Remus' legs felt wobbly. Another transformation, and he still couldn't get used to the after effects. He'd thought that by now, at age 35, with hundreds of full moons under his belt, he'd be used to it, but each full moon brought a fresh wave of pain. He had wrapped the worst of his gashes under bandages and tape, ready to get back into the Order's work. He sat in the kitchen with Sirius, working on the next week's missions.
An ear-splitting shriek stopped his train of thought. "FILTHY SCUM, DISHONOR TO MY FAMILY, DISGUSTING BLOOD TRAITORS AND MUDBLOODS ALIKE-"
"That fucking umbrella stand, does it really have to be there?!"
Remus chuckled. Tonks was terribly clumsy, and her voice carried down the stairs. He was glad to be back at Headquarters; spending the week alone at the cottage led him longing for others' company, but especially Tonks' company, as much as he hated to admit it to himself. Sirius knew it too, and had teased him mercilessly about it since he'd arrived the night before.
"Why don't you save the damsel in distress, Moony?" Sirius suggested, with a playful smile.
"I think the Weasley twins are doing the saving this time, Padfoot."
Remus was correct; Fred and George were swearing loudly as they struggled to close the curtains over the shrieking portrait, with Tonks swearing in unison.
"Bless you for making them think they have a chance with her," Sirius said, the smile growing wider.
"Would you stop? You know I can't do anything about her."
"Why the hell not? She likes you."
"As a friend."
"Women don't invite men to their flats just for cinnamon rolls, unless that's what you're calling it these days." Sirius tipped back in his chair, struggling to contain his laughter.
Remus blushed furiously. "Even if she did, it could never happen."
"Your sorry ass needs an attitude adjustment, Moony."
The door swung open and Tonks came crashing down the stairs to the kitchen. Her boots made loud thumps against the steps, and she announced herself with a magenta mohawk.
"Oh good, you're both here!" Tonks said brightly.
"What can we do for you, Tonks?" Remus asked.
"I've got a favor to ask you," replied Tonks. "Well, mostly Remus, actually," she clarified.
Sirius gave Remus an excited look, turning his head from Tonks' face to Remus'.
"Can you watch my cat?" asked Tonks. "You know, Ophelia."
"Of course," Remus replied. "For how long?"
"I don't know."
"Is everything alright, Tonks?"
Tonks slumped into a chair and filled a glass with butterbeer. "No. Scrimgeour is sending Alfie and me out to find giants this week to see if they'll be loyal to the Ministry. It's a fucking goose chase under the guise of preventing Dumbledore's supposed Ministry takeover."
"Who's Alfie?" Sirius asked.
"Giants?" Remus gasped.
"Sirius, really, you're asking about her co-worker rather than the giants?"
"Dora can take care of herself with giants. Can we say the same about this – Alfie fellow?"
"What are you implying, Sirius?" asked Remus.
Sirius' brow was raised at Remus. Behind his hand, Sirius mouthed at Remus, "boyfriend?" Remus gave Sirius an exasperated look.
"BOYS! Who the fuck cares about Alfie or giants? I'll be fine. It's the damned principle of it all, having me go off for who-knows-how-long to come back and do it again with goblins, elves, centaurs, and werewolves."
At the mention of werewolves, Remus straightened. "They want you going after werewolves, Tonks? Are they out of their fucking minds?"
"I never said they were a brilliant lot."
"This is the reaction I hoped to get from just the giants, you know."
"Giants can be observed from mountain crevices. You can keep your distance. But werewolves? That's dangerous. Too dangerous. You shouldn't be going."
"It's not like I have much of a choice, Remus. Scrimgeour and that hag, Umbridge, put me on it because I can morph. Just be lucky I met you so I knew this week was a full moon. Alfie was ready to go after werewolves right away till I told him he'd likelier become dinner than a fucking award-winning Ministry brat."
"When do you go after werewolves?" Sirius asked.
"I'm trying to have us wait till after the next full moon. The others should keep us occupied till then."
Remus put his bandage-wrapped hands over his face.
"Was that from this week, Remus?" asked Tonks, gently.
"Yes, and this is mild compared to what could've happened. I can't believe those bastards want you to spend time with my kind. What a fucking travesty." He felt angrier than he had been all week, even given his pre-transformation temper.
"Calm down, Moony," said Sirius. "She's not there yet. If we're lucky she might not have to get to them at all."
"He's right, Remus," said Tonks. "They pulled me off the investigation for Dumbledore's sympathizers and they've dragged me into this new mess. With enough luck, I might get out of it before I'm in too deep."
"When do you leave for the giants?" asked Sirius. "We'll rearrange some of our missions this week."
"That's the worst part of this all," said Tonks. "I could be doing so many more useful things and instead I'm going to be mountain climbing for the Ministry."
"That's what you think the worst part is? You could lose your life, Tonks!" Remus struggled to keep his voice level.
"She's tough one, my cousin," said Sirius. "You can't make it as an Auror if you're not." He winked at her.
"Sirius is right. I'll be fine. Annoyed, but fine." She crossed her arms over her chest. "So can you watch my cat or not, Remus?" She let out a heavy breath.
"Anything for you, Tonks," replied Remus. "Would you like her to come here? I'm sure Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, wouldn't mind a new friend."
"Ophelia's a brat. She's best on her own," said Tonks. "Just come over to my flat. You can stay overnight and everything. You're doing me a huge favor, and I know she likes you."
"You didn't want your parents taking care of her?" asked Remus.
"This is an open-ended mission. Since I have no idea when I'll be back, I didn't want them to worry," she explained.
"I'll be happy to help, Tonks," Remus replied. "How often should I come to see her?"
"Do you mind just staying overnight till I get back? You can come here during the day and get to the meetings and missions, but I think I'd feel better if you could be there overnight, just in case."
Sirius' gleeful smile crossed his face again. "I think that'd be good for you, Moony. Little field trip."
"Can you come over tonight so I can show you where everything goes?"
Sirius was now beaming. "We can definitely spare him for a few nights." He winked at Remus.
"Of course, Tonks. Let me gather my things and I'll meet you back here," said Remus.
…
"That's where I keep her dry food, and ever since you got her the tinned tuna, she's been a monster. I give her a bit of the tinned tuna for dinner and she's mad for it."
"I'm sorry to have made her so demanding," said Remus.
"She was always demanding," said Tonks. "I can't thank you enough for taking care of her while I'm out."
"I'm still worried about you, you know," said Remus.
"I knew you would be," said Tonks, "but maybe Ophelia can take my place for a little while."
"She's excellent company, I know," said Remus, "but I much prefer you." He hadn't meant for it to come out so bluntly and singularly, but surely she would know by now that he preferred her company over her cat's. He felt self-conscious. This beautiful young Auror didn't deserve to have an aging werewolf aching for her.
"I'm glad she hasn't totally won you over then," replied Tonks. "You'll need to eat too, so I left some gold for you both in that jar next to the stove."
"You don't need to worry about me, Tonks," said Remus.
"It's the least I can do for you," she said. "I've got a few favorite takeout places around here for you to try. I wrote their names down on the parchment under the jar."
"That's really kind of you, Tonks, but I'm happy to do the favor," said Remus.
"This is why I like you, Remus," said Tonks. "You're the kindest man I've ever known."
"Kindest?"
"Take the compliment. It's a good thing." Tonks grinned at him.
Remus felt his stomach lurch again. "I'm glad it's a good thing," he replied.
"Tea! Let me get you some tea!" Tonks rushed back into the kitchen to prepare tea. Remus sat down on the sofa with Ophelia at his side. She purred happily against his leg.
"She already likes you more than me! Same thing happened with my parents. Ophelia loves my dad but doesn't seem to care as much for my mum." Tonks came back with two cups of tea and handed one to Remus.
"Do you parents know you're going to look for giants?"
"No. I can't have them worry too much."
"Do they know you're going away?"
"Yes, but they don't know for how long."
Remus paused. "Do they know you're in the Order?"
"Not yet."
"Why haven't you told them?"
"I don't want them to worry more than they already do."
"You should tell them sometime, in case, you know…"
"I die?"
"No, no, no," Remus rushed, "in case you get hurt. They'll want to know where they can find you. I – we – will do our best to make sure you stay alive."
"The whole Order wants me alive, huh?"
"As Dumbledore mentioned, we are incredibly lucky to have you in the Order." Remus paused again. "We are incredibly lucky to have you in our lives."
Tonks blushed. "That's really sweet, Remus." She continued, "You can sleep in my bed if you'd like."
"The sofa's just fine, Tonks. I slept here fine last time."
"I insist you take my bed while I'm gone. Ophelia will like you all the more for it."
"I really don't want to impose."
"Stop being such a gentleman, Remus. I'm offering you my bed so you can be comfortable."
"If you insist, then I'll sleep there with Ophelia."
"You need to learn to say yes more quickly, Remus, especially if someone is trying to do something nice for you for a change."
"Considering Sirius is my best company, I think chances for that will be few and far between." Remus laughed darkly.
"For once, I'll be the one to call it a night, Remus," said Tonks. "I've got to get up at an unreasonable hour to do an unreasonable task."
"You should get your sleep while you can," said Remus. "I'll head back to Headquarters tonight and come back tomorrow."
"No, stay!" countered Tonks. "If you don't mind the sofa, that is."
"I don't mind at all, Tonks," said Remus. "Get some sleep. You'll need it."