A/N: Reviewers! I love you all! I'd respond individually but that takes time away from writing!
Longer chap this time!
Disclaimer: the usual.
A week after leaving Harry in the dubious care of the Dursley's, Tonks joined Remus for night surveillance on Privet drive. They were both wearing invisibility cloaks, and were crouched behind the shrubbery in back of the Dursley's garden.
"D'you think he's ok?" Tonks whispered.
"Harry?" Remus' disembodied voice replied. "He's a survivor. He'll be alright."
It was weird having a conversation with someone she could not see. She could feel his knee against her hip, but if she turned her head, she couldn't see anything.
Then again, not being able to see him kind of made it easier to talk to him.
"You ok?" She asked.
He hesitated for so long; she thought he wasn't going to answer. Then he said softly, "I will be."
Then he continued. "Of course, for me, ok is relative."
So many words she wanted to say to him just then. Yet nothing she thought would be appropriate.
Therefore, she remained quiet.
For about five minutes.
Then she let out a hiss as she shifted.
"What is it?" Remus asked.
"Leg's gone all tingly." She whispered. "I've got to stand up."
"Careful." He cautioned.
Tonks got to her feet without much trouble, the cloak remaining in place, covering her.
"Ooh, ow." She shook her leg a little.
It was when she tried to take a step that trouble happened. Her foot caught in the invisibility cloak, and she pitched forward.
She crashed into a prickly, thick leaved shrub.
The garden was suddenly flooded with light, and Harry's Uncle Vernon came out of the house, brandishing a fire poker like a club.
"Who's out here?" He blustered. "I know you're here."
Tonks froze, tangled helplessly in the shrubs.
"Don't move." Remus whispered to her as he worked to get her cloak loose.
"Show yourself!" Dursley shouted.
He stomped closer to where Tonks lay and Remus crouched beside her.
Remus swore and gripped Tonks under the arms, dragging her free of the bushes, leaving her cloak behind. She was visible for a split second before he threw himself and his cloak over her. His weight pressed her into the soft ground, and she hid her face against his chest.
Dursley paced and bellowed just on the other side of the shrubs.
If it weren't for Harry's uncle, Tonks decided, this would be a very interesting position to be in. She and Remus were pressed together from shoulder to thigh, so close; she could feel his heartbeat against her. Her hands were at his waist, and she fought the urge to pull him even closer.
She bit her lip. What are you thinking, Tonks? This is Remus.
Remus. Handsome, kind, wonderful Remus. She rubbed her nose against his shirt and sniffed.
Dursley poked at the shrubs. Finally, grumbling, he turned around and stomped away. Remus was statue still until Dursley disappeared back into the house, and the garden lights went out. Then he let out a harsh breath.
"That was close." He whispered into her hair.
Her hands were fisted in the soft fabric of his shirt. He started to get up, to move off her, and she clung to him.
"Tonks?" He looked down at her.
Then he forgot how to breathe.
The look in her eyes. In her eyes and all over her face. He had never seen quite that look before. At least not directed at him.
"Nymphadora..." He murmured, unable to look away.
Her hands fell away from his waist and she pushed herself up on her elbows.
If he didn't breath soon, he was going to black out.
She moved closer, until their mouths were an inch apart. "Remus."
For one shining moment, their breath mingled. And he wanted. Oh gods, how he wanted.
Then a silky voice came out of the darkness. "If you two are quite through?"
Remus sucked in a breath and surged to his feet, gripping Tonks by the hand and pulling her up after him.
"Severus." Remus greeted neutrally.
"As much as I dislike interrupting your... tryst, you are supposed to be watching the house." Snape sneered.
"Thank you, Severus." Remus answered coolly. "I am aware of that. Tonks had... a problem with her cloak, and I was just helping her."
"Imagine." The potions master drawled.
"You're here to relieve us, then?" Remus prompted.
Snape jerked his head in a nod.
"Well, then we'll bid you good night." Still holding her hand, Remus led Tonks away from the yard.
"Thanks for not telling." Tonks murmured.
"Nothing to tell." He replied. "Are you going back to headquarters tonight?"
She wished she were. So she could get him in some dark corner and finish... She shook her head. "No. I promised Molly I'd pop by the Burrow."
He nodded. "Ah. Well... Good night, Tonks." He stepped away and disapparated.
Tonks stared at the spot he had been. "Bloody hell."
She was in big trouble. Time to talk to Molly.