Nymph
vs Wolf
Masque
of the Wolf
Tonks' Flat
It had been a few weeks since Remus Lupin had made his bargain of three public dates with Nymphadora Tonks. They had agreed that she would continue to help out Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour with their decoy dates, but they had put off discussing the details of their own outings. Instead they talked, played chess, and tested their ability to maintain their attention on the game.
"Uuuh, mmm. Tonks, stop that."
"What's wrong, Remus? I'm just trying to get a better view of the chess board."
"You were nibbling on my ear."
"Nervous habit. You don't want me biting my fingernails, do you? What would Mum say? And take that."
"Oh, look, see there? You've blocked my bishop. I never would have made that move if I hadn't lost my concentration."
"Quit grumbling and make your next move."
"There."
"Hm, now why move your piece there? This requires some thinking."
"Take your time, Nymphadora."
"Right, I'll just--ooooh, mmmm. Remus! You're trying to distract me."
"Am not. I'm succeeding in distracting you."
"Your testing the limits of the liberties you're allowed."
"Am I?"
"Mmm hm."
He took that as encouragement and intensified the attack. The Professor knew it was foolish of him to engage in any physical relationship with the young witch. Still, the Marauder in him found it took more energy to resist physical contact with Tonks than to give in to it.
As another chess match between Tonks and Lupin dissolved as the two put more attention and energy into kissing, Wimples hopped out of his top hat and harassed the hapless chess pieces. The two humans finally broke apart when the last piece standing, the Black Queen, self-exploded in a fit of impatience with the were-rabbit. The vorpal bunny merely hopped into his top hat and wiggled his ears jauntily in satisfaction.
"Game over," sighed Tonks before nestling against Lupin's chest rather than rising. "Do you have to go?"
Lupin was lazily stroking her hair. "I should."
But he made no motion to remove her so he could leave.
"Stay."
"I--"
"Stay," she whispered as she kissed him. She released him and added, "I'm not trying to tease you or trap you, Remus, it's just that I don't want you to go."
Lupin twined his fingers in her hair at the nape of her neck and smiled gently. "I shouldn't encourage this. Every time I kiss you I think I've fallen into a miracle."
"I didn't know I was such a divine kisser," she quipped. She kissed the palm of his hand and added, "I've never let a man this close to me before."
A small frown settled on his face. "And why do you let me touch you?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Because I'm ugly."
Tonks stiffened at the words and frowned as well. She traced the scars on his face lightly and asked, "What do you mean? Just because you're a lycanthrope--"
"No, it's not the curse or the scars. I'm not, I mean I've never been..." His voice dropped off and his eyes shifted, reminding Tonks of an awkward boy trying to find the words to explain. "I'm just ugly. At Hogwarts I'd look in the mirror and then look at Sirius or James. They didn't have a long nose or a high forehead--"
"Your features suit your face; you'd look rather silly with a little button nose," said Tonks as she changed hers to illustrate, "or had a sloping forehead."
Lupin smiled at her antics as she recovered her features, but he continued with his flaws. "The rest of me is nothing but long, gangly limbs."
Tonks grabbed his ears and tugged them. "You are not ugly! Merlin, how could you--"
"You're always saying I'm too bloody tall," he reminded.
"That was because I was getting too distracted by your long legs and endless, lean thighs and--" Tonks stopped there as she felt her face flaming and then noted Lupin's eyebrow quirking. She squeezed his hand and insisted, "I can't match your height unless I'm two steps above you, so of course I'd complain.".
"And the lonely bed comment?" Lupin reminded her of a comment made on the first day they worked together and Tonks winced in response.
"I was angry because I thought that you thought that I was--too ugly." Tonks voice dropped off. She could be any man's fantasy, but she chose to be herself. "Mum was always telling me I should change my nose or sculpt my eyebrows or have thinner lips."
"You shouldn't listen to your mum; she did name you Nymphadora after all," said Lupin gently. "I find you quite lovely."
Tonks punched his shoulder. "And I never thought you were ugly! You shouldn't have been comparing yourself to the Sex God of Gryffindor, you git."
Lupin suddenly laughed at her words and pulled her into his embrace. "I'm telling Sirius that one."
"Then do it in the morning," she murmured. "Stay."
"Yes," sighed Lupin. He was tired of his lonely bed and although he was still convinced Tonks would inevitably come to her senses, he couldn't refuse when she asked so little of him. Stay.
- - - - - - - - - -
Diagon Alley
"I'm in a real muddle here, Remus. We need another decoy date for Tonks," said Bill Weasley to Lupin as they walked together in Diagon Alley.
"Goblins aren't dim, Bill, especially the ones that work at Gringotts. Don't you think they know something is going on between you and Fleur?" asked Lupin.
"Of course they suspect, but discretion is highly valued at Gringotts. As long as they see we're willing to keep up the public appearance of dating others until Fleur's internship is over at New Year's, they won't send her away."
"I see," replied Lupin. "And your current dilemma is for Gringotts' Masquerade Ball?"
"We'd already put Tonks' name in for an invitation and I know she was approved, but none of my mates is willing to go as a decoy date. The Grimball invitations go out any time now."
"Getting invited is highly prized by the wizarding world. Surely that would be sufficient enticement?" asked Lupin.
"That's what I thought, but as soon as I mention Nymphadora Tonks, the men turn pale. I've tried bribes and threats, but nothing worked. Eddie Washburn even paid me a galleon he's owed me since we graduated from Hogwarts--with interest, mind you-- rather than go as Tonks' date."
"Why won't they cooperate?" asked Lupin, clearly perplexed.
"Well for one thing, Tonks has a vicious attack dog."
"It's a bunny, granted he tends to misbehave."
"It's a furball with fangs from all accounts. And if the creature doesn't get them, she's just as bad. I'm sure you've heard how she practically emasculated Otto Steinhauer."
"A woman has a right to defend herself against unwanted groping."
"I know the git should have listened to her, but she didn't have to be so violent, or so, so--."
"Thorough? It's her training," offered Lupin. "Bill, Tonks is a lovely, bright, cheerful sort of girl with a promising career with the Aurors. Surely--"
"Oh, right. Step out of line with that one and she arrests the bloke." Bill put his hand on Lupin's shoulder and said, "I'm out of ideas, Remus. If Gringotts sends out its ravens before Fleur can add a name to the list, I'll have to find some poor sod who got invited and trick him into thinking Fleur is his real date, and that won't be a happy thing to explain to my dear Miss Delacour."
"Can you get a copy of the list thus far?" asked Lupin, but before Bill could answer, the skies darkened as a flock of ravens filled the sky.
"Bloody hell, here they come."
The beating wings and the cawing flooded Diagon Alley as they passed in front of the Orbis Shoppe. Wizards and witches stopped with anticipation at being invited and fear that the ravens would mark them as unwanted. If one should cast a deflecting spell, the invitation would not be delivered. However, remaining unguarded invited an attack by the petulant messengers with their sharp claws.
Bill watched the approaching flock with confidence while Lupin stood by him looking amused. The Professor had discovered that calling forth the wolf within him was sufficient to prevent any attack by a Gringotts raven, especially since the deliveries were always made within the week of the full moon. It had become a game of sorts over the years, so he also stood at ease as two ravens fell out of formation and zoomed straight for the men.
And then came the surprise. Lupin could feel his eyes taking on their feral luster, but before the wolf emerged further, a large black envelope was dropped to him.
Beside him, Bill gave a loud yell of victory. "Remus! This is perfect. You can be Tonks' date!"
Lupin could only stand there and blink. "Tonks' date?"
"Thanks, mate. I've got to tell Fleur!"
As Bill disapparated with a pop, Lupin stared at the invitation. Someone with influence at Gringotts had put his name into the pot. His attention was caught when he heard the door of the Orbis Shoppe opening.
"What have you there, Lupin?" The scratchy voice came from the owner of the Orbis Shoppe who stood at a third of Lupin's height and had long pointed fingers. "Ah, it looks like an invitation to the Masque."
"Hello, Ragnok." Lupin hadn't visited with the goblin since he had returned from his mission with Hagrid. His purpose this morning had been to discuss certain issues regarding the betting scandal at the Quidditch World Cup that still lingered.
"Well, come in then. I've got tea for you and a good stout ale for me in my office," said Ragnok as he ushered in the Professor. The prosperous Orbis Shoppe sold goblin crafted jewelry and several clerks were busy with excited customers. The goblin called to his assistant that he wasn't to be disturbed and soon the two were settled.
"Do you know why I was issued an invitation this year?" began Lupin.
"Could be that someone is playing a trick on you, Lupin. After all, it is a masquerade ball and Gringotts supplies the costumes." Ragnok smiled, but had the effect of being somewhat less than reassuring. "What costume do you think you'll find yourself in?"
"That's not funny, Ragnok."
The goblin cackled. "You say you understand the prejudice that goblins deal with from the Wizards. Suppose some of the elders at Gringotts are interested in finding out for themselves how sincere your words are."
"So I'm expected to present myself as a wolf and not a man to the esteemed crowd at the ball?" Lupin could already imagine how the congregation would part when he entered. "It's a most unique honor."
Ragnok answered, but his tone lost its sarcasm. "They conferred the honor of the invitation to you for your help in writing the arguments for pressing our case for retribution against Ludo Bagman."
At this point Ragnok shoved a parchment across the table at Lupin. "The remuneration we obtained was a pittance, but the precedent we established was enormous."
"I'm glad I was able to be of service," replied the Professor as he scanned the document with satisfaction, "but I find myself reluctant in accepting the gesture of gratitude."
"You could decline the invitation, of course, but remember this, Lupin. Goblins don't trust easily. Pass this test and a number of goblin factions are likely to give a favorable ear to Dumbledore and his agents."
Lupin merely nodded and quietly sipped his tea. The goblins wanted to witness first hand how Wizards could discriminate against one of their own. With luck, Fleur Delacour would refuse to have him as a decoy date for Tonks. It would be better to stand alone as he suffered this humiliating night. In any case, Tonks would learn quite effectively why she was better off with another man.
- - - - - - - - - -
Tonk's Flat
Nymphadora Tonks was leaving the Ministry building with a grumbling stomach since all she had eaten was a bit of toast in the morning before being thrown into a chaotic day. Things had only gotten worse after the Grimball invitations had been delivered. Short-tempers flew among those disappointed at not being invited or those who had gotten clawed. Even Tonks' spikey hair was looking rather droopy.
Her spirits were also low given the invitation she held in her hand. Once again she'd be forced to endure a decoy date for Fleur Delacour and Bill Weasley. She knew she should feel honored to be invited to the Grimball, but the only silver lining she could think of was that she could ask Lupin to teach her to dance.
The thought brightened her mood a bit until an owl swooped down to drop a note into her hands. Tonks opened it quickly, sighed, and disapparated to her flat.
"Wimples," she called as she opened her door. "Fleur's coming over, you better hide if you don't want your ears pulled and your tail pinched."
Tonks was satisfied when she heard a yip and saw a white streak aiming for the top hat in the far corner. The one time Fleur had met the were-rabbit, she had squeezed him too tightly around the tummy and yanked his ears as the creature was trying to escape the witch. Then to add insult to injury, Fleur had pinched Wimples' fluffy tail. Other than the episode with the hooped skirts, Wimples made a habit of hiding whenever Fleur appeared.
Her pet was no sooner out of harm's way than the knock came at her door. Tonks opened it and Fleur immediately flounced inside in a huff with Bill at her heels.
"...you cannot expect me to go with theez, theez loup garou!"
"But, Fleur, he's not what you expect. Remus Lupin is--"
"What's this about Remus?" asked Tonks.
As both Fleur and Bill began to speak with her, Tonks heard the rhythm of a familiar knock on her door. Speak of the devil.
"Tonks, I got a message to meet Bill and Fleur here," began Lupin, but then looked inside to find the other guests arguing. He bowed lightly and said, "Ah, but it seems they're already here. Bill, Miss Delacour, a pleasure to meet you."
"See, Fleur, Remus is a gentleman," assured Bill as he stroked the blonde's shoulder.
"What is going on here?" asked Tonks as she threw up her hands. Suddenly, three people were trying to explain, one in French, all of them waving an invitation to the Grimball in her face.
"Wait, just wait." Tonks looked at Bill's hopeful face, Fleur's doubtful one, and finally to Lupin's stoic expression. She could see that Lupin was hiding something, but she doubted it had anything to do with Fleur and Bill. She took a deep breath and asked, "Now don't say a word, just nod when I'm right. Is this about the Grimball? I see we all have invitations."
Three confirming nods responded.
"Right, so Bill is really escorting Fleur but allegedly escorting me."
Three more nods confirmed her analysis.
"And that would mean that Remus is to be my escort but a decoy date for Fleur?"
That's when the three erupted again with Bill pleading with Fleur and gesticulating toward Lupin, Fleur dissolving into a cacaphony of French and gesticulating at Bill, and Lupin trying to speak calmly to the two, but gesticulating at Tonks. No one, however, was speaking with her.
"Langlock."
Tonks surprised them all as she swirled her wand quickly to prevent her guests from speaking. Three pairs of eyes turned to look in her in surprise. "I know I'm being a poor hostess, but would you all just shut it for a minute?"
Bill shrugged, Fleur tilted her nose upward, and Lupin nodded once. Tonks released the spell, then ordered, "Bill, Remus, go sit."
"But--" began Bill.
"Sit," echoed Fleur firmly, so Bill ambled over to sit on the sofa by Lupin who had the presence of mind not to annoy Tonks further and had complied immediately.
"You're upset that Remus is supposed to be the decoy date for the Grimball?" asked Tonks of Fleur.
"And how am I to explain theez? Yet another man and a loup garou! I already have a réputation at Gringotts for being a fickle flirt while you, you are considered practically engaged to mon amour. It is some cruel joke, no?" At this point Fleur broke down in a cascade of tears.
Tonks immediately flicked Fleur's nose sharply with her finger.
"Ouch! You, you--"
"Now you have something to cry about," said Tonks as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Look, Fleur, I haven't been trying to sabotage this thing between you and Bill. Believe me, I see him like a brother and I'm sure I fill the bill as an annoying sister to him. It's an effect I have on the good fellows I meet."
Fleur pouted prettily and darted a quick look toward Bill who was nodding madly from his seat. She turned to Tonks and said, "Bien, but how do I explain theez date? The others have all been jeunes hommes and not, not loup garou."
"But Remus is profeseur, a savant, not just a werewolf. Didn't Madam Maxim allow him to stay at Beauxbatons in September when he traveled to the Continent?" offered Tonks.
Lupin had described the details of his mission to retrieve Hagrid to the young Auror. Tonks knew that his journey had begun with a brief stay at Fleur's alma mater to get information from Olympe Maxim.
"Oui, Madam was, how you say, grateful that Lupin came to aide her ami," verified Fleur.
"So there you have it. Madam Maxim wouldn't have let Remus stay if she thought he would harm the students," said Tonks as she put an arm around Fleur's shoulder and began walking toward the men. "It also explains why Remus is your date without implying any romance. He's a friend of your former Headmistress, so you're doing a favor by providing a convenient escort to this very important social event. Instead of being fickle, you'll be seen as being considerate, open-minded, and not interested in wasting time with a string of young men."
"Damn, she's good," whispered Bill to Lupin.
"Too good," he replied as his hopes that Fleur would reject him outright were dashed. As the ladies reached them, Lupin raised his voice and asked, "But has anyone bothered to ask if I have any intention of accepting the invitation?"
A hush fell over the room, but instead of speaking, the three merely gestured. Bill was nodding his head, Fleur was blinking her eyes as if the thought of any man refusing to be her escort was unfathomable, but Tonks was who finally swayed him. The plea in her eyes could not be denied--and now she would find out why they had no future together.
Lupin pressed his lips together and said, "Right, then, it looks like I'm in, but first, young lady, I believe you need some dancing lessons."
Fleur flew into Bill's arms for a warm embrace, but Tonks elected to be a bit more discreet and merely knelt in front of Lupin and patted his hand. "You won't regret it, Remus. I'll work hard, I promise."
Regret already held him, but Tonks' bright smile made it easy to put off thoughts of what he would face at the Grimball. Still, he leaned forward to whisper in Tonks' ear, "This counts as our fist public date."
Tonks leaned back and was about to protest, but a single look stopped her. She nodded silently. Once Fleur and Bill had left, however, she pressed her argument.
"Remus, this can't be a real date for us," said Tonks.
"Actually, it's ideal," argued Lupin. "We're seen together in public, but you gain some distance from my stigma."
"You are not stigmatized!"
"Open your eyes, Nymphadora, and you'll see how wrong you are," said Lupin. "The point is that your reputation is still safe from Scrimgeour's scrutiny given our decoy dates with Fleur and Bill. And we should set up the other two dates now as well. We can't drag this out indefinitely."
Tonks sighed. Still, she had carefully made plans for two dates, although this first one had been thrust upon them. "I have some ideas, but it will be a few months between each date."
Lupin could accept that, although his heart still feared he'd be facing the new year alone again. "And?"
"I thought, well, I'm supposed to go to Otto and Gretchen's wedding in February," Tonks said in a small voice. "I usually hate weddings for all the catty remarks I get about not being married or even having a boyfriend. I thought that you could go with me then."
She was biting her lip as she looked up, but Lupin readily agreed. "That sounds reasonable. In fact it would serve the Order well to spread the word. And the third date?"
Tonks began picking at a loose thread on her sofa. "Well, I was thinking about St. Mungo's Charity Ball in May. I never got to go when I was in Healer training."
"I remember. The bloke who asked you stood you up," said Lupin. He could understand why that was important. His voice sounded concerned as he added, "The tickets will cost."
"Sirius already said he'd buy them for me as a Christmas present," said Tonks, then had the good grace to look guilty. "He said anything that helps keeps Gilderoy Lockhart out of the public eye is worth supporting."
"I knew this was a Black conspiracy," accused Lupin with a light smile as he pulled her into his arms.
"Sirius is a good friend," admonished Tonks as she dropped a quick kiss on the tip of his nose.
"The best kind," agreed Lupin, but he wasn't interested in talking about Sirius. He was more concerned with kissing the little cousin. They had so little time left together and his hunger for her kept growing--then her stomach emitted a distinctive growl and the kiss was broken.
Tonks pulled back and stuttered, "Er, I skipped lunch."
Lupin quirked an eyebrow and she shrugged, "It was a busy day." Another growl punctuated her statement. "I skipped the market, too." Lupin sighed when she explained, "Well, I had enough veggies for Wimples and like I said, busy day."
"You happen to be in luck," began Lupin as he offered her salvation and sustenance. "Sirius wanted take-away from his favorite fish--"
"Oh, he'll share!" Tonks was hopping on her toes and clapping her hands in delight.
"You know, you don't look like a dark wizard catcher at this moment," chided Lupin as she shoved him out the door with her body.
"Don't need to for eating fish 'n' chips!" she sang.
In fact, Sirius had sent Lupin out to specifically bring back dinner and his little cousin. They were soon at Grimmauld Place sharing their humble feast with Sirius. As Lupin had hoped, Tonks was able to brighten the mood at number twelve. Soon they were while they exchanged stories of their days at Hogwarts. But eventually, Sirius took his leave when he felt the need to isolate himself again.
Tonks settled into the crook of Lupin's arm on the settee in the parlor. The Professor let his cheek rest on the top of her head and wondered what it would be like to have this contact, this comfort, for the rest of my life. They talked about inconsequential things, but learned so much from each other even when they fell into a companionable silence.
Then Lupin's voice punctuated the silence with a quiet word. "Stay."
"I thought you'd never ask," murmured Tonks before she turned to kiss him.
But Lupin suddenly pulled away shaking his head when he realized what he'd said. "Wait, you can't. Stay, I mean. Sirius--"
"Knows you're not sleeping on the street when you're out all night," reminded Tonks.
"I know, but--that's different. It's your flat or it's been my house, not Sirius' house. I mean, this is Order headquarters!"
"Yeah? That never stopped Sirius and Emmeline, did it? And it's not as if we'll be doing it on the kitchen table," grumbled Tonks before a spark of challenge entered her eyes. "How about we ask?"
"We can't ask him that. What am I supposed to say? Oi, mate, can your little cousin sleep over with me?"
"That sounds fine," urged Tonks. "And if I'm right and he doesn't object, I get my pick of your clothing for sleepwear. Bet?"
"Is this some ploy to steal another one of my shirts?" asked Lupin with suspicion.
Tonks looked at him with wide-eyed innocence. "Remus! I'm an Auror, duty-bound to protect the citizens of the Wizarding World..."
"You sound like the Auror recruitment campaign," he inserted mildly.
"...maintaining the highest of personal standards which certainly excludes pilfering comfy, well worn shirts."
"So I suppose I've merely lost my shirts to your protective custody?"
"I'm duty bound," Tonks agreed before taking a deep. "How you could think--"
The argument was interrupted when their host poked his head back into the parlor and asked, "Aren't you two in bed yet?" Sirius shook his head as if exasperated. "I thought I was the only insomniac. Don't stay up on my account; get some sleep. Tonks is a working girl, after all. You can cook us all sausages and eggs for breakfast, Moony. Now, good night."
Sirius walked away with his hands full of tasty morsels for Buckbeak, his midnight companion. In the meantime, Lupin pulled a giggling Tonks into his arms, but his kiss aptly put a stop to this.
"You heard the man, off to bed," said the nymph with a smile. Then her hand flicked the collar of the Professor's shirt and whispered, "Protective custody, Remus. I did win the bet and you're wearing the shirt I want."
Yes, once again Lupin felt as if he'd fallen into a Black conspiracy, but being manipulated by the cousins was a happy way to spend his days--and his nights.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Grimmauld Place
The first dance lesson occurred three days later in the early evening. Lupin's phonograph had been brought down to the drawing room and an area had been cleared for their endeavor. The object most at risk, however, was Professor R. J. Lupin.
"Just relax and follow. Now, one, two, three, four and one, t-OW!"
"Maybe I should do this barefoot so I don't kick your shin again?"
"All right. Let's begin again Now...Fine...I'm going to turn--Ah!"
"Oh, Remus, I didn't mean to poke your eye! My arm just sort of flayed upward."
"No matter, but try not to be so stiff. Relax. You trust me, don't you?"
"Absolutely. You I trust. Me? I'm hopeless."
"Now don't say that. Again...Fine...See, you're doing much bet--Wait. Tonks?"
"Huh?"
"You were standing on my feet."
"But it was working!"
"That will never do. Now, come on, you just need to be lighter on your feet."
"Right. Lighter on my feet. Lighter on my fee--"
"Tonks?"
"I am soooo sorry."
"Why am I hanging upside down?"
"Er, maybe because I misfiredthespelltomakemelighteronmyfeet."
"Could you release me, please? Gently."
Thud.
"Remus, are you all right?"
"Mum never had a lesson go like this one. I'm sure of it."
"Are you failing me?"
"No, no, we'll get this. Actually, it feels quite nice lying on the floor. I think we better call it quits before the moon rises."
Bark, bark.
"Go away, Snuffles, Remus hasn't transformed yet."
"Oh? Well, hurry up. Buckbeak's getting anxious to play. Be careful when you come into the tower, Moony. I think he's planning to ambush you. Bark!" Sirius transformed back into Snuffles and ran off.
Lupin rolled over on his back and sighed. His work was never done, but his aches dissolved when Tonks leaned over and kissed him.
"Sirius is right," she said. "The moon should be rising soon and I'm sure the wolf wants to play."
"I wish I were pocket-sized so you could just carry me up," said Lupin as Tonks offered a hand to help hoist him to his feet.
":Now there's an intriguing idea. I could carry you around with me where ever I went. Oh, but then we couldn't be dance partners, not that I'd call this dancing."
"We'll get there yet, Nymphadora, but no spells."
"Fine, no spells, just hard work. Right. I can do this."
- - - - - - - - - - -
Grimmauld Place
"All right, now. One, two, three, four, one, no, your other left."
"But I have two lefts and no rights!" grumbled Tonks as she moved out of their dance position. "I'm doomed, Remus."
"Perhaps you need to demonstrate with a partner so Tonks can see how it's done," suggested Sirius as he leaned in the doorway to the drawing room with a grin on his face. Really, he had never seen such an uncoordinated mess as his little cousin.
"Right then," agreed Lupin, then he pointed to the spot in front of him and added, "Well, get over here."
Sirius stood up in surprise. "Me? But, Moony, Molly should be here soon and--"
"And will be busy seeing to dinner. Come on, Padfoot."
"Fine," grumbled Sirius, "but I'll lead."
"No, I will."
Tonks was stifling a giggle as the two men vied for lead position until Lupin quickly hefted Sirius off his feet and said firmly, "I'll lead."
"I hope you know you're just embarrassing yourself," murmured Sirius with mock affront, but Tonks could tell he was relieved when Lupin set him on his feet.
"All right, Tonks, now pay attention to Sirius--"
"Call me Siri," said Sirius with a high pitched voice, to which Lupin merely rolled his eyes. Then Sirius pulled his long hair out of its ponytail and batted his eyelashes at Lupin.
"Merlin, help me," mumbled Lupin as he began to lead Sirius around in a circuit of the room. "See, Siri is just following my lead--"
"Oh, you're a fabulous dancer," squealed Sirius as he flounced his long hair and swatted Lupin across the face with it.
"And avoid doing anything that will make your partner want to strangle you," advised Lupin rather pleasantly, but without a single misstep as he blew the hair out of his mouth. The music ended, Lupin bowed to Sirius, who gave an elegant curtsy in response.
"Wonderful. Even my fugitive cousin makes a better girl than I do," moaned Tonks as she stood up. "Right, let the torture begin."
"You'll survive," assured Lupin as he placed his arm around her waist.
"I was referring to your torture, not mine," said Tonks. Perhaps if she just closed her eyes? And focused on his voice as he counted.
As the music ended, Sirius was clapping his hands saying, "That's better. You only tripped once, stumbled twice, and no crockery was harmed."
The dance partners turned with mutual glares at their critic, but Sirius just waved his wand to start the phonograph and said, "Try again. Oh, that's the door. I'll take care of Mumsy; you two just continue doing whatever you call this thing you're doing."
"He's not helping," said Lupin as he maneuvered Tonks.
"He certainly can't hurt. Besides, Sirius has been a bit gloomy lately. I think he's enjoying watching me mangle the dance."
"The things we do to keep his spirits up," sighed Lupin, but he was smiling at the young witch in his arms. If she wasn't thinking about dancing, she seemed to do better. He kept talking to her, but they were interrupted before they could finish their dance.
"Are we having a dance with dinner then?" asked Moody as he stomped into the room. Molly and Sirius walked behind him.
"We're going with Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour to the Grimball. Tonks just needs some lessons," explained Lupin.
"Oh, the masquerade ball! My parents would tell me such wonderful stories about it," said Molly a bit wistfully.
"Ach, they're a boring lot, Molly. You have more fun at a good Muggle Swing dance," said Moody with a toss of his hips.
Molly giggled like a school girl. "Oh, Arthur and I used to go to sneak into the Swing dances. We'd even dance with the little ones when they were young."
Before anyone could anticipate what Moody had in mind, the disc on the vitrola was replaced by something a bit more jazzy.
"I'd stand back if I were you," said Lupin to Tonks and Sirius. "Moody's of a mind to Swing."
Moody clapped his hands twice as he got into the rhythm of the music while Molly merely tapped her foot, unaware of what the retired Auror intended until he grabbed her in his arms and swung her around.
"C'mon, Molly lass. Let's show these puppies how it's done!"
"Oh, I don't think I can watch this," said Sirius as he bit back a laugh and left the room.
Tonks could only stare dumbfounded at the display before her. After her initial surprise, Molly rose to the challenge and matched Moody's rather wild movements with graceful poise as she mirrored her partner or made the complementary movement.
"That's it, Molly. Let's try this," encouraged Moody as he danced with his stumpy leg occasionally going in a different direction than intended.
Lupin was anticipating each move as he stood behind Tonks and murmured, "...Whirlwind... Sweetheart...Tunnel. Oh, no."
Lupin got out his wand to ease the execution.
"Over- the-Rainbow!" called Moody enthusiastically.
"Eek!" That was all Molly had time for as she was flipped over Moody's back--and landed on her knees in front of her husband and her host. Meanwhile Moody was now dancing away lost in a solo chacha of some sort.
Arthur Weasley looked down at his disheveled wife. "Hello, dear. Tough day?"
"Arthur!" Molly was blushing beet red while Tonks moved quickly to her side to help Arthur get Molly to her feet.
In the meantime, Lupin and Sirius had gone to intercept Moody before he swung a standing lamp around the room in his exuberance.
"You seem to have lost a dance partner, Mad-Eye," informed Sirius as he jerked his head toward Molly and Arthur.
"Wha? Oh, hello there, Arthur. Hell of a dancer, your lovely wife is," said Moody before opening his flask and taking a large gulp.
"Come on, Moody, let's get that thirst quenched, properly," offered Sirius as he led him out.
Tonks immediately offered her explanation of the bizarre scene. "It's all my fault, Arthur. I was having dancing lessons with Remus and, ahem, Mad-eye thought I needed a demonstration."
"Well, then, by all means. May I have this dance?" asked Arthur of his wife.
Molly was blushing again, but this time she smiled coyly at her partner. Lupin began the music and stood by Tonks as they watched Molly and Arthur dance. It was clear to them that no one else existed for them as they moved together.
"That's what I want," sighed Tonks.
"We'll get there," assured Lupin as he squeezed her shoulder gently.
Tonks nodded and leaned back against him. She had not been referring to the dance.
- - - - - - - - - - -
The Grimball
Tonks' Flat
"You've got to be joking. Please, Fleur, tell me this is a bad dream?" asked Tonks desperately. Even Wimples poked his head out from under the bureau to peer at the costume Fleur had just placed on Tonks' bed.
"You weel look lovely. Your coiffure complements it well. Me, I am to be mouton, sheep. Too fluffy, too white, too common."
Fleur pointed to her own costume which contained a white dress festooned with poofy white fleece with an open skirt to show off the matching pantaloons also layered with fleece. Her long sleeves ended in cuffs of lambswool and her half-mask had poofy, droopy black ears. "I even have a queue."
Fleur turned the skirt over and shook the garment so that the fluffy white tail seemed to be wagging at Tonks, so Wimples used this opportunity to dart under the bed.
"Fleur, you know you'll just look like an adorable little lamb in that." Really, there was no way the blonde could look look bad, thought Tonks crossly.
"Agneau? Yes, that is better."
"At least you have sleeves. How am I going to get that, that bustier to stay up? There's no straps and I know I'll wind up with food falling down my cleavage!"
"Just poof up your bosom," suggested Fleur. "But too much and, voila, you will pop out."
"I think I'll just try an adhesion spell." Tonks lifted up her costume rather distastefully and held it before her dangling from two fingers.
The strapless black top was little more than a stiff corset overlayed by a filmy white skirt. She wouldn't be able to bend at the waist. As Tonks lifted the garment, she could see quite clearly through the material. "My legs will show through."
"At least you have a petite queue," said Fleur as she tweaked the puff of a tail on the back. "And the ears are adorables!"
Tonks noticed Wimples poking his head out and looking with interest at her outfit. She shoved him back under the bed with her toe before picking up the stiff bunny ears. She tentatively put them on her head and noticed a white collar with a bow tie and white cuffs. The ensemble looked oddly familiar. She seemed to remember a stash of Muggle magazines that Arthur had brought over for Sirius after the teens returned to Hogwarts. Playboy, was it?
Her half mask at least had a cute pink nose, she thought with a dismal attempt at optimism. The witch shook her head and said, "I don't see why I need collar and cuffs when there's nothing more to the dress! And the shoes have spiked heels. I'm doomed!"
And so the Little Lamb and the Playboy Bunny prepared for the Grimball.
"What do you suppose the men are wearing?" asked Tonks when they finally made it out to her living room. She was looking downward behind her back as she tried to get a glimpse of her tail. Wimples had been lurking about to get a good view as well.
"Eet does not matter. My Bill weel look handsome in anything, n'est ce pas," said Fleur with confidence.
Her prediction proved to be accurate once the men made their appearance. Bill Weasley was dressed in a ginger coat with a large collar and hood that easily marked it as a lion's mane, but the shoulders of the coat were extended into griffon's wings. Unlike the women, the tail was generated by a design woven into the back of his coat.
"How handsome you look," gushed Fleur as Bill kissed her hand.
But Tonks was oblivious to the other two and also seemed to be ignoring Lupin. Actually, she felt so self-conscious with the ears protruding from her head, the tail attached to her rump and her legs showing through her skirt that she wasn't looking at the men at all but down at the floor.
Lupin's heart fell as he registered her reluctance to look at him. He had not expected Tonks to be so dismayed by his attire. In fact, while the tailcoat he wore was made to resemble the fur of a gray wolf, it had been cut to nicely fit his trim body. And instead of a long, tufted tail ridiculously hanging from his body, the tails of the garment worked perfectly to mimic the wolf's. The white ascot he wore gave the illusion of the white breast typically seen in wolves. Rather than having to suffer a hood, his masque was finely crafted with the alert ears of a wolf, but nothing menacing in the contours.
Lupin walked up quietly to Tonks and offered, "Nymphadora, if you want to abort this now, I'll understand."
He was referring to more than just the Grimball, but Tonks finally gained the courage to raise her eyes. The smile that lit her face gave Lupin no doubt that she approved.
"Remus! That's, I mean, you look, what's that old-fashioned word? Dashing," said Tonks breathlessly then grimaced. "I look like I belong in a Muggle magazine."
"Ah, yes, Playboy?" asked Lupin.
"How did you know?" countered Tonks. Lupin suddenly dropped his gaze and she said, "I'm having a serious talk with Sirius when we're through.:"
"Don't harass your poor cousin. You look quite fetching," said Lupin as he found he couldn't tear his eyes away from her legs. The young witch had very well-toned limbs, just the right proportion, and the sheer fabric made him want to--clear his throat. Then he immediately noticed someone else was interested in Tonks' attire. "Ahem, Wimples! Go."
The vorpal bunny had hopped onto the sofa and was about to bat at the bunny tail on Tonks' costume, but Lupin's tone of voice held a very strong threat.
The were-rabbit bounced away just as Fleur said, "The lapin! Oh, he eez hiding again."
"He's just shy," said Tonks. She gave a quick squeeze to Lupin's hand and said, "Let's get the ball rolling."
- - - - - - - - - -
Gringott's Masquerate Ball
After surrendering their wands at the door, the quartet arrived with masques in place to find the ballroom alight with color, fur, feathers and even scales. The cleverness of the costumes was worth inspection. The variety ranged from magical creatures such as a unicorn and a phoenix, to reptiles, felines, canines, and birds of all colors and sizes. Tonks could see how the ball was a subtle reminder to the Wizarding World that goblins were not some inferior race, but masters at their craft.
The Auror could also see why Lupin had hesitated about accepting the invitation. As they approached the crowd, several people pointed to the wolf in the group, whispered to each other, and immediately turned their backs. Lupin merely shrugged lightly when she looked at him as he walked. It was no less than what he expected.
Tonks was fuming at such behavior and whispered to her companions, "It's not right to let them treat Remus like this."
"Tonks, the situation calls for restraint," said Lupin quietly. He was under enough enough strain as it was, but didn't want to discuss it in present company.
"They should all be dressed as mannerless peegs," said Fleur haughtily and Tonks couldn't agree with her more.
"Too bad they confiscated our wands or I would grant your wish. Still, there's no reason we can't ease things a bit. This crowd just needs some friendly coaxing, a devil's advocate as it were," said Bill reassuringly. He glanced around quickly, found his first target, and slid into his most gregarious demeanor. "Oy, that's a nice costume, mate. Bantam rooster, is it? You must be..."
Bill was difficult to ignore with his easy manner. Even in the face of the discomfort of some of the congregation, he made introductions. He was careful to describe Tonks as an old classmate from Hogwarts and Fleur as a new intern at Gringott's. He always included Professor R.J. Lupin in his introductions and explained that the Professor was a friend of Fleur's headmistress at Beauxbatons. Still, although Tonks got a lot of comments about her costume and Fleur was warmly welcomed, Lupin continued to be excluded in the greetings extended by the majority of the guests.
Tonks considered the injustice of it all when they broke away from the latest crowd. Remus Lupin was as good as--in fact better--than most of the men here. The way he maintained his dignity and affable nature in light of the apparent discrimination was more than she could have done. She sighed. The dancing would begin soon but she was already tired of the masquerade. The only good thing was that she got to spend the evening with Lupin. She shook her head.
"Careful, those ears are pretty stiff," whispered Lupin as he leaned out of harms' way to avoid getting swatted by the appendages.
"Oh, Remus, I'm sorry. That last thing you need is a slap in the face," sighed Tonks.
"Oh, this is mild," assured Lupin, but it should be evident to the goblins that the lycanthrope was not on anyone's favorites list. "Don't fret on my account, Tonks. Everything has its purpose."
Tonks considered that a rather cryptic remark, then she groaned as she spied a man robed as a green serpent escorting a woman dressed to resemble a white--ferret was it?
"Wonderful, it's the Gruesome Twosome," murmured Tonks to her companions. "I wish Wimples were here."
"Now who could this be?" asked Lucius Malfoy loudly as he and his wife walked by them. "I'd think the Wolf has to be Remus Lupin, but surely Gringott's is more selective in their guest list."
Lupin didn't rise to the bait, but bowed lightly in greeting. "Fleur Delacour, this is Lucius Malfoy and his wife, Narcissa."
"Why, Lupin, you're escorting a little lamb? How quaint." Then Lucius leaned into Fleur and added, "Although be careful, my dear. You could be a snack later."
"I bet Fleur would be in more danger from your appetites, Uncle Luci," chimed Tonks. "Hello, Aunt Cissy. I would have known you anywhere."
Narcissa Malfoy scanned her niece distastefully and included both Bill and Lupin in her gaze. "Lucius, let's go. There's no one of importance here. And Miss Delacour, my son Draco told me all about you. When you want proper company, just send me a note and we'll have tea."
"Au contraire, Madame Malfoy, I do not lack for proper companions or proper manners, but my thanks for your invitation," said Fleur as she bowed prettily. She then turned and said, "But now I find I am thirsty. Let us get some wine, no?"
Fleur, who was standing between the men, tucked her arms in theirs and they began to walk away until Lupin pulled out to tug on Tonks' elbow. He warned, "Don't do it, Tonks."
"What? And break a family tradition?"
Sure enough, as Tonks' neck swiveled to look back, Narcissa was quickly sticking her tongue out at her niece, who returned the gesture in kind. Their movements were so fleeting that one could mistake it for merely wetting their lips.
"Was that really necessary?" asked Lupin, but his tone was clearly amused. He never thought he'd see such childish behavior from the cool Narcissa Malfoy.
"I blame Mum!" insisted Tonks. "She'd be very disappointed if I didn't return the gesture." Then as they saw the musicians taking their seats in the orchestra, she groaned. "I'm doomed."
- - - - - - - - - - - -
"Malfoy, you don't look happy," said Ragnok. The goblin had intercepted the couple intentionally. "You wouldn't want us to think you're not enjoying yourself."
"Of course I'm enjoying myself," muttered Malfoy before presenting a false smile that he quickly lost. "I'm just not the sort for exuberant displays."
"Do I need to remind you that you need to make the proper impression tonight?"
"My memory is fine, thank you," assured Malfoy. Indeed, Ragnok had explained that Malfoy and his colleagues were seen as too aloof by the goblins. He had been invited this year to specifically demonstrate an ability for tolerance.
"Good, good. Keep that in mind when the dancing begins. I see no reason that either you or your wife should decline any potential dance partner. They were all deemed worthy of invitation."
Ragnok's tone clearly indicated that the goblin standards should be good enough for anyone else. He gave them his best smile and left them disconcerted.
"Lucius, you don't think he means that I should dance with that, that unsavory fellow, do you?" Narcissa whined.
"Lupin wouldn't dare ask you to dance, my dear," said Malfoy with confidence as he sneered in the direction of Lupin, Tonks, Bill and Fleur. "There's no danger from that lot."
His words would come back to haunt him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Tonks shared her first dance with Bill for appearance's sake, but took pity on him and ended it early. In fact, they both stood back and enjoyed watching Fleur and Lupin dancing gracefully. She nudged Bill in the gut with her elbow and said, "You're a lucky bloke, you know."
"I know," said Bill sincerely as he playfully flicked at one of her bunny ears. "So, is there something going on between you and Remus?"
Although she wanted to gush about Lupin, Tonks understood that he would rather they remain discreet, so she merely said, "That, Mister Weasely, is none of your business."
She followed through with a punch to his shoulder. As Bill rubbed the spot, he said, "You've got an arm like Ginny. No wonder the blokes are all afraid of you."
"I'm not afraid of her," said Lupin as he and Fleur approached the two. While Fleur floated to Bill, Lupin turned to Tonks and bowed gallantly. "Miss Tonks, may I have this dance?"
"It's your funeral," she said brightly, but she willingly went to his arms.
"Did I ever tell you about the funeral that Sirius cooked up when his owl died of old age?" asked Lupin. Tonks shook her head, so Lupin began. "Yes, Horus was a fine bird, but since his name was Egyptian, Sirius decided we needed to mummify him. You should have seen the sarcophagus I painted for Horus..."
Lupin continued in this vein with each of the five dances they shared as they alternated partners with Bill and Fleur and a few other more tolerant couples. Although Tonks danced stiffly with her other partners, Lupin had found the key to keep her from stumbling. Each story about the Marauders distracted Tonks sufficiently so that her body flowed naturally with Lupin's. As their last dance ended, Tonks finally realized she had made it thus far without embarrassing herself outright.
"Remus, do you realize that I haven't kicked you or tripped you or blackened your eye at all tonight?"
"Must be the bunny outfit. It has a magic all its own," added Lupin sincerely. Tonks looked rather cute with her pert little ears and the way she smiled at him made him feel special and not at all ugly.
But he was a man, so he also appreciated the way the gown revealed a creamy decolletage as well as her nicely shaped legs. And somehow the puffball of a tail suited Tonks.
The distraction both eased his mood for being in a situation where he was constantly being ostracized by people and added to the strain of controlling his behavior. Impure thoughts of Numphadora Tonks had never run so rampant, even when she was the unnamed water nymph of his fantasies. The Professor was having quite a task in keeping the Marauder at bay.
"My dad would say I was a bunny lass," said Tonks with a flash of her eyebrows.
"I think the proper term is bonny, but I won't split hairs over it," replied Lupin as he matched her pun. But Tonks was claimed almost immediately by a man wearing a mastiff costume.
"Nymphadora? Remember me? Matthew Blakeslee?"
"Er, yes," began Tonks.
Blakeslee took that as an invitation to dance and swept her away from Lupin. The Professor danced no more that night as he spoke with the small number of people who were willing to converse with him. Out of the corner of his eye he watched as a line of men cut in for a dance with Tonks. If memory served him well, Feldmus Droll, dressed like a muskrat, was one of her partners. Even Otto Steinhauer, who made his appearance as a goat, stole a dance, although he was very careful of where he put his hands. But with each man, Tonks stumbled because she was too stiff to relax.
Then Lupin noticed Ragnok approaching Lucius Malfoy. His wife was currently dancing with Rufus Scrimgeour, who was dressed as a lion. Curious about their interaction, Lupin quietly walked so he could stand behind them.
"Your wife seems to be getting into the festivities," said Ragnok as he stood beside Malfoy. "You should follow her example."
The comment earned the goblin a sideward glance, so Ragnok continued to provoke the man. "There's a popular girl, the little black rabbit."
His long, pointed finger indicated Nymphadora Tonks who was currently in the clutches of Edmund Burke, an associate of Malfoy's. Lucius smirked and said, "That would be my wife's niece, although the family has been estranged."
"Then I think you should dance with her, Malfoy," said Ragnok firmly. In fact, he made a point to catch her eye and wave Tonks toward them as the music ended.
Realizing who Ragnok was, Tonks shook off her latest partner, a man dressed as a boar, and scurried over when she noticed Lupin standing just a bit behind him. She was simply going to ignore Lucius Malfoy, but when she got to them, Ragnok said, "My dear, you and your uncle must dance. I insist."
Lucius held back a glare at the goblin and stiffly offered his arm to Tonks. For her part, Tonks took a deep breath, noted the cautious look that Lupin cast her way, and complied. She was not going to embarrass herself or her companions. She was going to be mature! As she struggled with the battle within her, the orchestra was gradually added a new set of players.
"You dance just like your mother," said Lucius with a mock smile as the music began at a slow tempo.
Tonks couldn't believe he was trying to make nice with her. "I wouldn't know."
"Really? Why, my dear, your mother was a poor dancer, too, but she did make up for it in other ways," he murmured as he let his eyes rake across her bosom.
The suggestive comment made her blush with her anger, but then his next comment sealed his fate.
"Of course, no man would want to touch you if he knows you let Lupin at you first," suggested Lucius with a hint of real concern. "I'd stick with sharing the Weasley boy with the veela if I were you."
It was at this point that the music suddenly changed from the formal melodies to the more contemporary music of the younger wizards and witches. The Weird Sisters had taken the stage and the music now gained a faster beat.
That was all the encouragement that Tonks needed. "Let me show you what a good dancer I am, Uncle."
She didn't have to do anything, really. She just let her clumsiness take over, but in an odd way, her jerking movements matched the beat much better than her restrained attempts at dancing. Her right hand went up and caught his chin, followed closely by her left hand in the same motion. Malfoy tried to grab her hands to restrain her, but a bruise to each shin as she kicked in rhythm convinced him to release her.
Malfoy was not about to be outdone by a woman, so he tried to grab her shoulders. Instead he was slapped by the bunny ears as Tonks shook her head while the rest of her body shimmied to the music. He next targeted her waist, but was met with an elbow to the gut. Oh, that felt good, so she repeated it as she turned even as Lucius tried to dodge.
"Why, you little--" began Lucius.
A pirouette of her own unique execution turned into a kick to his bum. "That's from my mum."
Tonks was about to walk away in satisfaction when her spiked heels made her stumble head first into his back. The two wound up tripping as they both tried to regain their balance and instead landed on their rumps.
Luckily Tonks' puffy tail cushioned her fall, but as she sat there in satisfaction when she saw the dirty look Malfoy directed her way, she also realized that they were the center of attention--and probably had been for most of their 'dance.'
Bill actually looked chagrined while Fleur was shaking her head in disbelief. Gringott's had never hosted such a brawl before. Tonks bit her lip as Lupin quietly walked to her side and put her on her feet. He offered a hand to help Malfoy up, but the man batted him away for all the ball to see.
"Looks like we've got a lively crowd tonight," cried the lead singer of the Weird Sisters to break the silence. He recognized the pink hair as the little Auror who had served as security detail for the band during her training a few years ago. As the music introduced the next song, he called, "You make a great vorpal bunny, Tonks! This one's for you. Little bunny fufu, a-hoppin' through the..."
Tonks stood there with her mouth gaping open until she heard Lupin whisper in her ear, "Wave at the nice man, Tonks."
She automatically followed his directive then let Lupin lead her away as the crowd finally turned their attention to the band and began dancing.
Bill and Fleur fell in beside Lupin and Tonks and marched them to the elder goblins watching the events from the balcony. Bill spoke in his normal, relaxed tone. "We had best call it a night, sirs. Our companions are obviously exhausted. We were truly honored to take part in the festivities. Please forgive the disruption."
Bill and Lupin bowed to their hosts while Fleur executed an elegant curtsy. All Tonks could do was dip her hips slightly, although she was certain the gesture failed to convey the proper respect. Bill ushered his party out in silence through the nearest exit.
The couples fled so quickly that they never got to hear the cackling of the old goblins. They had not been this entertained in a century!
- - - - - - - - - -
Tonks' Flat
Lupin and Tonks were very quiet as they entered her flat without their masks. Although Wimples poked his head out when they came into the room, he settled for a quick snarl at Lupin before disappearing into his top hat. The expressions on both of their faces was quite serious.
They stood in the middle of the room and looked at each other.
"I'm so sorry." They stopped as they realized they had spoken together.
"I'm an embarrassment to you." The explanation was simultaneous.
"What do you mean?" Their question also coincided.
They stepped back from each other with a puzzled expression. Lupin tilted his head to indicate Tonks should go first.
She raked a hand through her hair to pluck off the ears and said, "I'm a public nuisance. Admit it."
When she was met with silence, she ran to her room and slammed the door--right on Lupin's nose.
"Ow!"
"Remus! Are you--?" Tonks pulled him into her room to get a better look at the damage.
Lupin just rubbed his nose as he blinked and said, "I'm fine, really."
"See there? Violence. It's my natural state of being," admitted Tonks dismally. "Why can't I have pretty manners like Fleur?"
Lupin shook his head, put a hand on her shoulder and said, "Didn't you see? I'm the one who's considered a public nuisance, Tonks. You saw how people avoided contact with me, even when Bill had introduced us. I can't even offer to help someone without being rejected."
"Malfoy would have rejected anyone but his Dark Lord, Remus. And I don't regret a single bruise I gave him," asserted Tonks, then winced and added, "It's just the making a spectacle of myself while I was at it that bothers me. You must think I'm some immature brat, but he was insulting you, Bill and Fleur, and even Mum!."
"Actually, I was taking mental notes as I watched the incident so that I could report it later to Sirius," admitted Lupin with a guilty shrug.
"You weren't--I didn't embarrass you?" asked Tonks hopefully.
"Nymphadora Tonks, I ran with the Marauders. You're nothing in evoking chaos compared to Sirius Black," offered Lupin in assurance. Then his voice became serious again as he said, "Besides, people will only point to my bad influence on you. You weren't standing by listening to the murmurs. 'It must be that werewolf's fault. It makes anyone around him vicious, dangerous.'"
"How could anyone blame you for my behavior? Oh, that is so wrong! And it was only some of the people who, who spurned you."
"It was sufficient to convince the goblins that I understand discrimination first hand," said Lupin with a sigh. "Maybe now they'll listen to us."
"Wait. Do you mean you were put on display in this wolf costume just to satisfy their curiosity?"
"Silver knives or masques, they're all just part of a never-ending set of gauntlets that I face. You don't want this, Nymphadora." Lupin approached her with regret and put a penitent hand on her shoulder. "I never should have let this drag out this long. You deserve--"
"Are you thinking that I would just give up on us because of the prejudice I witnessed tonight?" asked Tonks in wonder. She batted his hand from her shoulder and said accusingly, "You have so little faith in me?"
"You're young--"
"And stubborn," said Tonks as she craned her neck to look up at him and glared through the tears threatening her eyes. "If you don't want me then just say it."
"Not want you? Nymphadora, do you know what affect that silly but sexy outfit has had on me all night?"
"No," said Tonks honestly as her voice lost some belligerence. "Other than our dances, you seemed to be avoiding touching me, especially on the carriage ride home."
Lupin stood there dumbfounded. She really was clueless. "Tonks, I was avoiding touching you because my impulse control was already strained. I thought you were ready to dissolve this relationship on the ride here."
Tonks cautiously took his hands in hers and said, "You promised me three dates, Remus." She looked into his eyes. "Three dates, no less. Three dates to show you that, that I l--."
"Don't say it," pleaded Lupin, but he drew her into his embrace and whispered. "Don't say words that I won't be able to return."
Tonks squeezed her eyes shut as she felt the tear finally escaping. He didn't want to hear that she loved him. Why was his heart beating so fast then? And why was he holding her as if he didn't want to let her go? "You don't want me to say I love you?"
Lupin closed his eyes and tried to rein in the exultant feelings that were swamping him. Tonks loved him? This was the most wonderful disaster he had ever been blessed with. It would be wrong to encourage her, but he couldn't lie.
He cautiously murmured, "I don't want you to waste your life with the likes of me."
She sagged against him in relief. Always it was about wanting something better for her, not rejecting Nymphadora Tonks outright. She had so many flaws to send him out the door, but every time, his excuses centered on him. She took a deep breath.
"Two more dates, Remus. You promised; it's not a lifetime." But I'm hoping it will be, she thought.
Lupin cursed himself for the weakling he was, but whenever she was in his arms, it felt so right. He agreed before he could stop himself. "Two more dates."
They stood there holding each other with Lupin gently swaying with her. Her voice was light as she murmured, "Too bad we don't have some music. I think I could actually dance."
Lupin stopped their movements and quickly had the wireless in her flat emitting a slow song. He didn't speak a word, but for the first time, they completed a dance without a single stumble.
"I think you've got it," said Lupin in clear delight.
"Then as my reward I think you should," here Tonks stopped and looked upward as if considering her options, "stay."
"I--"
She stopped him with a kiss and said again, "Stay."
He shouldn't. He needed to walk away from--the woman he loved. The Marauder in him ultimately won the wrestling match with the Professor, so soon he was kissing her passionately. Then he suddenly asked, "Tonks, did you put an adhesion spell on this thing?"
"Huh?" asked Tonks. She had been too overwhelmed by the strong sensations to notice the liberties Lupin was taking. But instead of protesting, she admitted, "As a matter of fact, I did."
"No matter," said Lupin as he succeeded.
"Damn, you're good," said Tonks as she pulled him down for a kiss.
And indeed, she was so impressed that she expanded certain liberties that Lupin was allowed this night, but that isn't what kept him with her. It was the echo in his mind of the words, "I love you..."
End of Chapter
Minor Edits
Author Notes:
Thank you for being
patient and waiting for this chapter. Holiday guests and travel
plans account for much of the delay. I wanted to present the first
public date for Remus and Tonks. I hope it illustrated the negative
way Lupin gets treated without going over the top.
The Malfoys, on the other hand, were intended to be one-dimensional for this situation. I have grown to appreciate the character of Narcissa Malfoy after Book 6, but at this point, Voldemort has just returned and the future looks rosy. She hasn't felt the sacrifice yet.
I hope I was able to keep Bill and Fleur in character. Please pardon my French; I only recognize phrases in the language. It's also difficult to write Fleur's accent. Again, in my mind, these dates explain why Fleur is able to say that Tonks is clumsy and isn't taking care of her appearance since we don't see the two girls together.
The Grimball is obviously not canon, but I've had the images of the costumes running around in my mind. I also thought it would be cool to have invitations delivered by petulant ravens. Ragnok is specifically mentioned by Lupin in Book 5, so I assumed they had a friendship of sorts.
I couldn't resist the Playboy bunny outfit for Tonks. Obviously, Lupin can't either, but no, they haven't gone so far as to consummate their relationship. Again, I think the reason Tonks was so upset in Book 6 was not due to unrequited love, but because she and Remus had actually explored a relationship to a certain level before they lost Sirius. And yes, I was having fun with Remus and Sirius 'dancing.'
Thank you for reading, reviewing and understanding the humor.