Hello! Anyone still out there reading this - thank you! I'm sorry for the delay! I have no excuse other than... life! So the good news is I'm back, I have this entire story mapped out and have almost 8 thousand words already written so I'll be posting fairly regularly. Thanks for sticking with me!

Banshee Banal

"You can't be serious!" Tonks exclaimed. "You're cheating."

Remus smiled, "How dare you!" He shouted in feigned indignation. A marauder never cheats. Schemes, lies, manipulates and embellishes – sure, but never cheats."

Tonks studied her cards – she had already lost every single hand that evening. She wasn't a particularly competitive person, but she had backed herself into a corner. She may have implied to Remus that she was a complete genius at Banshee Banal – she may have even used the words, Ultimate Champion. In her defence, he had been incredibly smug after beating her at Wizard Chess for the third time in the past week. So, she had suggested a new game – one she had always been good at, until it seemed, tonight.

Banshee Banal or Banshee Bollocks as it was more commonly known amongst Tonks and her friends involved collecting four of the same famous Witch or Wizard cards by answering general knowledge wizarding questions, then conjuring something which could fit in the palm of your hands related to that famous sorcerer. If your opponent guesses what you've conjured of you can't think of something, your opponent wins the set of witches of wizards and the cards scream like a Banshee.

Currently Tonks had one set of Helga Hufflepuff whilst Remus has eight sets needing only one more to win. He had guessed so many of her conjures correctly that she was sure he was somehow cheating.

"How – how could you possibly know that for Derwent Shimpling, I would conjure a mini motorbike?"

Remus smiled and learnt in as if he was about to impart some great secret. "Well it was obvious really."

Tonks threw her hands up in exasperation, "I'm going to need to see your workings Professor."

Remus chuckled and leant in even closer. "Well you see, obviously Derwent was famous for eating a tentacula and turning purple. So naturally you thought of Purple Rain and Prince which made you think of the huge poster for the film with Prince sitting astride a motorbike. Simple really."

Tonks shook her head, "It isn't simple unless you are in my head and track my thought process, which nobody and I mean, nobody has ever been able to do! You don't get labelled ultimate champion for no reason."

Remus was beaming, her exasperation made her hair spike and turn blood red. The odd spike of purple and yellow told him that she wasn't really that upset. Just definitely not used to losing this game. Tonks leant into him suddenly.

"Teach me. Tell me your secret. I won't tell anyone else I promise." The pair were sat so close, they looked like they were conspiring against some invisible third player.

"I think we just have to accept the sad truth that I know and understand you on a deeper, more personal level than you know me."

Tonks didn't know whether to hex the smirk off Remus' face or plant a big fat kiss on it. They were certainly sat close enough. Leaning against each other, her right leg occasionally brushing against his left. Honestly, if it meant she could keep sitting here at his table, snuggled with Remus, she would happily keep losing all night.

She was still convinced he was cheating though.

Tonks decided to play dirty. She leant in as close to him as she could and whispered into his ear in the breathiest voice she could muster, "In your dreams Lupin. I don't know why but some how you're cheating, I'm an Auror, we know these things. It might not be tonight, it might not be next week, or next month but eventually I will figure out your dirty little secret."

The effect was instantaneous, though not the one she had intended. She felt Remus' whole-body tense as though he had been hit with a body bind curse. Silence filled the room like a thick, heavy fog. Remus stood up and walked to his desk.

"I'm sure you'll conduct a thorough investigation which leads you to the truth," Remus said, a small smile on his face, though Tonks felt sure it was a little forced, "possibly more than you really want to know" he added with a frown.

"Anyway, it's getting late. I've got marking to do before I can join any more Christmas festivities so I'm afraid your investigation will have to start tomorrow."

Remus seemed friendly and genuine in the need to get some work done and if she was being honest with herself, she had stayed far too long as she also had loads to do. However, though she had no idea what or why, she knew with complete certainty that something about her whispered comment had upset Remus. At least unlike so many times before, he didn't seem to be pushing her away.

He even followed her to the door.

As she stepped into the hallway, she thought she heard Remus say her name barely above a whisper. Turning around she saw him leaning against the door frame, a sadness plaguing his kind face.

"I hope you know, that is..." Remus shifted uncomfortably and pulled at the sleeves of his cardigan, "I hope you know how much I value our friendship, how much I value you."

Tonks didn't wait a beat, she strode back to Remus and threw her arms around his neck and in reply, Remus slipped his arms around her waist. It was the kind of hug that makes you feel safe, warm and bereft as soon as it's over. Tonks kissed Remus on the cheek and walked back to her bedroom.

So I know this chapter is short but the next part if quite long and I had to stop it somewhere! Feedback really appreciated :)