"Happy birthday, Remus!" Tonks shouted from the bed. He was up, as usual, before she was. Tonks could smell the crackling of bacon and the soothing scent of cinnamon in the air. Making breakfast on his own birthday, Tonks sighed. He really doesn't know how to relax.
Tonks got out of bed and moseyed to the kitchen to find her boyfriend, apron-clad and humming lightly, as he bent over the stove to remove the bacon from the pan. It was such a precious sight; Tonks wondered how she had endured the last month without him. She thought back briefly to the last month:
Tonks came downstairs after a nap and found both of her parents waiting for her in the kitchen. Her mother, Andromeda, had an unreadable expression. Her father, Ted, looked calm and kind-hearted as ever.
"How long will you be staying with us, Nymphadora?" Andromeda asked.
"Not sure," Tonks replied. "I just can't be there with him right now. Dad told you everything?"
"Remus spoke to you unkindly and you reacted poorly," Andromeda summarized. "Now you are here."
"He made me really angry and I had a panic attack in front of a bunch of people, mum," Tonks reiterated.
"I understand his reaction," Andromeda said evenly. "Your father told me about your meeting with my sister." Tonks hung her head; maybe she should've advised her father against telling her mother about Bellatrix.
"You understand his reaction? Are you serious? I had a fucking panic attack and lost control of my magic," Tonks said indignantly. "That doesn't concern you?"
"I can assure you, I'm quite cross about that, Nymphadora," Andromeda replied. "I understand why he reacted poorly. You should never have kept that meeting with Bellatrix from him, or me." Andromeda's nostrils were flaring; shit, Tonks thought, she's angry alright.
"Do you think I overreacted?" Tonks asked. "You're taking his bloody side?"
"You can't help how you feel," Andromeda declared. "You would benefit from keeping your emotions closer to your heart than on your sleeve if you want to prevent such a thing from happening again."
"Are you really suggesting I bottle up my feelings to prevent panic attacks? That's not how it fucking works, mum," Tonks argued.
"Language, darling," Andromeda said. "No, that is not what I suggest. You need to take better care of yourself. It is unsurprising that you reacted so badly to Remus' words given you had just spent a month at Azkaban." Tonks slumped in her seat.
"So it's my fault, is it?" Tonks demanded.
"Dora, sweetheart," Ted cut in. "It's not your fault. Remus should have known better than to speak to you in a demeaning manner."
"What are you both saying, then?" Tonks demanded. "Is it my fault or his?"
"It's not about placing blame, sweetheart," Ted said gently. "You should take time to think over how you feel and talk to him when you're ready, if you'd like. We'll support you either way."
"Why do you care if I'm with him or not?" Tonks asked.
"We care if you're happy," Ted replied simply.
"Mum?" Tonks turned to her mother to ask for confirmation that she felt the same way.
"Remus has grown on me," Andromeda said. Tonks found no discernible emotion on her mother's face; she eyed the older witch suspiciously, but said nothing.
"What do I do now?" Tonks lamented.
"Sort through how you feel, and stay with us as long as you'd like," Ted replied. "When you feel ready to see him, then go to him."
"Okay," Tonks mumbled.
It had taken the better part of a month for Tonks to feel herself healing emotionally from the trauma of the last several weeks. Running into Bellatrix, nearly dying, marooned at Azkaban, isolated from her loved ones…it was no wonder she was overwhelmed by the time the Order meeting had happened.
Remus, for his part, had just been through the full moon and felt isolated too; not that it should've allowed him to speak to her in such a way. The look in his eyes, the twitch of his jaw, the way his body tensed when she spoke to her – she felt unsafe. Her feelings couldn't be denied. The hurt had been real.
When Tonks had seen him at the last Order meeting, he looked terrible. The next moon was approaching, she knew, but running into him at Walburga's portrait showed her how truly broken he was. His eyes, usually a kind, bright honey-brown, were dark and spiritless. He hadn't shaven in a few days; the stubble on his face was unkempt. He looked wearier than she'd ever seen him. It broke her heart to see him in such a state, and she felt shame and embarrassment that she hadn't reached out to him sooner. Unwilling to make a scene at the Order meeting, she hastily left to Floo to their flat in the hopes that he might follow her there. He didn't.
Tonks had assumed Remus didn't want to see her anymore, and she couldn't bear the thought of going back to Grimmauld Place to have him end things with her. She Apparated back to her parents' home to cry. The next few days passed in the same manner; her parents asked if all was well, and she turned them away. She wanted to see Remus, to forgive him, and to hope he would accept the forgiveness. Maybe, just maybe, if she explained herself to him, he would be willing to work things out.
The day after the full moon, Tonks had awoken to the pendant burning on her chest. Afraid for Remus, she let the pendant take her to him at Grimmauld Place. Sirius had patched Remus up well, though Sirius needed his own healing. Evidently, the wolf was terribly distraught and took it out on his dog friend. When Tonks laid her eyes on Remus' broken and battered frame, she felt shame wash over her again; if she'd talked to him sooner, maybe the transformation would have been easier. Sirius assured her it wasn't her fault, but Tonks felt the weight of it all the same.
Over several more discussions, Remus had accepted her offer of being more honest with one another, making her heart soar. She never wanted to be without Remus again. There was something about him that felt essential to her being; what it was, she might never know, but she felt his absence more painfully than anything else.
"Happy birthday, sweetheart," Tonks beamed at Remus. She slammed into his chest face first and buried her violet curls into his sternum, and wrapped her arms around his waist tightly. She looked up at him, and her heart melted when she looked into his eyes. They were back to their bright, warm, golden honey-brown. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, relishing in the feel of his soft lips against hers.
"Thank you, love," Remus replied. "I made us breakfast."
"You didn't have to do this! It's your birthday! I could've made you something," Tonks protested.
"Nonsense," Remus said. "It's always my pleasure to cook for us, and besides, I didn't fancy having burnt toast and coffee for breakfast on my birthday." He smiled sheepishly at her, and despite the smart remark, Tonks smiled back in gratitude.
"We're going to my parents' this afternoon, yeah?" Tonks asked.
"They invited us," Remus responded. "I'd like to see them."
"Even after everything?"
"I should apologize to them too."
"Oh, Remus," Tonks sighed. "I don't think they'll lecture you on your birthday. You don't have to go, you know."
"I want to go, Dora," Remus insisted. "Let's eat and we'll be going." He offered her a plate full of crisp bacon, eggs, and a gigantic cinnamon roll.
Tonks gladly took the offered plate from Remus' hand and sat down to eat with him; she vowed it would be his best birthday yet, despite whatever her parents might say to him. As soon as they finished breakfast, Remus cleaned the dishes (again, much to Tonks' protests), and Apparated to her parents' home.
They stood outside the door to the Tonks home and knocked politely before letting themselves in. Tonks noticed Remus was slightly nervous, although he refused to admit it.
"Remus, m'boy, many happy returns!" Ted greeted Remus, who shook his hand gratefully. Ted kissed Tonks on the head and welcomed them into the parlor for tea, where Andromeda was waiting for them both.
"Happy birthday, Remus," Andromeda said. "I trust you've been well?"
"As well as can be expected," Remus said evenly. "Having your daughter in my daily life again has been a tremendous source of joy."
"Well, we'll discuss that another time," Andromeda stated. "For now, it's time to celebrate the birthday boy."
"He's hardly a boy, mum," Dora grumbled.
"Remus, your mum was from Wales?" Ted asked.
"From Cardiff," Remus confirmed. "Where my parents met."
"Excellent," Ted beamed. "I've a friend from work whose wife is Welsh and gave us this recipe for Welsh cakes. I hope you enjoy them." Tonks looked from Remus to her father and saw a familiar glistening in Remus' eyes; he was clearly touched from the gesture.
"Thank you, Ted, Andromeda," Remus said softly. "My mum made these every week."
Tonks happily took one of the cakes and stuffed it unceremoniously into her mouth. "This ith delithuth," she stammered, through a large bite of the cake. Remus looked at her with a mixture of incredulity and amusement, and burst into laughter. Ted chortled, while Andromeda glared.
"Mind your manners, young lady," Andromeda admonished. "I didn't raise you without table manners."
"Thorry mum," Tonks said through another bite of the cake. "Won't happen next time," she said more clearly, now that she'd finished chewing.
"These are very good," Remus noted, while nibbling on the cake. "My mum would put cinnamon sugar on hers," he mused, a nostalgic smile growing on his face. Tonks was impressed with her parents' thoughtful gesture.
"Presents!" Tonks cried. "You should open your presents!"
"I have presents?" Remus asked, astounded. "You really needn't have," he added.
"Yes, we did," Tonks insisted.
"We?" Remus asked weakly.
"Of course, you muppet," Tonks smiled at him. She grabbed a nicely wrapped box and handed it to Remus. "This one's from my parents," she noted.
"Ted, Andromeda, thank you," Remus spluttered. "This is really unnecessary."
"Just open it, lad," Ted proposed. Remus followed Ted's suggestion and carefully unwrapped the gift; Tonks grinned at seeing Remus' quiet surprise and joy at receiving a present from her parents.
"Blimey, dress robes?" Tonks looked up from Remus to her parents. "Really? It's going to make my gift look pathetic," she lamented. She looked over at Remus, who looked deep in thought.
Remus appeared shellshocked to see the dress robes in front of him; it was obvious to Tonks that he had never had a brand-new set, and he fingered the fabric gingerly, clearly in awe.
"Blokes need a new set every now and then, don't they?" Ted chortled. "Happy birthday, son."
"Thank you," Remus said softly. "This is one of the most generous gifts I've ever received."
"Open mine now!" Tonks ordered. "Not as fancy as dress robes, but I think you'll like it all the same." Tonks gave Remus a messily wrapped box, and he took it with a huge grin. The messy wrapping gave her away.
Remus opened the box to find several pairs of socks and boxers, causing Remus to blush furiously in his seat.
"You needed new ones!" Tonks said excitedly. "I thought you'd like these." Remus was blushing furiously as he hastily looked through the undergarments. He took more care with the socks, being less incriminating than the boxers. Tonks looked at her parents to gauge their reactions; Ted was quietly snickering at Remus' expense, and Andromeda looked at Tonks sternly.
"What did you think of the lion ones?" Tonks eagerly asked. "They match!"
"Match?" Remus asked weakly. Tonks stood up and walked over to him. She rummaged through the gift and found the matching pair of crimson socks and boxers, both clad with small embroidered lions.
"For Gryffindor!" Tonks explained. "I've got matching Hufflepuff ones!" Remus blushed even more feverishly as Ted guffawed loudly and Andromeda let out an exasperated sigh.
"Happy birthday, love," Tonks continued, kissing an embarrassed Remus on the cheek. "You deserve it."
"Thank you," he mumbled. Tonks now roared with laughter at Remus' expense.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about, love," she chuckled. Remus rolled his eyes and huffed lightly, but kissed Tonks' temple in thanks.
Remus cleared his throat loudly. "I meant to ask you both," Remus began, now facing Ted and Andromeda, "when are your birthdays?"
"Mine's 17th June," Ted answered. "'Dromeda's is the first of May."
"Thank you," Remus replied. "I won't forget them." Tonks beamed at her boyfriend.
"I expect you to wear the matching set soon," Tonks murmured in Remus' ear, causing him to flush with embarrassment again. Noting Remus' discomfort, Ted broke the tension.
"So, Dora, what's new with work?" Ted asked, looking amused at the exchange between his daughter and her boyfriend.
"I'm getting a new assignment tomorrow," Tonks replied. "I was on desk work all through February and Scrimgeour is finally letting me back out."
"Will they have you continuing with the escapees?" Andromeda asked sharply.
"No," Tonks emphasized. "The Ministry's saying the escapees are Sirius Black's doing, so they're redoubling their effort to hunt him down." Tonks rolled her eyes.
"You'll be hunting Sirius Black?" Andromeda asked, eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Unlikely," Tonks replied. "Apparently we're too close in relation for me to be considered impartial enough."
"Think they'll have you investigate magical creatures again?" Ted asked.
"Also unlikely," Tonks replied. "In the last several months, we've been through werewolves, goblins, giants, elves, centaurs, and vampires. I can't imagine sending us to mountain trolls would be of any help, but I wouldn't put it past Scrimgeour, or Fudge." She exhaled loudly and sank into the chair.
"Where do you think you'll be then?" Remus asked.
"Probably scut work," Tonks frowned. "Tips on sightings or news of suspicious activity. It would be business as usual if we weren't at war. No one gives a toss about counterfeit cauldrons when we've got killers on the loose."
Tonks was bitter; she'd spent nearly all of February helping Alfie on the mountain of reports he still had left from January's Azkaban fiasco. With her help, they'd been able to finish the reports in the first week of March and were now awaiting their next assignment. The office had more or less returned to its default of hunting small illegal activities; while it was a worthwhile task, Tonks felt she had bigger problems than petty crime.
"You'd be surprised how necessary those low-level activities can be for larger causes," Remus informed. "Fronts for laundering money, stealing supplies for missions, making surreptitious alliances – they all support larger enterprises."
Tonks smiled at Remus. Leave it to him to find the value and meaning in the work she did, even if she didn't always feel that way. "Maybe you're right," Tonks replied. "I'll see if there are any other activities that might point us to the real Death Eaters."
"I've been meaning to ask you both," interjected Ted. "What sorts of tasks and favors are you doing for Dumbledore? Dora's mentioned that you do jobs for him, Remus, and that's how you both met."
"Recon work, mostly," Tonks provided. "Dumbledore never suspected that Voldemort—"
"—you say his name?" Ted wondered aloud, as Andromeda eyed her and Remus suspiciously.
"Part of the job, mum," Tonks continued. "Anyway, Dumbledore never suspected Voldemort truly went away, so he's been asking for help to test his theory."
"A rebellion of sorts?" Ted asked. "Dangerous, isn't it?"
"Not exactly," Remus cut in. "Dumbledore definitely doesn't want Fudge's job, but he does want Voldemort and his sympathizers out of the picture. After the dementors nearly Kissed a student the year I taught at Hogwarts, he's been suspicious of their loyalties. He wasn't surprised at all when the breakout occurred."
"You and mum don't seriously believe what the Minister is saying, do you?" Tonks asked. She realized she'd never had a conversation with them about the Order; it wasn't as if she was able to speak freely about their existence or inner workings, anyway.
"At first, perhaps," Andromeda said slowly. "It's clear that there's something brewing under the surface." Ted nodded in agreement.
Remus looked at Tonks with a curious expression. "We may be able to tell you both more about what we do, if you're open to hearing about it," Remus said. "I'm afraid we can't say much unless we consult with Albus."
"You're on a first-name basis with him?" Andromeda's eyes widened. "Quite surprising, that is. He's a brilliant, albeit eccentric man."
"He's brilliant, that's certain," Remus agreed. "I think that if you and Ted would be willing to learn more, we could assist."
"Remus," Tonks murmured. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Why isn't it a good idea, Nymphadora?" Andromeda probed.
"It could be dangerous," Tonks said. "I don't want either of you in danger."
Ted snorted. "No one wants their loved ones in danger, Dora," he chuckled. "I'm surprised you don't see the irony."
"You're my parents," Tonks deadpanned.
"You're our daughter," Andromeda countered, in the same tone of voice.
"Dora, why don't you and I discuss this with Albus?" Remus suggested. "I've been thinking our friend, Padfoot, might enjoy their company."
"Oh!" Tonks exclaimed. Her parents had been outraged when Sirius had been imprisoned; they had never truly believed him capable of killing his best friends and innocent Muggles. If Sirius had more people who knew of his innocence, maybe his life would improve too.
"I think Padfoot might like that," Tonks decided. "Let's talk with Dumbledore next time we have the chance."
"Padfoot?" Ted asked. "A nickname of sorts?"
"A very necessary one," Remus explained. "Hopefully it won't be necessary for much longer."
"Why don't I just write Dumbledore now?" Tonks offered. "You think he would meet us for Sunday tea next week?"
"You won't know till you ask," Remus responded. "Go on, I'll stay here for a long-overdue chat with your parents." Tonks observed Remus; he seemed at ease, and she knew he wanted to discuss what happened between the two of them with her parents.
"It's alright, love," Remus murmured, squeezing her hand. "I really do want to talk to them, and I think they want to talk with me too."
"Fine," Tonks relented. She turned to her parents. "Be nice to him, okay? I think I tortured him enough for the three of us." Ted chuckled and Andromeda shook her head.
"Go write the note to the Headmaster, sweetheart," Ted directed. "We'll be just fine here."
Reluctantly, Tonks left the parlor to go to the kitchen, where the parchment and ink were. She penned a note to Dumbledore to ask if he could explain Sirius' innocence to her parents, so at least Sirius could be reunited with a little bit more family. If nothing else, that would do to make her mother happy to have more of her family back.
As Tonks approached the parlor, it appeared that Remus and her parents had finished up their conversation. Remus looked comfortable, which meant the conversation had gone well.
"Let's go, sweetheart," Tonks told Remus. "I've got one more present for you, but it's at home."
"Oh?" Remus asked. "You didn't have to, love."
"I definitely did and let's go," Tonks insisted. "Mum, dad, see you both next week? We'll let you know what Dumbledore says!"
"You're welcome home anytime, Dora," Ted replied with a smile. "You too, Remus."
"Thank you, Ted," Remus smiled warmly at Tonks' father.
"We'll see you soon," Andromeda assured. "Now, go on before Nymphadora loses her patience." Andromeda gave them both a hug and they were able to Apparate back to their flat.
"What did mum and dad talk to you about?" Tonks asked Remus as soon as they were safely back in their flat.
"Dumbledore," Remus replied. "They didn't mention anything about our disagreement, which surprised me. Instead, they wanted to ask me about what Dumbledore believes and if it's really safe for you to be helping."
"What did you tell them?"
"I told them it was no more dangerous than Auror work. What I didn't tell them is that it will only be like this for a little while longer."
"How'd they react? And how do you mean, a little while longer?
"They were worried, but seemed to think it was important, especially given the mass breakout from Azkaban. As for the danger of the work, it's only a matter of time until Voldemort is working more openly. The last war was terrible. We lost so many people."
"But we won that war, didn't we?"
"No," Remus said, staring hard into the distance. "We didn't win. We only postponed the battle."
"Because Voldemort never really went away?"
"Harry's survival only put Voldemort into the shadows, but now that he's been revived, or whatever it is that happened last summer, he's back. It's going to be as bad, or worse."
"You really think it's going to be worse than last time?"
"Last time he didn't have the same sort of single-minded goal," Remus said simply. "Now he has Harry Potter. He was the subject of the prophecy Voldemort longed for, but now that Harry's grown into a young man, Voldemort truly believes that Harry is all that's stopping him from gaining complete power."
"Does Harry know this?"
"I'm not sure," Remus admitted. "Even I'm not sure how clear the prophecy is. I don't think it's a coincidence that the prophecy tied the two together and now Voldemort is after Harry's life again."
"Poor kid," Tonks lamented. "I hope we win this time."
"I do too, Dora," Remus said gently. "Maybe if we win we can be together more openly." He tucked one of her pink waves behind her ear. "I wish our world could be more accepting of us."
"I know it'll happen, Remus," Tonks said softly. "It can't be like this forever."
"As long as I have you, I'm happy, even if it can't be in the way we'd like," Remus said.
"You really don't think we could ever marry?" Tonks said, surprising herself.
"No," Remus said sorrowfully. "Not now. Not while it's so dangerous to you."
"Maybe one day?" Tonks said hopefully.
"Maybe one day," Remus repeated sadly. Tonks looked into his beautiful, warm eyes. He had suffered so much; maybe, just maybe if they won this war, she would find a way to marry him and show him he was worth just as much as any other wizard, despite his lycanthropy. Tonks would make sure he would know he was worthy of love, just like any other man.
"I have another present for you," Tonks said softly. "I was going to give it to you last night, but I think now would be a good time."
"You really didn't have to, love," Remus said. "You and your parents overindulged me today."
"Remus, I gave you socks and underwear," Tonks sighed. "It's the dullest gift I could have given you."
"It's the thought that counts, as they say," Remus stated. "Besides, haven't I earned the right, at 36 years of age, to be glad and grateful for new socks and underwear?"
"You say that as if you're an old man," Tonks teased.
"I am old, compared to you."
"Older, I admit, but not old."
"Too old for you," Remus groaned.
"More like too infuriatingly charming for me."
"You're far too kind to me."
"And you work my last nerve sometimes," Tonks said. "But c'mon, it's present time!" Tonks grabbed Remus' hand and dragged him to the sofa.
"It's a little unusual," Tonks warned. "But I think you'll like it."
"Whatever it is, if it came from you, I'm sure to love it," Remus said. "Unless it's your cooking." He smiled cheekily at her, and she let out an exasperated huff.
"It's not my cooking," Tonks said. "But it's in the same vein." She pulled out a small wooden chest. "Open it," she said softly.
Remus opened the chest to find several vials of a familiar substance: Wolfsbane Potion.
"Dora," he choked. "How did you…?"
"I brewed it!" Tonks said proudly. "I had to get an 'O' on my Potions O.W.L. to become an Auror and we made it in my N.E.W.T. class. I got an 'O' in the N.E.W.T. too, so I knew I could make it myself!"
"This is…too generous," Remus murmured. "The ingredients alone—"
"—Worth every knut," Tonks insisted. "It's only enough for two full moons. I'm sorry I couldn't get more, but the potion doesn't scale well."
"Two full moons is two more than I could have imagined right now," Remus whispered. "This is incredible. Dora, thank you." He gently closed the wooden chest and placed it on the coffee table. Tonks was smiling broadly at him, pleased that he reacted so well to the potion.
"Dora, I love you," Remus murmured. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." Tonks beamed and held Remus' face in her hands. She felt giddy in his presence; there was something about him that made her feel at ease, loved, adored.
"Come to bed with me, Remus," Tonks said, standing up and taking his hands into hers. "You deserve to be loved." Remus was misty-eyed, but nodded gratefully and followed Tonks to her bed. As they began undressing each other, Tonks promised herself she would spend her life loving him enough that he would finally understand his worth.
Tonks was sitting in the Monday morning Auror meeting, awaiting assignments for the week. The meeting was terribly boring, and largely centered on attempts to discredit Dumbledore. By failing to acknowledge the reality of Voldemort's return, the Aurors were terribly underutilized, or so Tonks thought.
"Tonks! Wallace!" Tonks sat up straight upon hearing her name. "Stack of cases to investigate this week," Scrimgeour announced, levitating the files in front of Tonks and Alfie. "They're primarily concerned with suspicious activity in Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley. Follow up and produce the appropriate reports by the end of the week."
"Yes, sir," Tonks and Alfie said in unison. Scut work, just as she expected. At least this wouldn't be as dangerous as seeking out Death Eaters or depressing as guarding Azkaban.
The meeting concluded with little of interest for Tonks. She glanced through the cases assigned to her; sightings of Sirius Black, all false, of course, and a list of suspicious activity in Knockturn Alley. Tonks sighed, trying to see her task this week through Remus' eyes: potential opportunities to see low-level crime in the service of Voldemort and his cronies.
"Where do you want to start?" Alfie asked. "Black sightings or Knockturn Alley?"
Tonks scanned the sighting locations and the locations in Knockturn. "Here," she pointed to one of the files. "Black sighting at The White Wyvern. We can check out both tips at once."
"Good thinking," Alfie commented, as he gathered his Auror robes and rucksack to join Tonks on their way out to Knockturn Alley. They Apparated just in front of the dingy pub.
Tonks approached the pub purposefully and opened its grimy door, followed by Alfie. They stepped inside the poorly lit space, and approached the bar.
"What're Aurors doing 'ere?" a toothless old wizard hissed from behind the countertop.
"We've got tips on suspicious activity at this establishment, sir," Alfie answered. "Are you the proprietor of this establishment?"
"I'll get 'im," the old man grunted, limping down a dark hallway. Tonks looked at Alfie, feeling impatient.
The toothless wizard returned with a slightly better dressed, younger wizard. "Tacitus Fawley," the wizard introduced himself. He didn't extend his hand.
"I'm Auror Tonks, and this is Auror Wallace," Tonks introduced, with both of them holding their hands out for Fawley to shake. He merely eyed them suspiciously.
"What are you here for?" Fawley demanded. "I can't have Aurors interrupting my lunch patrons."
"We'll be happy to discuss these matters in your office, if you prefer," offered Alfie.
"No," Fawley replied. "Come with me." Tonks and Alfie followed Fawley to a booth near the back of the pub. "Talk," he ordered.
Tonks fought the urge to roll her eyes at the grouchy pub owner. "We have two matters to discuss with you, Mr. Fawley," Tonks began. Fawley grunted in return, so Tonks took that as acceptance.
"Our records indicate that one of your patrons saw the escaped convict Sirius Black on these premises," Tonks said flatly. "Do you have information on the patron or the whereabouts of Mr. Black?"
"Sirius Black has never been here," growled Fawley. "Some nutter thought he saw that singer, Stubby Boardman, and thought it was Black undercover." Tonks struggled to keep her laughter to herself.
"A false lead, then," Alfie concluded. Fawley grunted again.
"The other matter is a bit more pressing, I'm afraid," Tonks informed. "We received a tip that this pub is being used as a meeting place for those wishing to undermine the Ministry. Can you tell us more about this?"
"You think there's an anti-Ministry operation happening – here?" Fawley gestured broadly to the grimy pub.
"Treacherous activity does not have a preferred meeting place," Alfie said, looking smug. Tonks resisted the urge to roll her eyes again.
"What my colleague means to say," Tonks began, "is that suspicious activity can be found anywhere, including this establishment. Can you comment on what we've shared with you? Any suspicious persons or activity happening here?"
Fawley seemed to be thinking deeply about his response. "If you want answers, come at night," he said slowly. "I'm not here then, but my barkeep and brother, Plotinus, will be. He brings in a great deal of gold on Thursday evenings."
"Thank you, Mr. Fawley, for your cooperation," said Tonks. "Is that all?"
Fawley grunted, so she and Alfie left the pub to return to the Ministry and discuss their plans.
"Undercover operation on Thursday, then?" Tonks asked.
"I'll have to be disguised," Alfie said. "Friends or couple this time?"
"Second date," Tonks replied. "We know each other a bit, but not well enough."
"Seven okay?" Alfie asked.
"Seven is fine," Tonks responded. "I'm eating beforehand though. That pub looked revolting. I can't imagine what kind of food they serve. We'll get drinks."
Alfie quickly scribbled the details of the plan on parchment. "Right, then. What now?"
"Let's go through the Black sightings now since we'll be working late Thursday," Tonks suggested. "It's going to be a long week," she said, more to herself than anything. I hope Remus is having a better day, she wondered.