Intimate Confessions

Gijane

Disclaimer, Rating, Summary: See Chapter One

Chapter Notes: Lupin Manor- I'm going on Dumbledore's line to Sirius (sniffle for both RIP) "Lie low at Lupin's for a while; I will contact you there." Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (American paperback ed., p. 713) Dora starts earning the first half of her given name in this chapter. The Cotswolds are the only part of the English countryside that this American knows and has visited. And it's sheep country, so I'm being cute (Lupin...wolf…never mind). Since 'Wotcher' is a Cockney saying and her family's ancestral home (12 Grimmauld Place) is located there, I'm assuming that Dora grew up in London. Katrina is based on Ron's line in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets "House-elves come with big old manors and castles and places like that…" (American paperback ed., p 29). She is named in honour of the Gulf Coast hurricane and all her victims.

Thanks for all the reviews! I hope to update at least weekly. Depends on DarkerRage (with a bloody underscore!)

Chapter Two- All About Remus

Remus Lupin stepped out of the fireplace and into the kitchen of his ancestral home, shaking off the soot from the Floo. Nymphadora Tonks stepped out right behind him and proceeded to trip over the fire irons set off side. Lupin spun about to catch her, but her momentum was too much and they both wound up sprawled on the kitchen floor.

Grinning down at him from her perch astride him, Tonks casually said, "That's the second time in two hours you've caught me. You're really honouring that promise."

Lupin was acutely aware of her on top of him, also of the various aches that the fall had created on his worn body. Nevertheless, he said to her, "Why do I have the feeling this won't be the last time we're in this position?" He closed his eyes as if embarrassed as the double meaning to his words sank in

Tonks's dark eyes widened in surprise then began to twinkle with humour. She burst out laughing, his eyes were still closed and now he was blushing as well. Leaning in close to his ear, she whispered, "I hope this isn't the last time we're in this position. However, Remus, darling, next time we need to have a lot less clothing on. Now, would you like some tea, dear?" She asked him.

"Tea will be fine, Nymphadora." Lupin answered in a harsh strangled voice. He willed his body not to respond to the situation or her statement. Unfortunately, he failed. He opened his eyes and tried not to laugh as he saw her response to his body's reaction.

"I do hope that's more than just your wand in you pocket, darling." She shifted downwards then grinned as he went scarlet from head to toe. "Ah, it is. Very impressive." She continued, pleased with herself. "This is Lupin Manor? It's lovely."

Lupin blinked at her sudden change of subject. "Nymphadora, get off, please." He pleaded.

"Fine, spoilsport. I was rather enjoying that. You were too." She rolled off him and got to her feet, surprisingly graceful for one so clumsy. Offering him her hand, she helped Lupin to his feet.

She pulled him flush to her body. "This is another position we'll be in a lot as well." She told him not letting go of his hand right away, eyes sparking. He blushed again. "So, this is Lupin Manor?" she repeated.

"Yes. This is my family's home. Manor's rather a grand name for it, but it's been in the family for something like 12 generations now-" He trailed off as she went out the kitchen door towards the front of the house.

Putting the tea on to boil, he shook his head in amusement as she re-entered the kitchen. "Did a quick tour. Come and show me around, it will help me understand all about Remus more." She held out her hand.

Hand in hand, they exited the kitchen. He showed her around the ground floor, pointing out and explaining various historical objects and knickknacks to her and telling her stories of all the occurrences that had happened in the various rooms. They ended up in the living room.

Staring out the huge picture window, Tonks sighed at the beauty of the setting sun over the country hills. "Where are we?" she asked him.

"The Cotswolds. Near Bath."

"Lovely." Tonks repeated again. "I'm not one much for the countryside, having grown up in London, but it is so peaceful. What's upstairs?" She gestured towards the stairwell.

Remus smiled. "Upstairs there are four bedrooms and another toilet. Top floor is where the nursery and attics are located. It's not a large house, but the Lupins have been comfortable here for years. Are you comfortable?" He asked, sounding amused.

Tonks had snuggled herself onto one of the couches in the living room. "It's so clean, Remus. How do you handle the upkeep?" she asked sleepily.

"Katrina." He answered simply.

"Who's Katrina?" She was unable to keep the jealousy out of her voice.

Lupin raised an eyebrow at it, but before he could answer, there was a crack of an Apparition.

"Master!" came a shrill high-pitched voice. "Katrina did not hear you come in. Katrina was upstairs cleaning."

"Good evening, Katrina. How was your day?" Lupin glanced at Tonks. Her Auror training had automatically kicked in when the Apparition crack sounded. Now she was relaxed again and watching him and his house elf.

"Master is too kind to ask how Katrina's day was." She bowed to Lupin but was watching Tonks.

Lupin introduced them." Nymphadora, this is Katrina, my family's house elf. Katrina, this is Nymphadora-"

"Just Tonks." She interjected, as usual.

"-Nymphadora Tonks," Lupin continued as if she had not interrupted. "Who prefers to be addressed by her surname only." Tonks stuck her tongue out at him. He smiled at her and continued on, "She is going to be our guest while she recovers from her injuries sustained during the battle at the Ministry.

"Katrina will help Miss recuperate from her injuries. Katrina is glad that Miss will recover. Master has told Katrina all about you, Miss."

"Thank you, Katrina." Tonks smiled at the little house elf who was curtsying to her in her tea towel skirt. She shot Lupin a return eyebrow over Katrina's last statement. He ignored it.

"Is Master and Miss hungry? Katrina will prepare a meal if they is." The house elf had noticed the exchange between the couple, but wisely did not comment.

"I've put tea on in the kitchen, but I don't think Nymphadora will need it." Lupin waved his hand towards her. The house elf saw that Tonks was struggling against falling asleep on the couch.

"Miss needs to go to bed, Master." Katrina told him.

"Yes, I know. Can you just please make tea for one and conjure some sandwiches for Nymphadora when she wakes, and some for me now. I am going to sit with her while she sleeps. Thank you, Katrina." Lupin said this calmly, but he was worried about Tonks.

After Katrina had scurried off, he picked a slumbering Tonks up off the couch and made his way upstairs. He had already tucked her in, picked up his book off the nightstand, and had sat down in the bedside armchair before realizing that he had brought her to his bedroom.

He was staring down at Tonks pondering what that subconsciously meant when Katrina's voice came from the door. "Master brought Miss to Master's bedroom. Is Miss going to be Katrina's Mistress soon?"

Lupin looked up to see his house elf balancing a loaded tea tray with her magic. There was a wishful expression on her face. He hated to let her down. "We're just friends. I'm not even courting Nymphadora." He suddenly realized what bringing her to his bedroom truly symbolised. Voicing his desires aloud for the first time, he told her, "I wish, Katrina, I really wish that she could be your Mistress, but you know why that will never happen." Lupin leaned in and gently brushed a stray strand of pink hair from Tonks's cheek.

"Why, Master? Miss is young, beautiful, and powerful. And Miss comes from an excellent family. She would make an excellent Mistress."

"Yes, Katrina, she would make an excellent Mistress. However, remember what your Master is. Plus, I'm too old for her and too poor."

"Master talks nonsense. Miss loves Master for who he is, not what he is. Miss cares not for the rest. Katrina hopes Master will see this soon." With that parting advice, she Disapparated.

Lupin stared at the now empty doorway in disbelief. How could Katrina see that Tonks loved him and he could not? He knew she had to have some feelings for him besides friendship. He wasn't stupid. He knew that there was an attraction between them, but did she love him? He had fallen desperately in love with her for all the reasons that Katrina had listed. But for him, most of all, he loved her for just being herself. She looked so small tucked up in the master bed that had seen numerous generations of Lupins being born, married, and dying. She fitted in so perfectly, so easily here, it almost frightened him.

Several hours later Tonks finally stirred. It was late night and Lupin had conjured several lit candles. He was still reading in the bedside armchair. He paused as she sat up in bed.

"Good evening, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?" He asked in a light voice, but it was underlined with concern.

"Much better." Tonks yawned loudly, causing Lupin to smile. She went to say something, but the bedroom door swung open revealing Katrina and her full tea tray.

"Miss is awake! Does Miss require anything? Tea? Food?" Lupin shook his head, amused at the house elf's enthusiasm.

"Good evening, Katrina. Just tea, please, I'm not hungry. Thank you." Tonks smiled as the house elf beamed at her, rushing over a cup of tea.

"Master wishes to tell Miss something." She told her.

"Katrina!" Remus interjected, in his professor's voice. "That's enough. Nymphadora and I are fine for the rest of the night. Off to bed, please." Tonks raised an eyebrow at his tone, but just sipped her tea.

"Good night, Master. Good night, Miss." Katrina bowed low to both of them and left the doorway. Heading down the hall to her quarters, she was heard to be muttering, "Master is impertinent."

Tonks started to laugh as Lupin swung the door closed wandlessly. "'Master is impertinent'? She's rather…unusual for a house elf, no?"

"I let her get away with it. If it were not for Katrina, I would have died as a child when I was bitten. She nursed me, refusing to leave my side, until she was sure that I would survive my wounds. I'm very fond of her, and I owe her my life. So if she gets a little cheeky every now and then, I let it slide. Plus, it's funny, coming from a house elf and all."

Tonks had frozen her teacup halfway to her mouth when Lupin had starting talking about how Katrina had saved him. He never talked about himself, never mind about his attack. She pictured a savaged child, his house elf trying desperately to save him, and had to fight back tears. "Remus," She asked quietly, setting her cup aside. "Isn't it…um…usually only um…well off families that have house elves?"

Lupin smiled at her diplomacy. "The Lupins have had their fair share of ups and downs when it comes to wealth. I believe we acquired Katrina's family during one of our more wealthy times. As I told you earlier, the Lupins are an ancient family; we could give the Blacks a run for their money."

Tonks nodded her understanding, amazed he was telling her all this. "So what is it that impertinent you has to tell me?"

Lupin looked away from her. "Katrina thinks you're going to be her Mistress." He muttered eyes on the floor.

Tonks's eyes widened. "But, we're not even courting!" Looking away from him to hide a blush, she noted the carving on the headboard. "A wolf!"

"Part of the family crest." He mumbled.

"You're joking!"

"No, unfortunately I'm not. It's a play on our surname. You should hear the family motto."

"Your given name?"

"My mother was Muggle-born and she thought it would be…cute if she named me Remus, especially with a surname of Lupin. She was a disaster for days after I was bitten. That's where Dad was, with Mum. There was the fact their six year old was just bitten by a werewolf and, I found out later, she had just been warned not to have any more children as it would endanger her life. I think she miscarried a couple of times, but we never really discussed my lack of siblings. So my parents spent most of the family fortune looking for an unattainable cure for me, their heir. They left me with barely two Knuts to rub together."

Lupin glanced over at Tonks who was uncharacteristically silent. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm fine. Unlike Sirius, I enjoy being at my family home. I have wonderful memories of this place and my parents. Minus that day, of course."

"It is lovely here. It's so peaceful. And I've never felt so at home. I'd love to be Mistress here." Tonks went scarlet. "Did I say that last bit aloud?"

"Yes, you did." Lupin replied calmly, but his heart was beating rapidly.

Drawing her petite frame up, she looked him squarely in the eye and bravely said, "Well, I would."

"And I'd love to have you here as Mistress, but we both know why it can't happen." He responded quietly.

"Why?" She looked sincerely confused.

He didn't respond.

They both sat staring at one another for a long time. Tonks finally pushed back her blankets and got up. She took Lupin's book from him, tossed it aside, and sat down in his lap. His amber eyes locked with her dark ones. Neither said anything.

"Kiss me, please." She finally whispered. "Please…Remus."

It was her whisper of his name that did him in. Tilting her heart shaped face up towards his own; he brushed her lips gently with his.

Tonks whimpered for more.

He complied. Running his tongue over her lips, she parted them for him. Their mouths fused instantly.

They sat exchanging kisses and holding one another into the early hours of the dawn. Finally sensing that she was tired again, Lupin pulled her close to him, where she snuggled up. She murmured something incoherently then fell asleep.

He looked down at her in amazement. She was his and he wasn't letting her go. Tightening his hold on her, he closed his own eyes and quickly followed his love into slumber.

TBC