Disclaimer: As per, I don't own Harry, or anyone from the books. As distressing as it is…..

To my reviewers: Thanks so much for reviewing! It's great to log on and see all the comments. Merci beaucoup!

Datswatutink: Thank you muchly!

Katie It's hard to write it from someone else's point of view, but I think it worked! (well, I hope, lol)

Gryffens: I do think being sweet is a compliment! That's what I aim for, I'm not about making it depressing, so I'm gonna try to keep as much of it light, until obviously bad things happen…booo…

Mrs Pierre Bouvier: I know, how cute are they? That's why I had to write a fic!

TheSarcasticLadyofRohan: Don't worry, I'll still be thinking about it while I'm in Spain, and I'll update when I get back!

Cheesekakke: Thank you so much! Lol, I didn't even plan the she-wolf thing, it just kinda happened….as for updating, I do try but it'll get harder once I go back to university!

Flights of Fantasy: Who is your favourite couple then? I love Lupin and Tonks, but I'm also a total Ron/Hermione person!

Darra Lupin: Like I said, that wolf-girl thing was totally random….lol

Dreamy-crazygirl: You're one of my loyal reviewers! Thank you soooo much! –grins- I'm glad you like the cuteness, I'm a total fluff machine, but I'll try to keep it above gag level. Hehe.

Knowregrets: That's the plan, yeah. And then take it on after the 6th book. If all goes to plan, that is!

Mara: Another faithful reviewer, well, I got more reviews after that chapter, so that's good. Still….want…more….-twitches- lol

Anyway, I'll put my own wee comments on the end. On with the tale!

Chapter 6 – The Spider

The next week or so in Grimmauld Place weren't all that exciting. When the Order weren't having meetings or engaging in guard duty at the Ministry of Magic, they were taking part in another very important task – The Headquarters clean up. Needless to say, some were more enthusiastic that others.

'Right everyone! Got your Doxycide? Let's get cracking! There are still three more rooms to do before lunch!'

Molly Weasley's voice echoed though the gloomy corridors of the House of Black, causing Tonks to break out of the half asleep daze she was in. She was supposed to be poring over a map of the Department of Mysteries, but, having been on guard duty the night before, she was finding it extremely hard to concentrate.

With a creak, the door to the dining room where she was sitting opened, and a yawning Sirius wandered in, stretching.

'Good sleep! How're you this morning, Tonks?'

Tonks just shot him a look.

'Do me a favour, oh cousin of mine? Don't come in here telling me about your wonderful sleep when I've been up all night…'

'Hey, at least you're actually doing something productive for the Order! I might get to sleep in but that's not going to help Ha-'

He was cut short by Harry himself, peeking his head round the edge of the thick wooden door, hair full of dust.

'Hey Sirius. Want to help us with the cleaning? It's not exactly fun, but you can help us with what can be thrown out and what can't….that's what Mrs Weasley says anyway.'

Sirius snorted. 'Hah….I'd be happy to see everything thrown away. Ach, but you're right, I should make myself useful.' He turned to Tonks, who was not-very-subtly covering the maps with her arms, the bags under her eyes very apparent.

'Why don't you go and get some of that Muggle stuff Hermione brought with her? The brown stuff. That'll perk you up! Well, that's what Lupin said; he had some just after the full moon.'

Tonks nodded, exhaustedly, and the other two left, leaving her alone with the plans.

She glanced down at them again, trying to find possible ways in which a Death Eater could get into the Department. But the more she stared at it, the more it just blurred over.

'Maybe I should get some coffee,' she mused. 'Dad's a big fan of it…'

Stretching out her back and rolling her neck to ease it, she stood up, with great effort. 'Jeez, this night shift stuff is exhausting! Or maybe I'm just a lightweight…'

She gathered up the plans sitting in front of her, glad that Harry seemed to have not noticed them. Dragging her feet, she made her way to the kitchen, where she found Hermione, washing her hands madly.

'Wotcher, Hermione,' smiled Tonks. 'Watcha doing?'

'Ach….that stupid Ronald Weasley managed to spill Doxycide on my hands…..he really is a few bricks short of the load…..'

Tonks burst out laughing. 'A few bricks short of the load? I love it. I'm sure he didn't mean it though.'

Hermione looked at Tonks with a withering expression on her face.

'No, I'm sure he didn't mean it, but that's not the point….'

The older witch smiled to herself. It was quite obvious to her that Hermione and Ron liked each other a lot, but, typically, being teenagers, would rather have their teeth pulled out without magic than admit it.

She shook her head slightly, and then remembered what she was there for.

'Hey, Hermione? You got any of that coffee left? I can hardly keep my eyes open.'

Hermione looked up from her frantic scrubbing, her arms covered in soap suds up to the elbows. She indicated a cupboard in the corner with a dripping hand.

'There should be some in there…unless Professor Lupin finished it all….'

Tonks smirked a little.

'I don't think you really need to call him 'Professor' any more, Hermione.'

Hermione's face reddened, and then she smiled.

'I know, you're right. It's just course of habit, I suppose. Lupin. Lupin. Just Lupin.' Hermione had began to sound like she was chanting, and Tonks found herself edging away nervously.

'Who's chanting my name?' came a rather amused voice.

Hermione spun around sending a spray of bubbles onto the floor to see Remus Lupin standing in the doorway looking a little confused.

'Prof…I mean, Lupin! Hi!'

'Hi….have I missed something?' he looking questioningly at Tonks, who laughed out loud.

'I was telling Hermione that she doesn't need to call you Professor anymore, Remus,' she replied with a grin.

He laughed.

'Just as well….being called 'Professor' makes me feel about Dumbledore's age….'

'You've got a while till you're as old as him!'

'Less time than you though.'

'Ah…not that much less. There's life in the old boy yet!' she nudged Remus (who was rolling his eyes) in the ribs and winked at Hermione, who stifled a laugh, not sure whether it would be rude or not.

'Anyway Remus, since you're here, did you finish that coffee?'

'Ah, that Muggle drink thing? No, there should be some left.'

Tonks walked back over to the cupboard and peered inside, before letting out a shriek and jumping back as though she'd been stung.

'Ahhhhh!

Hermione and Lupin both jumped and then stared at Tonks, before Remus ran over next to her.

'What is it? What's wrong?'

Her eyes were wide as saucers, and her finger quivered as she pointed at the open cupboard.

Lupin peered into the dark cupboard and blinked. 'What?'

'Sp…sp…sp…spider….'

'Oh not you too, Tonks. I though Ron was silly enough to be afraid of them. They're generally quite harmless. Unless it's Aragog, of course.'

Lupin raised an eyebrow at the terrified young witch.

'You're not really scared of it, are you? It's only small!'

'I can't help it!' wailed Tonks. 'It's my biggest weakness! I'm terrified of them; they give me the heeby jeebies!'

'Well, this one,' he said, picking up the little spider, 'is probably more scared of you after that squeal than you are of it.'

'I know….it's irrational….but I really can't help it.' She shuddered, eying the beastie in his palm warily.

An evil glint appeared in Remus' eyes. 'Time to get her back for the wolf-girl thing,' he thought.

'See, it's fine! It's not going to bite you!' He held the spider close to her, but before she could edge away, he let out an 'oops' and her eyes widened at him.

'Oops what!'

'I dropped it….'

'You DROPPED it!'

'Erm….yeah…' he replied sheepishly.

'Eeeeeyyaaaa! Where'd it go! Is it on me! Did it land on me! Get it off! Ahhhh!'

She stomped around in circles, waving her robes madly while flapping her arms.

'Remus! Can you see it? Is it on my robes? Waahaa….'

She threw off her top robe and flapped it about before dropping it on the floor.

'Can you see it? Can you-'

She then realised that both Remus and Hermione were standing laughing.

'What, you mean this?'

Of course, Remus was still holding the spider in his hand, where it was wandering around aimlessly. He grinned at her, and turned to the window to realise the little creature.

'You. Are. Dead!'

'Now now Tonks, lets not resort to violence, I've safely removed the terrifying beast, and now you can get your coffee! No harm done!'

'Hmph.'

Tonks turned her back on Remus, pretending to be in a huff, and started making her coffee. But she couldn't help but feel her heart beating a little faster, and it wasn't through fear…

'Now, I came in here for a reason, other than to terrorise Tonks….ah yes, I need a duster. Molly said I'd find one in here.'

He bent down to rummage in a bottom drawer, and, after a minute or so, returned triumphant with a large feather duster. Tonks immediately spun round and muttered 'rosiacious' under her breath, her wand hidden from his view. Instantly, the feather duster turned a fetching shade of baby pink.

'Oooh….suits you sir…..hahaha….'

And Tonks, who had by now finished making her coffee, walked smugly out of the kitchen, leaving Remus bemused, and holding the very pretty duster.

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A week later, the mood around the house had become considerably less jovial. It was the day before Harry's hearing with the Ministry of Magic, and, despite everyone's assurances that he would come out fine, there was still an air of tension around.

'They've got nothing on him,' Hermione could be heard whispering to Ron on many occasions. 'You're allowed to use magic in life-threatening situations! And Dementors, well, I think that certainly qualifies as life threatening!'

Ron would nod darkly. 'But you know the Ministry right now; they've got it in for Harry…'

'I know, but don't let Harry hear you say that!'

When night-time eventually came, it was clear that Harry was a nervous wreck. However, Molly Weasley's solution was the same as usual, just go to bed. Unfortunately for Tonks, there would be no bed for her, tonight was her shift at the Department of Mysteries; she wouldn't be back until around 5am. She sighed at the thought, watching wistfully as everyone trudged up the large carpeted stairs to bed.

She wandered into the now deserted kitchen, and crept over to the cupboard where the coffee had been.

'Hope there's no spiders this time,' she shuddered, muttering under her breath. Her mind flew back to the whole incident with Remus and the spider, a smile curling on her lips.

'He always takes the piss out of me…'

'So why do you like it so much?'

She frowned a little.

'I like it cause it's funny?'

'Liar. You like it cause you like him paying attention to you'

'No way! Well, is it that wrong to want a friend to like you?'

'Yeah, but you don't just like him!'

'Ahh! Shut up Tonks. Arguing with yourself is a sign of true madness.'

She groaned as she realised there was no coffee left.

'And I don't fancy Remus, ok? Hmph….'

Funnily enough, the cupboard didn't reply.

'See what you've done? Now I'm talking out loud! And to cupboards! Jeez…it's definitely time to get going….'

Tonks took a deep breath and scrunched her eyes shut. She hated apparating…but at the same time she was too lazy to walk. Plus, it might look a little suspicious, a pink haired young women wandering around the streets at midnight. In fact, she thought, pink's quite conspicuous at any time. Realising this, she scrunched her eyes shut and focused on having blonde curly hair. She reached up and ran a hand through her hair, pleased to feel that it was now suitably curly and down to her shoulders.

She flexed her neck and cracked her fingers to steel herself, before concentrating hard on the door outside the Department of Mysteries.

As usual, just as the odd feeling of apparating seemed to get too much to bear, she was there. The young witch settled herself down in the usual not very comfy position of leaning against the wall.

'Damn…I should've brought a book or something…now I'm stuck here with only my mad mind for company…hmm…lemme think…erm...something safe to think about…'

She readjusted her position; the floor was hard and cold, and she knew already that she was going to have a really numb butt after this shift.

'Something safe, something safe…don't think about…well, you know what not to think about…'

She glanced around the dull corridor; as usual she was the only source of life around. Part of her almost wanted something to happen, just to ease the never-ending boredom, but of course she knew that she didn't really want that. Tonks' mind began to wander as she sat on the cold floor – what must it be like to work here?

She knew about the Unspeakables, but because they were just that – Unspeakable – she didn't know much.

'It's much more interesting working in the Auror's office,' she mused. Well, it could be, at times. It certainly would be if Rufus Scrimgeour would give her more to do than just paperwork. Mind you, he'd been speaking to her a lot more recently, and Kingsley too, for that matter.

She frowned. Neither of them had done anything to arouse his suspicions, not that she could think of. They didn't really talk to each other while at work, expect if it involved work. All the same, she concluded, it was probably best to mention this to someone…

'Remus, tell Remus! You know you want to!'

'Ach, shut up.'

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Five hours later, Tonks had taken to singing through entire Weird Sisters albums in her head to keep herself from falling asleep. When she had reached the chorus of a particularly rocky number ('Hubble Bubble', a rather interesting take on that bit of the Muggle play, 'Macbeth') she glanced down at her watch. The little hand was pointed at the tiny sentence 'Only 5 minutes to go!' while the large hand pointed to 'Hang in there!'

'At last,' she thought, trying to move some muscles which by this point seemed to have given up on life. By the time she stretched and shoogled and twisted and turned to ease herself off, the little hand was now reading 'Time to go!' With one final total body stretch, Tonks concentrated on the three D's and returned to Grimmauld Place.

To her surprise, when she reappeared in the kitchen, she wasn't alone. Mr and Mrs Weasley were both standing there, Molly in her dressing gown, along with Sirius and Remus.

'I wasn't expecting a welcoming committee!' stated Tonks, blinking in surprise.

Sirius laughed.

'As popular as you may be Tonks, we're not here for you. Harry'll be getting up soon and it's his hearing today.'

'Oh…of course! Jeez! Are you taking him on the way to work, Arthur?'

Arthur nodded. 'We're walking; don't want to be using magic when that's what he's in trouble for.'

Tonks nodded. That was sensible. However, thinking about work reminded her about Rufus, and how she was going to tell someone.

'Um….' She looked around. Molly was pottering around the kitchen stove, seemly desperate to start making something. Arthur was pacing around the room, clearly on edge, and Sirius didn't look much better. However, Remus seemed to have noticed Tonks' little mumble.

'Anything wrong, Tonks?'

She spun around in surprise that anyone had heard her, least of all Remus, and nearly skidded on the floor in the process. Having steadied herself, she turned to face him, rather red-faced.

'Yeah, well, I had plenty of time to think while I was on my shift there, not exactly exciting stuff you know, sitting there all night, watching the walls,' she said, nervously twirling a strand of blonde hair in her fingers.

'What was I saying… oh yeah! Well, I was thinking about work, seeing as I was at work, well, not really my work but the same building - you know what I mean.' Suddenly the young witch shuddered as a massive yawn escaped her.

'I'm sorry Remus, I'm rambling. My mind's half asleep…I'm not cut out for this night shift stuff!'

He smiled at her warmly. There was something really cute about the way she rambled, but he wasn't about to admit he'd thought that…

'A girl's gotta get her beauty sleep, eh?'

'Something like that,' she nodded, pleased that he didn't seem to think she was a complete idiot.

'Anyway, what I was trying to say extremely badly, is that I think we might need to keep an eye on Rufus Scrimgeour.'

'The head of the Auror office?'

'That's the one, yeah.'

But before she could say anything else, the door opened, and there stood a rather agitated looking Harry.

Molly instantly walked over to Harry, demanding that he had some breakfast. The poor boy looked as though eating was the last thing he could do.

'M – m – morning Harry,' yawned Tonks. 'Sleep all right?'

She really asked it out of courtesy; it was quite clear that he'd been thinking about the hearing the whole time.

'Come and sit down Harry,' she offered, pulling him out a chair and managing to knock over another one in the process. He had barely put his bum on the seat when Molly started accosting him about his breakfast requirements. As he replied to her, Tonks saw Remus glance over at him, obvious concern on his face.

He then turned to Tonks, his expression serious.

'He looks so cute when he's serious! Gah…illegal thoughts, illegal thoughts…'

'What was that you were saying about Scrimgeour?'

'Oh…yeah,' she said, recovering quickly. 'Well, I think we need to be a bit more careful, he's been asking Kingsley and me funny questions.'

She tried to think of some examples to give him, but her mind had gone as foggy as the Forbidden Forest. She was sooo tired, and she was meant to have guard duty again that night…

Luckily though, after having brought this up, Arthur Weasley volunteered to do her shift that night.

'Thanks soooo much Arthur,' she said again, as everyone was clearing up from breakfast.

'I'm absolutely knackered!'

She yawned again.

'You're going to start catching flies in there if you don't watch out Tonks!'

She glanced over at the source of the comment, Sirius. Although he was smiling, she could see he was tense, waiting to see how Harry got on. Tonks personally felt very confident that he would be fine, but that was just how she was, an optimistic person.

Feeling her eyes dropping again, she made a decision.

'I'm going to bed; I need to catch up after last night. Promise to wake me as soon as you hear from Harry!'

The group around the table nodded at her, for a split second she met Remus' eyes and she felt her face redden.

'Grow up, Tonks!' she muttered under her breath, before waving briefly and heading up the stairs.

Well all, that's it for now! I'm off to Spain for month tomorrow; I'm travelling alone, so I'm really nervous! But I'll survive I'm sure. I hope…

I've got plenty of ideas for this story, so I totally intend to keep it up when I get back, no worries there! I actually had something planned, but I don't have time for it in this chapter, so it'll need to wait till the next.

Anyway, please review, I'm hoping to see loads when I get back! See you all in a month!

Alison