Rita burst out laughing.

"Now you sound like my mum!" she said. "I may've had some wine to settle m'nerves, but I'm hardly drunk!" She gazed past my shoulder and smiled. "Hullo, there. Where'd you come from?"

Remus stood in front of the fireplace, looking handsome in a black suit. He must have just stepped out of the Floo. I said, "The bedroom."

Rita rushed to hug me. "About time, cuz, I'm so happy for you!" She hugged Remus and said, "I didn't win the pool, but I don't care."

"He was changing in the bedroom, and what do you mean by the pool," I demanded.

"What do you mean by changing?" Rita said. "Put on clothes because he was starkers, or changing into another outfit?"

"I've never seen Remus naked outside my imagination!" I said, wanting to shake her. I darted a glance at Remus to see if he'd caught my admission. He winked. I ploughed on. "Now answer the question."

Rita's expression fell and then lifted. "At least Liz didn't win the pool," she said. "There would be no living with her."

I snapped, "Is the family betting on my sex life or not? Yes or no."

"Yes and no, really. Just the cousins," Rita said. "Winner gets a day of beauty at a spa."

"How lovely."

"Thanks, it was my idea," Rita said.

I didn't know if you could actually shake someone until their teeth rattled, but I was willing to try. A knock at the door saved my cousin.

"Is that my hot date?" Rita asked.

With a sense of doom, I watched her smooth down her skirt, adjust her strapless bra and sashay toward the door. I didn't notice Remus at my side until he whispered, "Is she drunk?"

"Do I imagine you naked?"

At the door, Rita exclaimed, "Hello, gorgeous! Tonks told me you were good-looking, but she didn't do you justice!"

In a charcoal pinstripe suit, Jerry did look handsome in a clean-cut way. He smiled. "Thank you. She didn't do you justice, either."

Rita hooked her arm through Jerry's after he entered the flat. "I would be cross with her, but I've decided to be understanding," she said, "Nym's only got eyes for Remus."

Jerry laughed a little. "Nym?"

I said, "Forget you ever heard that, Jerreth."

Rita gave a tiny squeal of delight. "Is your name really Jareth? Like the goblin king?"

"The goblins have a king?" asked Jerry. "I didn't know that."

Rita laughed as though he'd said something witty.

I said, "There's a Mu-uh-film, called Labyrinth, with a goblin king named Jareth, spelt J-a-r-e-t-h."

"It's one of my favourite films," gushed Rita. "I know all the lines."

"Really?" Jerry looked amused and uncomfortable.

Rita leaned against Jerry's side. She said dramatically, "I ask for so little. Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave."

"That was a quote, not an invitation," I told Jerry, before announcing, "I'm going down to call a cab."

"We'll stay here and have a drink," Rita said.

My eyes flew to Remus. He said, "Butterbeer."

I smiled in relief and hurried down the corridor. I didn't go downstairs to call a cab on a Muggle telephone, as Rita probably thought, but to Uncle Morty's flat. "I need to owl a Squire Cab," I said when he answered the door.

"All right, come in."

"Nice to see you wearing clothes," I said, brushing past him.

"Ha-ha. You should talk in that dress. I'm meeting Lisa for dinner in an hour."

I sent off the owl and then asked, "Are you paying?"

Morty pursed his lips. "Cheeky tonight, are we? Yes, I'm paying…for the wine. The owner of the restaurant is a poker mate. He owes me dinner for two."

I kissed my uncle's cheek. "It's the thought that counts." I smiled and changed the subject. "What's the fastest way to sober someone up?"

"Sobriety Spray. Why?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow," I said on my way out the door.

.

Back at my place, Rita was sitting close to Jerry on the couch, explaining the plot of Labyrinth.

"So you think the goblin king loved Sarah?" Jerry asked. "He didn't have a very good way of showing it."

"I know." Rita sighed. "Isn't it tragic?"

"The only tragedy was his hair," I said. "Bloke wore a fright wig."

Rita opened her mouth to argue, but Remus forestalled her. "Should we be going?"

My cousin stumbled as we walked downstairs. She collided with Jerry, who put a hand on my back to remain steady while I held onto Remus to keep my balance.

"Whoopsie!" Rita giggled. She asked Jerry, "Is her skin cold? I think she's got ice water in her veins not to—"

"Shut it, Rita," I said warningly.

Jerry's chuckle sounded nervous. "No, uh, her skin's warm."

"Not hot like mine, though," Rita almost purred.

I looked back at Jerry, silently apologising for my cousin, the amorous drunk. He smiled. Maybe he didn't mind. I glanced at Remus. He seemed to be hiding a smile—probably thought it ran in the family.

.

The Squire Cab was waiting at the kerb. "Where to?" the driver asked.

"Dante's Apothecary," I said, climbing into the back with Jerry and Rita.

"Tha' isn't where we're havin' dinner," Rita said.

"I know. I…need to make a stop first."

Rita laid her head against Jerry's arm. "Wake me when we stop," she said, closing her eyes.

A few moments later, I shook her shoulder. "Rita, we're here."

"Huh?" she said. "I jus' closed my eyes."

"Always seems like that, doesn't it? C'mon, take my hand." I pulled Rita out of the cab and let Jerry steady her while I leaned down to the window and asked, "Will you do me a favour and call a Muggle cab?"

The driver grinned at the Galleons I handed over. "Happy to."

"I think you over-tipped," Remus said in low, smiling voice.

"And I was happy to," I said fervently. He chuckled. I said to the other couple, "I'll be back out in a minute if you want to wait."

"Stop taking the mickey," Rita said. "I'm going shopping!"

I hurried after her into the shop. "This isn't your kind of shop."

"Rubbish. I'm a woman. Every shop is my kind." Rita looked around the old-fashioned displays and shelves with interest. She said, "Is this one of those New Age shops? Are you Wiccan?"

"No to both," I said warily.

Rita snickered. "Well, you act a right witch on more'n Halloween, luv."

I told Jerry, "Watch her," and strode to the back of the shop.

The goblin staffing the apothecary counter said, "Good evening, Miss Tonks. Are you here to pick up your potion?"

I glanced over my shoulder. Remus was standing right behind me. I tried to give the goblin, Mr. Wilytongue, a meaningful stare. "No, I only need Sobriety Spray."

The goblin tilted his head to the side. "I understand. You are going out and have no wish to carry around a flagon. Perhaps you desire to return for your—"

"Can't you owl it?" I asked.

Wilytongue said patiently, "It is against policy to owl contraceptive potions. They must be signed for."

I imagined sinking into the floor. It was a happy image. I said, "I'll return, then."

Sharp teeth flashed white in the goblin's swarthy face. "Very well. Which type of spray, scented or unscented?"

"Unscented," I said. I was annoyed enough to get something to clash with her perfume, but I didn't want to deal with the smell. I purchased the tiny bottle, avoiding Remus's eyes as we sought out Jerry and Rita.

"Nymphadora?" Remus asked.

I hunched a shoulder. "I wanted to have it on hand. OK?"

He gave a quiet huff of amusement.

I said defensively, "What?"

"You're all right with my knowing you think of me naked, but not that you're purchasing a contraceptive?"

I nodded.

Remus grinned.

The sound of breaking glass came from the front of the store. Remus and I both said, "Rita."

My cousin was laughing and clutching her sides. So was Jerry.

"I don' know what's so funny," Rita said, giggling. "I broke a bitty glass thingy."

"Belly-laugh Ball," Jerry said between bursts of laughter.

An old wizard came shuffling over. "Usually, we only worry about children making messes," he said.

I pulled a giggling Rita out of the shop before the man used his wand to clear the glass. On the pavement outside, I lifted the tiny atomiser. "Try this," I said, and sprayed it in her face.

Rita coughed. "That..." She shook her head. "That doesn't smell any different than my own perfume," she said, frowning slightly. She pointed. "Is that our taxicab?"

It wasn't the Squire Cab, only a Muggle variety of black and white. "Yeah," I said.

Remus said the shop owner had refused to let them pay for the ball. He and Jerry each offered to ride in front. Rita said, "I'd prefer to be able to give directions."

Jerry walked around and opened the door for her. She murmured to me, "He's a real Boy Scout, isn't he?"

I watched her thank Jerry with a smile that was cool compared to the ones she'd lavished on him earlier. I hoped she wasn't so embarrassed by her earlier behaviour that she wouldn't warm up to him sober. The dinner would be awful.

In the cab, I sat between Jerry and Remus, trying not to fidget. Remus whispered, "Muggle taxis do seem very slow, in comparison."

I glanced sideways. "I'll find a way to entertain myself."

I slid my palm along his before lightly raking my nails down his fingers.

In the front seat, the taxi driver was griping to Rita about traffic wardens. "Heartless, they are," he said. "Busybodies who get their jollies mugging blokes like me with a ticket for sixty pounds."

"Were you parked illegally?" Rita asked crisply.

"I only parked in a bike lane for five minutes, but the jobsworth wouldn't listen!"

"Perhaps they thought their job was worth doing right. The road tax you pay does not entitle you to park wherever you like. You were posing a hazard to cyclists."

The driver muttered something about no bloody bicycles around before lapsing into silence. When we reached the hotel, he took Rita's money with grudging thanks. She watched the taxi pull out into traffic, shaking her head. "Is there anyone who doesn't whine and moan about the injustice of a ticket?"

Jerry said, "You're not one of those traffic wardens, though. You're a meter maid, right?"

Rita heaved a sigh of long-suffering. "My family jokingly refers to me by that stupid Beatles song, but my title is Traffic Police Community Support Officer." She saw Jerry's chagrin and relaxed her stern expression. "Call me Rita."

"Thank you, Rita."

She and Jerry led the way into the hotel. I held Remus's hand as we followed, pleased that Rita was smiling now, at least.

The ballroom holding the banquet didn't look much different than the ones I'd attended Auror functions in. Same sea of round tables covered with white linen. Rita found our names on a seating chart and led us to the table we shared with three other couples. She glanced over at the next table and said, "Let's go get a drink at the bar before dinner starts."

In line, while Remus and Jerry attempted to talk Quidditch without using non-Muggle terms, Rita whispered to me, "Paul is sitting at the table beside ours!"

"What, him and the bimbo?"

"No, he's alone," said Rita.

I asked, "Off having more plastic surgery?"

She said, "No, they broke up."

Oh, Merlin. "Don't tell me he's trying to get back with you."

Rita crossed her arms and looked away.

"Paul's a gobshite," I said. "Tell me you aren't listening to him."

She snapped, "I'm here with someone else, aren't I?"

Remus asked us, "What would you two ladies care to drink?"

I changed my frown into a smile. "Beer."

"White wine," said Rita.

.

Once we returned to the table, I pretended not to know Paul was staring at us only a few metres away while Rita introduced the other couples. She said one of the men was to receive a commendation for bravery for his actions to quell a near riot after a football match.

Rita asked Jerry, "Are you a football fan?"

He looked startled. "No."

"Good!" she said loudly. "Football is boring!"

Nearby, several men booed. A greater number of women clapped. I glanced over at Rita's ex. He was smiling. I almost hexed him.

I turned back to find Remus watching me quizzically. "Is there something I should know?"

I nodded. "I'll tell you later."

The conversation over dinner was pleasant, consisting of chitchat about the weather, traffic, Muggle news and gossip. I didn't care what the royals or some film stars were up to, but I listened politely. The food was good, even though the salad had too much iceburg lettuce for my taste, and the veg was overcooked. The steaks were excellent, and I saw a couple of the women eating chicken throwing envious looks my way.

Rita had excused herself right after the server brought out the main course. I offered to go with her, but she laughingly told me not every woman was compelled to go in pairs to the lav. I thought nothing of it, until I heard a voice behind me say, "Paul's not outside smoking, is he? I thought he gave that up?"

I looked down at my steak and felt my stomach churn. I couldn't eat another bite. I knew what happened to a girl waylaid by a smooth-talking bastard. She went off and forgot the one waiting for her.

Jerry didn't seem to worry about his date's prolonged absence. The constable on his right was a Scout leader, and they were exchanging camping stories. Remus noticed my preoccupation and said, "Perhaps Rita isn't feeling well. Do you want to check on her?"

I placed my serviette on the table. "Yes." I stood and said, "Feel free to finish off my steak for me."

"I end up clearing my wife's plate," the constable beside me said. "She eats like a bird, and I think the portions are too small."

I left the table, smiling a little as I heard the man claim firefighters got bigger steaks. I followed a trail of women headed for the lavatory and checked the shoes beneath the stalls.

"Are you looking for someone?" the attendant asked.

I said, "My cousin, looks a little like me, longer hair, black dress."

"Lots of women wearing little black dresses tonight."

"Yeah," I said, tipping her anyway.

"If she's staying at the hotel, maybe she got sick and went to her room," the woman suggested.

"Thanks." I hurried out the door. Rita wasn't staying here, but what if Paul was? Hotels gave groups like these discounts to encourage them to sleep off their alcohol in a hotel bed.

I walked directly to the front desk and played the part of a ditzy girlfriend to get Paul's room number. In the lift, I went over my repertoire of wandless hexes, trying to decide which I could play off as accident instead of magic. I rapped softly on the door. "Room service."

No one came to the door. I was about to use magic to force my way inside when the handle turned. "That was fast. I just hung up the…phone…" Paul trailed off.

All he was wearing a pair of unbuttoned trousers. I pushed past him into the lounge of the suite, calling, "Rita!" A startled curse came from the bedroom. In a minute, my cousin entered the lounge, hose and shoes conspicuously absent. I shouted, "What the hell were you thinking!"

She said, "I wasn't. Paul wanted to talk someplace private, and…" Rita's chin lifted. "I'm giving him a second chance."

"You're mental."

"I love him," she said. "He loves me. He made a mistake, and he's sorry. Paul's not Evan. Some people really do change."

Throwing Evan in my face was not putting me in a better mood. I said, "Fine, take the cheat back, but right now, go get dressed. We're going back to the ballroom, and you're going pretend you were sick."

"Don't tell her what to do!" Paul walked over to place a protective arm around my cousin.

I thought of Rita, drunk and crying in a pub and said, "I hate the way you're so damn vain and always check your hair." Paul looked at me as if I was barmy. Rita must not have told him about the poem. I poked him in the chest with my finger. He winced as I continued, "I hate the way you lied to her and said you'd always care."

"Stop it!" Rita yelled. "You made your point, Nymphadora."

"I'll be waiting outside, then, Rita Theodora," I said, resisting the urge to slam the door behind me.

I leaned against the corridor wall and tried not to remember the time I'd acted like my cousin to a date who meant a lot more to me than Jerry did to Rita. It was impossible. I still felt guilty over leaving my friend Charlie to meet Evan during a Winter Ball.

The click of a door opening brought my gaze to Rita. She paused in the doorway, kissed Paul and said, "Wait a few minutes to leave, all right?"

His eyes flickered over to me. I curled my lip like Snape. Unlike my sicko best mate, Paul was properly intimidated. He stepped back and closed the door.

Rita and I walked to the lift in icy silence that continued all the way to the ballroom.

.

The Police Commissioner was stating his pride in the officers and staff who strived for public safety, praising their determination, professionalism, and bravery in the face of personal danger. Rita and I slipped into our seats. She said something to Jerry that caused his brow to furrow with concern.

"What's wrong?" Remus asked in an undertone.

I whispered for the second time that evening, "I'll tell you later."

After awarding the various commendations, the Commissioner invited the guests to stay and enjoy the band. Once the clapping died down, Jerry said, "Rita's taken ill. I'm going to see her home."

"I told him he didn't have to, but he insisted," Rita said, with a hint of wryness.

I almost smiled, but it wouldn't have been a nice one. It would've been a ha-ha, your rendezvous with Paul will have to wait malicious smirk.

"Do you want to stay and listen to the band?" Remus asked.

"No, I want to go home," I said.

We walked out of the hotel and down the pavement to reach a place to Apparate. Once at the Blue Moon, I said, "Let's go up and watch the stars."

On the roof, Remus said, "I want to share your burdens, but I can't unless you talk to me."

I said, "Do you remember meeting Paul, Rita's ex-boyfriend, at Christmas?"

Remus said, "Vaguely."

"Well, he was there tonight at the next table. He came alone, but he didn't stay that way." I laughed shortly. "Paul was the reason Rita was gone so long. I found her in his hotel room, and if I hadn't demanded she return…"

I didn't need to finish. Remus got the picture. He enveloped me in a hug, comforting me with a soft kiss. "Rita is responsible for her own decisions, good or bad."

"I know," I said, "but I—"

"Need to look at the stars and gain perspective," Remus said.

"I'd rather look at you."

"I can't be more than a shadow," he said.

I saw his smile plainly in the near-darkness. "A beloved shadow," I said. "A sexy shadow."

"How can a shadow be sexy?"

"Because it's yours," I said, matter-of-fact.

"I bow to your irresistible logic," Remus said. He chuckled, adding, "And your sexy shadow."

I took a step back toward the double lounger. Remus followed. I said, "My shadow wants your shadow to give her a snog."

"A sexy shadow snog? Say that three times fast."

I felt the back of my legs touch the cushion and tugged Remus down beside me. "I have other plans for my tongue," I said, trying not to ruin my sultry tone with a giggle.

I felt Remus's chest shaking, even while he kissed me. I wiped the smile off his face, in a good way, with my tongue. He had a gorgeous mouth, but his bottom lip was just the slightest bit fuller and even more fun to play with.

Remus made a growl-y sound in his throat when I nibbled and licked and teased his mouth open. I smiled and slid the tip of my tongue along the inside of his beautiful bottom lip. An needy sound escaped me. He not only felt and tasted good, but I knew how Remus made me feel when his tongue explored my mouth that way. It turned me on to do the same to him.

I laughed when he began kissing me passionately.

"Did you have fun toying with me?" he murmured.

"MmHmm." I sighed happily. Remus made love fun as well as emotionally satisfying.

He slipped his hand inside the opening of my dress. "I want to have fun too."

I was all for equal fun. To show how much, I reached behind my neck to untie the straps holding up my bodice. I reached for his shirt. "Help me with the buttons," I said.

I loved the way Remus's skin felt against mine, the way his lips and tongue made me feel. "I want to lick your skin," I whispered, pushing against his shoulders. I gasped as he rolled over, taking me with him. I straddled Remus, bending to kiss him before trailing my lips down his throat.

When I licked and sucked his skin, Remus's hands slid up the back of my thighs to caress my backside. I moaned.

He said roughly, "What are you wearing?"

"A thong. Don't you like it?"

His fingers tightened on my skin. "I like it too much." His hands slid down. "I'd better go."

I refused to move. "I don't want you to."

"Nymphadora."

He put his hands on my waist. I grabbed his wrists and tried to place his hands where I wanted them. "Remus John," I said, playfully mimicking his serious tone. I leaned down to kiss him, yelping in surprise when he rolled me over.

"Don't ask for more than you're ready to give, Nymphadora," Remus said.

"Maybe I'm ready to give a little more," I replied.

"Are you?" he asked, shifting to put his hand on the inside of my thigh. My legs instinctively clamped together. "I didn't think so," Remus said. He sat up and put his shirt back on. "Why were you pushing tonight?" he asked, watching me re-tie my dress.

"I don't know," I said miserably.

Remus kissed my cheek and stood. He said, "You need to find out."

.

.

A/N: Can you say 'counselling session' boys and girls? I knew you could, lol. Special thanks to GraceRichie for inspiring with her Labyrinth fixation. :D. The readers who inspired by reviewing and making writing fun this week were….…...… 40/16 alix33 amattsonperdue Audrey Bardlover cupcakeswirl die Loreley Dolphindreamer eleen ElspethBates Embellished Fauzia FNP Freja Lercke-Falkenborg GraceRichie Hial ishandtwofourths Kates Master katieweasley Kileaiya ladyofthebookworms LaneTechFreshie Leena7 lilmispris Machiavelli Jr MamaLisa MollyCoddles mon-ami-runa nattieb Nessime remus R us siriuslycoco Sivaroobini Lupin-Black Slipknot-3113 Sophia Loren sunny9847 and The Wilted Rose