Hi everyone! This is my first ever fan fiction, inspired by a lockdown skype with my friend where we drank a bottle of wine and discussed what we would want to see more of if there was a modern adaptation of harry potter on tv (nerds). We both wish we could have seen more of what went on in the order of the phoenix, especially with Tonks and Lupin. Harry always seemed to miss the good bits, and since he had the observation skills of a brick wall, we barely had any insight into their relationship. I hate that we only see the angst, the moments when he runs out on her. I think there's a really good story to be told beyond that. I hope you like it. E xxxx

The Werewolf and the Auror: Chapter 1

Remus shrugged his jacket off his shoulders and hung it up on the hook before slowly walking down the hall towards the kitchen. He could hear the clatter of pots and pans on the stove and the gentle sounds of chatter drifting towards him. Monday evening meetings should have been tedious, but they always gave him a sense of belonging, togetherness.

'Evening Moony. Thought you weren't coming until later?'

Remus shrugged. 'Not much else going on.'

Sirius grinned. 'Couldn't wait to see my face'
Remus raised his eyebrows and let out a soft 'ha' and paused to greet the other members of the Order of the Phoenix. Molly and Arthur had all but moved into 50 Grimmauld place; going back and forward from the Borrow between more and more frequent meetings. They planned to move in properly in a few weeks with all of their children. Remus supposed it would brighten up the place. Kingsley Shaklebolt, Mundugus fletcher and Mad eye Moody were sat down at the end of the table and all grunted their greetings before continuing to discuss whatever it was they were talking about before he entered the room. He glanced round the rest of the room and Sirius answered his silent question.

'Dumbledore and McGonagall sound be here soon. Dumbledore is picking up a new recruit and then heading straight over.'
'New recruit?'
'Yeah, another Black actually.'
Lupin looked at him quizzically. 'I thought you were the only blood traitor.'
'Ha ha. My only cool aunt got disowned after she married a muggle born, Ted Tonks. Their daughter Nymphadora is an auror now, Moody trained her. I haven't seen her in ages, obviously. But she's meant to be pretty good; youngest auror to get through in years.'
It will be good to have another auror on board' mused Lupin.
'A damn fine one at that' grunted moody from across the table. 'Best I've trained. Already made a bit of a name for herself at the ministry though. Fiercely independent. Won't be told what to do by anyone, and has a habit of rubbing people in charge up the wrong way. She kicked up a hell of a fuss when Dolores Umbridge tried to pass that anti werewolf legislation last year; she took it to the wizen gamot and managed to prove it was unlawful. Won't stand for anything she sees as wrong, that one, no matter who's saying it.

I can see why you like her' Lupin smiled. Now that he thought about it, he remembered Dumbledore sharing the news that he could still work at Hogwarts, that the ministry had retracted their decree because someone in the auror's office wouldn't let it pass. Not that he could go back to teaching after what happened the year before.

He broke away from his thoughts as he heard the door open and slam, and Minerva McGonagall came striding in, wearing a tartan hat and cloak.
'Evening Minerva, you're looking wonderful. Let me grab that for you' chimed Sirius, standing up and taking her coat. It never failed to amuse him how Sirius acted in front of Minerva McGonagall, like he was still trying to charm his way out of detentions. Flirt. He mouthed.
'Where's Dumbledore? I thought he would be here by now?' McGonagal asked.

'He's picking up a new recruit- Nymphadora?'
'Tonks! Oh I told Albus she would be an asset to our team, I didn't realise he'd had the chance to speak to her yet?'
'I did.' Said Kingsley. 'Albus wanted to see her before hand though, since he's secret keeper.'

At that moment, they heard the door open again, and the sound of a warm laughter echoed through the hall. 'Come on, how do you remember that?' a woman's voice, drenched with amusement came drifting through. 'My dear Tonks, I don't think I've ever seen such a flattering impersonation of me..'
Dumbledore came walking into the kitchen beaming, followed by a short, young woman with bubblegum pink hair and a wide smile.

'Nymphadora Tonks, as I live and breath' said McGonagall warmly, and to Remus' surprise, stood up and pulled the woman into a tight hug. 'Wotcha professor' Tonks grinned. 'I can't believe its been 5 years!'
'Hogwarts is a quieter place without you' she said with a dry smile. 'Fewer detentions handed out as well.'

Tonks laughed again, her eyes twinkling as she scanned round the room. Sirius stood to greet her. 'Hi Tonks.. it's been a while…' He said somewhat awkwardly. 'Sorry I haven't stayed in touch.. fairly difficult when I was on the run from your office, you see..' He smiled bitterly. She paused, and met his eye, and smiled ruefully. 'It's a good thing for both of us that I'm shit at my job then!' Sirius laughed, and shook her hand.

'Here, you haven't met Remus yet. My best mate at school; he was in the order with me back in the day.' Lupin stood up and smiled at her, reaching out his hand. She shook it and smiled at him. He felt a rush from her smile that seemed to force the corners of his lips without him realising. He wondered how someone could be so effortlessly warm. He wondered if he was like that 15 years ago, in his twenties at the start of the first war. If he was happy and full of optimism back then, it didn't last long. He let go of Tonks hand and sat down, and watched as she drifted over to introduce herself to Molly and Arthur.

XXXXXXX

'Thank you so much for the food Molly, that was really amazing.' Said Tonks, as she gathered her things.

'No it was really no problem dear.'
'I haven't eaten that well in months!'
'Well please do come round whenever you want'
'Thanks Molly. Good to meet you all, really. Kingsley- see you tomorrow morning?' And with a brief glance back and a wink at Lupin and Sirius, she headed out the door.

The meeting had gone on for a while. Tonks needed to be updated on what they had done so far, who was involved and where they had got to with tracking the death eaters. By the time they moved on to planning the next few missions, everyone was getting restless with hunger. Molly produced a large cauldron of stew half way through which everyone eagerly passed round, forcing them to pause for a fairly welcome break, before more deliberation on missions. Everyone was beginning to head back to their various houses now, and Remus was still sitting quietly with a glass of wine, musing over the evening.

Mind if I sit here?

Be my guest.

Sorry this is dragging on – Seems I've got a bit of catching up to do

Don't be silly, these things always take a while. Side effect of getting everyone together in one room

Tonks opened the bottle of wine in front of her and poured herself a generous glass, before catching his eye and saying 'What? It's dinner!' Before he could protest she filled his goblet.

Cheers. Good to meet you Lupin.

Likewise. Why was he so awful with small talk. Likewise? She didn't seem to notice.

So what do you do, outside of the Order?

I've had a… mixed career.

Sounds interesting.

Not like being an Auror.

Oh I don't know, I'm stuck on desk duty half the time.

Not from what I've heard.

She laughed and took a sip of wine.

I taught at Hogwarts briefly, he said.

Really? When?

The year before last. Defence against the dark arts.

Should have guessed. That's really cool. Cool? He couldn't tell if she was flattering him.

So why did you stop?

I'm… he paused. I'm a werewolf.

He waited for the shocked expression he was used to receiving. It never /But you can still work right? Could no one make you Wolfsbane potion?

Recovering from his momentary shock at her lack of reaction to him admitting his condition, he replied: come on... I can't be around children. Noone would want a monster teaching their children

Don't call yourself a monster. She said in a voice sterner than her years. Why did the parents need to know?

Err, it got out. Anyway, it's okay. It means I'm working pretty much full time for the Order.

She gave him a searching look, and Remus got the sense that she was deciding whether or not to pursue this line of questioning or not. Apparently, deciding to move on, she said

So give me the inside gossip. What does Moody mean when he says watch out for dung?

They laughed together.

Remus was disturbed from his thoughts by Sirius asking him if he was staying over.

I think I'll head home. It's late. Remus sensed Sirius' disappointment not to have more company in the house. It felt darker, more clammy since the rest of the order had left.
He left, the night breeze still warm despite the late hour. A few stars were faintly burning in the London sky, struggling to shine through as hazy blue from all the street lights. His thoughts drifted back to the young auror with the bright pink hair. He disapperated.