A.N.: The response to this fic simply blows my mind. Honestly. At this time 159 reviews! It's like having friends!
Disclaimer: The almighty JK owns all. I'm simply playing with them.
He was gone when she woke.
She was tucked carefully in her bed, quilt pulled neatly up to her shoulders. Her dilapidated teddy bear had been placed sitting on the pillow beside her, standing guard. There was a piece of parchment propped against the bear's feet.
Tonks considered her position for a moment. She remembered dozing off on the couch, which meant that Remus had tucked her into bed.
She wished she'd been awake for that.
Yawning and stretching, she picked up the parchment. He'd written 'Nymphadora' on the front in his deliberate script.
She stuck her tongue out at it and flipped the note open.
I shan't tell you that I regret staying
with you last night, though I ought to.
Last night was more than I ever
imagined I could have.
Nothing has changed.
My argument remains the same.
I care about you more than I ought to,
and think on you often.
Yours,
Remus
"Oh, damn." She whispered. "Damn, damn, damn."
She read the note again, then dropped it on the bed. Why was the man so bloody stubborn? So bloody stubborn, and so sweet.
"Yours, Remus." She said out loud. "Oh, merlin." How could she ever give up on him? She decided then and there, she wouldn't. She'd pester him 'til he gave in.
First thing she needed to do, she thought, is to go to the ministry and borrow an owl.
Within hours of his return to Greyback's pack, Remus accepted that reasoning with Fenrir was an exercise in futility. Without a word to the other members of the pack, he put his satchel over his shoulder and left.
He apparated to the Burrow, where Molly Weasley took one look at him and clucked her tongue. She bustled him inside, sat him at the table and began to feed him.
When he was halfway through a second helping of stew, she sat across from him. "Really, Remus, haven't you been eating?"
He swallowed. "Only what I could steal, Molly. And these days, there's not much left to take."
"You have to look after yourself better." She chided.
He grinned. "I came here for feeding, didn't I?"
She returned his smile. "Charmer."
He winked. "When are you going to run away with me?"
She laughed. "I think I'd have some competition there."
He sobered, his gaze dropping to the table. "No, I don't think so."
"Remus, why are you being so ridiculously stubborn about this?" Molly said gently. "She wants to be with you."
He sighed. "Molly, I'm far too old for her."
"She doesn't think so."
"I have nothing to offer her."
Molly shook her head. "How can you say that? You have plenty to offer."
Remus pushed away his bowl and slumped in his chair. "Someone like Tonks... she deserves someone young. Someone whole."
"Has she given any indication that she wants that? No. She's been in a right state over you. Frankly, I'm deeply concerned about her."
He studied the older witch. "Are you implying that her problems have something to do with me?"
"Don't be dense, Remus. I know you went to see her last night. You must have noticed that she's not her usual colorful self."
"I did, and I asked her about it. She said it was nothing."
At that moment, a large tawny owl swooped through the window and landed in front of Remus, thrusting its leg out imperiously. There was a scroll tied to it.
He untied the scroll and opened it.
Remus.
You are the most infuriating man.
You left before I could properly seduce
you.
Everything has changed and you know it.
Your Nymphadora
p.s. you're thinking of me right now, aren't
you, you naughty boy.
He sent the owl back with a carefully thought out response.
Tonks.
I was well seduced by your enormous
flannel pyjamas.
Nothing has changed.
R.L.
p.s. I meant to say I don't think on you
often.
An hour later, as he was sitting in the Wealey's garden, watching the gnomes, the same owl returned.
Remus,
I'm sure you were aware that there was
nothing under that flannel.
Ha! I know you're thinking of me now.
Tonks
His response was swift.
Tonks.
The appalling cheekiness of your note has
me wondering if the Ministry knows what
filthy minds their Aurors have.
I've not thought of you all day.
R.
This time when the owl returned, it was looking slightly harassed.
R.
Where do you think I got it?
T.
p.s. if you're not thinking of me all day,
how about not thinking of me at the
Leaky Cauldron tonight at 6?
Remus absently petted the owl as he thought about his response. He really shouldn't encourage her, but meeting at the Leaky Cauldron for a drink was harmless enough.
Tonks.
It's possible I may be in the area. I
definitely won't be thinking of you.
R.