Note: I wrote most of this in human bio and financial literacy without being able to reference previous chapters. Looking back, I probably should've written Remus' reaction to the end of the previous chapter, but I wanted to write from Tonks' perspective so that'll come in the next chapter. Anyway, I'm looking forward to a nice weekend of writing time.

Chapter 6: Confrontation

The knock came almost exactly a week after the owl. Tonks stood, knocking over her class of pater in the process. A nagging sense of fear lurked at the back of her mind. It's just Dawlish and I can take him. The thought didn't completely reassure her. Remus had risked his cover to warn her. But then again, he could be a paranoid, noble prat at times. Smiling smugly at that last thought and pushing all doubts from her mind, she opened the door.

It wasn't Dawlish. A woman of about her height with matted, graying red hair stood outside the door. Her face was gaunt and her cheeks hollow. It must be Annabeth, she thought. But she's no more of a threat than Dawlish. I can take care of myself no matter what Remus thinks. "Who are you?" she asked, trying to sound surprised.

The woman smiled; her teeth were unusually pointed. Tonks recalled that they were sharp during their Hogwarts days but not to this extreme. "Surely you remember me," Annabeth said. "We were at Hogwarts together; in the same house, no less."

Tonks widened her eyes, hoping she appeared surprised. "Annie?" she asked. "Annabeth?"

Annabeth nodded. "The very same." The two women sized each other up for a moment. "I don't think I've ever seen you with brown hair."

"I'm older now. Being in the Auror office means being more mature." Tonks rolled her eyes. Of course it wasn't true, but how could she explain the truth to Annabeth without exposing Remus?

"I see. That's a shame. You were always so colorful. It was nice." Annabeth sighed. "May I come in? I've traveled a long way."

"Of course," Tonks said brightly. Refusal might seem suspicious. If she didn't let Annabeth in, she might take that as confirmation that Tonks had something to hide. "It's not much and it's kind of a mess, but it's mine so I suppose that's enough for me." She smiled warmly and shut the door as Annabeth stepped into the room.

"It's charming," Annabeth said. Her smile seemed fake now, but she softened it a bit when she noticed Tonks staring.

"You can have a seat if you want." Tonks gestured toward the sofa.

"Thank you. It's very kind of you to let me in when we haven't spoken in so long." Annabeth strode over to the couch and sat down. Tonks hesitated a moment before joining her.

"So why are you here, anyway? I mean, we haven't seen each other since after your fifth year at Hogwarts," Tonks said.

"I just wanted to catch up. Find out a bit about what you've been up to. I can't stay long, but I figured I'd drop by since I was in the area anyway." Annabeth crossed her legs and leaned into the arm of the couch, looking at Tonks as though trying to think of the best way to trick her into admitting she'd seen Remus. Then again, that could just be the Auror in her talking. Annabeth wasn't the cleverest person in the world. She often came to Tonks asking for help. Then again, she'd always been a bit nosy and a busy body. Sometimes Tonks wondered why she wasn't in Slytherin. After several tense moments, Annabeth spoke again. "So, how did things end up with you and Bill? I was so silly then, with that stupid crush on him, but I still wonder." She giggled slightly. Tonks found it equally creepy and annoying. Annabeth's giggle reminded her a bit of Umbridge and Tonks had had her fair share of unpleasant experiences with the latter of the two.

"Nothing ever happened between me and Bill," Tonks said. "That was just a rumor, as I've already told you. I never fancied him and I'm fairly sure he never fancied me. If anything, we were like siblings," Tonks explained. "Although, I think his Mum wishes it were different. She keeps inviting me for dinner like she hopes we'll fall for each other. But neither of us are interested. I do have to question his taste, though. The girl he's with now…" She sighed. "Well, she's nice enough, but she acts so superior sometimes. I suppose it's because she's French and she went to Beauxbatons and she's graceful and looks like a princess and I'm, well, none of that."

Annabeth laughed. This time, it was more genuine. "That's a shame, really. Your clumsiness is part of your charm."

"I wouldn't call it charm, really," Tonks said. "I mean, knocking over every suit of armor in the Great Hall in one go isn't exactly a turn on for most men."

"I remember that," Annabeth said wistfully. "Didn't Sprout give you detention for a week?"

"Yeah, but only because they landed on a first year. And because she was sick of my being a constant threat to the wellbeing of those around me, I suppose." She grinned. "But I didn't mind. I was always in detention for something or other anyway."

"So, no boyfriend, then, I suppose? Your clumsiness keeps them all at bay?" Annabeth asked. Her eyes were serious now, boring into Tonks and making her uncomfortable.

"Nope, no boyfriend," Tonks said. "Although, a git by the name of Dawlish keeps coming 'round trying to win me over. He keeps flirting with me at work, too. Can't stand him, though. But the idiot won't take no for an answer, so I have to brush him off every few days."

Annabeth's eyes gleamed for a moment. Tonks hoped it was just a trick of the light. "So," Annabeth began, "nothing's going on between you and a certain Remus Lupin?"

"No, not at all," Tonks said, trying to sound surprised. "Why?"

"I was just curious," Annabeth answered. She sounded disappointed. "He seemed to know you when I met him."

"He does. He's an old school friend of my cousin's. We met a few times." She tried to keep her face emotionless, but her eyes stung at the memory of Sirius' death. Perhaps if he were still alive, he would've been able to help her persuade Remus stay with her instead of going with the werewolves.

"So you haven't seen him recently?" Annabeth's eyes were hard to meet and Tonks struggled to meet them, afraid to look away.

"Not since Sirius died," she lied sadly.

"That's a shame," Annabeth said. Tonks was certain Annabeth didn't quite believe her. She glanced at the clock above the fireplace. "I really must be going. It was nice to see you again." Annabeth stood, her hand sliding along the back of the couch. "Do you want me to send Remus a message?"

"Just send him my best, I suppose," Tonks said, trying to sound uninterested. She stood as well and walked to the door with Annabeth behind her. She opened it and Annabeth stepped out.

"Good bye," she said, turning away, twirling something between her fingers.

"'Bye," Tonks said, shutting the door and leaning against it, letting out a sigh of relief. She righted herself and went into the kitchen, where she removed a can of Coke from the refrigerator. She sat down at the table and opened it, taking a sipof the Muggle drink she was rather fond of. I didn't give anything away, she thought. There's no way she can get Remus with what I've told her.

Still, the memory of the gleam in Annabeth's eyes and the smug grin on her face as she left Tonks' apartment twiddling something between her fingers left a nagging sense of doubt and Tonks wanted more than anything to talk to Remus, to warn him, just in case she was wrong.