Chapter 2. AT LUPIN'S

Moody evening it was, with the full moon approaching. The trees threw horrible ghostlike shadows down the oak alley the witch was walking. The winds were blowing her in the face, stars not smiling at her. It was scary out there and Tonks coursed the day Lupin decided to move back to Rumania… country of vamps.

Finally she stopped before a small house with bright windows on the periphery of the road. She sighed calming down now that she was sure Remus was home.

'Who the devil are you?' Tonks was a bit confused by the way she was met, an old woman that was standing in the doorway didn't look friendly.

'Am… I need to talk to Remus,' said she, damning Lupin again for closing his fireplace portal.

'He's not…'

'Mum, it's Okay, it's just Tonks, my old friend,' Lupin suddenly appeared from the behind his mother, he was very pale, no wonder why... 'Come on in!'

'Thank you,' Tonks avoided looking at his old mother, for she seemed to be annoying her.

'Who's that, Remmy?' Tonks stared at an old man, who was sitting in an armchair before the fireplace.

'Just a friend, dad,' Lupin hurried Tonks upstairs.

'Not the best time for having guests,' Mrs. Lupin relaxed on the sofa and darkly smiled at Tonks. 'Don't get me wrong, girl, I really mean no offence.'

'Mum, she knows the truth about me,' Remus showed Tonks the way up once more. 'We'll come down for tea.'

'What's up?' he looked at Tonks in surprise, when they entered his room. 'You look sick.'

'So do you,' she collapsed on the chair next to him. 'It wasn't easy to get here, you know.'

'No one ever comes here,' Lupin shook his head. 'You're the first one for the past several years.'

'Why so?'

'Well, mugles never come here, they think our house is haunted,' Remus smiled pleasantly. 'And few wizards that live near by, I s'pose, don't like werewolves.'

Tonks nodded sympathetically.

'So what brought you here?' Lupin insisted.

'Am… My weird thoughts,' Tonks glanced at Lupin not sure whether to continue, she now was certain he'd help her though, because he knew what she was talking about.

He sighed turning away from her and looking out of the window.

'He's gone, Tonks. You can't bring him back.'

'I can, Moony,' she gave an insane looking smile. 'I only need help.'

'Dumbledore would have told us if there was a way,' Remus looked shocked at her.

'Well, may be he didn't tell us about this one, 'cause it's illegal?' Tonks felt an adrenaline rush.

Remus looked up at the witch, who was sitting in his chair.

'You're daft, daft like Black!'

'So will you help me or not?' asked Tonks angrily.

There was a short pause.

'I'm with you,' said Lupin finally.

'I knew, you'd say that,' Tonks suddenly stood up and hugged him.

Remus wrapped his arms around her.

'You know, he told me everything about you two,' said Moony finally, feeling tears in his eyes.

'No doubt he did,' laughed Tonks happily.

'Tea's,' Lupin's mother starred at them in surprise, 'ready.'

Tonks laughed and pushed Remus away from herself.

'That's not what you're thinking of, mum,' they came down into the kitchen.

'You don't know what I'm thinking of, Sweet Remmikins,' giggled an old lady.

'Mum! Don't call me that, I'm almost forty!'

'He hates when I say so,' Tonks noticed Mrs. Lupin had cheered up since the moment she first showed up at their door.

'I see,' said Tonks and looked around.

It was much prettier inside. At least the house didn't really look nice from the street. And now Tonks didn't want to leave that place, but she had to…

'So what were you talking about?' asked Lupin's father rather curiously.

'Business,' answered Tonks shortly, she was afraid Remus's parents thought she was his girlfriend.

'Something to do with the Order?' asked Mrs. Lupin.

'No, it was about Sirius,' said Moony, as if begging his parents to shut up.

'So… Are you gonna stay for the evening?' his father must had been rather smart, as he got his son's point immediately.

'No, I'm afraid not.' Tonks looked at Moony.

However he was surprised by her answer.

'But it's late! And London is really far, Tonks, even if you'll…'

'I've got to talk to Harry and I want to negotiate something with Snape. Sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Lupin, but I've got to go.'

'Already?'

'Yes. See ya tomorrow, Moony!'

Tonks ran out of the house, leaving Lupins in confusion, and in several seconds she was already standing at the door of Severus Snape's home. The windows were not lighted, but she hoped that was just because he was already sleeping.