a/n: it's official; i hate my boss. and i hate my job. i'm super glad i'm only there for the summer. just one more month to endure.

and THANK YOU for the reviews. it amazes me that someone actually reads this. i mean, it's no work of art. so seriously - thank you for the compliments and suggestions.

and as for the sequel, i'll have to look into that. can't write one without reading the final book, can i?

keep the reviews going 8-)

Can this party get any more lame? I swear, if one more of these fluffy hearts hit my face again, I will scream. I WILL scream.

I know Fleur loves all things pretty and pink, but seriously - this is just over the line. In fact, it's so far from over the line, the line is a dot to her. Everything here is gross. Now, don't get me wrong; I absolutely adore pink. It's one of my favourite colours. But this... this is just WRONG.

Everywhere you look, there are fluffy pink hearts floating around the place. In all sizes. They get into the food, the drinks, your hair, your clothes - everything! I don't understand how Molly could let her host the party at the Burrow - it's insane.

I look over at Bill, who seems to not notice anything but his fiancée. Actually, many of them men here noticed nothing but Bill's fiancée. But she IS partly Veela.

I wonder how Molly's taking this. I'm keeping away from her - she's got her evil steely face on. And she's seething. Seething quietly in the corner on her armchair, with Fred or George, patting her arm in mock sorrow. I love those twins - they crack me up to pieces.

"Alone, my dear?"

A voice is in my ear, and I spin around. Kingsley takes a spot beside me, holding a small cup of pink fluid, filled with pink hearts to the brim.

He notices me looking at the cup. "Well, there isn't anything else to drink."

"What's it taste like?" I asked, peering warily into the cup. Disgusting.

"I don't know... I haven't touched it yet."

"Are you going to?"

"Maybe if I feel desperate to quench my thirst."

"So why are you carrying it around everywhere?"

"Gotta look polite, of course."

That's Kingsley. Always doing things to look polite. Just like Remus.

"So, how long have you been here?" I look curiously at him.

"About an hour or so."

"Why? That bored?"

"No... just trying to escape the wrath of my wife."

"What did you do this time?"

"I forgot her birthday."

"Horrible. You're a horrible person, Kingsley."

I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief. Kingsley had a pretty good memory. He remembered Valentine's day, all his kids' birthdays, his anniversay, his friend's birthdays, and every other special occasion. He just seemed to keep forgetting his wife' birthday.

"I'll make it up to her," he muttered, looking abash.

"How?"

"Put her on a shopping spree. That cheers any woman up."

"Can't argue with that one."

Every time Kingsley was in trouble concerning his wife, all he needed to do was give her a shopping spree. And boy did she spree. Once, when she was particularly mad at him for forgetting her birthday and having dinner with her parents, she spent so much the poor guy couldn't buy anything for himself for three months. But he deserved it - missing her birthday and her parents' dinner.

"Scrimgeour still bothering you, Tonks?"

I turn my head to the right as a new voice comes along. Mad-Eye hobbles up beside me, he too, holding a cup of pink juice.

"No, sir," I reply, with a small sigh of relief.

"When has Scrimgeour been botherng you?" Kingsley asks, his eyes narrowing. He too knew how Scrimgeour treated women.

"Long time, Kingsley," I answer, shuddering.

"What did he do?"

"Tried to get me in the sack with him."

"WHAT!"

"Keep yer voice down, Shacklebolt. You're attracting stares," muttered Moody, peering around the room.

"He did WHAT?"

"Yeah, you heard me," I said, with a look of evil in me. I don't like bringing up the subject.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you're one of the top guys, Kingsley. I can't have you fired."

"When did it start?"

"Two years ago. But just last year he suggested it."

"Why didn't you tell someone? Sirius or something!"

"I can't tell Sirius! He would've been sent back! I couldn't do that to him. So I told May-Eye."

I see Kingsley glare at me suspiciously. I shrugged him off.

"What did you say to him, Mad-Eye?" he asked, nodding at Moody.

"Oh, just the normal threat here and there," he answered airily, as if it were nothing.

"Like what?"

"I'll keep that to myself, Shacklebolt."

Kingsley gave me a questioning look, but once again, I shrug. I don't know what he said.

"Why didn't you tell Remus?"

Kingsley smirks at me, while mad-Eye seems to be hiding a laugh behind his hand.

"What's that suppossed to mean?" I asked, knowing exactly what they meant.

"Well, maybe he could have done something."

"Whatever Kingsley."

The both of them burst into laughter, which attracts more stares than Kinglsye's previously sudden outburst.

I walk away, throwing them disgruntled looks. Stupid Kingsley. Stupid Mad-Eye. They can both be hexed into oblivion.

I wonder around the house, glancing at the guests. There was Fleur, in a magnificent golden dress that complimented her in every way possible. She seemed to be shining today, with a smile plastered to her face.

" 'Ello, Tonks! Are you 'aving fun?" she asks, as she travels around the room, coming to me.

"A bountiful," I answered, putting on a fake smile, hoping she'd buy it.

And she did.

That's what I like about her - she lets you off easy. She went on her way, continuing to greet everyone in sight. She seems so happy. So at bliss. So lucky. Why are the beautiful women always the lucky ones? The have everything - looks, good body, luck, money, men at their heels... The rest of us have nothing. NOTHING.

"Tonks!"

I spin around as I hear my name being called. Fred and George Weasley push their way to me. When I say push, I really mean push. They knocked poor Dedalus Diggle by the head as he toppled into a woman - unmistakably Fleur's mother as she looks almost identicle. They called an apology over their shoulders.

"Fred, George," I acknowledged, smiling at the pair. They're probably my favourites of the Weasley clan. Aside from Ginny - I just adore her.

"Hello Tonks!" Fred said, bowing to me. I could tell he was Fred - he had a scar on his fourth finger from God knows what.

"What's up?"

"Nothing," George said, glancing around him quickly. "We got something to tell you."

"What?"

They both look at each other, as if coming to an agreement over a sort of deal. Fred nodded his head as they both turned to me.

"You have to promise not to tell," he told me, looking sternly.

"Promise."

"Swear?"

"Stick a needle in my eye."

"Okay," George said his voice going rapidly down into a whispers. "We're only telling you this because we like you. And because we know you wouldn't tell a soul."

"Seriously, you guys. What is it?"

"Don't drink the Pomegranate juice."

"You mean that pink stuff?"

"Yeah."

I look suspiciously at them through my eyes which have turned to slits. "What did you do?"

"We spiked it."

"You spiked it!"

"Keep your voice down!"

"You're not suppossed to be messing with alcohal! Especially at your brother and future sister-in-law's engagment party! You two are unbelieveable sometimes, you know that?"

"Whoa, whoa!" Fred said, looking highly offended. "Now, why would you think we'd do THAT?"

"You just said you spiked it!"

"That we did, yes."

"Exactly! Where did you get the alcohal?"

"We don't have any."

"Hand it - wait, what?"

This seems a bit odd... they don't have any alcohal, and yet they spiked it.

"What did you two do?"

"We melted some Canary Creams and mixed it in."

"You didn't."

"Oh, we did."

And just as I'm about to say something, there's a huge bang coming from behind us, as Dedalus Diggle turned into a Canary.

"FRED, GEORGE, YOU GET YOURSELVES HERE, THIS INSTANT!"

"Sounds like mum," George murmurs to his twin.

"Well, gotta run, Tonks. If you don't see us, just remember: don't drink the juice."

"Oh," Fred added, before they shot away. "I'd stay away from the carrot cake too."

I smile to myself as I watch them jet off into the crowds, evading Molly, who's still screaming bloody murder. There was another bang as Dedalus Diggle transformed back into himself, and loud laughter issuing from the living room.

At this point, I decided to morph back into myself - au natural. Most people look for my pink hair, but seeing as the house is pink enough, I'm going back to my dark brown.

That's strange. My hair's still brown. The same brown as his... Oh well... it's better than grey, right?

With nothing better to do, I travelled back to where Kingsley was, who seemed to be standing alone.

"Alone, Kingsley?" I asked taking my place beside him.

He seemed a bit bored. "Pretty much, yeah. There's nothing to do anyway. Besides, everyone's talking about the same thing; Stan Shunpike."

"I would've thought you'd join in."

"After countless discussions, one tends to lose interest in a hopeless case."

That was true. It doesn't seem like the Ministry would be letting Stan off any time soon. It's only been a week, and already, I've had enough of the story. It just shows how stupid the Ministry can be, and how stupid the public can be to believe them.

"Do you recognize anyone?" I questioned, looking around the crowd. The majority are people I've never seen in my whole entire life.

"Some. Not most."

"Do you know who they are?"

"Well, I know that guy over there," he pointed to someone talking to Bill, "his name's Drew. Don't know the last name."

"Ah..."

"Were you looking for someone?"

He lifted his eyebrow at me.

I gave him a look. "No."

"Oh. Remus is going to be here soon."

"That's nice."

"Of course it would be nice! Someone who will actually talk about something other than Stan Shunpike. Just wish he'd hurry it up."

I turn away, once more, gazing at everyone. How can these people not be bored? There is absolutely nothing to do around here. I am out of my mind. Thank goodness Kingsley's here to keep me company, even if he is a bit sarcastic at time. And Remus will be here... even if he won't talk to me, at least he'd be here.

I saw him at the meeting. And for the first time in a year, we hit an uncomfortable discussion. He seemed to be trying to friendly - probably trying to act as if nothing has happened and it was just the same again. If I know Remus Lupin, I know he hates change. But you can't do anything about change - it just happens, good or bad. And our relationship has changed. Maybe for the better... I mean, we can't go on continuing to be friends with the way everything's been going on, can we? Besides... maybe I don't really like him. Maybe it's just how Molly said: 'People are rushing into things, such as marriage, because they think they'll die any second. They're trying to cram in as much happiness as they can.' Maybe I'm just trying to put something happy and wonderful in my life because of everything that's been going on, what with losing Emmeline and Amelia. And in trying to be happy, I just chose Remus because we've had many happy time together. I don't know anymore. If I'd just kept my mouth shut, we'd still be talking, he would still be here, and Kingsley wouldn't be smirking until his face falls off.

"Tonks?"

I jerk out of my thoughts, looking slowly around.

"Tonks!"

"What?" I said, absentmindedly, turning my attention back to Kingsley. Well, kingsley and some guy that had magically appeared next to him.

"I was just introducing you to a visitor from the Scottish Ministry."

Did he... did he just say 'Scottish Ministry?'

"He's on a visit," Kingsley continued, gesturing to the man now beside him. "We're trying to get the surrounding countries to join forces with us. And, he knows Bill. He's visited the Gringotts Bank a few years back."

My gaze slowly travels up the man standing beside Kingsley. He has spikey, boyish blonde hair. Green eyes. Clean, shaven face - no stubble. Tall and stocky - the sturdy stocky, not the chubby kind.

"Tonks?"

"Y-yes?" I faltered, shaking my head a bit, looking back at Kingsley.

"I just said that his name is Eric. Eric - "

"Morse." I finished Kingsley's sentence, staring at the man. Eric Morse. From Hogwarts.

"Long time no see, Nymphadora," said Eric, extending a hand.

I snap back to reality when he mentions my name. "Shut up, Eric. It's Tonks," I replied, smiling, taking his hand.

"You two know each other?" Kingsley asked, looking from one of us to the other.

Eric nodded his head. "Oh, Tonks and I go way back."

I blushed, smiling embarassingly. Kigsley must have seen this, for he asked, "How back?"

Eric, who had been staring fixedly at me, got out of his trance to answer. "Met each other at Hogwarts. Close friends."

"How close?" Kingsley asked again, his eyes narrowing at me, though addressing the question to Eric.

"We were... uh... exclusive back in seventh year."

"Huh. Interesting."

Kingsley gave the two of us one last suspicious stare, until walking away.

This is weird. This is really weird. Actually, it's so weird, the word 'weird' doesn't even cut it. Great! Here I am, standing around, with my ex-boyfriend beside me. And I look stupid. This is SO not cool. I am not wearing the right outfit! No, this is the worst outfit to be wearing when seeing your ex-boyfriend. You want to wear something extravegant, emphasizing that you're beautiful, that you're even MORE beautiful, and that he'd miss out on every piece of you. Yet an outfit casual enough to say that you're clearly doing great, work is good, and you've moved far out from the relationship. And here I am, wearing a modest deep red blouse, and black dress pants. Well, I guess this IS a good outfit for your ex-boyfriend to see... I mean, I do look wholesome. And who am I kidding, I look awesome! But really, if I'd have known in advance Eric would be here, this would so not be the outfit...

"How are you doing?" he asks, looking hopefully at me, with a small smile.

I remember that smile. He was the only boy with that cute smile. "Doing great, thanks."

"What are you doing nowadays? At the Ministry?"

"Yes, I'm an Auror."

He raises an eyebrow. "You're an Auror? Last time I knew, you were all into the Department of Magical Creatures."

That was true. Back in school, I was obsessed with everything to do with magical creatures. I excelled in Care of Magical Creatures, though sometimes I did disrupt class with my clunmsiness. And Yes, I was accepted to be in the Department of Magical Creature and everything. But I remembered my vow of avenging Sirius, and so I went for the Auror thing.

"Yeah... but being an Auror seemed that much better."

"Really? Even for one as clumsy as you?"

He flashed a grin at me, and I returned one. He always made fun of me for being accident-prone. But he was always nice about it. Just teasing. Like Remus.

Don't think about Remus. That's a done deal.

"Yes, and even if I nearly failed on Stealth and Tracking, I exceeded in Transfiguration."

"Only because you're a metamorphmagi."

"Hey, I'll use it to my advantage!"

He holds his up, in mock defeat. "Anyway, how's the metamorphing going?"

"Well," I answer. "It's been going great. I just need to come up with new styles."

"And what style do you have on right now?"

"Nothing. This is how I am. Orignally, of course. Except the hair colour."

He looks me up and down, as of examining me. It had been rare for him to ever see in my natural state. What can I say? I grew up in the eighties. There were tons of fashion statements back then... like the long, big rockstar hair. That was definitely in. And I can't believe it was. It was horrible!

"I always said you were one for beauty."

I tilt my head to the side. I loved being with Eric. He always made me feel special. He was a lot like me in character; flambuoyant. He was one of the more popular kids back then. He had the best hair, which was soft and effortless. He had the grace in his every movement. He was quidditch Captain, meaning he had a nice build. He came from a well respected family - though not pureblood. And he treated everyone with equality.

Plus, he took the time to be with me.

"Thank you," I reply shyly, my face growing hotter by the second. "Eric, why are you here?"

"Like Kingsley Shacklebolt said: Here to sort out past differences and join forces. Help with the uh... You-Know-Who issue."

"Oh... so how long are you here for?"

"I honestly can't say. A few weeks, a month, two months... it all depends on the situation."

"Right."

"Don't worry; you'll be seeing me around. You're in the Ministry."

"Yes, I am."

"I'll be making frequent trips to the Auror offices anyway."

"Why?"

"Well, we need to join forces don't we? We've got a couple of our own Aurors with us. And besides, it would be nice to have a catch-up with you."

I smile at him, the same smile as the one I had given him when he first asked me out.

"So, would you like a cup of juice?" he asked, for I had nothing in my hands.

"Sure, I would love - " Oh yeah... I forgot about the melted Canary Creams. "Actually, no thanks. I'm good."

"Well, if you insist."

He's about to take a drink. "NO!"

People all around stare at me, and I give them a look, making them turn back to whatever they were doing before.

He looks inside his cup. "What's wrong?"

"Just don't drink it."

"Why? There's nothing wrong with it."

"Trust me - just don't."

But he did. And he drank it all. And in seconds, he's transformed into a canary. He never really listened much to my advice. That was one of the things we'd argued about. Before he decided to move to Scotland.

He bursts back into his regular form, shaking his head vigorously.

"I told you not to drink it."

"And from now on, I'm going to take heed your advice."

I give a small chuckle, shaking my head. This will be great. Spending time with Eric. We really did need to catch up. All those missed years... And we never really talked much near the end of our break-up. He was too into his career, and I wanted more from him. Which got us into arguing in the first place, and made him move to Scotland. Or I assume that's what made him go to Scotland, since the Ministry here had offered him a job too. We needed to talk. We needed to sort everything out. And maybe this time, something good will be the ending result.

I don't need Remus. He told me to move on, didn't he? It was his idea. I'm not going to sit here and pine. I refuse to feel sullen and miserable, pending for something that won't happen. No, I will move on. That's right. I don't need Remus. I've lived most of my life without him. No need to keep dwelling on him.

Maybe this party turned out to be a good thing.