8. A Rose By Any Name Would Smell as Sweet

-Romeo and Juliet

The days during the winter holidays were some of the best Remus had ever had. Since the castle was pretty much empty, Remus and Tonks spent practically every minute with each other, engaged in various discussions and… other activities. Occasionally, they would spend a day outside in the snow when they were alone; otherwise, they would stay in Remus's room, doing whatever they pleased. They would also spend the nights together (doing nothing but sleeping), and words couldn't describe how happy Remus felt when he woke up with Tonks sleeping peacefully in his arms. They were so engrossed with each other's company that when term commenced, Remus realized that he still had quite a few exams to grade.

But he wouldn't give up his time spent with Tonks for anything, so he refused to do any grading while she was around, which was basically all the time. And so on the last night before term started, because Tonks had a late-night meeting, Remus decided to get back to work on his exams.

Finally he trudged through them, trying his hardest to add helpful comments when students got things wrong so that they would understand. As a result of putting his grading off until the last night, Remus got barely any sleep the night before term resumed, though he did get them finished at last.

"Good morning, Professor Lupin," greeted Professor Vector at breakfast. "How was your holiday?"

"Lovely," he responded. "How was yours?"

She scowled. "Not lovely. I had to take care of three children while their father went off to Düsseldorf on some business trip. And I had so much to do, so many essays and exams to grade, not to mention actual work. I'm sure you know that in addition to teaching Arithmancy, I'm an Arithmancer. There was so much work to do, not to mention ungrateful kids asking for everything at every possible opportunity!"

Remus nodded sympathetically, though he was no longer listening; he had just sighted his girlfriend talking to Professor Flitwick, her hair navy blue, her smile bright as always. He took a moment to further observe her face. She had a dimple on her right side when she smiled. She had a scar at the line of her hair which she had acquired from a nasty accident involving the Whomping Willow. She had exceptionally soft lips which tasted of strawberries (he knew from experience). She had a sensitive spot right below her left ear. Even though she could morph her appearance, she almost always kept her face the same, and by this point, Remus knew every detail of her heart-shaped face, every crease, every spanse, every square centimeter.

"Professor?" Professor Vector's voice snapped him out of his trance.

"Yeah?" he responded, immediately averting his gaze. It wouldn't do for Professor Vector, of all people, to find out the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was dating one of the school Aurors.

"Are you alright?" she asked crisply. "You seemed a bit distracted there."

"I'm fine," he said, managing a smile. "You were saying?"

Remus listened to Professor Vector rambling on about her lifetime woes for a few more minutes until he politely excused himself in order to get to class. He started walking to his classroom when he heard someone call his name from behind him.

Surprisingly, it was not Tonks. It was Robards.

"Auror Robards," Remus greeted. "How are you?"

"Tonks was looking for you," said Robards.

"Oh," replied Remus, trying not to blush. "Where is she right now?"

"Somewhere in the corridors, I think. Like I said, she was looking for you."

"Thanks," Remus responded. "I'll go find her."

"Er, no offense, but are you two dating?" asked Robards, looking uncomfortable. "Because I barely saw her during the holidays, and it… seems like you get along well with her."

"Yes," Remus admitted. "We are. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone, though."

"Not a word," Robards assured, grinning sheepishly. "I just wanted to know. Curiosity, you see."

"Naturally," Remus said, smiling. "All right, then. Have a nice day."

Robards nodded and walked off.

Despite knowing that he only had a few minutes left until his first class, Remus quickly scanned the nearby corridors for Tonks. He was about to give up and head back to his classroom when he heard her call his name.

Turning around, he saw Tonks rushing up to him, smiling sweetly. "Hi, Professor. Sorry, I was looking for you."

"Hi, Auror Tonks. Yes, Auror Robards did mention."

"I see. Anyway, do you think I could watch a few classes today? Like you said, I could do more than just watch. I could help out if you'd like."

"I'd love that," he agreed. "Thank you."

"I could also assist in distracting the Professor, if he's interested."

"If you do, he's going to be in trouble for not being able to keep his hands off you."

She smirked. "In that case, let's go."

He smiled and discreetly took her hand, and they walked together to his classroom.

"So, what are you covering today, Professor Lupin?" she asked.

"I think we're going to touch on vampires today."

"You think?" she teased. "Didn't have much time to plan, did you?"

"How could I?" he murmured, grabbing her waist and pulling her towards him. "I was way too distracted."

"I agree," she whispered, swinging her arms around his neck and leaning in.

Their snogging session was put to a halt when they heard footsteps from the hall. Quickly, Tonks pulled away, gave him a smile, and propped herself up onto a table in the side of the room just as the door to the classroom opened and several sixth-years filed in.

"Good morning, Professor," one of the Ravenclaw boys said, yawning.

"Good morning, Anthony," Remus greeted kindly. "How was your holiday?"

"Pretty good. We went skiing."

"Sounds very exciting," Remus said, smiling.

More students entered the classroom gradually, taking their seats and looking expectantly up at him, knowing by this point that they didn't have to take out their textbooks.

From across the room, Tonks smiled at him and motioned flattening her hair. Remus obligingly ran a hand through his hair to smoothen it, which was no doubt dishevelled at this point. Clearing his throat, he began his lecture.

The students were attentive, as always, and Remus found that he was still able to teach properly, even with Tonks in the room. As he had suggested, she helped the students take notes on vampires, correcting them where necessary and providing supplemental information. Remus began an introduction to vampires, trying to remember everything he had learned about them, since he hadn't found time to plan this lesson.

"Professor Lupin?" asked a Ravenclaw girl from the front of the classroom.

"Yes, Miss Haynes?"

"I have a question for you."

"Go ahead."

"It's private. Unless you want me to say it aloud?"

Puzzled, he walked over to her desk and knelt down next to her. "What's the matter?"

"Are you dating Auror Tonks?" she whispered.

He erupted into a coughing fit. "What? W-why do you ask?"

She observed him closely. "Because she was wearing your sweater the other day. And because I've seen the way you look at her."

"I lent her the sweater, yes, but that doesn't mean we're dating, Miss Haynes. Besides," he frowned slightly, "I'm rather old for her, wouldn't you think?"

"No," said the girl blatantly. "You're pretty young, actually, Professor."

He couldn't believe he was having this conversation with a student, for Merlin's sake. Nor could he believe the nonchalance with which she was talking to him about his love life.

"Thank you, but that's not the point," he said quietly, glancing around to make sure Tonks hadn't heard their conversation. She hadn't, but many other students surrounding them were watching intently, their eyes wide. Remus wanted to sink into the ground.

"Then what is the point?" asked the sixth year, not backing down. "I just want to know if it's true."

"Alicia," Remus began nervously, opting to use her first name, "is there some sort of rumor spreading through the school? That Do-Auror Tonks and I are dating?"

"No. Not yet, anyway. But I can start a rumor if you'd like me to."

"Please don't," he said quickly. "That's not what I want. We're not dating."

"Right," said Alicia, rolling her eyes. She had the audacity to roll her eyes at him! "It's the way you look at her, Professor. I can just tell."

"Professor Lupin's in love," whispered one of the other girls dreamily.

"Oooh," chorused a few others.

"No, I'm not," was all he could say, though he knew it sounded childish. Knowing they would see through it straight away, he took a deep breath and tried again. "No, I'm not."

"Not what?" asked Tonks, coming up to investigate.

He groaned internally. This was the last thing he needed.

"Nothing, Auror Tonks," he said, emphasizing the formality of his words. "Miss Haynes just had a question."

"I see," Tonks said, a smile playing at her lips. She turned to Alicia Haynes. "What was your question?"

"I…" the sixth-year began, but Remus cut her off.

"We are not further discussing this, Miss Haynes," he interjected politely, giving Tonks a meaningful look. She seemed to understand.

"Oh," Tonks said, her voice full of amusement, which Remus could not take as a good sign for him. "I see. Alicia, is it? Please tell me later."

Alicia looked delighted at this. "I'd love to."

Remus stared at his girlfriend. "But D-Tonks…" He shot her a pleading look.

"Auror Tonks," corrected Tonks, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "But you can call me Tonks if you'd like. I don't mind."

The class sniggered, not making an attempt to hide it. Remus made a mental note never to get involved with Alicia Haynes and her 'private' questions.

"Do you think he likes you?" Alicia asked Tonks, looking interested.

Remus glared at Tonks, daring her to answer in the affirmative.

"I don't know, but I hope he does," Tonks answered after a moment, flashing a smile at him.

His students looked astounded. Remus closed his eyes, unsure if he wanted the world to swallow him or if he wanted to kiss her right there. Though he was leaning towards the second option as the world made no sign of swallowing him, he took a deep breath and let it out.

"As I was saying," he began in a vain effort to steer the focus back onto vampires, but he was cut across by Alicia once more.

"So, Professor," she said conspiratorially, "do you like Auror Tonks?"

He looked to Tonks, sending her a silent prayer. She just smiled back at him.

If this class knew, then the entire school would. There would be no way that any of these kids would keep it quiet, especially not Alicia Haynes.

Remus wasn't sure he was ready for the entire school to know that he was dating Tonks. It would be damaging to her reputation; the staff would probably look down on her. The Auror who was dating a werewolf.

Remus still couldn't get over the fact that she didn't care. Never once had she flinched at his scars; in fact, she would always trace them with her fingers softly. During the one full moon that had lapsed while they were dating, she had reminded him to take his Wolfsbane, brought him pain-relieving potions in the morning after his transformation, and tended to his self-inflicted scars as best as she could.

"Professor?" asked Tonks, bringing him out of his thoughts. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," he answered, taking a deep breath and turning to Alicia. "Miss Haynes, can you describe the process of recovery for a vampire bite?"

"Not really," she said, frowning. "But, Professor, answer the question!"

"Why don't you come up to my office one day, Alicia?" he offered. "When you have an answer to my question, I'll answer yours."

The class sniggered, and Tonks looked highly amused. Remus took this as an opportunity to steer the class back onto the topic of vampires.

The rest of the class passed without incident, though Remus had to try exceptionally hard not to keep looking back at Tonks, since that would only confirm everyone's suspicions. When class was over, and the students had left the classroom, Alicia Haynes giving him a suspicious look, he let out a deep sigh of relief and turned to Tonks, who was giggling silently.

"It wasn't funny," he stated, walking towards her.

"Yes, it was," she exclaimed, laughing. "This was the most amusing class I've ever sat through, and that includes everything I went through when I was a student here."

He made his way towards her until he was standing right in front of her. "It was funny to see my students drill me about my love life?"

"Your students have quite a bit of nerve," she giggled, leaning her head against his sweater.

He couldn't help but smile as he hugged her. "Apparently so. Thankfully, it's a rather long process to learn about vampire bites and effective recovery."

She snorted, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him even closer to her. "When's your next class?"

"Fifteen minutes, I think."

"We have plenty of time."

He smiled and pulled her up against his chest. "Let's make the most of it, then."

Needless to say, they made the most of it.

When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily.

"This just keeps getting better," she whispered breathlessly.

"I feel the same way," he replied, one hand tangled in her hair, the other on her hip.

"As much as I like our current position, Professor, I really don't want to be seen by one of your loving students."

He snorted, but didn't change his position. "I have half a mind to skip the rest of the day."

She tilted her face towards his so that her lips hovered dangerously close to his, though they weren't touching. "You've only taught one class, Professor," she noted in a husky voice.

"Are you going to stay for the rest of my classes today?" he inquired, attempting to lean forward, though she tilted her head back when he did.

"Seeing as I have nothing else to do, yes. I can leave if you'd like, though."

"Nymphadora," he moaned, trying once more to capture her lips with his own, though she pulled back again.

"I hear voices," she whispered, her eyes glinting. "Now isn't the time."

"Does it matter?" he groaned, the want overtaking him.

"Yes. And Remus, I've already given you permission to call me Dora. Why do you have to haunt me with my full first name?"

He smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, Dora. I promise I'll make it up to you."

She nodded approvingly and gave him a peck on the lips. Satisfied, he drew back, albeit reluctantly. It was a good thing he did, too, because at that moment the door opened and students for his next class began coming in.

Nobody else in any of his other classes asked him any 'private' questions, much to Remus's relief. He managed to sneak in quite a few kisses with Tonks during classes, though. Maybe the Marauder inside him wasn't as dead as he thought.

"There's a Hogsmeade weekend coming up in a few weeks," Tonks informed him once his final class was over, lying down onto his desk in a far-too-enticing position.

"Yes, I noticed," he replied, glancing at the door to make sure it was shut. It was.

"Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?" she asked, stretching.

"I was supposed to ask you." He walked over to her, his eyes traveling to the exposed skin at her waist where her T-shirt had ridden up. "Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?"

She snorted. "Of course I will. I asked you first."

Remus bent over on top of her and whispered, "My Dora."

A/N: A whole bunch of sappy, light-hearted fluff. You'll need it, considering the ugly turn things take in chapter 9.