Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter etc.

A/N: Voila, Chapter 7! I hope you enjoy! Please review.

Chapter 7: A Promise, A Kiss, And Jealousy

As Tonks made her way slowly downstairs, her mind raced. She couldn't believe what had happened last night. Not just seeing Remus as his werewolf self, but all the new feelings that had decided to invade her body. She had known she valued Remus as a great friend, even fancied him, but she hadn't thought it would turn out to be anything like this. And there was no denying what 'this' was, either. Her breath caught, and she slowed her pace even more as she let her mind say that one powerful word that she knew would change her life forever.

Love.

Real love. She couldn't believe how wonderful it was making her feel, but also how…terrible. What if Remus didn't love her back? Or even fancy her? Should she confess? And when? If ever?

"Bill…."

Tonks jumped, and was thrown out of her thoughts. She quickly backtracked to the area where the voice had come from, and peered carefully into the room.

There stood an extremely pretty, twenty-or-so year old woman, with long, elegant silvery-blond hair. Beside her, or, well…rapped around her, was Bill, kissing her hair softly, his hands placed tenderly on hers.

"Bill, what eef your fameely does not like me?" the girl said cautiously, and moved away slightly, breaking the embrace. She flipped back her silvery hair indignantly and sighed. Bill smiled, and began caressing her fingers, "Of course they'll like you, why wouldn't they? They'll love you. Just as much as I do." The girl laughed, and flipped back her hair once more, "I 'ave met your brother before, you know. Robbie? Sometheeng like that. 'E was very odd. Notheeng like you, Bill…"

With that she swooped down and kissed him passionately, ringing her slender arms playfully around his neck. Tonks tore her eyes away, unable to watch anymore.

What was Bill doing with that girl? And why was she in the Headquarters? Meeting his family? Were they serious? They couldn't be serious.

Suddenly Tonks could think of nothing else. Bill and his new girlfriend. Bill…

She gasped. Could she still be interested in Bill? No, of course not. But then why was she feeling this way?

She groaned and started down the hall. One minute she's obsessing about being in love with Remus, now she can't stop thinking about Bill.

Remus. Immediately the tingling feeling she knew only too well invaded her body. She sighed and stroked her hair thoughtfully.

She most certainly didn't feel the same way about Bill as she did with Remus. But what was this then? Perhaps just jealously at seeing her old boyfriend with someone else, when she was still painfully single. Painfully single and painfully in love.

Grimmauld Place was chalk-full of occupants that night at dinner. Fred and George turned up unexpectedly, and explained to a fuming Molly Weasley, that they had quit school and were off to open a joke shop in Diagon Alley. After an extremely loud screaming match however, they were begged to at least stay for dinner before setting off. Kingsley Shacklebolt had decided to take time off his hunt to find Sirius Black, to have supper with him, Elphias Dodge and Dedalus Diggle turned up, and of course Bill Weasley and his girlfriend, who's name Tonks had found out, was Fleur.

Fleur. What a stupid name, she thought. And no doubt she was from Beauxbatons, Bill seemed a thing for those girls. But seriously, this girl was a total flake. Tonks was reminded gloomily of all the giggly girls her and Bill had grown to hate so much during their time at Hogwarts together. What had happened? How could he have fallen for one?

"Tonks, can you pass the potatoes?" came Molly Weasley's motherly voice. "Tonks? Dear? Are you all right?"

Suddenly all eyes were on her. She tried not to blush, but failed miserably. "No…no, I'm fine Molly. Here." Tonks managed to successfully pass her the potatoes, forcing herself to smile.

Tonks ate her dinner as fast as she possibly could, getting a few strange looks in the process. She got up to leave, thanking Molly quickly, and was met halfway down the hall by Remus Lupin.

"Can we talk?" he asked shakily, his eyes observing hers carefully. She smiled, though slightly taken aback, and nodded, "Yeah, sure. I didn't see you at dinner, were…?"

But Remus didn't seem to be listening. His hands were fidgeting horribly at his sides, and his expression was extremely sober, almost dazed.

They turned quietly into a dusty room, in which Tonks sat down nervously, and Remus began pacing.

"Nymphadora…"

"Don't call me that, Remus," she said quickly, but her voice held very little anger, she had only added it out of habit.

"Tonks," he corrected, "About last night…"

Tonks sighed, "Remus, no, please-"

But Remus put up a finger to stop her, "No, Tonks, let me finish. About last night. You never should have come to see me. I was a werewolf, Tonks, I could…I could have hurt you! I should have never-"

"Remus! You had the Wolfsbane potion! You were perfectly harmless! Besides, you didn't seem to care much at the time…"

"Nymphadora, see, that's my point! I wasn't myself! I never am when I am a werewolf. If I was I would have never let that happen."

Tonks was growing angry. He was being stupid. As per usual.

"Let what happen? NOTHING HAPPENED. Nothing at all. Besides telling each other our deepest darkest secrets, I mean. Nothing."

But Remus seemed to be determined, "Yes, I know, but Nymphadora, something could have happened. So please, please, just promise that you'll-"

"Remus, nothing would have ever happened! You worry too much! Just-"

But Remus shook his head, beginning to grow slightly impatient, "Promise me Nymphadora. Promise me - swear to me - that you will never ever do that again. Never come and see me as a werewolf, never put yourself in danger."

"Remus…"

"Promise me Nymphadora." He looked at her desperately, but at the same time with overwhelming determination.

He had one hand placed loosely on his hip, and the other rubbing his forehead.

So cute, thought Tonks slyly, and sighed loudly, putting her hands lazily up in the air, admitting defeat.

"Fine," she said, dropping her hands.

"You promise?"

"I cross my heart and hope to die."

Remus smiled, and Tonks could practically see his muscles relax. It was so crazy how he took things like this. He was so…protective. And sweet. And caring. Tonks felt the usual bubbling feeling begin to sweep over her. Was now a good time to tell him?

Before she could ponder it anymore, however, Remus spoke.

"So what exactly did you mean by 'telling each other our deepest darkest secrets'?"

Tonks raised an eyebrow and cast the most wicked grin she could muster his way, "You don't remember?"

"Not really. Even with the Wolfsbane potion, most of my memories disappear as the night does."

"Well, let's see, first, you told me you were head-over-heels in love with Sirius. Can't say I didn't guess that though."

"Wha-what?"

Remus' eyes had widened, and his mouth was slightly ajar. He actually believes me, thought Tonks smugly.

She smiled deviously at him and laughed, "I was joking. But…" she looked at him curiously, "You're not, right?"

"Of course not," said Remus quickly. He didn't seem mad, but obviously the whole thing made him uncomfortable.

Tonks chuckled wickedly, "Well, you did tell me that you and a certain Marcia Vance were quite something awhile back…"

Remus covered his face in his hands and groaned. "I did? Really?"

"If you hadn't, would I know this?"

"Merlin…"

Tonks moved slightly closer to him, "Oh, it's not that bad. I told you who I used to love…or something like that. Hey," Tonks clapped her hands together and did something half way between a jump and dance move, "You won't remember! Hah!"

"No, that I remember."

"Who then?"

"Bill Weasley."

"Damn it."

"And by the looks of it, you're not quite over him," As Remus said this Tonks noticed his expression became a little more serious, and tone quieter.

"Why do you think that?" Tonks said stubbornly, and crossed her arms over her chest, trying hard to look offended.

"You were glaring at him and Fleur-er-canoodling all through dinner. I swear, if looks could kill…"

Tonks folded her arms defensively, "How do you know I was glaring at them? Oh, you were watching me, weren't you? You naughty little…" Tonks broke off mischievously, and tried to remain serious. It was so fun to tease him.

Remus' cheeks burned, and he shifted uncomfortably, "I was not."

"You were too. Ooh you were staring at mee…" Tonks flipped back her hair playfully, and saddled up to him, causing his face to turn such a red that it would have given the Weasleys' hair a run for its money.

"I was not."

"Were too." And with that she kissed him. She had meant for it to be short and sweet, just to wind him up. But when their lips met, she couldn't pull herself away. She felt shots of electricity zoom down her spine, and her head seemed to spin. It was even more surprising that Remus wasn't pulling away. He wasn't exactly responding to it, but he most certainly wasn't not enjoying it. They stood, still kissing lightly, for a minute or so before a small 'ahem' interrupted him.

They turned and found themselves face-to-face with Sirius, who had one hand on his chin, the other on his waist and a gigantic smile on his haunted face.

"I was wondering how long it would take for you two to…" he broke off, unable to find an appropriate word, and bent down to retrieve a dirty black cloak, apparently what he had come in for.

"For us to what, exactly, oh-dear-cousin?" said Tonks defensively, beginning to feel annoyed at the fact that Sirius seemed to think that their feelings toward each other, or hers at least, were so terribly obvious.

"Was that not a kiss I just saw?" he rubbed his eyes sarcastically, and blinked daftly, "Am I going blind?"

"Oh shut it, Sirius. I was just teasing him."

She cast a nervous look at Remus. He was biting his lip and looking thoughtfully at his hands. He obviously felt Tonks' eyes on him, as he looked up and gave her a sort of half-shrug.

"Sure," said Sirius, the huge grin still very much on his face.

"She was, Sirius. Seriously. There's nothing between me and Nymphadora," said Remus plainly, now looking straight at Sirius, a very serious expression on his worn face.
At these words, Tonks felt a stab of pain play at her heart.

Just remember, he didn't pull away from the kiss, she told herself. But then again, maybe he did really just think she was just joking around.

Sirius shrugged, "OK. Sure. Whatever," he said childishly, and brushed a hand through his grubby black hair.

"Oh, sod off, Sirius." Tonks stuck out her tongue at him, and walked towards the door. As she turned into the hall, she saw Remus and Sirius beginning to talk quietly, and, judging by the silly expression on Sirius' face, and Remus' half-annoyed one, it couldn't be far off from what she had just left.

She entered the kitchen as quietly as she could, and began, despite Molly's' protests, to help with the dishes.

"Oh, I can't believe Bill fell for her," said Molly stubbornly, scrubbing the plate she was holding with unnecessary force, "Fleur. Merlin. You know, she's part Veela, and I think she's put him under some kind of spell. Bill doesn't really fall for her type…he falls for women like…well, women like you, dear."

Tonks felt jealousy and anger shoot through her veins at once. Fleur and Bill. Merlin, and she'd just got them out of her mind.

"I know," she said simply, and they continued drying the dishes in silence.

"Tonks, dear, we're about done now," said Molly sweetly, as she began to stack the last plates, "Why don't you go talk to…Bill, say, and I'll finish off. Go on."

Tonks thanked her and started off into the sitting room, which was packed with people.

And, in the very corner, Tonks spotted Bill and Fleur, making out abnormally loudly.

When they were finished, Tonks walked up and greeted Bill, making no sign she knew Fleur was even standing there, "Wotcher Bill," she said amiably, causing Fleur to make a small 'hmmph' sound, and walk away angrily, to where Charlie and Hestia Jones stood, looking awfully comfy.

"Hey, Tonks," he said, sighing, and watched Fleur give Tonks numerous dirty looks.

"What are you doing with her?" asked Tonks bluntly. Might as well get to the point.

"Why would you care?" he asked quietly, his eyes still on Fleur.

Tonks sighed, "I don't know."

"You think I should be with someone like you?"

Tonks looked up at her and saw his eyes were now on her. She smiled and gave a girlish giggle, which she immediately regretted, "Yeah, I guess."

She felt herself moving closer to him, "Someone like me…" she repeated, slowly.

Bill seemed suddenly uncomfortable, "Look, Tonks, I like you and all…but…"

Those words hit just as if he had slapped her. She recoiled, and took a deep breath. What are you doing? She screamed to herself. Why are you wasting your breath on him?

"Merlin…" she said slowly, and blushed, "I'm sorry Bill."

And with that she turned, and headed for the door. She went straight upstairs to her room, and shut the door forcefully. "I'm so stupid," she breathed, and sank down onto her bed, wanting to shrink away forever.

----

Remus waited until she had slammed her door, before heading up the creaky staircase after her. He swiftly swept into the door to his room, and closed it as silently as he could, before flopping down his bed, sighing heavily.

Why am I obsessing about this?

Who wouldn't after seeing the girl who just kissed you flirting openly with someone else.

She didn't really kiss me.

Yes she did.

Well, what do I care if she was flirting with Bill? It's a free country.

You fancy her.

I don't.

You do. And she fancies you.


No, she doesn't. Why would she fancy someone like me?

Why wouldn't she?


I'm too old, too poor, too dangerous.

It doesn't matter; you still fancy each other!


Nymphadora does NOT fancy me.

She does.


This is ridiculous. I'm fighting with myself.

Remus sighed and rubbed his temples. He had to stop thinking like this; it was driving him crazy.

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