A/N: As promised, a few chapters going up tonight. Hope you enjoy! All of your feedback, whether reviews, follows or adding this fic to your favourites are all so appreciated! :)

Chapter 16 – Not bad for a boss.

Remus and Tonks walked together in silence towards their living quarters. Had he really just told her she was perfect and extraordinary?

Tonks found that when she had to morph mid run, whilst chasing bad guys, she could do it almost without thinking, but right now as she walked alongside Remus, it was taking all of her focus just to morph the blush from her cheeks.

The next few days flew by in a blur for Tonks. Harry seemed to have left a huge amount of the semesters work to the last few weeks of school and so he, uncharacteristically spent most of his time either in the common room or library. She had a portrait outside Gryffindor common room, the inhabitants of which were more than happy to hop into the portrait in her quarters and let her know if Harry was leaving the common room. He really did seem to be working hard... or panicking that he had left everything to the last minute – Tonks could remember that feeling well.

She had been spending a lot of time in her own company during the day and much of her free evenings in the company of Remus. The fight, the awful things said and accusations levelled after that quidditch match, which she had worried could have ended their friendship seemed to instead have bought them closer together. Never the sort to simper and flutter her eyelashes, Tonks had another reason to dislike her cousin, Sirius Black – until he was caught; Tonks was stationed at Hogwarts on official ministry business. She could not ask Remus to go on a proper date with her, though it felt like they had already had so many cosy nights in together. They were somewhere awkward, in between friends and more than friends.

Remus was different. He was not like anyone she had ever dated before. Sure, he was older, but more than that, he was kinder, wiser and more exciting than anyone she had ever met.

And over the past few weeks they had got closer and closer and closer until…

He had cut her off.

The chats, the tea, the getting together each evening after dinner, it had all come to an abrupt stop. Without warning, Remus had gone from sweet and attentive to, she was certain, actively avoiding her.

At first she was worried, then she was angry. Why did men do this? Was it a fun game for them to get to know someone, seem interested and then disappear?

The last few days though, the anger had ebbed away and given way once more to concern. Remus wasn't in the great hall at meal times and his classes had been taken over by Snape!

She was sure that Remus would never allow Snape to cover for him unless it was imperative. She was relieved when she received a patronus from Dumbledore asking her to join him for tea. Not only had the absence of Remus left her with a lot of free time, she was hopeful all of her Auror training would help her to slip in a nonchalant question about Remus.

The walk to the Headmasters office from the living quarters was not an unfamiliar one for Tonks, she felt certain she could walk most of the castles hallways blindfolded. Approaching the gargoyle, she had dreaded the sight of as a student, Tonks said clearly, "Fizzing Whizzbees".

The Gargoyle snorted disapprovingly, "Didn't you visit enough when you were a student." Before moving to the side and allowing Tonks to step onto the Griffin statue adorned stairs, which would take her to the headmaster's office.

"Tonks! Come in, do have a lemon drop, one my favourites you know. Kingsley was just telling me a most fascinating story from his most recent trip to Egypt."

Tonks did not realise she had stopped moving and stopped breathing. Kingsley was here. Why was Kingsley here? He normally told her if he was visiting the castle. Dumbledore continued to talk but she could not hear him over the pounding in her ears.

"Tonks, I'm sorry for just showing up. I needed to speak with Dumbledore, as well as you and Remus."

Tonks sat in the chair next to Kingsley worried her legs might give out. She was certain this was about her report.

"No problem Kingsley, always happy to see you." Tonks attempted a smile.

"I'm not sure you'll think so. I was just informing the headmaster that on orders of the Minster for Magic, Remus Lupin is now a person of interest in the Black case. I'll need to question him, here for now, although I imagine Fudge will not be happy until he is questioned formally back at ministry headquarters."

Dumbledore coughed. "And as I was just explaining to Kingsley, I am sure Remus will be glad to help in any way he can, though I fear he won't be much use to you. I was also just about to inform you Kingsley that Remus is currently in no fit state to be interviewed by anyone, he is sick. Has been for a few days now. He is on bedrest,"

As Kingsley flinched and looked as though he wanted to interrupt, Dumbledore raised his hand, "Headmasters orders I'm afraid Kingsley. I have no doubt once Remus has had the holidays to recover, he'll be perfectly happy to answer any questions you and Fudge require of him, but for now I must ask that you let the man alone."

Tonks had always admired Dumbledore. It was masterful how he spoke so eloquently, politely and compassionately whilst still leaving no doubt, even in the mind of the head of the auror department that there was no room to argue.

Tonks tried not to allow her relief to show. Thoughts were tumbling around her head. She had known even naming Remus that there was a possibility this could happen, but she had thought, she had hoped that Kingsley trusted her judgement.

His presence showed he clearly did not.

After a brief conversation with Dumbledore about arrangements for the holidays, and agreeing she would be needed at Hogwarts for most of them, as Harry was planning on staying over Christmas, Tonks asked if she could be excused, not wanting to face her boss alone.

"Tonks!" Tonks wondered for one childish moment if she could pretend not to have heard Kingsley chasing down the corridor after her.

"Oy, don't try and skulk away, you know you'll have to speak to me eventually." Tonks stopped and allowed Kingsley to match her stride.

"It wasn't me."

Tonks stopped. "What wasn't you?"

Kingsley rolled his eyes. "I know you better than you would like to believe Tonks. I know you're pissed at me. But it wasn't me who decided to make Remus a person of interest."

Tonks crossed her arms and continued to walk, "I don't remember sending my report to anyone but you Kingsley. I understand, you were just doing your job."

Kingsley gently tugged an arm, "The angry red hair would suggest you don't. But honestly, it was not me. Not only do I trust your judgement Tonks, I happen to know Remus; he is a good man with a tragic past. He doesn't deserve to be dragged back into all of this."

Tonks stopped walking, "Well who then?"

Kingsley looked uncertain, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. "Wainwright."

Tonks was confused. "Why would he do that?"

Though his hair didn't turn flame red, it was now Kingsley's turn to be pissed off, "He read your report before he submitted his own, adding an amendment that he felt you were too close to Remus to judge the situation properly."

Kingsley placed a hand on Tonks shoulder as she tried to interrupt him, "I know, he had no right. I called him in to speak to him, give him a chance to explain his report and give me empirical evidence you were too close. When he started spouting lines like, 'I don't like the way he looks at her', I knew it was Wainwright that was too close. Why didn't you tell me when I assigned him here with you?"

Tonks, having reached her quarters, took out her wand and unlocked her door, "There wasn't much to tell; I thought he was interested in me when we were training together, but he didn't tell me he had a partner. We spoke about things when we first arrived here and I thought he had taken it all quite well. He was jealous about Remus but I nipped that in the bud too…at least I thought I had."

Kingsley took the tea Tonks offered him and slinked into the nearest chair. "Well, unfortunately I'm afraid he hasn't gotten over you quite as well as you have gotten over him Tonks. When he sent his report to me, he also copied in Fudge. I was ready to dismiss the whole thing when I got a memo from Fudge with direct orders. Dumbledore will be able to stall; after all, the ministry cannot interfere at Hogwarts without permission, not unless a crime has been committed. However, we will have to question Remus eventually."

Tonks could tell Kingsley was as frustrated and disappointed as she was. "I understand Kingsley. Thanks for letting me know. I guess I should find Wainwright and have another chat. I am so sorry my personal life has affected the case. I swear it won't happen again."

Kingsley smiled, "I wouldn't make promises you can't keep Tonks. We are aurors, highly trained specialists, but we are also witches and wizards with blood in our veins and hearts in our chests. We cannot control who we fall in love with more than anyone else can. As long as you are always 100% honest with me – I can always help you. Wainwright was in the wrong here, not you. He has been reassigned. I cannot have someone who undermines their superiors. If he was concerned about your relationship with Remus he should have spoken to you about it, he went about things in the wrong way. Anyway, I know Remus; he's an interesting guy, with interesting stories, who wouldn't want to be friends with him."

Tonks appreciated that she had a boss who was stern and expected the best from his team, but was also compassionate and kind – traits Dumbledore would be proud of. She felt slightly sorry for Wainwright, but she was relieved he had been assigned a different case. "Thanks Kingsley. I appreciate everything. Your confidence in me especially."

Kingsley drained the rest of his mug and stood to leave, "You've earned it Tonks. You really are an exceptional Auror with good instincts. Trust them as much as I trust you."

Tonks couldn't help but smile. "You're not bad you know…for a boss."

Kingsley treated Tonks to a hearty, deep laugh that seemed to echo around the castle walls, "I might just have that inscribed onto my office door, "Kingsley Shacklebolt, Head of the Auror Department, 'Not bad for a boss.'"

Tonks smiled, "I want credit mind! Make sure to reference me properly - Tonks, N. 1993."

Kingsley opened the door but before he could leave Tonks called out, "Oh and Kingsley, just for the record, I was never in love with Wainwright."

Kingsley nodded thoughtfully, "Oh I know. I wasn't talking about Wainwright."

Closing the door behind him, he left Tonks once again alone to her thoughts and most confused than ever.