As promised - may I introduce you to Professor Lupin...

Chapter 4 – 'Who really likes beige?'

The castle was eerie when not filled with students. Of course this wasn't a thought she could share with anyone, she was an Auror (technically still a trainee, but an Auror all the same) and she shouldn't feel chilled when walking down an empty corridor. People were relying on her. She'd had 3 years of intense training, during which time she'd fought with crazed criminals, tussled with wild witches and even once duelled with a vengeful vampire. Her training had prepared her for anything and although she still regularly had doubts, she knew that she was a competent Auror.

Still it was totally eerie.

Their perimeter searches had gone well, and Tonks was pleased with the extra security charms they'd added. She'd walked around Hogwarts most of the previous evening and all of the following day and she was exhausted. With so much ground to cover it had been a painstaking process but it was done and now her job would largely be to petrol the castle occasionally and keep an eye on Harry.

Dumbledore wanted to be briefed but she had an hour gap before he would be expecting her – plenty of time for a quick nap – had she really run around this castle only a few short years ago, never tiring from running up and down the miles of corridors and secret passage ways.

The room Dumbledore had assigned to Tonks was incredible. She was sure that every student who had attended Hogwarts had at one time been curious as to how the teachers living quarters looked, in fact she knew because many of her friends had tried to persuade her to morph into one of the teachers and go up there, but she'd always feared that a step too far – even for her.

She'd seen Professor Flitwick heading into a room down the corridor, but she had yet to see who occupied the room next to hers.

The door to her room opened to a living area, complete with a comfortable sofa positioned opposite an enormous fire place. In the corner stood an impressive book collection she was sure her father would envy next to which sat a window seat nestled neatly into the bay window over-looking the lake.

To the right of her living quarters was a luscious bathroom, which she was sure her entire flat could fit inside 5 times over. To the left was a bedroom with a glorious 4 poster double bed, covered with more blankets and cushions than it was possible to need.

Tonks feared the hardest part of this assignment would be convincing her to leave her room.

Still duty called and after a 20 minute nap and quick refreshing shower to revive her, Tonks was once again on her way to meet with Dumbledore.

She knocked on his office door and was told to enter. As she did her foot caught on something – what… a rug – there wasn't one, her own other foot – quite possibly, thin air – likely. Thankfully, whilst she was incredibly clumsy, Tonks also had wicked fast Auror honed reflexes and so it was that she stumbled rather gracelessly into Dumbledore's office – but at least she didn't fall flat on her face.

She smiled at Dumbledore, her cheeks turning pink as he chuckled "Quite an entrance Tonks, I was just telling Professor Lupin here that I was sure you'd make an instant impression on him." For the first time, Tonks noticed a man sitting in one of the armchairs across from Dumbledore's desk. He was thin but seemed sturdy, sensibly dressed in a beige cardigan with brown trousers such a similar colour to all the wood that made up the furniture in Dumblefore's office that Tonks felt sure that had Dumbledore not pointed out his presence, she may not have noticed him at all.

Until she saw his face.

His face was in such contrast with how he dressed. A mop a sandy coloured hair lolloped over his forehead, drawing her gaze to his eyes, deep green and displaying a sparkle often seen in Dumbledore's big blues. His face was etched with a few white lines at differing angles – clearly scars, her Auror training told her that much, but from what she couldn't tell, he seemed too placid to have so many scars, so plain, so…beige.

She had taken this comprehensive assessment of him in just the first few seconds – Aurors had to appraise people quickly – so she felt it was rather rude of her to judge him on his clothes or his looks, especially as it was the character trait she hated most in other people. Maybe, she thought with a smirk, he just really likes beige.

Who on earth really likes beige!

Dumbledore assured Tonks that she could speak freely in front of Professor Lupin and so she filled him in on the additions to security that had been made, "We've put detection charms on all known tunnels and passageways leading in and out of the castle. I tweaked them slightly so that they only activate for someone who isn't a known student – I didn't want to spoil the fun of any students who might happen to have discovered the secrets of Hogwarts that kept me entertained for so many years."

Dumbledore smiled, "But of course, we don't want to deter the students from roaming the castle and having fun, we just want to ensure they are safe. Did you find everything else to your satisfaction?"

Tonks nodded, we've deemed it best that all four of us shall be on duty when the students arrive. The chaos of the first day of term would be by far Black's best chance of getting to Harry or into the Castle. I will then ride up to the Castle in Harry's carriage with a handful of other students."

At this the man in beige cleared his throat and looked at Tonks apologetically, "Sorry, but if I may," he looked from her to Dumbledore who nodded, then back to her, realising he was waiting for her approval she nodded too, "is it wise for Harry to be accompanied to the Castle so closely. That is to say, might he feel a little put upon by having an Auror follow him around the minute he arrives. Whilst we all know it to be necessary, Harry knows very little about Sirius and the role he played in, in the," Lupin cleared his throat, "well about what he did."

Tonks was not upset by his interruption, he seemed genuinely concerned for Harry, but she didn't know how to respond. She wasn't ashamed of being a metamorphmagus, but it wasn't something she generally blurted out to every witch and wizard she met. Thankfully, Dumbledore spared her any further turmoil, "That won't be a problem, Tonks is very skilled at concealment and disguise, Harry need not know he is being accompanied by an Auror."

At this explanation she saw Lupin visibly relax. After a few more details were discussed, the three began to say their goodbyes. The professor standing to leave first.

"I must be leaving Albus, I need to sort out a few things before the start of term."

Dumbledore stood and nodded, "Yes, thank you for coming in to see me today Remus. You've got your ticket for the Hogwarts Express? Are you sure that you'll be able to bring all your belongings with you on the train, I can arrange for someone…" Remus cut Dumbledore off.

"Albus, I assure you I have little that I need to bring, you have supplied me with such beautiful living quarters, a few clothes and books is all I shall be bringing with me."

Dumbledore smiled and patted Remus on the shoulder, "Very well, I look forward to seeing you at the feast. I'm so glad you accepted my offer Remus, it is so very good to see you back amongst these old walls."

Tonks watched as something silently passed between the two men, Remus clearly thought very highly of Dumbledore and vice versa. As Remus left, Dumbledore turned to address Tonks but she was already stood ready to leave too.

"Sorry Dumbledore, I just had a thought. I'm going to catch Professor Lupin before he leaves. We'll be doing a final walk through tomorrow before the students arrive, I'll be sure to inform you of any issues."

With that Tonks ran down the stone steps and into the long corridor, Remus was taller than he had seemed slouched in the comfortable armchair and was already halfway down the long stretch.

"Professor Lupin!" Tonks shouted, as she did so she could hear her mother's voice telling her how unladylike it was to wail at someone, but desperate times… Lupin stopped and turned, giving her time to jog along the corridor and catch up with him. "Sorry to shout after you! I just wondered if you could do me a favour." Lupin was smiling at her, a smile that she found for some reason she couldn't fathom, quite disarming. "Erm, well, yes – so I wanted to be on the Hogwarts Express, or at least there to check it before the students arrived but Dumbledore wants me here when the students arrive. If it's not too much trouble could you just do a quick sweep of the train before the kids get on."

Lupin continued to smile, "I'm happy to help in anyway I can Miss, Tonks is it?"

Tonks couldn't help but smile back. "Thanks, and it's Tonks, just Tonks."

Remus took the hand she offered and shook it, "Tonks then, and please call me Remus."

Yay! Now they've met - and are on a first name basis (sort of), the fun can begin! Hope you enjoyed this - oh and if you have any particularly strong feelings either way about the colour beige - feel free to leave a review and let me know :D