a/n: howdy! i've found a new efficient way of typing with a broken finger. yes yes, it still bothers me, that finger cast (piss me off), but hey - i'll make it work!

an unusually quick update this time. i was already working on it when i posted the previous chapter anyway. it's not as... humour-filled as the previous chapters. but seeing as i did post this story as 'dramatic', i guess it's actually starting to be dramatic. though i promise - there will be lighter moments in it!

so please, continue reading, continue reviewing, and... i don't know.

"Florean Fortescue! Florean Fortescue!"

Apparantly, they've arrested Florean fortescue. The nice ice-cream man with the ice-cream stand. And I thought the Ministry couldn't get any worse.

Being back at work is a bit weird lately. People have become more tense. I can feel it. it doesn't feel too great. I mean, how can you feel great if the ice-cream man you've known for all your life, the ice-cream man you visit once a week, the ice-cream man who knows more about you than you would've thought, had gotten arrested? I demand justice! Florean is innocent!

The world is coming to an end. I know it.

Bad luck keeps striking. First off, my confrontation with Remus didn't go as good as I hoped it would be. As of now, he's a complete ass. Why was he being such a jerk? He didn't have to be so stiff around me. Or Eric. Eric didn't do anything to him. Sheesh.

Moody keeps telling to me have constant vigilance. As if the rest of our team has it. Merlin, that old geezer won't shut up! Like, really, I don't mind if you're old, but limp around, pointing a gnarled finger at me telling me to keep alert. Everyone's alert these days. We have to be.

Oh, and then there's Kingsley. Kingsley fucking Shacklebolt. I'd kick him in the wank, but since he's too fucking fast, I can't. I swear, one day, his face is going to freeze into that stupid smirk he keeps wearing. How can that guy possibly be smirking when the whole wizarding race - in England, Britain and the rest of the colonies - are fretting over the darkest wizard known to our kind? I don't know, but Kingsley can do it.

And of course, the very surprising arrestation of Florean Fortescue. The ice-cream man. The ice-cream man I visit once a week. The ice-cream man that I confide in, even though I don't know why. The ice-cream man who knows all of my friends, acquaintances, and colleagues. The ice-cream man who knows me better than my own mother did.

A good thing about having Florean arrested is that finally, FINALLY, everyone has stopped talking about the Stan Shunpike case. God, that was getting on my nerves. Even if he's not released yet, it's a big relief that he's not gossipped about. Not that I'm happy he's stuck in Azkaban or anything...

"Aren't you suppossed to filing?"

I look up, abruptly putting down the Daily Prophet. In front of me stands one of my only friends who entered the Auror department with me. Her name is Leda Jones.

I met Leda in school, and even if we weren't in the same house - she was a Hufflepuff - we're still good friends. We had literally almost every class together, seeing as in my year, the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs had many joint classes. And since she had made up her mind, before I had, to become an Auror, she too, were in my classes for NEWTs. Plus the fact that her mother, Hestia, and my own, Andromeda, were best friends. We saw a lot of each other before school even started. At first, I thought we'd be in the same house, Hufflepuff, but when I got sorted into Gryffindor, I can very much say everyone was surprised. Oh well... we still remained good friends, Leda and I.

Now, in my opinion, Leda is a very lucky girl. First off, her mother gave her a fair name. As both our own mothers were named after Greek Goddesses, they had some weird sort of Greek mythology obsession. Of course, Hestia Jones named her own child, Leda. But my mother, being the extremely foolish, impulsive woman she was, named me Nymphadora. Apparantly, she had a great liking towards Nymphs, as they were suppossed to be 'beautiful tree spirits' or whatever. So she decided to name me after them. I didn't get a good name, like Leda. Or other Greek Goddess names such as Penelope, Demeter, Persephone, Gaia or Europa. No, I got stuck with some twisted version of a tree spirit.

Leda was also oddly good looking. Her mother seemed a bit plain, and her father even plainer, but not she. She was extravegant. She had lovely chestnut hair, big amber eyes, a small dainty nose, and bow shaped lips. In other words, she was perfection in every minute detail. She had almost every boy at school swarming over her. She was popular. She had it all. Like all pretty girls do.

Though we both got admitted into the Auror Academy or whatever, I still held a silent competition against her. I mean, yes, she's my friend, but don't you ever get this weird competitiveness with your friends? Even if they're really close to you, don't you have this elated feeling when you whoop ass? I do. Don't criticize me. I know you do too.

"Hello to you too, Leda," I said flatly, not in the mood for much. The Prophet sure can make a person upset these days. What with all the sad news of arrests, deaths, and missing people. I still can't believe that stupid Ollivander ran off!

"What is it that you do these days, Tonks?" she asked, sitting down on the chair in front of my desk, usually for guests. Well, she's a guest I guess. "You seem to just mope around, or read."

I roll my eyes. "There is nothing much to do these days at the office. I don't want to go arresting innocent people. So I'll just mope around, reading books, thank you very much."

"And they still pay you!"

"Yeah."

"That's outrageous! It's - "

"What is it that YOU do, Leda?"

This question seems to stump her. Frankly, no one seems to be doing much these days. Not even Moody! Of course, I still don't understand why he lurks around here. He's retired!... and yet he still comes back...

"Well, I at least file a bit, which is what YOU are suppossed to be doing," she replied, crossing her legs.

A give a fake mocking laugh. "Give it up, Leda. No one here's doing anything anyway. No point in filing - what're you filing? Old records that the Head probably doesn't know about or had forgotten long before."

"Well, that IS true..."

"Wanna go for a coffee?"

"Sure, why not?"

The good thing about Leda as that she's very persuadable. Like when we were eight, I had talked her into riding her father's new broom. That wasn't the best, since we both sat on the broom, and ended up crashing into her unusually large maple tree. Good thing my mother was a Healer - My skull cracked, and Leda's arm had broken into many pieces. Luckily, her father hadn't broken her into many pieces. He was quite furious.

We were walking out into the muggle streets, looking for our coffee shop, when she started a conversation with me.

"It's pretty funny, how it's so cold here in London. I miss the rain," she said out of no where, as we crossed the street. Autumn was coming to and end and it was getting chilly.

It reminded me of that time Remus and I were sent off into a mission to spy on a muggle man named Cletus Beyer. Moody had a 'feeling' that he was in work with a Death Eater. Even if Moody's suspicions are usually just out of paranoia, we were sent to go after him nonetheless.

'Where are we?' I voiced, pulling the sleeves of my sweater down, and wrapping my scarf tighter. I didn't want to be there.

'In Elmbrooke Avenue,' Remus told me, walking quicker, flapping his arms around.

I had given him a funny look. 'Why are you waving your arms? You look stupid.'

'Well, thank you, Nymphadora. But it keeps me warm.'

'Moving your arms in weird positions keeps you warm?'

'Actually, it's movement of the body. The more your body moves, it produces energy, which introduces heat to it. Since we are warm-blooded, we depend on our own body to generate heat. And to generate the heat, we must be active. And if making myself look like a complete lunatic gives me warmth, then screw it, I'll be a lunatic.'

He was like a human encyclopedia. He knew everything. He even knew how muggle things worked, like electricity. I'm a half-blood, and even I don't fully know how electricity works.

'If you insist on making yourself completely loser-like, then be my guest,' I had said, my voice muffled from the wind. 'I'll just walk beside you - of course, not too closely incase people think we know each other - and freeze my butt off. Of course, I'll preseve my dignity by not flailing my arms in every direction possible.'

With this comment, he had laughed quite hardly. I had never seen him laugh at a comment like my own - I mean, it wasn't that funny. He turned towards me, now jumping up and down. I raised my eyebrow at him, which made him jump closer to me.

'Come on, Nymphadora!' he exclaimed, and grabbed my hands with his semi-warm ones. 'It's fucking freezing, we're in a deserted street, and no one knows us! We might as well act like maniacs! Jump with me!'

He was so out of character that day. It was one of those rare - and I mean rare - times that he let loose and let himself go. One of those times where he let his guard down and became the world's most silliest, outrageous men. One of those times that he was truly being himself. Or as Sirius told me, being a genuine Marauder.

He held my hands tightly in his and started to wave and shake them everywhere. His jumping had made me jump. We jumped and waved together.

And out of nowhere, he had done the most spontaneous things I have ever seen him - or anyone - do. Ever.

He took off his trench coat, his hat, and his scarf. He then gave a howl - one that mimicked a wolf - and sprinted off to the end of the road. He ran, flailing his arms everywhere. His usally neatly combed hair flew around the air. His thin sweater rippled with him, like a pebble dropped into a pond. His running made me laugh - it was a bit like a chicken, a wolf, a tiger - it was strange. Yet so phenomenal.

'HEY!' he yelled, and I had looked up from my laughing. He was at the other end of the road, looking windswept and breathless. Absolutely gorgeous. 'HEEEEEY!'

'WHAT?' I called back, the heat from my previous jumping had simmered.

'AREN'T YOU COMING!'

'YEAH!'

I started walking once more in my stiff manner, watching my feet incase I would suddenly trip. I had collected his garments he had unceremoniously threw to the floor.

"RUN!' he cried, waving his arms and jumping from the spot. 'RUN!'

'I CAN'T!' I cried back, a pink tinge creeping up on my face.

'YOU CAN!'

'NO, I CAN'T!'

'WHY NOT!'

'WHAT IF I FALL?'

His jumping and waving had stopped. It made me stop. From that distance, we had just stared at each other. For how long, I did not know.

And once more, he ran. Ran back to me. Ran in that same crazy, chicken-wolf-tiger-like, strange, phenomenal way. Back to me.

'Run!' he saids, his face now completely pink with heat. 'Run!'

'Oh, Remus, you know how cumsly I am - !'

'Who cares! No one's here but us! Just run!'

'Remus, I - '

But I had never got the chance to tell him exactly what I was. He snatched my hand, and yanked me with him. And he started to run. And so had I. He soon let go of my hand. And again, he ran in his child-like way. And I ran with him.

Soon, we were both breathless, standing at the end of the road, panting. I was actually sweating. A moment ago, I had been frost-bitten. But I was sweating!

'See?' he said, after taking a gulp of air. 'See? I told you movement of the body generates heat, making you warm!'

All I could do was nod. I was busy watching him. Watching him breathe. His face had an elated look upon it. As if something inside of him had been unleashed.

Our assignment was completely forgotten that day. We spent the rest of it on that same street, running, whooping, jumping, flailing like neurotic psychos. Even if Moody gave us a lecture, even if Snape had taunted us, saying we were irresponsible, even if Dumbledore himself gave us a stern talking (despite the fact the he had a shadow of a smile and his eyes were sparkling), we had fun. I had fun. He had fun. It didn't matter what the others thought. They didn't know what really happened. The didn't know about the crazed running and the euphoric feeling.

I just wish that he'd come running back to me once more.

"Tonks? Are you listening?"

I snap back to reality as a familiar voice enters my thoughts. Oh right. Coffee, with Leda. And alas - the coffee shop!

"Tonks?"

"Yeah?"

"I was saying, it's quite a surprise that Eric's back."

Oh. Right. I had totally forgotten about Eric. Which is odd since I was suppossed to forget about Remus. And here I am, reliving another memory of him.

"Eric's back," Lead repeated, as we sat down opposite of each other.

I look up at her to see her giving me her 'what's up with you' face. I shrug her off.

"I know Eric's back. How do you?" I asked. I didn't know others knew he came.

"It was big news. I heard a week ago. I just didn't know it was him."

"You knew a week ago?"

"Yeah...?"

"How! I didn't!"

"Well, unlike YOU, dear girl, I pay attention. I don't daydream, like how you just did to me! And when I'm asked to file, I file!"

"What does filing have to do with knowing about Eric?"

"Nothing. I was just trying to make a point."

"Which was...?"

"That you never pay attention."

"I'm paying attention right now."

"Well, you should pay more attention. To me, especially, as I get all the office scoop."

She was always like that. She had always craved attention, since day one. And boy did she get it. She's an only child. And her parents, seeing as they were plain looking, were astonished that their daughter turned out to be a beauty, spoiled her even more. Luckily, it didn't get too far into her head. She really is a great person. We all have our defects.

"Anyway," she said, shaking off our previous semi-argument. "Epona Garland told me."

Of course. Epona Garland, the Auror flooor gossip. She once spread a rumour that I was an illegal animagus. which is absurd as I can only alter my image. But whatever - she's dumb anyway.

"Did you see him?" I asked, trying to sound light. But Leda wasn't fooled. Leda is never fooled. Leda has a strange unnerving gift of detecting lies, emotions and suspects.

"Yeah, I did," she announced. "Two blacks please" - she told the waiter as he came to our table, and then left afterwards - "Anyway, I only saw him briefly."

"Briefly?"

"Yup. Only enough time to exchange a greeting, a summary of our lives, and a salutation."

Interesting. What always confused me was the relationship between Eric Morse and Leda Jones. Being two of Hogwarts' most popular students at the time, they were both extremely smart, beautiful and nice. Everyone thought they'd be a couple. And yet they did not.

Although they were friends, as they - along with me and other fellow classmates - had the same classes, their relationship was completely platonic. Eric took a shine to me, while Leda was... alone. Or so we assumed she was. Apparantly, her father - and old-fashioned man who lived by old-fashioned customs - had gotten her into an arranged marriage. I had found out after we left school that she was engaged. She had only met the man once. I don't know if her engagement is still on though.

"He asked about you," she said, taking a sip at our newly arrived coffee.

"He did?" I questioned, quirking an eyebrow. That was unexpected.

"Mmhm! I didn't know where you were! He came in two days ago at around two. I think you were off visiting Arthur Weasley."

Quite right. My usual time for visiting Arthur is from two to three. "What did you tell him?"

"I just said you went out for a break. He looked most displeased when I told him. But I said not to worry - I mean, he'll be coming back for a few more rounds, being as half his crew is being stationed with us."

Ah yes. That's right. He did say some of his own Aurors were going to be with us. And that we'd see each other.

"Aren't you excited?" she asked, looking mildly surprised at me.

"Sure, why not?"

"You don't look too excited."

"I am."

"You're not. I know you."

That's the trouble with having childhood friends. You can never hide anything from them. I'm not good at Occlumens. How am I suppossed to hide my feelings?

"Who is it?"

I look up at her - her face is all interested, suspicious and curious. Great.

"What?" Maybe stalling will keep her out of it.

"The guy."

"What guy?"

"Tonks."

"Jones."

"Seriously."

How can I tell her? But then again, how could I not? She's one of my closest friends. Her own mother is in the Order. If I tell her, she'd ask Hestia. And Hestia would tell her all about him. And then she'd get all judgemental. Leda Jones is a very judgemental person.

"I promise I won't tell no one," she offered, stinking out her pinky finger.

"I can't."

She looked awfully put out about this comment. Like as if she'd been hit in the head by a boulder. But in a way, she has, since I refused to tell her twice.

"Come on, Tonks. It's me, Leda Jones, the girl you've known since birth."

"And it is I, Nymphadora Tonks, the girl you've known since my being conceived."

"Who is this mystery man that has gotten you all hung up, that you're not even worked up about your ex-boyfriend - whom I might add, that you spent three months confined in your bedroom crying when he broke up with you - coming back into town and seeking you?"

I can't tell her.

"Tonks?"

I want to tell her. But what if she starts saying all these rational things? Once she's on a roll, the woman does not stop.

"Really, Tonks."

I can't tell her. She'll be mean about it. She'll -

"It's Remus Lupin."

Well, that was uncalled for. I didn't even notice his name slipped out. Good going, self. This is why no one ever trusts you with secrets. Well, not no one. Just the majority of the public.

"Remus Lupin," she repeated, more to herself than to me. "That's a strange name, don't you think?"

"What, and ours are normal?"

"Well, I'm just saying! Besides, MINE is normal. You can speak for yourself."

"Gee, thanks. You're one supportive friend."

"Is he Spanish? Lupin sounds Spanish."

Now that I think about it, Lupin does sound Spanish. And he did tell me once - though very briefly - about his origins.

"He's part Spanish," I answered, taking a sip at my coffee. "I mean, he does have the traits I guess."

Leda's face perks up. She likes foreign men. Thinks they're 'sexy'. "So what are these traits?"

"His hair's dark."

"Well, so's mine. And yours too, come to think of it."

"Well, his skin's a bit darker."

"So's mine."

"I don't know! You just have to meet him then."

With this, she looks even more intrigued.I shouldn't have said that. Now she'll want to meet him."So he's part Spanish, you say?"

"Yeah... somewhere on his father's side. Besides, he told me once he can speak it."

She smiles a devilish type of smile. One that makes me roll my eyes in disgust.

"Has he ever said anything to you in Spanish?"

"No..."

"How old is he?"

I don't want to answer this question. She'll start judging. I just know it. She'll start talking so much she won't shut up. And she'll keep pestering me about the whole entire thing until I either hex her into oblivion or that I drop my whole fascination with Remus.

I mumble something under my breath that is almost inaudible, and hide myself behind my cup.

But she's always curious. "How old is he?"

"Thirty-six."

There is silence. I glance at her. She's staring at me with her mouth halfway open.

"Thirty-six," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Thiry-six."

"What's wrong with thirty-six?" I asked defensively. There's nothing wrong with him being thirty-six.

"Nothing... it's just that... Tonks, it's ten years!"

And here starts the train of judements.

"He's ten years older than you, Tonks! Don't you find that weird?"

"No, not really..."

"What does he do?"

"I can't tell you."

"Tonks."

"He's part of the Order. He's doing things for the Order."

"You mean my mum knows him?"

Oh shit. I shouldn't have said that. Now she'll go interrogate her mother about him. Just dandy.

"I'm going to go ask mum what she knows about him."

"Leda, I don't think - "

"Tonks, you're my friend. I've known you all my life. I'm not going to let you throw yourself into something stupid. After what happened with Eric, seeing how you starved yourself and did nothing but cry, I don't want you going through it all again."

"Yet you want me to get back with Eric."

"Well, you guys were a perfect match."

"Don't be stupid. You know we weren't."

"Make it work."

How am I suppossed to make it work? The man had tore me. He had shattered me into pieces. He left me hanging in limbo. And while I waited, he took the advantage and met someone new.

And yet, I want to make it work. Remus refused to make it work. He didn't want anything. Eric wants something. Besides, I'm not even suppossed to be thinking about Remus anyway. Whatever happened to my resolution of new beginings? I should start now.

"I guess I could give it another try,"I said reluctantly, squirming as I did so.

Leda smiles at me. "Don't worry. He won't hrut you this time. He truly misses you."

"How do you know?"

"I can tell."

Yes, that's right. Leda has an unsual gift for detecting feelings.

I don't know anymore. I'm not sure about Eric. Will he really not hurt me this time? And I'm not sure about Remus. Does he really want nothing to do with me?

I hope Leda doesn't detect this particular feeling of mine.

And I hope she'll keep her judegemental comments to herself.