Chapter 5

Christmas Eve dawned cold and bright. There was snow on the ground, and Grimmauld place seemed unusually cheerful from all the decorations and presence of children. Everyone was sound asleep after one of Molly Weasley's famous feasts, every except Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. They were both pondering the adequacy of the presents that they had purchased for one another. Remus was not sure if his gift of a rainbow colored scarf was quite personal and special enough for his new girlfriend. Tonks was wondering if her gift was rather too sentimental.

Gradually, the rest of the house awoke, and everyone was seated around the kitchen table. Ginny, who had been persuaded by Kingsley and Sirius to get Tonks to tell her who her new boyfriend, was asking yet again, "So, Tonks, why do you seem even more cheerful than you did this summer?"

"For the last time, Ginny, I'm not going to tell you who my boyfriend is. I know Sirius and Kingsley put you up to it." Tonks' smile and twinkling eyes belied her exasperated words, but the subject was obviously closed. As conversations with the Weasleys so often did, the discussion turned to Quidditch.

Everyone spent an enjoyable day playing games and singing carols. Sirius was in an especially good mood among the kids, mostly because of Harry, and he didn't touch a drop of liquor all day.

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The next morning, everyone sat around the tree to open presents. Normally, the kids would have done it in their rooms, but it was cheerful to do it as a group. Everyone, of course, received a sweater from Molly Weasley and various sweets and trinkets. One gift was simply wrapped in brown paper and addressed to Tonks, but there was no name for the giver.

"Ooh! It's beautiful!" She immediately wrapped the fluffy rainbow scarf around her neck, even though it was rather warm inside. "Thank you…to whoever got this for me." She knew perfectly well that it was from Remus, but she couldn't let on, or their secret would be out.

Later in the day everyone visited Arthur at St. Mungo's. Then, Molly made a dinner that could have fed the entire Gryffindor house. All the inhabitants of Grimmauld Place relaxed into a fullness-induced haze. At Molly's insistence, everybody turned in early. Once again there were only two people awake in the house, and they were both sitting in the library.

Remus and Tonks were curled up on the couch together. Tonks said, "I really love my scarf."

"I'm glad. I was worried that wasn't personal enough, but it called out to me."

"Ah, that brings me to my gift for you. I was worried that it was a little too soppy." Tonks pulled out a small box wrapped in bright red and green paper.

Remus opened it gingerly. Inside the box was a string with three charms attached: a mug, a chocolate bar, and a book. Seeing Remus' slightly confused expression, Tonks said, "These are symbols for you. I couldn't come up with anything to put them on, so I just tied string around them."

He smiled at her, but he asked with just a hint of bitterness, "There were no wolves?"

"Yes, but that's the whole point. These things are truer symbols for you than a wolf ever could be," Tonks replied defiantly. Recognizing the true significance of her gift, Remus was very moved. He was slightly amazed at how well she knew him.

"Thank you, Nymphadora." He kissed her gently. He continued slowly, "I think we should tell Sirius about our relationship soon."

"I agree, although his continued attempts to get us together are quite amusing." They both chuckled at his antics like the charmed mistletoe that they had been "trapped" under several times. "What about everyone else?"

"Word of mouth? I'd rather not make a big deal about it." Remus sighed slightly.

"Sounds good. We are going to get so much flack as it is." With that discussion finished, they both relaxed back into a companionable silence. They gradually drifted off to sleep.

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The next evening Remus, Tonks, and Sirius were sitting in the library. Tonks said, "I'm ready to tell you who my boyfriend is, Sirius."

Sirius immediately perked up. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

She smiled coyly. "I just think it's time you should know."

"Can I guess, make a game of it?"

Tonks shook her head. "Sure. I don't see why not?"

"So, it is someone in the Order, right?" Tonks nodded. "Kingsley?" Tonks shook her head. She was confused about why Sirius went for him first, unless he already knew and was just stringing them along. "Charlie?" Tonks shook her head emphatically. "Moony, do you want to take a stab at it?"

"No, thank you." Remus was just watching Sirius suspiciously. He, like Tonks, thought the old Marauder might be up to something.

"Let's see. Mundungus?" Sirius asked with a wicked grin. Tonks once again shook her head. "I'm running out eligible bachelors. Unless, of course, you're the girl that Moony's been snogging in the here at night." Remus nearly choked on his tea, and Tonks just smirked.

"So, you did know. Since when?"

"Since your first date. I didn't believe that Moony was really going to a jazz club, but I played along because I was curious how long you guys were going to wait to tell me. And it was fun keeping a straight face and still trying to get you guys together." He looked very self-satisfied.

"I'm impressed, Padfoot. Keeping a poker face was never exactly your strong suit in our school days."

Sirius mock glowered, but his expression softened. "I really am happy for you guys." He avowed with uncharacteristic sincerity. "Although that will not save you from my incessant teasing."

Remus and Tonks smiled at each other. "We wouldn't have it any other way, Padfoot."