Chapter Twenty-Seven – Adventures in a Twin Sized Bed

Tonks sat on the couch, in-between her mother and father. Draco was sitting on the floor in front of them, and Severus was sitting in an armchair.

Much to Tonks surprise, Severus seemed to really enjoy television. He had seen one before, but never actually watched it. Tonks wanted to giggle, seeing Severus lean forward in the chair, watching every moment.

When her father switched it to BBC news, Severus was astonished that someone would just sit at a desk and talk about the news. He couldn't quite believe it when one moment the camera showed the studio and the next moment the camera was on location.

But after two hours of television, Draco announced that he was ready for bed. And considering that they were currently sitting on his bed, it was time for the evening to end. Tonks quickly gave her parents a kiss, followed by a poignant look to Severus.

She made her way to her bedroom, trying to decide if the entire evening was a disaster or not. Her mother didn't approve of Severus, that much was clear. Her father hadn't said much, so Tonks was very curious of his opinion.

After quickly taking off her clothes, Tonks did a quick cleansing spell. Feeling refreshed, she put on a t-shirt, nothing else, and slipped under the covers. There was no point of sleeping until Severus showed up; she was too excited to sleep. Making love in this very bed was something she had wanted to do since she had learned about sex. Back then, it was simply teenage rebellion. But the thought never left, even though she was now in her mid-twenties.

Tonks glanced yet again at the hourglass on her nightstand and saw that it was eleven thirty. She knew not to expect him until after midnight. She was restless. Quickly, she threw off the covers and went to the bookcase in her room. Smiling, Tonks looked at the covers of all her favorite childhood books.

Her favorite series had been Animagus Anita, Sleuth, about a young animagus who used her animal form (pigeon) to solve mysteries. Then there was Early Witches, a series that featured different witches in all sorts of time periods all over the world.

Tonks was not ignorant of muggle literature. Some of her happiest childhood memories consisted of sitting in her father's lap, listening to him read Paddington Bear or Peter Rabbit to her.

She sat down, cross-legged on the floor and started to re-read A Bear Named Paddington. Laughing, Tonks scrunched her nose and gave herself the same rain hat Paddington had. She became so absorbed, that when a quiet knock on the door could be heard, she jumped, leaving the book on the floor.

Quickly morphing her hair into pink shoulder length curls, Tonks ran and opened the door softly.

Severus was standing there, still fully dressed. Tonks grabbed his arm and brought him into the room. As Tonks fumbled to get his jacket off, Severus cast an array of privacy spells on the room.

They moved slowly towards the bed, kissing frantically the entire time. But then Tonks stepped awkwardly on the book she had left on the floor and fell right down, landing hard.

"That hurt," Tonks said, shutting her eyes tightly. She felt Severus pick her up off of the floor and then carry her to bed.

"Why is it," Severus asked between kisses, "that if there is something to trip on, your feet will find it?"

Tonks threw back her head and laughed. Not bothering to answer, Tonks concentrated on unbuttoning Severus' shirt. Finally, Tonks just yanked the shirt over Severus' head. He rested his weight on her and Tonks caressed his bare back. She moaned; already she felt a warmth between her legs.

By then, Severus had realized that only a t-shirt was separating her naked flesh from his own. "This really needs to come off, don't you think?" he asked, as he caressed her hardened nipple through her t-shirt, causing Tonks to arch her back.

Tonks brought her hands to Severus' trousers. "Just like these do," she whispered.

Without another word, Severus sat up and took off the rest of his clothes. Tonks took a moment to take in his body. She realized that he had gained some weight over the past year. Which in Severus' case, was a good thing. He had always been on the thin side. He looked more filled out now.

Something blocked Tonks' eyes for a moment, and then she realized that Severus took off her t-shirt. His mouth found her nipple while his hand continued to stroke her other one. Tonks moved, trying to get in a more comfortable position and practically fell off the twin sized bed. Severus put his hand around her waist just in time, content to give her a look instead of a sarcastic remark.

Tonks' hand found his shaft, and she started stroking slowly. Severus moaned and moved his hand from her breast to between Tonks' legs, causing her to whimper.

Suddenly, Tonks wanted nothing more than to have him inside her. She pushed his shoulder down, causing him to lay on his back. Tonks straddled him and moved to take him in completely.

They moved together, pushing and thrusting, until Tonks thought she would go mad. Finally, Severus moved his hand from her hips to between her legs to help move things along.

With a loud gasp, Tonks felt her orgasm wash over her. Tonks lowered herself to Severus' chest and kept moving until he was finished. A loud groan told her that he was done as well.

Tonks gingerly took her weight off of him, feeling the slight sadness she always felt when the connection between them was broken. Sitting up, Tonks wondered how in the world would they be able to sleep comfortably in the small bed.

Luckily, Severus seemed to have an answer for that. He moved to his side, with his back against the wall and patted the bit of space next to him.

Tonks settled herself next to Severus, her back next to him. Severus wrapped his arm around her waist.

"You do realize, don't you, that if you move, I'll fall to the ground?" Tonks asked, giggling sleepily.

"Then don't let me move," Severus whispered back, stroking her hair, which she just changed back to its natural state.

Tonks groggily reached for the hourglass on the nightstand, wanting to set an alarm. The last thing they needed was for Tonks' mother to see him leaving her bedroom.

She let her head rest against his chest, and Severus pulled her closer.

Half asleep, she said proudly, "I've always wanted to shag in this bed."

"Are you saying I was being used this evening?" Severus asked lazily.

Tonks closed her eyes, and sighed. "Never," she said softly. "Okay, maybe just a little bit."

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Severus left the room early the next morning, but not before they enjoyed each other once more. Tonks was quite tired, but knew she couldn't act that way, less her mother be suspicious.

Every Christmas morning was the same. First, they opened presents and then a light breakfast. Her parents always wanted to eat first, but Tonks always insisted present first, then food. This year was no different. Severus brought presents. This would be the first present he ever gave her, and Tonks couldn't wait to see what he chose.

"Morning, family!" Tonks said cheerfully, bounding into the kitchen. She gave Severus, who was already sitting at the kitchen table, a quick kiss on the cheek and helped herself to a cuppa.

Let's go into the living room, her father said using the thought board.

Tonks eagerly stood up and brought her tea with her. Quickly, she organized the presents that were under the tree. That had been her job since she could walk.

"Who should go first?" Tonks' asked happily. Normally, it was always her, but with guests, that didn't feel right.

"Why don't you open your presents, Draco?" her mother asked kindly.

Draco smiled sadly. "Thank you. I really didn't expect presents this year."

"Nonsense. How can you have Christmas without presents?" her mother said firmly.

He looked at the small pile in front of him and started opening them. He seemed pleased at the choices the family had made. Tonks got him a new broom. She had been horrified to learn that he had sold his Nimbus 2001 to a Ravenclaw earlier in the term. His reasoning was that he wasn't allowed to play quidditch, so why did he need a broom? The only broom Tonks was able to afford was simple, just a Cleansweep. But Draco smiled happily as he looked at the card that had the specs on it.

His mother and father gave him some new clothes, which he needed. Severus gave him a new cauldron. Draco had been using a loaner from the school.

Severus went next. Tonks was surprised that her parents had a present for him. It was just a token really, a 1998 date planner. Much to her relief, Severus showed the right amount of gratitude. Draco gave him some chocolate frogs, for the cards of course.

Then he opened Tonks' gift. She hoped she had chosen well. It took her forever to decide what to get him. A while back, she had noticed that he didn't use wax seals on his letters. Tonks had gone to a stationary store in Diagon Alley and had a seal designed for him. It was simple, two letter 'S' with a serpent on the boarder, representing his Slytherin background.

Severus looked at it for a moment. Finally he looked up and simply said "Thank you." Tonks smiled; she could hear the emotion in his voice.

"You're welcome," she said softly.

"Your turn, Nymphadora," Tonks' mum said, interrupting the moment.

"Why does Andie get to call you Nymphadora, and I can't?" Draco joked.

"Only the woman who survived fourteen hours of labor to let me into this world gets to call me that name," Tonks said sweetly.

"Nymphadora is a beautiful name, dear," Andromeda said. "If you only let other…"

Tonks cut her off. "I'm Tonks. Tonks," she said, smiling at her mother and reaching for her first gift.

It was from Draco. It was a few sugar quills. "Excellent!" Tonks exclaimed. "I will definitely use these at the Ministry. I may never do work there again. Thank you, Draco!"

Tonks' mum shook her head. Tonks giggled and opened up her next present, from her parents. It was a shopping voucher for her favorite thrift store, for quite a few pounds.

"Thank you Mum and Dad! I can certainly use some new clothes," Tonks said happily. There was a velvet bright purple robe that she had had her eye on. This would be more than enough.

Tonks then picked up Severus' gift. She realized right away it was a book. She started opening the wrapping paper when Severus said, "Read the card."

She hadn't even noticed a card. It said real present later.

"I see," Tonks said, opening the gift. It was a very old leather bound book. "A History of the Metamorph. Thank you, Severus." To say she was curious what the 'real' gift was, was an understatement.

Her parents opened their gifts and then started making a quick brunch. Severus left to go see his mother and promised to be back by two in the afternoon.

After brunch, she and Draco went outside and had a snowball fight. Then they warmed up by the fire and drank the hot chocolate her mother made.

Just at two o'clock, like he promised, Severus came through the fireplace.

"How's your mum?" Tonks asked groggily. She had almost fallen asleep.

"Sarcastic as ever, so I know she's doing well," Severus said bitterly. "Take a walk with me?"

Tonks stretched her arms over her head and yawned. "Sure, just give me a moment."

A few minutes later, they were bundled up and headed outside. Tonks raised her hand to protect her eyes from the bright sunlight.

Severus took her hand, and Tonks couldn't help but smile. They were rarely able to walk outside holding hands. They walked quite a ways away from the house. Finally, Severus stopped and leaned against a tree. Tonks rested her body weight against him.

"So what's my real present?" Tonks demanded.

A smile crossed Severus' face, melting Tonks' heart. She loved seeing him smile. Severus reached into the pocket of his robe and brought out a small box. Tonks' heart skipped a beat, realizing that it was a jewelry box of some sort.

"Happy Christmas," Severus said softly, opening up the box. A ring was nestled securely in the box. Tonks picked it up and looked at it. It wasn't a traditional engagement ring, she could tell that. It was three delicately woven bands of silver.

"This is beautiful," Tonks whispered.

"I thought…for now, at least, that you could wear it on your right hand, or possibly on a chain if you wanted," Severus said hesitantly. She could tell that he was slightly nervous at her response.

Tonks slipped it on the ring finger of her right hand. If anyone asked, she can say that she bought it for herself. Severus fumbled with the cloak around his neck. He then brought out a silver chain around his own neck that had a larger version of the ring on it.

"You didn't wear this last night," Tonks said.

"I put it on this morning," Severus admitted. "I just thought that these were perfect for us. Maybe we could even use them as our wedding bands some day."

Tonks bit her lip, trying to hold back a few tears that were threatening to form.

"Thank you," she said finally, hugging Severus tightly. She rested her head against his chest and felt a feeling of completion.

They stayed next to the tree for almost another hour, talking about the future and their lives after the war. For some reason this seemed to make Tonks feel calm. They had never really spoken about the future; both realizing there may not be one because of the war.

But to say out loud what they wanted, gave Tonks a feeling for comfort, like she had never known before.

They would make it through the war.

They had a future.

Together.