a/n: alright. onto chapter number the... seventh. righto. boy, am i committed to this thing.

okay, so. dear 'candi tonks', because the previous chapter had no remus, you get the lovely gift of having a whole remus chapter. and just because we all love remus, the next chapter shall also star him too. so, candi tonks, here's your chapter devoted to remus. do keep commenting. i enjoyed your review. 8-)

and seriously people, REVIEW. i like having comments steered toward my way, as my story is for YOU. you, yes you. without comments, i am lost to whether or not this is a good story. without your precious reviews, there will sadly be no more new installments to this lovely tale, for i'm an insecure critter.

SO REVIEW. it will make me happy. like this : 8-D

So, is it just me, or does this place look horrid?

"Remus! You actually came!"

Next thing I know, I'm being slapped on the back by Bill Weasley.

Coughing, I return a wave. "Couldn't miss the engagement for the world."

"Can you believe it? I'm getting married!"

"To one lucky lady, yes."

"Thanks a lot, Remus. Your being here makes it all the better."

I'm not too sure whether or not that's true - it's a pretty full house in the place. And I thought I was early. Turns out I'm late, since well... since everyone I know and more seem to be here already.

"Oh, Remus!" I hear a feminine voice at my ear. Molly is already taking my coat from me. "Good - you're here! I'd like to talk to you."

Well, that's weird. Molly never talks to me unless it either has something with the Order or Harry and the kids. It's usually Arthur who does the talking.

"Oh, and Arthur would like to as well."

So there you go.

"Why?" I asked, looking concerned. "Is it harry? Is he alright? Oh god - it's Ron, isn't it? What did they do?"

I grab Molly by the shoulders, only to have her look frustrated with her brows knitting together.

"No, no. No, that's not it," she flustered, prying my hands from her shoulders. "We just... wanted to have a nice chat. So stay a bit after, won't you?"

Stay a bit after? Hmm, well, I don't have anything better to do anyway.

"Sure," I reply, which makes her smile.

"Well, I'll just leave you here to enjoy the party..." she stalks off, grumbling under her breath about 'fluffy pink hearts'. I'm about to question what she talks about, but I get my answer; some huge fluffy pink heart lands on my head.

Looking up, there are masses of fluffy pink hearts floating around like snow. How is one suppossed to enoy a party when dozens of odd decorations land on you? Yeah, sure, I'll enjoy the party. Once it's over.

Don't be so bitter - it's Bill's engagement party. You are happy for Bill. He has found someone to share the rest of his life with. And in doing so, he decides to let his girlfriend - no, fiancée - throw the most lucrid party I've ever attended. Just when I thought James' sixteenth birthday party was lame enough, this one comes out further. But hey - let's not be bitter. Let's be happy for Bill, because he found someone he loved. Because he's getting married.

And I'm not.

I've found a woman whom I thought could give me such happiness. And then she dumped me. And I've found another woman - well, she found me instead - and then I go and screw it all up. I guess Sirius' other selected nicknames for me, such as 'Screwboy', work well with me in this situation.

God, if everything in the world were fair, I wouldn't be this bitter. Bitter at someone's engagement party because they're getting married and I'm not. Bill's younger than me! I should have gotten married before he did. But like always, one by one, the people surrounding me get hitched and I'm left alone. Even if I do push my potential 'wives' away, it really is only for the better. What every woman wants is a rich, handsome, pompous ass. No one wants a poor bloke who reads extremely fast and turns into something vicious every month.

Well, not exactly no one. One person does. And she's the one I want.

And I, Remus Screwboy Lupin, screwed it all up. Congratulations; you've just nominated yourself as the biggest, boldest dumbass.

I need to find someone to mingle with. But why is it that everywhere I look, all I see is a storm of pink? Maybe I should charm myself... no, maybe -

"So you finally came."

I give a little jump as a low voice is heard inside my ears. It's just Kingsley...

"Yes, I finally came."

"What took you so long?"

"I thought I'd come as 'fashionably late'."

"Would you like to leave fashionably early with me?"

"Just tell me when."

I head off towards the snack table, but he grabs my arms, shoving me back.

"Kingsley, what the hell!"

"Don't go near the snacks."

"Why?"

"Ah, Professor!"

Confused, I turn to my left to find Fred and George, both looking harassed, but having the time of their lives.

"Fred, George," I acknowledged, my eyes moving from one to the other. "You look happy."

"Oh, thrilled!" Said Fred. Or George? Maybe it WAS Fred... or not... I can never tell between them unless they have signs on them. During my time as a teacher, it was a whole lot easier. Handing back their essays was no trouble at all - but that was because they usually got around the same mark. Figures.

"What are you two up to?" asked Kingsley, looking just as suspicious.

They grinned at each other. "Nothing."

"Oh, by the way, I'm Fred," Fred said, rolling his eyes at us. Okay, got that. He's the one on the right. "It amazes me how you still can't tell between us."

"We're totally different," George said, sticking his chest out. "I like green!"

"So do I!" exclaimed Fred, making a surprised face.

"Anyway," I interrupted them, before getting more confused, "Kingsley's just warned me about the snacks. What's wrong with them?"

"Nothing, sir," George replied, looking innocent. Yeah right. I eyed them suspiciosly.

"There's nothing wrong with them," Fred said, looking as innocent as his brother. "Give it a try - it won't hurt to find out."

"I'll pass," I told them, giving the table a glance. "Seriously, what did you do?"

"Nothing!" Fred adopted a look of indignition. "All we did was spice it up a bit."

"With Canary Creams," Kingsley said, holding up a cup. I peer into the cup, which is filled with pink fluid. I've never seen pink juice.

"Okay, so we added in some Canary Creams. But that's all," George said, holding up his hands. "Swear!"

"You put a giggling-drought in the cakes," Kingsley said flatly.

"Fine!" Fred exclaimed, looking agitated. "Just stay away from the snack tables. If you're hungry, look for mum."

"But don't tell her you saw us or anything!" George turned his head wildly around. "We're hiding from her. She's found out about it all."

Before I can answer, the two dash out, leaving me absolutely bewildered.

I look over at Kinglsey, who answers with a shrug. I always liked teaching those two. They remind me of Sirius and James - though not as extreme. I don't think Hogwarts has ever had two students as severe as James and Sirius. When you put those two together, Merlin knows what you'll get as a result. Endless tricks, continuous chatter, infinite laughter.

The two of them were always pulling pranks on everyone. Well, everyone meaning the Slytherins. And Snape. And a few of the people in the other two houses. And sometimes on each other. They've done a few things to me too, like the whole Snape coming to the Shrieking Shack bit. Oh, and the fake love letters that claimed to be from a Hufflepuff named 'Artemis'. But never any tricks on girls. No, because as James always said, "we're gentleman - not hooligans". Their tricks were priceless and genius! Of course, I was always the master planner. They usually played out the plan, making it seem like it was all them. But I got some fun to - without the punishment they endured.

"So when are you going back?" Kingsley asks, taking me out of my reminiscing.

"Day after tomorrow."

"You look excited."

"Overjoyed."

Kingsley gives a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Have you seen everybody you've meant to see?"

I glare at him. "What's that suppossed to mean?"

"You know what it means."

"In a way, yes, I have."

"How'd it go."

"Not good."

I thought she'd be excited to see me, since I've been gone for a month. Boy was I wrong. The look in her eyes when she saw me was like... hate and hurt and so many other negative components. Does this mean she's moved on? Does it mean she hates me? What if she really DOES hate me? I've just had her as a friend again - will fate be so cruel as to take her away from me once more? I know I'm to blame for it, and for last time, but really... she can't hate me. I don't want her to hate me.

"Don't worry - she doesn't hate you. And stop thinking that she hates you. I'm sick of telling you that she doesn't."

I raise an eyebrow. Kingsley is awfully creepy like that, reading peoples' minds.

"And how do you know?"

"She won't hate you. She likes you too much."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"Still like her?"

"No." I hide my face, pretending to cough.

And as usual, he doesn't buy it. "Always the worst liar, Remus."

"Thank you. It just goes to show how much of an honest man I am."

"Sure. Says the one who TRIES to lie, but can't."

"Oh, and you can?"

"Of course I can. It's part of my job to lie."

I roll my eyes at him. At least he's got a job. Well, so do I, but it's just spywork. I hate spywork.

"You better get a move on things," he said, looking at me with his brow up. "Before the situation gets out of place."

"Huh?" What's this guy on about?

"Tonks."

"What about her?"

"Better get her before he does."

"Before who does?"

What's he on about? What guy? Is it just me, or does this seem strange?

"That guy." He gives a nod, looking right past me.

I turn around, searching. I can't see anything.

"Seriosuly, Kingsley. What's this about?"

He gives an exaggerated sigh, and points to the corner.

I see her. And she's absolutely stunning. She's in natural form today - the one I like best. Of course, for some reason, her hair is still that horrible brown, but still. She's beatiful.

And then I see it. Or him.

He looks like one of those typical 'GQ' men, with the perfect attributes. Perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect smile, perfect clothes. Everthing is perfect.

I spin around, with a shocked expression on my face. As always, Kingsley just shrugs. Like that helps. I return my gaze to them.

She's talking with him. I don't want her talking with him. Look at her, she's smiling. I haven't seen her smile in so long. She's always had the prettiest smile. Hey - she's laughing with him. This isn't good... why is she laughing with him? Oh good god - she's touching his arm! She's touching his arm! Why is she touching his arm! He must have said something funny to her - she only does that when someone's being funny. Oh great. He's flirting with her. He MUST be flirting with her. Why is he flirting? Flirting is scuh a try-hard approach. And she's laughing again, giving him a friendly hit on the shoulder. She's flirting back! She's not suppossed to flirt back! What the hell!

Flirting should be made illegal.

"Who is that guy?" I demand, turning back to Kingsley.

"His name's Eric Morse," he answers indifferently.

Eric Morse. Why does that name ring a bell? Eric Morse... no, he's not a friend of mine... so why would it sound familiar?

"He's here from the Scottish Ministry," Kingsley said, giving me more background information. "He was sent over to help nogotiate the bondings of Scotland and Britain in the Voldemort War."

She's flirting with a foreigner! What IS it with foreign guys, always landing the women!

"He's flirting with her," I said, seething on the spot.

"So?"

"She's flirting back!"

"So...?"

"She's not suppossed to be flirting with anyone!"

"Remus, you can't forbid her from doing anything," Kingsley said, rolling his eyes and shifting his weight. "Besides, why should you care? She's flirted with YOU many times."

"Well, that's different!"

"Why?"

"Because she likes me!"

"Maybe she likes him too. Anyway, you were the one who turned her down. You wanted her to move on. Maybe she's moved on."

"THAT FAST!"

To say the least, I am shocked.

"I don't know," Kingsley answered, seeming a bit annoyed. "But it's okay with this guy."

It's okay with this guy! It's not okay with any guy!... Except me, of course.

"What's this guy have that every other man hasn't?" I asked, throwing them angry glances every other second.

"They know each other. Apparantly, they were 'exclusive' back in the day."

Oh... ohhhh. Alright. I know now. That's why his name rings a bell. She told me about him once. Eric Morse is her old boyfriend.

"Well, she can't be with him," I said flatly crossing my arms.

Kingsley raises an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"She's suppossed to be with me."

"Then go and be with her."

"You know I can't."

"So what do you want from her?"

"I don't know."

"Stop being so selfish, Remus."

I am even more shocked. I, Remus Lupin, am not a selfish person. I was never a selfish person. I always lended a helping hand around the house, I helped the first years find their ways into classes back in school, I did everything for everyone. I corrected Peter's spelling mistakes for him. I helped Lily get back together with James after a fight. I helped Sirius move his things in his new home. I fixed Ron's leg three years ago in the Shrieking Shack. I am not selfish.

"I'm not being selfish," I retorted, glaring at him.

He sighs, shaking his head. "If you really like her, then you want her to be happy. She told you she likes you. And you like her. It's really your fault that it's a whole big obstacle."

"Oh, yeah, sure. Put all the blame on me. Everything's my fault."

"I WILL put the blame on you, because it's your fault."

Is it really my fault?

Okay, FINE. I accept the blame. But honestly - she can't have found someone THAT quick! It's just unnatural. Well, it's just not fair. To me. It hurts me too. She may not know that, but it does.

"Kingsley?"

I turn around, as a new voice joins the group. And there she is, bold as brass, standing right in front of me. Avoiding my eyes. With that idiot tailing behind her.

"Kingsley, Mad-Eye's lookg for you," she said, pointing to her left. "Said it was about... well, I don't know what it's about. He just sort of mumbled and went off."

Kingsley made a weird noise, and shuffled off. Great. Just great. He's gone. And I'm left with these two.

"Hello, Remus," she said, attempting to conversation.

Oh, no. No. I'm not letting her off this easy. "Tonks."

Oh, that feels good. I've never called her 'Tonks'. Although it seems rather harsh, I said it. She gives me an strange look, noticing that I called her by her famous nickname.

"Um, have you met - " she started, but got caught off.

Eric Morse extends his hands to me. "Hi, I'm Eric Morse. I'm with the Scottish Ministry."

"I'm aware," I reply icily, not taking his hand.

There's an awkward silence. I'm usually not okay with awkward silences, but I'll let this one past. He pulls his hand back stiffly.

"So," Eric said, clapping his hands together, smiling strainedly. "How did you get to know Nymphadora?"

"Through Sirius Black," I answered, gritting my teeth together.

"Sirius Black?" he questioned, looking confused. He turns to her. "You know Sirius Black?"

She raises an eyebrow at him. "We were related."

"Were?"

"Were."

He looks back at me. "I met Tonks at school. We were buddies and - "

"Yes, that's nice." I lift my wrist to glimpse at my watch. "I think I'll be going."

"So early?" Nymphadora asked, gripping her cup.

"Well, good bye then - " Eric said, looking a bit relieved, but she cuts him off.

"When are you leaving?"

I know what she means by that. "Day after tomorrow."

She goes silent, her brows knitting together as if in deep thought.

"Tonks?" Eric looks at her critically. "Tonks? Are you okay? What's wrong?"

She ignores him and turns back to me. "You're going to come back, right?"

I feel myself lose my tightness. "Of course. In a month."

"Oh... oh. That's good. Just... just be safe, yeah?"

"I will."

"Bye, Remus."

But instead of me walking away, she turns to leave first. Eric lifts an eyebrow at me, and turns to follow her.

Damn him. I hate him already.

And I don't hate that many people.