No copyright infringement is intended
This story will be an alternating POV between Tonks and Lupin, starting after the hospital ward scene in HBP. Spoilers for HBP.
A Chance at Happiness by Fairygirlie
"I have a date! I have a date! I have a date!" I sing to myself, as I lay curled up in bed. I have a date with Remus Lupin tonight! Although Remus left my flat about fifteen minutes ago, everything still hasn't sunk in. Less than an hour ago, I was fast asleep; less than a half-hour ago I was in Remus' arms as we were kissing. My word, that man can kiss. I was actually surprised, not that I had any doubt, but he seemed the shy type without much experience. Maybe he's just a natural, I wonder as I giggle to myself.
I really shouldn't be giggly. Less than a day ago, we were in the middle of a huge battle, Dumbledore was killed, and everyone's lives were thrown into flux. The funeral will probably be tomorrow, somewhere plans are being made, and the whole wizarding community is in a state of mourning…but on the other hand, if any good can come out of a horrible tragedy such as this, it is this: live each day to the fullest. You never know when your end will come. For all I know, I could slip in the shower this morning, get knocked out and drown. I'll try to be extra careful tonight. Lately, I've been less clumsy and accident-prone, but perhaps being perpetually unhappy had something to do with it.
"Tonks! Are you home?" yelled a semi-familiar voice from my living room. I'm sure it's Molly Weasley but the soot accumulated in my fireplace seems to be caught in her throat.
"I'm here," I yell as I leap out of bed and run into the other room.
"Tonks dear, you really should clean out your hearth more than once a year," Molly said after cleaning out her throat and soot-covered coat with the Scourgify spell.
"Sorry Molly, my Floo is rarely ever used. So, what brings you by my lovely flat? I hope nothing is wrong," I ask. I hope Bill's condition hasn't worsened.
"Nothing is wrong. Bill woke up this morning and asked for a steak prepared rare! He's going to be fine…umm, do you mind if we sit and talk for a bit?" she asks in a curious manner. I motion toward my sofa and we sit. "We, Arthur and I, we're concerned about you. After last night when you left Hogwarts you were in such a sad state," she said then paused to look closely at me. After more than a few seconds, she continued, "but you seem somewhat different this morning. I haven't seen that shade of pink for months, and your cheeks! They have color! What happened? Or do I not want to know?" she added sneakily.
"Oh, Molly. So much has happened this morning," I said happily.
"Does this sudden transformation in your character have something to do with our dear Professor Lupin?" she asked.
I blushed in response.
"Oh honey, that's wonderful!" she said and hugged me in a great momma-bear embrace. "Did he stop by this morning?"
"Really early this morning," I croaked, extricating myself from her crushing hug. "I was sleeping when he Apparated in, he slept on my sofa and woke me up with a breakfast of bacon and coffee! We had a nice talk. Everything seems to be working out. We even have an official date tonight!"
"I'm so happy for you two!" she said, "Oh, that stubborn man! To think, after all this time, he was in love with you and…"
"Wha?" I try to interrupt her but she kept talking away.
"…in the hospital wing he accidentally told us how he feels about you," she stops long enough to grasp my hands and continues, "how he wants you to be his mate for life! Oh Tonks, I'm so happy for the both of you."
I try to get the words out of my mouth, "Uhh…love…mate for life?" I manage to say.
"Well, of course you know that, dear. That's what you spoke of this morning, right?" she asked.
"Um, uh, no. Not exactly," I answer, my mind still spinning.
"Oh dear, you seem surprised. Did I say something wrong?" she asked.
"Um, no. Not exactly," I reply as I stand up. It feels as if my whole body has fallen asleep. "Let me get you a cup of coffee." I said as I left the room.
As I reach for two clean mugs the words run through my head. Love. Mate for life. Remus loves me? I know he has strong feeling toward me, but love? I mean, sure, I love him. I've loved him for over a year, but the knowledge that he feels that way about me is still a shock. Did he really tell everyone he loved me? And who exactly is everyone? Did he crack and spill all his inner secrets? I've never known Remus to do that. He always seems so in control of his emotions. He keeps everything in check…and now to that other detail: his mate for life.
Oh dear. Why didn't I take this into consideration? A werewolf, like a regular wolf, takes only one mate in his entire life. How could I forget that? Werewolf mating habits were covered in my Auror training. One mate. Only one. One. One special lady. One partner for life. That would mean Remus really has very little experience with women! One woman. Breeding. Mating. My mind is spinning!
"Tonks, are you alright? Let me help you with the coffee," Molly said as she walked into the kitchen and took the mugs. "My word, you've gone pale. And why is your hair burgundy? You look like you've seen a ghost," she said.
"Let's sit down again." I say and we're back on the sofa. "Molly, Remus never said anything to me about being in love or wanting me to be his mate."
"Oh no!" she said, looking embarrassed for sharing these details. "I'm so sorry Tonks. I-I-I thought you knew already."
"Nope, this is a first for me," I said.
"You look scared. Do you not feel the same way about him? I know you do," she said.
"Molly, you know I've loved him for ages. It just…I wasn't prepared to hear that the feelings were mutual. I had been, pardon the expression, mooning over him for so long; after a while I doubted whether I'd ever be loved in return. Right now, things seem too good to be true." I said.
"And is that a problem?" she asked.
"No, not really," I said. "I think I'm just experiencing a mental overload. Especially with the, um, other thing."
"Other thing? Oh, you mean the mate…" I cut her off to finish her thought.
"Mate for life," I said.
"I take it you've never, uh, done it before?" she asked.
"Nope, I've never done…it. I had dated while at Hogwarts, but I've never had a really serious boyfriend. Then after a while my Auror studies took up all my spare time, then work ate up all my free time, then I joined the Order, then I met and fell head over heels for Remus, and since then no one could ever compare to him," I said.
"That's sweet," she said with a smile. "So what are you concerned about?"
"It's just that things are moving way too fast right now. I'm getting nervous," I said.
"It's completely normal to be nervous. Don't worry, I'm sure Remus won't try anything on your first date. You two obviously have much to talk about," she paused to finish her coffee, "but don't forget to have fun. Remember, you only live once," she stood up to leave.
"Thanks for everything, Molly," I said and gave her a bit hug.
"I'm sorry about sharing what Remus told us. Try not to tell him I said anything," she said with a grin as she took out her Floo powder.
"I'll see you tomorrow," I called as she left.
Okay, now I'm nervous, apprehensive, confused, giddy and somehow still happy. It's time to figure out what to wear tonight. I only have seven hours left to decide!
A/N: After a ridiculous stretch of writer's block, the muse has finally returned! This will be a two-part chapter of Tonk's POV.