Light on Snow

3.

Ogden's Old Firewhisky was true to its name, but fortunately Remus' throat was, for the most part, immune to the burning sensation that settled in his stomach after every mouthful. He wasn't usually one to drink – he much preferred tea. But sometimes Molly's teas weren't enough to keep his deepest sorrows at bay, and as soon as the bustling woman saw an open bottle by Remus' elbow, her mouth would fold into a tight little line of disapproval, and she would leave him be.

Besides dulling his feelings, the drink was extremely effective at making people leave him alone. Except Tonks, who had demonstrated on occasion her faith in the whisky and its mood lifting abilities. She always delighted in discovering Remus with a bottle by his side, and would quickly conjure up her own glass to join him.

That's why Remus was drinking in the dim of his bedroom, as opposed to his usual spot in the corner of the library; tonight, he felt like company less than ever. His plan seemed to be succeeding, too, and he had worked his way through most of the bottle while listening to oldrecords on his gramophone. It was all spoilt, however, when Tonks burst into the room, interrupting him from tugging moodily at his lower lip and glaring at the patched toes of his shoes.

"Ah-hah! I thought I might find you brooding up here all alone, and it seems I – Merlin's balls, Remus!"

He stared at the young Auror dumbly. She had three eyes.

"Well!" Tonks said huffily, shutting the door and collapsing onto his desk chair. She glared at him. "I was going to take you out for a drink on the town, but it seems you've accomplished that here by yourself!" She leaned across and snatched the nearly-empty bottle of Firewhisky away from the wizard.

"Hey, now!" His voice croaked out. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Hey, that's mine. Tonks, give it back!" He rather wished she would go away, and leave him alone.

"Right. So, you've had a bad night," Tonks said, rolling the bottle in her hands. "How about you talk to me, rather than burning your stomach away with this?" She conjured herself a glass and poured some whisky into it. The bottle was now empty, and she shook her head at it and set it aside.

Remus stared at her sullenly. "It's not fair."

"Well, my dear, I'm afraid in life you have to share from time to time. Now, you drank most of that bottle, I think it's only fair that I get one glass of my own."

"No!" He exploded. Tonks jumped, and sloshed whisky over herself and the carpet. Remus put his head in his hands. She didn't understand. His thoughts whirled around in his head. The contents of his stomach whirled, too.

"It's not fair that they're gone. It's not fair that I can't get a bloody job. It's not fair that I'm… so…. old!"

The young witch with the black hair stared, then silently put her glass aside and moved to sit by Remus' side. "Remus," she said quietly. "Do you remember what I told you the other day? I told you that you're not alone… that me and Harry and Dumbledore and Molly and everyone else are here for you."

"M'alone." The wizard murmured to his hands. The Auror reached out and gently began to peel his hands away from his face. When Remus resisted, a short scuffle ensued, ending with Tonks crossing his arms and pinning them against his chest.

"You are – look at me, Remus!" She snapped. He looked up at her reluctantly. "You are NOT alone. Do you understand me?" Remus glared at her, indignant and angry, lonely and feeling hopeless. Tonks continued to gaze at him, and he snorted with wry amusement. She wasn't going to go away, so why bother fighting? He allowed his body to go limp against the chair, and nodded. "Right. Good." The witch nodded to herself. "What do you say that you and I go for a stroll, eh?"

Remus shrugged childishly. He tugged his hands away from her's and she released with some surprise, because she had forgotten she had been holding them. She stood up, clearing her throat and smoothing her hands down the side of her robes. "Come on, then." She pulled out her wand and pointed it at him, muttering a sobering charm under her breath.

Remus blinked a few times, and then looked up at her calmly. "I drank too much, didn't I?" He asked her. She nodded mutely, going to his wardrobe to get some thick clothing for him. She tossed them over her shoulder at him. "Tonks," he told her, "I don't much feel like going anywhere."

"Well, it's jazz night at a little Muggle music club Kingsley and I sometimes go to. Kingsley's got guard duty tonight. I'd like some company, if you don't mind." She said cheerfully, coming over to him and draping a long scarf around his neck. She tugged on either end, smiling cheekily at him, and with a sigh and a groan the wizard came to his feet. He pulled his coat on, followed by his gloves. Tonks grinned and wrapped the scarf around his neck, tightening it somewhat. Remus laughed despite himself and pushed her hands away to loosen it, but Tonks just smiled again and brushed his hands out of the way to readjust it herself. "You're not a very good drunk, you know, Remus. Never have been." She said lightly, quirking an eyebrow at him.

Remus looked over to the empty bottle of Ogden's on his desk. The idea of a full bottle was very attractive, but the young witch before him didn't know how to give up. He sighed. "Where is this bar you want to go to?" He asked her, looking away again.

Tonks grinned, and led the way to the door.


A/N: Ack., I'm a touch worried about this part... if anyone has any tips, they would be welcome :)
This is as far as I've written so if I take my time with another update, I apologise.
Thank you to the few people who have reviewed :) It means a lot to me!