The January full moon was soon approaching, and Tonks felt herself grow anxious. It would be Remus' first full moon with Fenrir's pack. She had received a Patronus message on the day he left for the pack in early January. It was a short, simple message: "Leaving now. Do not reply."

Tonks was sitting in her room at the Hog's Head, staring out at the night sky, where the full moon would be rising in a few days' time. She was startled when a ball of silvery-blue light made an appearance in the middle of the room, illuminating the space. The silver wolf spoke in Remus' voice: "Stay at Hogwarts for the full moons. You will be hunted. Do not reply."

The message had stunned Tonks for a full minute before she gathered her things and rushed up to the castle to meet Dumbledore. She was already at the castle gates when she saw Dumbledore himself on his way towards Hogsmeade.

"I see our friend has a message for us both," Dumbledore said gently. "Am I correct in assuming you received a message?"

"He said I'm being hunted, but I've no idea what that means," Tonks said breathlessly, her mousy brown hair whipping around her face in the biting January wind.

"I'm afraid I don't know much more," Dumbledore responded. "Considering the seriousness of his tone, I recommend we follow his suggestion."

"You want me to stay at the castle on the full moon?" Tonks asked. "Really?"

"You will be well protected here," Dumbledore explained. "Remus must have had a good reason to suspect. I do not wish for you to be in danger."

"Fine," Tonks sighed irritably. "I'm only doing it because he kept his end of the deal."
"He has communicated with you," Dumbledore remarked, a small twinkle in his eye.

"Minimal messages, but I'll take what I can get," Tonks said. "Doesn't change anything else, but at least I know he's alive."

"I'm happy for you, Tonks," Dumbledore smiled. "Though I suggest we get out of the wind and discuss the matter in my office."

"Please, sir," Tonks replied. She followed him up to his office and they determined she would be staying in an empty teacher's office near the kitchens. Tonks smiled upon hearing this; she would be close to the Hufflepuff common room again. Once the arrangements were settled, Tonks dutifully returned to the castle for the full moon, hoping that she would hear Remus' voice again the next day.

Tonks woke in the castle the next day; the day following the full moon was a Friday, and Tonks needed to patrol the village that day alongside Alfie. Every patrol with him bothered her, but this one bothered her in particular, as she would be worrying the day away while waiting for confirmation that Remus was alive.

They were midway through their inspection of the village when the Patronus arrived in the middle of the street. A silvery wolf made its way to Tonks, much to Alfie's confusion. Tonks could hardly care about Alfie's reaction, as Remus' hoarse voice said: "I'm safe. Do not reply." The message was loud and clear, and Tonks grinned from ear to ear at having heard his voice.

"What the hell was that?" Alfie demanded. "Patronuses can talk?!"

"They can," Tonks smiled. "It's a small addition to the intent of casting the Charm," she explained. "I had a friend with a dangerous task and he let me know he's fine. That's all."

"He said not to reply," Alfie repeated. "Are you sure he's fine?"

"Yes," Tonks said, exasperated. "I said it was a dangerous task, and I'm not certain what it entails. I trust him to tell me the truth."

"Was that your ex?" Alfie asked, in a surprisingly perceptive tone.

"Yeah," Tonks replied. "But we're not together," she clarified, seeing Alfie's face go from disappointed to hopeful once again. "He has a dangerous job and I like knowing he's at least alive."

"What does he do?" Alfie pressed. "Aurors have dangerous jobs." He stuck out his chest slightly.

"Works with Dark creatures," Tonks answered. "Dangerous but necessary work."

"He isn't one of those Weasley blokes, is he?" Alfie asked, frown lines appearing on his forehead.

"You mean Bill or Charlie?" chuckled Tonks. Alfie nodded and Tonks continued, "Bill works with goblins for Gringotts. I'd hardly call goblins Dark creatures, even if the history between goblins and wizards wasn't so fraught," Tonks explained. "Anyway, Bill's to be married next summer, and although I think his mum would prefer me as a daughter-in-law, I've never had an interest in him."

"What about the other one, Charlie, you said?" Alfie asked intensely.

"Dragon tamer," Tonks said, as Alfie's blanched. "He's not, err, interested in witches, if y'know what I mean."

"Oh!" Alfie's eyes brightened in understanding. "Not the Weasley blokes, then?"

"Alfie, I've no interest in telling you about my love life," Tonks said sternly. "Or lack thereof, anyway."

"You're still not with anyone, huh?" Alfie insisted. "You wouldn't happen to have any plans for Valentine's Day, would you?"

"That's three weeks away, Alfie," Tonks deadpanned. "Anyway, I've asked Scrimgeour if I can get the weekend off."

"So you do have plans," Alfie sighed. "Will you be here?"

"I was hoping to visit my parents, actually," Tonks admitted. "Get a proper weekend with them." They were now walking past Madam Puddifoot's tea shop, which was beginning to look garish with Valentine's decorations.

"Anyway, I hardly think you'd want to spend Valentine's weekend here with all the students at Hogsmeade. You'll waste the day separating horny teenagers from each other, rather than catching Dark wizards," Tonks assessed.

"Were you ever caught?" Alfie asked suggestively.

"Merlin, no," Tonks countered. "Not that it's any of your business, anyway," she added scornfully.

They had now reached the Hog's Head, where Tonks would be enjoying lunch with Aberforth. Her daily lunch routine with the old barkeep had become familiar; as with Mad-Eye, she had discovered that the grumpy old wizard had a soft spot for her.

"I'm going in for lunch with Ab," Tonks announced. "I'll see you in an hour?"

"How do you stand to have lunch with him every day?" Alfie asked. "Mental as Mad-Eye, that one."

"I think that's why I like him," Tonks retorted. "Mad-Eye's the best." Alfie looked at Tonks with his head cocked to one side, but said no more as Tonks went into the dingy pub to meet Aberforth for lunch.

"Wotcher, Ab," Tonks greeted the barkeep, who merely grunted in reply and placed a steaming bowl of soup and a gigantic sourdough roll in front of her.

"Your French onion soup is divine, Ab," Tonks smiled into the bowl. "Thank you."

"So, you and Lupin?" Ab looked at Tonks with raised eyebrows.

"How do you know about that?" Tonks asked in surprise.

"There are more people watching out for you than you think," Ab said in his low grumble. "I was told to keep an eye and ear out for you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tonks inquired.

"You weren't in last night," Ab noted. "Odd sounds outside the pub all night, like howling."

"Bloody hell," Tonks breathed. "You're sure?" Ab grunted in confirmation.

"Do you know if it was him? He wouldn't…he's careful," Tonks said quietly.

"Don't think so," Ab replied. "Lupin sent a warning, after all."

"How do you know about that?" Tonks asked in disbelief.

"Headmaster," Ab said curtly. "Be careful, Tonks. Lupin's playing a dangerous game."

"I know," Tonks sighed. "Dumbledore thinks it's helpful."

Ab snorted loudly. "What my dear brother thinks is helpful is often what's most dangerous to those around him."

"Sweet Circe, you're his brother?!" Tonks cried.

"Keep quiet, girl," Ab barked. "No need to announce it."

"So it's true? You're really…?" Tonks asked, in a hushed tone.

Ab grumbled a "yes," leaving Tonks with more questions than answers.

"So that's how you know about…everything," Tonks supposed.

"It's how I know you and your Lupin are playing dangerous games," Ab huffed. "You'd best watch yourself."

"Well, he's not my anything anymore," Tonks said irritably, aggressively dunking a piece of sourdough bread into her soup. "We're barely on speaking terms."

"Hope he comes back alive, then," Ab grumbled. "He shouldn't have let you go."

"That's what I said!" Tonks shouted, loudly dropping her silverware on the grimy pub floor. She went to pick it up but knocked over two barstools in the process. When she stood up to sit back on the righted barstool, Ab was staring at her with the same twinkling eyes she had come to recognize as Albus Dumbledore's. It was shocking to Tonks that she'd never noticed the similarities between the two men.

"You remind me of someone I knew," Ab said sadly, eyes still twinkling with the same electric blue.

"You lost her or something?" Tonks asked tentatively, assuming it was a girlfriend or wife. (Or perhaps a goat; Aberforth really loved goats.)

"Or something," Ab said mysteriously. "Hope you don't lose yours."

"I'm trying not to," Tonks said sadly. "I'm really trying, Ab."

"Get him back before my brother gets him killed," Ab suggested quietly. Tonks stared in disbelief at the old barkeep, but as she opened her mouth to compose a reply, Ab had already gone back to the kitchen. Confused and unsettled, Tonks ate the rest of her lunch in silence, wondering what had happened between the Dumbledore brothers to make them each so enigmatic.

…..

"Nymphadora, mind your manners," Andromeda admonished, as Tonks licked chocolate frosting off her fingers.

"Mum, it's just you, me, and dad," Tonks complained. "No one cares."

"I care," Andromeda emphasized. "I raised you to have better manners."

"My first weekend at home in ages, and all you care about are my manners," complained Tonks. "I thought you'd be happier to see me."

"We're delighted to see you, Dora," Ted interjected, in an attempt to quell the disagreement between mother and daughter. "How has it been at Hogsmeade since the New Year?"

"Cold and miserable," Tonks said irritably. "Not much of a change. I can't wait for this assignment to be over already."

"They've given you an end date?" Andromeda asked.

"Not really," Tonks said. "It's sort of unspoken that it should be done by the summer, when the kids finish up school, but who's to stop us from coming back for next term?"

"I know you hate it, sweetheart, but it's still a good assignment," noted Ted. "Keeps you safe, after all."

"You're talking like Remus now," Tonks said, rolling her eyes.

"Is he talking to you now?" Andromeda asked sharply. "He's been communicating with you?"

"Not much," Tonks admitted. "He promised to let me know each full moon that he's still alive. It's not what I wanted, but it's better than the total silence of last fall."

"Dora," Ted began carefully. "Is he the reason you can't morph?"

"Did mum put you up to this?" Tonks asked grouchily.

"Well, sweetheart," Ted began explaining, "It's been a while since that battle you had at the Department of Mysteries, and you seem to have healed completely. Would you consider going to a Healer to see if there's something wrong?"

"No," Tonks said firmly. "There's nothing wrong with me."

"Nymphadora, be reasonable," Andromeda interrupted. "You've been able to morph since the day you were born. You've suffered a few minor bouts of being unable to morph, but they've only been a few days at most. This is unreasonable."

"As I've mentioned before, mum, heartbreak doesn't have a timeline," Tonks snapped. "Even if it was Remus' fault, which, yeah, it probably is," she said bitterly, "there's no changing his mind. He still thinks he's too old, too poor, or too dangerous for me. All bullshit, if you ask me."

"We know you don't care about his age or income, Dora," Ted said gently. "Perhaps you should care about his lycanthropy. He does know more about it than you do."

"I know," Tonks replied. "It's not even the lycanthropy itself, it's Bellatrix and the Death Eaters and the war," she continued. "It's all these reasons that have nothing to do with him! If there was something wrong with him – if he was any other bloke I've been with, it would be so different!"

"Dora, forgive me, but why him? Why Remus?" Ted asked timidly. "You're a talented, brilliant young witch. There isn't another you'd fancy who would be less…complicated?"

"Is that what mum's family told you?" Tonks said icily. "Is that what mum's family thought of you, just a fucking Muggle—"

"NYMPHADORA ANDROMEDA TONKS! YOU ARE NOT TO SPEAK TO YOUR FATHER LIKE THAT!" Andromeda screeched.

"He wants me to ditch Remus just because he's complicated?" Tonks hissed.

"You are acting like a child, Nymphadora," Andromeda scolded. "You are twenty four years old, and it's time you acted your age. Never mind it was Remus who deemed it unsafe to continue a relationship with you. Respect his wishes."

"What if dad had said that to you? What if dad had told you it was too unsafe to be with you? Would you have left him?" Tonks challenged. "Would you have respected his wishes?"

"Your father did tell me these things, Nymphadora," Andromeda said, interlacing her fingers and placing her hands on the table. "Your father told me it would be unwise for us to have a relationship."

Tonks gaped at her mother, openmouthed. "Dad told you not to be with you?"

"I knew your father would not be accepted by my family, Nymphadora," explained Andromeda. "I was likely to lose my family, and your father did not want me to lose my sisters and parents by being with him."

"Bellatrix was already unhinged at that point," Ted explained. "I knew that by getting married, we would be putting targets on our backs. As much as I loved her, I thought she could, and should, find someone else less…controversial."

"Then why'd you go back to him, mum?" Tonks demanded. "If dad was so insistent, why'd you go back to him?"

"I love your father," Andromeda said softly. "I didn't want to be with any other but him."

"And just how old were you when this happened?" Tonks provoked, knowing the answer.

"We were eighteen," Ted stated, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"I'm six years older than you were, and yet you made the same decision I'm making now," Tonks said triumphantly. "But here you are, lecturing me and telling me it's a terrible fucking idea."

"Language, Nymphadora," Andromeda said, exasperated.

"Don't you see?!" Tonks shouted. "That's how I feel about Remus! I love him, and I don't want to be with any other but him! What changed your mind, dad? How did you get your head out of your arse?"

"Nymphadora," Andromeda said in a warning tone. "Respect your father."

"Fine," Tonks said impatiently. "Dad, why did you go back to mum when you told her to stay away from you?"

"Your mother was very insistent," Ted explained. "She wouldn't take no for an answer." Ted looked at Andromeda and smiled warmly at her, placing his hand on hers.

"And you've been together over twenty five years!" Tonks cried. "Why can't I have that with Remus?"

"I'm not Remus. I can't tell you how he feels, or what he's thinking, but his case is different, Dora," Ted elaborated, much to Tonks' annoyance. "Being Muggle-born and being a lycanthrope are two separate issues. That being said," Ted continued, "if he wants you to be happy, he'll come back to you."

"I've already told him that he makes me happy," Tonks sighed.

"Dora, I don't know what to tell you," Ted remarked. "You can't – and shouldn't – force him to be with you. Good relationships aren't based on poor foundations."

"I'm not trying to force him to be with me, dad," Tonks complained. "I'm trying to show him that there's no reason he can't be with me. Remus wants to be with me. He told me so." She crossed her arms over her chest and exhaled angrily at her parents.

"You might just have to be patient, sweetheart," Ted said gently. "You can't force him into anything. If he's going to make the decision, it has to be his."

"Mum, what if someone had told you this about dad?" Tonks looked at her mother hopefully.

"I'd have been as angry as you are," Andromeda said with a smile.

"Like mother, like daughter," Ted said, rolling his eyes at the women. Tonks cracked a rare smile at her parents; if they could get over their initial relationship issues, maybe she and Remus could, too.

…..

February gave way to March. Tonks had received Remus' hoarse, tired Patronus after February's full moon, giving her confidence that he was surviving among the werewolves in Fenrir's pack. Although Valentine's Day had passed without any communication to or from Remus, his 37th birthday was quickly approaching. Tonks felt conflicted in the days leading up to the occasion; on one hand, she wanted to send Remus something – anything – to celebrate the occasion and let him know she was thinking of him. On the other hand, she feared that sending him something for the occasion would reveal her connection with him and put them both at great risk. Ultimately, she decided on sending him a gift from Honeydukes.

She entered the sweets shop the evening before Remus' birthday and began browsing their collection of chocolate.

"Fancy seeing you here," Alfie's suave tenor voice called from a few feet away. Tonks felt immediately foolish; she should have just placed the order through an owl, even if she was living half a block from the sweets shop.

"I'm ordering a gift, Alfie," Tonks said irritably. "No need to read into it."

"Who's the gift for? Your mum or dad?" Alfie asked hopefully.

"Remus," Tonks said unthinkingly, then immediately slapping the palm of her hand to her forehead.

"Remus Lupin?" Alfie asked, evidently gobsmacked by the revelation.

"Do you know another Remus?" Tonks asked miserably. "Yes, Remus Lupin."

"The werewolf who saved your life last summer?" Alfie asked, eyes wide.

"Yeah," Tonks said, thinking immediately of an excuse. "I never got a chance to thank him and I heard he likes chocolate," she lied.

"Oh," Alfie said. "That's…nice of you."

"I owe him my life, so I guess chocolate is good enough of a gift," Tonks continued, smiling at the excuse. "Want to help me pick something out?"

"Anything for the bloke who saved your life!" Alfie said enthusiastically, as Tonks laughed genuinely for the first time in months, thinking of the irony of the situation.

All in all, Tonks spent an unreasonable amount of gold on chocolate for Remus' birthday, at Alfie's suggestion, as, in his words, "the werewolf had saved her life, after all." Tonks hoped that Remus would know it was from her, and that somehow, his day would be brightened from the copious amount of chocolate goodness.

Mere days after Remus' birthday, however, Tonks felt gloomy. Remus had replied via Patronus that he'd received the gift, but to never send him anything ever again. His Patronus voice had sounded angry, causing Tonks to feel guilty for the generous gift. She hoped that it had not caused any trouble between him and the other werewolves. When she thought it through, Tonks realized how foolish it had been to send him anything, as it would appear suspicious while he was trying to infiltrate Fenrir's pack.

It was to her severe terror, then, when she overheard a distressing conversation between Dawlish and Proudfoot at The Three Broomsticks mere days before March's full moon.

"That fucking Fenrir is going after his own," Dawlish drawled, evidently rustling papers in his hands. "Here I thought I wanted his own army."

"You mean Greyback?" Proudfoot asked casually. "He did in one of his own?"

"Joint report from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and St. Mungo's shows a fatally wounded werewolf arrived at the hospital last night and died due to injuries," Dawlish said. Fatally wounded werewolf? Oh Merlin, not Remus, please not Remus, thought Tonks.

"Greyback's doing, then?" Proudfoot asked. "Knew he was savage, but not enough to kill his own."

"Werewolves are vicious, mate," Dawlish explained. "Ferocious and have no morals. They're as likely to kill their own as they are to kill us." Tonks felt herself grow hot with rage at Dawlish's assessment of werewolves; who was he to comment on werewolves?

"Did the dead werewolf say anything upon arrival? Any leads?" Proudfoot asked.

"Mumbled something about Fenrir and a Lupin," Dawlish said. "Dunno if he meant Lupin was his name though. Died before they could get more information out of him." Tonks didn't bother listening to the rest of the conversation. As soon as she heard 'Lupin,' she ran as fast as her legs could carry her to the castle, determined to find Dumbledore.

Her heart hammered in her chest, her sides were in stitches from running, and her face was growing red with the blustery March wind. She didn't care; she needed to find Dumbledore immediately.

Tonks ran through the corridors of Hogwarts, not caring that the students were staring at her in surprise. She wove through the crowds of startled students until she reached the gargoyle statue guarding the Headmaster's office. She shouted "Peppermint Imps!" at the statue, but it did not move. She'd gotten the new password just a week prior; it was impossible it had changed so quickly.

"Chocolate Frogs!"

"Sugar Quills!"

"Sherbet lemon!"

"Cockroach Clusters!"

Tonks attempted several passwords, but none worked. Where was Dumbledore? Tonks stormed away from the Headmaster's office angrily, hoping that he might be wandering the corridors instead. Tonks let her feet carry her up the stairs until she found herself in the seventh-floor corridor. To her surprise, she heard a loud "OUCH!" coming from near the wall, as Harry Potter appeared as if from nowhere.

"Harry?" Tonks ventured.

"What're you doing here?" Harry asked as he got up to his feet.

"I came to see Dumbledore," she replied.

"His office isn't here," said Harry. "It's round the other side of the castle, behind the gargoyle—"

"I know," said Tonks. "He's not there. Apparently he's gone away again." She felt irritated and exhaled loudly at the Boy-Who-Lived.

"Has he?" asked Harry, putting his foot back on the floor. "Hey – you don't know where he goes, I suppose?"

"No," replied Tonks.

"What did you want to see him about?" Harry asked.

"Nothing in particular," said Tonks, as she picked at the sleeve of her robe. "I just thought he might know what's going on…I've heard rumors…people getting hurt…" her voice trailed off, trying to find a way to explain to Harry that she'd heard a werewolf had been killed by Fenrir Greyback.

"Yeah, I know, it's all been in the papers," said Harry. "That little kid trying to kill his –"

"The Prophet's often behind the times," said Tonks, who was only half-listening to Harry. She continued, trying a different tack with Harry. "You haven't had any letters from anyone in the Order recently?" Maybe Remus had written Harry?

"No one from the Order writes to me anymore," said Harry. "Not since Sirius—"

Tonks felt the tears welling up in her eyes; she'd failed Sirius, and now she was failing Remus. She was going to lose him, too, no thanks to the dangerous mission to liaise with the werewolves. Remus could be lying cold, dead, and mangled at St. Mungo's, and she hadn't had the chance to see him!

"I'm sorry," Harry muttered awkwardly. "I mean…I miss him, as well…"

"What?" Tonks asked, deep in her grief over possibly losing Remus. "Well, I'll see you around, Harry…" She walked away from Harry before she wept violently in the seventh floor corridor. She had been crying for some time behind a statue before she heard Alfie's voice in the corridor.

"Tonks?" Alfie called. "Are you here?"

"I'm right here, Alfie," Tonks said, wiping the last of her tears on her robe sleeve. She felt particularly angry that she was unable to morph at the moment, as Alfie was one of the last people she wanted to see her crying.

"Tonks, are you alright?" Alfie asked, offering his hand to help Tonks up to her feet.

"I'm fine," Tonks said. "Tough day."

"What happened? Did something happen to one of the students?" Alfie asked anxiously; of course he'd think it was work-related.

"No, they're all fine," Tonks said. "No issues to speak of, just a personal thing, really."

"C'mon with me," Alfie offered. "You look like you could use a drink."

"No, Alfie, I'm fine," Tonks insisted. "I really don't need anything."

"Nonsense, you're in no state to be alone," Alfie pressed. "Come with me."

Tonks braced herself but accepted Alfie's offer. "Okay, but I'm not staying out late," Tonks said. "The Three Broomsticks is fine."

Alfie looked victorious, and he prattled animatedly about the work day as Tonks sniffled to herself on the walk from the castle down to Hogsmeade. She wiped the remaining tears on the sleeves of her robe, and followed Alfie into The Three Broomsticks, which still held dozens of Hogwarts students enjoying the Hogsmeade weekend. Tonks groaned to herself but Alfie looked ecstatic as he ordered several bottles of Butterbeer for them to share.

As Tonks drank her Butterbeer, Alfie blathered about topics to which Tonks could only give noncommittal answers to; a few well placed "mmms," "ahhs," and "oohs," seemed to suffice to keep Alfie's attention occupied. After several Butterbeers, Tonks was finally feeling less morose; Alfie must have ordered stronger versions of the usually innocuous beverage for him and Tonks to drink.

"Did that werewolf ever thank you for the chocolate?" Alfie asked, his cheeks rosy from the drinks; it was now nighttime and all the students had returned to the castle.

"Remus?" Tonks asked.

"That's its name!" Alfie said triumphantly.

"His name is Remus," Tonks said hotly, "and no, he didn't thank me. Told me never to send him a gift again. Terrible at receiving gifts, that one," she continued, inhibitions now lowered from the alcohol.

"You've sent gifts before?" Alfie asked, his eyes wide with surprise.

"So many," Tonks said. "Terrible at accepting gifts and love."

"Love?" Alfie's slightly glassy eyes were now bulging out of their sockets in amazement.

"I've been after him for ages and he won't have me, the bastard," Tonks slurred.

"You want a werewolf?" Alfie demanded. "Tonks, don't you know how dangerous that is!"

"Oh, who cares," Tonks continued. "He won't have me, so it doesn't matter."

"Not that it should matter, Tonks, but he's crazy not to have you," Alfie garbled.

"That's what I keep telling 'im!" Tonks thundered. "Won't be with me, the loony. Loony Moony," she laughed maniacally to herself.

"You should be with someone who can have you, Tonks," Alfie continued. "Someone not so dangerous."

"I like danger," Tonks braved. "It's why I'm an Auror, you know."

"I'm an Auror too," Alfie added. "I can be dangerous too."

"Oh really?" Tonks challenged. "Prove it!"

"Come with me!" Alfie directed. He placed several galleons on the table in payment to Rosmerta, and grabbed hold of Tonks' hand as he led her out to the street. He led her all the way to the Shrieking Shack, both of them panting with effort by the time they arrived to the rundown house.

"C'mon," Alfie beckoned, taking Tonks with him through the threshold of the Shack. Tonks was somewhat disoriented from the several drinks she'd had, and the sight of the clawed, derelict furniture reminded her strongly of Remus. She burst into tears at the sight, remembering that he might be dead at Fenrir's claws, and no one had bothered to tell her.

"No, no, no, don't cry," Alfie insisted. "No crying on adventures!" Alfie asserted boldly. Tonks laughed in Alfie's face, wondering how he thought a stroll through the Shrieking Shack counted as an adventure, when she had spent several hours in that very Shack with a transformed werewolf.

"See, no more crying!" Alfie exclaimed jubilantly. Tonks stared at Alfie, struck by how ridiculous it was that she was in the Shack again, but this time, with her maddening coworker, and a possibly dead Remus somewhere in the distance. Alfie returned the stare, and then closed the distance between himself and Tonks.

"I've wanted to be out with you for a long time, Tonks," Alfie said huskily. "Who'd have thought it would take the Shrieking Shack to get you?"

Tonks froze in place, staring up at Alfie with disbelief. In a swift motion, Alfie held Tonks by the hips and pulled her close to him. She felt herself stiffen with discomfort, but felt unable to move from the spot. Alfie had her pressed against his body, which felt…wrong. Unlike Remus' lithe, comforting frame, Alfie was bony and awkward. Tonks felt uncomfortable being so close to Alfie, but he had his hands firmly on her waist now, looking down at her with lustful eyes.

Before Tonks was able to extract herself from Alfie's grip, Alfie bent his head down and pressed his lips against her own. Everything felt wrong. Where Remus' lips had felt soft and tender, Alfie's lips were chapped and uncooperative. Tonks' lips weren't moving, but Alfie kept his mouth on hers as he brought his hands down to Tonks' backside.

It was when Alfie's hands began playing with the waistband of her jeans that Tonks was startled out of the unwanted kiss. In a swift motion, she whipped her wand out and cried "Stupefy!" at Alfie, knocking him back into the very same wall she had once knocked Remus against both as a man and as a wolf.

"What the fuck was that for?" Alfie asked angrily.

"I should have never gone out with you," Tonks said coldly. "Don't you ever touch me again."

"Oh, so you'll let a wolf put his paws all over you, but not a human? You're into bestiality, are you?" Alfie thundered, as he lunged towards Tonks in a rage.

"Stupefy!" cried Tonks once more, sending Alfie back into a heap against the wall.

"You and the wolf like that, huh?" Alfie asked, his eyes now filled with fury as he tried to pick himself back up from the floor.

"Petrificus totalus!" cast Tonks, sending Alfie to his back, now frozen in place.

She looked down into his eyes with her own blinding rage and cast one more spell: "Obliviate."

Not bothering to look back at Alfie, she stormed out of the Shack and back to the Hog's Head, swearing never to be alone with him again.