deal with exam stress, lol! I have read all your reviews and took every comment on board. Thank you! I'm sorry I haven't replied, but i've been up to my eyeballs in school work. "All mistakes in this are mine, I am un-beta'd and have not proof read. Oops!"

Final Warning: I do NOT condone the use of knives, I do not want anyone reading this to think that taking a knife out with them for 'protection' is the right thing to do. It is not. Millions of innocent people die from knife attacks, and it's unexceptable. This is a story, it is a different time with different threats, and the example should not be followed.

So without further delay, like I promised, I think you'll like this one...

Christmas storm

I guess I should start with what happened after I ran out of my flat several weeks ago. I ran straight to Mad-eye, who fixed up my flat, and put extra protection over the flat so there was no chance of a repeat. I wondered why my charms had failed, but apparently they were to weak, easily broken down. Mad-eye also shouted constant vigilance at me a few times, because now I would need it. Someone was after me, and I was a definite target now. I suspected that I knew who was after my blood, but refused to say. Sometimes saying things out loud makes things worse. Apart from that, Mad-eye suggested extra protection on me, not just a wand. Someone was after me, I could use protection. He gave me a potion on in small flask, on sip could give me a kind of sheild over my body, which would deflect minor to moderate hexes. Also, a small silver knife which would be strapped to my leg. Only to be used as a last resort. I wasn't comfortable with using knives, but I trusted Mad-eye. (A/N: Again, do not follow Mad-eye's example. He is a little eccentric). But I guess I should get back to the present. And at the present, it's christmas day...

The whole day had been spent devoted to guarding Hogwarts and patrolling Hogwarts. Why had I volunteered to do christmas duty? Well, I had several other alternatives. I could visit my parents (doubt it), I could go to the Burrow where Remus was, but I wouldn't be able to act all cheery and like nothing had happened between us infront of everyone, I knew that would destroy me. So I had told Molly, I was having a quiet christmas at my flat. But then ofcourse, Proudfoot came into the flat christmas eve and asked whether i'd be willing to do duty christmas day. And naturally, I said yes.

I wish I hadn't. It had snowed all day, non-stop. And now I was cold and damp and tired. I opened my flat door, stamping the snow of my boots and shaking my damp mousy brown hair. I closed the door behind me and shrugged off my cloak, fully intending to have an early night, when someone knocked on the door behind me. I froze breifly in panic and then calmed myself down. I groaned as I looked at the clock, 10pm it read. Not so early after all.

I turned around to the door, took a deep breath and gripped the door handle, hoping beyond hope that it was someone nice coming to see me. Well, I thought, deatheaters don't usually knock do they? I opened the door.

"Mum" I said, surprised.

"Dorie darling" she said, embracing me and crushing a few bones that were vital for my exsistance.

"Ok mum, you can let go now" I squeaked out. I breathed deeply as she let me go.

"Sorry" she apologised as I ushered her in. She went and sat on the sofa as I clicked the door shut again.

"Sorry about the mess, I haven't been here much..."

"It's okay" she said, though she eyed the dust on my mantle and bit her lip. "Merry christmas" she said, pulling out a small package from her pocket. I took it from her, feeling guilty. As I opened it I apologised for not buying her anything. A small silver charm bracelet fell out into my hand.

"It's okay" she said, as i tired to do the clasp up around my wrist. She stood up and came up to me, and started fiddling with the bracelet. "You've been busy, I understand" she said, as she finally clipped the bracelet around my wrist.

"It's beautiful mum, thank you".

"Your welcome" she said, going to sit back down. "Hows your christmas been?".

"Tiring" I answered, truthfully.

"Dora, what going on with you?" she asked, bluntly.

"Want some tea?" I asked, choosing to ignore the question.

"Don't avoid the question".

"Don't ask me questions you know i'll avoid, then" I retorted softly.

"You don't write, you don't visit..."

"I've been busy" I said, which was the truth. But not the whole truth.

"Dora have you seen yourself? Have you looked in a mirror? You don't look, act or sound like yourself" she explained.

"Gee, thanks mum" I said, bitterly.

"I know the signs Dora. I want to know whats wrong, I want to help".

"You can't help".

"Why not? What happened and why can't I help my own daughter?" she asked.

"Fine. You want to know what happened? I was rejected mum" I practically shouted.

"What?" she spluttered, evidently surprised.

"I told Remus that I loved him, and I got rejected. The funny thing is, he loves me too. So I don't even no why he keeps pushing me away. How could you possibly help with that, mum?" I choked out. This wasn't something I wanted to be discussing right now.

"I can't, and I wouldn't even if I could" she said, suddenly. My head that was lowering, snapped up. "He heeded my warning" she whispered, more to herself than me. She was smiling.

"What warning?" I asked, but she ignored me. "What warning mum!?" I practically screamed.

"You can do better than him. Your better off without him" she said. I felt like i'd been slapped in the face. I didn't understand.

"Wait. What-" but I stopped abruptly, my mind back tracking. "St. Mungos. The day I came out. You weren't just having a little chat were you? What did you say to him?" I demanded.

"It was for the best".

"What did you say to him? And don't even think about lying, i've been taught ways of spotting a liar" I said, furiously. If she'd done what I thought she'd done...

"He was talking about you" she stuttered. "I saw immediately what he was thinking. He claimed to be in love with you. So I told him to leave you alone, someone like him doesn't deserve someone like you. He said he couldn't, but someone like him cannot be trusted to keep you safe. I was for the best, Dora, I only did what was best" she pleaded. I stood gobsmacked, staring at the woman I called my mother, the woman i'd trusted. The woman who I now felt burning anger towards.

"You bitch" I spat, surprising us both. "How dare you? How dare you?" I screamed.

"Dora-".

"Don't call me that" I spat. "Do you have any idea what you've done? What gives you the right? Mother, how could you?".

"Don't speak to me like that! I did what was in your best interests" she said, standing up.

"Oh really. Is this in my best interests" I asked, tugging painfully on a lock of my mousy brown hair. "I love him mum. And I should be the one to decided who's good enough for me and who's not. I'm not a child anymore. I make my own decidions, and I control my life, not you".

"What if he hurts you?".

"Remus would never hurt me".

"He's a werewolf, he could potentially hurt you" she shouted. I sneered at her as she got in my face.

"You can take the girl away from the purebloods, but you can't take the pureblood out of the girl, can you?" I snarled, she froze. "Your just as bad as the rest, pureblood prejudice never dies does it, mother? Does dad know about this? Huh, mum, have you told him?". The look on her face told me the answer was 'No'. "No, course you haven't. Because you know he'll tell you your wrong, and you wouldn't like that, would you? He'd accept it, he wouldn't threaten Remus!" I screamed.

"How do you know?".

"Because I know my dad, and so do you. You know it too" I said. "This is all about you, it's always about you" I said, not regretting a word i'd spoken, but still thinking I should get out of here before I said something that I would never be able to take back. I grabbed my cloak, and started slipping into my boots.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"None of your business" I snapped, pulling off the bracelet. I chucked it on the floor. "But you better not be here when I get back" and with that I walked out, being careful to slam the door behind me. I couldn't stand to look at her anymore.

As I walked, my mind whirled. Remus was acting on my mums orders? Well, thinking about it, it made sense. Remus would want my parents approval, he was one of those guys, but since mum had said those things to him...

I needed to find him. I needed to explain that whatever my mum says doesn't matter to me, that she's just a bitter old witch with no control over my life. Merlin, I was so angry. But my head was clear now, and I knew exactly what I was doing. For the first time in months my mind was set on something and I was determined. I had to find Remus, and I knew exactly where to look.

With a quick turn on the spot, I was standing outside the burrow. I looked up at the house, and noted a few downstairs lights on, but everywhere else in the house was dark. I walked up to the door and knocked softly, not wanting to wake anyone who was asleep. The door opened almost immediately, by a very tired looking Molly. As soon as she saw me she hugged me tight. I hugged back, feeling myself calm down from earlier events.

"Oh Tonks, it's good to see you" she said, quietly, pulling back and surveying me. "You've not been eating enough".

"Been to busy, and it's great to see you too. I know it's awfully late to drop in but-" I trailed off, letting the sentence hang unfinished.

"Nonsense, it's fine Tonks, come in" she said, ushering me into the house and shutting the door behind me.

"I'm sorry I didn't come round today. Was it good?" I asked, looking directly at Moly. She bit her lip as if she was about to cry. "What's wrong?".

"Nothing. The Minister came round earlier though, wanted to speak to Harry. And Percy came round for a bit too" I was a bit taken aback, from what I knew, Percy hadn't spoken to his family since they joined the Order. The Minister coming round wasn't really a shock though.

"Oh" I said, unsure what to say.

"How's your christmas been?" she asked, obviously trying to change the subject.

"It's been difficult... listen Molly, I know it's rude but I came round her to see whether... whether Remus was here" I said, carefully. Her face instantly lit up.

"He's in the livingroom with Arthur dear, go on through" she said, shooing me through the door to the hall. Before I was completely out of the room she muttered "he's missed you". I smiled as I made my way towards the livingroom. As I got to the door I heard voices, and stopped to listened to the conversation inside. I knew it was wrong to easedrop but it was to tempting.

"Hell basically. It's been hell, but thats nothing more than I expected. Gaining their trust was hard though, though I think i've got it now" said a voice that made my heart beat faster, my hands shake, my lip quiver and my stomach erupt in butterflies. A voice i'd heard so little of for ages.

"Thats good, right?" came Arthur's voice.

"Sure" said Remus, dismissively. "So whats things been like at the Ministry. I heard something about aurors being attacked..." he trailed off. I held my breath.

"Any particular auror you'd like to know about?" asked Arthur, his voice was innocent enough but I knew he was smirking. There was a long pause.

"How is she?" Remus whispered so low i'd barely heard him.

"I don't know, Remus. No-one does. We haven't seen her in awhile, hardly anyone has, and she no longer comes into the Ministry. Although, I heard a rumour that her flat was broken into. I don't know whether it's true..." I choose this time to make my presence known.

"It is" I said, stepping through the door, startling them both. My eyes swept over Remus once, twice and then a third tie for good measure, I stood taking everything in. His hair was more grey with streaks of brown and he had plenty more scars, but as he looked into my eyes, I saw Remus. My Remus. And my heart did some impressive acrobatics. I came and sat down on the sofa beside Arthur, Remus was sitting on a chair opposite.

"Tonks, didn't know you were here" said Arthur, pleasantly.

"Just arrived, sorry it's so late. Duty was harsh and I needed somewhere warm to visit" I was partly telling the truth, kind of rambled jumbled version of the truth, but still. "So, you were talking about the aurors before I came in?" I asked, looking straight towards Remus.

"We were discussing whats been happening at the Ministry lately" said Arthur.

"Cover ups. Lies. Rumours" I said, before looking at Remus again, and directing the next lot of information to him. "Bonfire night, a collegue of mine was attacked and his house set on fire. The word mudblood was spelt out on the grass for him in blood. He's been in shock ever since, only just got him to come out of the flat and back on duty. Minister covered it up, didn't feel the need to inform the public. Also, I was called to a house of an old auror, found him dead and his wife and child, with the dark mark floating above them. I don't know whether the public were informed" I said, looking to Arthur for help.

"I don't think so, not much of whats happening is being reported. The Minister is trying to keep the public calm" he explained, I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Apparently it was now widely known throughout the Ministry of my views towards the Minister. "I know your views against him Tonks, but he's better than Fudge".

"No arguments there Arthur, but I just don't trust him fully. He's never given me reason to" I said, with a slight huff.

"And you, Nymphadora?" said Remus, my head snapped up.

"My flat was broken into and trashed, apparently someones trying to scare me. Mad-eye fixed my flat up though, so everythings back to normal" I said. Just then Molly walked in with a mug of tea in each hand, one for Arthur and one for herself.

"Molly if I may, i've changed my mind about tea. Is it ok if I get some?" Remus asked, quietly.

"Of course dear" she said, and he left the room, not looking back at me. I heaved myself of the sofa, nodded to Molly and Arthur, before going to the kitchen. When I got there, I saw Remus standing at the window, his arms out and his hands holding onto the sides. He had his head down and seemed to be struggling with himself. I stood against the wall and watched him, but he hadn't heard me come in. After minutes of silence, I finally spoke up.

"The kettle won't boil itself you know" I said, matter-of-factly. He said nothing, but his head moved towards me a little. "Do you want me to do it?" I asked, not knowing how to get a conversation going with him. That in itself was weird.

"What do you want, Dora?" he said, turning completely towards me. A shiver ran down my spine as he said my name.

"Do you really have to ask?" was my quick reply. He looked at me intently, before taking a tentive step forward, not seeming to realise what he was doing. I pushed myself off the wall a took a step towards him, closing the gap a little more. I knew what I needed to say to him, but all thoughts of a conversation had flown from my mind.

"What am I doing?" he whispered, not needing me to answer him. Instead, I reached up and placed a chaste kiss on his lips, reveling in the warmth before pulling back slowly. His eyes were closed as I looked at him, and he had not pulled away. I put my lips back to his, and instead of pulling away he cupped my cheek with his hand and pulled me closer to him. The kiss was soft and sensual, nothing no eager, just a warm kiss that filled me up with butterflies as I caressed a newly placed scar on his cheek, one I had never seen before. My heartached for more than one reason as we broke the kiss.

"Don't speak" I whispered, begged even. "I need to speak" I said, looking up at him. He looked uncomfortable, like he wanted to step away but I couldn't let him. It truly would break me after everything tonight. "My mum visited earlier" I started feeling the need to explain, "she told me some things, things that i'd overlooked. Remus, I know what my mum said to you". He looked straight into my eyes, he moved to take his hands away but mine grabbed them back.

"What exactly did she say?" he asked.

"Everything" I replied. "Everything Remus. We argued. I was furious. I am furious. She had no right to treat you like that, the thought of her saying that to you... i'm so sorry" I apologised, though it wasn't really my fault. Mum should be apologising.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. But she's right, Dora. And its just another reason on a long list of them, why we can never be..." but I put three fingers to his lips to silence him.

"Don't" I whispered.

"I have to Dora" he whispered, pulling away from me. I let him go.

"Remus, it's christmas. I miss you" I said, not moving from where I was standing. I understood he needed space, though it nearly killed me to grant him it.

"And you think I don't, is that it?" he asked, his voice controlled. "Tonks, look at me. Really look at me" he pleaded. "Look at what i've become".

"Your still Remus" I said, moving forward to place a hand on his arm. He didn't move away, but he didn't respond either.

"I'm not".

"You are still Remus, your not one of them. Let me prove it to you" I said.

"How?" he asked, clearly stunned.

"New years, The Three Broomsticks. My collegues have persuaded me to go, to celebrate. Thing is, I don't think I could celebrate it without you" I whispered, offering a small smile.

"Tonks, I..." but I cut him off.

"Remus, come. Please. Even if it's just as friends" and how much that kills me "I miss you, your company. I miss chatting with you and feeling happy. Please Remus".

"I'll try" he said, barely above a whisper.

"Thats all I want" I said, before kissing him on the cheek. His arms came around and he hugged me tight for a brief moment before letting go.

"I need some sleep, and so do you" he said, before moving around me to exit the room. Just before he left he whispered something so quiet I couldn't hear it properly, but before I got to ask him what he'd said, he left the room. I took a deep breath and for the first time in a long time I smiled, it wasn't exactly a date, but it was a start. And he really is an amazing kisser, I giggled to myself.

Ok, hope you liked this. I enjoyed writing it. Next chapter will contain more Remus and more fluff. Cuz we all need a bit of fluff in our lives. Please review!