A/N. Thanks so much for your comments and favs/follows on this story. I really do appreciate it. This is a honking long chapter, but I just couldn't find anywhere to break it that made sense, plus you totally all deserve a long chapter! So here it is! Thanks for being ace. You're making a tough time, a little easier :) I loved writing Remus in this chapter - hope you enjoy reading it!

Chapter 2 – Remember to Forget

"GEORGE! GIVE IT BACK, NOW!"

"No. Come and get it."

"Come on in dears, let me take your coats. Fred take Tonks and Remus' coats will you and their bags, that's it."

"GEORGE, I'm serious, IT'S MINE!"

"Incredible, absolutely incredible. Amazing these muggles, they really are…"

"I don't even have it! Fred took it…"

"FRED!"

"Can I get you both a drink. Tea? Hot Chocolate Remus?"

"FRED, GIVE-IT-BACK."

"Fred! I asked you to take the coats and bags upstairs. NOW."

"MUM, Fred took my rememberall and he won't give it back."

"I didn't take anything… except these coats and bags upstairs, right this second."

"What they achieve, without magic, on a daily basis…"

"Ginny, help Fred with the bags, you too George. Ginny take Tonk's stuff, she'll be in Bill's room and Fred, George, Remus will be staying in the room next door, in Charlie's room."

"But Muuuuuuuum, they took…"

"Ginerva Weasley, what have I just asked you to do?"

"Fine. S'not fair though… they are always taking my stuff and they never give it back, or when they do it's broken, and I can't use it anymore…"

Ginny's voice trailed away as the three Weasley children who were home for the holidays took the pile of coats and bags up to the top floor.

"And FRED, GEORGE, give Ginny back her rememberall, I mean it!"

"So dears, what'll it be."

"A hot chocolate would be lovely, thanks Molly." Remus, his smile still firmly in place when he spoke to Molly at least, answered sickeningly politely.

"Tonks?"

She mustered her best smile, after all, Molly was once again welcoming her into her home for the Christmas holidays, it wasn't her fault their other house guest was a bigoted idiot. "A hot chocolate would be great, thanks Mol."

Disappearing into the kitchen, Molly shouted over her shoulder, "Make yourselves comfortable dears. Arthur, did you clear the table of all your… ARTHUR! You've left a dismantled muggle contraption all over my kitchen table."

Arthur jumped to his feet, shaking Remus' hand and hugging Tonks, dipping his head and grinning guiltily he said quietly, "I best go clear that up before I'm in as much bother as the kids."

Kicking off her boots by the door and throwing herself down into one of the old but comfy armchairs Tonks closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. The silence that hung in the air between Remus and herself, however awkward, was a welcome relief after the onslaught of sound that had assaulted them upon their arrival. It always took her a few days to acclimate when she arrived at the Burrow. The only daughter of Andromeda and Ted Tonks, their family home was much quieter and more ordered, though no less loving. Tonks often felt that she fitted in more here, with the Weasley's than with her own family. She was loud, clumsy, outspoken, creative with harmless pranks and hexes – not traits renowned in the Black family heritage. Tonks was no more a Black than Ginny Weasley, but because of her Mother's relations, Remus had dropped her hand as though she had burned him.

She wasn't sure why she was so surprised. Maybe his kind smile and polite demeaner had thrown her off. It wasn't as though he was alone. Ever since Sirius Black had broken out of Azkaban, she could hear them all whispering about her. It hadn't bothered her at first, when it was the reception witches and wizards or those from other departments that didn't know her; but when those that she worked with every single day, those that she had trained with for 3 years, the very people that she would be willing to risk her life to protect had started to join in with the whispered conversations, she had felt like she had nowhere to run. Suddenly, a connection that everyone knew, but no one had cared about, was alienating her from everyone. She was no longer to be fully trusted.

Out of nowhere, she was a Black.

However distantly related, it seemed that she was now tainted, and in the past few months, life had become a lonely place to be a Black.

"So, Tonks," Remus cleared his throat, "what do you do?"

Tonks looked at him, as much as it pained her, Molly and Arthur had invited this man into their home and out of respect for them, she need to be, at the very least polite.

"I'm an Auror." She said. Wondering whether it would be rude not to ask him the same question. She wanted to be polite not necessarily friendly. She was saved making a decision when he continued.

"An Auror. Wow that is mightily impressive. You must be one of the youngest Aurors…"

"The youngest." She corrected.

"Indeed? Congratulations. That must have been incredibly hard work. You must be a very talented witch."

Tonks eyed him curiously, most people assumed she'd known someone who knew someone and that is how she'd gotten accepted on to the Auror training programme so quickly, "Thanks, I'm no more talented than anyone else, but I do believe in working hard."

Tonks could hear the annoyed tone of her voice and felt a little bad, not for Remus, but for Molly. She didn't want her to know she was upset and ruin the holidays, "What about you?"

Remus smiled at her, the crinkle of his eyes returned, "Me? Oh I'm not remotely talented. I suppose I do work hard, but I play harder."

Tonks looked at him incredulously, he seemed to have returned to the kind stranger who hadn't prejudged her for being part of the most notoriously evil, pureblood wizarding family in Britain.

"I'm a Professor. I just started at Hogwarts in September as it happens, the new defence against the dark arts teacher."

Tonks eyes widened, "That is impressive," she admitted begrudgingly.

Remus bowed his head slightly, "Thank you. Not nearly as impressive as being the youngest ever Auror at the Ministry of Magic. I will admit though, it has been a wonderful few months, getting to know the students, teaching them that they are capable of so much more than their doubts convince them of."

Tonks wondered how someone who sounded so reasonable could be so small minded, "Doubts such as being limited by their family history?"

Remus looked thoughtful for a moment before sighing, "Sadly some people will always put too much stock in where we all come from, the skeletons that are hiding in our families closets; but I always try and teach my students that anyone who judges them on anything other than their own abilities, isn't worth worrying about."

Tonks felt the moment her bottom jaw dropped. She considered morphing and allowing it to hit the floor – show him just how she felt at the irony of his comments considering his actions not 10 minutes earlier.

Neither spoke, the silence between them felt palpable. Tonks was too angry to speak, for fear she would say something truly unforgivable – not because she felt any particular need for Remus to accept and trust her, but she worried that if she told him what she thought of his behaviour, she might also dump on him all of her emotion and sadness over her colleagues treatment of her.

"I'm sorry if I er… offended you earlier somehow…" Remus shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "I'm erm, well it's quite a long story but I didn't know you or anyone else other than the Weasley's would be here for the holiday's and when I heard your name, I realised you must be Andromeda's daughter, well I…"

Tonks couldn't hold it in any longer, "You…you, you what? Thought if you continued to shake my hand you wouldn't be able to grab your wand quick enough if tried to hit you with an unforgivable? I'm so sorry Molly and Arthur didn't inform you the house would also be home to a relation of the recently escaped mass murderer, it was dreadfully discourteous of them, perhaps you'd like to see a copy of my Fathers family tree before you decide whether you can cope to spend a few nights in the same house as me?"

Remus looked aghast, "Tonks, gosh, no I'm so sorry…"

Tonks angrily waved away his attempt at an apology, "No, no need to apologise. Not as if you're alone in your thinking. Not a single member of the Auror department wished me a Merry Christmas as they all left the office party. Well, except Kingsley, thank God for him. He and Arthur seem to be the only people in the Ministry that don't flinch whenever I walk past them. Don't worry, I'm sure everyone you tell you had to spend Christmas with a member of the Black family will be as horrified as you were when you realised who I was. How did you know by the way?"

Tonks met Remus' gaze for the first time since he had started apologising, "I've met both you're parents several times, though not for many years. I used to visit your Mother in the summers, with one of my very best friends in the whole world."

Tonks looked at Remus, confusion bringing back the tension at the bridge of her nose, "Your best friend?"

Remus looked at her, his face, though not wearing a smile still looked kindly as he answered her gently, "Yes, Sirius Black."

"Oh sh…"

"It doesn't matter Arthur; you can fix it later." Molly bustled into the living room, carrying a tray of hot chocolates and biscuits, which by the smell of it, she had just whipped up. "Sorry dears, hopefully we'll actually get to sit down with you and catch up after dinner, you both know how it is around here, never a dull moment. Arthur still has the motor contraption cluttering up my kitchen table. Are you both alright keeping each other company, whilst I make a start on dinner?"

Remus took the tray Molly was still holding and placed it on the coffee table which sat between the chair Tonks was in and the sofa where Remus had perched.

"Of course, Mol. We'll be fine." Tonks smiled at the woman kindly. Grateful that she might get a chance to remove her foot from her mouth and apologise to Remus.

Molly retreated into the kitchen leaving Remus and Tonks sitting in silence once more. Remus took a sip of his hot chocolate and Tonks nibbled on a biscuit.

"I'm sorry." They said simultaneously.

"You're? No! I'm sorry!" Tonks exclaimed letting her head fall into her hands. "Work has been so shit since he escaped. I jumped to conclusions." She looked up at Remus again, "I did exactly what I've been so annoyed at everyone else for doing and prejudged you. I really am sorry."

Remus shook his head, "No need. Really. Considering everything you've had to deal with; it was a completely understandable conclusion to jump to. I've had a similar reaction from people the past few months. Old rumours, whispers that I thought had been locked away with him years ago, coming back to haunt me." Tonks stood and picking up the biscuit plate moved to sit on the other end of the sofa from Remus.

Offering him the plate she said, "That must be really tough."

Remus nodded, "Mmm, it hasn't been easy. Though I am lucky, for the most part, the staff at Hogwarts remember me from my student days and have been very welcoming and accepting."

Tonks snorted, "I'm guessing Snape is the exception to the for the most part."

Remus smiled, "Got it in one. He never was a fan of us… Sirius, James Potter and I – we were all in the same year at school."

"Bollocks were you!" Tonks exclaimed around a biscuit before covering her flaming cheeks with her hands, "Sorry, I just… well you don't look old, I mean, I would never have thought you were the same age as Snape. You look, you look, er…."

Remus chuckled, a sound, that had Tonks not been so mortified, she might have realised was very pleasing. "Thank you. Sadly, it is true, Snape and I are the same age. Just so I know… how old did you think Snape was?"

Tonks thought about morphing the blush that persisted on her cheeks, "Erm, well I guess I assumed by now he'd be into his mid-40's but clearly he has had a hard life because you look, well you look, erm" Tonks cleared her throat, wanting the sofa to open up and swallow her, "You can't be more than early 30's."

Remus smiled, "I'm 33. Snape started teaching in his very early 20's at Hogwarts. I always assumed Dumbledore took him on so young because he wanted to keep a close eye on him."

Tonks, feeling her face returning to a normal hue, decided to change the subject, "So you've met my parents, that's a strange thought."

Remus smiled and took a sip of his hot chocolate, "Yes, I believe, erm we've actually met a few times too. Though I seem to remember your hair being much shorter and your nose resembling that of a whole host of farmyard animals."

Tonks wrapped her arms around her face, "It's true what they say, never let anyone outside your own family see you with a pig snout for a nose." As she spoke her nose changed, flattening and widening, two little holes forming in the middle.

Remus' head fell back as he laughed loudly, "You're a metamorphmagus. How wonderful."

Tonks grinned, his laugh was even kinder than his smile, "I am." She said, returning her nose to normal and her hair to pink and spikey. "The hair was for Ginny – she likes it when we look like sisters. Not everyone thinks that you know."

Remus' brow furrowed, "Thinks what?"

"That being a metamorphmagus is a wonderful thing. The whole Black family connection has just compounded the fact that some people already believed I'm not to be trusted. Ability to shapeshift, morph myself to look like anyone I choose. Some people have a hard time believing it's a skill I would only ever use for good…and you know, for the occasional prank." Tonks winked at Remus, but he looked pensive.

"I know exactly what you mean. People definitely find it hard to trust those that take on more than one form. Even when it isn't something that can be controlled. Tonks, as you didn't know I was coming or who I was, I'm assuming the Weasley's have never mentioned me?"

Tonks shook her head, confused. "No, I knew Bill would be in Egypt, Charlie in Romania and Ron had asked to stay at Hogwarts with some friends, but they didn't mention anyone else would be joining us."

Remus looked away and nodded. "Hmmm."

"Remus, is everything OK?"

Remus looked at Tonks, he seemed uncertain about what he wanted to say next, "Yes. It's just, well. There is something I think perhaps I should tell you, since we've already dodged a few miscommunications this evening already and you've been so open with me…"

Tonks nodded, unsure what he could be about to tell her. For a while he didn't say anything.

"Tonks, I'm a w…"

"Where is it Fred? Mum said you had to GIVE IT BACK!"

"Ginny come and set the table, Fred, get George, dinner will be ready in five minutes."

Taking pity on the youngest Weasley, Tonks joined Ginny at the dining table, with a swish of her wand, plates began to march from the kitchen and lay themselves, with cutlery and glasses following.

Remus followed Molly into the kitchen and came back out carrying a jug of water.

"Well, sit, sit everyone. Eat up, there is more than enough to go around." Tonks almost snorted, that was an understatement if ever she'd heard one. There was roughly enough food on the table in front of them to last them the whole 12 days of Christmas. The dinner passed as chaotically as Tonks hoped it would. Fred and George excitedly told her and Remus about a new product they were developing that made you puke, perfect for getting out of class. That conversation was abruptly ended by a stern word from Molly, warning there would be serious consequences if they continued to mess about at school instead of studying. Arthur seemed amused by his sons' endeavours but hid that from Molly expertly. Ginny sulked and grumbled about her rememberall, so Tonks made her hair long and red again to cheer her up. By the time she was also wearing a dog snout for a nose, Ginny was chuckling once more, as, Tonks noticed with a little satisfaction she couldn't quite explain, was Remus.

After seconds had been forced upon the guests and pudding was eaten, the Weasley children were set with the task of clearing up. Remus and Tonks' beg to be allowed to help had been totally dismissed by Molly, who had finally sat in the chair next to the fire and chatted with them both, Arthur occasionally pitching in when he wasn't completely engrossed in the muggle car manual he was reading. Eventually Molly nodded off in her chair, a scarf still knitting itself next to her.

Tonks went to chat to Ginny, leaving Arthur and Remus to catch up without her. As she slowly ascended the stairs to Ginny's room, she mused on how weird tonight had felt. Maybe it was because Charlie wasn't here, or perhaps it was because they had Remus staying too, but somehow Tonks felt that, for the first time, she was being treated as an adult, not another Weasley kid. Molly hadn't allowed her to help with the cooking, insisting she stay and chat to Remus. When the kids had gone off to their own rooms, Tonks hadn't felt like she wanted to join them, preferring instead to catch up with their parents. She hadn't even been allowed to help with the cleaning up – though that could just have been Molly's way of protecting her china. Perhaps this was just how it felt to be almost 21. If Charlie were there, would they have been sat round with Remus, Arthur and Molly, chatting amiably? It all seemed terribly grown up – she snorted at the thought.

Still, she felt that she had neglected Ginny. "Hey Gin. How you doing?"

Ginny beamed as Tonks entered her bedroom, "I'm good. Though I'd be better if Hermione had come to stay with us. It's so boring when it's just me and the twins, they never let me hang out with them. It'll be better now you're here though. Unless you're going to be spending all your time with Professor Lupin like you did tonight?"

Tonks tried to mask her surprise, had she really spent all evening with Remus? "I was just being polite Gin, we've never met before, so we were just getting to know each other, hopefully make it less awkward as we all spend the holidays together. Don't you like him? He teaches you defence doesn't he?"

Ginny beamed, "Yeah, he's a wicked teacher. Best we've ever had. You know, last week of term, he actually let us all duel. He had really strict rules of course, but I was paired with a girl from Hufflepuff, so it was all friendly and fun. He was really impressed with the ant attack hex you taught me. Said he'd love to meet whoever had come up with it."

Tonks smiled, "That sounds like a brilliant lesson."

"It was. I had so much fun, but I learnt loads as well. He came around and talked to us about how we were standing and holding our wands. I had no idea it mattered if I slouched when I aimed a hex. Everyone things he's great. It's everyone's favourite lesson. Even most of the Slytherins enjoy it."

Tonks was transfixed by Ginny's enthusiasm, she wondered if Remus knew the positive influence he had on his students.

"It is still a bit weird though – you know, having your Professor stay for the holidays."

Tonks laughed, she would have felt the same at Ginny's age, or perhaps even now, if it had been Flitwick or Sprout. "It doesn't have to be weird."

"It already is. He's been visiting Mum and Dad ever since I can remember and I used to call him," Ginny lent in as if about to impart some secret codename, "Remus. But I'm sure McGonagall would know if I did, and she'd probably deduct like 100 house points from me or something."

Tonks tried to look pensive, not wanting to make light of Ginny's discomfort, "well, why don't you talk to Remus about all this. I'm sure you can figure out a compromise. Something you can call him that isn't Professor or Remus."

Ginny smiled, "uhuh. So, what new hexes do you have for me? Fred still hasn't given me back my rememberall."

Tonks peered out into the hallway to make sure no one was listening in, then lent in towards Ginny conspiratorially, "Well, there is one… it turns bogeys into large bats…"

After chatting with Ginny and promising they would go flying once the weather would allow it, Tonks went back downstairs. Fred and George were in the dining room, arguing over something or other and Molly was still asleep in her chair. Arthur was reading by the fire and Remus… was nowhere to be seen. Assuming he had retired to his room early, Tonks decided to go for a walk.

Wrapping her cloak tightly round her and knotting her long purple scarf around her neck, Tonks stepped out into the Burrow Garden. The bracing air hit her face like a splash of cold water. The silence of the English countryside on a December night was a welcome solace after a few hours inside the Burrow. Tonks enjoyed the sound of the crunchy snow beneath her feet and the smell of more to come in the air. Making her way to the wall that lined the perimeter of the Burrow garden, Tonks jumped up, her legs dangling over the edge. Between clouds so grey, that they had to be holding vast amounts of snow, Tonks could see the odd star, twinkling brightly against a black sky.

"Mind if I join you?"

Tonks jumped a little, "Oh, I didn't hear you. No, please do…"

"Umph," Remus exaggerated as he hopped up next to her, "I suppose I'm lucky I'm still able to jump up onto a wall really, being as old as Snape."

Tonks scowled at Remus and pinched his arm playfully, "I thought we made a solemn vow to forget all of the utterly embarrassing things I have said and done tonight."

Remus' eyebrows disappeared into his fringe, "Did we? You must forgive me, at my advanced age, I can't be expected to remember these things." He smiled at her and wagged his eyebrows, "I suppose if you were to list the instances you specifically want me to forget, I could make that vow now."

Tonks narrowed her eyes, "You want me to list all my most embarrassing moments from this evening?"

Remus smiled widely, "Well if you don't remind me which ones to forget, there might be one you wanted me to forget that I end up remembering."

Tonks scoffed, "Well, firstly I jumped to conclusions…"

Remus patted the index finger on his right hand, "Jumped to conclusions, forgotten."

"Then I swore at you and called you old."

Patting the middle finger on his right hand Remus said, "You did, though I'll take solace in the fact that at the time you thought I was much older than I actually am…though now I say that out loud I'm not sure there is any solace in that at all."

Tonks pinched Remus' arm again, "Ow! I'm going to have to remember you're a pincher."

Tonks gave him the most innocent looking expression she could muster, "Only when cruelly provoked. I didn't think you were old at all, you're lovely, I mean you er, look good. Not old."

Remus' smile looked distinctly smug. "So, what else am I vowing to forget."

"Oh!" Tonks head fell into her hands, "The pig snout. I can't believe that was the first thing that popped into my head."

Remus laughed loudly, "I thought it was charming."

Tonks snorted, "Charming? Could you tell my mother that please?"

Remus placed his hand on her shoulder, pulling it back just a little so he could see her face more clearly, "Sorry, judging by the noise you just made, I just thought you might be morphing a pig snout again, it's hard to see out here in the dark. I'd be delighted to let Andromeda know I find her daughter morphing into farmyard animals to be delightfully charming anytime I am in the same vicinity as she is."

Tonks looked a little away from him, hoping that he couldn't see her nose or the blush that had flushed her face.

"So," Remus continued, "I'm forgetting, jumping to conclusions, old," he counted on his fingers, "pig snout, anything else?"

Tonks rolled her eyes as she thought, "Oh when I smashed all those glasses."

Remus put his hand down and looked at her more seriously, "I already don't remember that happening."

"No, you weren't there. It happened when I went into the kitchen to get some water, but Fred and George witnessed it, so they are bound to tell everyone what a clumsy witch I am; so, when they tell you, remember to forget it."

Remus smiled, "Smashed glasses, got it. Is that all of them?"

Tonks looked down at her feet as she kicked them off the wall, "Erm, you could forget this conversation too. That would be great."

Remus shook his head, "No, I don't agree to that last one. I don't want to forget this conversation. How would I remember to forget all the other things you don't want me to remember, if I forget the conversation during which you listed the things you want me to forget?"

Tonks was glad Remus couldn't see the goofy smile on her face, or she'd have to add that to the list too. "Well, when you put it as concisely and succinctly as that…"

Remus leaned his head to the side, so it was closer to hers, lowering his voice he said, "Besides, I don't want to forget this conversation, if I did I'd have to forget that you called me lovely. I wouldn't ever want to do that. Well, I best get to bed. It's been a long day. Are you staying out…"?

"No, I'll come in with you. Definitely time for bed."

Remus jumped off the wall with a spryness which proved that he certainly wasn't old and then offered to help Tonks. Deciding that she had embarrassed herself enough for one night, she agreed, and he placed his hands on her waist as she jumped down. Hands still on her waist he looked down at her, "Well goodnight then Tonks. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and forgetting you this evening."

Tonks smiled, "You too Remus. I look forward to spending Christmas with a man with such a terrible memory."

Remus removed his hands from her waist as the pair began to walk towards the Weasley's back door. As they took their cloaks and scarfs off, then began to walk upstairs together Remus said, "Yes, I will have to be careful with that, if I start to forget too much, you won't be the only one calling me old."

Standing outside their respective rooms, Tonks quietly admonished him, though the smirk on her face made it less effective, "You were meant to have forgotten that!"

Remus sighed, "I know, I'm sorry! It's just hard trying to remember so many different things to forget."

Tonks poked her tongue at Remus who returned the childish gesture before the pair of them retreated into their rooms.

Tonks closed the door behind her and lent against it. Closing her eyes, she tried to calm her racing heart. When had it started to beat so fast? The stairs. It must have been all those stairs.

Not the way Remus had looked at her, the feeling of his hands around her waist as he'd lifted her off the wall. The sound of his laugh and the crinkle of his eyes when he smiled.

No, it was the stairs. Definitely the stairs.

SO there we have it - chapter 2! Please don't forget to remember to leave me a review. Every comment, PM, fav and follow really does mean a lot to me. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this fic and let me know what you think. Thanks for the ideas about what Tonks should get Ginny - keep them coming, I've still not written the Christmas morning scene, but will be over the weekend. :) Stay safe all and stay home if you can.