September 1995:

Work wasn't easy for Tonks these days. She already did her best to not miss out anything, be on time, do her best on guard duties and missions - both for the Ministry and the Order. But despite Tonks's desperate attempts to do her best, she was still human and humans had needs, such a hunger and a good sleep... and a hug sometimes, yes Tonks was in desperate need of a hug. But she didn't get any of these three things at the moment. Quite the contrary, really. Her colleagues, apart from Kingsley and Proudfoot maybe, snapped at her all the time. Tonks was sick and tired of everyone's bullshit though she used to enjoy her work a lot. Just today she had had a major argument with Savage about her working schedule. She had to change missions with someone to get at least four hours of sleep. The bloody git didn't want to change shifts with her though had nothing to do all evening! Tonks might have yelled at him a little too loud (she was tired and hungry, so that wasn't really her fault). However, Dawlish the old tosser had heard and immediately run off to tell Scrimgeour. The latter had called Tonks up to his office and talked to Tonks about her recent behaviour for almost half an hour. Somehow the old matter about Tonks being too busy nowadays, not focusing, always being tired, disappearing at weird times came up again. Tonks was almost sure that Scrimgeour knew or suspected by now that she was part of Dumbledore's 'matter'. After leaving Scrimgeour's office, all she wanted to do was yell at everyone and burn the two reports she still had to do. But that didn't happen because Kingsley talked some sense to her, so Tonks finished one report and Kingsley kindly did the other one.

It was two hours past dinner time when Tonks finally arrived at Number 12, Grimmauldplace. She didn't even know why she wanted to go there. She had had a horrible day and might explode if anyone else complained about her attitude today. Besides, there wouldn't be any dinner left so she would sit in an empty kitchen with nothing but a cup of tea... and Remus. Remus. Probably the only reason she had decided on popping by this late.

Tonks knocked on the front door, too tired to draw out her wand and unlock it herself. Maybe Remus was downstairs? Tonks sighed, or maybe she had to do it herself...

"Who's there?" Remus's voice called from inside.

Tonks's lips twitched upwards a little. "It's me, Remus. The clumsy wannabe-auror who managed to mess up both of her jobs and -"

"You know that's not true." The door had snapped open and Remus was standing right in front of her, one eyebrow raised. His facial expression quickly changed from mild anger into concern. "Now, you do look dreadful. What happened? Work you say?"

Tonks nodded and entered the house. Remus closed the door behind her and turned to face her, concern still written on his face. "You look as though you could do with a hug."

"Mmh..."

Offering a kind and gentle smile, Remus held his arms open for her. Tonks didn't need a second invitation. She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She could feel Remus's warm hands trailing soothing circles over her back. They stood like that for a while and Tonks was amazed by how much better a simple hug could make her feel.

"Tonks?" Remus whispered.

"Yeah?"

"What about we head to the kitchen and you tell me what happened?"

"Mmmmh," she murmured, burying her face in the crook of his neck and savouring his pleasant smell. Chocolate and tea...

"Tonks, you have to let go off me for that." His voice seemed distant. Good Merlin, was she already that lost in his scent?

"Mmh, yeah sure..." she muttered and pulled away from him. "Thanks, Remus."

"Don't mention it." He smiled at her brightly, looking so much younger now than he did before. "Come on, then."

They entered the kitchen, Remus's hand was resting on the small of her back until he pulled out a chair for her. Tonks sat down and watched Remus as he put on the kettle. Tea, of course... what else? She smiled to herself.

"Some chocolate?"

"Well, actually I'd... but I guess," she said more to herself than to him. Blinking, she glanced at him, "yeah, ta."

Remus watched her carefully and grinned. "Ah, I understand. Decent food after a long day. What about some of Molly's delicious stew?"

"I don't quite get that... Dinner's been over for two hours."

Remus smiled in his gentlemanly manner. "Saved you some."

Tonks could've kissed him. Remus really had saved her some food. Even better, some of Molly's stew - she loved this one especially. "Thank you so much, Remus! Merlin knows what I'd to without you!" she blurted out.

Remus chuckled in response, warmed up the stew with a simple heating charm and placed the plate in front of her. Tonks grabbed a spoon and hungrily started eating, barely noticing Remus, who sat down across from her with his cup of tea. "Hungry, are we?" he said with amusement.

"And how! Haven't eating anything but a freaking pumpkin pasty all day! Remus Lupin, you truly are a treasure. Thanks for saving my day."

"Saving a lady's day with some stew. Well, well, well, you had a horrible day, then. Wanna tell me about it?"

And Tonks wanted to. So she did. She told him every detail, about her colleagues, about Scrimgeour, about how stressful and overwhelming it all was. And Remus listened. He didn't interrupt her, he just listened, nodding sometimes or smiling sympathetically at her. Tonks's throat was dry after she had finished. "And that's on my shite day..." she finished.

"I'm very sorry about that, Tonks, I truly am. Maybe I can talk to Dumbledore and tell him to arrange your mission differently. Or I take over some of yours..."

Tonks shook her head. "I appreciate that, really, but no. I wanted this so I have to get through this."

"All right, but tell me if there's ever anything I can help you with," Remus said, "would you like a cup of tea as well? Your throat sounds a little scratchy."

"Nah, just dry from taking 'til I'm blue in the face. What flavour is yours, by the way? Asking for a friend."

Remus gave a deep, soft laugh. "A friend, eh? Well, I'd like to meet her if she's got the same lovely pink hair as you do. It's some herb mixture Molly brought around the other day. Rather good. Would your friend like to try it?"

"I do think so," Tonks grinned.

"Have go, then." Remus handed her his cup. It was still warm - Tonks suspected a heating charm behind it. The herbs did smell good, she thought, somehow a little like Remus... She took a sip and was left wondering whether Remus tasted that way as well... herbal tea and chocolate seemed like the perfect combination to her.

"Thanks," she said and handed the cup back to him, not quite sure whether to meet his eyes. Merlin, why was she so shy out of a sudden?

"Liked it?"

"Quite..."

"Then I'll make sure you'll have a cup yourself next time," he offered, "unless you prefer sharing a cup?"

Tonks looked up at him, probably furiously blushing. "I think I'd like that." Remus really was a gentleman.