Chapter Two

After Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had been escorted right up to the School gates, Tonks and Lupin said goodbye to each other and went their separate ways. Lupin was apparating back to London, and Tonks was flying. She needed something to change the monotony of apparating there, arriving in a second. Also, she'd just bought a new broom and wanted to try it out.

Tonks entered The Three Broomsticks and ordered a Firewhisky, the journey on the Knight Bus had made her thirsty. She sat down in a secluded corner and began sipping her drink.
"Mind if I join you?"
Caught off-guard, she smiled as she looked up.
"No, not at -" She stopped abruptly when she realized who it was. Lucius Malfoy's handsome face grinned down at her. Tonks blinked as she finished her sentence, "-all."
"How are you feeling after- well, I mean, are you ok?" He asked, concern clearly underlining his voice.
Tonks was surprised. Why does he care? She found herself wondering.
"Oh yes, I'm perfectly fine. This has been the best week of my life." She answered sarcastically. Lucius reached for her hand across the table and grasped it tightly.
"I'm sorry about what happened, you know. Really sorry. I know that you don't believe me, I wouldn't believe myself, but I didn't intend on being, staying a deatheater. At heart I'm a coward, scared of Him and what he would do if I defied him. I would love to say no, but I'd be dead before I could."
"You wouldn't, you'd have protection." She said, looking up at him.
"What, like Sirius and Cedric had?" He retorted scornfully. "He's more powerful than you estimate you know, he's willful and conniving. Do you think that I could really escape him?"
Tonks sighed. She could see his point.
"But you could be an informer, a spy for us."

"I could, but who would trust me now. It's too late Tonks." He said quietly, resigned to the fact that he would never be free.
Tonks felt awful. She could see the predicament that he was in, but couldn't see anyway of solving it. She finished her drink and noticed that Lucius's was empty too.
"Do you want another, Lucius?" He looked up, her saying his name so softly had sent a shiver down his spine. He was greated by a warm smile. "No thank you, I have to be going. You know how it is, things to do, people to see. How are you getting back?"
"I'm flying." Tonks replied cautiously. This could just be a set-up couldn't it, to get information out of her about the Order of the Phoenix.
"I am too. London, I presume?"
"What makes you think-"
"That's where I live." He interrupted, holding the door open for her to go out.
"What's that got to do with me, may I ask?"
"You're coming for dinner," he grinned cheekily.
"Since when?" she asked, with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"You will?" Lucius looked surprised.
"If you want me to."
Her playful expression changed to a serious one. Lucius turned and faced her; stepping closer he put an arm around her waist, and drew her in, bending his head expectantly. Tonks hesitated for a moment, then let go all fears and inhibitions as she turned up her face to receive his passionate kiss.
"Tonks?" Lucius whispered after they had finally let go of each other.
"Yes?" she inquired gently, moving a lock of his white-blond hair out of his eyes.
"I haven't got a broom." He smiled sheepishly, shrugging his shoulders. Tonks giggled, playfully digging him in the ribs.
"I guess you'll have to share mine," she answered, giving him a meaningful look.