February 1996:
Something had changed between them. Tonks could feel it. It was like a constant tension in the air, which they both tried to ignore. Sometimes Tonks even wondered if it was really there. But whenever he glanced at her from across the room, their hands brushed by accident or their fingers intertwined when they apparated, she could feel it again.
Today, this tension was intense.
It was a cold evening in February. Well, more like noon, but it was so dark already that Tonks counted it as evening. Snow was lying on the pavements, the streetlights shined softly, some flickered.
Tonks was walking next to Remus. Their patrol had ended and - since the way back to headquarters was only a few miles - they had agreed on walking home instead of apparating. Tonks was glad that they did. The calm atmosphere always helped her to relax after stressful days of double work for the Ministry and the Order. Or was it Remus's company?
"You look tired," he noticed as he glanced at her.
Tonks smiled up at him. "Well, I am."
"Would you rather apparate? I don't mind."
"No, thank you, Remus. It's fine," she declined. He nodded and they walked on.
It started snowing after a few minutes. Tonks watched the tiny snowflakes dance and whirl through the chilly air. She had always loved snow. Tonks wrinkled her nose as a snowflake landed on its tip.
Remus was smiling at her. He had noticed... of course he had. "Adorable," he murmured as he reached out and wiped it off. Tonks shot him a coy grin. And they walked on.
The more it snowed, the more Tonks regretted to not have taken her warm winter coat. Her auror coat was fine, but she was beginning to freeze in it. Tonks rubbed her arms, releasing a deep breath that sent a cloudlet in the air.
Tonks heard a rustle from Remus's direction and before she even had the chance to turn and look at him, she felt his warm winter coat around her shoulders.
Tonks stopped and looked at him. "But won't you need it? You'll freeze."
"I'll be fine, really," he assured her and gave her shoulder a small squeeze, "I would never want you to freeze. Better now?"
"Yes, but -"
"Good." Leaving her no time to protest, Remus linked arms with her and they walked on through the gloomy streets of Islington. Tonks edged closer in her step, feeling his warm body against hers. It was a miracle, but Remus really didn't seem to freeze. Was it his comfortable looking brown sweater?
Tonks unlinked their arms and reached down to intertwine their fingers. A pleasant warmth spread from her fingertip right through her entire body. She glanced down at their hands, then up at Remus. He had looked at their hands too, and was now looking back at her with a sheepish smile.