Written for:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Creative Collection
Character - Sirius, Paired Character - Tonks, Prompt - "This is real life. You don't get to hit the rewind button when you make a mistake."

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Media Studies
Task 1 - Rocky Horror Picture Show - Write about giving into temptation.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Jewel Challenge
Labradorite - Ring: Write about Nymphadora Tonks

Back on Track

Characters: Sirius, Tonks

Voldemort Never Existed AU

xXx

Tonks ignored everything going around her. She knew she should be celebrating; it was her husband's birthday after all. And she was happy Remus agreed to a party even though it took her weeks to get a 'yes' out of him.

Still, she wasn't laughing. She wasn't dancing. She wasn't holding Teddy or cuddling up next to Remus.

What was she doing? Staring at the triple chocolate birthday cake that had already been cut, slices happily passed out.

She licked her lips. She had never loved chocolate quite as much as Remus, but it had been weeks since she had any sweets and nothing had ever looked so tasty to her.

Her fingers itched to grab it. Her mouth watered to taste it.

She wanted it badly.

She knew she should be strong. She was an Auror for Merlin's sake, but she couldn't be strong all of the time.

With greedy hands, she scooped a large slice on a plate and with her back to the room, she devoured it as if she hadn't eaten in days.

Almost immediately, the guilt over her lack of control settled over her. She escaped from the main room, going to a bedroom to wallow in self-recrimination.

She hadn't realized she was being followed. "It's not nice to leave your husband's birthday party."

"Go away, Sirius."

"What's wrong with my favorite second cousin?"

Tonks finally faced the annoying man. "Did you ever we do something and then wish you hadn't?"

"My one night stand with Marlene. It was just fun for me, but she actually liked me. I never meant to hurt her but that was what happened. Unfortunately, this is real life. You don't get to hit the rewind button when you make a mistake. All you can do is learn from it and do your best to not make the same mistake."

Tonks laughed slightly. "Okay, in comparison, my regret isn't that big of a deal. I had cake."

Sirius' eyebrows rose. "I saw. You really went at it too. Why is that so bad?"

Tonks lifted her shirt and pinched her stomach. While it once been completely flat, now a little flab was present. "I've been trying to get back to my normal weight from before I was pregnant. It hasn't been going well, and eating cake certainly won't help me."

Sirius pulled her into his arms. "Oh, Nymphadora."

"Don't call me that."

"You made a tiny mistake, but it's Remus' fortieth birthday. You're allowed to celebrate. This is a minor setback, and you'll get back on track tomorrow."

"You make it sound so easy."

"Of course it isn't easy. Nothing worth having is easy, but if you really want it to happen, you'll make it happen."

Tonks pulled back. "Thanks, Sirius."

"Let's get back to the party. I'm sure Moony is missing you by now."

Tonks nodded. Sirius really did make things feel so easy.

(word count: 485)