Morty showed up at my door bright and early. Cheerfully inviting him to help himself to my coffeepot, I kissed my uncle's bristly cheek and bounded downstairs to meet Remus. We'd gone running each morning for a fortnight now, and had been going together for three weeks. I'd never been happier.

My contented smile faded when I saw that Remus wore wizard robes, not running clothes. "You can't go running this morning," I blurted in disappointment and then asked, "You have a meeting?"

He gave me a lingering kiss and smiled regretfully. "Yes, a new client wants to discuss my authenticating his portion of Sallust's Bellum Catilinae." His eyes lit up like mine did spying chocolate. "Only fragments of the histories survive, so the fact that his acquisition is incomplete is promising."

I didn't care about some old war history, but my guy's enthusiasm was infectious. I returned his smile and said, "I'll survive, although I might shorten my run and head for Chocolat."

Remus hugged me. I leaned against him, savouring the warm, solid strength of his body before looking up into his face to kiss him. I noticed that he was looking tired. "Have you been getting enough sleep?" I asked.

"Are you telling me I look my age this morning?" His grin was a ghost of the wolfish one he usually gave.

Care lines didn't worry me. It was pallid skin and faint shadows under wryly amused brown eyes that were the cause for concern. "I don't care about looks. I care about your health," I said firmly.

He ran the backs of his fingers down my cheek. "My health is fine. Too many late nights translating have exacerbated a…health problem…that's all. I promise to get more rest, if I'm not lured up to rooftops to watch the stars."

Reassured, I feigned a pout. "Darn. The first quarter moon will be exceptionally luminescent tonight." His brows arched. I smirked. "Dad got Outstandings in Astronomy. I know loads of useless trivia." I pronounced theatrically, "October's moon is called the Blood Moon or the Hunter's Moon." In my own lighter tone I inquired, "Which name do you prefer?"

"Hunter's Moon."

Something flared in his eyes, a gleam that made me ask huskily, "Why?"

His hands glided up my back and sifted through raspberry coloured hair that matched the trim on my running shorts. Doing that deep breathing thing like he was drawing in my scent, Remus said with a predatory smile, "Perhaps I'll be hunting my snogging partner." I burst into laughter. He chuckled and said once I'd finished, "Actually, I'm here for a reason other than to kiss you good morning or to let you know I won't be able to go running."

My eyes widened. I whispered, "Our Underground friends are having a meeting?"

"Not a full meeting, only a handful will attend."

And we were part of the chosen group? Sounded like more polyjuice/metamorphosing fun. I nodded. "Just tell me where and when."

He bent and kissed me before his lips trailed across to my ear to whisper the location and time. I murmured, "Mmmm" to show that I understood before planting a kiss on him to keep our image of a pair having a kiss and cuddle intact. This cloak and dagger stuff had its perks. When Remus decided that we'd established our cover well enough, he Apparated. Sighing heavily, I did a brief version of my normal stretching routine and took off on a short run.

Jan was creating a new window display when I returned. I waved and would've gone past to eat a nutritious breakfast, but she opened the shop door and called, "Were you going to run past without saying bonjour?"

How she could look perfect at this hour of the day mystified me. Trying not to be envious of my neighbour's simple elegance, I admitted, "Yes, I was attempting to resist temptation, but if you're offering." Jan smiled and said she'd saved me a couple of éclairs. I decided to do penance for food sins later by having salad for lunch.

Inside her commercial kitchen, my friend served me the promised éclairs with coffee and asked, "Comment allez vous?"

"I'm happy." I saw her pleased smile and grinned. "I'm not asking how you're doing. I saw first-hand when you had us over for dinner and my eyes beheld smug marrieds snogging in the kitchen." The éclair tasted even better watching my sophisticated pal turn pink.

She shrugged. "At least we were not snogging in the street."

"Who told you that? Alan? We were on the pavement!"

We smiled at each other. It was nice, joking about our relationships. A tawny owl flapped its wings against the window pane. Jan took the letter, gave the owl a treat, and opened the missive as the bird flew off.

"It's from Anouk!" She beamed. Mums always had a glow about them when they talked about their children. Well, the good mothers I'd met, anyways. I told her to go ahead and read the letter while I finished my éclairs. With a distracted, "Merci," her eyes rapidly scanned the parchment. After she'd read the letter, Jan confided, "Anouk does not care for her new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

My brows went up. The sixteen-year-old was the sweetest, most easy-going soul I knew except for Remus. "Why not?"

"He is impatient and gruff, with none of his predecessor's bonhomie. She does not think this professor will ever be as good-natured or kind to his students." Jan looked across the worktable at me and froze.

Distracted from asking the name of Anouk's teacher, past or present, I asked, "Are you OK?"

"Bien sur, of course I am, it is just…I am supposed to be opening the shop for customers, and time has run away from me." Jan gave another one of those Gallic shrugs that I wished I could do half so well.

Thanking her for the coffee and pastries, I headed through the shop and said, "I'll see you later."

She corrected, "Non, a bientot."

"Sooner is better than later, dear," one of the customers who had been waiting remarked, as she passed me on the way to the patisserie counters. I smiled and waved to Jan before making for my flat and a shower.

.

Work that day was loads more enjoyable than I'd expected it to be. Gulch, the humourless witch, had somehow learnt of my little impersonation. She'd retaliated by lending me, like a ruddy book, to the most boring department of Magical Law Enforcement: Misuse of Muggle Artefacts. The office made the junior Auror area look posh. It was down a dark corridor across from a broom cupboard. I'd thought my cubicle a rat's nest of paperwork until I stepped into the windowless room.

It was packed with filing cabinets that looked in imminent danger of spilling their contents out onto the floor. I liked the Muggle posters on the walls, but the two desks placed in the centre of the room facing each other were overloaded with bewitched items. They made me—me—long for a rubbish bin to start chucking things out to tidy the place.

"Good Morning!" the man who'd risen from his seat said with a smile. I took one look at his red hair and freckles and grinned.

"Wotcher, Mr. Weasley." I shook his outstretched hand. "You might not remember me. I—"

"You went to school with my son Charlie. I remember. He escorted you to the Winter Ball, if I'm not mistaken."

Since he continued to smile warmly, I figured that meant Charlie hadn't told his parents what else had happened. I'd left him to visit the lavatory and didn't return for an hour. Evan had been wildly jealous, and I'd been so thrilled to have him leave Prissy Parkinson's side to sweep me away that I hadn't considered how my own date would feel. I'd apologized to Charlie tearfully, but our friendship had never been the same. That had pleased Evan. Why I hadn't seen those events as a sign of things to come, I had no clue. Perhaps love really was blind.

I was genuinely happy to hear of Charlie's promotion to dragon keeper at the reserve in Romania. I asked about the rest of the clan and was shown pictures and regaled with stories. After a half-hour had passed, Mr. Weasley wound down and introduced me to his employee, Perkins. The old warlock smiled at me timidly and bent his white head to study the Muggle artefact in his hand once more. Curious, I looked over his stooped shoulder and asked, "What do you have there?"

"That is what I am trying to decipher," Perkins said amiably, holding up the object.

I laughed. They stared. I explained, "It's a remote control device."

Mr. Weasley crowded close to the item, face bright with excitement. "What does it control?"

Pressing my lips together to keep from laughing again, I exhaled and said, "A Muggle Telly, you know, television…goggle box…idiot box…opiate of the masses, whatever you want to call it. The remote turns the power on and off, changes the channels, and controls the volume." Perkins handed me the device. I pointed it at him, telling Arthur, "If a wizard had a nagging wife, I could see him using Dark magic to mute her." Perkins stared at me with wide eyes, his mouth moving without making a sound. Crap, I'd accidentally pushed the button!

"Well, that's not on the same scale as shoes that make the wearer dance themselves to exhaustion or death, but Mr. Bucket will receive a stiff fine all the same." Arthur helped his dazed associate stand. "We'll drop Perkins off at St. Mungo's and be on our way, shall we?"

Arthur Weasley was the nicest man. Unfailingly polite to those who would try the patience of Merlin himself—like the Welcome Witch who insisted on Perkins stating his ailment. The old warlock finally grabbed parchment and quill, scrawling, Dark magic muted my voice, you bloody cow! A volunteer escorted Perkins to the fourth floor to have the spell damage reversed.

Mr. Weasley and I made several visits to homes and businesses that had been reported for having Dark Arts objects or Muggle artefacts that were being misused. We confiscated a couple of voodoo dolls and a harmonica that compelled the user to play until they either passed out or were knocked out by listeners. At the end of the day, I shook Arthur's hand and told him he'd been a pleasure to work with. As I left his cramped office, I heard him muse, "I wonder if the remote could be programmed to work temporarily on one's children?"

.

Later that evening, I Flooed to a working class, wizard section of the city and found the address I was looking for. As I climbed the stairs to the flat located above a corner shop, I wondered whose place I was visiting. When the wizard opened the door and smiled, I knew. It was Remus's flat. I kissed him hello and stepped inside. "I can't believe I've never been here before."

He waved a hand at the space that was filled with bookcases and tables piled with texts and parchments. In the corner that was intended to hold a dining table, two club chairs with a multipurpose table in between them and two folding chairs stood waiting for company. "I'm not exactly set up for having guests." His lips curved. "I meet clients in the rare bookshop I do authentications for, but I do my work here."

I pointed to a worktable. "Is the Sallust over there?"

Remus nodded in satisfaction. "Gaius Sallustius Crispus. I believe it will prove authentic."

"Crikey, I'd thought my name bad. No wonder he went by Sallust!"

His bark of laughter made me smile. I said, "Mum always told me that couples should pretend that they don't have bodily functions, but I need to use the loo, so will you point me the way?"

"It's off the bedroom, right through there."

The front door ward chimed. Remus went to answer it while I stepped from the lounge into the bedroom. It was smaller than mine, more like a hermit's cell, with its single bed and small chest. Nosily, I pressed the wall shared with the lounge. It slid open to reveal an enchanted wardrobe. Resisting the urge to fondle his clothing like a besotted schoolgirl, I contained myself to rubbing the sleeve of his dress robes against my cheek before closing the panel.

Inside the lav, I took care of the function Remus wasn't supposed to think of me having. I contemplated the room, realising what had bothered me when I entered. This space was much longer than the bedroom. In flats like mine, the lavatory was the length of the bedroom wall it bordered. Therefore, since this flat didn't border another one, his bedroom should've been twice as large. After washing my hands, I stepped out and took a close look at the back of the room between the foot of the bed and the lavatory wall. I couldn't see anything, but when I reached out my hand, I felt an invisible door handle. My heart jolted. I felt like the girl in one of those Grimm tales my Gran was so weirdly fond of…Bluebeard. I got a hold of my runaway imagination. I would trust Remus with my life. Perhaps it was a safe place to hold priceless documents.

"Nymphadora?"

I spun around. "Hi, erm, the paint on the back wall. What colour is it? It looks different from the other walls."

Remus gazed at me steadily. "Magnolia. It looks different because the paint is newer."

"Oh." I wanted to ask why the paint was newer, but Emmeline Vance called out, "The meeting will start once you join us."

My guy stood quietly while I kissed him in silent apology for being a snoop. His smile understood and forgave as he escorted me to where Kingsley and Emmeline waited. I sat down on a folding chair and said, "So, who do you want us to be this time?"

Kingsley said, "Elspeth and Terrence Travers. An informant found out that there's a party tonight of known supporters of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. We need to know what they're planning, and if their Dark Lord has indeed returned."

I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the draft in the room. "Where's the party?"

Remus answered, "Rosier's in an hour."

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" I tried not to sound accusing.

"I didn't know until this afternoon. I wanted to spare—I thought it would be easier on you this way."

It was. I could do it, but I warned Emmeline, "Someone was watching us closely the last time we played Mr. and Mrs. Travers. Too much suspicion and we'll find ourselves in a very dicey situation. This needs to be the last time we impersonate them."

She nodded in stately agreement, clutching her emerald shawl closer. I asked, "Is that your good luck shawl or something?"

The men gaped. The older witch nodded. "My late husband intended to give me this shawl for our anniversary fifteen years ago. I came home to find a Dark Mark over our house and the box on the bed beside his body. I've worn it ever since, in hopes that on the other side, Winston sees and knows that he has never been forgotten." She extended me a handkerchief. "What a sentimental child you are. I didn't tell you that to make you cry."

I sniffed inelegantly and wiped my face. "Oh, yes, you did, and I deserved it."

She patted my hand. "Perhaps just a tad. Now come into the other room. I'll help you get dressed while Remus puts on something a little more uncomfortable."

I gave a watery laugh and followed her into the bedchamber. Emmeline looked around and said, "Well, this confirms that there has been no woman in Remus's life for longer than he'd care to admit, I'll warrant. Does that thought cheer you up, my romantic friend?"

Nodding, I took the garment bag from her and unzipped it to reveal a little black dress. Must be a cocktail party: a few drinks, a few diabolical plans, maybe a game of billiards.

After metamorphosing my features into those of a blonde with more hair than wit, I strolled into the lounge and watched Remus's jaw drop. I turned to Emmeline. "See, I'm not the only one who thinks this neckline is indecent. These things are going to fall out!"

"No, they won't, because I would never buy a dress without a charm to prevent…ahem…wardrobe malfunction." Winking so quickly I wondered if I'd imagined it, she said dryly, "As a distraction, you can see it will be most effective."

If the nods of the men were any indication, she was right. Tossing my annoying long hair, I told Remus with a narrowed gaze, "Don't even think about them."

He chuckled along with the others. Curling my lip in a way that used to make my Potions partner dissolve into giggles, I stalked out. Remus and I Apparated to the front entrance of the Rosier home and walked up the steps to be admitted. Pinning on my most vacuous smile, I tucked my hand into the crook of his arm and began my game of make believe.

Our host looked icily handsome. He kissed my cheek and shook "Terrence's" hand before inviting us to join the others in the lounge. I recognised most of the people there from the days when I'd been the woman on Evan's arm. Upstanding members of society all, they hid their allegiance to old, Dark ways behind a polite smile and numerous donations to the Ministry. They bought influence, and maybe even a blind eye to the increasing number of mysterious disappearances, of Dark objects confiscated as well as a deaf ear to the rumours of a Dark Lord's return. We mingled and sipped our wine that I'm sure was elite. I would've rather had a fizzy drink.

Prissy Parkinson did not show to advantage in her black dress. I couldn't help but be flattered when Remus looked from her to me and shook his head slightly, as if wondering how Evan could've been such a fool.

She saw me and gushed, "Elspeth, you look divine."

"You, too," I returned with a gleaming false smile.

Prissy batted her lashes at Remus and said, "I can't abide visiting the water closet on my own when I could have a chat on the way. I'm going to steal our Elspeth for a bit."

I went along with her, feigning attention to her running commentary on how worthless house-elves were, and why did the best dress shops allow Mudbloods to shop with purebloods, and was I looking forward to the Halloween Party? I nodded and breathed a sigh of relief when the silly twit entered a toilet closet. Staring at my tanned reflection in the mirror, I remembered another party like this one, when I'd seen my fiancée chatting with Prissy and wondered if the pair were more than old friends.

Suspicious, I'd followed her to the loo and used a Sleep Charm on her before transforming my dress and features. Returning as Priscilla, I'd boldly chatted up Evan. He'd suggested we go talk someplace private. Hiding my anger, I'd allowed myself to be whisked into a bedroom. Just before I hexed his arse, he'd stopped kissing my neck and rolled away, lying back on the mattress to laugh.

"Merlin, you're good, Tonks, but I couldn't stand groping Parkinson anymore just to teach you a lesson about trust."

I stared. "Why do you call me Tonks?"

Evan rolled onto his side and snuffled my neck. "You're the only woman I've known who doesn't drench her skin in perfume."

Metamorphosing back to normal, I whispered, "I want to trust you, Evan."

"Trust my love, if nothing else," he said before kissing me.

I hadn't gone down memory lane for the scenery. I'd just remembered the appraising look Evan had given me after kissing my cheek. Stars and stones, I wasn't wearing perfume! A woman entered the powder room. She wore a soft, sensual fragrance that would do nicely. After greeting me coolly, she looked into the mirror and began to freshen her lipstick. I said, "I hate to impose, but my husband remarked how striking your perfume was, and I rushed out of the house without any. Would you allow me to use yours?"

This kind of woman found the combination of flattery and humble pleading irresistible. Her thin lips relaxed into a condescending smile. "My husband adores Moonlight Path as well. It reminds him of the garden at midnight." The gratitude I expressed was returned with a gracious nod. By the time Prissy rejoined me, I was anointed with a discreet amount of perfume blended from lavender, roses, violets and musk. Outside, a wizard in dress robes leaned a shoulder against the wall.

Straightening, he said, "Priscilla, darling, go talk with Narcissa Malfoy. She hasn't left the bar, and Lucius would prefer her to remain coherent, if not sober."

"Aren't you coming?" she asked fretfully.

"In a moment, after I've delivered Elspeth to her husband."

I widened my eyes. "Isn't Terrence in the lounge?"

"No, he's in the library."

My eyes met Priscilla's. She looked the way I must have once upon a time, worried about Evan's fidelity. Unlike me, Prissy knew full well that her fiancée was going to play her false and had chosen to live with it. Even though I had every reason to pay her back, I smiled reassuringly. She threw me a grateful look and turned away. I made myself place my hand on Evan's sleeve.

He murmured, "Right this way."

.

A/N: As ever, special thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and made my weekend! 40/16 Astarte Katz blind-bella Callie Camillia Vincent Candy Cane Jones Carnivalgirl cupcakeswirl eleen ElspethBates Embellished Flavagurl Fluffy Bat FNP Funnykido Godricgal GraceRichie heartdamoose ishandahalf JassXOXO kathaania Machiavelli Jr NazgulGirl paulalou Prince Aoshi Quicksilver Foxx sany slightly so Slytherin Love Goddess sunny9847 Super Kawaii Lamb The Demonic Duo