A/N: The poem is not mine. I borrowed it from Robert Frost's 'The Witch of Coos'. (As Lupin rightly guesses. He can have a gold star, 5 house points and my undying love.) Please review:)

"Can I come in?" she asked. Her hair was damp from the heavy rain that had only recently begun to fall. It fell around her tired face like rat's tails. Remus Lupin said nothing but held the door open for her. She walked past him without looking at him and entered the small flat. She had only ever been once before, with Sirius, in the spring of the same year. Looking around her now, she was amazed how nothing had change at all. She glanced over at the large, packed bookshelf and guessed that the old, yellowing books were in the exact order as the last time she visited. The thought drew a small smile to Tonks' lips. The apartment was immaculate and simple. The walls were painted cream and were bare. The curtains that hung by the two small windows were a very dark shade of red, almost brown. Tonks noticed the wooden floorboards were faded and distressed, and creaked underfoot as she made her way into the centre of the room. She turned to him as she heard him click the door to. They stood staring at each other for sometime, until Tonks made the first move.

"Hi."

"Hi," he replied quietly. She moved to hug him and he returned the embrace stiffly, feeling rather uncomfortable about the situation and wishing her hair wasn't so damp in his face. As they pulled away from each other he took a piece of her bedraggled, unmorphed hair between his fingers. It was dark, even more so because of the rain, and curled slightly by her neck. Just like Sirius' had done, Remus thought to himself. Noticing that she was looking at him, he let go of her hair and attempted a smile.

"That's a good look for you," he commented lightly and she thumped his arm.

"Merlin, I've missed you!" she exclaimed pulling him into another hug.

"I was only gone a few weeks," he muttered. She looked at him with a mixture of discomfort and embarrassment.

"It hurt that you didn't say goodbye," she admitted to the floor.

"How are you feeling?" he asked before she could ask him. She gave a wry smile.

"How do I look?" she asked in reply, knowing that he would understand.

"Can I get you a drink?"

"Yeah, tea would be good." He left for the kitchen and Tonks found herself wondering over to the bookshelf. She took a book at random and began to flick through it. She noticed it was coverless and tried to pick out what it was from the text, but failed. She didn't hear Remus enter. He put two steaming mugs down with a thud that made her head turn sharply.

"What have you got there?" he asked her quietly. She shrugged in response.

"I don't know, it doesn't say."

"Give me a line or two." Her eyes scanned the page. She cleared her throat.

"'Folks think a witch who has familiar spirits she could call up to pass a winter evening. But she won't, should be burned at the stake or something.'" She finished, grimacing, and looked up from the book.

"Robert Frost," he said matter-of-factly to the floor. "The Witch of Coos, if I'm not mistaken."

"You're amazing, do you know that?" His eyes flickered, nervously at the comment.

"I wouldn't say that, but thank you." Silence fell again. "Well, sit down won't you," he said after a while, indicating to the mismatched armchair and sofa. Tonks chose the armchair. It was softer than she had expected and she stumbled as she sat. She hoped he hadn't noticed. He sat down on the sofa and they sipped their tea in silence.

"So, how did you know I was back?"

"Kingsley mentioned something earlier. Said you'd been speaking to Dumbledore about something. I dunno, I wasn't really listening," she admitted. Looking around, she noticed a small photo frame on the table beside her. In the frame was a photo of Remus, Harry and Sirius. It had been taken last Christmas, Tonks remembered. She realised Remus was speaking and tore her eyes away from it to look at him.

"Yes, Dumbledore wanted to speak to me about a new member of the Order. She's a werewolf and works up in Scotland with a group of us there," he said. Tonks thought it was strange that he referred to werewolves he had never met as 'us' but she didn't comment. Remus continued. "She told Dumbledore that a large number of the group want to support the Order. You've met her," he commented and Tonks frowned. "I can smell her on you. What's she like?" Tonks shrugged and wrinkled her nose.

"I dunno, she seems ok … well, to tell you the truth she was a bit weird really. She kept staring at me like I was gonna shoot her down or something." She smiled slightly. "Maybe she's just wary of Auror, we aren't the most liberal of people after all."

"I think you are one of the most liberal people I know, Nymphadora," He waited for her to complain about the use of her name but it never came. She sighed sadly.

"Yeah, well I'm not an Auror any more so I guess I can be as liberal as I want." Remus looked at her, confused. "I was fired today. And now I don't know what to do. It's all I've ever wanted to do, it's the only thing I'm good at and I've failed at it miserably!"

"That's not true, Tonks and you know it. There's bound to be something for you to do. I'm afraid the position of jobless lay-about has been filled anyway," he said lightly but a hint of bitterness was present in his tone. She sipped her tea before she next spoke.

"Well there is something…" she lowered her mug.

"Go on."

"You see … Dumbledore came to see me the other day and –"

"He offered you the Defence Against the Dark Arts post," Lupin finished for her. She looked at him in surprise and nodded.

"Did he tell you?"

"Yes, he did. He thinks you'd be great at it," he looked at her, "And I think he's right." Tonks sighed. She had thought about it but she wasn't sure that she would be any good at it. Tonks had hated school; hated Hogwarts. She was so relived when she had finally left, she would never have guessed that she would consider going back to work there. And to take the job now, having just been fired, may be an act of desperation rather than an actual wanting of the job. She shook her head.

"I dunno," she groaned. "I told Dumbledore I'd give him an answer at the meeting tonight." This prompted her to look at her watch. "Which I should be heading to. Are you coming?" she added. She saw Remus hesitate. He didn't want to be back there, to that house with all those memories, be around people who would give him that look as if he were made of glass and was going to smash into a thousand pieces at any second. He shook his head and Tonks' face fell.

"Was stupid of me to ask really, sorry. Should have known you wouldn't want company. I'll go." She rose clumsily from the sunken chair. He, too, rose quickly. As she headed past him he placed a hand on her arm.

"Wait. I'm sorry, Tonks, I didn't mean to be dismissive. It's been … well a difficult time for me; you know that. That doesn't mean that I'm not pleased to see you. I've missed you Nymphadora," he admitted and this caused her to lower her head to hide the pink in her cheeks. Remus meant a lot to her, more than he knew. She couldn't help but feel heartened by the fact that he had missed her. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Glad to hear it," she said. "Would be even happier if you decided to come to the meeting," she added coyly. "Would mean Molly has someone else to fuss over instead of me. You know you want to." He gave a shadow of a smile.

"Fine," he resigned and she gave him a grin.

"Great. Let's get going."

Remus reluctantly took his first steps into the dark hallway of Grimmauld Place. This was partly because of his dread for being back in the depressing manor house, and partly because he did not want to risk waking the portrait of Mrs Black. He knew he would not be able to cope with her vulgar and spiteful abuse, now more than ever. It was because of this that he placed his hand on the small of Tonks' back, steering her away from the troll-leg umbrella stand she was renowned for knocking over. As the pair entered the basement kitchen, the hubbub caused by many of the assembled Order members died down. Remus immediately wanted to turn around to leave. Tonks took his arm before he had the chance.

"Wait for it," she muttered a warning. Sure enough, Molly Weasley was the first member to greet them as they reached the bottom of the stairs. She hurried them over to a seat and placed a cup of tea in front of them both, regardless of whether they wanted one or not.

"Nice to have you back, Remus," she began. "How are you feeling? Have you been eating ok? Sleeping? You look a bit peaky, dear." This caused Tonks to sigh.

"Molly, you think we all look peaky," she stated bluntly, taking Molly aback.

"Well I see you're still in a foul mood, Nymphadora Tonks. And let me tell you, I wasn't so pleased to find your medication shoved in the back of one of the drawers over there. You're supposed to carry it with you at all times," she said shrilly. Tonks felt Remus' eyes on her but refused to glance his way. "You are still taking your tablets aren't you?" she inquired.

"Yes," Tonks lied to the table, wishing Molly would go away.

"Liar," Bill Weasley said not so quietly, as he passed. All three heads turned to him and he coughed without discretion, smirking behind his hand as he went. Tonks glared at him. She heard Molly huff loudly and walk off. Tonks bravely turned to meet her friend's questioning look.

"I've not been well," she admitted, but said no more. The Order were still waiting for members to arrive, including Dumbledore himself. Mad-Eye Moody and Kingsley Shacklebolt arrived together and headed straight for Tonks. She groaned. They gave nods of acknowledgment to Lupin, but did not ask how he was, which Lupin was very grateful for. Tonks turned away from Kingsley as he took the seat next to her. She pouted stubbornly and looked at the ceiling.

"You ok, Tonks?" Kingsley asked in his cool, deep voice, though there was a hint of amusement evident. Tonks didn't reply. "No hard feelings, then," he provoked.

"Piss off, Kingsley," she muttered.

"Now then, my girl! That's no way for a lady to speak," Moody said, his lip curling slightly in a smile. "Kingsley and I have been spending most of the day saving your neck from a court hearing. Azkaban is no place for a lady like you." This caused Kingsley to give a rumbling chuckle and Remus to look sharply at her. She never told him about a hearing. He failed to see how something like that had slipped her mind.

"Oh come on, Tonks. It was either you or me. The best man won. I'll make it up to you. I'll buy you a drink. Or a car," he added smugly, rubbing salt into the wound. Tonks growled, stood up and stormed off with the sound of Mad-Eye's barking laugh in her ears. She made her way over to Bill and Charlie Weasley, and their Veela friend Fleur. She gave Bill an overdue slap around the back of the head. He laughed, and she noticed Fleur give her a warning look. To shake her off, Tonks decided to start a conversation with Charlie, who she assumed (and hoped) was single.

"Hi, sorry bout earlier. Have the feeling I didn't make quite the first impression I would have hoped for. Can we start again?" He gave her a grin.

"Sure. I'm Charlie."

"Tonks."

"That's an unusual name. Is it a nickname or your real name?" he asked her.

"My surname actually. Wouldn't want to embarrass myself by telling you my first name though," she said firmly. He gave her a quizzical glance.

"Nymphadora," Bill coughed and she glared at him.

"Will you stop doing that!" she said through gritted teeth. Bill laughed again; reminding Tonks how much Bill was like his younger brother of Ron.

"How's Remus?" Bill asked, his humour gone and an edge of concern in his voice. Tonks glanced over at her friend, who was now in conversation with the werewolf, Lady Thompson. He seemed happier than he had been earlier but she knew it was all an act. When she had first seen him as he opened the door to her, it almost broke her heart. Standing in front of her had been the hollow shell of a man who was once so warm. It frightened her that she would never see that man again. Realising she hadn't answered Bill's question, she turned back to him.

"I don't know. He seems ok, but I don't think he is. He's shut himself in. Guess we'll just have to wait until he's ready to talk," she told him. At that moment, Dumbledore entered, flanked by Professors McGonagall and Snape. Those who weren't seated made their way to the table. Tonks took up her seat next to Lupin, who had Lady sat on his other side. She looked Tonks up and down then turned away. Tonks would have been bothered about it, had she not then noticed that Charlie Weasley had taken the seat opposite her own. Suddenly she didn't seem to care so much about Lady.

"Good evening, everyone." Dumbledore's voice hushed everyone present. "Firstly, I would like to welcome two new members to the Order. This is Fleur Delacour and Lady Thompson." He gave Lady a civil smile, and she nodded. It was if they were recalling a previous conversation, without the use of any words. Next to Tonks, Remus began to fidget in his chair. This was very unlike him.

"Are you ok?" Tonks whispered. He nodded slightly, without taking his eyes off Dumbledore.

"Now that's over and done with, I should perhaps tell you why I have gathered you all here. Those of you who remember the situation this time last year may recall me creating what was known as the Advance Guard, and the reason behind such an action. Well, I would very much like to reinstate Advance Guard, however recent events," Remus flinched in his seat again, "have forced me to reconsider this plan. Subsequently, I am looking for two volunteers … to fetch Harry Potter and bring him safely to Head Quarters." All eyes were fixed on Dumbledore. Lupin cowered back slightly, hoping that he would not be chosen. "Well?" Dumbledore asked hopefully. Hands were raised immediately. Few, however, remained down including Lupin, to no-one's surprise Snape, and Tonks though she didn't know why.

"Remus," Dumbledore's voice rang against the walls of stone. Remus hoped he hadn't cringed. He didn't see why he would have; he had guessed that Dumbledore would pick him; sensible, responsible Lupin, and probably the only link Harry now had with his deceased parents. Remus nodded slightly.

"And Dora," his grey eyes, shifted to Lupin's left. "I would appreciate it if you went along too." Tonks also nodded, cursing inside and wishing she had put her hand up with the others.

Later that evening, Remus found himself sat alone in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. The final few Order members had only just finished leaving, Molly being the last; half tempted to stay and watch over Remus in case he should keel over without anyone being there. He, with the help of Arthur, convinced Molly to go home and Remus was left alone. Or so he had thought.

"Oh good, you're still here." A voice made him look up. A weary Tonks descended the stairs and joined him at the table. He frowned at her. "Just been talking to Dumbledore," she told him, by way of explanation. "Get this, he wants us to set off tonight at 11, to be in Little Whinging by 6am!" Remus blinked at her.

"Why would it take 7 hours for us to get to Little Whinging?"

"Because … ok don't freak out … but we are going by car." She froze waiting for a reaction.

"Ok." That was all she got. Remus laced his fingers together and stared at them intently. Tonks sat there for what felt like a good 15 minutes but was more realistically only 5 before she began to speak again.

"Remus –"

"Please don't." Tonks didn't push him. She simply nodded and went say 'ok' but no sound came out so she simply mouthed it. After another long moment of silence, she stood and looked down at him.

"I'm off upstairs. I'll come down later and we'll get my car ok?" He didn't respond. She went to put a hand on his shoulder but thought better of it. He watched her leave at a pace, and then went back to staring at his hands. When Tonks returned an hour later to find that Remus hadn't moved at all she knew that, not only had she lost her cousin, she was also losing a friend.

A/N: Please review, it would make my day :)