Remus sat in his now empty home-office, admittedly a bit surprised at just how easily he had been able to pack it all into trunks that were now sitting in the corner. Harry had been only the most excited to find out that this job was happening, but something in his gut didn't sit well. There were risks upon risks upon even more risks. In fact, a decade on, he still had doubts about how good of a home he really was for Harry. But between Professor Dumbledore's insistence and Harry's persistent begging, he finally accepted the job.

He and Harry were off to Diagon to spend a couple weeks, shopping and prepping for the new school year, and he was starting to have second thoughts.

It plagued his mind to think of the level of hazard that came with letting him transform on grounds- He had initially suggested that he use the Shrieking Shack as he had as a youth, but Dumbledore was not in favor. He'd explained he never really liked leaving him out in the shack in the first place, but has the wolvesbane potion was still in its early testing stage during his education he couldn't risk the student safety then. Now, however, he was confident that with the potion, which was to be brewed and provided to him rather than him having to try and purchase it, he was welcome to stay in what would be his quarters and sleep off the effects of the swollen moon.

And then there was Harry. His adoptive son was the absolute world to him, and for years now he had worried about the boy becoming embarrassed by him. His face, though not heavily or disfiguringly, bore some scars, and his arms many more. His hair was far more grey than most of his age. Some of this, he somewhat attributed to raising Harry and his many antics. He sighed and stretched from his position, heading down the hall. He found Harry in his room, feeding Hedwig to coax her back into her cage.

"Having trouble?" He ask with a laugh. Harry turned around, frustrated.

"She hates it in there." He explained, but Remus already knew this.

"She's just spoiled. But she is a smart bird. Why not let her meet us at the Leaky?" He suggested, coming on into the bedroom and stroking the top of the owl's snowy head.

"You think she would?" Harry ask, hopeful. Remus laughed.

"Of course. And if she doesn't she'll either come home or go on to Hogwarts, and either way the two of you can meet up, yeah?" He clapped the boy on the shoulder. "Everything you need in the trunk? Can't have me send you anything you've forgotten this year, can we?"

"Oh yeah!" Harry laughed. "I'm so excited about that! You'll be so brilliant! And honestly teaching suits you much better than the factory." He said, and Remus had to smile in spite of the comment.

"It fed us, didn't it?" He reminded him. "They were good to me, and will be again if this doesn't work out. The foreman already told me so."

"No! You're going to be the best, you can't go back there!" Harry protested, shaking his head. Remus chuckled, guiding Harry and his trunk out the door. He pointed his wand back at his office and his trunks joined them on the landing.

"Don't get your hopes up. They say the job is cursed!" He reminded Harry, ruffling his hair. Just as they came down onto the landing, there was a knock on the door. Remus looked at Harry, who was equally puzzled, and shrugged. Remus stepped to the door, listened for a moment, the pulled it open, almost gasping in surprise.

"OH! It IS you!" The young woman on the other side of the door squeaked, laughing. "When Kingsley gave me the assignment to come out here, I thought I recognized the name. I mean, 'Remus', that isn't as common, is it?" She smiled, holding a hand out to Harry, while Remus still looked confused. He knew this witch, she was the one he caught in the bar who almost tripped, and had kissed him on the cheek. Her hair was vastly different now, but he sort of suspected that might be common with her. But recognizing her- it didn't explain why she was now on his doorstep, in Auror's robes, talking about an assignment.

"Hi." Harry said, shaking the offered hand. "I'm Harry."

"Tonks." She replied, then looked over to Remus. "I was hoping to see you again. I even checked that pub a couple times."She smiled, Remus blushed, and Harry took a giant step back.

"I will... Be in the kitchen." He called, walking away. Tonks stood still, waiting.

"I don't go out very much." He admitted. "I work a lot, and its just me and Harry." He explained.

"So I heard." She nodded, and smiled. "Look, I wish I could say I am just super creepy and tracked you down, but I actually have something very important to inform you of, before it hits the papers." She handed Remus a letter from her inner robe pocket. Remus searched her face, then opened the parchment she'd handed over.

Remus-

He's escaped. Keep Harry Close.
King

The color fell from Remus' face and to the floor. He had dozens of questions all swirling in his mind. How? Why? Why now? He stared at the words on the papers before him, then finally crumpled the letter in his hand, shoving it into his jean pocket and gulped.

"Oi. You alright?" she called, waving a hand in front of his face. Remus shook his head.

"This is bad. When is the Ministry going public?" He ask, finally looking back at the colorful young witch in front if him.

"Tomorrow's edition of the Prophet. They only confirmed his escape last night. Reckon it was sometime around three in the morning. No clue how he did it." She shook her head. "You know, I remember him when I was a kid? He's my mother's-"

"Great Hell, are you Andromeda's daughter?" Remus asked, suddenly putting together who she was. She giggled.

"And the name 'Tonks' didn't give it away?" She laughed.

"It didn't quite click, no." He told her. His face burned red again. "Thank you for coming and letting me know. I'll keep an extra tight look out on him." He said, trying to fill the silence.

"Look-" She sighed and looked at her feet. "I had it in my head if the Remus I was sent to was, you know, you, I was going to see if you'd let me get you another drink sometime. You know. When I can sit and enjoy it with you?" She looked horribly embarrassed, and the tips of her hair turned darker.

"Sometime, I would like that. But I just took a job at Hogwarts, and you know-" He started to explain, but she stopped him.

"I'll give you time to settle, then maybe write. There are pubs in Hogsmade, you know." she reminded him. He nodded, a bit winded.

"Right." He finally was able to reply. "Sure. Hogsmade."

"See you, then." She said, leaving out the door. Harry peaked around the edge of the door frame and Remus turned on his heels.

"Not a word." He said, face still bright red.

"I wasn't gonna!" He promised, laughing.

A bit short, but I am just now resurrecting this fic, so I hope you all like the new chapter. Thanks for taking time to read, and please remember to review!