25th of July 1995

The day of another Order meeting came, and Tonks didn't get her invitation. Instead, Kingsley told her after visiting Grimmauld Place in the morning. Tonks and Remus had their missions every other day, and it was easier for Remus, who could just go to sleep after a whole night stakeout. Tonks, however, learned how to function differently than before. She would go straight to work after mission, and there wasn't a morning Gwen hadn't been waiting for them with a delicious breakfast. It wasn't Molly's cooking, but Tonks had to admit that Gwen is a great cook. She hasn't seen much of Sirius though. After third breakfast he called it off, and demanded not to be woken up that early. Gwen gave up, and let him sleep. Kreacher stopped hiding, and was now cursing all of them polishing his Mistress' portrait.

But it was difficult for Tonks to keep her focus, and that's why Kingsley took to accompany him on his fieldwork. In that case, she didn't have to write reports. And since he was mostly on prophecy guard alone, he did it then. To be honest, Tonks could do them on her stakeout with Remus, but they were too busy talking. The Death Eater they've been spying had quite boring life, and they couldn't just barge into his house. Their stakeout today was cancelled due to a meeting, and on the last one Tonks was so tired, she dozed off. It wouldn't be so embarrassing if her head hadn't fallen to Remus' shoulder, and he couldn't handle waking her up, so he didn't move for about an hour. When she woke up, she was so flustered, afraid that she snored or drooled all over him. He found that funny, so he just smiled without words.

Tonks got used to working with Remus quite easily. With each night they spent on a stakeout, she found him more and more interesting. She was aware he is not telling her the whole story about his little Hogwarts gang, but she let it slide. Even though he wasn't really hiding his Marauder side, he was still quite secretive, and didn't like to talk much about personal things. He said much, but never said anything. And Tonks was too shy to ask. For the first time ever, she felt shy. She figured he was one of those who don't open up easily, and decided that she will respect that. More so because she couldn't really help herself with being shy around him.

For tonight's meeting, she chose to wear the Weird Sisters shirt, ripped jeans, and a pair of All Star trainers. The biggest change she did was her hair. Suddenly, she wasn't quite satisfied with pink. She wanted to be… more visible? Her hair was now almost neon green, and impossible not to notice. Tonks was satisfied with that. She felt so great, and she felt like everybody, except maybe Moody and Snape, will appreciate her hair colour change. Maybe Sirius will invite her to sit with them again. Not like it mattered, she just didn't feel like sitting with Emmeline, and Elphias through the whole meeting. Too close to Snape, and McGonagall. That meant she needs to be focused, and calm, and she wasn't capable of doing that. She got to the Headquarters earlier than usual, and her way was obstructed by Gwen exiting the sitting room.

"Wotcher, Red," Tonks said cheerfully. Gwen turned to see her, and a wide smile appeared on her face. She was wearing dark purple summer dress, and a black robe on it. Something that looked like Snape's robe, but for women. It surely wasn't Snape's since it fitted Gwen perfectly. Her hair was in a high, messy bun on top of her head, and she seemed to be in a really good mood.

"Oh hello, Tonks, I was wondering when will you come," Gwen walked towards Tonks and hugged her. It wasn't something she usually did, but Tonks went for it. Never refuse a hug from nice people, that was one of her mantras.

"Oh, you did? Did you need something? I can go an…" Tonks pointed towards the door. She knew Gwen couldn't leave the house alone, and she didn't even want to, actually. She spent her days reading in the library, and Remus was her company when he was home. Sirius spent a lot of time with Buckbeak, and they let him. Sometimes he would join them, but he got bored by reading too easily.

"No, no. Severus brought me all I need, don't worry about that. I wanted to talk with you about the schedule, come with me," she grabbed Tonks' hand, and dragged her to the dining room. This time Tonks didn't even trip over that hideous umbrella stand. So, she just needs to be led or caught by someone to not trip. Great.

Gwen sat on the chair that was left from Sirius' usual chair. "Sit with me." Neither Sirius or Remus were present in the room. The only ones there were McGonagall and Snape, who nodded politely to Tonks. She waved at them in a military way when they entered the room.

"So, how do you like working with Remus?" Gwen asked her, summoning them two glasses of cranberry and raspberry juice from the kitchen.

"He's nice, and funny too," Tonks smiled slightly, not even noticing. But Gwen noticed.

"I'm glad you two get along so nicely. He told the same thing for you," Gwen said, and Tonks was surprisingly glad to hear that. It made her heart beat a bit faster.

"He did?"

"Of course, why wouldn't he?" Gwen smiled, and her eyes sparkled with that devilish spark. Again. Just in that moment, Sirius and Remus entered the room, followed by Hestia, Kingsley and Moody.

"Tonksie!" Sirius said loudly. "That hair!"

"It's awful," Moody grunted behind him. "Nice to see you, lasses!" He greeted both Gwen, and Tonks, and sat next to McGonagall, and they started a conversation almost immediately. Kingsley sat next to Hestia, leaving a place next to Remus empty. Remus and Sirius, of course, sat in their usual spots.

"Don't listen to Moody, what does he know about punk rock?" Sirius said with a grin on his face.

"I listen to him only when I had to. And the choice of my hair colour is my choice only!" Tonks gave a high-five to Sirius.

"That colour… really is something," Remus said, and he couldn't get his eyes off her. "How are you? Have you caught up with your sleep?"

"I'm fine. Well, mostly, but I'm kind of glad we're not going anywhere tonight. And you?"

"Fine, fine. Slept like a baby while you were working," Remus said mockingly. He started to mock joke with her only on their last mission, and Tonks figured it's his way of accepting her.

"That's true. He snored so hard it even woke me up!" Sirius said in a sad baby voice.

"Oh, ha-ha-ha. Gwen, please, wake them both up next time. The earlier you wake them, the better!" Tonks nudged Gwen, who was watching both Sirius and Remus.

"No problem. They don't know it, but I figured the way to wake both of them up in a second," Gwen smiled to Tonks. "So, I've been wanting to tell you that since you two like working together, your schedule will remain the same."

A small thud interrupted them, but they didn't notice where it came from. That was Sirius, kicking Gwen's shins under the table. They planned something different, but Gwen went rogue. As Tonks turned to figure the source of the thud, she noticed that Elphias Doge came, and sat with Moody, McGonagall, and Snape. Snape looked rather grumpy. He darted Gwen with his eyes, but Tonks pretended not to notice that.

"So, you continue with the stakeouts on 27th." Gwen concluded.

"No, sorry… I forgot to tell you," Tonks suddenly remembered. Her birthday was on the 27th of July, and she had to go to her parents for a lunch, or dinner. It was mandatory. "I can't on 27th."

"Oh…" Gwen sighed, not knowing what to say. She was a bit struck by this news.

"Oh, does my baby cousin has a date? Who's the lucky bloke?" Sirius wiggled his eyebrows, and Tonks frowned. Sirius knew Tonks was born during the summer, but he didn't know the exact date. With the tension in the Black family then, Andromeda forgot to mention it, and Sirius never asked.

"I don't have a…" She noticed Remus looking at her, and her cheeks blushing. Why is she blushing? "I have a dinner with my parents. Or lunch… You see my…"

But she didn't manage to finish her sentence. Arthur Weasley entered the room, with most of the Weasley kids tailing him. Well, all of those who were still at school were there. And one girl who was definitely not a Weasley. Tonks looked at Gwen, who looked rather surprised. She looked at Sirius, who frowned. None of them expected Arthur to bring the children today. Well, Remus did.

"Oh, the children are here," Remus said, happy to see his former students. He knew how worried Molly was to leave them for the guard duty, and she felt safer with them being at the Grimmauld Place since Dumbledore said it's the safest place. Molly rushed from the kitchen to hug all of her children, and give a brief kiss to her husband.

"Why aren't you surprised just like the rest of us?" Sirius nudged Remus, and showed himself, Gwen and Tonks. Remus switched his look, to them and laughed.

"Because Snape said so at the last meeting? But you two," he pointed at Gwen and Sirius, "were too busy chuckling, and giggling like two… well, not even them chuckle like that." He now showed at Ginny and Hermione, who stood awkwardly on the doorstep. "And I don't know what you were doing, Tonks, but you were the closest to Snape, so…"

Tonks felt ashamed a bit. He was right. She should be aware of everything around her, and she let herself forget this… But why? What was she thinking about? Right. Him. It was after Snape paired them, and Tonks thought about their mission.

"I was… distracted." She said, lowering her look. She didn't notice whole children clan approaching them.

"Hello professor Lupin," the only redhead girl greeted her ex-professor. All of the kids did shortly after that."

"Hello Ginny, and Hermione, and Fred, and George, and Ron, of course. How's your summer?"

Tonks was so impressed by the fact he knew his students by their names. And how happy they were to see him. Of course, she knew all of the Weasley children, but haven't seen them in a while now. She imagined Remus was a good teacher, but it seemed like the students really liked him. She didn't even notice Remus introducing Gwen to the children. She flinched only when she heard her name. First name.

"… Nymphadora Tonks. But she prefers just Tonks, and I believe some of you already know her," Remus finished, locking his eyes on her. She was flustered, and her hair changed into violent orange for a second or two. All of the children waved shyly at them, and stared at Tonks' hair.

They talked some more, but then Dumbledore arrived, and Molly sent children off. Hermione and Ginny chose the room on the first floor, and Ron chose a room next to theirs. It had two beds, one for Harry when he arrives. Fred and George took the room on the second floor, next to the master bedroom, and the Weasleys took the third room on the second floor. Only one room remained empty, the one next to Remus'. Remus was once again anxious about his transformation, but the fact that Gwen will make him a Wolfsbane calmed him for a bit. Sirius was amused with the full house. And they will finally clean it. Gwen liked Molly and Arthur, and they liked her too. Arthur found her time in the Muggle world most fascinating, and Gwen was entertained by his excitement.

The first part of the meeting was quite boring. Everyone had their report on the ongoing missions. Remus did the one for him and Tonks, and she watched him a bit hypnotized by his calming voice. Gwen noticed every look they shared, kicking Sirius under the table every time the look lasted, or when they shared one. She smiled in her triumph, but Sirius was still not convinced. The second part of the meeting was about the members, the children, and most important – Harry's arrival.

"I think it's proper to bring Potter here two weeks before classes start," Snape said flatly, and Dumbledore nodded. Sirius' heart skipped a beat by seeing that. With all the Weasleys here, he wanted Harry to come as soon as possible. He wanted to spend some time with him, talk to him for hours if needed about what happened at the Tournament. Gwen noticed him fuming, and before she could do anything, Sirius snapped.

"No. Absolutely not. All the children are here now, and Harry should be too. He deserves to be here, not there with those… Dursleys!"

Snape looked terrified, and angry, like he will explode. Being interrupted like that, by no one else than Sirius, was unacceptable in his brain.

"And your suggestion is what exactly? We can't just pick him up, and bring him here. We're keeping an eye on him, but they are too," Snape controlled his voice, and face. She noticed Gwen's grateful look. Both of them knew he was fighting the urge to be his usual, snarky, rude self.

"Well, not right now, but as soon as possible." Sirius wiggled himself on the chair. Snape was right, as much as he hated to admit it.

"I agree with Sirius," Molly said quietly, and now all eyes were on her. "Those people are terrible to Harry. And he will be safe here. You-Know-Who wants the prophecy, I doubt he would risk going after Harry before he gets the prophecy. So, I think Harry should be brought here, and be with us."

Sirius was grateful, and he looked at Molly nodding. She smiled at him, and Arthur nodded too, agreeing with his wife. Dumbledore watched Snape preparing himself to be defeated in this argument.

"Of course…" he muttered.

"Severus," Lupin said with his hoarse voice being quite loud. It was Remus' way of getting attention. His voice was remarkable, and Tonks was again hypnotized by it. "You said they are keeping an eye on Harry? If so, we should be as careful as possible. We can't risk anything. And we can't do that without a plan. A good plan."

"And I'll do one," Moody scoffed. "But Albus has the final word with the time of the moving."

"I agree with all of you, actually," Dumbledore said calmly, gazing at everyone for a moment. He loved when the members lead constructive conversations, and he was pleased with both Severus and Sirius controlling their tempers. "Harry will remain with the Dursleys until further notice. I think that we can talk about moving him on our next meeting in ten days. Sirius, I understand your need to have Harry close. But, as much as I don't like to say this, we must keep our emotions out of this for a while. Harry is safe in the Little Whinging, and that's most important. I presume Alastor will come up with a good plan for his moving. And, he had a couple of more people join us officially, as I said earlier. Molly, I know how you feel about Harry too, and I agree Harry should be surrounded by those closest to him. We will make that happen, but as Remus said we must be very careful with this. It will be, by far, the most important mission. So, Alastor, please have in mind that the whole order is under your command for that one."

"Professor, we must think about Harry's aunt and uncle," Kingsley said, after being too quiet for too long. Tonks didn't notice until he's spoken, but she knew what that means – Kingsley had something on his mind. "As I noticed, they aren't really… approving of magic. I agree Harry needs advanced guard, so I'm not really sure how they would react about all of us in their home."

"Good point, Kingsley," Dumbledore nodded. "And that is one more thing to add to the list of the plan."

"We can lure them out…" Tonks murmured.

"Nymphadora? Could you please be a bit louder," Dumbledore smiled kindly at Tonks. Her cheeks were now red, as all eyes were turned to her.

"We need to lure them out. With something they like… I noticed they have a pretty nice lawn. And Muggles love those… best this and that competitions," Tonks thought in a moment, not really sure what she was saying. She noticed everyone frowning at her, but Dumbledore smiled amused.

"That is really a creative idea, Nymphadora," Dumbledore said, and Tonks flinched. Merlin, how she hated her name. "And I like it. I'm sure Alastor will like your idea too once you think it through."

"I mean… We can trick them. Send them a misleading letter, yes," Tonks said exuberant. "They will leave the house, and when they do, we come, get Harry and get out."

She was so excited that she didn't notice how impressed Remus was by her at that moment. Lawns? Who would've thought of that? No one else, but the girl with neon green hair. The one who doesn't usually fit in. His lips crooked into a small smile while he listened to her talking, and he wasn't even aware of that.

"Brilliant," Moody said, much to Tonks' and Snape's surprise. "This might work. The Muggles are really gullible, and they are strange with their lawns."

"Alastor, would you like Nymphadora to be your second on this task?" Dumbledore asked, but Moody shook his head.

"No, she's too young to be my second. But Remus is not, and I would like Kingsley to join us, Hestia too. I must think more about this, but I'll have it in a few days." Moody said. His magical eye pierced Remus, who nodded.

"Alright, Alastor, Remus, start with planning. We mustn't leave anything to luck or chances."

Shortly after that, meeting officially ended, and it was time for dinner. Molly started to make a table, and Gwen stood up to help her. The children burst into the dining room, making it more crowded than before. But, since the table was enormous, they all fitted there. Just as Gwen was putting down the plates, she felt a cold hand on her shoulder.

"May I have a word with you, Gwen?" Snape asked her politely, and she nodded, leaving plates on the table, and she left the room with Snape following her. Sirius scoffed at that, but managed to pull up his poker face. He returned to his conversation with Remus, Tonks, and the children. All of them were impressed with Tonks – she was a metamorphmagus Auror, of course children loved her.

Gwen returned after ten minutes, as she walked to her chair, she waved her hand to make table set itself up. Her face was clenched, like she has just heard something she didn't really want to hear. When she sat down, Sirius looked at her waiting for an answer, but she ignored him. Molly approached Tonks, carrying a small bag in her hand.

"Oh Tonks, darling, Charlie left this for you. Birthday gift, of course," Molly gave her the bag, and they hugged briefly.

"Thank you, Molly, I'll surely write Charlie a thank you note," she said with a wide smile. Charlie always remembered her birthday.

"It's your birthday?" Remus asked her confused.

"No, it's in two days. That's why I can't do the guard thing," she said, and looked at Gwen, who looked like she was struck by lightening. In a good way.

"I think you should come here after lunch with Andromeda, and celebrate with us then," Sirius said. He saw this as an opportunity to finally convince himself that Gwen's right.

"Oh… I don't want a party. Molly will surely do something embarrassing, so…" Tonks said reluctantly. As far as she knew, if she entered this house on her birthday, the whole Weasley family will sing her Happy Birthday.

"Then it'll be our secret. Come by, and we'll say we have to do some planning for Order duties," Gwen said confidently. "Molly will probably be too busy with cleaning, according to the schedule Arthur will guard the prophecy, and kids… look at them. They will look at those firecrackers, or something."

"I bet if we lock into the library, no one will find us!" Sirius said, eager to have this so called party.

"Oh, have you met Hermione? Even I have to admit that girl spends way too much time with her head in the books," Remus said, but not in a bad way. He was always telling Hermione to breathe a little, to be young, and to enjoy her youth. He knew about her schedule during her third year, and was really against all of that. But McGonagall's word was the last one in that case. And it turned out to be a good decision. If Hermione hadn't had the time-turner…

"Fine, but nothing grand. I'll just come for a drink or two."

"Party it is!" Sirius said overwhelmed. Even though she just said she doesn't want a party, she was happy to spend her birthday evening with Remus, Sirius, and Gwen.

"While you talked, I already altered the schedule. I'll help our plan even more. Arthur is on the prophecy mission, and Emmeline and Molly will keep an eye on that Burke tosser." Gwen was scrabbling on the parchment happily. Her plan worked perfectly.

27th of July 1995

It was Thursday evening, and Tonks was getting ready for her drinks at Grimmauld. The lunch with her parents bored her a bit. She loved spending time with her parents, but she didn't like the fact that she had to keep both of them in dark about joining the Order. Tonks was sure that her mother would really be relieved if she knew about Sirius. But as Moody said, no one can know, and that included her parents. "Maybe it's better if they do not know, for now," Tonks thought, while leaving their house.

Ted and Andromeda bought Tonks a young screech owl, and Tonks was not sure what she thought of her gift. It was nice to have her own owl at last, but she was afraid that the owl wouldn't appreciate her being out all the time. But then again, screech owls are quite independent, so maybe it was the best choice. The owl was brown, with some black feathers. It had big dark brown eyes, and Tonks thought it was cute. It was now resting on the bar near the window, and Tonks was just trying to pick her outfit, with her record player playing in the background.

For her parents,, she wore a lng summer dress, but now she wanted something… Something different than the dress she wore at her parents'. She again chose the band T-shirt, this time combined with jeans, short overalls. She chose fishnet stockings, her boots, and a bunch of jewellery. She decided that it's time to bring back the pink, but not the magenta she usually wore. This time she chose baby pink, to be in a perfect contrast with her punkish outfit. Perfect. When she looked at the mirror, she smiled to herself because she wasn't sure why was she so flustered with this, and why she wanted to look extra today.

However, she gathered herself, and her things, and found herself on the doorstep of Grimmauld Place around 8:30 in the evening. She heard children talking in the dining room, and she took a deep breath. She liked all of them, but she was really not in the mood for morphing in an elephant or a lion. Or for questions about her Auror work. She didn't want to talk about anything serious, so she managed to quietly reach the stairs. Even though she was desperately clumsy, when she focused, she could be really stealth and unseen. And she succeeded. She climbed her way to the library, but it was empty. She was a bit surprised, and disappointed, but as soon as she turned she heard a familiar hoarse voice.

"Hello, Tonks."

"Wotcher Remus," she turned to face him with a bright, big smile on her face.

"Happy birthday," Remus smiled shyly at her.

"Thank you, but it doesn't count without a kiss," she popped her head in his direction, pointing at her cheek. Remus smiled in surprise, but he pecked her cheek. For best wishes, of course. He wouldn't admit that the touch of her soft cheek on his lips made his heart skip a beat. Or two. Maybe three.

"That's better! Where are Gwen, and Sirius?"

"They just got to the cellar to get something to drink," Remus said, and gestured her to enter the library. "After you."

Tonks entered the library, and sat on the couch. Remus wasn't sitting. He looked quite nervous, and murmured.

"Oh, I have something for you…"

He stormed out of the room, and she heard him entering his room. She hoped he hasn't bought her a present because she will be so uncomfortable with that. She knew he didn't have any money, and didn't really want him to spend on something trivial. And she wasn't sure how to react. Remus entered the library, holding a roll of paper with a small magenta bow on it.

"I'm bad with presents, and I didn't know what to get you on such short notice, so…"

He handed the roll to her. She accepted it, but she was so confused, and she felt her cheeks turning pink.

"What are you waiting for? Open it," he suggested, and she started unrolling the paper. "I used to keep it above my bed at Hogwarts. It wasn't hung in a while, but I kept it. It's nothing much, but…"

Tonks unrolled the paper and figured it's a Muggle Led Zeppelin poster. It was the famous Led Zeppelin I zeppelin picture. A Muggle catastrophe? Awesome wizarding decoration.

"Wow… This is… brilliant! I love it! Thank you so much!" Tonks shrieked, threw the poster on the coffee table and hung herself around Remus' neck. He was surprised by her being that close to him, but he hugged her with his right arm. They broke apart, and shared an awkward look.

"I'm sorry if that… Oh Merlin… I sometimes can't control myself, and I got you're not of those who like to be touched," Tonks started to explain herself, and she avoided looking at Remus, so she started to fidget with her fingers.

"No," he chuckled. "You just caught me by surprise."

Tonks lifted her look, and she smiled shyly at Remus, whose cheeks were getting pinker and pinker with each moment passing since they hugged. However, they were interrupted by Sirius and Gwen sneaking into the room.

"Happy birthday!" Gwen ran to Tonks side, hugging her, and they pecked politely.

"Thank you, G," Tonks started to call Gwen G, much to Gwen's amusement. It was because Gwen always signed her letters with a big G, and Tonks had a nickname for everyone. Except for Remus…

"Happy birthday, Tonksie!" Sirius hugged her, and pecked her in congratulations.

"Thank you!"

"We are stuck in here so we couldn't get any present, but we got my father's older-than-even-Remus-and-me firewhiskey. What do you say?"

Tonks smiled, and Sirius poured them all a drink. Remus brought his record player to the library, put a silencing charm on, and the sound of soft jazz filled the room. He purposely chose jazz, because he knew if it was anything wilder, it'll make Sirius too fussy, and active. And then he'll drink more than any of them wants, and that won't end up well.

"So you're now like what? 25?" Gwen knew exactly how old Tonks was, since she was a Ravenclaw Head Girl in her seventh year, and Tonks was in her second when she caught her sneaking to the Herbology greenhouses.

"No, I'm 22 today. I must be honest and admit that I never thought I'll become an Auror before my 22nd birthday."

"And you proved yourself wrong," Remus said shortly, and Tonks smiled at him.

"Um… but what will we do for your birthday, G?" Tonks asked, and only then realised that Gwen never told her birth date. She figured it from her snooping. "I figured… The pictures in your house, they were all…"

"August 8th, right. I forgot about it, to be honest," Gwen said a bit sadly, and started to fidget with her glass in her hands.

"You never told me when your birthday was," Sirius complained.

"It's not my fault you never notice anything, Sirius," Gwen said, and poured them another glass of liquor.

"Another party in two weeks then, woo!" Sirius said overwhelmed now. "And it's before full moon, Moony, right?"

"Yes… Yes, it is," Remus didn't really want to discuss the moon schedule now.

"And another one in November, and… March?" Gwen was now looking at Remus suspiciously. She wasn't sure of his birthday, but Sirius mentioned it a couple of times since they usually spent it in Hogwarts.

"10th, yes," Remus answered shortly, again.

"Oh, we'll have a lot of parties here, then," Tonks said exuberantly. She felt so relaxed talking with this group of people. All of them.

"Cheers to that," Sirius cheered.

They talked some more, mostly about their birthday celebrations. Gwen told them about celebrating her birthday on a new location almost every year, and Tonks was kind of jealous. She always celebrated her birthday at home with her parents, since it was during summer break. Sirius and Remus, however, celebrated their birthdays at Hogwarts, and they even got house elves to make Remus a cake one year, because the full moon was just days before his birthday. Tonks liked hearing about their mischiefs, and she was happy that Sirius was way less secretive, almost proud, about their misdemeanours.

Tonks didn't stay long, however. She had to be at work earlier tomorrow, since Scrimgeour called for an Auror meeting in 7. Kingsley told Tonks he'll pick her up because she can't afford to be late. If they want to be useful to the Order, they must stay at Scrimgeour's good side. So she can't oversleep, or anything because Kingsley will murder her. Even though he was softer than Moody, he was still very strict when it came to business. When it was time for her to go, Remus walked her out. Again. When they left the room, Gwen nudged Sirius, who hasn't even noticed Tonks carrying the roll of paper.

"Just accept you lost the bet. That paper was something sentimental, I just know it. It's old, and he gave it to her as a gift," Gwen said, gloating.

"I think I know what that is, but it doesn't prove anything!" Sirius was still denying the truth. There were chemistry between his best friend and his cousin. The undeniable bond that pulled them both like a magnet.

"Deny all you want, Sirius, but facts are facts." Gwen said shortly, pinched his cheek, and left him alone in the library.

When they were going downstairs to the front door, both Tonks and Remus realised that children must've been sleeping because it was way too quiet. While they passed the first floor hallway, they could hear Ron's loud snoring. Tonks giggled at the sound of that, and Remus figured she must've been tipsy from the firewhiskey. She was a small built woman, after all. When they reached the front door, she stopped and looked at him.

"A real Gryffindor lion, that Ron. Snoring like roaring," Tonks said, still giggling.

"In my house's defence, not all of us snore. I do, but I've never seen no one sleeping more calmly than James. If he wasn't breathing, you wouldn't even notice him," Remus smiled at a memory of his late friend.

"You miss James?" Tonks blurted, knowing the answer, and regretting the question. Why was she like that? Remus just sighed.

"I do, but I learned to live with a memory. It's all I have now, I guess," his voice was silent, and melancholic. Tonks felt bad, but he was right, she was a bit tipsy.

"That's not true! You can still make new memories. I'll help you!" she said a bit over excited. She prayed to everything she knew for her attempt to be a success. Remus chuckled in return, not saying anything. She felt slightly offended by his lack of words, so she hit him with a paper roll on his head playfully.

"Don't laugh at me, Remus, I'm serious!"

"You're not. You're Nymphadora," Remus said amused. He appreciated her attempt to make him feel better, and she succeeded only by trying. He believed her. He can still make new memories.

"Oh! This totally backfired on me," Tonks said, standing unsteadily on her feet.

"Do you want me to apparate you home? I'm not sure…"

"It's not my first time apparating while drinking, don't be so stiff," he smacked him with a paper roll again, and he smiled at her playfulness.

"You see? I like this. I'm to short to do it with my hands, but this is really helpful," she chuckled now with him, looking at a paper roll in her hands. "Anyway, thanks for the poster. It's really brilliant!"

"No problem," he now welcomed her with a wider smile.

"And here you have another memory, Remus," Tonks smiled, and her eyes was sparkling in her little alcohol infused daze.

"I guess I do, right," Remus said shortly.

"I must go now, but I'll see you for our mission soon… Take care, Remus. And thank you, again. This was probably the best birthday I ever had."

He opened the door for her, not really wanting her to go. She stepped out, and gave him another look.

"Then I guess you too got another memory. Take care, Tonks."

As he closed the door, both of them stood for a second a bit confused. Something happened, but none of them was sure what. Remus didn't even notice Sirius, who went downstairs to put the bottles he enthusiastically brought upstairs back into the cellar. However, Sirius couldn't help but notice the interaction between Remus and Tonks. And when he saw his best friend standing at the entrance alone, lost in his thoughts, he was sure. Gwen was right. Something is going on between them. And it wasn't just Tonks. It was Remus too.

Writing shy, kind of flirty Remadora gives me happy feelings :3

The next chapter is done, just proofreading an it's on!

Will we have another Remadora moment? Of course we will!

And what happened at Grimmauld Place in the night when the Dementors attacked Harry?

Don't forget to let me know what you think... xx