Nymph vs Wolf

by Queriusole

Lupin, Tonks, Black. Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin learn to work together despite the fact they are each a thorn in the other's side. Another take on Book 5. Minor edits.

7. Seeds

Summary: Remus and Tonks help Emmeline and Sirius deal with the consequences of their nocturnal activities. Fluff, Dark, Fluff

NYMPH vs WOLF
Seeds

London
Tonks' Flat

"Remus."

His breathing remained steady and his body didn't stir at all. Remus Lupin looked quite snug as he lay wrapped in the bedroll on the floor.

"Reemuus." Nymphadora Tonks tried her singsong voice.

"Wumorminitmum." This time he mumbled, turned his head, and buried it further against the pillow.

Tonks watched him for a moment. Yes, his nose really was too long and he definitely was too tall. She followed the line of his body to the end of his lanky legs and smiled. She shrugged, then went to her kitchen to put on some tea and toast. Lupin could probably use as much rest as he could get. It had been a busy week for him, let alone recovering from the effects of the full moon. But after she ate her breakfast and watered her plants, she went back to her guest.

She knelt in front of his pillow and leaned over so that her head would be upside down if he were to open his eyes. He looked so peaceful, but the imp in her made her grin. She scrunched her face and lengthened her tresses. Then she took a lock of her hair and tickled his nose with the tip.

Lupin twitched his nose at the contact, but maintained his slumber. Tonks stifled a giggle and teased his nose again with her hair, then added to the assault by tracing the skin around the scars on his face.

Lupin moved a hand to swipe at the annoyance, but Tonks moved back just in time to avoid being captured. She was patient and held her breath for a moment before initiating her next salvo. This time she wasn't quick enough--or perhaps Lupin was waking up so he had better control of his hands.

Regardless of the reason, Tonks found her hair wrapped around Lupin's hand. The sharp tug made her fall forward and bump his forehead with her chin.

"Ow."

"Huh?" Lupin's eyes fluttered open as he looked up to find pink hair was draping his face. Right, he was sleeping at Tonks' flat, but the situation was completely platonic. No need to panic. He took a deep breath, but then rubbed his forehead. "Tonks? Why did you hit me?"

"I didn't hit you; you yanked on my hair." Tonks sat back, rubbed her chin and immediately shortened her locks.

"Oh, sorry." Lupin stared at the ceiling now that he was awake. "Tonks?"

"Hm?" Tonks was now moving her jaw as if it had been displaced by the impact.

"How did I come to yank your hair?"

"I was tickling your nose," admitted Tonks, although she made it seem like the most reasonable greeting.

"Oh." Lupin blinked twice. It was a rather odd way to wake up a houseguest.

He was about to stretch when Tonks warned, "No! Don't move."

Lupin stopped at mid-stretch. "I thought you wanted me to get up?"

"You have to be careful. Look at your feet," instructed Tonks.

Lupin raised his head just enough to spot a white furry mass upon his ankles. He leaned back with a sigh. "Perfect. My station in life has been reduced to serving as a bolster pillow for a bunny."

Wimples twitched his ear and emitted a little huff. He was sprawled quite comfortably.

"Isn't he sweet? I think he's finally taken a shine to you," cooed Tonks. "Now don't disturb Wimples when you get up."

"I've lost feeling in my feet," murmured Lupin. He twitched a toe to test its movement and grumbled, "Pudgy bunny."

"He's not pudgy! He's just fluffy," admonished Tonks.

Lupin turned to argue with her when he noticed her pajamas had racing brooms all over. He gingerly picked at one of the brooms at the edge of her sleeve. "I used to have a pair like that when I was a boy."

"Yeah, they're not very feminine," said Tonks, "but they're comfortable."

"No one would mistake you for a boy, Nymphadora," murmured Lupin lazily as he used his elbow to prop himself up to look at her. He had realized last night that the Auror really didn't know how charming she was just being Tonks. It was also evident she didn't think of herself as feminine.

"No one would mistake me for a water nymph now," she teased as she wrapped her arms around her knees and absently wiggled her toes. But her soft smile indicated she was fine with that.

They lapsed into silence and shared a quiet moment where they could indulge in a fantasy. Lupin was toying with the idea that this is what it would feel like to share a normal life with a woman. It wasn't like waking up to a lover, but the intimacy of the moment would be a precious memory for him nonetheless. This is how it could be, if only.

Tonks thought that Lupin was like the pool at the base of Wolf Rock, quietly alluring by the sense of peace he offered. For a moment she let herself daydream that he was here because he wanted to be with her rather than the convenience her flat offered. How could she make that a reality? Did she even want that from him? At this moment, she just knew that she didn't want his solid presence to be absent from her life.

"Whhfff." Wimples broke the spell of the moment and their contemplation with his snort.

"D'you suppose he's dreaming bunny dreams?" asked Tonks.

"Let's wake him and find out."

"Gentle," cautioned Tonks as she rose to see to get dressed. Surely the boys would get along without her supervision.

She had no sooner turned her back than Lupin pulled his feet up. The snarl of protest from Wimples was emphatic. Lupin tapped his fingers against the floor. "No, Wimples, we are not going to question who the alpha male is here."

The Professor drew his feet up again, but when Wimples snarled at him, Lupin simply responded with a growl low in his throat. Wimples snarled louder and Lupin simply had to respond in kind.

Snerf! Growl! Snerrf! Grrrowl!

"Boys! Boys, settled down," called Tonks as she came back to the fray and knelt beside them.

"He started it," said Lupin as he sat up and pointed to Wimples. The lepine, however, merely turned his large, innocent bunny eyes to his mistress and even twitched his nose in distress.

Tonks picked up Wimples and cooed softly at him while she pet him, but still heard Lupin murmuring, "Faker."

"Don't listen to that mean old wolf, Wimples. He's just jealous because he's all long and lean and not soft and fluffy like you," said Tonks.

"I am not jealous of a were-rabbit," complained Lupin. "Just because he gets pampered--"

Tonks gave in to an impulse and turned to Lupin, rubbed the back of his head and said, "See? You're not being neglected, either."

Actually, the way Tonks was rubbing her fingers into his scalp did feel rather good. Maybe he and the vorpal bunny did have something in common? Lupin muttered, "Merlin, that would feel good on my shoulders."

"Here." That's all Tonks said before Lupin felt her hands go to his neck and begin a nice shoulder rub. "Dad always spends too much time bent over a book. He gets a kink about here."

"Ah," said Lupin. Damn, it felt wonderful to be touched, to have her warmth behind him, to have someone taking care of him. Tonks was too sweet for her own good.

Tonks was smiling to herself. Lesson One from Fleur Delacour: touch the man. His neck was slender like the rest of him and although he was lean, his frame was wiry. She found herself wondering about exploring the rest of his body and blushed. She took a deep breath and brought the contact to an end.

Lupin felt her pat his back twice to indicate the massage was over. That's when he noticed how his heart was racing. He rolled his head and said, "Thank you, that really felt good."

"Well, it will be your turn next," said Tonks with a rather mystic smile. "I need to get dressed and go. Just stash the bedroll in the entry closet."

"I don't intend to impose--"

"It's a favor to me. I think Wimples likes it," said Tonks as she pointed to the were-rabbit. He was again sprawled on top of the bedroll.

"You spoil him, you know that?"

Tonks just shrugged. "He's my pet. Just remember to toss him a veg when you leave. Oh, and you better leave the chess set here because I intend to beat you on our next rematch."

"As you wish," said Lupin.

"It is my wish," confirmed Tonks. She might not be sophisticated; she wasn't one for playing romantic games, but she did realize that she wanted Lupin to have an excuse to come back.

- - - - - - - - - -

Grimmauld Place

Lupin entered the old house carefully and sighed with relief when all was quiet. He could put up with Mrs. Black's portrait, he just didn't want to stumble on any more of the cavorting between Emmeline and Sirius. He walked into the kitchen and was surprised by the sight.

Emmeline Vance sat there, fully dressed, but her head was bent as if she were sad. Lupin had never seen her in such a pose. "Emmeline? Are you all right?"

"Yes--no, I--it doesn't matter." Emmeline's voice was quiet and she wouldn't look at Lupin.

The Professor approached her quietly as he felt an alarm rising in him. He asked, "Where's Sirius? He didn't go out--"

"No, he's upstairs and," Emmeline hesitated for a moment. "He'll be sick when he wakes up, but I didn't know what else to do."

Lupin shook his head. "You're not making any sense. Emmeline, what happened?"

By this time Lupin had approached the table and was able to take a seat next to the woman. He was relieved that Sirius had not escaped into the night, but was very disturbed by Emmeline's reactions. But as he sat down, he saw the bruise on her arm His heart lurched as he noted, "You are hurt."

Emmeline finally turned to face Lupin and he caught his breath. There was a distinct bruise across her jaw as if she had been struck. Her voice was merely sad as she said, "You probably just think I like it rough and that Sirius was only obliging."

She turned her face away from him and Lupin could see her raise a hand to wipe away a tear. The whole situation and its implication was so unreal! Lupin was hoping he'd wake up to find he'd dozed off with the vorpal bunny still on his ankles. He had to swallow before he found his voice.

"Emmeline, the Sirius Black I know wouldn't have hurt a woman like this," began Lupin. Emmeline shook her head, but he insisted, "But if Azkaban has changed him, I need to know. Emmeline, we have three women who will be living here for the next two months. Two of them are young, innocent girls. I need to know if they'll be in danger."

Lupin hated what he was saying, but he knew that if the Order had to resort to keeping Sirius truly a prisoner, he had a cell available at Wolf Rock that would serve their purposes. His words to Sirius last night came back to haunt him.

"It's not his fault, Remus. Sirius didn't know who he was hurting." Emmeline took a deep breath and, although she would not look at Lupin, she told her story. "It's as much my fault. I brought some gloriala seeds."

Lupin bit back a groan. The gloriala seeds acted as psychostimulants, with particular effects on sexual function, but they could induce psychosis in someone who was sensitive. "Why?"

Emmeline shrugged. "Sirius isn't the man he used to be, Remus. It bothered him last time when it took a while to, to respond to me, to become aroused. And--and I'd heard that these were a hybrid, didn't have the bad side effects."

Lupin sat back and took a deep breath. Twelve years in Azkaban, the last two on the run. He hadn't considered that Emmeline was the first woman to draw any sexual interest for Sirius. Lupin shook off these thoughts and pursued the details he needed. "When were the seeds ingested? How many? How often?"

"He had one after dinner," said Emmeline with a nod. "Then again around midnight." Emmeline swallowed, so Lupin thought she was finished, until she added, "And another around three this morning."

Lupin sometimes couldn't believe the ignorance of his fellow wizards and witches. Three doses in one night? "He hit you after the third dose?"

"He kept thinking he saw a rat scurrying about. He began shouting, "Come out, come out, Peter!'"

"So you tried to calm him down and that's when it happened?"

"He pushed me away, but he was getting more agitated and Sirius was between me and my wand."

"A stupefy spell wouldn't have helped much," informed Lupin. "But you say he pushed you? You've clearly been struck."

"He accused me of hiding Peter because I kept trying to convince him nothing was there. He grabbed me and kept yelling." Emmeline's voice had grown steadier, but she released a deep sigh. "He kept calling me Bella."

"Bellatrix Lestrange, his cousin and Deatheater and currently in Azkaban."

"I tried to tell him that and he became more--agitated," finished Emmeline. She pushed her hair back from her face before continuing.

"He hit you?"

Emmeline nodded. "But believe it or not, it was a good thing. It's like it broke through the haze and he recognized me," she said quietly. "I got him to drink some fire whiskey with me to counter the seeds, but by then I could get my wand. I used a potency spell on the drink."

Lupin began rising, "You're sure he's just passed out and not--"

"It's not alcohol poisoning. Give me some credit for knowing the limits," said Emmeline testily. "He took about three drinks and passed out. I was too exhausted to leave, but I don't want to see him this morning." She looked down at the bruises on her arm. "I suppose you think I got what I deserved."

"No, Emmeline, I don't, but while I understand your good intentions, Azkaban wasn't good for Sirius. This exposure to the gloriala seeds followed by the potent fire whiskey is not what I would recommend for his well being."

Emmeline just nodded her head. "You're going to tell Dumbledore?"

"I see this as a private issue between you and Sirius at this time," offered Lupin with a sigh. Was he covering up? "I will explain this to the Headmaster if anyone becomes concerned about Sirius." Lupin raked a hand through his hair and offered, "Do you want those bruises healed?"

Emmeline quickly withdrew her hand. "I'll see to them later."

Lupin felt the irony of the situation. She'd accept even violence from Sirius, but she wouldn't tolerate the touch of a lycanthrope even to heal her. It made him appreciate Tonks' attitudes about accepting and offering help. "Then I recommend that you call Tonks. She'll be discreet and she'll know what happened anyway."

"How could she poss--"

"Because I intend to tell her, so Tonks can either hear it from me or from you. It's your choice," interrupted Lupin.

"Why bring her into this? She's rather naive."

"She's an Auror, she's Sirius' closest relative in the Order, and she's my friend, that's why." Lupin had no intention of carrying this burden alone. He'd need someone to watch Sirius when he was away. "Just because Tonks doesn't live your sophisticated lifestyle doesn't mean she won't understand the complexities of the situation. But you're free to ignore my recommendation."

"All right, I'll make up some reason to have her come to my studio," said Emmeline. She took a moment to compose herself, but by the time she rose, Emmeline Vance had recovered her facade of the stately witch. "Take care of Sirius."

"I always do," replied Lupin.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"Remus, have some mercy. Just obliterate me now," moaned Sirius when Lupin went up to see to his friend.

"Here, this will help sober you up." But rather than trust Sirius to drink the elixir, Lupin pulled his head back and poured it down the man's throat.

"Ugh! You treacherous wretch--" Siruis suddenly grabbed his abdomen.

"You're the one one wretching at the moment." At this point Lupin dragged the shorter man to his bathroom and held his head over the toilet. "Good, good, get it all out. That should deal with most of the substances in your body."

"You cold-hearted, treacherous brute!" Sirius wiped his mouth and added, "I hope you choke on peas."

"Better than choking on gloriala seeds." Lupin didn't wait for Sirius to try do deny it, he just grabbed him like a ragdoll again and thrust him under a cold spray of water in the shower.

"Damn it, Remus! It's cold!"

"All the better to wake you up. Sober yet?"

"Yes!" Sirius sputtered at the water falling into his mouth, but Lupin was rubbing his head vigorously with a towel. And none too gently. "Stop it, Moony. I am not a pot that needs to be scoured."

Lupin threw the towel at him and said, "But your head is as empty as one. Gloriala seeds, Padfoot? I can't believe you'd be that stupid."

Sirius leaned against the wall with his eyes closed. "It's not like it hurt anyone..."

His voice fell off and he wiped his face. Sirius began shaking his head as images and emotions flooded him. "No, no, I couldn't. I didn't." He began to run out of the room calling, "Where's Emmeline? I've got to see her."

"She's gone, Sirius," said Lupin as he caught up with him and put a restraining arm on his shoulder.

"How bad?"

"She was bruised, but she'll be fine. Tonks will heal her."

"Remus? What have I done?"

Lupin would not have recognized the man weeping in his arms, but it was indeed Sirius Black. The Professor held him closely and put a hand behind his head as Sirius wept. He cast a spell to ease some of the emotional pain as he did so.

"It's all right, Padfoot. You can write to her as soon as you've got a grip on yourself; don't worry. Emmeline doesn't blame you; you both made a mistake." Lupin patted his back gently. He'd had to deal with sobering up his more reckless friend on numerous occasions, but never had Sirius broken down like this. "We've got to make sure you stay sober for a time. No wine, no fire whiskey, no potions, understand? Now I want you to remember those meditation exercises..."

Sirius could only nod. He listened to Lupin's voice and felt relief that Moony was still there for him. He clung to that reality as he faced his inner demons. He did not like the man that he saw.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Tonks knocked on the front door of number twelve and then flinched when she heard Mrs. Black begin her tirade. The door opened and she rushed to help Lupin close the curtains on the portrait, but stumbled as she entered.

Lupin was soon looming over her, but he was smiling as he offered her a hand up. "I genuinely, truly, and sincerely am glad to see you."

Tonks accepted his hand and jumped to her feet. "Is your patient giving you trouble?"

"No, he's been quiet most of the morning and I can tell he was quite disgusted by his actions. I purged his system, reviewed some meditation exercises that should help, and warned him against ingesting any intoxicants," sighed Lupin as he led Tonks to the kitchen.

"That's the advice any Healer would give," assured Tonks.

Lupin's movements were automatic as he doled out some stew and bread for her lunch. "Am I being too lenient on Sirius? Am I covering up for him when I should be rushing off to Dumbledore?"

"If I thought Dumbledore needed all the sordid details, I would have gone to him myself, but I see this as a private matter that we should handle amongst us." Tonks voice held a professional tone as she gave her assessment. She leaned in to assure Lupin, "As for Sirius, he would have still been agitated if the gloriala poisoning had been severe. All records would predict he's safe now. And I wouldn't endanger the Weasleys if I thought otherwise."

"I'm glad to see you concur," replied Lupin. It was nice to have someone he could count on like this. "How did it go with Emmeline?"

Tonks took a sip of the stew and said, "She summoned me on the pretense of a break in. I heard the story, healed her bruises and harped at her until she showed me her bag of gloriala seeds."

"She had more?" asked Lupin incredulously.

"Had is the operative term here. I found a preservation seal that could lead me to the source. I intend to check that out this afternoon since the seeds are only supposed to be sold to Potion Masters. Then I flamed the lot before she could protest and dared her to report the incident." Tonks took another sip of the stew as she heard Lupin's approving laughter.

"That's my Tonks," he said as he lifted his tea cup in salute. He took a drink before asking, "Did you bring the locks for the front door?"

"I did," confirmed Tonks. She pulled out a lock from the inner pocket of her robe, then another two from the the larger pockets before standing up and emptying her trouser pockets of a few more.

Lupin surveyed the array of locks on the kitchen table. He picked one up and inspected it. "Good workmanship. The charms are solid."

"Nicked 'em from the horde of Muggle artifacts. I had to inventory the stores when I was an apprentice, so it was a simple matter to adjust the numbers again. No one believed me when I said they were charmed except for Mad-eye, but he didn't take the time to pursue it with Scrimgeour." Tonks took a big bite of her bread and pointed at the locks. "I can help you install them."

"Install what?" asked Sirius as he entered the kitchen. He had overheard the last statement and was relieved he wasn't the topic of conversation. He looked puzzled when he saw the hardware on the table. Did they intend to lock him in? "Locks? We have a fidelus charm on Order headquarters. Why do we need locks?"

"Because we know that even a fidelus charm can be broken by a traitor. This gives us another line of defense and should help Molly feel secure. We were able to sneak in last night to get my chess set without getting caught." Lupin pushed a small bowl of stew to Sirius as he explained.

"And if we had been traitors, nothing would have stopped us from doing more harm," added Tonks.

"But what if the traitor is someone who gets in and then locks us all inside," asked Sirius as he picked up a lock and fiddled with it. He was happy to discuss anything but what happened last night.

"That's the secret. The locks are charmed to operate for only a select few. You and I are residents, so we need to be able to lock them," explained Lupin. "I think Molly should have access. I recommend we give Tonks the final authorization for using the locks."

Tonks hid her surprise at this. Unlike many of her colleagues at the Auror offices, Lupin didn't seem to denigrate her status in the group. Still, she asked, "Are you sure I won't be a traitor? I am a shape-shifter after all. Some people would put me top of the list of likely traitors."

"You're a half-blood witch who has chosen a career fighting the Dark Arts. You don't curry fame or wealth, although you could with your ability to change form. Moody has had years to screen you with his magic eye and has yet to find you to be anything but 'honestly cheeky,'" said Lupin as he perfectly imitated Moody's voice. "But most telling, I don't think a Death Eater would ever elect to have a corpulant bunny for a pet."

"Wimples is just fuzzy! And did you remember to leave some vegetables for him this morning?" asked Tonks as she continued to eat.

Sirius' head jerked up and he watched the two with growing interest. Lupin had stayed with Tonks?

"I left a carrot by the top hat on your entry. Wimples jumped into it once I tossed him off of the bedroll to put it away."

Tonks punched Lupin's shoulder, "Don't be mean to my bunny!"

Lupin rubbed his shoulder as he assured, "I wasn't mean. Besides, he's too rotund to get tossed. Wimples just sort of rolled like a giant furball off the bedroll. He's almost too round to fit in that hat he likes."

"Who is this Wimples?" asked Sirius.

"He's the vorpal bunny that Tonks adopted," reminded Lupin.

"Oh, yes, the were-rabbit. Another creature subjected to your wonderful bedside manner, Moony," observed Sirius.

"Did he toss you around too?" asked Tonks. Her query was immediately confirmed with a nod.

"Tossed out of bed, choked with a potion, dumped into the loo, and then drowned with cold water."

"Good, because Emmeline sent something for you, too." Tonks approached her cousin and slapped him sharply. "That is from Emmeline."

"Tonks!" Lupin made as if to stand, but Tonks quickly shot him a calculating look. She knew exactly what she was doing.

Sirius was clearly displeased, but the anger only flared in his eyes as Tonks coolly explained, "That was for hitting Emmeline. This is from me."

Tonks slapped her cousin again and Lupin could see the anger growing in Sirius, so he covertly reached for his wand. If the gloriala had left any aftereffects, Tonks' actions would clearly provoke their manifestation.

Lupin noted with relief that Sirius controlled himself so that only his voice conveyed his irritation. "And what was that for?"

"That's for being a git."

"It was the gloriala seeds--"

"Did anyone force you to eat them?" Tonks kept her steady gaze on Sirius and he looked away first.

"No," he sighed and finally glanced back at Tonks. "You take after the Blacks, you know; we all pack quite a wallop. Andi would keep me in line, too, like a bossy big sister."

"Well, now you have a bossy little sister," said Tonks, but her voice was gentler. Then she put a hand on Sirius shoulder and added, "And Emmeline told me to give you one more thing."

Lupin was about to put a stop to anymore slapping, but Tonks merely leaned forward and gave Sirius a soft peck on his unbranded cheek. She was blushing a little bit as she explained, "Emmeline forgives you, Sirius, but she needs time."

For the first time that day, Sirius actually smiled. He patted Tonks hand on his shoulder and said, "And for delivering that message, I thank you. I think I've got the courage to write her that apology now. "

Tonks finally looked up at Lupin as if she expected to contend with him next, but he merely offered her a slight bow. The young Auror had dealt with Sirius in a way he never could have. She had also demonstrated that he would be no threat to the Weasleys; Sirius had control.

The Professor exhaled then said, "Well, if the Black family ritual is over, let's finish lunch so we can see to the locks. I'm sure you're tight on time."

"It's all right, I owled Kingsley that I was pursuing a lead on some contraband. The purchase was anonymous, but I think I can trace down the supplier of the gloriala seeds. Maybe you can help. Do you recognize this preservation seal?" Tonks used her wand to produce the image in the air while they sat to finish their lunch. "I couldn't find record of it in the Auror archives."

"Celtic knot, looks like a five by five, but not I'm not familiar with that variation," said Lupin as he quickly scanned his memory.

Sirius was frowning, but then he pointed to the pattern and said, "I remember where I saw that. Azkaban. There was an inmate there for a few months that they put in the cell across from mine. His name was--Armstrong. Herbert Armstrong. He had a package with that seal on it, but the Dementors were blind to it."

"Not the smartest of criminals, is he?" mused Lupin.

"Armstrong didn't bother hiding it from me since he thought I was completely mad. It does have its advantages," said Sirius with a shrug.

"That would be Herbert Armstrong the Third and son of a Deatheater," murmured Tonks as she recognized the name.

"So you think Armstrong is distributing these as a benign variety of gloriala to upset the general population?" asked Lupin. "The Aurors would be kept quite busy dealing with the fallout and the Deatheaters would never be blamed."

"Armstrong could just be greedy and not give a damn about the consequences," offered Sirius.

"Either way, I need to stop it," said Tonks. She looked at Lupin and cleared her throat before she made her suggestion. "Look, I could take this to Kingsley, but Scrimgeour would quickly nix the idea. He wouldn't think it important enough to pursue. But, if I'm maintaining surveillance on someone who just happens to be in the market for gloriala seeds?"

Lupin sat back in his chair. "Are you suggesting that I serve as a decoy?"

"You fit the profile of a, ahem, typical interested buyer,"said Tonks, although she was looking away and trying not to blush.

"Really? Imagine that." Perfect, thought Lupin. Tonks thought he was deficient in the manly department.

Sirius rolled his eyes at how uncomfortable they both looked. "Oh for Merlin's sake! Just play the distressed lover and go along with it, Moony. You can demonstrate your manly prowess later."

Lupin's head dropped into his hands while Tonks was now a bright pink as she squeaked, "Sirius Black! I do not need Remus to prove anything to me."

"I'll do it with you," mumbled Lupin into his hands. He opened his eyes to find a shocked look on Tonks' face and a smirk on Sirius. What had he said? "I mean I'll serve as decoy. Now let's get the locks installed before I change my mind."

- - - - - - - - - -

Knockturn Alley

"Here, this will help me monitor you," said Tonks. She placed a tiger-eye pin onto his lapel while she wore a similar stone as an earring. "It will pick up your conversation while I tail you in disguise."

"Very well," said Lupin. "But I'm sticking with my story of wanting the seeds for research and not for--other reasons."

Tonks pursed her lips and said, "That's what they'd expect you to say, so I won't argue with you. It will explain why you're interested in confirming the hybrid. I'm hoping Armstrong will be curious to meet a man with your credentials. Now, let's start the fun."

Finding someone willing to sell the gloriala seeds wasn't difficult, but it always required a return visit to the vendor. Tonks made a list of all the middlemen that would be visited after she had traced the seeds back to Armstrong. In this, Lupin served as the perfect decoy. With his credentials as a Defense Against the Dark Arts scholar, it was easy to see why he'd want proof that the hybrid seeds would have limited side effects.

Their quest finally led them to Brital's Bones, a shop on Knockturn Alley that specialized in bone products from all sorts of creatures. The normal haggling took place, but then Lupin inserted his request for proof regarding the hybrid seeds. This time rather than being referred to another address at another time, Lupin was asked to wait for a moment. Fifteen minutes later he was being led to a back room.

Tonks had been outside Brital's Bones, but now she used a crowd passing by as a distraction for transforming from the tall, gray-haired woman to the short-blonde curls that made people think she was brainless. Perhaps it was the way she widened her eyes? She began to sort through a stack of chicken bones for divination as she monitored the conversation occurring in the back office.

- - - - - - -

"I'd like to use the seeds for research purposes only, of course, Mister Armstrong," said Lupin smoothly as he stared at the bag of gloriala seeds that Armstrong had placed on the desk.

A man laughed boisterously. "That's the funniest excuse I've heard for needing gloriala seeds from someone who's not a Potions Master."

"I can provide my credentials to you that attest to my standing as a Professor," assured Lupin.

"And I can provide a young woman to be your research assistant if you like," offered Armstrong suggestively. "That will cost you extra, of course."

"I already have a research assistant and I can assure you that my interest is purely professional," insisted Lupin. "But I want proof that they are hybrids. The last thing I want is to lose my mind. What did you use as a cross-species for the gloriala seeds?"

"Well now, that would be a trade secret, see?" Armstrong smiled and steepled his fingers. Lupin seemed quite eager for the seeds. An endorsement from a DADA Professor as to the seeds' harmless nature would be good for business. Lucius Malfoy would be surprised at Armstrong's good business sense. "But I tell you what. Since you want the seeds for only research purposes, I'll give you a deal. I'll let you purchase a bag and throw in the woman just because I like you. Test your performance on her and then you'll know you'll be safe with the real woman you want these for. All you have to do is verify that you were satisfied that these are hybrids."

Lupin was uncertain whether Tonks had shadowed him adequately, so he made a bid for more time. "Tell me about this girl you're offering. I'm rather selective."

Armstrong laughed again. "You have a sense of humor, I see." His eyes raked over the scars on Lupin's face. "Selective? Don't you mean you want to make sure the girl is willing to tend to someone with your--attributes."

Lupin smiled lightly at the observation. "I draw the line at forcing myself upon women, Mister Armstrong."

"Yes, I would expect that, but you don't have to worry. My girls are obedient. So, we have a deal?"

Lupin was uncomfortable with this situation. It was always the intent that once Armstrong was confirmed as the supplier, he would simply say he didn't have the price and walk away. "How much for the gloriala seeds? My funds are limited as you can well imagine."

Armstrong laughed again. "I like you, Lupin. Such manners! Tell you what, you sign this affidavit now and I'll give you the seeds and the girl free of charge. Call it professional courtesy. It's an offer you can't refuse."

Lupin calmly let his wand slip down his sleeve. Armstrong was right; his offer could not be refused if his interest in the seeds were sincere. But to attach his signature to the parchment would be to seal a magical contract. He could deal with rumors of his alleged interest in gloriala seeds, but he could not allow direct evidence to exist.

Lupin took a deep breath, but in the next moment a loud crashing was heard from the shop.

"Oh, how clumsy of me! I am so sorry. I was just looking for--" And here they could hear the woman bawling loudly as she burst into tears. Then they heard her wail, "P-professor Lupin!"

Armstrong looked incredulous while Lupin stood up and wiped his forehead. He was quite sincere when he said, "Oh, dear, this is so embarrassing. I think that's my research assistant."

"You're kidding," said Armstrong as he followed Lupin to the door. He watched as the Professor approached the blubbering blonde who was swinging her arms wildly and disrupting more of the bones so artistically displayed.

"Now, calm down, uh, Bambi. I'm right here," said Lupin as he approached Tonks.

"Professor! Oh, Professor, please, it'll be all right," said Tonks as she clutched his lapels. "I don't care about your little p--problem."

Lupin's eyes widened and he began thinking of reasonable excuses on the spot. "No, Bambi, I'm too old, too poor, too dangerous given my interest in Dark Arts."

"But I don't care about those things! Come with me now and we can try it again and I'll dress up any way you want--"

"Precious, let's not air our dirty laundry in public," admonished Lupin as he put a hand over Tonks mouth. Her eyes were glittering mischievously, so there was no telling what she'd say next.

Armstrong looked at the vacuous blonde hanging onto Lupin's arm. "This your woman?"

"Yes, er, no, I mean--" began Lupin as he tried to think of an appropriate response as he moved the two of them to the exit.

"I would be except for his little problem," said the blonde as she shook off Lupin's hand. Then she turned to Lupin and said with excitement, "We can try chocolate? I bet you'll like that."

Lupin was now trying not to laugh as he opened the door and shoved her outside. "I'm sorry for the disturbance, Mister Armstrong. I can assure you I won't bother you further."

They disapparated before Armstrong realized the bag of gloriala seeds were gone.

"Chocolate?" asked Lupin incredulously when they apparated at a park far from Knockturn Alley.

Tonks, now back to her pink hair and Auror uniform, was fighting a blush. "Well, I saw it in a film once. You know, Muggle moving pictures?"

"Just the thought is making my stomach ache," said Lupin. He pulled out a bag and handed it to Tonks. "I think you might need this."

"Why, Professor, you are a cool one," said Tonks. She had been more concerned with getting Lupin out of a potentially dangerous situation a few moments ago. He had just saved her mission. "Thanks for helping."

"Thanks for taking care of Emmeline--and Sirius," replied Lupin. "Now go play the proper Auror while I see to the Weasley invasion."

Tonks put the bag of seeds into her pocket and gave him a smart salute before she was gone. Lupin stood there for a moment just smiling about one of the most embarrassing moments of his life. But somehow, Tonks' success made it all worth it.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Grimmauld Place

The table in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place was awash with a sea of redheads. The Weasleys and Hermione Granger had arrived late in the afternoon just as Remus Lupin had returned from his adventure with Tonks. He and Sirius had been so busy getting the crew settled--and making sure Fred and George kept their curiosity in check, that before they knew it, it was dinner time.

Lupin sat amidst the noise of the teenagers with a sense of satisfaction. Sirius was being congenial and had been quite good at predicting the type of mischief that would attract the twins. He was currently listening to Ron rant about the Chudley Canons. Molly and Arthur were treating him as if he were part of the family. Only the girls seemed a bit crestfallen.

Lupin thought about bubble-gum pink hair and what she could bring to this table. And as he completed his thought, Mrs. Black's portrait began its ranting. He and Sirius immediately excused themselves to see to their visitor.

Lupin wasn't surprised when he found Tonks standing at their door with a wide grin on her face.

"Wotcher, Remus, Sirius! Great day, no?"

"I take it the raid was successful?" asked Lupin as he closed the door. Sirius had now reached his side.

"I can confirm that Armstrong is heading back to his old cell at Azkaban and that a certain Auror in your very presence got credit for one of the major contraband arrests of the year." Tonks was practically beaming with pride.

"Good, then I can do this," said Sirius as he pulled her into a hug and rubbed her hair vigorously. He turned to Lupin while he did this and said, "Another Black family ritual."

"Mum always does that," grumbled Tonks when Sirius released her, but her smile was still in place. "Do you think Molly has room for one more?"

"Of course, and I think there are two young ladies who would enjoy your company," said Lupin. The trio entered the kitchen and everyone stopped talking as their eyes turned to a young witch dressed in Auror robes but sporting spikey pink hair.

"I'd like to introduce Nymphadora--"

"Don't call me Nymphadora, Remus," admonished Tonks, but kept herself from punching his shoulder. That would look far too immature. "It's just Tonks."

"Tonks it is, then," said Lupin.

"Have a seat by Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger," suggested Sirius as he summoned another chair to the table.

And so a routine was born for dinner at Grimmauld Place. The table was always set in expectation for the young Auror who, although clumsy, was still considered quite cool by the young people around her and quite charming by one adult in particular.

- - - - - - - - - -

"I better get home to see to Wimples," said Tonks as she stretched. She had helped wash the dishes when Lupin had volunteered to do them. They had spent time socializing and Tonks had gotten along well with the girls, but now that the dishes were done, it was getting late.

"Let me walk you home," offered Lupin as he put away the last dish. Then he added a bit shyly, "Although, I suppose you just intended to apparate."

"No, well, yeah, I had thought, but, er, I'd like that. To walk home, that is," stuttered Tonks. Then she thought to add, "And the company."

Lupin smiled slightly at her. They stepped out of Grimmaul Place and waited for a moment. Both of their faces turned up to the sky.

"No rain," said Tonks. "It's a perfectly beautiful night, too."

"Yes, it is," agreed Lupin readily. They walked together into that perfectly beautiful night where the seed of an idea was growing: belonging.

End of Chapter

Minor edits.

Author Notes:
This was intended as a different story when I first began it, but once Lupin got back to Grimmauld Place, Emmeline's revelations seemed to spill out and so the story took a different turn. The contrast between the innocent exchange between Tonks and Lupin and the violent one between Sirius and Emmeline drove the early part of the story. But it should also illustrate how Lupin gets to see Tonks in her professional role.

The gloriala seeds are not canon and do serve as a metaphor for drugs abused by humans. On the other hand, I really couldn't commit complete character assassination on Sirius. I did want to illustrate some of his recklessness and darker nature, but not without showing remorse for his actions. Also, I didn't want to make him someone who would abuse women of his own volition. That would make for a darker storyline than I care to write. Furthermore, it was important that Sirius offer some help in catching the supplier as a way of redeeming himself and preventing the same thing happening to someone else.

The tiger eye pin and earring are not canon nor is the shop in Knocturn Alley called Brital's Bones.

There were two references to David Thewlis movies. First, the name Herbert Armstrong comes from the movie Dandelion Dead where DT's character was poisoned by Herbert Armstrong. Second was a reference to the intimate use of chocolate from the movie Life is Sweet.

Thanks for reading. I hope you found that I treated the characters with some compassion. And I hope that I'm still demonstrating the small steps Lupin and Tonks are making in finding each other.