Disclaimer: JK kicks my ass when it comes to creativity, and she invented all these wonderful people and this fantastic world. Not me.
A/N: I'm so sorry this has been taking awhile, life has been crazy now with school almost ending and final exams and such on the way. On a brighter note, I just came home from seeing POA and it was AWESOME! Definitely the best one so far. I think all the acting has improved and it was just a better all around film. And David Thewlis proved to be an excellent Lupin, I might add. Though he didn't look like I pictured, he got Lupin's character to a key and by the end of the movie I was in love with him. And Rupert Grint got so cute. And now, on with the story! (This chapter also goes back and forth from the date to Sirius at headquarters, so its not told entirely from Sirius' point of view.)
"No, he's not mad. He's just a...well, he's a marauder." Remus shrugged and ran a hand through his hair, and with the other loosening his tie just slightly.
Tonks smiled at this. "Yes, but so are you, and you don't act like him."
"Oh, I wouldn't say I'm as bad as him, but I've committed my share of pranks in my day." The waiter approached as he leaned back in his chair.
"Can I interest either of you in some dessert, perhaps? Perhaps another drink?"
Remus looked at Tonks. "Would you like anything else? Or shall we head back to Sirius?"
Tonks grinned. "I think it's time we pull a little prank of our own on Sirius." She turned to the waiter. "We'll take the check, please."
The waiter nodded and left the table, as Remus looked at Tonks inquisitively. "What kind of prank do you have in mind?"
She leaned over the table and smirked at him. "Well, this is what I was thinking..."Back at number 12 Grimmauld Place, Sirius was pacing."That's brilliant Tonks." Remus grinned, his eyes sparkling. She blushed slightly, and Remus looked at her curiously. She never used to blush at anything he said before Sirius' scheme.
And he couldn't help but notice that he had been doing his share of blushing the last few days too.
Great Merlin.
"Remus? Helllo?" Remus snapped out of it.
"Sorry. What were you saying?" She raised her eyebrows.
"What I was saying before you flew off into Moony Land-"
"Ha, ha, ha. Funny." Remus said dryly and she gave him her cheekiest smile.
"-What I was saying was that we should stop at my flat so I can grab a ring, to, you know, seal the deal."
Remus nodded. "Sure. And if Sirius asks where I got the money to buy it for you we'll just tell him I-"
"Inherited it. It belonged to like a great aunt or something." Remus nodded and scratched his chin.
"Well, Tonks, I don't know about you, but I have a feeling this will be a marvelous ending to a fantastic night."
She averted her eyes downward. "Yes. Fantastic." She looked up at him and smiled shyly, brushing a piece of hair out of her face, and Remus felt himself going red under her gaze. He cleared his throat nervously.
"Shall we go then?" She paused before nodding.
"Time to teach Mr. Black a lesson."At headquarters, Sirius was still pacing."Well, Remus, I must say, I didn't think I would be bringing you up to my flat after the first date." She laughed out loud at the mixed expression of embarrassment and horror on his face. "I'm bloody joking, Remus. It's a joke."
He let out a small breath. "Yes, joke. Heh." He said weakly.
"You need to loosen up, Remus." She told him as she made her way into her bedroom. He stood awkwardly in the doorway.
"I'm loosened...somewhat."
She laughed and he watched her dig through a small chest that was on a long dresser. "Moony, Moony, Moony."
"Yes, Nymphadora?" She grabbed something and turned to him, staring at him intently.
She seemed to want to say something but decided against it, shaking her head. "Let's head back to headquarters."
She turned and went to walk past him, and at the last second he grabbed her shoulder. She turned to face him, looking at him expectantly.
"Well, don't I even get to see the ring then?" She smiled and showed him the ring in her hand.Sirius had finally stopped pacing after he realized his constant steps were wearing the carpet down.
"Sirius?" He spun as he heard Remus' voice. He rushed out to the door to greet them.
"Tonks! Remus! Finally!" He said smiling. "I wanted to tell..." His voice trailed off as he realized Remus' arm was draped across Tonks' shoulder and neither of them were looking at him, but at each other, with huge, dopey grins on their faces.
Well, then. He had expected his plan to work, of course, but he didn't expect them to already be so...touchy.
"Sirius, I can't thank you enough for setting this whole thing up."
"Yes, Padfoot, old friend, this is just about the best thing you have ever done for either of us."
Sirius ran a hand through his hand, smiling slightly. "Er, well, yes, I knew I was doing a good thing. I'm glad, you know, it all worked out."
"Worked out? It did more then that, Padfoot! Going on this date tonight made me realize that I-"Remus paused and gave Sirius his most convincing heartfelt smile. "-I love Tonks, and I always have."
Sirius' jaw hit the floor.
"Yes, and I realized that I loved Remus as well." Tonks told her shocked cousin, biting her lip to keep from laughing.
"So, Sirius, mate, we wanted you to be the first we tell."
Sirius grew considerably pale. "Tell me...tell me what?"
Tonks held up her hand to reveal a sparkling ring on her finger.
"We're getting married, Sirius!"
That was the last thing Sirius heard before he passed out cold.
Remus looked at Tonks, smirking. "I think our plan worked then, eh?"
"Yes, I believe it did."