As usual, Dora returned from work looking a mixture of annoyed and exhausted. She had only been back three days and this was already becoming a disturbing pattern. Yes, of course he knew that her job was stressful - especially considering the times they were currently living through - but this surely couldn't be healthy.

Remus knew better than to pry too much beyond a "how was your day?", he had already been told that he didn't need to worry and further discussion had just resulted in an argument. Their first one. Didn't take too long to happen but also didn't take long to resolve. Thankfully.

"Anything new happen today?" he asked as he emerged from the kitchen with a mug of tea for her.

Why that calmed and relaxed her more than a hot chocolate did, Remus just didn't understand.

"Nope." she replied, rucking her feet under her and leaning into him as he sat next to her. "Unless you count even more chaos."

"Even more than yesterday?"

That was somewhat impressive, actually.

"Yep. Department heads keep changing their minds and no one agrees to where is Aurors should be stationed."

She took a breath to sip at her tea. That sounded very frustrating.

"So, what have you been doing?"

Was there anything to do when the Ministry was like this? Could she do anything?

"Meetings, meetings and more meetings. With aforementioned contradicting orders."

"That... doesn't sound fun."

She snorted at that. "Yeah, definitely not. Though it is interesting to see what colours people can turn out of frustration. Like this," she turned her skin a shade of violent purple, "or this," there was puce, "or even this," now her face was half red and half purple.

Had Remus mentioned how much he enjoyed seeing her abilities again? It was amazing. She was amazing. Though, if people actually had turned those colours then it was more than a bit concerning.

"That's just unhealthy."

She snorted. "You're telling me. Especially when it's paired with bulging eyes."

That was a frustrating way to spend your time at work and she had been doing that for the past few days, despite just being back after time off. You'd think they would ease her into things. Even after the entirety of the last few years being dedicated to not listening or acknowledging Albus and the insistence of being able to do everything without him, it turned out that everything fell apart when he was no longer available. It would be funny if he wasn't still grieving for the loss of a mentor.

"Well, you can relax now," he said, not wanting to dwell too much on recent events.

"Thank Merlin for that." She smiled at him. "It's nice just to relax together."

It really was. Though, it felt like they should be doing something. They were in the middle of a war, after all. But nothing seemed to be forthcoming. No one knew what they were doing. Remus had wondered whether he should contact Minerva or Arthur or someone.

They both sipped their hot drinks, lost in their own thoughts. Dora was leaning forwards, hands wrapped around her mug as she thought. She drained it and set it off to one side.

"Has there been any word from the Order?" Dora asked, all but flinging herself back on the sofa so she was lounging instead of sitting upright like before.

It creaked in protest but she curled into him again before he could scold her on it. One of these days she was going to fall through it if she wasn't careful.

"Not a word," Remus replied, shaking his head. "You?"

"Nothing. Kingsley isn't back yet. Or is still with the Prime Minister. I'm not sure. He's not in the office anyway."

Remus didn't even know who was leading the Order now that Albus was dead. Who would be second in command? Minerva? Elphias? Alastor? He hadn't heard word from any of them.

"I'll contact Minerva tomorrow," he said decisively.

"Sounds good," Dora said with a shrug. "I need to contact a few landlords and renting agencies tomorrow."

Ah. Remus had forgotten that she was looking for a new flat. Well, not really. He just preferred not to think of it. Because thinking about meant thinking about her leaving and he didn't really want that.

"You, uh, have you narrowed them down?" He asked.

He hadn't realised that she had got that far in her searching.

"Sort of. Just need want to check a few places out. Learnt my lesson when I left the Auror Academy about renting without looking at a place."

Remus' mouth turned up in a smile as he remembered what Dora had told him about that particular incident. Oh, had she really told him that almost two years ago now?

Maybe he should bring up what he had been thinking about the last few days? No, it was silly. And presumptuous. And too fast. But maybe he should still offer? He wanted to. But should he? Maybe not... But it was a good idea?

"Spit it out, Remus," she said impatiently.

That was his Dora, always blunt and to the point and a freakish ability to read him far too well.

"Maybe we should move in together?" Remus said hesitantly.

He really did not like the idea of living apart. Not anymore. He didn't need space from her. He needed her. It was that simple. But did she need him? Maybe this was too fast. Was it inappropriate? He shouldn't have brought it up at all. It wasn't his place...

Just as he was about to talk himself into snatching his words back, Dora answered. "Move in... together?"

Why did she sound so unsure? Was she nervous? Disbelieving? Didn't want to be anywhere near him? All of the above?

"...Yes?"

Was that a trick question? Did she find the mere suggestion hilarious? Did she-?

"Oof!"

His thoughts were interrupted by Dora basically throwing herself at him. Um. Okay. He could roll with that. He could also roll with her pressing all these small kisses all over his face. That was quite nice even if he didn't understand why.

Dora then looked around them. "Here?" she asked, referring to his house.

"If you want," Remus said quickly. "Here. Get a flat. Whatever you want."

"I have been looking at a lot of crappy flats since I'm no longer at Hogsmeade. This is much nicer..."

Yes. He was aware of that and he got a pang in his heart everyone he saw her looking because that meant that she was eventually going to leave. But not anymore. Remus didn't say anything for fear of saying the wrong thing. He ways seemed to manage to say the wrong thing.

"I don't know..."

His stomach sank. Oh, how much he wanted to live with her. To share space with her. And now she was unsure.

He must have had a look on his face because she quickly added, "I'm not sure if we should stay here or get a flat," she said quickly. "Not that I don't know about moving in together. I mean, I want to move in together! Of course, I do!"

"Are you sure?"

He didn't want her to regret something like this. It was a pretty big change, wasn't it?

"One hundred percent. No, a hundred and ten percent. No, two hundred percent. Actually-"

Remus decided to stop her before she got any more ridiculous and put his hand over her mouth. Of course, she licked it (which was still disgusting) and he hand to pull it away again.

"I am ten thousand percent sure," she said triumphantly, needing to get the last word in.

He couldn't help but smile. "Perfect."