Right, the disclaimer that I'm righting now counts for this chapter and the previous four. This has been done so many times, so I'll make it different. I hereby declare that none of the following characters belong to, or are licensed to me. Let's face it, if they did I wouldn't have time to write fanfics because I would be swamped with too many fan letters saying how much they love my Harry Potter stories, so anyway.

A/N: Just like to thank Phantom Quill and DeeDee the Smarmy, who are my main REVIEWers, get the hint! And also mucho love and hugs to my Beta and very strange many-named friend, Hank/Riffinton/Beaner whatever.

Chapter 5

The meeting ran later than was expected. Tonks was the first to leave, hastily apparating back to her house to change. When she had her dress on, she screwed up her face in a painful concentration, and a few seconds later her blue hair turned into glossy, black curls. Her mouth open wide, she outlined her eyes with kohl and mascara, before finally applying a dark red lipstick.
Tonks eyed her reflection in the mirror. Perfect! She thought happily. She grabbed her cloak and blew the mirror a kiss as she swung it around her shoulders.
"Knock 'im dead darlin'," it called as she apparated from the room.
*

Tonks arrived at Lucius' at half seven. As she glanced up at the mansion her stomach clenched with anticipation. She strode up to the door and knocked before she could change her mind. It was answered at once by one of his house elves, who took her cloak and stood aside to let her pass, head lowered.
"Lucius, are you home?" she called, walking cautiously into the hall. After several minutes had passed bringing no answer, Tonks began to feel more nervous. Eventually she heard footsteps, and drawing her wand, she spun around.
"It's lovely to see you too," Lucius grined, stepping up to her and kissing her lightly on the lips. Tonks pulled him closer and ran her fingers through his sleek, blond hair. After they had parted, Luicus took her hand and led her through to the dining room.
"I didn't think that you would come," he said conversationally, when they had settled down to their first course. Tonks swallowed her mouthful of soup.
"I was at a-" she swallowed again, "shop, I couldn't find anything to wear. I'm sorry." She smiled apologetically.
"Well, you certainly found something," he smiled, looking at her appraisingly. Tonks finished her soup and placed the spoon into the bowl. She wasn't sure if she wanted know, but she had to ask.
"You said in your letter that you wanted to speak to me about something." She had a sneaking suspicion that he was going to break off their relationship, and she began to pay with her napkin nervously.
"Yes," he answered reluctantly. "This is really hard, and you probably won't want to stay with me once you know, but I have to tell you."
"Go on," Tonks encouraged gently.
"I, I haven't been honest with you-"
"She isn't dead! I've been having an affair with a married man! Oh, Merlin's beard! What will she-"
"No, Tonks," Lucius interrupted, "you've got it all wrong. She is dead, but it isn't about Narcissa that I lied. It's about us." Tonks opened her mouth to protest. "No, please let me finish, it's hard enough as it is.
"Voldemort wanted me to get close to someone in the Order. When I saw you I just knew that we'd connect, so I chose you. I acted nice at first, just to get close to you, but-"
"please don't," she looked down at him coldly. "It's all been a lie, hasn't it?" She gasped, tears filling her eyes.
"No, you don't under-" Lucius cried desperately.
"I do understand. Perfectly in fact. I love you! How could you- eugh!" She groaned in disgust, kicking bck her chair, which toppled over. "My mother always said that I was a fool, how right she was," she said bitterly. Another thought occurred to her, "you kissed me, we had- how could you do that?"
"Because it wasn't an act, not after I got to know you."
"Don't give me any of that bullshit!" she retorted hotly, turning away so that he couldn't see her tears.
"I love you Tonks, why can't you see?" He cried desperately. "I am so, so, sorry, and I'm going to tell him that I can't do it."
Tonks forgot her anger. "But he'll kill you!"
"I don't care, I just want to be with you."
"What, as a ghost?" she asked sarcastically.
"No, I-" he rested his head on his arms. "I don't see how I can get out of it. What have I done Tonks? What can I do?" He finally raised his head, giving her a sad look. Tonks walked up to him and sat on his knee, kissing him deeply.
"We could fake your death," she suggested.
"He'd know." Lucius replied glumly.
"We could-" Tonks fell silent, her mind empty. After half an hour of silence, she jumped up excitedly.
"What if we just carried on?"
"What?" Lucius looked at her blankly.
"Well, I could give you false information." Comprehension dawned on his face, and a smile lit it up. Then his face fell.
"He'd know."
"We could get Dumbledore's help."
"I don't think that he would help me, think of all the trouble that I've caused for him and the school." He sighed, "it's useless Tonks."
"NO!" Tonks slammed her fist down on the table, making Lucius jump. "Dumbledore will help us. If you're really telling the truth." She looked at him, searching his pale face with her hazel eyes.
"I am."