Author Notes: If you are new to this series, Andromeda is portrayed as a young Joan Collins type. Yes, she defied her family, but being against the Dark Arts doesn't mean you're perfectly good and that's what I was trying to demonstrate with her character. Ted Tonks is, well, an Ozzy Osbourne clone. With those images in mind, please enjoy the rest of the story.

Splitting Hairs

"Is this where you met for dinner?" asked Lupin. They were standing outside of a small restaurant that occupied the corner of a building with a sign hung askew that read: Rangoon Club. It was obviously not a popular place even during operating hours.

"Yes, it's always fairly deserted, so it makes an ideal place to talk," said Andromeda a bit defensively. "But it has a bit of everything on its menu."

"And a-a-a belly dancer," added Ted. "And bongs in the backroom."

"It sounds charming," said Lupin distractedly. He completed a quick visual scan and ascertained the path Tonks would take back to her flat. "She would have walked this way."

Lupin took several long strides before Andromeda and Ted thought to catch up to him. They passed a storefront for a small newsstand when Ted stumbled to his hands and knees.

"Ted!"

Lupin turned to find Andromeda hauling Ted off the pavement.

"Sorry, Andi, I-I just tripped on a stick or something," he muttered.

"That's not a stick, it's Tonks' wand," said Lupin as he extracted the wood from where it had gotten caught in a gutter.

"But that means she's practically defenseless," said Andromeda. "She won't be able to use magic."

"Tonks is an Auror; she can rely on skills other than magic, but we have to assume she's in trouble."

Lupin frowned as he considered what this meant. Wizards would have looked for the wand, thus it was highly likely that Muggles were the culprits. But why Tonks? Then Lupin realized he had forgotten to ask an essential question.

"What did Tonks look like tonight?"

"She had her hair in blonde curls," said Andromeda, then did a double take. "Like that woman."

Ted looked around as if some phantom woman would appear whereas Lupin peered in the direction Andromeda was pointing. On the cover of a magazine was a woman with curly, blonde hair. She had just inherited a fortune from her elderly, and now deceased, husband.

"Muggles did this. I'd wager they thought she was this heiress," said Lupin. "I doubt they would hurt her if they really want a ransom."

"Muggles? But that means we'll have to avoid magic against them," said Andromeda.

"Fine by me. My spells tend to backfire," said Ted, then added in a mumble. "Now potions I can still do."

"We'll use magic as last resort, but first we need to find Tonks," agreed Lupin. He was actually relieved that they held the same restraint as he did on using magic against Muggles. Lupin pulled out the Wolfshadow amulet and held the moonstone over the wand. He turned for a moment, then saw the slight luminescence.

"That's a pretty bauble," said Ted in a rather wispy voice. His eyes were already entranced by the moonstone.

"Tonks was wearing its twin. Spent more time fiddling with it than touching her food," said Andromeda with a frown.

"We can use the moonstones to find each other," explained Lupin simply. He had no intention of revealing the history of the Wolfshadow amulet.

"I see, so you've lost Nymphadora before?" accused Andromeda.

"I lost Tonksie once, too, remember? At that carnival, or m-maybe it was a circus?" Ted's voice sort of drifted off.

Lupin ignored the comments and began walking off. Perhaps his companions would just go away?

"Oh no, we're not leaving now that we know Nymphadora's in trouble," insisted Andromeda. "So don't try to shake us off, you lanky, laconic, lycanthropic--"

"I-I thought his name was Lupin?" muttered Ted abruptly.

The interruption was sufficient to stop Andromeda's tirade. Lupin thought she was beginning to sound like Sirius when he got on a roll.

The odd trio walked in an easterly direction.

- - - - - - - - -

"Never did get into bondage," sighed Tonks as she tested the ropes around her wrists and ankles. She could tell the knot at her ankles was shoddy. Muggles, it had to be Muggles and not Death Eaters, she thought with relief. But why kidnap her?

"Damn! The blonde hair, the face. I bet I look just like that heiress." Tonks thunked her head against the metal pole at her back.

"Meow."

Tonks surveyed her environment to find her only companion was a great fat gray cat who was perched on top of the metal stairs. She was in an abandoned warehouse that had pipes running along the walls and ceilings and several sets of metal stairs and platforms.

"I've been kidnapped by amateurs," she concluded. A set of boxes and piles of stolen goods in the corner gave her every indication she was dealing with petty thieves who thought they'd try bigger game.

The cat crooked an ear as if she were stating the obvious.

"I don't suppose I can get you to chew through the ropes?" Tonks vaguely hoped the cat would be an Animagus like McGonagall.

The gray feline merely blinked as if responding to her was beneath his station in life.

"Didn't think so," sighed Tonks. This was a very miserable day. "No wand, no magic, no Remus. I've got to get him to show me his tricks."

The cat flicked its tail, perhaps by coincidence, but Tonks responded, "I meant his trick with wandless magic, so get your fuzzy brain out of the gutter!"

The cat turned his head in dismissal.

Tonks sat back, but then her eyes caught the gleam of a piece of metal. It was a box cutter that was a few inches away from the gray cat that was perched precariously on the edge of the final step. If she could get the cat to move, the razor could fall to the floor closer to where she was.

"Here, Kitty, Kitty..."

- - - - - - - - - -

Lupin stopped abruptly and felt Ted bump into him. Obviously Andromeda had been caught off guard because he next heard a very feminine, "Oof." Odd how much she sounded like her daughter.

"Why did you stop?" demanded Andromeda as she adjusted her shawl. She hated being clumsy; it brought back unwelcome memories of her childhood.

"I-I didn't stop, Lupin did," said Ted defensively. "Uh, didn't you?"

"Yes, Ted. We have to skirt around these buildings. If we apparate to the other side to the waterfront, where I think we're heading, I might lose our bearing on Tonks, so expect more abrupt turns."

"We're going w-willy nilly then?" asked Ted.

"Ted, just walk behind me," commanded Andromeda.

Ted meekly obeyed and the trio started off again into the seedier side of London. Lupin walked with a purpose and tried to ignore his surroundings. Ted seemed oblivious to the change in atmosphere.

Andromeda drew her shawl closer around herself as she noticed Lupin's cautious glances. She asked archly, "Wolf out of his den?"

"Not my regular crowd, no," affirmed Lupin.

"I wouldn't worry. Between your size and your scars, you're probably frightening away any petty criminals," said Andromeda dryly.

"I frighten away a lot of people."

"But not my daughter. She lied to us about you, didn't she?"

"What exactly did Tonks say?" asked Lupin.

"That she hadn't seen you in days," said Andromeda.

"That's true," said Lupin, "But I've been out of town on business."

"You're still lovers then." Andromeda's voice sounded harsh.

"No." Lupin kept walking.

"So she did dump you," said Andromeda in triumph.

"No, to my knowledge our relationship hasn't changed, but she could have been waiting to tell me in person." Lupin seemed to quicken his pace at the thought.

Andromeda grabbed his arm to stop his progress. "Wait, if she didn't dump you, but you're not lovers, then what are you?"

"Her friend," said Lupin firmly as he turned to face her. Then he frowned and asked, "Where's Ted?"

"Ted is--" Andromeda looked around for a moment. "Ted!"

Lupin's height gave him the advantage and he soon spotted Ted walking into a building across the street with a group of scruffy looking youths and a girl with dark hair. Andromeda and Lupin hurried forward, but the group entered the building and seemed to disappear.

"Sweet Merlin, where does he think he's going? And with another woman!" hissed Andromeda.

"I thought you had an open marriage?" murmured Lupin as they cautiously entered the building.

"Open, yes, but I never flaunt my lovers in front of Ted, so he shouldn't go chasing women when I'm around," Andromeda said haughtily.

Lupin inclined his head in the direction of the room and said, "You can rage at him now. There's Ted."

Andromeda turned around when she heard Ted admonishing someone saying, "No, you need to inhale longer. There, hold it."

"Ted, get away from that strumpet right now," demanded Andromeda. "Why you're old enough to be her father."

"But I was just helping her get the full effect," offered Ted, but he meekly walked up to them.

"Ted, we're wasting time here," said Lupin, determined not to lose his patience.

"Right then," said Ted. He seemed to give a wistful glance to his newfound companions, but followed them out.

They were back on the street for only a few moments before Ted wandered off again. They found him when they followed the voice calling, "Oi, you there! You buying or selling?"

Ted responded, "N-neither one, mate. Can't handle it anymore, know what I mean?"

"Ted, stay with us, please," called Lupin.

"Oh, sorry, but they need me over there," said Ted before he meandered back to Andromeda who grabbed his arm firmly.

"Ted, was that man trying to sell you drugs?" asked Lupin with some concern.

"Yeah, I-I get that all the time," said Ted with a shrug. "Friendly folk. I just say no. Or is it not now? Maybe I say leave me alone?"

"Just avoid everyone, all right? We don't want the Muggle police to keep us from finding Tonksie," explained Lupin. He sounded as if he were addressing a first year at Hogwarts.

"Avoid everyone. Right. Got it," murmured Ted. "Avoid everyone..."

- - - - - - - - - - -

"You wretched furball," hissed Tonks.

The gray cat sat up on his haunches and began his bath. Unfortunately the movements failed to dislodge the box cutter.

"I hope you spend the rest of the night coughing up hairballs," added Tonks sullenly. She had spent the last hour trying to cajole the cat to move. All she got for her efforts was a dry throat.

"Stupid feline!"

Tonks leaned so she would lie on the floor. She swung her feet as best she could against the metal rail. Clang!

Meowr! The cat's hair was raised on its hackles.

Tonks quirked an eyebrow as she waited for the kidnappers to appear. Silence. Were they gone? She eyed the cat, who now spat at her.

"Here, kitty, kitty," she said as she swung her feet on the stairs again. The cat leapt off the platform and onto the stairs only to have the box cutter come tumbling down after it. Luckily for the cat, it was struck by the handle and not the blade.

The gray cat flew off the metal stairs as the razor conveniently landed on the last step. Still, it would be awkward to get close to box cutter. In the meantime the cat regained his dignity and sat like a sphinx.

"The moonstone. I wonder," said Tonks to the cat. "How does Remus do it?"

She concentrated on the images in her memory of Lupin using wandless magic. She controlled her breathing and focused. The core of the wand helps control the magic. The core of a wand is always organic. Humans are organic; therefore, the ability to tap into the magic without the wand was possible. Aha! For wandless magic, you had to tap into the core within you.

"Yeah, right, it's easy if you're venificus primo," muttered Tonks. Then she felt a vague warmth emitted by the moonstone at her breast. She opened her eyes and considered the sign. "Remus? Are you looking for me? Damn, I'm not going to be rescued again."

Tonks focused on that warmth from the moonstone. Was it possible to replace a wand with a gemstone? She imagined an extension from the moonstone. If she could just levitate the box cutter. She had to capture the image several times before it was stable.

"Wingardium leviosa," Tonks whispered once she had a clear image of the flare from the moonstone in her mind.

The razor moved over the bonds and slowly cut through one strand. It was sufficient for Tonks to begin her release. She finally managed to kick off the last of her ropes, but noticed the moonstone now looked like a regular gem.

"Remus, don't fret," she muttered. If he was out looking for her, she could imagine what he was now thinking.

She stood up just in time to hear footsteps approaching. Her kidnappers had returned.

- - - - - - - - - - - -- -

"Tonks is somewhere near here, but the signal's gotten fainter for some reason," said Lupin. They were standing across the street from a pub called the Black Friar that was seeing to its last customer. It was nestled amidst an area with abandoned warehouses. "I need a moment to concentrate."

"Fine, while you get your bearings, I need to freshen up." Andromeda turned toward the pub with Ted following her like a shadow. She put out a hand to stop him and said, "Ted, stay with Lupin so he doesn't ditch us."

"But I'm parched, Andi," said Ted.

"Even more reason to stay with Lupin. I'll be out shortly," said Andromeda. She tossed her shawl over her shoulder and flicked Ted's nose with the edge.

Ted rubbed his nose as he walked back to Lupin who said, "I'm surprised by the similarities between daughter and mother."

"Yeah, Tonksie gets her spirit from Andi, all right."

Lupin concentrated on the moonstone as he held Tonks' wand lightly in his hand. He didn't want to consider that the loss of signal meant Tonks was fatally injured. No, it could be that the moonstone's magic had been tapped somehow.

Would Tonks try wandless magic? She was a fast learner and prone to testing her abilities. He touched the tip of Tonks' wand to the moonstone and finally saw a faint flair pointing him to the warehouse on the right.

"I've got her," said Lupin with a light smile as he tucked the wand away.

"No, he's got her," corrected Ted. He pointed across the street at the pub where Andromeda was shaking off the beefy hand of the last patron leaving the establishment.

The burly man appeared reluctant to part ways with Andromeda. Lupin knew he'd be no match for the man physically, but he couldn't stand by and see Andromeda manhandled. He reluctantly reached for his wand, but Ted tapped his arm.

"No, Andi can handle the drunken git," said Ted rather casually.

Indeed, Lupin's view of Andromeda changed forever when the woman smiled sweetly at the man, then spun her shawl around to cover his head while she threw a solid kick into the man's groin.

"When I say no, I mean no." Andromeda whisked her shawl off the man to reveal a pained expression before he toppled to the ground clutching himself.

"Isn't she hot?" exclaimed Ted.

Lupin noted the gleam in Ted's eyes and the flushed expression on Andromeda as she walked toward them. He felt compelled to remind them, "Not now. We need to recover your daughter."

"Aw, but it would be a quickie," complained Ted.

"There are some things I'd rather not witness in my lifetime," replied Lupin. He turned to Andromeda and said, "I've got my bearings. This way."

Lupin walked off, but after a few steps, noticed that Ted and Andromeda were now cooing to each other. As they passed an alley, Lupin walked away briskly, but not fast enough to prevent hearing Andromeda.

"Ooo, Ted!"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In the warehouse, Tonks could hear her kidnappers talking as they approached.

"We'll get a pretty penny outta the blonde bimbo."

"Yeah, the witch deserves it for killing her old man like that."

"Make yourself useful, cat," said Tonks as she tossed the feline at the first man to enter through the door.

"MEOWORRRrrrr."

Thunk!

"Never make a woman late for a date!" said Tonks as the man slumped at her feet.

"Get off, you flea bag!" cried the man being attacked by the cat.

"And you! I may be a witch," Tonks said as she slammed the pipe into his gut, "but I am not a blonde bimbo."

Tonks stressed her point by striking his jaw. The two bodies lay prone on the floor as the cat sniffed delicately around them.

"Something's fishy here, cat," said Tonks.

She rolled the larger man over and noticed the take-out box of fish and chips under him. Tonks shoved it to the cat with her foot and said, "A reward for services rendered and you have the satisfaction of knowing I didn't cook it."

The gray cat blinked, but then bent his head to sniff at her offering while Tonks tied the men's hands and legs. Her knots would not be easy to remove. She needed just enough time to inform the Muggle authorities of suspicious activity at the warehouse.

Tonks yawned widely as the adrenaline wore off and shook her head. "Now where could Remus be?"

She gave a quick salute to the cat who ignored her in lieu of his feast. She walked out of the room into a dim hallway. She felt along the wall and relaxed when she found a doorknob. It was time to make her exit and get to Lupin.

Tonks opened the door and took a step out--and into thin air. The metal stairwell that should have been there was gone these many years.

"Aai!"

- - - - - - - - - - -

Lupin came around the corner and saw a form tumbling down from three stories. He ran forward as he called, "Accio, Tonks!"

Her body swerved from its direct path to the street and instead followed a trajectory straight into Lupin's arms.

"Remus!" cried Tonks in delight.

"Nym--"

Lupin's words were lost as he found his mouth smothered by hers and he lost himself in her kiss for a moment. The vague doubts plaguing him tonight vanished in that one kiss.

Tonks pulled a way and he tried to speak gain. "Tonks, you--"

She began dropping kisses on him while she said, "Stupid--kidnappers--took me for some-- Muggle heiress."

"Tonks your--"

Kiss. "I'm fine."

"No, listen, your parents--"

Kiss. Tonks then opened her eyes as she registered his words and released the kiss. "Say again?"

"Your parents," said Lupin with a significant glance over her shoulder.

Andromeda and Ted stood on the other side of the street with mouths gaping open. They had arrived in time to see Tonks falling, but before they could cast a cushioning charm, her body had converged directly with Lupin. The oddest thing was his ability to do this without ever drawing his wand.

Tonks buried her face into Lupin's shoulder and murmured, "I don't suppose they'll think we've broken things off."

"No," said Lupin simply, but he did lower Tonks to the ground so she could face her parents like an adult. However, her expression resembled that of a child caught with her hand in the biscuit tin.

Tonks turned to her parents and said, "Mum, Pops, I can explain."

"Yes, I'd like to hear it, too," said Lupin as he folded his arms and waited patiently. He had a good idea of the reasons for Tonks' behavior.

"Nymphadora, we know you haven't broken off your--whatever it is you have with Lupin." Andromeda sighed. "Why did you lie to us?"

"But I didn't lie. I just said I hadn't seen Remus in days," said Tonks as she turned to Lupin. "I couldn't bring myself to make up anything bad about you."

"Is it trouble with the Ministry?" asked Lupin. "Are you endangering your job as an Auror because I'm a werewolf?"

Tonks closed her eyes and sighed. "If Mum hadn't written a note to them--"

"What!" Ted looked aghast at the thought. "Andi, you--you ratted on Tonksie?"

Andromeda's fine features held a perturbed expression. "I'm just looking after Nymphadora's best interests."

"So, Tonksie, you're saying the M-ministry's trying to tell you who to f--favor?" asked Ted.

"I just wanted you and Mum to quit worrying about me." Tonks rubbed her forehead. She was really feeling drained right now and thought she sounded like a whining child. "I removed the banishment spell from you in good faith, Mum, but I'm not giving up Remus even if I have to hide him from the Ministry."

Lupin, who was standing behind Tonks, put a hand on her shoulder and leaned in to speak. "Your job is important. We can't jeopardize--"

"You are important to me, Remus. As long as I can keep Scrimgeour at the Ministry ignorant, then I'll be fine." Tonks said her last statement with a pointed look to her parents.

Andromeda pressed her lips together, but Ted just shook his head. He turned to his wife and said, "Andi, I-I've fried me brains out, but me heart's still whole. You've turned into your own Mum."

Andromeda was horrified at the accusation. "How can you compare me to the woman I defied to be with you?"

"B-b-but that's the whole p-point, now isn't it?" Ted gave a laugh and said, "You're Mum wanted you to drop me like a burning cauldron, but you--you never listened to her. And you p-probably shoulda, but then we wouldna had Tonksie, so I guess in the end it all worked out for the best, the not listening to your Mum's rantings, I mean."

Ted stepped back from Andromeda as he ended his ramblings. He tried to explain himself one more time. "My mind is simple, so I follow my heart, Andi. Lupin was there for my Tonksie, so he's all right in my book."

Andromeda sighed and rolled her eyes dramatically. "Fine, fine, I can see when I'm being overruled."

"No more letters to the Ministry about Lupin?" asked Tonks.

"Lupin who?" quipped Andromeda. "Come on, Ted. I think I need to pack for a trip to the Continent."

Before Andromeda could drag Ted away, Tonks ran to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks, Pops, you're the best. And Mum, I know you mean well, but for once, trust my judgment, at least in this man."

Andromeda gave a cold glance of warning to Lupin. She opened her mouth to cast a last taunt, but instead a strange man's voice penetrated the night.

"There they are! That witch didn't want to be friendly earlier. Let's see if we can change her mind." The man from the Black Friar pub loomed in front of them and he was not alone.

Two burly men at his side looked menacing, especially since one had the tips of the fingers of his right hand missing. One was smacking his fist into his palm with the impact creating an awful sound. The other man cracked his knuckles and sneered at them.

"Looks like we got us a little blonde to play with, too, fellas." The man leered at Tonks. "Now if you ladies will be friendly, we'll leave the gents alone."

The presence of the three Muggles prevented them from apparating, so Lupin covertly handed Tonks her wand. Lupin knew Andromeda was reaching under her shawl, but Ted began peering quizzically at the group in front of him from where he stood behind his wife.

"I don't think they want to be friendly, Ronnie. We'll just have persuade 'em," said the man on the left.

Lupin heard a little squeak behind him.

"Tony? Geezer?" asked Ted as he tentatively emerged from his cover.

The man on the right spoke with an incredulous tone. "Ozzy? It can't be! Is that you, mate?"

Ted beamed, "Oh, I--I don't go by Ozzy nowadays. Most days anyway."

Lupin called, "Ted, you know these men?"

"Yeah, from the old days. What are ya doing hanging out with scum like him?" asked Ted as he pointed to the man from the pub.

"Well, Ronnie's with us, see? Says the lot of you picked a fight with 'em."

"Fight? Do we look like we can fight?" asked Ted and turned to survey his companions. He pointed his thumb over his shoulder at Lupin and said, "That one's big, but he's kinda peaky looking, don't you think?"

"Uh, well, I guess if you say so, Ozzy, but Ronnie said--"

"For your information, your friend," began Andromeda with a scathing tone, "made a pass at me and when he didn't take no for an answer, I kicked him in his privates."

"Who's the babe, Ted?" asked Geezer.

"Don't you recognize my wife?" asked Ted. He looked at Andromeda closely and shrugged. She did look a bit more hoighty toighty now without all those flowers in her hair.

Tony and Geezer now turned to the silent Ronnie. Geezer smacked him on the head while Tony punched his arm.

"You made a pass at Ozzy's wife?"

"You let a girl get you in the groin?"

"But, she's a witch, I tell you," said Ronnie as he backed away.

"Gotta teach you some manners, mate."

"Toughen up this Nancy boy so he don't get beat up by a girl."

Lupin and Tonks used the opportunity to drag a reluctant Ted and Andromeda away, although they could hear sounds of fisticuffs. Once a safe distance was between them, Tonks spoke.

"Look, I've got to get word to the Muggle authorities and--wait. What time is it?"

Lupin checked his watch and said, "Almost five in the morning and time for me to get back. It's the big day."

"I wanted to be there, too," said Tonks as she stifled a yawn. She turned to her parents to say, "Mum, Pops, I'll see you in a few days, all right?"

She took Lupin's arm and they disapparated with a smooth, low-toned pop.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Molly Weasley was in the kitchen fretting over the event of the day: Harry Potter's hearing. She was telling her worries to Arthur, but stopped abruptly when Sirius walked in with Lupin and Tonks in tow.

"Tonks, dear, you look like you never went to bed last night," admonished Molly.

"I didn't," admitted Tonks with a loud yawn as Lupin pulled a chair out for her to sit.

She told the story of her adventure to her colleagues while she nibbled at her breakfast. TOnks was answering Lupin's questions about Scrimgeour when Harry walked in. She couldn't hide her sleepiness and felt relieved when Arthur offered to cover her guard duty. After Harry and Arthur left, Sirius went upstairs to feed Buckbeak while Molly left to get dressed.

Tonks immediately leaned into Lupin's shoulder and sighed. "I hate that we missed our date last night. I volunteered for guard duty tonight because I thought you'd want to be with Sirius and Harry."

Lupin held her for a moment as he smiled. "You're right. I'm worried about how Sirius will take the hearing, good or bad, but we had a talk last night. I think he'll be fine."

"So I can see you tonight? I'm warning you, I'll probably just fall asleep on you."

"How about I bring over dinner and make sure you get tucked in?"

"That sounds lovely." Tonks looked up at Lupin and asked, "Will you stay with me then?"

"Absolutely. Your bear has the rest of my chocolate."

Tonks chuckled lightly, but she looked forward to snuggling against Lupin rather than the tweed Bear tonight.

- - - - - - - - -

Lupin was surprised to find Tonks alert when he arrived at her flat at six. She was quiet, but they both ate a hearty dinner thanks to the goodness of Molly Weasley's heart. Lupin noted that Tonks had changed her hair from blonde curls to raspberry spikes. He smiled at the picture she made with her wide eyes

"You look rather perky for a sleep deprived Auror," said Lupin as she led him to the bedroom.

"It was Safety Day at the Ministry," responded Tonks with a grin. "Got an afternoon nap while Cooke droned on about proper wand and broomstick maintenance." But then she stretched and yawned. "But now I just want I nice comfortable bed--after our lesson."

"We've changed venues, then?" asked Lupin as he glanced around her bedroom.

"Very definitely. Now, the lesson plan--Remus, what are you doing?" asked Tonks as she sat cross-legged on her bed.

Lupin had turned the tweed Bear to discretely face the wall rather than the bed. He looked at Tonks to explain, "I'd hate to offend the little fellow's sensibilities."

"Right," drawled Tonks, but was a bit relieved to think that she wasn't the only one who gave the Bear credit for brains. "Now, as I was saying, the lesson plan tonight is a game."

"A game? What is this game and what are the rules?" asked Lupin as he sat on the bed beside her.

"It's called Copy Cat and the rules are quite simple. You simply mirror my every move, at least to start off." Tonks smiled brightly at him.

Lupin nodded, but she could tell he was somewhat suspicious.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

"You're the teacher," said Lupin.

And so the game began. For every button that Tonks unfastened on her shirt, Lupin had to respond in kind. Finally her shirt front was open, but strategically covered her. The game proceeded until Tonks began to shrug her shirt off to reveal her perfectly smooth skin. Lupin hesitated as he understood the reason behind this little game and reached out a hand to stop her.

"Wait. How far do you intend to take this?"

"How far do you want to take this, Remus?" asked Tonks sweetly. She pushed the shirt off to reveal one creamy shoulder to the man, although the rest of her was covered. "Fair is fair, Remus."

She let her fingers caress her shoulder lightly for a moment and said, "I've seen your scars before, Remus. I've felt them on your body. You have nothing to hide from me."

Lupin exhaled and closed his eyes. Of course he knew that being completely disrobed wasn't necessary for a sexual act, but then this wasn't about sex. It was about facing his fears so his relationship with this woman could grow.

He opened his eyes and whispered hoarsely. "Show me."

Tonks scooted closer to him and put his hands on her garment. Then she moved her hands to the lapel of his shirt and said softly, "Now."

The clothing moved off their shoulders simultaneously. Tonks pressed her forehead against Lupin's for a moment and said, "See, it's not so bad."

And he had to admit that indeed, her very touch distracted him from his reserve. Each touch dissipated the fear that Tonks would eventually find his scars disgusting. No, he still wasn't ready to consummate their relationship, but his confidence in the appeal of his body for her grew with every caress.

Later, Lupin woke with a start and realized that although Tonks was sleeping deeply, it was only nine in the evening. He disentangled himself from her grasp to get a book to read. Tonks merely moaned in protest, but let him slide out of her hold. He returned quickly, turned the Bear around to face the room again, and settled in bed with a low light for reading.

Tonks snuggled next to him again and he could feel her arm around his waist, the length of her body pressed against his bare back, and her lips lightly touching his shoulder.

He smiled when he heard her murmur, "You belong to me, Remus."

"Absolutely." His response was immediate since he knew better than to argue with the witch, but he wondered at how they both avoided using three little words. He added softly as he clasped her hand, "And you belong to me."

The End

Author Notes: Tony and Geezer were bandmates of Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath. I don't mean to imply that Ted is Ozzy Osbourne, they just have coincidental nicknames and friends.

About wands. The only cores I've ever seen described come from some living creature, so I used the term organic to convey that. I am not trying to establish magical theory with that entry, however.

I used a line from a previous story (lanky, laconic, lycanthropic) to echo similarities in Sirius and his cousin Andromeda and the shawl flicking Ted's nose was a deliberate replication of how Tonks had swiped at Lupin's nose in an earlier story.

I hope I left you as a reader with a sense of balance for Andromeda and Ted. Andromeda is never described as a nice, housewife like Molly Weasley. Rather, we know she had a trick for packing and Tonks never was able to learn householdy spells. We know nothing about Ted other than he's Muggleborn, so I made him a wizard who had too much exuberance in his youth.

I'll be posting a new chapter in Seducing a Nymph (Rated R) to fill in Lupin's Lesson 2. It is not necessary to read it; it will not offer new character development.

Thanks to the new readers, constant readers and those who return just to check on the progress. It's time I re-visit the Roman Wizard idea, but these other stories needed to be posted to account for things in the book.

So, look for Wolfmoat in about two weeks (Thanksgiving Holidays in the US). I've got the basic plot and idea and can say that it will be a sort of Lupin-meets-Einon (from Dragonheart--but without the bad haircut) play on characters.

(If you're new to the series, just hit Querisuole and the rest of the stories come up.)