A/N: I'm back! I know that this chapter is a little short, but it'll be worth it trust me. I had a chapter all set to go, but this one demanded to go first. By the way, don't forget to check mechaban's deviant art gallery for illustrations. you can find the link in my live journal. While your at my journal, say hi!

disclaimer: I own less than nothing.

A month later, He saw her new patronus for the first time. They were dealing with dementors in Sussex; the dark creatures had converged upon a playground and were attacking children.

Tonks had gone off to the other side of the park saying that she'd spotted something. He was almost relieved that she wasn't by his side. Her constant presence in his life and in his mind made it difficult for him to deny what he felt.

In fact, he was at a loss to define what it was he felt for her. It was entirely improper, he was sure. There were dozens of reasons why, but whenever she was near, he had trouble remembering a single one.

She had a way of making him forget his intentions. Forget propriety and forget himself. He found himself actually flirting with her, which he was sure would have sent Sirius into convulsions of mirth.

He knew he should stop it before things got too far, but she had become the light in his darkness.

Skulking around the edges of the park, he pondered that. Who would have ever thought that a young punky witch would hold such allure.

Glancing toward the other side of the park, he could see her creeping along. The part of him that he struggled to contain, wanted to go to her and protect her. He knew that she could take care of herself, but he still couldn't help feeling as though she needed looking after.

As the thought crossed his mind, he heard her cry out, and looked up to see a silver shape emerge from where she was standing. Three dementors hovered in the air around her, and her patronus leapt at them.

Breath lodged in his throat, he sprinted closer, his wand out to call his own patronus. However, as he approached, hers drove the dementors off.

He was close enough now to see a distinct shape. A large four-legged shape, as Harry had said.

Unlike Harry, he knew this shape.

A wolf. Well, a werewolf actually.

He came to a halt and just stared as the silvery beast looked at him, then faded away.

Her patronus had become a werewolf.

How powerful could that be? He wondered. When she turned and saw him standing near, unease appeared on her face.

"I was afraid to tell you." She said softly.

He let his wand arm drop. "How long has it been?"

"Since the ministry."

He nodded slowly.

"Remus…"

He cut her off. "We should keep looking. There might be more dementors."

Then he turned and walked away.

She stared after him. Bloody hell. "Remus!"

He kept walking.

She jogged after him. "Remus, wait."

He didn't slow down, and when she grabbed his arm, he shook her off. "We have work to do."

"I know that." She said crossly. "Don't you have anything to say?"

He stopped then, and turned to face her. The glow from a streetlight painted his face with harsh angles, bringing his scars out in sharp relief. He gazed down at her, his face unreadable.

"Well?" She demanded.

He reached out, his hand lifting slowly to stroke her cheek. Then he sighed, letting his hand drop. "I don't have anything to say to you."

He turned away and started walking again. "I'm going to keep looking. You can go ahead back." He called over his shoulder.

She'd been dismissed.