(A/N: In case you forgot Amelia Bones is the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, therefore giving her the authority to tell Tonks that she's not allowed to work in the field for at least another eight months.)
(A/N: The squealing and "safety in numbers" idea is mine and this fic was written BEFORE Luna Longbottom's Sleepover at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. Go read it. It's awesome!)
As Emmeline and Hestia reached Tonks' room they could hear the three inside starting to calm down.
"Did you see his face!" came from behind the door and they burst into another fit of giggles.
Hestia and Emmeline walked in as the giggles subsided and Hermione, Tonks, and Ginny looked up to see who had come in.
"Alright, what 'girly' stuff have you been talking about without us?" demanded Hestia in mock anger.
"Oh, is that what Charlie calls it? He just doesn't understand how important girl talk can be!" said Tonks indignantly.
"And what have we missed?" asked Emmeline shutting the door behind them.
"Ginny and I found out who Tonks and Charlie are dating," said Hermione looking pointedly at Hestia as Emmeline and Hestia sat on the edge of Tonks' bed opposite Ginny and Hermione. Hestia blushed.
"Hestia, are you dating Charlie?" asked Emmeline.
Hestia nodded and everyone squealed.
"I didn't know adults still squealed," said Ginny.
"Of course we do!" Emmeline exclaimed indignantly. "You can't be expected to act your age all the time."
"Good," said Ginny. "Now I know I can when I'm older!"
"You didn't mention who Tonks is going out with," Hestia pointed out.
"Remus."
Everyone squealed again.
Once they had finished congratulating Hestia and Tonks, Emmeline and Hestia related the scene at the table. That sent the girls into more giggle fits.
"They really are clueless," commented Hermione, referring to Charlie and the rest of the guys.
Tonks started to speak once they had settled down. "Okay. You know our secrets," she said, gesturing to Hestia and herself. "Now it's your turn. Are you going out with anyone?" She looked at Emmeline, Ginny and Hermione who all blushed, averted their eyes, and nodded.
"Well, tell us already!" said Hestia.
Emmeline spoke first. "Kingsley."
Hermione spoke second. "Ron."
Then Ginny. "Harry."
Hestia, Emmeline, and Tonks laughed as Hermione and Ginny turned to each other and said "It's about time! I didn't think he'd ever ask you!" in perfect unison and burst into giggles.
"Hermione and Ginny made me answer earlier and my answer was yes," said Tonks. "Have you kissed yet?"
Everyone nodded.
They all squealed and giggled, becoming giddy with the topic of conversation, until they heard a knock on the door. Charlie, Remus, Kingsley, Arthur, Ron, and Harry walked in.
"We figured there was safety in numbers," said Charlie. "Now I want to know what the bloody hell you're giggling about!"
The girls looked at them and started laughing hysterically.
The guys left quickly seeing that the girls wouldn't be answering anything any time soon.
They went back downstairs with bemused looks similar to Charlie's the first time he had entered the kitchen and Molly, guessing exactly what the girls had been laughing about, started laughing herself, causing the guys to turn around and walk right out again.
"They're all bloody mad," muttered Kingsley and they all nodded in agreement and made their way to the drawing room, thankful for a giggle-free zone.
A few weeks later Tonks looked up from her book as someone knocked on the doorframe. "Hello, Madam Bones. Come in. Congrats on joining the Order!" she said to the woman standing in the doorway.
"Thank you, Tonks," said Amelia Bones as she entered the room.
Tonks motioned for her to have a seat on the bed as there were no chairs in the room. "What brings you here, Madam Bones?"
"I have reviewed your medical record with your healer, Tonks, and, according to him, you won't be fully healed for at least another eight months."
"Okay…" said Tonks, slightly confused. "What does that mean?"
"It means no assignments in the field. You'll be doing paperwork for the next eight months."
"What!" Tonks was shocked. "Madam Bones, you can't do that! I can't do paperwork for eight months! I can't stand doing nothing! I'll go mad!"
"I'm sorry, Tonks, but you have no choice," Madam Bones said apologetically. "I can't allow you to do anything else. It could jeopardize your life and the lives of others."
"But –"
"I may have an alternative solution." Both women whipped around to see Albus Dumbledore standing in the doorway.
"What do you mean, Professor?" Tonks asked cautiously.
"I am in need of a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," explained Dumbledore. "As an Auror you know defensive spells."
"But I don't know very much about Dark creatures," said Tonks.
"If you wouldn't mind teaching alongside another teacher I assure you that it wouldn't be a problem."
"How and who, sir?" asked Tonks.
"I'm currently attempting to convince Remus Lupin that his lycanthropy wouldn't create a problem if he were to come back," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.
"It'd be nice," said Tonks. "But I want to be an Auror, not a teacher. I can't just quit."
"Amelia," said Dumbledore turning to Madam Bones, who had been silent throughout the entire exchange. "Would it create a problem if Miss Tonks were to come and teach at Hogwarts for the school year and then return to her work as an Auror?"
"Certainly not," replied Madam Bones. "She wouldn't be able to do very much until at least the middle of April anyway. We need all the Aurors we can get and, with Tonks' abilities, we can't afford to lose her."
"Well, it's settled then, unless you would rather do paperwork?" Dumbledore asked, turning back to Tonks.
She shook her head, grinning. "I'd rather be a teacher any day."
"Excellent," said Dumbledore, moving towards the door. "Now I must go and see about Remus. Good day to you both." And he was gone.
Madam Bones stood up. "I must be going, too. Good luck, Professor Tonks." She grinned at Tonks who grinned back.
"Thank you, Madam Bones," said Tonks as Madam Bones turned to leave.
Madam Bones turned back and smiled. "You're welcome."
She left and Tonks went back to her book, grinning to herself.
Teaching with Remus…the possibilities were endless…
(A/N: Please visit my profile and read the summaries of the stories I'm working on. Tell me what you think I should post next. PLEASE REVIEW!)