PANIC

Hello again everyone! I have good news…I'm on spring break! That means three weeks of no school and relaxation! Hopefully I'll be able to post chapters a little more frequently at least for a week or so.

On that note, here's another chapter! Enjoy, and don't forget to Review, please!

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I found it hard to concentrate during the entire meeting. I kept catching myself watching Tonks' every motion, from her placing a stray hair behind her ear to adjusting herself more comfortably in the hard wooden chair. It was so strange to see her again after so long.

She looked just as I remembered. Her hair was its normal vibrant color, and she still had an air of cheerfulness and curiosity.

She eagerly participated in the meeting, offering her input whenever possible, but I wasn't really paying attention. I was too concentrated on planning out what I would say to her when the meeting finally finished.

I'm so glad to see you again, No that sounded too eager. How have you been? No that was stupid. I had a continuous ongoing monologue in my head. It's been a long time, Well, it's only been fifteen years. Of course it's been a long time. I hope you've been well, We're in the middle of a war. I trust you made it back safely, I might as well have commented on the weather. Nothing sounded right in my head, but then again, how exactly were you supposed to address someone you loved but hadn't seen in over a decade?

I planned the conversation until Emmeline had finished telling us about some strange patterns in Muggle cornfields that could possibly be clues as to Death Eater activities. Then, everyone rose from the table and began to make their way from the kitchen.

I watched Tonks stand up and push her chair back into its place at the table. As the room started to clear, I saw her stay back, waiting as Mad-Eye spoke with Dumbledore in hushed tones in a corner of the room. I took this as my opportunity to talk to her, and I nervously approached her, my breath becoming shallow.

"Hi," I started lamely. Great, all that planning and you come up with the brilliant opening line of "Hi", I scolded myself.

"Wotcher," Tonks greeted.

I panicked. I didn't know what to say after that. I could feel sweat starting to form at the top of my forehead, and the entire room suddenly felt like a sauna.

"What did you think of the meeting?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"It was brilliant!" she enthused. "It's fantastic, what you're doing here. Someone needed to stand up to the Ministry after what they're writing about You-Know-Who and Harry."

I smiled. "So I take it we can count on your attendance in the future."

She laughed, making me feel a little easier. "You can sign me up."

Just then, Sirius came over and threw his arm around Tonks' shoulder. "Good to know we can always count on you, Nymphie," he teased.

Tonks' face screwed up in disgust, "Ugh, that name is almost worse," she groaned as she shrugged Sirius' arm off of her.

Sirius chuckled. "No need to be nasty," he returned with a look of mock offense. It was silent for a few moments before Sirius spoke again. "Moony, here looks great, doesn't he?"

I nearly cringed. That was not the way I wanted to go about this.

Tonks shot her cousin a confused glance. "I suppose so," she remarked, puzzled.

Sirius and I exchanged shocked looks. "You mean you don't remember?" Sirius asked.

Tonks twisted her face in thought, "I don't think so. Should I?"

I could feel myself deflate in disappointment. All I could do was stare forward. It couldn't be. Everything that had happened then, everything we'd been through, it was as if it had never happened. The room suddenly started to spin, and I felt like I would vomit.

"Oh yes, I remember," she said suddenly. I saw Sirius' head perk up in anticipation. "You would come over with Sirius sometimes when he would babysit me. Wow, it's been a long time."

"Yeah…babysitting," I returned lamely.

"Tonks," Mad-Eye's voice sounded by the front door, "we should get back before Scrimgeour notices you're gone."

Tonks gave us each an apologetic look. "Sorry, duty calls." Without another word, she exited the kitchen, leaving Sirius and me staring after her, mouths agape.

Sorry that this one is a little short. I have the next one planned, so hopefully I'll be able to post it later today.

Thanks for reading! Send me a Review with your thoughts!