It was the morning after the full moon, and Lupin made his way slowly into the drawing room of Grimmauld Place to find Sirius sat on the settee, covered by a quilt. His friend turned quickly and greeted him with a grin.
"Alright there, Moony? How was your night?" he asked quietly.
"Oh, you know," Remus, replied rubbing the back of his neck with a hand. Sirius nodded, feeling as if he did. He looked at the man sympathetically.
"I did want to be there, I feel really bad. I spoke to Dumbledore, but he said no. Git!" he murmured.
"Sirius, I've been doing this alone for 14 years, I think I've learnt to manage by myself. Seriously, you don't have to worry about me," he told his friend. Sirius pouted for a brief moment, and then shrugged it off. "Tonks, move your feet so that Remus can sit down," he said. Lupin frowned and was surprised to see the quilt move into the air at one end of the settee. Remus hadn't even noticed that the witch was there. He sat himself down, and Tonks brought her feet back down into his lap.
"She's been on guard duty at the Ministry," Sirius explained. "She only just got in an hour ago and she has to be at work soon. I would pity her but…I can't be bothered," he laughed. Remus could barely see pink spikes protruding from the other end of the quilt. The men sat in silence for a while. Sirius was playing with his cousin's hair.
"Do you want tea? I'll make you tea," he announced suddenly, pushing Tonks from off of his lap and leaving the room.
"I'll have one," the Auror called sleepily after him, removing the quilt from her head and turning to regard Remus.
"Good morning, Nymphadora," he said politely. The witch mumbled incoherently, something to do with using her first name, and then hid under the covers once more. Sirius entered, carrying three steaming mugs. Moving a drowsy Tonks once more, he managed to reclaim his seat and pass a drink to Lupin.
"So, I was thinking of coming along with you next month," Sirius told him. "Forget Dumbledore! What do you reckon? It'll be like old times, eh?" he said excitedly. Remus simply shrugged. Sirius looked crestfallen. "Fine, whatever. Go wolfy by yourself, I'm not bothered," he mumbled, clearly offended.
"Shh," Remus mouthed to him, then looked down to the figure that lay across the two men.
"What? Oh, Dora? She's asleep, don't stress it." When Remus remained unconvinced, Sirius began to sing quietly, a line of a song that Lupin didn't recognise, and paused for Tonks to join in. She didn't.
"See, asleep! She wouldn't ignore the Weird Sisters for anything…I don't know why you don't tell her anyway," he added casually, taking a sip of his hot beverage. Remus sighed wearily.
"Because, I like the way people are before they find out about…you know."
"And you're saying my Tonksie is shallow? That she's superficial, is that what you're saying?" Sirius said in mock-anger, but he grinned widely.
"Oh, shut up Padfoot, you're really starting to annoy me."
"Great, then it's working."
"Good morning," came a deep male voice from the doorway.
"Uh oh," came a quiet muffle from under the covers. Sirius craned his neck to see who the greeter was.
"Ah Kings, how's it going mate?" Sirius called. The tall, black man crossed the room, nodding slightly.
"Not bad, not bad."
"Oh, Kingsley Shacklebolt, this is my friend Remus Lupin," Sirius announced, waving his hand casually between the two men.
"We've met before, briefly," Kingsley admitted, shaking the man's hand. "Nice to see you again Lupin." He paused. "I don't suppose either of you have seen Tonks at all?"
"Yeah, she's right here," Sirius said and then regretted it as his cousin elbowed him in a rather delicate area.
"Git," she mumbled, removing the covers from her face. "Oh Kingsley," she said brightly, pretending she had only just noticed him. "Good morning!"
"Good morning nothing, Tonks. You were supposed to be at work an hour ago!" A pause.
"Oops."
"Oops is right." The man turned to leave.
"I'll be there in ten," Tonks yawned. Kingsley stopped at the door.
"You'll be there in five or I'm firing your lily-white ass, you hear me?"
"Yeah, yeah. See you in ten," she said with a wink. The man rumbled a laugh and left the room. Tonks didn't move for some time.
"Err, Tonks…you really should be getting going," Sirius warned her. When his cousin didn't respond, Sirius looked to Remus and gave him a knowing nod. Both men pushed at the sprawled woman, causing her to roll onto the floor, cushioned only by her quilt. She let out a wail.
"Fine! You win!" She scrambled out of her cocoon. Sirius stopped her as she headed for the door.
"Don't forget the kids are coming tonight, Tonks." She frowned at him, rubbing her arm where it had banged against the floor.
"Kids? What kids?" she asked.
"Arthur and Molly's children and their friend. We spoke about it the other day, remember?" he asked, raising his eyebrows expectantly. Tonks shook her head, clearly baffled.
"Does this mean we have to behave?"
"'Fraid so."
"Great. I hate kids," she mumbled. Sirius and Lupin laughed and she looked up with a scowl.
"What's so funny?" she asked indignantly.
"Dora, you're a child yourself," Sirius laughed. She grimaced at him.
"And you're a wrinkly old man! Good day to you," she said curtly, leaving the room and tripping over her feet as she did so.
Remus was hoping for a quiet evening after his previous night's transformation. However, hearing a raucous cackle coming from the kitchen, he knew that it was going to be unlikely. Remus could smell cigarette smoke as he descended the stairs, hearing his friend Sirius Black snorting into his near-empty glass. The man looked up, his eyes were glazed over slightly.
"Heeeyis Remus. Hi Remus!" he called loudly. His drinking partner, a rather drunken Tonks, waved clumsily giving a hiccough and then hissing a giggle.
"Sirius, the children are arriving in less than half an hour. What on earth are you playing at?" Remus asked sharply. Sirius shrugged and looked to Tonks in confusion.
"Are we playing a game?" he slurred, his brow furrowed. Tonks shook her head.
"I don't think so," she replied. They both gave a shriek of laughter and Lupin rolled his eyes. He headed for the kettle, planning on making a pot of strong coffee.
"Ooooh Remus! … I LOVE YOU!" Sirius bellowed.
"Ok," the man replied passively. Sirius turned to Tonks.
"Shhhhh don't tell anyone. Issa secret but Remus is my bestest friend."
Tonks' eyes widened. "What about me?" she asked indignantly, sloshing the clear liquor that she was attempting to pour. Remus noticed and snatched the bottle from her. She wrinkled her nose at him, clearly unimpressed.
"You're a nobody," Sirius replied. Tonks began to respond but then hiccoughed once more and shrugged his comment off, forgetting what they had been talking about. The front door went upstairs, and voices followed.
"Uh oh, it's Molly!" the drunken pair sang. Sure enough the short, redheaded woman began to walk down the steps, followed by her husband. Seeing the scene in front of her, she let out an angry growl.
"Remus, how could you let them get in such a state," she snapped angrily. Remus, who could not be bothered to defend himself, chose to ignore the furious woman.
"Naughty Remus," Tonks squeaked, shaking her head dizzily. "Naughty boy!" Sirius barked a laugh. "I think I'm going to be sick," Tonks slurred. Sirius moved to hug her bashfully. She let out a squeal. At that moment, Ron and Ginny Weasley appeared at the top of the steps, looking nervous, followed by Hermione Granger. Sirius' face lit up as he saw them. Shoving Tonks so that she went flying from her seat, he scrambled up.
"Hermiminy…Hemerni…Hermio…Granger!" he shouted her last name, pleased with himself for being able to pronounce it in his drunken stupor. Hermione blinked at the man.
"Uh, hello Sirius," she said quietly as her friend's godfather wrapped his arms around her neck. He smelt of stale fags and neat alcohol. He pulled away.
"This girl…" he pointed at her then trailed off, not having anything else to say. He let out an emotional "Oh!" and threw himself at her once more. Hermione cast a fearful look over at her old Professor.
"Sirius, you can let go of Hermione now," Lupin told his friend slowly. A look of realisation hit Sirius.
"Hermione!" he exclaimed. "What did I say?" He gave a chuckle. Turning to Lupin he said.
"I love her Remus, she's my bestest friend in the whoooole wide world aren't you Herminny."
"Sure," she smiled nervously.
"All brains and no boobs," Sirius shouted. Remus cringed. Sirius pushed Hermione to the side as he noticed Ron.
"And it's Boy! Hey long time no see…um… Raymond?"
"Reg!" Tonks cried out from nowhere, and then slumped back down on the floor.
"Ron," the boy mumbled.
"Ah yes, Reg. And you," he turned to Ginny. "I don't know you do I? But you're ginger and I think that's…well that's just great!" he beamed. Ginny just smiled apprehensively and turned to her mother for reassurance.
"Kids, why don't you go settle in upstairs," Arthur suggested quickly. The three children agreed hurriedly, and left the room.
"BYE!" Tonks called from under the table. She attempted to stand and banged her head. "Ow!"
Remus set two mugs of black coffee onto the table.
"Drink," he commanded, helping Tonks up from the floor. She wobbled and fell onto him as they landed in a vacant chair. She gigged hysterically.
"Oooh Mr Lupin, you are a naughty boy," she garbled, bouncing up and down on his knee.
"Nymphadora Tonks," Molly snapped. "Control yourself." Tonks went pink and mumbled something under her breath before scrambling off of Remus' lap.
"Molly leave her," Sirius said to the woman, sounding almost sober. "Remus could use a good fumble, know what I'm sayin'?" he winked to the group. Remus glared at his friend. "Ah Moony, I love you," he announced once more.
"That's a funny name," Tonks chirped up. Sirius turned to her.
"What? Nymphadora?" She hit him hard on his arm and he laughed heartily at his own joke.
Molly began to search the cupboards, hoping to start dinner. Tonks and Sirius went quiet as they drunk their coffee. Tonks was smiling behind her cup.
"What?" Sirius enquired bluntly. Tonks shook her head.
"Nothing," she replied quietly.
"Aww come on!" Sirius insisted. Tonks was silent for a moment, and then licked her lips.
"How old is your Harry?" she asked. Sirius scrunched his face up in thought.
"Erm…he was 15 ten days ago," Sirius mused.
"Eight," Lupin correct. Sirius turned to him, his mouth open in indignation.
"He's fifteen!" Sirius said firmly.
"Yes, eight days ago," Remus said with a sigh.
"Urgh, I think I would know Remus!"
"And I think you're inebriated, Sirius," Remus replied under his breath, causing Arthur to chuckle and Molly to pout in disapproval. Sirius grimaced at his friend and then turned back to his cousin.
"Why'dya ask?" Tonks shook her head but continued to grin behind her mug. Sirius looked confused.
"Is he single?" she asked casually. Sirius' face fell.
"Whooa no! No way, don't you dare!" he warned, pointing a finger at her in an attempt to be menacing but accidentally slipping his elbow off the edge of the table. Tonks blinked at him.
"What? He's cute that's all," she sang, biting her lip suggestively.
"Tonks! He's a kid!" Sirius exclaimed, sobering up by the second. Tonks gave a chuckle.
"And so am I, remember? You're words not mine Cuz," she reminded him. Sirius stared at her, flabbergasted.
"Whatever, just keep away from him you…Scarlet Woman you!"
Tonks stood indignantly, knocking over her coffee.
"Why, I've never been so insulted in my life!" she cried, and then morphed her hair into bright scarlet ringlets. She cracked up laughing. Sirius joined her. Molly growled in annoyance.
"That's it, Tonks. I've had enough of you, sit quietly or go home. I'm putting the tea on now and I can't be doing with you." At the mention of food, Tonks retched. She ran to the sick and a loud splattering noise could be heard followed by a giggle. Arthur and Remus winced. Sirius howled with laughter, falling off his chair in the process.
"Nymphadora!" Mrs Weasley screamed. Tonks turned around, beaming in pride as she had made it to the sink.
"Come on Tonks," Arthur spoke up. "I'll take you home." The man rose from the table. Tonks made her way to him on wobbly legs.
"Cheers Arnold," she said as she struggled with her jacket. "I'll show you my new Dyson."
"Excellent," Arthur said cheerily as he followed the stumbling witch up the stairs. His wife gave a glare of displeasure. Arthur wasn't entirely sure what a Dyson was, but he was very much looking forward to finding out!
A/N: The next chapter is plot-based, I just thought this was cute. And for those waiting for the sequel to You, me and a werewolf makes 3 (mainly, Hope lol.) I'm posting this story while working on it. I've written some end chapters. The first chapter will be posted in a couple of days, promise. Thanks :)