Chapter 11

Tonks' hair had faded to a shade half way between pink and brown. Of course, there were times when she was happy, but worry for Remus always occupied the back of her mind. The nighttime was the worst. Most of her dreams were filled with Remus' living in the squalor of the pack or, if she was particularly upset, with Greyback's discovery that Remus was a spy.

Tonks usually went to Grimmauld Place for dinner and spent most of her free time there because the full house cheered her. One evening she was sitting with Molly after everyone else had gone to bed.

"How are you, dear?" Molly asked.

"I'm okay, Molly, not great, but okay." She knew Molly was just concerned for her wellbeing, but she simply wanted to stay as optimistic as possible.

"Have you heard from Remus at all?"

"No, he can barely get away to send Dumbledore a message once every few days. He has the lowest rank in the pack, and I'm sure they're suspicious of him because of how he's been living with regular witches and wizards and his supposed former closeness to Dumbledore." Tonks sighed. "I try to live by the mantra that no news is good news. If we haven't heard anything extraordinary, then I'm trying to convince myself that the mission is going as well as can be expected." She smiled weakly as if to reassure herself.

Molly nodded uncertainly. Suddenly, the portrait started screaming. Tonks ran to close the curtain. She found Harry and Dumbledore in the entryway. She was glad that she had a chore to do because she didn't want to look at Dumbledore. If she were completely honest with herself, Tonks would say that she blamed Dumbledore for Remus' mission. She knew that was irrational and that Dumbledore didn't want him to be there as much as she did, but he had to do what was right for the Order. However, every time she looked at him, Tonks felt her anger rise a little.

"Good evening, Miss Tonks."

"Hey, Tonks."

"Wotcher, Harry, Dumbledore."

Molly came bustling in and fussed over Harry as usual. She dragged him into the kitchen where Sirius was no doubt waiting to greet him.

Dumbledore stopped her for a minute and said, "I received a message from Remus today. He said that he is not making any progress yet, but that he is a little more accepted every day. He also expressed his hope that you are well." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at her slightly and her heart felt a little lighter.

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On September 1, Tonks rode the Hogwarts express for the first time in six years. She was patrolling the aisles on her way to start duty in Hogsmeade. When the train stopped, she heard soft noises coming from one of the compartments. She walked inside and didn't see anything, but she knew that something was there. She rooted around and eventually rubbed her hand over a lump on one of the trunk racks. She pulled an invisibility cloak off Harry Potter.

"Harry, what happened?!" Blood covered his face, and it looked like his nose was broken. "Episkey."

"I ran into Malfoy and some of his friends."

"Come on. I'll take you up to the castle." She sent a patronus to ask someone to let her in.

"Is your patronus different than it used to be?" It was a large dog-like form, with a tufted tail.

"Um, yeah."

"I didn't realize that patronuses could change."

"It's rare, but it happens occasionally." She realized that her concern for and love of Remus must have caused the transformation.

When they reached the gate, Snape was standing there sneering. "Of course, Potter could never just come in with the other students; he has to be special." Tonks glared at him. "And, Nymphadora, I think you should have stuck with your old patronus; your new one looks weak." Tonks wanted to tell him off, but she knew it wasn't worth it.

"Have a good term, Harry." She didn't bother saying goodbye to Snape.

She entered her new room at the Three Broomsticks, and then went down for some dinner. She sat with the other Aurors who were stationed in Hogsmeade. She despised Dawlish, who was in charge of everyone, but the others were nice enough.

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The first few weeks of her Hogsmeade duty were uneventful. She spent most of her days patrolling the school grounds. She spent her nights going to Order meetings or patrolling the village.

One day, about a month after Remus left, Dumbledore got word that Remus would be able to attend the next meeting. Greyback finally gave him enough trust to go out alone for an evening. Tonks was filled with anticipation, but she was also worried about his state.

The day arrived and Tonks was pacing in front of the front door while everyone else gathered in the kitchen for the meeting. Finally, the door opened and Remus stepped in. Tonks ran to him and wrapped her arms around his neck before she even had a chance to look at him. He returned her embrace with equal, if not greater, fervor. They kissed and Tonks wished that he never had to leave. When they broke apart, Tonks examined him. He was haggard and his skin had a grayish tinge to it, but he didn't look that worse for wear.

They went into the kitchen for the meeting. Everyone greeted Remus warmly, except Snape, who shot him a death glare. He never received a similar reception, despite the fact that his spy work was arguably as dangerous as Remus'. Dumbledore called the meeting to order, and they went through the agenda.

Remus spoke last. He reported the size and composition of the pack. He said that he still hadn't really made any inroads into opinions on the war, but that there were a few younger members who might be persuaded. There was also a new member; therefore, Remus did not have the lowest rank anymore. Overall, he thought that, if there were no major complications, he would be able to sway two or three werewolves from fighting for Voldemort within the next six months. Tonks didn't think that that made the mission worthwhile, but she supposed that she couldn't blame the pack for being so angry about the constant prejudice and hardships, especially Umbridge's new legislation.

After the meeting, everyone was talking and having nightcaps. Eventually, Remus and Tonks managed to be alone.

"How have you been, really?" Tonks asked concernedly.

Remus sighed. "Miserable. But nothing has gone terribly wrong so far. I knew that this assignment would be hell, but I have tried to keep your parting words to me in mind." Tonks smiled weakly. "How have you been?"

"Bored…and worried. Nothing very eventful has happened in Hogsmeade, and I suppose I should be grateful for that, but it makes it difficult to be stuck there. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and find that the Daily Prophet has reported that you've been mauled by Greyback's pack." She finished a little guiltily. She didn't want to add to his burdens by making him worried about her worrying for him.

Remus stroked her cheek and then took her hand and kissed each of her fingertips and the pulse point at her wrist. "I was worried about you, also. I know the Dementors are loose."

Tonks wrapped her arms around his neck. "They haven't attacked too much yet," she whispered. She pulled back a little to look at him, but gradually their lips met.

Their kisses spoke of a desire to drown in each other's presence and forget about the war and the cruel world. Eventually, Remus pulled away slightly and embraced Tonks more tightly. He never wanted to let her go, but he had to return to the pack. "I'm sorry," he sighed into her ear. "I have to go."

She released him reluctantly. "I know. Be careful."

"You be careful, too." He kissed her fiercely one more time, aware that it could be his last. They did their best to smile at each other, and then Remus went downstairs to say goodbye to the others. Tonks didn't follow him because she didn't feel like wearing mask of cheerfulness and she was in no mood to see everyone's pitying faces.

Awhile later Sirius entered the library. "Hey, Tonks."

"Wotcher. Did everybody leave?" Sirius nodded.

He wore an odd expression. "I miss him, too, you know." She nodded. "Care for a game of chess?"

Tonks didn't know that she had it in her to smile genuinely, but she was touched by her cousin's obvious concern. She defeated him easily, and she didn't ask if it was part of his plan to cheer her up. When she returned to the Three Broomsticks late that night, she was happier than she had been in a month.