The meeting ends with Mad-Eye reminding the Order members about constant vigilance before sweeping from the kitchen and up the stairs. Molly stands, announcing that dinner would be ready shortly.

"I'm going to get too used to this," Sirius muses from down the table. "I haven't eaten this well in over 13 years."

"Right," Remus retorts, smirking. "What a shame it would be if Sirius Black lost his perfect figure."

"Oh, Mooney," he replies. "It's been gone for a long time now."

Nymphadora snorts, trying to hide her amusement behind her hand.

"Think that's funny, cousin?" Sirius chuckles.

"Yeah a little bit," she replies, weighing if she knew them well enough to joke back. "12 years in Azkaban can really do a number on you."

All three break out into laughter. She felt amazing, having not been able to joke like this since she met Jordan. He doesn't take jokes well, and they always end in a fight.

"Cous," Sirius starts again. "I need to ask. Are you married? Aren't you barely out of school, what are you married for?"

Nymphadora glances at her left hand nervously.

"Come on, Pads," Remus interjects. "James and Lily were married at 18."

"I'm 22," Nymphadora adds. Remus looks down into his lap awkwardly. Sirius notices this topic made her uncomfortable, so he stood up and changed the subject.

"Would you like a tour, cous?"

"Sure," Nymphadora replies. The three stand up and Sirius begins to point out features of interest around the house. Starting in the kitchen, he notes a pantry cabinet along the back wall and a couch in the opposite corner in front of a large fireplace. They then head back up the stairs, where at the other end of the hallway leading to the front door is a bathroom.

"This is where we're going to have meetings from now on," Sirius jokes, opening the door and revealing the toilet and sink. Nymphadora looks at him curiously. "I'm only joking."

He then turns around, walks back down the hall, and directly across from the portrait of her Great Aunt, opens a set of double doors to reveal a large, stately board room. The trio then take a staircase leading to the next floor, where there is a small living room space, complete with a fireplace and windows looking over the street below. Also, on this floor is a small bedroom with two twin beds.

"This is where…" Sirius trails off, looking to Remus to finish the thought. "Who's sleeping in here again?"

"Hermione and Ginny," he replies.

"Right," Sirius says. "The Weasleys are moving in next week."

They head up another flight of stairs, coming upon another small bedroom with two twin beds.

"This is for Ron," Sirius explains, looking sad. "And, uh, if Harry ever comes…"

He trails off, a note of pain in his voice. They pass a bathroom and come to a door at the end of the hall before the staircase.

"This is my parent's old room," he starts. He lays a hand on the doorknob but does not go so far as to open it. "Buckbeak lives in here now."

"Buckbeak?" Nymphadora questions.

"You remember?" Remus says. "Hagrid's hippogriff that was sentenced to death a few years ago? He and Sirius were on the run together until a couple months ago."

She nods, remembering the story in the Daily Prophet. Up to the third floor, they pass a small bedroom that Sirius explains is set aside for Fred and George. The next room, Remus opens.

"This is mine," he explains. Inside is a twin bed, a nightstand, and a dresser. It's rather small and dark. Next to Remus's room was a bathroom and the final room on this floor was empty. Sirius opens the door to reveal a queen bed and two dressers.

"Not enough to fill the whole house," he muses.

Up to the fourth floor is a large bathroom and two large bedrooms. Sirius identifies the first as his own and explains the other was his brother Regulus'.

"We keep it locked."

The final part of the house is the attic, which Sirius explained was too messy to show off. He also mentioned access to the roof was from this floor but decided it would be best if they headed back downstairs. Nymphadora follows the men back down to the kitchen, where Molly is finally serving dinner.

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Later that evening, after dinner, Nymphadora realizes that she needs to be heading home. She had stayed way longer than she intended to, but absolutely dreaded going home.

"I can walk you to the door," Remus announces, standing as she made her way to the stairs. Sirius raises an eyebrow at this.

"You'll have to plan to stay later next week, cous," he says. "We have a fine collection of liquor here."

She smiles, making a mental note of this. "Sure."

Remus follows her up the staircase and back down the hallway to the front door.

"Tonks-" he starts, voice catching in his throat. "Is that… was Sirius right?"

"Sorry, come again?"

"Are you married?"

Nymphadora feels her face flush and burn bright red, immediately morphing it away.

"No," she replies, and he lets out a sigh of relief. "I'm engaged."

"Oh," he says, looking awkward again. "Just, uh, curious."

She eyes him, noting his twitchy hands and nervous demeanor.

"Have a nice night," she says, opening the door to leave.

"You as well."

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