In the past, the thought of dragging myself outside to go running made me grumble and morph horrible faces in front of the mirror. Today I bounded out of bed, actually made it, and got dressed in a pale blue and black running outfit that Julia had pronounced made me look fit. Making my way downstairs with a water bottle that transfigured into a wristband, I hummed Billie Holliday's He's Funny That Way. Like Billie sang, I sure hoped that I had Remus "crazy for me" since I felt that way about him. We'd been officially dating for almost a week, and he'd come over every morning to go running and have breakfast with me. That made all the difference in my attitude.

Outside the Blue Moon, I started to stretch.

"Good Morning."

I straightened and turned to kiss Remus hello. His eyes flickered over my long bra top and split leg shorts. I thought he looked mighty fine himself in a grey sleeveless tee-shirt and tracksuit trousers. His cute little smile incited me to hug him.

"You're energetic this morning," he said after we discussed a route and began to jog.

I looked over at him. "Must be the company, because I've never been a cheery early bird before." I didn't say it, because regardless of what my mother said, I did have some semblance of tact, but I thought Remus seemed to have more energy too. It was funny, but as the moon waned, he seemed to wax, to become healthier, less tired, even look younger. I allowed myself to think it was because I'd impacted his life like he had mine.

"Tonks!"

I'd been darting a glance at Remus instead of watching the pavement. The toe of my trainer snagged on a deep crack in the cement. I lost my footing and fell headlong, automatically throwing out my hands to break the fall. Rolling to the side, I held up my stinging palms to see what damage I'd done this time. Remus knelt down beside me, visually assessing the knee that had hit the ground.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Yeah." Silently, I chanted a simple healing spell. I used several on a regular basis, being accident-prone. Once my hands no longer had that raw look to them and my knee wasn't aching, I glanced at Remus. I knew I was red-faced with chagrin. "I wish Mum would've given me a middle name. Grace, maybe."

His smile made me feel better, and the rest of the run passed without incident. Approaching the Blue Moon, I impulsively stopped in front of Chocolat. "Why don't we grab a croissant?" I'd been trying to impress Remus with my healthy muesli and fruit breakfasts, but my real dietary preference won out that morning. That adorable little smile curved his mouth again while he agreed and held the door open.

"Bienvenue," Jan greeted by rote, before looking up to smile, "Tonks! Salut! It's been days but I forgive you, since you've brought your friend to see me." Moving from behind the counter where she'd been adjusting a display, she introduced herself and shook Remus's hand. Her eyes sparkled when she asked me, "Couldn't last another day without a chocolate croissant?"

"There's nothing wrong with trying to eat healthy," I said primly, before breaking down and begging, "Give me a croissant before I expire, s'il vous plait!"

"The accent is English, but her love of chocolate is French!" Jan told Remus as she went to fill my order. He chuckled and asked for plain croissants and hot chocolate. My friend said with studied casualness, "My husband prefers to drink his chocolate as well. You should meet him." As if just struck by the idea, she said, "Alan is conjuring chateaubriand tonight, why don't you two come for dinner? Eight o'clock? Oui? Ah, more customers, here's your order, your money is no good here, Tonks, so do not try. Au Revoir!"

On our way out, Remus whispered, "Thank Merlin Napoleon never had Jan for a General."

.

Hours later, as I tried to pay attention to the little old lady explaining why she'd reported her neighbour as a Dark wizard, I remembered the gleam in Remus's eye when he'd promised to come by my flat at 7:30 to talk before heading next door for dinner and smiled.

Mrs. Cravitz frowned. "I don't see what's so amusing about heavy metal blasting all day, and suspicious persons in black going in and out at all hours, Miss."

Tom, my partner on this thrilling assignment, smirked while I said hastily, "I was smiling because you remind me of my grandmother." He coughed to hide a laugh while the witch, who was nothing like my wonderful Gran, preened.

"Oh, that's nice, dearie, would you care for a biscuit?"

I politely declined the dubious treat. Frankly, the ginger biscuits looked harder than the treacle rock cakes Hagrid had once offered me at Hogwarts. I kept my expression under control for the rest of the interview.

Strolling next door with my partner, I said, "I bet the suspect is in a band."

White-blond eyebrows lifted as we approached the detached bungalow with its charming front garden. He grinned. "You're on. Loser buys lunch."

Wand in hand, I retorted, "What will your girlfriend say?"

He laughed. "Julia trusts you not to be overwhelmed by my manly charms."

I snickered as we climbed the couple of steps to the front door. Tom stood off to the side while I shifted my hair colour to bubblegum pink and rapped sharply on the door. After several minutes, it opened to reveal a man in his mid-twenties wearing a black shirt and denims. His skin looked dead white in contrast to his black hair. I could see why his neighbour thought he was a Dark wizard if all his friends looked like him.

His gaze travelled over me. "Can you sing?"

I shook my head.

He rolled his eyes. "You're the fifth one today. Sorry, bird, but looks aren't enough; you've got to have pipes."

"I'm Auror Tonks," I said, "and this is my partner Auror Fenton. We'd like to ask you some questions."

The wizard stared uncomprehendingly. "You're not here for the MegaMaggot audition?"

I shot Tom a triumphant look. "No, I'm here because a complaint has been filed."

"Bollocks! Not again…I tell you that Mrs. C is going to drive me clear out of town with her Dark wizard fantasies." Opening the door wider, he said, "I'm Jim, if you'd like to check the place out, go ahead. I'm getting used to it."

Tom, wand outstretched, walked in and began weaving the spell to trace Dark magic. I chatted with Jim, telling him I was a Weird Sisters fan. Surprisingly, he was, too, and we'd attended a few of the same concerts. After my partner pronounced the house clean, I shook the guitarist's hand and thanked him for his cooperation.

While we were leaving, he said, "Before I forget, 'cause I meant to ask last time Aurors showed. Isn't there something I can do about the old bat's complaints?"

Tom nodded. "File a complaint against her for false report."

Looking revolted, Jim scoffed. "Turn an old lady in? No way, I'll hex her cat or something."

I pretended not to hear that. So did Tom. I gloated once we were out of earshot. "Since you're buying, I'm picking someplace posh."

.

The restaurant we Apparated to was one I'd patronized regularly when I'd had a wealthy fiancée. Now, I went only when Tom or Julia picked up the tab. They had vaults at Gringotts filled with old family money, and I was happy to help them spread some of that around. In deference to the elegant setting, I changed my hair back to black.

Lunch was fab. Tom was handsome in a Nordic god kind of way, but I appreciated his wicked sense of humour more than his looks. He kept me laughing with his impersonations of our fellow Aurors. When he excused himself to use the lavatory, I sat thinking of how picnics in the park with Remus beat going to a fancy restaurant with anyone else.

A man took the chair across from me. It was Evan. He smiled coolly. "I heard your distinctive laugh and thought I'd come say hello."

I didn't smile. "Hello, now goodbye."

Disturbingly, his expression warmed. "Same old Nymphadora, blunt to a fault."

I shrugged. He crossed his legs and, annoyingly, managed not to look effeminate.

Brushing at his trousers, Evan asked, "Are you going with Fenton now?"

I stared and then laughed harshly. "Going with my best mate's boyfriend? You may be a cheater, but I'm not."

He inclined his head, every golden strand held in place with a Styling Charm. "Good, then you're free to have dinner with me."

"No, I'm not. I have plans, and even if I didn't, this dinner invitation comes way too late, Evan. Sorry, but I'm not interested." My tone said I was anything but regretful.

"A date?"

"None of your business."

He said, "But it is my business, well, business that I wish to discuss, at any rate." I looked at him stonily while he explained, "The matter Rosier Industries contracted your uncle's little agency for was merely to see how well you operated. I'd like you to head my in-house agency's special projects division."

I'd suspected Evan of an ulterior motive, using the Blue Moon's services, but had shrugged it off when he hadn't tried to contact me further. Pushing back my chair, I displayed my Auror badge. "This is my job. The Blue Moon is for spending money, and you couldn't pay me enough to work for you." I stood and saw Priscilla Parkinson stomping our way. I smiled nastily. "Have a nice day."

His aristocratic chuckle was cut off by his irate fiancée demanding to know why she'd been left alone for ages.

Tom was lounging against a wall near the way out. He said blandly, "Looked like a private conversation, so I waited. Everything all right?"

I grinned my cheekiest smile. "I got a posh meal and the opportunity to throw my ex's job offer back in his face. I'm brilliant, mate." He looked relieved. We returned to the Ministry to file our report on what we now called The MegaMaggot Case.

.

That afternoon, I returned home to discover that making my way upstairs meant running a gauntlet of nosy parkers. On the ground floor, Uncle Morty called out when I opened the door to the stairway, "Jan tells me you're bringing your boyfriend over to her place for dinner. Getting serious, are you?"

I leaned into his doorway to ask, "Are you getting serious with Lisa?"

He scowled. "You've changed the subject, and my private life isn't up for discussion."

Smiling like the brat he used to call me, I said, "Ditto," and left him to fume. I tried to tiptoe past the first floor landing, but Lisa must've heard her fond employer's dulcet tones. She came out of her office like a jack-in-the-box and demanded, "Spill now or face the consequences." From the office across the narrow corridor, Cami propped a shoulder against the doorframe and chuckled.

Thankful that the other three agents were out earning their pay, I admitted, "Yes, Remus and I are having dinner with Jan and Alan." I knocked on the wood of Lisa's door for good luck. "And I think we're amazing together, so I'm hoping like Hades that this works out."

They looked at each other and then smiled at me like Jan smiled at her daughter, Anouk, when she talked about her latest boyfriend. That "aw, how sweet" expression got on my nerves. These two weren't that much older than me, for Merlin's sake! I said, "So, Camillia, when are you going to go on an actual date again?"

"I haven't the foggiest. Do you know any single guys over twenty-five?"

I thought of Sirius. "Yeah."

Cami asked eagerly, "Is he straight?"

"Definitely."

"Is he good looking?"

I nodded. Even gaunt and screaming like a permanent resident of St. Mungo's incurable ward; Sirius's wanted posters drew interested looks from passing witches.

"Set us up, then!"

Me and my big mouth. "He's…uh…out of town right now, but when he returns, I'll, er, make dinner or something."

Cami groaned. "You'll make dinner? That's an ominous sign. Tell the truth, he's the type of guy you can't take out in public."

I laughed a bit hysterically. Lisa shook her head. "No offence, but this friend doesn't sound like a keeper to me. Cami, if you want to start going out, I've got a cousin who owns a restaurant. Jet is like you, too busy to find a date. I'll set you up."

They started discussing the particulars. I retreated up another flight of stairs to the second floor. Picking up yet another Daily Prophet I'd never read at the door of my flat, I entered and tossed it onto a pile to join its forlorn brethren. I didn't like the news, but sadly, I used to read the society section to see the photos of Evan and Priscilla. When I no longer needed the visual reinforcement to know that I was better off without him, I stopped taking the paper. Mum thought I couldn't afford it and paid for me. Cowardly, I hid the truth, collected the Prophets and gave them to the Wizard Scouts to recycle.

.

After taking a shower and using a Depilatory Charm, in case Remus wanted to check and see if my knee was totally recovered from my tumble this morning, I looked in the closet and considered what to wear. I couldn't dress up too much. It was dinner with friends. I didn't want my date to think I didn't want to look good for him, though, so I couldn't dress down. Decisions, decisions . . . . In the end, I chose a cerise silk camisole and a dark wash denim skirt. Metamorphosing maroon hair to match the top, I applied a bit of eyeliner, powder and lip-gloss and was all set.

When the door ward chimed, I let Remus in, exclaiming, "You look scrummy!" He gave that adorable huff of amusement, looking very handsome in a grey roll neck jumper and black trousers. I guess he wasn't used to my charming habit of saying whatever came to mind when I was flustered.

His eyes took in my ensemble while he said softly, "Id tibi praebet speciem lepidissimam!"

I sighed. "Ooohhh, Latin."

He placed his hands on my hips, stroking the silk. "I was complimenting your outfit. I said it looks great on you."

Remus kissed me. I smiled dreamily. "Tell me some more."

His lips gave me lovely shivers when he whispered in my ear, "Romani quidem artem amatoriam invenerunt." His low chuckle made delicious chills skitter down my spine. Looking down into my dazed eyes, he translated, "You know, the Romans invented the art of love."

"Really? So that's why you're such a great snogger."

His bark of laughter made me giggle. Remus kissed me lingeringly and said with a smile, "I think every culture believes they invented the art of love, and in a way I suppose that's true."

Sitting on the sofa with my head on his shoulder, I listened to Remus expound on that theory while thinking that for me, love had yet to be an art. What I'd experienced before had been more like a Quidditch match in which I'd gotten knocked off my broom by a Bludger. With this man, I hoped that love wouldn't be another painful fall. It had taken a long, long time to recover enough to want to chance flying again, in a matter of speaking, after Evan.

By the time we strolled over to Jan's, the last quarter moon was shining gently overhead. My fingers tightened around Remus's. I'd lived my life in the moment for over a year, and now I looked forward to dancing with my guy under the next full moon. Maybe I'd borrow my dad's enchanted record player and his 45 of Blue Moon. What the heck, I'd take That's Amore too.

My friend answered the door looking svelte in a black tunic and trousers. Her husband, similarly attired in black, said, "Tonks! You look lovely, and this must be Remus, a pleasure to meet you, I'm Alan."

"Thank you for the invitation. I hope the wine compliments the dinner. La Mondotte is rather out my price range, but I was assured Ferrand-Lartique was a comparable Bordeaux blend."

Remus clearly had a more sophisticated palate than I did. I liked the blackish purple colour, but although the others chatted about the wine's rich, intense Merlot character, I thought the bouquet, with a hint of Asian spices and chocolate, was better than the taste. I drank water with the wonderful meal and enjoyed listening to Alan and Remus talk Ministry politics and the need for reform in several areas.

Jan caught me watching my date with a private smile and leaned over to say in an undertone, "Your Remus is honnête homme, a gentleman. He makes your face shine. I like him very much."

I liked him very much too. My friend teased her husband about being so English that not only did he grill tomatoes for breakfast, he grilled them, this time with Parmesan, for dinner as well. Alan took that as a request to sing, "For he is an Englishman." My mouth dropped open when Remus sang the next two lines from Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. "And he himself hath said it, and it's greatly to his credit," before the two ended with a rousing, "That he is an Englishman!"

Jan and I clapped enthusiastically. I gave a wolf-whistle. Remus grinned boyishly and complimented his host on the chateaubriand. The meat was tender. It was also pink and juicy. Remus had eaten it with gusto.

After dinner, we took our coffee into the lounge to chat. Jan offered to refill my cup sometime later, and I happily accepted. Alan followed her with his and Remus's cups. I kissed my guy's cheek and asked, "Aren't they great?"

He nodded and smiled a bit sheepishly. "Truthfully, I didn't know what to expect of your friends. I'd hoped to find something to talk about and ended up monopolizing the conversation. Forgive me?"

I left my sofa cushion for his lap. Kissing him in answer, I reluctantly stood and confessed to needing to…uh…powder my nose. On the way to the loo, I passed the kitchen and saw Jan and Alan embracing. The way they kissed made me long to have what they had—a love that would last and grow and become more beautiful as the years passed. Continuing on to the lavatory, I looked in the mirror and told myself that I was a sentimental sap. My reflection nodded solemnly and then grinned.

When the hour grew late, our little party reluctantly ended. At the door, Jan kissed our cheeks while Alan hugged me and shook Remus's hand. "We never got around to exchanging last names. I'm Rocher. If you're ever in Diagon Alley, stop by the shop of the imaginatively titled same name."

"Lupin, and I will, thank you again for the hospitality," Remus said. The men exchanged a few more pleasantries while I drew Jan aside.

I'd watched the smile on her face fade and asked, "What's wrong?"

She questioned softly, "Remus Lupin, it is an unusual name, is it not?" I admitted that it was unique to my knowledge. Jan looked at me closely and then gave a small smile, murmuring, "L'amour est aveugle; l'amitié ferme les yeux."

My French is mostly Frenglish, but I'd heard that expression before and wondered, even while Remus was kissing me goodnight, what Jan had meant when she'd said:

Love is blind; friendship closes its eyes.

A/N: There are none so blind as those who will not see, eh? Remember to Review, it's de rigueur! (It's not absolutely necessary, actually, but it would make my day magnifique!) Thanks to those who made last week marvellous! 40/16 Camillia Vincent Carnivalgirl cupcakeswirl ElspethBates Embellished Flavagurl FNP Funnykido GraceRichie heartdamoose home-star fan iamafairy ishandahalf JassXOXO Jedi Knight Padme kathaania Nazgulgirl Nutsaboutremus Pobbin Quicksilver Foxx sany slightly so Slipknot-3113 Slytherin Love Goddess sunny9847 Super Kawaii Lamb The Demonic Duo TrinityDD