**** Chapter 6 ****

Tonks woke up about an hour later to find Snape sitting up, half-dressed. He wore only half-buttoned trousers, and sat deep in thought. He was fondling the rune contemplatively, tapping the toes of his right foot from smallest toe to his big toe.

Dawn had broken and it was time to leave. Snape had to be back at Hogwarts for a pre-term staff meeting. Tonks considered going back to her flat in London for a proper kip, but her growling stomach suggested a nosh at Grimmauld Place might be a better option.

She cleared her throat to get his attention.

"Hey," she hummed cheerfully while poking him in the arm.

"Hey" he parroted back.

The two proceeded to dress silently, but to Tonks' surprise, there was no discomfort from either of them.

When they were both fully clothed, Snape broke the silence again. "I will be reporting your progress to the Headmaster," he stated casually, finishing up the last few buttons of his garment. Then with a look of mixed seriousness and suggestiveness, "He need not know of the extra-curricular activities, of course." His tone became serious again, "And I think you would benefit from at least a few more lessons."

Tonks grinned back at him, "Lessons. Yes, of course," she winked.

Snape rolled his eyes, a hint of amusement across his face.

He removed the protective wards on the train and waved his wand to dispose of the bottles and glasses. Taking a quick glance around, he saw the rune on the seat. He picked it up and sniffed it, then smiled while gently wiping it off carefully with a handkerchief from his pocket. He briefly waved his wand over it.

Then, holding it up between two fingers, he gestured to Tonks. With a completely straight face he offered, "Dumbledore and I devised this mechanism to aid in my activities. But I believe it belongs to you now."

Tonks blushed, frozen and suddenly nervous like a schoolgirl. Severus glided towards her and tucked it in the pocket of her jeans. The gesture of intimacy was followed by a whisper in her ear as he pulled her into him, "It was programmed to only work at my command. Now we should both be able to command it. I expect to find out for certain."

His rich voice filled her ears. Tonks closed her eyes briefly and breathed deeply, a warm glow filling her insides as the sex flashbacks started.

After one final glance around the car, Snape swooped his robes in a grand gesture and walked off the train. Tonks followed suit. He replaced the wards on the train and walked up the deserted platform of the railway station to stretch his legs.

"Practise clearing your mind," he instructed, still walking. "It is the single most useful thing you can do."

"Oh, ok," Tonks stammered, taking a few seconds to figure out what he was talking about.

He turned around and looked her in the eyes. "I will see you at the next Order meeting. Sans pink I hope." And on that note, he folded his arms and surveyed her, disapparating with a pop.

Tonks chuckled and pulled a lock of hair down to her eyes. "I like pink," she protested to the air. But shook her head and changed into blonde curls anyway. She did not wish for any extra attention, anticipating her walk on the streets of London after breakfast at Grimmauld Place.

**** Back at Grimmauld Place...where our story began...

Slowly spooning the last of the porridge into her mouth, Tonks licked the utensil clean and rested it back in the bowl.

"Sirius, Remus," she chirped with resolve. "I think it's time for me to go."

"C'mon Tonks. You'll be reporting your activities at the next Order meeting anyway, so you might as well tell us now," Sirius tried to change tactics. "Everyone knows Snape hasn't got a life. So, please just tell me he didn't keep you awake practising Occlumency. And please, please tell me he didn't lay a hand on you!"

"Ok. Ok. I was up all night practising Occlumency," Tonks sighed. "But I wasn't forced to. Now put your active imagination away and let me go."

"Fine," Sirius snapped back and sulked into his chair.

Tonks stood up, stretching and yawning. She ambled up to the front door, followed by Lupin.

"Occlumency lessons don't take all night, Tonks," he smiled. "Just be careful."

"You're too kind, but I don't know what you mean," she beamed despite herself.

Lupin plucked a black hair from her shirt and held it up to her matter-of-factly. "And my sense of smell is sharper too, don't forget," he teased. "About the only advantage of lycanthropy, in fact."

Tonks let out a loud laugh and knocked the hair out of his hand. "Alright, well, just between us, eh?" she winked. "See you at the next Order meeting."

And on that note, she walked out the door and skipped down the street. It was, she found, a glorious sunny morning.

THE END

A/N: Thank you again so much to everyone who encouraged me. There are more Snape/Tonks adventures on the way. And for those who need to know, Rom To My Private Dungeon will have some additions too.

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