Sorry it's short! trying to finish my thesis as well loooool. Got plans for a few big chapters coming up! This time just wanted to see Tonks having a bit of fun. E xxxxx

September slipped by uneventfully for Tonks. Half of the Order were in Hogwarts, and Tonks herself found that she was spending less time at HQ than she had over summer. Meetings were less frequent, and Remus had gone on a few longer missions that meant that he was gone from HQ for days on end. Dinners seemed less appealing when it was only Sirius to keep her company, especially as he was in such a foul mood since Harry left.

Work at the Ministry was also quiet. She hadn't been given any new cases for ages, and spent most of her time drafting reports on the man hunt for Sirius. She sometimes wondered if the ministry suspected her ties to Dumbledore; a fear she had relayed to Kingsley, who had reassured her that wasn't true.

'There's just not much going on,' he said. 'That is- not much out in the open. And the Ministry's not digging very deep. The best idea now is to keep a low profile, keep your head down.'

'I always do!' Smiled Tonks

Kingsley let out a quiet 'Hmph'. It was Friday afternoon and they were both riding the lift down to leave work. They swapped goodbyes as Kingsley climbed into a fireplace to take him home, and Tonks made her way to the fireplace that lead out through the toilets, into the bustling London streets. She'd changed her hair before she left to a long, wavy blonde. She was looking forward to going to the pub with some muggle friends, and had to make sure she looked like she did when she'd met them on an undercover mission a few years ago. Every now and then the three of them would get beers together. She loved hearing their stories of their lives, and loved that they had no idea of the Wizarding world and her complex life. They would just talk and laugh and drink. She walked down Victoria embankment, past Blackfriars before crossing the Millennium Bridge. There was a strong breeze and the Thames was choppy, splashing against the banks with dull thuds.

She made it to the pub next to borough market, and found her friends stood outside, beers perched on a ledge, having a cigarette and chatting away while stalls were slowly packing up around them.

'Hey babe!' Ellie said warmly

'Hey, sorry I'm late.' They rolled their eyes.

'You're always late.'

'I walked from work! It's not my fault I have a real job.' She teased. Ellie and Leah both worked in publishing. She'd told them she was an accountant.

'I'm going to grab a drink. Want another?' She asked, pointing to their half finished pints.

'Yeah go on.'

Tonks ordered 3 beers from the bartender who asked for her ID. She'd been careful to always carry round a muggle drivers licence ever since she'd moved to London. She spilled about a ¼ of the beers as she handed them to her friends, who laughed and flicked their beer soaked hands on her.

'You'd be the shittest waitress.' Leah said, smiling.

Tonks laughed and drank her beer. She was glad it was Friday

'So whats going on, T?' Ellie asked

'What do you mean?'

'Well we barely saw you at all during summer. You were busy every night! Now twice in less than 2 weeks?'

'Do you not want to see me then girls,' Tonks said sarcastically.

'You know what we mean. Ellie thought you might have had a secret boyfriend during summer. Has that ended?'

Tonks choked on her beer.

Ellie raised her eyebrows questioningly.

'I did not have a secret boyfriend,' Tonks rolled her eyes. 'Work was just crazy over summer.'

'Every evening? You're an accountant, not a nightclub manager.'

'Maybe I'm a spy.' Tonks said. They all laughed.

A few drinks later they'd moved back across the river, almost tracing the route Tonks had taken on the way there exactly. They were nestled into a wine bar in embankment and they were all tipsy, trying to decide whether or not to order another drink. 'Come onnnnn' said Tonks. 'It's a Friday.'

'I'm meant to be going out tomorrow as well' grumbled Ellie

'One more. I'll tell you about my secret boyfriend.' Tonks said

'I KNEW IT-'

'-Are you serious?'

'He's not…. I don't have a boyfriend..'

'But there's someone?'

'Nothing's happened yet.'

'Why the hell not?'

'He's a bit older.'

'So?'

'It's complicated… We work together. I'm not even sure if he wants…' Tonks tailed off. The wine was forcing her to voice out loud something she hadn't really admitted to herself.

'Were you with him every evening this summer?' Leah asked.

'Most,' admitted Tonks

They rolled their eyes. 'Let's get another drink.'