Chapter 7

Wednesday was not the best day for Tonks. That night was the full moon, so she was worried about Remus. Also, as much as she loved her parents, her mother always asked so many questions and wanted to know, and to some extent control, every aspect of her life. Her father was more laid-back and easy-going, but she sometimes felt as if he knew exactly what she was thinking as soon as he looked at her, and it was quite unnerving.

She steeled herself and rang the doorbell. "Hello, Nymphadora. I'm so glad that you could join us." Andromeda's tone was cool, but Tonks knew that she was in fact glad to see her.

Ted grabbed his daughter in big bear hug. "It's been too long, Dora. Your mother tells me that you have a new beau." He was smiling widely. "I do hope that he doesn't have too many tattoos and piercings."

Tonks laughed as the image of Remus with tattoos and piercings flitted across her mind. "Mum told you correctly that I have a new boyfriend, and he does not have any tattoos or piercings. Honestly, though, I almost think you guys wanted to see him more than me."

"Sorry, Dora, how's work going?"

"Same old, same old. There's endless useless paperwork, and Scrimgeour mistrusts Kingsley and me." There really wasn't that much interesting to tell, and Tonks and her parents had agreed not to talk about the Order unless it was absolutely necessary. There was a pause, and she knew that Ted and Andromeda would not rest until they knew more about Remus. "Fine. You may ask me more questions about my boyfriend, but I reserve the right not to tell you everything."

Both Ted and Andromeda looked extremely pleased. Andromeda stood up and said that dinner was ready, and she was obviously planning how best to formulate her inquiries. As they sat down at the table, she asked, "Well, what does your mystery man do for a living?"

"He's very busy with my quidditch association right now." Both her parents seemed to understand her meaning. She knew the answer wasn't good enough, but she couldn't explain the reason for Remus' unemployment before they even met him.

Ted asked, "How old is he?" He seemed to sense that there was some reason that he and Andromeda might disapprove of him.

"He's thirty-five." There was no use hiding the information; it was the least of their reasons to be leery of Remus.

Andromeda pursed her lips. "That's a bit old, don't you think?"

"He's older than I am, but it doesn't change how I feel," Tonks snapped defensively. Ted looked pensive, but he didn't say anything.

Andromeda said, "You should have brought him along tonight. That way we could get to know him in person."

"He's indisposed tonight."

"Well, feel free to come with him some time soon. You seem to be serious about this one," Ted noted, smiling gently at her. She returned the gesture.

They spent several more hours catching each other up on their lives. Once she changed the subject, Tonks enjoyed her parents' company immensely. She left that evening with the promise to come back within a few weeks.

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Remus woke up on Thursday morning feeling as miserable as usual after a transformation. He dreaded the prospect of going all the way downstairs, but his stomach was rumbling. However, he found a nice surprise outside his door. There was a tray of food. It bore a cup of hot cocoa that was charmed to stay warm, some slightly burned toast, eggs, and a chunk of Honeyduke's best chocolate. He smiled as he read the note that said: From your friendly neighborhood Nymphadora. Remus ate breakfast in bed and then promptly returned to sleep.

A/N: sorry for the long update. I've been really busy at college. This is just a little filler chapter, but I thought it was cute.