The couple made their way to Dumbledore's office in silence. Tonks gave the password ("Jellybean,") and they climbed the spiral staircase. Remus knocked gently on the wooden door.
"Come in," called the familiar voice of Albus Dumbledore. Remus pushed open the door and indicated for Tonks to enter first. Ever the gentleman, she thought to herself.
Dumbledore looked up from his desk, over his half-moon spectacles and gave a warm smile.
"Ah there you are, I was beginning to think you had forgotten," the old man said. Tonks gave him a grin as Remus shut the door. "Do take a seat won't you." They obeyed.
"I take it you both know why you're here." Tonks felt as if she were in trouble.
"Yes, to discuss Lady Thompson," Remus replied. The elder man nodded his head.
"Since the unfortunate incident the other month I have been keeping a close eye on Lady. Remus, I understand your meeting with her pack was uneventful."
"That's right, they were quite hostile. It seems that they aren't keen on taking Lady back in since her time with us." The Headmaster nodded thoughtfully at this.
"I had a feeling that this would be the case." He sat forward on his chair and leant his elbows on his desk. "The truth is, Lady Thompson isn't particularly a popular woman at the moment –"
"Was she ever?" Tonks scoffed. Dumbledore's eyes fell on Tonks.
"You must understand Nymphadora, Lady placed herself in a very difficult position." Tonks rolled her eyes and looked unconvinced. Dumbledore took a deep breath before beginning his lengthy explanation. "Lady belonged to a group called the Mediators, werewolves mainly but not entirely. As their name suggests, their position in our war could be described as a go-between. I have been informed by Lady herself, that the Mediators decided to take the war into their own hands. Having heard about the prophecy they seemed to think that, by destroying Harry, Voldemort would also be diminished. They thought it unlikely for them to be able to defeat Voldemort themselves, after all it's only been done by one person. This is why Lady targeted Harry."
"That's ridiculous," Tonks cut in.
"Is it?" Dumbledore raised a silver eyebrow. "Many people have the same idea. We don't know it's not true though we wouldn't be foolish enough to harm Harry on a whim. However, the Mediators were more willing to test their theory."
"It can't be true," Remus said. "If it was then why did Voldemort's Death Eaters attack Harry when they had the chance last summer?"
"Unless Voldemort doesn't know either," Dumbledore suggested. "We know from the prophecy that one will have to destroy the other, we can only imagine what would happen if a third party interfered." Silence fell. Tonks listened to the cooing of Fawkes the phoenix in the corner. Her mouth was dry and her stomach churned at the thought of how casually they were discussing Harry's fate.
"What does it matter?" she spoke up, causing both men to look at her, puzzled. "All that matters to me is that Harry stays safe and I will do all I can to make sure that happens. I know I'm not the only one," she gave a sideways glance at Remus who gave a smile. "Harry's not stupid. This prophecy must bother him more than he would ever admit, and we know the war won't end unless he acts. But he's still a boy…I know he would disagree but he is! The war can't end without him, but the war will have to wait." Tonks was surprised to see Dumbledore nod in agreement.
"You're absolutely right, Tonks. We need to support Harry in every way we can until that time comes. I know I can rely on you two to do this. It is why Sirius chose you, after all." Remus and Tonks nodded, knowing that the man's words were true. "Now…Tonks, how are you feeling? I take it you are back to full health?"
"Yes Sir," Tonks said quietly to the desk. She risked a glance up and caught the old man's significant glance. She opened her mouth to speak but the shake of his head silenced her.
"It's ok Nymphadora, Lupin has told me everything." Tonks felt Remus shrink back in his chair. "There will be no words of judgement from me," Dumbledore said quietly. "But I will offer you my condolences. Losing a family member is hard, whatever the circumstances." Tonks nodded uncomfortably, wishing they were still talking about Harry. Dumbledore rose slightly in his chair, indicating that the meeting was over. Tonks and Remus stood. They headed for the door when Tonks stopped and spun around
"Oh yeah, Professor Dumbledore I was going to ask you… I don't suppose you know where Dean Thomas is do you? Apparently he didn't come back after Christmas." Dumbledore blinked and nodded slowly.
"I'm afraid Mr Thomas won't be joining us for the rest of the year. His parents disappeared before Christmas. Their bodies were found some time after," he said quietly. Tonks shut the door that Remus had opened with a bang.
"What!" She strode over to the desk. Dumbledore stood and regarded the woman. She was clearly demanding an explanation. "Why weren't we told?"
"The Ministry thought–"
"Forget the Ministry! I'm talking about the Order! Why weren't we told?" she demanded. Dumbledore kept his voice low.
"I thought it best not to cause panic. There may not be a link between the Muggle deaths and our world. Deaths are not uncommon in the Muggle world, you of all people should know that, Nymphadora." Tonks did not like the way she was being patronised.
"You think there is a chance that it is connected to our world." It wasn't a question. Dumbledore nodded sadly.
"I'm afraid so." Tonks sighed and ran a hand over her face. "I apologise for keeping you in the dark Tonks, as a member of staff you should have been informed."
"How about as a half-blood? What about my father? He's Muggle-born!"
"That was one of the reasons I didn't tell you Tonks. Your father is out of the country and out of contact. I didn't want to worry you. Merlin knows you've had enough to deal with recently." Tonks closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened them to look at Remus, who stood patiently by the door.
"Did you know about this?" she asked. Her friend shook his head and she believed him.
"I would appreciate it if you kept quiet about this Tonks, even to Harry."
"The students have a right to know," Tonks argued. "If you don't make it clear what's going on it'll only cause rumours. They can be more harmful than the truth." Dumbledore nodded in agreement but stayed firm with his decision.
"I will tell them Tonks, but not now. Do I have your word?" She hesitated before nodding.
"Thank you. Take care of yourselves," Dumbledore called to his Order members as they left the circular office.
Once down the stone steps, Remus became sullen. Tonks gave a sigh and turned on her heels to face him.
"Ok, out with it." Her friend raised his eyebrows, slightly taken aback by her question.
"Out with what?" Tonks sighed again, impatiently this time. Then, without even having to morph, she copied her friend's miserable expression causing him to laugh. "I'm not that bad am I?"
"Worse," Tonks admitted with a grin. "What's up? Are you mad 'cause I bitched about Lady? I dislike her Remus you know I do, but that has nothing to do with … what she is," she ended lamely. "Or what you are… a miserable git." He laughed and shook his head.
"It has nothing to do with Lady, it's just…everything with Harry and now the Muggles,I swearI didn't know about that Tonks, and… well I guess it's just sinking in that I'm going to be leaving here without you." Tonks took his hand affectionately and gave it a squeeze.
"Stay for dinner?"
"No, I don't think I will. I'd best be off."
"Oh that's right, I forgot Buckbeak doesn't like to eat alone." She gave a wry smile. "Aww come on Remus, pleeease! Do it for me if not for you, I need someone to take my mind off things." Reluctantly, the man agreed.
The Great Hall was beginning to fill up with older students, finishing classes early. Tonks noticed that Harry wasn't at the Gryffindor table, and guessed that he was probably dumping his bag in the common room.
"Oh, you're back," came a meditative voice from behind. Tonks spun around to see Luna Lovegood. The girls hypnotic eyes flicked to Remus then back onto Tonks.
"Hello Luna." Tonks' tone was dismissive, as if she had spent too much time avoiding conversations with the girl.
"Harry said you were ill but I didn't believe him. I thought something had happened to you but you're looking rather peaky so I guess it was true after all."
"Er..yeah, cheers Luna."
"I know you," the girl had turned to Lupin. "You taught me in my second year."
"Yes, Ravenclaw right?" Luna nodded.
"I prefer Tonks," she admitted frankly. Tonks rolled her eyes impatiently. "She taught us how to curl our hair with our wands."
"That's true, I did teach them that," Tonks mumbled as Remus gave her an amused look. "Anyway Luna, we'd best be getting something to eat now." She pushed hurriedly past the girl, dragging Remus by his arm.
Harry and Hermione eventually came down for dinner, followed by Ginny. Ron, however, was nowhere to be seen. This prompted Remus to ask about the argument outside the classroom. Tonks dismissed him with a wave of her hand. After dinner, Tonks went back to her room, followed by Remus, Harry, Hermione and Ginny, who were chatting animatedly with their old professor. Remus was grateful to be able to spend some time with Harry, before heading back to the cold and empty house. Tonks sat on the edge of her bed, thinking about her parents and plaiting Ginny's red hair while she read a book. Hermione poured over her homework by the fire, a small crease of a frown on her forehead as she concentrated. A knock came at the door, silencing all conversation and causing all five heads to look up. Tonks let go of Ginny's hair (which carried on plaiting by itself) and rose to answer the door. A set-jawed boy stood the other side of the door.
"Oh…'ello," Ron Weasley muttered to the floor.
"Good evening Ronald," Tonks jested. "Come to apologise?"
"Um… no actually," he said bluntly. "Harry's got my Transfiguration book. I need it for my homework." Ron's rudeness caused a stunned silence in the room. Harry finally responded.
"Have I? Sorry." He crossed to his bag and started rummaging.
"So…heard from Charlie?" Ron asked boldly. Tonks swallowed uncomfortable.
"Ron!" Ginny protested in embarrassment.
"What? Well… have you?" Tonks shook her head and mumbled something quietly. "I have… yeah he sent me a letter when he got back to Romania. Says he's happy but he's not. Guess we have you two to blame for that." The boy scowled at Remus who looked to the floor.
"Shut up Ron!" Ginny hissed but her brother ignored her.
"Anyway I hope you guys are happy together, really I do. It's about time you stopped screwing things up Nymphadora. It's like my mum said, you're too dumb to accomplish anything or know what you really want in life –"
"For you're information Ron," Tonks cut in angrily, "Charlie had been talking about going back to Romania before we broke up, hell even before we got together! So you can stop blaming me for that for a start! Secondly, if you think I give a troll's ass what your mum thinks of me then you're wrong. And another thing, Remus and I are not 'together' not that it's any of you're business. Finally, don't think you can come here to cause an argument; I'd ratheryou didn't waste my time. Slag me off behind my back all you want but don't come looking for a fight!" She snatched the book off Harry angrily, who stood agape, and shoved it into Ron's chest. "Take your bloody book and piss off!" She slammed the door heatedly and took a calming breath. No one dared speak.
"I'm so sorry about him," Ginny squeaked quietly, after the silence had become unbearable. Tonks shook her head.
"Don't be silly Ginny-bean, he's just angry. So am I," she laughed lightly. Remus gave an uncomfortable cough.
"Maybe I should be heading off." This caused a cry of protests. The man smiled slightly. "It's getting late. It was nice to see you all again though." He rose from his seat. Tonks stuck out her bottom lip. "Nymphadora please don't do that." She retracted it but still looked glum.
"I'll miss you…Floo me as soon as you get in."
"Don't be ridiculous, Dora." He pulled on his overcoat then gave his friends a smile. "Well goodbye, I'll see you soon no doubt." Harry crossed to his guardian and hugged him tightly. Remus looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Look after yourself," he said to the top of the boy's head. He's getting so tall now, he thought to himself.
Remus barely gave Tonks a second glance as he crossed to the door.
"See you, girls." Girls? Am I included in that? Tonks thought
"Bye Professor Lupin," Hermione and Ginny called together. He gave one last smile and closed the door behind him. Tonks stared at the door, stunned.
"I think you should go after him," Ginny suggested eagerly.
"I agree," Hermione piped up. Harry just grinned.
"Go after him? And say what exactly?"
"That you luuuurve him!"
"Harry!"
"I dunno then, I'm not exactly the master when it comes to matters of the heart." He thought of Cho Chang and cringed. "You'll know what to say when you see him…hopefully," he added. Tonks had to disagree, though she found herself subconsciously heading for the door. She turned to see her three students beaming at her.
"This is so stupid," she muttered. "If I make a fool of myself then it is detention for all three of you." She left the room in the direction Remus had gone.
"I hope she's joking," Hermione muttered nervously.
Remus heard footsteps echoing behind him before he heard his name being called. He stopped and turned as Tonks appeared around the corner. She was breathing heavily.
"Crikey you walk fast," she gasped.
"Is everything ok?" She nodded quickly. "Then why are you following me?" "You'll know what to say when you see him" Yeah right, that's detention for you, Potter!
"Um…I dunno. I guess…well… I'm worried about you alone at home by yourself.
"You really shouldn't," Remus said rather dismissively, and continued to walk. Tonks frowned and dropped her mouth indignantly. She followed after him.
"Well…I don't think I will be." This made Remus stop in his tracks. He looked down into her morphed eyes.
"You, Nymphadora, will be fine. As will I." He kissed her lightly on the cheek and she flushed. "I am grateful that you care, though."
"Of course I care, you're my best friend."
"And you are mine. But it's late and you have to let me go eventually." She pulled him into an embrace.
"Thank you for all you've done for me recently, I'll never forget it," she whispered. They pulled apart and Remus continued to walk but this time Tonks let him. She watched him disappear around a corner then sighed, finding comfort in that they would both be lonely that night.
A/N: Here's a lil taster of the next chapter…
She took a deep breath and then hesitated; pulling at the cuffs of the blue hoodie she kept meaning to give back to Harry.
"Minnie, I…can you keep a secret?" Hermione twisted even further in her chair, nodding eagerly. Tonks jerked her head over her shoulder, indicating that Hermione should join her on the bed. She did so. Tonks took another deep breath…
