Disclaimer: If I was JK, I would be working on writing Book Seven, not wasting my time with pointless fanfics.

More Than Words Can Say

Chapter Five

Nighttime Terrors

He was finally healed. He had been fine for a week, but Madam Pomfrey had insisted on more bed rest. However this evening, just in time for dinner, she had FINALLY pronounced him well enough to leave bed.

He walked downstairs, banging open the kitchen door spectacularly. The entire table looked up, mid-Grace, and Molly wordlessly conjured up a seat for him. She put it between Dora and Arthur.

Remus sat, bowing his head. Albus continued with the Grace. When he had finished, everybody began getting food and making conversation. He leaned over and whispered in Dora's ear, "The loud bang on the door had no theatric effect intended, contrary to poplar belief. Truth is, I tripped on a shoelace that I had not bothered to tie properly in my hurry to get down here." She chuckled, then elbowed him in the side.

"You dog! You had us all thinking you just finally decided to embrace your dramatic side," she said jokingly. "Hey everyone! Remus here has an announcement to make!"

It was instantly silent, but Remus merely clapped his hand over Dora's mouth and told them, "Just happy to be here!"

She wiggled free and said, "No, really, he…"

She was cut off by Remus grabbing her head and holding it against his chest with both hands over her mouth. "Try to get away now," he said to her.

Molly gave Arthur a significant look at that, and Remus flushed slightly, suddenly aware of the compromising position Dora was in. He was thinking about releasing her when he felt something very strange under his hand. He jerked away from the woman in his arms with a start.

Dora chortled. "That gets 'em every time!" she said, very self-satisfied. "Transform, nobody can stand the feel of a face changing under them!"

Despite her jovial tone, Remus's heightened senses could smell slight embarrassment radiating from her. He politely refrained from more compromising positions for the duration of dinner.

After dinner, everyone who didn't stay at Grimmauld Place started to head home for the night. Molly and Arthur (who had been making puppy eyes at each other all through dinner) retired to their bedroom. Soon, only Dora and Remus were in the kitchen, finishing the washing-up. When they were done, Remus turned to Dora.

"Do you want to stay here for a bit?" he asked her.

She considered it, then suddenly grinned. "Here's a better idea. Why don't you come back to my place and we watch a movie or something?"

He instantly agreed. They stepped outside and summoned the Knight Bus to go to Dora's apartment in Muggle London.

Dora put the little shiny disk into its player and started the movie while Remus went to the bathroom. When he came back, she was curled up at one end of the love seat. Remus sat the other end, careful not to touch her. After a few scenes, she jumped up and went to get some popcorn. She came back with a large bowl of the salty treat, and sat right beside him so they could share more easily. He studiously didn't touch her, hard as it was to do so.

Several minutes later, she excused herself to go to the bathroom. When she returned, Remus arm was draped casually across the back of the love seat. She sat down beside him, and leaned over to grab some popcorn. Her leg brushed against his, and she asked him what was going on. As he explained softly, his leg accidentally-on-purpose pressed itself up against her leg. She shifted slightly to adjust her robes, and ended up practically on top of him, her entire body pressed up against his.

He breathed deeply. Calmly, he reminded himself. She's just your friend.

Still, he couldn't help but let his arm accidentally slide onto her shoulders. Shortly after that, the Ringwraiths in the movie started to stab the hero and his friends in their sleep. Dora squealed and buried her face in his chest. His arm slid slowly down her body and rested on her waist. He reassured her in a matter of moments that the hobbits were safe, thanks to a man who resembled Severus Snape slightly. (A/N: Yes, I do realize that I am the only one who sees resemblance beyond "male" and "dark hair.")

She sat up again, and then yawned. "Am I keeping you up, Dora?" Remus asked. "Because I can leave, if you want…" He desperately hoped she said to stay a while longer.

Her arms snaked around him as she replied. "No, stay. Just promise me, if I fall asleep, you'll carry me to bed, ok?"

"Sure." Remus was secretly glad that robes were fitted loosely.

Resting her head on his shoulder, she was asleep in minutes.

Remus looked down at Nymphadora Tonks sleeping soundly on his shoulder. His Sleeping Beauty, he thought before he could stop himself. Merlin, he really did fancy her. He forced himself to carry her (fully clothed) to bed. Just as he was pulling the covers over her, she started thrashing. He smelled raw terror.

Her eyes flew open with a blood-curdling scream. She saw Remus and bolted up in bed.

"Remus!" At the sound of her terror-filled voice, he reached down and embraced her, as if to prove he was real and not a vision.

"It's okay, Dora. I'm here. Nothing's going to happen to you. It's okay."

She clung to him, and did her best to convince him to stay with her until she fell asleep again. He agreed.

He kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed beside her, still holding her. She seemed to be trying to control her fear. When she seemed to be okay, he started to let go of her. The wolf was getting hard to control.

She quickly stopped his efforts with a "Remus, no! Don't leave me here! Keep me safe!" He couldn't very well refuse her. He changed his embrace to a more comfortable one and relaxed. She also relaxed into his arms.

That was when he became aware of just how close they were. Her chest was pressed against his, her breath was hot on his neck, and her arse was nice and muscular under his hands, which he was horrified to notice were gently massaging it. He stopped the motion, but not before he realized the effect his actions were having on his body. He was breathing heavily into her ear, and he was glad robes were not form-fitting.

He jerked away from her. His face and neck burned bright red. He had to get out of there before the wolf took over and made him do something he regretted. He had to go!

"Rem?" she asked. Oh Merlin, was her voice husky? He could smell her desire strong on the air. This was the first and only time he had smelled desire for him. It must be a mistake, she couldn't like him! She didn't seriously fancy him, and if she did, well, then she didn't understand. He couldn't tie down Dora like that, he HAD to get OUT!

"Tonks, sorry, but I have to go." Oh Merlin! His voice was noticeably husky, his desire was almost tangible. No, don't touch her. Don't even look at her. Don't think, just GO!

"Is everything alright?" Oh Merlin, he wanted her NOW, can't have her, have to GO!

"Molly and Arthur will be looking for me…" He trailed off, caught in an obvious lie. He didn't care anymore, couldn't care. Don't think about what they're doing, don't think about how bad you want to do that to Dora, just GET OUT OF HERE!

"I'll see you tomorrow Tonks." He was purposefully using her last name, less intimate. She must not have noticed. It didn't matter. He wrenched open the door and fairly sprinted out. He felt her confused yet hopeful eyes on his back the whole way to her front door. Even farther, he imagined. He would never be free of Dora, never be able to forget the effect she had on him. Never.

This thought scared him. He would have to avoid her. He could never live with himself if he took advantage of her. It would be his fault for not keeping his distance. He had to stay away. And it was these thoughts that scared him badly enough to keep him up all night.

A/N: Eh. Not my best chapter, I know. Oh well. The next one gets better...we get to talk about Sirius! Yay Sirus! Almost done...This story has 3 chapters left to post...I hope you're happy that I'm planning on having it ALL out by July 14th at the latest. Plenty of time for mistakes to set me back before HBP comes out! And a side note, I hope you like HBP better than this. If you don't, I'll have to question your taste.

Again I say REVIEW! You have two days for three chapters, so MAKE THEM COUNT or else...I'll come get you. And smother you in grease. Not the movie. Or the country )