Chapter Eighteen: Dirty Dancing
Tonks was sitting comfortably on a flowery green bench, which clashed horribly with her dress. Though, she didn't really seem to care.
It was the reception of Bill and Fleur's wedding, which had lucky been an overall success. People were currently dancing slowly to a quite frankly terrible song, which Tonks had refused to take part in.
Tonks eyes scanned the dance floor. Molly and Arthur were dancing wildly, as they had been for the last ten songs. She wondered mildly how they could keep at it so long, as they weren't exactly young.
Ginny was dancing slowly with a French boy, who seemed to be Fleur's second cousin, though no one was quite sure. Tonks snuck a glance at Harry, whom had been watching the couple for almost half an hour, jealously blazed across his face.
Bill and Fleur, of course, were dancing romantically. They were also kissing each other at the same time, and barely seemed to notice a crowd of people surrounded them.
Fred was doing a quite inappropriate version of the chicken dance with George and Angelina, whom he had apparently invited anyways. Angelina and him kept on sneaking glances at each other, and Tonks wondered when he would finally ask her out.
Ron and Hermione weren't exactly dancing, but they were standing in the middle of the dance floor together, separately swaying with the music. Every minute or two they went to say something to the other, but then thought better of it and went back to there swaying. It was almost too sad to watch.
Remus, to her dismay, was nowhere to be seen. He had disappeared as soon as the ceremony ended, which had been near to hours ago.
She looked sadly up at the moon. It was only a crescent.
No excuse this time, Remus.
The song ended and Tonks went back onto the dance for, searching for an interesting party in which to join. She spotted George, who was now by himself as Fred had asked Angelina to dance privately.
"Hey Georgikins! Alone again?" Tonks said happily, as she joined him.
"Alone again? I've never been alone before. And please don't call me Georgikins," he added with a shudder.
Tonks grinned. "You're not as funny without your twin, are you?"
"Nonsense!" He cried, and pretended to be insulted. "Never in my life have I heard such gibberish! I'm the one who makes the funny between us. I just wish I had a girl, is all."
"Ah, you'll get one soon enough," Tonks reassured him gleefully. "But here, what kind of girls d'you prefer?"
"Blondes, I suppose," he said with a grin. "With blue eyes…tall, and skinny, too."
Tonks rolled her eyes. She suddenly scrunched up her face in concentration and the next moment her hair was a long, strawberry blonde and her eyes were a vivid blue.
"This good enough for you?" She said, with a dazzling smile.
"Hmmm," George said, studying her. "Too old for me really. Can you un-age yourself a bit?"
"I'm twenty flipping four!" Tonks cried, and punched him softly on the shoulder. "Well, I suppose you've missed your chance me now…" She gave him a wink and another smile.
George smiled. "Boo hoo for me, then. But I must get going, Fred and Angelina are finished dancing and I must stop them before they start snogging each other senseless in front of everyone. Tootles."
Tonks let out a laugh and glanced at Angelina and Fred, who were indeed on the point of kissing. She turned quickly, only to collide head on with Remus.
"Argh! Oh! Remus!" she spluttered, trying desperately to straighten herself up.
"Hello, Nymphadora," he breathed, his eyes laughing but his face unimaginably serious.
"Where have you been?" she demanded, finally steady.
"Around," he said slyly, laughter still in his eyes.
Tonks put her hands on her hips. "You know, it's not very nice to laugh at people."
"I wasn't," He said simply.
Tonks sighed. He really was a good liar.
"I see you're a blonde tonight," Remus commented, a small grin flickering on his face.
"Oh, well, it was for George. I'm helping him through a rough patch," Tonks said, and slipped her hands around Remus' waist before he could stop her or question her statement.
Remus smiled down at her, and then drew away, holding his hand in hers.
"Do you want to dance?" he asked softly, not looking away from her once.
"Yes," Tonks answered firmly, and rapped her hands around his neck, while he put his hands smoothly around her waist.
Tonks listened to the music for a moment, then smiled. It was a slow song. She drew nearer to him, so they were only about a millimeter apart.
She looked up at him. She had never noticed how tall he was before. Not lanky, clumsy tall, but a graceful and careful tall. Tonks smiled and closed her eyes, absorbing the moment.
When she opened her eyes she immediately met his glance. It was full of guilt, and nervousness, reminding her painfully of that time when she had first confessed her feelings…
"Are you all right?" she murmured, burying her face into his sweater.
To her surprise, he backed away slightly. "I'm fine," he answered calmly.
Tonks sighed, but decided to let it go. She would talk to him later. She looked again into his eyes, and smiled.
"I love you," she said, and lifted her chin up, about to kiss him.
But before she could, he broke out of her grasp, ending the dance and the moment.
Tonks stared at him, open-mouthed. "What's wrong with you?" she hissed. "I thought we were over all this."
"Look, this is a completely different thing. I promise." He smiled at her, but Tonks remained totally unconvinced and hurt. "Besides, I don't think it's very beneficial for the kids to see us kissing."
"Beneficial? What?" Tonks said, totally lost.
"Well, they see us as role models. Parent-figures, I suppose. Now how would you like to your parents snogging in public?"
"Haha! See, I've already had the pleasure of witnessing that again, and again, and again. But I admit, you're right, it's disgusting," Tonks said, slightly angry and annoyed. "And I hardly think they're children anymore. So find a different excuse, I'm not buying this one." With that she turned and walked off the dance floor, settling once again on one of the green flowered benches.
Remus followed her almost immediately. "Do you want to take a walk?"
"I would absolutely adore that, Remus," she said dryly, and began walking with Remus towards a small, gnome-infested garden.
They walked in silence for almost five minutes, Tonks growing angrier by the second, until Remus spoke up.
"Look, about that night…"
"I thought we had been over all that," Tonks said, almost pleadingly, and forgot totally about being annoyed with him.
"We had," he said, sounding and looking very exasperated.
"Then what, Remus?" She turned on him, her eyes unexpectedly filling with tears. "I am so bloody tired of this! Don't you love me? Is this even serious for you? Or are you just playing around? Damn it, Remus, if you don't want me anymore, just say so!"
Without warning, he grabbed her and kissed her passionately. Tonks immediately felt all her anger melt, and she sighed. After a moment, he broke away, both of them out of breath.
He stood back a step, grasping her hands tightly, and looked her straight in the eye. "Nymphadora, I love you more then anything in the world. I am never going to let you go through what you went through this last year. And I am serious about this, I really am. But…I have to tell you something."
Tonks closed her eyes, and nodded. "OK, what is it?"
Remus let go of her hands and looked up at the moon. "I'm going back on my mission."
Tonks' jaw dropped. "You're what? Your mission? You don't mean…" Tonks stopped cold, and felt her face pale a few shades.
Remus looked down at her once more, and then glanced over at the still-dancing party guests. He nodded slowly, still watching the couples dancing. "I'm going back to live with the werewolves."
"No, no, no. Remus, you can't! And why? Dumbledore…" she broke off, a lump suddenly rising in her throat. "Dumbledore is gone. Why do you have to keep on putting yourself through this torture?"
Remus sighed, now definitely avoiding her stare. "Nymphadora, please, try to understand. I was possibly on the verge of convincing –"
"Possibly? Here that? Possibly," Tonks said, her temper flaring. "Those werewolves are wild and vicious! And, and, Greyback saw you fighting for the Order! He'll never let you back into a pack! He'll…he'll…" Tonks broke off, suddenly feeling extremely sick.
Remus sighed again, closing eyes for a moment before answering, "Tonks, look, there are other packs outside the control of Greyback. I believe that with a bit more –"
"They're vicious, Remus! They'll kill you!" Tonks now shouted.
"I'm just the same as they are," he said softly, still looking away from her. "Tonks, I have to –"
"Look at me, Remus!" she yelled, and grabbed the front of his robes. "Look at me! You're not like them! You are kind, gentle, loving, totally gorgeous…" She bit her lip and broke off, letting go of his robes. "Why are you doing this?"
Tonks heard him sigh; totally exhausted. He moved closer and put his hand on her chin, titling it upwards. "I have to do this, Nymphadora. Dumbledore being…dead doesn't change anything. I was given a mission and I will not quit until I know there is nothing else I can do. I'm sorry," he finished, looking guilt-ridden.
Tonks looked down at her shoes. "No, don't apologize. I – understand. Well, no, I don't, but I can see why you're doing this. I'm sorry I freaked out." She glanced over at the partiers, and saw they were beginning to pack into the Burrow. "We had better catch up with the others," she said, grasped his hand and began walking slowly over to the Burrow.
They let go of each other's hands as they neared the door 'for the children's sake'. Or that's what Remus said. Tonks had a lingering feeling it was because he still wasn't comfortable about being with her.
"Oh! Tonks, where've you been?" slurred Bill, as they entered the Burrow.
There were streamers everywhere, and the walls and floor were littered with confetti and glitter. Tonks noticed, in the corner, Molly trying to persuade Ginny to get off to bed. Ginny obviously didn't seem to be obliging, as she was bright red in the face, and was stomping her feet loudly.
"Ugh, Bill, you stink," Tonks said, waving her hands in front of her face to rid the beery stench. It was obvious he had drunken quite a lot.
"Well, thank-you," he replied, with an awful lopsided grin on his face. "Now, where's my Fleur?"
He waddled off to the left, nearly crashing into the triangular punchbowl.
Tonks spotted Ginny, and began to walk quickly over to her, ignoring Remus completely. She just wasn't in the mood to talk to him anymore.
Molly had reluctantly let her stay, with the promise that under no circumstances would she consume any alcohol.
Her reasoning had apparently gone to waste, because when Tonks reached her, she smelt almost as bad as Bill, and was currently downing a shot glass of vodka.
"Always the rebel, aren't you?" Tonks commented, once she came within earshot.
Ginny shrugged, and put the glass down with a sigh.
"What's wrong?" Tonks said, as sympathetically as she could manage. "Harry again?"
"Shhh!" Ginny scolded, and despite the alcohol seemed totally steady. "He's here, you know." She pointed over to the middle of the room, where Hermione, Ron and Harry indeed stood. "I don't want him hearing you. I can't deal with him coming over or anything right now. Or ever again really, for that matter."
Tonks resisted the urge to run over to Harry and start screaming the odds, and instead looked over at the sofa where Bill and Fleur now sat, cuddling intimately.
"Where were you during the wedding?" Tonks asked, deciding that letting Ginny say it herself would be better then just straight out accusing her of it.
"I was talking to Harry," Ginny answered simply, her expression and voice so plain it was almost as if she didn't care in the least.
"Get anywhere?" said Tonks, matching Ginny's expressionless tone.
"Nope," she answered, with absolutely no sign of bitterness. "He's dead set on not being with me."
Tonks sighed. "He'll come back to you," she said promisingly.
"No, he won't," Ginny said, downing another shot glass. "Even after the war, he'll meet some gorgeous French girl, like Bill, and forget all about me. Not that Bill forgot all about me, though, he didn't really pay much attention to begin with." Ginny turned suddenly, nearly falling into the wall, "Now, I think I'm going to go talk to George. He looks quite lonely without his other half."
Tonks sighed again, and rubbed her temples furiously. Today was turning out to be extremely long.
Tonks turned, as she felt a sharp poke in the back. She found herself face-to-face with Hermione, whose face was shockingly pale, and was scrunching a handkerchief in her hand quite violently.
"Tonks, can I talk to you for a moment?" Hermione looked down at her shoes as she said this, and her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Yeah, sure," answered Tonks, feeling a strange bubble of excitement start to fill her.
"Over…there?" Hermione pointed to the kitchen, which was currently unoccupied.
"OK."
As soon as they entered the kitchen, Hermione set off on a spiel of confessions. "It's just, her, right? And the - it's so weird! She told me! I hate – she hates! Me! And, everything! And, and, it's just so…doesn't make any sense! I don't – I don't know. Am I making a too big deal? And…just everything about it!"
"Whoa, stop!" said Tonks, holding up a hand. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Slow down. Start from the beginning, OK?"
Hermione inhaled deeply, and nodded. "OK, well, er – yes. It happened…it happened the day before…Dum…Dumble…er – the funeral. This…girl, she came up to me, and told me…told me she's going to have a baby. And she's…she's only in my year, too! But the weirdest thing is, we're not even friends. In fact, we hate each other. I have no idea why she told me. I suppose she doesn't have any real friends." Hermione stopped, and looked up at ceiling, then down at the sink full of dirty dishes.
"Is that it?" Tonks asked cautiously, knowing she was treading on dangerous grounds.
"Well – no," Hermione admitted, now looking Tonks in the eye. "There's more, but I don't think I should tell you."
"OK, you don't have to," she replied smoothly, ignoring the feeling of excitement that wanted to know the whole story.
"But…if I did…" began Hermione softly, fiddling with her hands annoyingly, "it might help in catching a Death Eater…or two."
Tonks' auror side immediately kicked in. "Hermione, you have to tell me if it's that important. Any information that could help catch a Death Eater is vital."
Hermione paled slightly. "But, still, I mean…"
"No, Hermione, you have to tell me. Or, if you'd prefer, I could get Moody or another Auror in here…"
"OK, OK, OK," said Hermione quickly, biting her lip. "It…well, the girl, she's…Pansy Parkinson."
Tonks furrowed her brow. Who was Pansy Parkinson? Her surname seemed vaguely familiar…an old pureblood family, no doubt. But as Tonks scanned her brain, she couldn't think of any Death Eaters that had been a Parkinson.
"Er – Hermione, I don't see how this could –"
"It's not her that's important, it's – well – the father," said Hermione exhaustedly, seeming to regret having approaching Tonks.
When Hermione remained silent, Tonks spoke up, "And who is that?"
"D-Draco Malfoy," she said nervously, and recoiled as Tonks jumped about a mile in surprise.
"Malfoy? Pansy Parkinson was Draco Malfoy's girlfriend, and now she's having his kid?" repeated Tonks, slowly; clarifying that was what Hermione had basically said.
When Hermione nodded quickly, Tonks collapsed against the kitchen counter. "Oh, Merlin. Oh, Merlin, oh, Merlin, oh, Merlin," she chimed gradually, her mind suddenly and inexplicably blank.
Hermione looked longingly back at the kitchen door, regretting deeply having come to Tonks. Now the guilt of betraying Pansy, however much she despised her, would be weighing her down.
"So," began Tonks, as tried successfully to gather her thoughts, "Malfoy has an unexpected baby on the way. And his girlfriends in hysterics, am I correct on that?"
Hermione nodded again, sighing slightly.
A huge smile had now appeared on Tonks' face. "Well, then, thanks for the information," she said sweetly, or, what in her case could be described as sweet.
"Wait – er – aren't you going to tell me what you're…or how…you're going to use this information?" Hermione inquired, her eyes sharp and her tone shockingly penetrating.
"To be honest Hermione, I don't know myself. I'm going to discuss it later with my – er – colleague," she replied, and pulled a regretful face. Though she could hardly contain a smile as she thought back on her words…it wasn't exactly a 'colleague' she would be discussing this with.
Hermione's face fell, but she seemed to understand. "Just please don't discuss this with too many people. I would just feel dreadful if everyone came to know about it…"
"Don't worry," Tonks reassured her, giving a small smile and a wink. "The secrets safe with me."
They exited the kitchen quietly, not saying another word. While Hermione went back to Harry and Ron, Tonks sought out Remus.
It was really hard to find him in the crowded room. It was hard to find anyone, but Remus especially, as he always seemed to be easily able to slip into the shadows.
She finally found him chatting idly to Molly on one of the sofas.
"I'm afraid they're planning something dangerous," Tonks could just make out Molly saying. "What if…?"
"It's their choice," said Remus, quietly and firmly, in a way that only he could do. "It might be silly, stupid and immature, but they're seventeen, or almost seventeen, now, and you can't stop them, Molly."
"I know, I know…it's just –"
Tonks, not wanting to be found eavesdropping, suddenly coughed loudly, drawing the immediate attention of the two.
"Wotcher, Remus, Molly," she said, smiling apologetically.
Remus looked briefly into her eyes, and then back to Molly, who was smiling happily.
"Oh, there you are, Tonks! I thought we'd lost you. Did you enjoy the ceremony?"
"Oh, yeah, it was great. Cute." Tonks turned sharply to Remus, who, as she examined him more carefully, looking especially worn and tired. "Er – Remus, could I talk to you for moment?"
Before Remus could say anything, Molly spoke. "Well, I'll get out of your way. Have fun you two." She turned, and bustled quickly over to where Arthur and the twins were, in what looked like very deep conversation.
They just looked at each other for a moment, before Tonks joined him on the sofa.
"Nymphadora, if this is about -"
"No, it's not," Tonks interrupted. "But I can't tell you here, and that's why we're leaving. Right now."
"Er – leaving where, exactly?" asked Remus, an eyebrow raised questionably.
"To my flat. You're staying the night."
Remus seemed shocked. "I'm what? Are you sure?"
"'Course I'm sure," said Tonks firmly, standing up. "Now, c'mon."
Reluctantly, Remus got up and let her drag him out the door.
When they were outside, Tonks turned to him. "You do know, like, exactly where my flat is, right?"
"I believe so."
"OK, well then, first one there wins!" And with that, Tonks Apparated with a loud 'pop'.
Surprisingly, when Tonks stumbled into the living room of her flat, she found Remus already there, inspecting the premises carefully.
"You cleaned up," he commented nonchalantly.
"How did you do that?" she said, slightly of breath.
"Do what?" he turned, confused.
"Apparate so fast," she murmured in disbelief. "That's amazing."
Remus flashed a quick smile, but remained silent.
After a moment or so, Remus spoke. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Draco Malfoy."
Remus eyes flashed brightly for a second, and he seemed immediately interested. "You've found information on his whereabouts?"
"Well, not really. But I have found something out that could prove just as important."
"What?" Remus asked, almost eagerly.
"First, sit down," Tonks pointed lazily over to her sofa. "And I'll get some cookies."
Remus quickly assembled himself politely on her sofa, whilst Tonks took her time in the kitchen. After letting him suffer in anticipation for almost five minutes, she piled the cookies messily onto a bright blue plate and took it over to Remus.
"They're really good," she commented, as she stuffed one in her mouth. "Want one?"
"No, thanks," Remus replied quietly, a small smile beginning to show in his features. He knew she was making him wait.
Tonks swallowed, then turned to him, smiling devilishly. "OK, well, what I saying before, I've found something interesting about Malfoy."
"And what is that?"
"His girlfriend's going to have his baby."
Remus, who was about to take a bite of a cookie he had just picked up (after thinking they did look quite delicious after all), dropped it abruptly, his eyes wide.
"I know, I know, I couldn't believe it either," Tonks commented as Remus hastily picked up his cookie. "But I have a very reliable source, and I trust them."
Remus, as always, did not dig any deeper into who her source was, though it was obvious it interested him.
"Though," Tonks continued. "I really don't know what to do with this. I mean, I can't just go and tell him, can I? And who's to say he even cares? Malfoy might be just as black hearted as dear old dad."
"But," said Remus, his composure regained, "even if Lucius is and was black hearted, he still came back to Narcissa when Draco came along."
Tonks arched an eyebrow. "Are you saying…"
"…that Lucius and Narcissa weren't married when she found out she was pregnant with Draco?" continued Remus. "Yes, that is indeed what I'm saying. And as far as I know, Lucius was as close as you can be to being Voldemort's second-in-command at the time. But still, he came back to Narcissa, even though it might have cost him the trust and leadership Voldemort had so reluctantly given him."
"Wow," said Tonks, absently looking down at her fourth cookie. "I really would never have believed that if it hadn't come from you. So," she said, looking him boldly in the eyes. "What do you propose I, or we, do about this?"
"I'm not really sure," Remus admitted, giving a weary smile and a look to match. "I think I'd better sleep on it."
"In that case," said Tonks softly, creeping closer towards him. They were barely an inch apart, and the warm, electrifying feeling she felt whenever she was with him swarmed through her body. She bent her head and kissed him, tenderly at first, and then with increased urgency and passion like always.
"I love you," she murmured between kissing, already almost totally out of breath.
"I love you too," he replied, and managed a smile.