AN - So, chapter thirteen! I loved writing this chapter. Honestly, I hadn't planned to post it yet. I had minor surgery yesterday and expected to be in the hospital for a few days, but God and the NHS both being amazing, I was able to come home the same day - and a day later, feel well enough to log on and post - so here we are. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen - A Wonderfully Awkward Tonks' New Year

Remus took a deep breath trying to slow his racing heart. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on nothing but the air coming in through his nose and out of his mouth, in and out, in and out. He stared at the black door stood in front of him, unsure whether this would be the last one he'd ever walk through. After all he'd overcome, the bite, the war, losing his friends – somehow this seemed like the riskiest move he had ever made. He felt a smaller hand squeeze his own.

"Ready?" Tonks asked, smiling up at him.

Remus shook his head and fiddled with his collar for the fifth time in as many minutes.

"Remus, come on… what do you think is going to happen if we go in there? What are you afraid of?"

Remus scoffed, "Oh I don't know, pain, mutilation, castration, death…"

Tonks laughed, "Remus, it's my parents New Years Eve party, not a death eater reunion."

"Is there one of those happening? Could we pop by there first? I'd take my chances against a rusty old death eater over facing your Dad any day."

Tonks laughed and rolled her eyes, taking Remus' hand more firmly in her own, she took a few steps further towards the door and rapped on it twice. "Nonsense, my Dad's a complete push over."

Remus looked at Tonks hopefully, "Really?"

Tonks looked back and smiled, "Oh absolutely. I mean he's a Tonks, it's a family trait. Now my Mum, on the other hand, well, she is a Black by birth..."

The grand door swung open suddenly,

"Hi Mum."

A tall slender woman with poker straight black hair stood opposite Tonks and Remus. Her lips a thin line. "Nymphadora, why on earth are you knocking on the door? You always Floo in."

Tonks nodded towards Remus who had dropped her hand the minute the door opened. "I've bought a guest, who of course doesn't have access to the Floo in yours and Dads front room."

Andromeda Tonks seemed to look at Remus for the first time. "No, no of course. I'm dreadfully sorry, how rude of me to keep you talking at the door, come in, come in."

Andromeda ushered the pair inside, taking their coats and with a swish of her wand sending them levitating upstairs.

"Can I get you both a drink?"

Tonks followed her Mother through a wide hallway into a small kitchen. "Nah, we're ok for now Mum, we came to help set up."

Looking at all the food sitting on the table in the dining room that adjoined the kitchen, Remus felt certain there couldn't be much left to do.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I think we are practically done. Let me get you both some wine."

Remus wasn't sure whether wine was a good idea, he could already feel his heartbeat in his mouth, was that normal? That wasn't normal. His palms were sweaty, a drink was a good idea, stop him from dehydrating – though not alcohol, that would make it worse. Had Andromeda asked him a question, did he need to answer? He couldn't remember.

Presumably seeing the terror written across Remus' face and assuming it was due to an aversion to wine and not because he was sleeping with her daughter and was terrified, she'd somehow know that fact, Andromeda smiled at him.

"Or I can offer you firewhiskey, butterbeer, sugarsherry, water?"

Feeling an elbow in his side from Tonks, Remus tried to gain control of his facial features and manners, "A butterbeer would be lovely, thank you." Too much alcohol was probably the last thing he needed right now.

"I don't think I've seen you since you were a boy Remus. It is Remus isn't it? I have never been able to instil the type of manners in my daughter that lead her to introduce her guests," Andromeda paused as she poured his beer into a glass and handed it to him, "Though as she hasn't bought anyone here for years, I was rather hoping she would have grown into the habit."

Tonks took the proffered drink from her Mother and rolled her eyes, "If you're going to start this early on, you may as well hand me the bottle."

Under different circumstances, Remus would have chuckled, as it was, he was trying to concentrate on not dropping the glass he was holding, his hands sweating so much he wasn't sure he could hold on to it much longer. Putting it down on the breakfast bar that stood between he and Tonks, and Andromeda, he realised, seeing her staring at him, that the latter was clearly waiting for a response from him.

"Oh, me, yes, I'm Remus." Seven years at the finest school of witch craft and wizardry, two spent teaching and studying in Switzerland with some of the magical worlds most brilliant minds, and another year back as a professor at Hogwarts and that was the best his brain could conjure up – a few sputtered words that barely formed a sentence. Oy vey!

"I remember you visiting once or twice with Sirius." As she said his name a glaze passed over her eyes and blocked by the breakfast bar he'd just placed his drink on, Remus automatically took one of Tonks' hands in his own and gave it a gentle squeeze. He knew how hard she had found it over the past 6 months not to share news of Sirius' innocence with her Mother, but word had come from Dumbledore himself that for now, only those in the Order needed to know.

"But that was a long time ago. And now here you are, my daughter's guest at our New Years Eve Party." Remus wasn't sure if he imaged the way she'd highlighted the word long – feeling Tonks squeeze his hand, he knew she would tell him it was just his own insecurities hearing things that weren't there – or that even if her Mother was making a subtle judgement about his age and therefore suitability to be dating her daughter, that Tonks didn't care. They'd had the conversation enough times that a look and the feel of her hand steadfastly in his was all he needed, to know what she would say word for word.

"Sorry, I should have told you I was bringing someone Mum, it was just a last-minute invite. Remus was saying at work that his New Year's Even plans had been cancelled so I lured him here to spend the evening with his colleague using the promise of good wine and great food."

Andromeda, to Remus' astonishment, pulled more food from the oven, where she was going to put it on the already overflowing dining table, he wasn't sure.

"Of course, it isn't a problem! You know what our parties are like Nymphadora, the more the merrier. I'm glad I at least raised you well enough to have the manners not to let a friend spend New Years alone. Now, would you go and get your Father. He has been upstairs faffing with his bow tie for the past 25 minutes at least."

Remus looked at Tonks and desperately tried to cram into his eyes a plea that she would not leave him alone with her Mother, but either not seeing the silent SOS or choosing to ignore it, Tonks bounded off down the hallway and disappeared up the stairs.

"Are you sure I can't help with anything Andromeda?"

Andromeda waved away his offer but continued to take food from the oven and plate it. "Don't be silly. You're our guest. So, tell me, when did they start letting Werewolves work at the Ministry for Magic?"

Remus was grateful that he hadn't been drinking as she'd spoken because he was sure he would have spat butterbeer over his girlfriend's mother if he had. "I… well…"

"Uhuh, I thought as much. I saw the article that dreadful woman Rita Skeeter wrote about the incident at Hogwarts last summer. Tell me, how long have you been dating my daughter?"

Remus, his mouth suddenly dry took a long swig of his butterbeer and regretted having not gone for firewhiskey. "We, I –"

Andromeda chuckled, "Come now Remus, you were a Hogwarts professor not six months ago and from what I remember from your occasional visits with Sirius, you were always an articulate, loquacious boy, so tell me, when did you meet Nymphadora?"

Remus swallowed, his throat feeling as though he'd been abandoned in the desert for days, "Christmas." Come on Remus! Full sentences. "We met at the Weasley's last Christmas, they invited me to stay for the holidays, Tonks and I have remained in touch ever since."

After placing yet another plate of food on the groaning dining room table, Andromeda swished her wand making it magically extend at both sides.

"So, you two have been dating for about a year." It wasn't a question, though Andromeda paused as though waiting for confirmation.

"Yes." Said Remus, because really, what else could he say? She wasn't fishing, she clearly knew that he and Tonks were an item. He just hoped he would be asked to leave quietly, before any guests arrived.

"Well, I'm glad she finally decided to bring you to meet us. Though why she decided to go with that nonsense about you two being colleagues, I don't understand. She never was able to lie to us convincingly, ironic really, given her morphing abilities."

Remus smiled, because he thought that was the right thing to do – she knew he was a werewolf and was dating her daughter and yet so far, she hadn't brandished her wand at him, threatened him, or even asked him to leave. This was going better than he'd ever dreamed it could.

"I think she was unsure about how you would feel, were she to tell you the truth. We both were to be honest."

Andromeda stopped fussing with the food and turned to face him, looking him straight in the eyes, "How old are you Remus, 33, 34?"

Here it came – "I'm 34. Almost 13 years older than Nymphadora. I know it's a big age difference and I've raised concerns about it with Dora several times, but – well she can be quite determined once she's made up her mind about something."

Was that a smile he saw flash across Andromeda's face? "Yes, she can be determined – although another word for it is stubborn. I've always suspected Tonks would never go for someone her own age, she's always been so level-headed, so put together, so sure of herself. Qualities I think, you'll forgive me for being harsh on your sex, take men a little longer to settle into. But I must admit my surprise at her bringing home a mild-mannered professor. I've tried to set her up with so many men like you…"

Remus couldn't help but interrupt, "You set your daughter up with werewolves more than 10 years her senior?"

This time Andromeda undoubtedly smiled, "Well, no – I supposed that's it. You aren't just a mild-mannered professor, you're mild mannered despite how appallingly I suspect the world treats you."

Remus looked down at his feet, unsure how much hurt would be visible on his face. He almost jumped out of skin feeling a hand gently touch his chin and raise his head. "I have no prejudices against you Remus, against what you are – I only care who you are. Sirius confided in me many years ago about your infliction. He was so distraught that there was nothing he could do to help you. He spoke endlessly about how selfless you were, how kind and thoughtful. If you're someone who my daughter feels is important enough to bring home, then I trust her judgement just as trusted Sirius'. But know this, werewolf or not, age gap or not, you're dating my Nymphadora now, so I'll be watching you. Just mind you don't hurt her."

Remus was too touched to be embarrassed by the tears he could feel pooling in his eyes. Never had he dared dream of such acceptance from any family member of the woman he loved. For in love with Nymphadora he absolutely, undeniably was.

"Thank you, Andromeda. I just want what is best for her. She's changed my life. I never thought I… well never thought I'd be lucky enough to be with someone like her."

At that moment the pair heard Tonks stomp down the stairs, pushing her Father in front of her. "Dad, the guests will have come and gone before you're happy with that bloody bow tie."

Remus heard a low rumble, a baritone chuckle, "You may hear over and over that you're a Tonks through and through, but never be fooled my dear, you have all the patience of your Mother."

"I heard that Ted!" called Andromeda.

Entering the kitchen, Ted Tonks spotted his daughters guest for the first time, "Hello. You must be Remus. Tonks was just telling me, in great detail, how the two of you know each other from work."

Remus squirmed, it was clear that like his wife, Ted absolutely knew he and Tonks were together. He didn't want to lie to Ted, right to his face, but he also didn't want to get on Tonks' bad side. She clearly thought she was doing a great job at pulling the wool over her parents' eyes.

"Tonks, could you help me move some of this food onto the table in the living room, I don't want everyone to congregate in the kitchen."

Tonks looked uncertainly between Remus and her Dad. "Er, sure Mum."

The two men alone in the kitchen, Remus cleared his throat, "I think you already know that we didn't meet at work."

Ted, who was sat at the breakfast bar fiddling with his bow tie chuckled, "How that girl goes undercover, I'll never know. She never could lie to us – not even small little white lies or lies of omission. We always knew what she had bought us for Christmas and birthdays, well before we got to tear off the wrapping paper."

Remus chuckled, forgetting his uneasiness for the moment, "That sounds like Tonks. She got so excited about the gift she got me this year, that every time I mentioned that I must get around to fixing my watch, or asked her the time, she would make such a big deal about having forgotten that it wasn't working. It was obvious, but a sweet gift none the less."

Ted nodded, "A sweet gift indeed. Not the sort one buys for a colleague."

His uneasiness returned like a lead weight dropping in his stomach.

"I, well… it was…"

Ted laughed, his deep baritone reverberating around the low beamed kitchen. "Oh relax Remus. We always knew when Tonks did bring someone home it wouldn't be some 9 to 5 Ministry Wizard – she's never had much interest in the ordinary."

Remus didn't know what to say. So, he remained silent.

"Tell me, how long have you been dating my daughter Remus?"

"Since last Christmas."

Ted nodded, "So before you were fired from Hogwarts then?"

Remus bristled, "I wasn't fired, I resigned. I felt it was the right thing to do."

Ted stopped messing with his bow tie, which had looked fine when he'd entered the kitchen, but which now sat open around his neck; and looked at Remus. "Right thing for who? From what I heard from friends with children in your class at the time, you were doing a fine job as Defence Professor."

Remus brown furrowed, if Ted had read the newspaper article which reported he'd been fired, clearly, he also would have read that Remus was a werewolf. "For the safety of the students. For Dumbledore – I knew it wouldn't be long before parents found out and of course, understandably, no one would want a… well someone like me teaching their kids."

Ted nodded slowly, "I see…"

"Or dating their daughter." There was no point beating around the bush.

Ted scoffed, "Honestly, of all the nightmare images I've had over the years of who Nymphadora might one day bring home Remus, you're faring pretty well."

Remus didn't know how to reply to that, surely, he couldn't be serious. "I'm sorry, you do know what I am?"

Ted batted away Remus' question, "You're a werewolf yeah, we know. Andromeda and I read it in that awful woman's article at the end of the summer. I'm not really interested in what you are, I assume you take every precaution at full moon to ensure my daughter is safe?"

Remus nodded emphatically, "of course."

Ted smiled, "I thought at much. Well then, what I am much more interested in, is who you are and what your intentions are for my daughter?"

Remus was really regretting not accepting the firewhiskey when it had been offered earlier.

"Come now Remus, you have said yourself, you and Tonks have been dating for over a year now, you must have some thoughts about where the two of you are heading?"

Remus swallowed the lump in his throat, "Honestly Mr Tonks…"

"Ted, please."

Remus smiled, "Honestly Ted, I have made it a habit never to think too far ahead. Relationships for me don't usually last this long." Remus realised how that might have sounded and rushed to add, "I mean, not for lack of wanting – just that women usually end up deciding life with a werewolf isn't for them. I've learnt to just enjoy the here and now and not ask too many questions."

Ted didn't look satisfied, "I'm guessing this is your first experience of meeting the parents then? Let me give you some advice, a Father doesn't like to hear that the man dating his daughter hasn't given any thought to their future. Though, in this instance, I suppose I can understand some caution on your side."

Ted resumed attempting to fix his bow tie. "However, I expect having seen for the past year that Tonks isn't going to run off, or decide dating a werewolf isn't for her and after tonight, seeing that you'll receive no opposition from myself or her Mother – that yours and Nymphadora's future is something you'll be giving a great deal of thought from now on, yes?"

Remus nodded, feeling a little like a schoolboy being scolded by the headmaster.

Ted stood and made to leave the kitchen, stopping when Remus cleared his throat, "I love her you know."

Ted turned and faced the greying werewolf stood before him.

"I know I said I hadn't given our future together any thought and that is true – only because the thought of Dora not being a part of that future terrifies me. I love her and I want what's best for her."

Ted took a step towards Remus, "And you're not convinced that's you?"

Remus sighed, it seemed Dora had inherited her perceptiveness from her Father. "Honestly, no. I think she could do 100 million times better than me, than what I can offer her. But she insists she wants to be with me."

Ted smiled, "That sounds like Dora."

Ted placed a hand on Remus' shoulder. "Remus let me give you some more advice. I learned a long time ago that when a woman in this family has made up her mind, there is absolutely no way you're going to change it. If Tonks says she wants to be with you – my advice would be, shut up and let her love you."

Remus felt like he must be having some bizarre daydream. He worried that he would come to any moment and he'd still be stood outside, staring at that big black door, Tonks by his side about to knock.

"Even if I don't deserve her?"

Ted squeezed Remus' shoulder. "No one will ever deserve her Remus. Just promise me you'll look after her, never lie to her, protect her to the best of your ability and most importantly that you'll love her, with all your heart."

Remus felt overcome with unexpected emotion. He'd never dared dream that he'd receive a Father's blessing to date their daughter. Yet here was Ted Tonks, giving him advice. Clearly Dora had also inherited her kind heart and compassion from her parents too.

Still attempting to fix his bow tie, Ted wandered into the living room where his wife and daughter were arranging food, "I'm not sure about this bow tie, I think I might go and grab an ordinary tie."

Remus stayed in the kitchen, hand on the breakfast bar to hold him up, trying to take in the conversations he'd just had with Tonks' parents. The wonderful, awkward, incredible, unbelievable conversations he'd just had.

They accepted him. Accepting him as a werewolf, that was uncommon, but accepting him as the werewolf who was dating their daughter – that was a miracle.

The rest of the evening past in a blur of amiable chats with party guests and concern that one of her parents' friends would recognise him and cause a scene, but no one did. Before he knew it, they had said goodbye, forced into promising they'd both come and visit in a few weeks and have dinner and were now back outside, the once looming, grand black door standing closed behind them.

Tonks took his gloved hand in her own. "See, that wasn't so bad was it? Mum and Dad are none the wiser, they totally believed you were a friend from work."

Remus chuckled at Tonks' triumphant smile and debated whether he could bear to break the news to her.

"Er, actually Dora, they know."

Tonks gawked at Remus, "No. What are you talking about? They think we're just friends, colleagues. If they suspected for even a second it was anything more, I would have got a grilling. That is what they always do…"

Remus grimaced, "Yeah – it seems this time they went with a different tactic."

Tonks raised her eyebrows, clearly waiting for Remus to explain.

"I got the grilling."

Tonks eyebrows disappeared into her fringe completely. "They grilled you. No! What did they say? I am so sorry. Let's go back, I'll talk to them…"

Remus gently tugged on Tonks' arm stopping her from turning back towards her parent's house. "Tonks stop – it's fine. They were both pretty nice about it all actually. In fact, they were incredibly kind. They already both knew I was a werewolf and didn't seem bothered by the thing that I've feared them knowing since the moment we started dating."

Tonks stopped walking and stared at Remus, "They know… how?! Urgh, that bloody article. They never read the Prophet. Trust them to read it the one time I was counting on them not to."

Remus ran his hand through his hair, "It seems Andromeda already knew. Sirius confided in her, many years ago, obviously. He was worried about me for one reason or another and he told her in the strictest confidence about my condition and of course she and your Dad saw the article Rita Skeeter wrote last year too."

"That bloody article!" Remus couldn't help but smile at the woman stood in front of him, eyes wide, biting her thumb nail in nervous anticipation. "So… what did she say about it? How did she react?"

Remus chuckled, "Honestly, she didn't seem to care. She seemed more bothered about the age difference. Though even that didn't seem to really surprise her."

Tonks nodded, "And what about Dad?"

Remus stopped walking and placing his hand on her arm turned her to face him. "He wanted to know what my intentions were. Towards you, us, our future."

Tonks gulped and closed her eyes. "And what did you tell him?"

"I told him that I love you."

Tonks eyes opened wide. The shock on her face slowly being replaced with a smile. "You did? You do?"

Remus gripped her hip and pulled her closer, "I do. I love you Dora. I'm sorry I told your Dad before I told you."

Tonks, her eyes pooling with tears laughed, "Yeah, that isn't exactly the order I imagined it would go in but," she paused and slid her hands up his chest, around his shoulders, linking them around his neck, "I love you too."

He kissed her gently, feeling lighter, happier and filled with more love than he had ever believed possible. With her in his arms, her lips touching his own, he felt for the first time as though his life wasn't cursed at all, but truly blessed.

"Besides," Tonks said as they continued to walk, "I told someone else I loved you before I told you too."

Remus couldn't help but smile, marvelling at hearing her again say that she loved him. "Who?"

Tonks smiled, "Sirius. He asked and you know I'm rubbish at lying to him."

Remus chuckled, "So I told your Dad I loved you and you told Sirius you loved me, before either of us had told each other. Is there anything normal about us, about our relationship?"

Tonks gasped, "Normal, us?! I should bloody well hope not!"

AN - Just to clarify, yes, this does jump ahead a year - I thought it unlikely that Remus would agree to go to Tonk's parents house that first New Year. As always, I appreciate all of the follows, favs and comments. Please do leave me a review and let me know your thoughts. One more chapter (split into two parts,) still to come! :)