All characters are property of J.K.Rowlings, this writing is for my own enjoyment. Thaleia Lestrange is mine.

Notes: This contains *SPOILERS* to OOP. This story begins during the end of Harry's fifth year, after the battle at the Ministry of Magic.

Chapter 3: First kiss

"At the first kiss I felt something melt inside me that hurt in an exquisite way..."
~Herman Hesse

It was nine o'clock in the morning when a *pop* sounded in the kitchen of Number 12 Grimmald Place, prompting Remus to casually lower his Daily Prophet. Before him stood a very sleep- eyed Nymphadora Tonk. Still dressed in flannel pajamas that shown enchanted cows jumping over sparkling moons, Remus wondered if she knew she had apparated before getting dressed.

"Coffee! Please!" She didn't even open her sleep swollen eyes as she plopped down at kitchen table and flopped over a placemat.

A soft purring emanated from beneath the table top. Looking underneath, Remus chuckled to himself as he realized that Tonks was wearing pink bunny slippers that were snoozing peaceful on their owner's feet. Apparently, they hadn't woken up yet either.

Folding his paper neatly and setting it down, he looked over at the young lady who's hot pink hair was plat into two braids making her appear younger than her twenty five years. He smiled, thinking to himself, "Damn, she's cute first thing in the morning."

Tonks made a little snoring sound, and then cried out softly, "Coffee! Cream no sugar."

"Nymphadora, how many times do I need remind you that I am not your personal Starbucks?" Remus asked, his lips curling into a smirk.

Her head rolled to the side, eyelids lifting like shades upon twinkling darkness, her smile seemingly innocent, "Please?"

Remus rapped his finger against his paper, but only for a moment before he stood up from the table, laughing, "Oh alright! But I'm only doing this because you look so pathetic."

Then starting up a coffee pot with his wand, he called back over his shoulder. "You know, staying out till the cows come home is only an expression."

Tonks rubbed her eyes with a balled fist, "I wasn't sleepy last night."

The coffee steamed and he poured the black liquid into a mug, "Well you certainly are this morning."

Lifting her head from the table, "Where's Harry and the gang? I wanted to tell them goodbye."

"I'm afraid you've missed them," Remus answered setting the steaming cup of caffeinated java in front of her nose.

"WHAT?!" Tonks's eyes widen to near full awake ness. Standing quickly, her chair fell backwards with a thump and clang. Apparently, her sudden movement, coupled with the clatter of the chair startled her bunny slippers which proceed to jump off her feet. They bounded off with such an erratic jolt, that Tonks tripped forwards, only saved from hitting the floor nose first by Remus's outstretched arms.

Lupin had reached out for her so suddenly and she had fallen with such an impact, that the force of their bodies colliding together created an instant cradling affect. His arms were around her slim waist, then her solid back as she clung to his neck trying to regain her footing.

As she stood up against him, Remus quivered as breasts and hips melded against his own person. Soft and warm, her feminine form pressed against his body with surprising suppleness. He was taken aback at how womanly she felt beneath his hands.

Somehow, in their awkward embrace, Tonks had turned her head upward to say, "Thanks," and Remus lowered his head to ask, "Okay?" The result being that there noses bumped, yet instead of pulling away, Tonks leaned in and kissed him.

He could feel the weight of her body, the heat emanating from her mouth and suddenly, soft, plump lips moving against his. Lupin's body tensed, and although he thought to pull back, he didn't; allowing her tongue to part his lips, with tender, sweet wetness.

Then as suddenly as it began it ended. Her hands against his chest, pushing back; wide -eyed she stared at him, mouth slightly agape, cheeks flushed very pink.

Remus was just as dumbfounded as he reluctantly released her from his arms, staring directly into the dark windows of her soul. For a thin moment, he could read every emotion concealed in her heart of hearts.

Suddenly, panic raced across those black eyes, shutting him out. "Fluffy and Nippers!" Then turning she ran to the kitchen door, "They'll be eaten alive in this house."

He should have followed her and aided in the search for her rogue bunny slippers, but instead he stood motionless. It was if his mind was spinning and still all at the same time. Moving to pick up the fallen chair he told himself, "I've just kissed Nymphadora Tonks."

But what did it mean? Did he kiss her or did she kiss him? What had seemed so clear a moment ago, now seemed so fuzzy. Whichever the case was, he liked it. Shaking slightly as he lifted the chair back to its original position, he reminded himself that it was she who had run from the room. Perhaps that was a sign that she hadn't liked it; but on the other hand, she was blushing and her lips had been just as forceful as his had been, if not more so.

It was at this moment, as Remus was lost in thought, that Leia entered the kitchen. "Good morning Remus. Is everyone already gone?"

Lupin shook himself from his thoughts, "What's that you say?" He sat back down at the table, and unfolded his paper.

"Have the kids already left for Hogwart's?"

Dear gods! He hoped he wasn't still blushing. But her back was turned to him, as she filled a mug with coffee.

"Oh yes. They left quite early. The next meeting of the Order will be Saturday, but you probably already know that." He kept his pale eyes steadily on the paper.

"Yes, Dumbledore told me." Leia answered as she idly stirred sugar into her mug. "Thank you for talking to me last night."

Lupin reluctantly lowered his Daily Prophet and nodded, "Glad that I could be of service."

Leia's broad lips smiled widely, "I do have one more favor to ask of you."

"Alright," he answered, folding the paper across his lap.

"I was hoping that you might be able to stay on for the week, here at Grimmald Place. As you can tell from antics last night, my wizarding skills are rather rusty and I would greatly appreciate the guidance of teacher and auror."

His pale eyes marveled at the beautiful woman before him. She looked so much like Sirius with the exception that she was much prettier and of the fairer sex. "You do me too much honor by calling me an auror when you know that I am not. However, a teacher I am and I think your request can be arranged."

"Wonderful," her blue eyes sparkled like sapphires. Then reaching her hand across the table, she leaned forward, "How can I repay you?" Her touch was warm and soft.

This would have been the perfect time to be witty and charming, but that had been Sirius's forte; a talent which Remus could not bring himself to imitate well, "Truly, Leia. It is no bother."

Then lowering his eyes, from her intense gaze, he returned to his paper.

"Found them! That vile little house elf was about to pop them into the boiler." Lupin looked up to see Tonks holding her bunny slippers firmly to her chest. As soon as his eyes touched hers, she looked away. "Really, I thought Hermione was going to do something useful with that little beast!"

"Hmmm..." Leia turned her head to the side and addressed Remus, who was again carefully studying the paper. "I don't suppose they have a house elf kennel or anything along that nature?"

"I'm really not sure," he answered, tugging at his collar. Was it hot in here or was he just feeling the pressure of being trapped between two attractive women, both of whom were interested in his attention. It was an especially odd situation for Remus Lupin, a plesant and gentle man.

"Well I'm off," Tonks offered as she picked up her coffee mug.

"I didn't realize that you were here." Then, inquisitively lifting her dark brows, she asked with suspicion, "Did you spend the night here last night, Nymphadora?"

Then ever so slightly she looked at Remus, sending him a subtle and apprehensive glance.

"No!" Remus and Tonks answered mutually as Tonks again began to pinkin.

"Well gotta disapparte, see you Thursday Lupin," then with a pop, she had vanished.

Leaving behind a confused cousin and an even more confused werewolf.