"What'll you have?" asked Tom when Remus walked up to the counter in the shabby little tavern.

"One Firewhiskey and one Icewhiskey." Remus said.

"Yes, Sir."

Remus brought the drinks back to where Mayla was waiting. Mayla's eyes were a little unfocused as she stared off into space. "A Firewhiskey for the lady. I prefer Icewhiskey to Fire. I like the chills it leaves after." Remus' nervous nature was showing through as he rambled on to the girl who sat across from him.

"To each his own. I like them both, personally. You know I really shouldn't be drinking after every fall I take. If I did I would be constantly drunk." Mayla said comfortably.

"I know someone who could rival you for clumsiness. Her name is Tonks and she trips at least 7 times a day." Remus' laughter rang through out the surprisingly empty bar. He took a drink of his whiskey as he studied her. An uncomfortable silence settled so Remus resorted to an old stand-by for conversation. "What do you do for a living?"

"I am a reporter for The Daily Prophet. They aren't really giving me any of the big stories yet. But I think that it is just a matter of time. I have pride in my writing. They are still looking for the next Rita Skeeter, but alas I have morals." She said looking him straight in the eyes in a way that made his skin shiver.

The laughter that escaped from Remus at the last comment made her jump. He had gotten a visual image of Mayla stuck in a jar with an acid green Quick Quill clutched in her hand. "I am sorry. I am not laughing at you. I had a very bad incident with her. Oh, I do believe I promised you chocolate, since I was the reason for your trip." Remus reached into a violet satchel that was hidden in his cloak and retrieved a rather large slab of chocolate.

"She wrote a rather nasty piece on you being a werewolf. She knew how to get under people's skin and bite around. She did it to hundreds. The worst was probably Harry Potter." Mayla said breaking off some of the chocolate.

"Please, don't tell me you believed that pile of shit. Harry is a sane, smart, capable boy who has had to have more courage in his 16 years then most adults ever have to muster. I have considered him a son since James and Lily passed away, and I met him." Anger was rising in his eyes that had been laughing only moments later.

"Didn't believe a word of it. If I believed everything Rita wrote, I doubt I would be sitting here with such a terrible werewolf. Oh hell, is that the time? I have got to go. Maybe you will bump into me again later." Mayla said quickly gathering up her books and exiting the pub.

Remus waited awhile before leaving the pub with a quick, "Thanks, Tom. I'll be off now." Remus was eating the last bit of chocolate as he Apparated back to Grimmauld Place.


"Thank you, Remus. We were almost out of food and with Severus coming tomorrow, we might have to resort to eating each other soon." Molly said happily.

"Arthur, can I talk to you?" Remus asked. "Where's Tonks?"

"She had to go into the office with Shacklebolt. People are starting to revolt against Fudge." Arthur said a little too happily.

"Let's go onto the porch. We can have some semblance of privacy there." The two men went out onto the back porch and started to look as the sunset was showing its last rays. "I met this girl. We ran into each other in front of Gringotts. Her name is Mayla Macias. She captures this essence that I think is gorgeous. She is a reporter for The Prophet, but she isn't a snarky bastard like Skeeter was. I… I… I am really starting to like her, I think. She has gorgeous olive eyes. Her personality is so strong. She isn't afraid to speak her mind. I find that beautiful." Remus started thinking back to when he first started liking Tonks and the first trait that attracted him to her.

"She sounds like another young girl who you have had on your mind." Arthur smiled knowingly.

"I don't know who the hell you are talking about." Remus turned away stubbornly.

"I am the only one who knows. Not even Molly knows. I am not going to tell anyone until you feel comfortable. You know you can trust me." Arthur said in such a fatherly manner Remus had to smile.

"Mayla seems really fun. Though with my luck, I won't ever see her again. If I do I am going to take a chance. I am going to ask Mayla to dinner." Remus' eyes looked out towardsthe dismal and yet beautiful sunset.

"I am glad you felt you could talk with me about it." Arthur gave Remus a pat on the back before he headed back in the house.


"Molly, we're home!" Tonks yelled into the house. She dropped her cloak and hat at the odd leg stand and went into the kitchen where delicious smells were permeating throughout the house.

"Hello, dear. You sure seem happy. I am assuming that means that Fudge is going to be gone soon. Dinner is ready. Do you think you could go get Remus and Arthur?" Molly asked as she stirred a large pot of what smelled like stew.

"There is already talk of who could be the new minister!" Tonks was almost skipping as she went towards the porch.

". . .going to take a chance. I am going to ask Mayla to dinner." As Remus said those last words tears started to stream down the young girl's face. Her short, pink hair turned long and black. Her vibrant, blue eyes turned a wet gray as she ran up the steps. She threw herself onto her bed and cried for a while, refusing dinner when Molly called.