Hello *ducks behind cupboard as blunt objects fly towards her* yes, i've been gone for awhile and i'm very sorry. This chapter was very hard to write, the next one will be a challenge for me too, especially in the upcoming three months... Exams, whoopee! Please, do note the sarcasm. P.s. this is un-proof read and un-beta'd. All mistakes are mine.

VERY IMPORTANT!! READ THIS NOTE!!! : Now this chapter, I guess I should explain first, cuz some of the content may upset, annoy or disgust you. And if it does, then i'm sorry that i'm not sorry. Actually, if what's implied in here does disgust you, I will be terribly annoyed. Now, I didn't mean to write it like it is, it just happened and I kinda like it. So here we go, my first warning for you: implied slash. Eep, sounds weird, and no it's not tonks or remus so ya safe, I ain't that bad. Ok in this chapter there is implied slash and I may make it into something more in the future. Now I know some of you out there don't like it, but this is my story, it will not become a big thing, but it may crop up every once in a while just to get a different reaction from tonks. Thank you for your co-operation. You have been warned.

So on with it. Some fluff, angst, humour, drama and alcohol...

Memories Before Midnight

Standing looking in the bathroom mirror, no-one could say I hadn't made an effort. My hair was long and curled, all traces of grease and split ends erased (I know, disgusting). I'd applied a thick layer of black eyeliner and thick mascara which made my eyes look deeper than they were. I had put on a small bit of clear gloss on my lips and that was it. I tossed my hair over my shoulder and looked down at my outfit. I wore black leather boots with purple and black striped tights, and a ruffled black skirt that came just above my knees. I had a long sleeve purple top on with a black girls waistcoat over the top. If it didn't sound vain, I would say I looked pretty.

I smiled at my reflection, my heart filled with hope. Remus could turn up tonight, and we'd be able to spend some time together, away from everything. Of course, there was a chance he wouldn't show up, but I didn't want to dwell on that.

"Tonks" Savage shouted from the other side of the door, startling me. "Tonks get out here. I'm sure you look fine" I ignored him. "Tonks, I need a piss!" he shouted, desperately.

I opened the door and stepped out. "Charming". Savage just smiled and shuffled past, shutting the door.

"He is, isn't he?" came a voice from down the hall. I turned and saw Proudfoot coming in from the cold. "Evening Tonks".

"Evening".

"You look nice" he said, smiling.

"Thanks, you look cold" I remarked. He chuckled. "Dawlish drew the short straw for patrol tonight, then?" I asked.

"Yes, thank merlin" he said. "And i'm coming with you two, just give me a moment" and with that he disappeared into his room, as Savage came out of the bathroom.

"Was that Jacob?" he asked.

"Yep, sure was" he smiled, "and he's coming with us tonight, Dawlish drew the short straw". His smile grew even wider, but he just uttered a non-commital;

"Cool". Believe me, I was slightly confused, but put it to the back of my mind.

"Yeah" I replied, looking at what he was wearing. A crisp white shirt, black trousers and shoes, and a small silver hoop from one ear. "You look good".

"So do you" he replied, smirking cheekily. "Very sexy" I rolled my eyes, but giggled.

"Ahh, what about me?" asked Proudfoot, coming out from his room. He was pretty much dressed as Savage was, though his t-shirt was wine red and he didn't have an earring. Somehow, I didn't think he'd be able to pull it off the way Savage did.

"Oh yes, you look very sexy too" teased Savage, smirking. I wolf-whistled to add dramatic effect. Proudfoot grinned cheesily.

"Come on, let's get going then" he said, grabbing our cloaks and chucking them to us. We left the flat in good spirits and I just hoped the rest of the night would keep those spirits up.

We fought blustry winds on the way to The Three Broomsticks, so it was a relief to get into the warm. The atmosphere in the pub was different than usual, there was music and decorations and the whole place was crowded. Savage had said Madam Rosemerta was pulling out all the stops, bringing some fun to the dark times. I smiled as we made our way through the pub to a table, Savage's head bopping to the music.

"You guys want drinks?" asked Proudfoot as we got to a table.

"Oh, i'll go" I offered, quickly, wanting to look around for... someone. But I would never tell them that. "What you boys want?".

"Firewhisky please" said Savage.

"Same" said Proudfoot. I nodded and left to squeeze through the crowd. Getting to the bar was fairly easy though I did get elbowed in the ribs several times, so I was glad to reach the bar.

"Two firewhisky's and a butterbeer, please" I said to Madam Rosemerta. She tottered off to get them. While I was waiting I drummed my fingers on the bar and looked around. It was to hard to see anyone clearly through the crowd. I was so absorbed in bar watching that I jumped violently when someone tappped on my shoulder. When I turned around, my heart stopped beating for a second, and then went into over drive.

"You came" I whispered, just as my drink were put in front of me. I paid for them quickly.

"Butterbeer please" he said to Rosemerta, not taking his eyes off me.

"Coming up Remus, how you been?" she asked.

"So-so. You know how it is" he replied, and she left. "I have to warn you, I may have been followed" he warned me, quietly. I knew I should care for the warning, but at the moment I didn't. All that mattered was that he had come. Without thinking I threw my arms around him and hugged him tight, just as his drink arrived. He ignored it and hugged me back. Then guilt came over me for leaving Savage and Proudfoot on there own with nothing to drink.

"Ummm, do you want to go back to my table. I need to give these to the guys" I said, guesturing towards my drinks.

"Sure" he said, as I picked up my drinks. We made our way over to the table where Savage and Proudfoot were sitting. They looked a bit to cosy and as I got the the table they both laughed at something Proudfoot had said. I cleared my throat, and they jumped, sliding slightly away from eachother a bit. Again, I dismissed it, though the theories in my head were screaming at me.

"Your drinks" I said, putting them down on the table.

"Thanks Tonks" said Proudfoot. "Who's this?".

"Proudfoot, Savage, this is Remus Lupin a good friend of mine. Remus this is Mark Savage and Jacob Proudfoot. There my collegues".

"Not to mention friends, roommates and psychiatrists" added Savage. Proudfoot sniggered, I rolled my eyes.

"Just ignore him" said Proudfoot, leaning over to shake Remus's hand. Savage looked from me to Remus, and raised an eyebrow. I stuck out my tongue in childish retaliation. Savage shook Remus's hand and we sat down.

"So what were you guys talking about while I was away?" I asked. Both of them looked at eachother and burst out laughing again.

"Did you hear about Dawlish?" asked Proudfoot.

"No, why? What happened?" I asked.

"Well, Proudfoot found him on the edge of Hogsmead, frozen in this really ridiculous pose" Savage explained. "Looked a bit like he was imitating a chicken. Anyway, guess what the idiot had been doing? Following Dumbledore".

I spat out my drink in shock, but it was Remus who voiced my unspoken question. "Why?".

"The Ministry is very interested, more like nosy, in what Dumbledore leaves the school for. Personally, I don't care, it's his business, but the Minister won't listen" said Proudfoot, shrugging.

"I don't think it's any of the Ministers business what Dumbledore does in his free time" I said.

"Sounds so wrong..." muttered Savage.

"Only to you" I muttered back, taking a swig of my drink.

"So Remus, what do you do?" asked Proudfoot, vaguely. Remus paused for a minute, and I jumped in to save him.

"He's Dumbledores right hand man" I said.

"Cool" said Savage. The conversation died right there. It suddenly became very awkward, and I looked to Savage for help. He nodded and turned to Proudfoot. "Let's go get a drink and leave these two too it" said Savage.

"But I already have a drink" said Proudfoot, evidently confused.

"Oh, well..." Savage took Proudfoot's drink from him and dropped it on the floor. It smashed and the contents ran all over the floor. "Now you don't, you have to get a new one".

"Savage" Proudfoot growled. Savage sighed, Proudfoot really was being thick. He grabbed Proudfoot by the wrist and dragged him round the table.

"Come on" he said.

"Make me" replied Proudfoot. I took the oppurtunity to lean into Remus. To my surprise, he brought his arm up around my shoulders and held me closer. I watched Savage and Proudfoot glare at eachother, and the Savage lent in and whispered something in his ear. Proudfoot turned to me and then back to Savage, raising an eyebrow. Then he grabbed Savage's wrist and pulled him away. Savage winked at me as he left and I saluted him.

Me and Remus sat there for a moment, before bursting out laughing. Tears rolled down my eyes from laughing so hard. Remus looked at my still chuckling, but trying to calm himself.

"You have some strange friends" he said.

"Thank you" I choked out.

"Are they, ummm... together?" he asked, I sat bolt upright.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused by what he ment. He just raised his eyebrows at me. It took me a minute to catch on. "What, them two? Together? No, no no no! There just friends, there always messing about".

"Oh, ok then" he said, like he didn't believe me.

"Don't use that tone".

"What tone?".

"That one right there" I said.

"I'm not using a tone".

"Yeah you are".

"What tone?" he asked.

"The one you use when you think your right, and i'm wrong" I said, matter-of-factly

"Dora, trust me, i'm not".

"Meh".

"Dora".

"Remus".

"Nymphadora Tonks..."

"Remus Lupin". We both sat staring at eachother, ignoring everyone around us. He smiled first and I followed, giggling a bit. "I've missed this" I whispered. His face fell slightly, and he made to move but I took his face in my hands. "I've missed you".

"Dora, I can't do this" he whispered, trying to pull away, but I found myself digging my nails in. He looked at me sharply, surprised.

"Don't you dare, Remus. You are not leaving me tonight" I nearly growled. I ran my hand over his cheek and felt him shiver under my hand. "Are you cold?" I said, the mood suddenly changed.

"Only you Dora, would mistake that for being cold" he muttered. "You still have no idea do you?" he asked.

"Any idea about what?" I asked.

"Nothing. Doesn't matter" he muttered. "Okay, I won't leave tonight...".

"But you will leave, won't you. Just not tonight" I said, looking straight into his eyes.

"I have to" he responded. I didn't know what to say, so I stayed silent and downed my drink. "Do you want to go for a walk?" he asked, "It's really noisy in here".

"In this weather? Remus, we'll freeze" I said.

"I'll keep you warm" he said, smirking. My mouth dropped open. He chuckled at my reaction, then stood up and held out his hand. "Come on, it'll be fun".

"Sure it will" I said, sarcastically. Remus pouted. I must say, pouty Remus is really hot. Oh my god, I did not just think that! Well, I did, but still...

"Ok, i'll bite" I said, he grinned and I couldn't help but smile back. I got out of my seat and took his hand. He then proceeded to lead me out of the pub, and into the cold dark streets of Hogsmead. We walked hand in hand, I let him lead the way, but it got colder as time went on and I started to shiver. Remus pulled me closer to his side, and I basked in his body heat. He led me of the road and up the snowy tracks. I somehow knew where we were going before I did. Does that make sense? It was like in the back of my mind I knew where we were heading, but at that moment in time I wasn't foused on it. It's hard to explain, but i'd been this way before, it was the path I always took when I went to Hogsmead, if ever I fancied paying a visit to the shrieking shack. I stopped still as I saw the opening in the fence, and saw the shrieking shack in the distance.

"You don't have to come if you don't want to" I looked at him. I remembered Sirius telling me about how Remus used to transform in the shack. That memory, was only last year, felt so far away. "It's not a trap Dora, i'm not going to do anything. I just wanted to pay the old girl a visit".

"You call it a girl?" I asked, questioningly. "Do you also have a girly name for it?".

"No, but Sirius did" he grinned. "Now, come on" he said, and he pulled me through the gap. We began walking towards the shack.

"So what was Sirius's name for it?" I asked, curiously.

"Ok, bare in mind we were 16, drunk and Sirius was completely mental".

"Check, check and check" I said, smiling.

"He called it Bella". I froze on the spot. "Do you want to know why?". I nodded, and we carried on walking. "I ripped that house to shreds, and he said that he likes to think of someone ripping Bellatrix to shreds. Him and his cousin were at school together, just for a little while. And they were known rivals throughout the school".

"I bet" I said. "What I don't..." I stopped, and shut my mouth.

"What?". I shook my head. "Come on, Dora. You don't... what?".

"I don't get how you can say her name. How you can talk about it all so calmly" I explained. "Whenever I think of her it makes me feel ill, and whenever I think of him..."

"Want to know a secret?" he whispered. "Every time I think of her, anger bubbles inside me. I want to rip her to shreds, just like Sirius always wanted, but I won't. I'm better than her".

"That you are Remus" I agreed, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. He smiled at me and stopped, we'd reached the shack. He dropped my hand and tugged at some loose boards on the side, creating a gap big enough for us to squeeze through. Once we were inside, I found we were inside a large room, with chairs and an old fireplace. Of course, the whole place had been ripped apart, but it had that mysterious old house feel to it. Remus conjured up two pillows, and put them on the floor, before walking to the fireplace and sticking his hand up the chimney. I sank into the big red cushion and watched as he searched for something. He pulled out what seemed to be a scrap of paper, and then brought it over to me.

He sat down and handed it to me. It wasn't a scrap of paper after all, it was a photograph. As he conjured blue flames and placed them in a jar that had come from nowhere, I gazed at the picture intently. In it stood all three mauranders. James was dead center, his glasses were slightly lopsided and his hair was ruffled but he was wearing a cocky grin that indicated that he liked the way he looked. Left of him was Sirius, with long black hair and a young handsome face. His eyes had a glow to them that Azkaban had taken from them. Standing right of James was a younger looking Remus. His hair was floppy and he had one or two scars, but nothing more. His young face was yet to suffer the damage of the wolf.

"Peter was taking the picture" Remus said, leaning over to look at the picture. "We left it here, because James said that in the future, the mauranders would be famous and that someone would find it. The picture is faded but it was a good day".

"Tell me about it" I whispered.

"Nothing much to tell. We'd just finished our NEWTs and the realisation suddenly dawned on us that we were leaving Hogwarts. So we took this picture. Thank god Peter took it, I wouldn't want him in it, although at the time I had protested that he should have been".

"The infamous mauranders, and I quote from McGonagall in my fifth year. According to most, you pulled the best pranks, especially on special occassions" I said. "Sirius once told me that you were the mastermind behind them" I said, handing back the photo and putting my hands out twards the flames, I was freezing.

"Well, yeah, I guess I was. They came up with the idea, and I figured out a way to make it work. Books" he said, modestly.

"Tell me about one of them. One of your famous pranks" I said.

"Has anyone ever told you about, Operation: Battle Robot" he asked. I shook my head. "Well..."

**Operation: Battle Robot. 6th Year**

"Sirius, this is a brilliant idea" said James.

"Fantastic" quipped Peter.

"Were doomed" said Remus, grumpily.

"Oh, don't be such a kill joy, Moony" said Sirius, smacking Remus upside the head. "Anyway, it's your brilliant brain that made it work".

"It's not finished yet, it's piecing itself together as we speak" said Remus, proudly. "But we're still doomed.

"We are if we're out here when it shows up, quick, into the great hall" said James, ushering them down the corridor.

"Great, i'm starved" muttered Peter.

"Yeah, you look like your wasting away" replied Sirius, sarcastically.

"Proudfoot" Remus hissed, but Sirius knew he wasn't in trouble. He was only ever in trouble with Remus if he was called by his full name.

"Oh for Merlin's sake, move!" cried James, hearing a distinct clink somewhere far behind them.

They ran towards the hall and only slowed when they reached the doors. The walked in casually so they didn't cause suspicion, and sat down at there usual places at the Griffindor table. Peter tucked in as soon as he sat down, Sirius followed close behind, while Remus took out a book and hid behind. James however gazed up the table with a frown on his face. Remus, lowered his book a little and glanced meaningfully at Sirius and then to James. Sirius picked up a roll and chucked it at him. With the air and graze of a quidditch player, James caught the roll in one hand without looking around. He then chucked it back, and hit Sirius right in the middle of the forehead. Peter sniggered and Remus sighed.

"Prongs, she's not there" Remus whispered, before hiding behind his book again.


"I know, that's why i'm worried" he said, checking his watch. "Three minutes until Opeeration: Battle Robot, what if she gets trampled?".

"She won't" said Sirius, dimissively just as a loud crashing sound came from outside the hall. Everyone in the hall stopped eating and chatting, and turned towards the door. Some in excitement, some in fear, some in just plain curiousity. The doors crashed open suddenly and nearly every girl in the hall shrieked, and some of the boys too.

There in the door ways stood a giant robot, made up of connected suits of armour, the same suits of armour that stood in the corridors of the school. The robot swayed from side to side, causing panic among the students nearest it. Suits of armour were not ment to be joined as they were and the structure was crumbling. No matter how good the spell, it just wasn't going to last. All four mauranders were trying not to laugh at the mayhem they'd caused. Suddenly, the robot swayed to much and the whole thing crashed to the floor. Everyone stood in shock for a second, and then people started to laugh, in relief mainly, but still, they were laughing.

"Sirius Black!" shrieked McGonagall from the staff table.

"Why does she always think it was me?" asked Sirius, to no-one in particular.

"Because it usually is" replied Remus. McGonagall came storming down the aisle towards them and Sirius turned to face her, with a cocky grin on his face.

"Hello professor" he said, cheerily.

"Black! 20 points from Griffindor for making this, this..."

"Battle Robot?".

"Black!".

"It wasn't just me..." he said, turning to his friends, only to find they'd disappeared. Bloody cowards, he'd get them later.

"And detention every saturday for the rest of the year!" she shrieked before moving away to clean up the mess. Sirius groaned and then crouched down to look under the table, and saw his three best friends crouched there, smiling happily at him/

"I'm going to kill you three" he snarled. And just like that, they jumped out from under the table and sprinted away as fast as they could, with Sirius hot on there heels. "Get back here you cowards!"...

**End of Operation: Battle Robot**

"O-M-G, you little rebels" I sniggered.

"Oh yes" he said, grinning wolfishly. My stomach flipped. "And Sirius never caught us". I laughed, Sirius would have been quite annoyed by that, Remus joined in laughing and soon we were rolling around laughing so much, we forgot what we were laughing about. I slipped as I laughed and fell, yeah you guessed it, right on top of Remus. I looked down at Remus, we were both breathing hard, mere centimeters away from eachother faces. Our noses were almost touching, and I could feel Remus's breath on my lips. It would be so easy to lean down and close the gap, but did I dare? Come on Tonks, kiss him! screamed a voice in my head, but I didn't move. I wanted to, so much, but I didn't.

Then to my surprise, he kissed me. I quickly got over my initial shock and responded with enthusiasm. He pressed his tongue against my lips and I opened my mouth to let Remus in. We both moaned as our tongues mashed against each other. Remus rolled us over so he was on top and my back was against the cold floor, but it didn't matter, his body heat compensated for it. I bit down on Remus's lower lip, and he groaned. Remus began to kiss hungrily along my jaw and neck. He nipped gently behind my ear and I moaned. Remus stopped quickly, and pulled up so he could face me. We both lay panting for a minute.

"Did I hurt you?" asked Remus, quietly.

"No" I replied, honestly, putting my hand up to stroke one side of his face. He rolled off me and layed down at my side. Now we were both covered in dust.

"Why did I do that?" he breathed out.

"Because it felt right" I answered, shrugging, which was hard to do while laying down.

"It did" he whispered. "But I shouldn't have done it".

"Probably not" I agreed. He seemed shocked as he got up on one elbow and looked down at me.

"Why?".

"Because were now covered in dust and this skirt is a bitch to clean" I said. He threw his head back and laughed. "What's the time?" I asked. He pulled out an old fashioned watch from his pocket.

"Fifthteen minutes to Midnight" he said, before putting it away.

"Do you want to get a drink before midnight?" I asked, quickly.

"Sure" he whispered. I stood up and offered him my hand. He looked a little confused but he took it anyway. I guess he had expected me to rant at him, but ranting never helped and I wanted to enjoy the rest of my night with him. Getting into an argument would spoil things.

We made our way out of the house and back to Hogsmead village quickly, as the wind and snow had picked up. It was harsh and cold, and within a few minutes of being outside we ran full tilt towards The Three Broomsticks, desperate for warmth. Once we got inside, we shut the door behind us, cutting off the harsh wind. Remus pulled me through the crowd towards the bar, and grabbed us some drinks as the clock struck twelve.

"Happy New Year, Remus" I said.

"Happy New Year, Tonks" he replied. We both looked at eachother, and then to our drinks and back then to eachother again. We both downed our firewhisky in one go, before leaning in and kissing roughly. When we broke apart we stared at eachother, for a moment it seemed like he was going to speak, but then someone coughed behind us. We turned to see Savage and Proudfoot standing there, completely wasted and giggling like teenage girls.

"Where've you two been?" Savage managed to slur out.

"Around. What about you two, your wasted?".

"Gotta get wasted on New Years, bring the New Year in with a hangover". I laughed at Proudfoot's statement.

"Ok, so we all get wasted? That's the plan" I asked.

"Yeah" said Proudfoot.

"Uh huh" said Savage. I turned to Remus.

"Why not?" he shrugged.

"I think we're a bad influence on you Mr. Lupin" I smirked.

"Oh yes" he said, before turning back to the bar, and downing another glass of firewhisky. Savage, Proudfoot and I followed suit. The rest of the night became a blur after that...

Next chapter shall carry on from here, possibly. Please review. Kind ones appreciated, helpful ones welcome, constructive comments and ideas... oh yes please! Pissy, angsty, bitchy, hateful, spiteful comments... what do you think? *angry face*