The double oak doors that led to Auror Headquarters were massive, impressive, and misleading. Visitors who anticipated entering some awe-inspiring sanctum of justice were often disappointed to find it a warren of cubicles. Personally, I found the mess and ever-present chatter homey.

It was true that the various Wizengamot and Magical Law Offices were spacious and posh, but everybody knew they were a bunch of quill levitators, and we were the ones doing the important work. Not that they weren't performing a necessary service like the other offices dealing with improper uses of magic and the patrol squad that handled the ordinary criminals. It was just that, like Dad used to say about Muggle rubbish collectors, I wouldn't want their job.

The larger, less claustrophobia-inducing cubicles near the double doors belonged to the senior staff. In the far back corner, crammed together like pillboxes, were the cubicles of the lowly junior Aurors. I didn't spend much time in my little nest of paperwork, so I didn't mind being able to reach out and touch the walls while seated at my desk. In fact, being low on the totem pole came with a perk; I got to play pranks without much censure from the higher-ups.

Today, I'd decided to pull one on Tom and Julia. The lovebirds were notorious for snogging in-office before work…and during work hours…and afterwards too. I didn't begrudge them a bit of fun. In the days before Remus, however, the displays of affection would sometimes put me in a nark.

While I walked the corridor that became narrower and more winding as it reached the hinterland of novice Aurors, I began metamorphosing to resemble Madam Gulch, our no-nonsense supervisor. The witch had long, sharp features, skin so olive it looked green in some lights, and an eye-patch. Taking out the patch I'd brought along in my pocket, I put it on and cackled softly as I neared Julia's cubicle at the very end of what we called Rotten Row.

Inside, my friends were oblivious to their surroundings, happily snogging away, until I shrieked, "Conduct unbecoming to an Auror!" They jerked apart, Jul toppling from her partner's lap to land on the floor. She scrambled up, sputtering apologies. I crooked my finger menacingly and said, "I'll get you my pretty, and your little boyfriend too!"

Tom erupted into laughter as I whipped off the eye-patch and winked. Julia gave me a Stinging Hex. Shifting back to my normal self, if there was such a thing, I alternately laughed my arse off and shook the hand that stung like a blast-ended skrewt had got hold of me.

She yelled, "You witch!"

I smiled and lifted my reddened, still painful hand. "Are you going to do something about this, or should I get Fenton to kiss and make it better?"

Julia waved her wand. Sighing in relief, I told Tom, "Sorry, mate, it wasn't meant to be." He chuckled, the good-natured soul. Jul still looked sulky. I brought out the bag from Chocolat.

Her expression changed radically. "For me?"

I nodded. "An assortment of truffles."

.

A couple of hours later, our trio headed toward the Muggle Underground. We were sent to investigate a report that was coded as requiring three Aurors to investigate.

"I can't believe an OWL sent by a squib calling himself Mr. Bojangles was given credence," Julia complained. She looked down at her blouse and tweed trousers and said, "At least we get to wear street clothes while we see if this busker is really using Dark magic."

Tom smiled, looking sophisticated in a black shirt and trousers. I consoled myself that I was the most colourful. A few shops down from Jan's was Shankira's, which sold clothing from India. It supplied me with tunics that were pretty and allowed a range of movement from drawing a wand to diving out of harm's way. My top in shades of teal and green went fab with denims. When Fenton snickered that the sixties were long over, I held up two fingers to give him an anti-peace sign.

Watching Muggles shuffle along into the tube, I listened to them mumble and complain and wondered how they stood it day after day. It looked like a right grind. Our suspected Dark wizard was playing to the passers-by underneath the westbound platform sign. Nearby, an Italian accordion player and an enthusiastic, if untalented bloke with Baka drums slung around his neck, competed for bits of change. In pleasant contrast to the faces around him, our suspect "Wizard Waldo" played his guitar with a sunny smile and wasn't half bad. I'd heard worse Beatles renditions, certainly.

"I don't have any Galleons on me. Do you think he'd like my diamond earrings?"

Tom gawked at Julia. "What?"

I pulled her hand down before she could unfasten a carat stud and said a counter spell. "She drew the short quill and didn't use a Shield Charm, remember?"

He nodded ruefully. "Let's go make an arrest."

We headed toward the situation artist who accepted his audience's magically enhanced generosity into his hat with a charming smile. The wizard was only in his twenties. I thought of my Gran sniffing disapprovingly and saying that the young man should get "a real job" and smiled. In a routine we'd never done outside of simulation, I used an Anti-Disapparating jinx on the busker while Julia said, "Accio wand," and Tom simultaneously hit the wizard with a Confundus Charm.

While Tom and I greeted Waldo as our mate who we'd promised to take to lunch, Julia used Prior Incantato to reveal the wizard's last spell. It was a variation of an Entrancing Enchantment. The spell caused the listener to support the busker with all the change in their possession. Unfortunately for our aspiring artist, there was a Dark magic chaser to the enchantment. If the listener didn't have any change, they'd feel compelled to give whatever they did have. There were several watches and an assortment of jewellery in the hat. Grinning at each other over our flawless execution, we took the evidence and our confused "friend" into custody. Before we left the Underground to escort Waldo to gaol, I gave the accordionist some Muggle change I'd brought along, just in case. Who could resist Rossini?

Lauded by our envious fellow underlings for the bust, the rest of the day passed pleasantly. The three other reports of Dark magic we investigated turned out to be Megamaggots. Julia shuddered every time Tom and I used our favourite new term for unsubstantiated claims, which of course ensured that we'd use it until it no longer got a reaction.

I practically skipped my way through the Atrium to reach the Floos. Earning disapproving glances, I ignored them in my anticipation of seeing Remus and telling him about my day. He was going to meet me at the Floo station near my Gran's and accompany me to her flat for tea. Except for Rory, I'd never brought a boyfriend round to see her before.

The moment I saw him, looking so handsome and kissable while waiting for me in the crowded station, I rushed over. A little boy leading his mum on a merry chase barrelled into me, knocking me off balance and literally into Remus's arms. The boy grinned and kept going. I wound my arms around Remus's neck. In imitation of the proper English couple nearby, I drawled, "Hullo, darling. How was your day?"

I loved to make Remus laugh. There was something about that hint of sadness in his face the first night we'd met that compelled me to be silly or snog him. I wanted to do something, anything, to see him smile.

The brown eyes looking into mine were playful. "I'll let you know in a minute." His lips were warm, firm and reduced me to a boneless state. After several long, sweet kisses, he smiled. "I've had a wonderful day."

I sighed happily as we walked hand in hand toward the block of flats. I listened to his story of having to tell not one, but two clients that their prized texts were artful forgeries before sharing my triumph at the tube station. Remus was duly impressed and amused by my enthusiastic retelling.

He kissed my cheek as we waited for Gran to answer the door. "That was kind of you to give the busker change."

My face heated. I shrugged. "Any bloke who can play The Thieving Magpie on the accordion deserves it." He chuckled as the door opened.

"Nym, dear, come in and introduce me to your young man," Gran said, beaming.

Remus's brows rose at being called a young man, but he recovered quickly and smiled with a charm that was natural and appealing as I made the introductions. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Tonks."

Gran waved us toward the settee, eyes twinkling. "Andie will be so jealous that I met Mr. Lupin first." She waved to the heavily laden table in front of the settee. "Make yourselves at home." Sitting in her swivel chair, Gran poured tea and watched us devour sandwiches and cake with a pleased, motherly gleam in her eyes. There's a satisfaction gained from feeding others that I'd felt myself when preparing breakfast for Remus. Of course, I didn't look at him as though I wanted to pat his cheek, like my grandmother did—unless it was a different cheek. I hastily got my mind off its primrose path. Gran told me that Cousin Lora was getting married to a nice barrister named Gerald Butler.

"Lora?" Remus asked, giving me a wolfish smile. The room began to feel very, very warm.

I explained that she was my third cousin, her mum Judith being dad's first cousin on my Gran's side of the family. "So no worries for me about being driven mental from hearing Tonks constantly and trying to figure out who they're calling."

"When she was little, Nym talked Lora, who was older and should've known better, into trading names," Gran told Remus, who grinned when I protested.

"I didn't use a Coercion Charm, she just liked my name . . . and I gave her an enchanted marble." Remus laughed. It was such a warm, pleasant sound that I smiled widely even while I griped, "She never gave the marble back, either."

The doorbell rang. Gran and I looked at each other and giggled. She rose to answer the door. "Sharing a pizza is one of our little traditions. Do you like extra cheese, Remus?" Bemusedly, he nodded. I cleared off the table while she took delivery of the pizza.

In the kitchen, I looked in her fridge for a fizzy drink and grabbed a couple of bottles. Giving one to Remus, I plopped back down beside him and opened my lemonade. He gave me a slice of pizza. I ate while admiring the way Gran subtly pried information out of my guy. She sweetly discovered his age, occupation, and that he had no fear of commitment, just had never met a woman he could commit to before. I almost choked on a swallow of lemonade when I heard that. He took my hand in his. I hoped he wouldn't do that pulse-check thing because my heart was pounding from the way he'd implied before now.

The undoubtedly starry look in my eyes changed to alarm when Gran turned on the telly. "Our programme is almost on, dear."

I stammered, "Er…Gran…I…erm…don't think that programme is quite what Remus is used to…and…well…perhaps it would be best—"

"I've watched the Goggle Box now and then. I don't mind if you wish to view a programme." He smiled mischievously. "I wouldn't want to break a tradition."

I bloody well wanted to break a tradition! Unfortunately, the theme music for EastEnders signalled that all hope of that was lost. I wanted to slide down the settee and perhaps crawl out of the room when Remus gave a huff of amusement and said, "I've heard of this…ahem…programme…but I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the plot or characters."

Gran was more than happy to tell him all about who was doing what to whom on the show. I resisted the urge to cover my face in shame. I did scrunch my eyes closed for a moment when Gran said in a low, shocked, voice, "Phil's drinking is gone out of control. If Lisa finishes with him this episode, it will serve him right."

Remus's hand tightened around mine. I tilted my head to peer at him. He winked. I shut my eyes again. He said, "You're going to miss out on Melanie calling things off if you do that."

I laughed reluctantly. He was a good sport about watching the melodrama, so I could take a bit of teasing. As the show went on, I could tell that even though Remus was laughing at the characters, he found them interesting. I shook my head and gave him a brushing/flossing mint.

He grinned. "EastEnders giving you ideas, is it?"

"No, you are," I replied pertly, pretending not to hear Gran murmur that it was about time. My guy and Gran kept up a mock-serious commentary, agreeing that Phil had alienated Jamie and driven away Lisa with his drinking problem. I was content, listening to them and viewing my guilty pleasure programme, until Troy and Irene came onscreen.

Gran told Remus, "Those two are up to no good. She's no better than she should be, going behind Terry's back to have an affair with Troy."

Watching Troy turn the fictional flat into a love nest to have another night with Irene, my stomach began to twist into knots. I detested that storyline.

"I don't think there's any excuse for infidelity either," Remus said.

My Gran nodded approvingly at us. I realised that I'd spoken out loud. My feet aren't the only part of me that's clumsy at times. Remus was looking at me with a still intensity that told me he knew there was more than basic morality prompting my loathing. I tried to shrug off my tenseness, but I couldn't. By the time the next episode promised Irene would deceive Terry to steal another night with Troy, I couldn't wait to leave. I cleared the table and thanked Gran for the tea. She kissed my cheek, and then Remus's, telling him to visit her again soon.

In the lift, he asked, "What's wrong?"

I shrugged. "Nothing, I just don't care for glorifying cheating, that's all. They make it seem as if the people involved can't help themselves, like their clothes just fell off somehow." Remus didn't smile, which didn't bother me because I wasn't being funny. "If you've got an itch, well of course you've got to scratch it, right? I mean, the partner you're lying to and cheating on, their feelings don't matter compared satisfying a grand passion, or even a random lust. Why not take your opportunity to get a little something on the side?"

The doors opened to the lobby. Mortified by my outburst, I stumbled out of the lift and hurried out of the building. Remus caught up to me as I strode down the pavement. He said quietly, "This isn't about a soap opera, is it?"

I looked around wildly. No Muggles were in sight, so I Disapparated. Remus Apparated behind me while I released the wards to the Blue Moon. Too upset to talk, I opened the door and gestured for him to enter. The climb up the stairs to my flat seemed to take forever. I could feel Remus's eyes on my back and wondered why he put up with me. In my lounge, he approached me slowly, like I was some feral cat who would just as soon scratch as purr when touched. Perhaps he knew me better than I knew myself. I stiffened when his arms drew me close. Turning to lay my head on his shoulder, I was silent for several minutes while he soothingly caressed my arms and back.

Eventually, I confessed huskily, "The night I went to give Evan back his ring, I found him in bed with Priscilla Parkinson. He told me that the only reason he'd proposed was to win my loyalty to him. He'd wanted to use my abilities to his advantage in business, and in gaining favour with Dark wizards who knew the true meaning of power." I took a shaky breath and whispered, "He said I would be replaced at the snap of his fingers, that Priscilla at least had connections and wouldn't embarrass him with her impure blood."

I was shaking like I had that night I'd gone to Evan's. I'd been genuinely torn up over my decision not to marry a man who dreamt of power acquired by any means necessary. Unlike that night, I didn't throw a tantrum at a wall-length aquarium. I still felt guilty over causing innocent little fish to pour out onto the floor and flop around, gills gasping for water. Instead, I took great, shuddering, breaths and began to cry.

"Shhh . . . it's all right . . . I'm here."

Sobs wracked my body. After I was finished releasing the emotions I'd been suppressing, Remus's robes were soaked through. Sniffing, I performed a dry cleaning spell, accepted a handkerchief without looking up and dried tears while fixing my face. I didn't need a Complexion Charm to clear splotchy, puffy skin. When I felt my appearance no longer frightening, I dared to look up. What I saw in Remus's eyes made tears spring to mine again.

He said, "I've known pain that lingered far after I'd forgiven the person who inflicted it."

My lips twisted. "I made the decision to forgive Evan for being an amoral arsehole, but it's a lot harder trying to forget."

Remus's smile was sad. "Some things, you never forget, but you learn to live with them." He cupped my face in his hands. His smile became tender. "It's made me cherish the gifts I've been given even more."

I rose on my toes to kiss him. How could I not when he was the best gift that life had ever given me? I brushed my lips across his and felt him smile. Remus's lips parted. I poured myself into the kiss, sinking my fingers into his hair to keep his mouth where I wanted it, fused to mine. After our embrace reached a point where I could imagine a series of lines that I wasn't ready to cross, I said, "The moon's not much to look at right now, but I'd love it if you'd come up and watch the stars with me."

Lying in Remus's arms as the stars faded was another gift I cherished.

.

A/N: I'm one of those people who feel that the series is timeless, not dated. (I disregard Nearly Headless Nick's 500th Deathday cake as human error on Jo's part. Like when she had Flint as a sixth year in Harry's first and then a seventh year in third, saying when asked that he'd failed, yeah, right, heh.) Since I think of this being Harry's sixth year, I picked an episode from EastEnders (#909 to be precise), that was a couple of seasons old to be the catalyst for Tonks' meltdown. I'll admit to watching an episode of the soap, and the accents alone were worth it, lol. Thanks to reviewers making writing "worth it"! 40/16 Camillia Vincent Candy Cane Jones Carnivalgirl cinderalex cupcakeswirl ElspethBates Embellished Emmeline Black Everlasting Daydream Flavagurl FNP Funnykido Godricgal GraceRichie iamafairy ishandahalf JassXOXO kathaania Machiavelli Jr. NazgulGirl paulalou Quicksilver Foxx sany slightly so Slipknot-3113 Slytherin Love Goddess sunny9847 Super Kawaii Lamb The Demonic Duo TrinityDD