Disclaimer: Last time I looked in the mirror I was a poor Third World country minority. Unless something has changed between now and then, I still don't own the Harry Potter Universe!
A/N: Hi all. Hope you are enjoying reading this story as much as I am enjoying writing it. Don't forget to review!
Remus and Tonks didn't wake up until late afternoon. Tonks had stolen all the bed covers, so Remus woke up shivering slightly. After a year living with the feral werewolves, Remus craved the simple pleasures that civilization promised. One of those things was sleeping in a bed with covers. Half asleep and with his eyes still closed, Remus groped until he found the edge of the duvet and pulled it until he was covered. He didn't realize that Tonks, who was sleeping precariously close to the edge of the bed, had cocooned herself in the blankets, so when he tugged the covers over, she fell off the side of the bed.
Remus groggily opened one eye to see an equally sleepy Tonks crawl back into the bed.
Remus lifted one arm and pulled Tonks' lithe body close to him. He then tucked the blanket snuggly around both of their bodies and fell back asleep.
The past few days had been exhausting. The Order was searching for Snape and Draco whilst trying to keep up with the escalating attacks from the Death Eaters. Moreover, Fleur and Bill's wedding was the upcoming week. Everyone was spending their spare time at the Burrow, helping with preparations and reinforcing the protection of the Weasley home.
A half an hour after the struggle with the blankets, a ringing sound filled the flat. Remus, instantly alert, shot up and grabbed his wand. He nudged Tonks who hadn't even woken up.
"Tonks," he exclaimed in a loud whisper, "what are those bells?"
Turning around to face him, she mumbled, "It's just the telephone. Don't bother answering; it's probably just Mum checking up on me. Let the machine get it." Tonks rolled over and continued snoozing.
Remus, feeling quite silly, walked out of the bedroom and found the source of the noise in the living room. Tonks' flat was littered with muggle things.
Tonks had explained to him earlier when he asked about the abundance of muggle appliances, "You have to remember, Remus, that my father was Muggleborn. All the family I ever knew has been Muggles. I grew up listening to the Rolling Stones," at Remus' blank look she elaborated, "it's a muggle band, as much as I listened to the Weird Sisters. I've been taught to appreciate the best of both worlds. Plus, you know how useless I am with housekeeping spells. I wouldn't be able to eat without some of these muggle appliances!"
Remus analyzed the small box as its loud persistent ringing continued. "Constant vigilance," he mumured as he looked at the harmless device.
After the fourth ring, a small pop was heard and a voice yelled, "NYMPHADORA TONKS!" Remus yelped and jumped back, starting suspiciously at the odd box. "I know you're there! Answer this phone or else I'll Floo over to your flat this instant! What a poor way for a daughter to treat her mother."
"Tonks," Remus called, "you really should answer this one. It's your mother."
"I'm giving you ten seconds!" Andromeda threatened over the phone.
"Idonwanna," Tonks answered.
Across the line, Andromeda Tonks had started to count to ten.
"Ten, nine-"
"She said that she's coming over if you don't answer," Remus relayed.
"-seven, six,-"
"Aahhh! Fine! Interfering witch," Tonks grumbled as she walked towards the phone.
"-four, three-"
Tonks picked up the receiver. "Wotcher, Mum! I was sleeping. What's the problem?" Tonks looked at Remus and winked. "No, Mum, don't come over, the flat's a mess….no, Mum, I'm fine really…. I know I haven't been to see you lately… Mum, seriously there is no reason to go overboard… okay, okay, what if I come over for tea tomorrow?... I promise… I'll be there; I have a few days off from work…. Yes Mum…..No Mum!...okay….Love you too….Tell Father I said hi…okay Mum….bye!"
"What was that all about? And why do you have a telephone?"
Tonks fell on the couch with a frustrated sigh, "Woman drives me batty. I love her and all, but she still drives me batty."
Remus stifled a laugh by coughing. Tonks eyed him suspiciously before she continued.
"She insists that I check in with her every few days. I'm a bloody Auror for goodness sake! Why should I check in with Mum like I'm a child? Anyway, she invited me over for dinner, but I told her no, so I have to have tea with her tomorrow." Tonks rolled her eyes. "I think that tomorrow is the day she meets with her witches' group too." She groaned, "All they do is sit and gossip, most annoying thing ever."
Remus smiled at her indulgently before saying, "I bet your mother misses her you; you're just so loveable."
Tonks got off the couch and gave Remus a quick kiss on the lips, "You're so sweet. I love you."
Remus hugged Tonks, breathing in her raspberry scent and felt absolutely content with life. Then he remembered that they had had sex twice without any contraceptives. His smile fell and his body immediately tensed.
"What is it, Remus?" Tonks looked at him quizzically.
"Let's sit down. We need to have a little talk." Taking her hand, Remus led Tonks back to the couch.
Tonks settled on the loveseat grabbing one of the overstuffed pillows and putting it in her lap. She looked anxiously at Remus.
"Nymph, do you realize that we've…been intimate without using preventative measures?"
"Uhhh?" Tonks looked terribly confused.
"We didn't use contraceptives when we made love."
"Oh, is this what that is all about?" Tonks looked relived. "Remus, as a Ministry Auror, I'm fully protected." Remus' face remained grave, so she continued, "In all ways. Even against pregnancy. It's part of our protocol."
"Oh, I didn't know," Remus said feeling a bit deflated. He didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed. "That's good then. Umm, why don't we get something to eat before we start packing things for Grimmauld Place."
As Remus moved to get up, Tonks leaned forward and put one hand against Remus' cheek, turning his face towards her.
"Hey, it's okay. Someday we'll have dozens of babies. A whole Quidditch team like the Weasleys if you're up to it. But just not yet; we gotta kick Voldemort's arse first."
Remus tentatively touched his lips against Tonks'. He just couldn't find words to convey his feelings to her at that moment, but maybe his body could.
He pressed a palm to her heart and whispered, "Someday."
"Dammit, woman, how many clothes do you have?"
"Reeemusss! Stop being silly, I only have what I need."
"What you need? It's humanly impossible to wear all these things!"
"Ha! I don't think so. I have a very modest wardrobe, thank you very much."
"That's the fourth box of just robes you filled. All my clothing fit in two boxes."
Tonks contemplatively tapped a finger on her jaw. "You're right. I'm taking you shopping at Diagon Alley tomorrow!"
"What? No, Tonks," Remus declared adamantly, "I will not have you spending your money on me. I don't need any new things."
Tonks rolled her eyes, "Answer me truthfully. If you had a job where the Ministry was filling your vault at Gringotts, and I was unemployed, wouldn't you want to get me a thing or two? Not to show off to me or because you pitied me, but just because you loved me? And wanted what was best for me? And thought I deserved to have a new jumper or robe? Hmmm, Remus, wouldn't you?"
"Yes, I would do everything in my power to make you comfortable, but this situation isn't the sam-"
"GOOD! You agree with me. We're going shopping and you're getting new clothes."
"But Nymphador-"
"I've told you before Remus, don't use my full name! For that, I'm going to buy you new shoes."
"Be reasonable about thi-"
"Why are you still arguing with me? For that, I'll buy you some new socks. The ones you have now have been darned too many times. Plus, the colors are so awfully bland."
"Tonks, if you would allow me to get a word in the-"
"Continue talking, and I'll buy you a dragonhide cloak!"
Remus immediately shut up while staring at Tonks who was smirking in satisfaction.
"Why don't you start packing the kitchen things?" She suggest, still smiling deviously. "It's about time I started to get ready for tea with Mum and her friends. They deliver news faster then post owls, bloody women."
Remus walked away from Tonks, who was still mumbling to herself, sitting on her bedroom floor surrounded by clothing.
How did I end up losing that argument? I don't want to be a burden to Tonks. Remus sighed out loud. I shouldn't be dependent on her, I should be supporting her
"Remus! I can hear you thinking from in here! Less thinking, more packing," Tonks hollered from the bedroom.
"How do you do that?" Remus questioned wonderingly.
Tonks stuck her head out the bedroom door to look at him. "I know you better than I know myself." She winked and ducked her head back in the room.
Remus conjured another box and made short work of clearing the kitchen. There wasn't much food in the cabinets and refrigerator; Remus found more potion ingredients than anything.
"Okay, what do you think?"
Remus looked up and felt his jaw slacken as Tonks entered the room to model for him. Tonks was wearing a red A-line skirt that showed of her athletic calves, with a fitted white jumper, and a strappy shoe with modest two inch heel. She had morphed her hair to a very modest brown.
"Mum always insists on me being properly dressed for these things. It's best not to start an argument."
"You look delectable, Nymph."
"No time to quell a werewolf's hunger until later, I'm afraid. I'll just get my cloak and be off."
"Sure." Remus walked Tonks over to the fireplace. "Remember, after tea go straight to Grimmauld Place. I'll be done here by then."
"Are you sure? There is quite a bit of work left," Tonks replied, indicating the piles of stuff still left around.
"I'll get everything done. Be nice and try to enjoy yourself."
"Fat chance!" Remus watched Tonks jump in the fireplace after saying the name of her destination, emerald greed frames enclosing her figure.
After she left, Remus said an incantation that packed all the remaining things in conjured boxes. He then walked from room to room and sent the packed boxes to Grimmauld Place with a flick of the wrist.
Twenty minutes later, after one final walk around, Remus Apparated to Headquarters.
What do you think? Many thanks to my beta Kat. Double update!