Chapter 20 Pass the Salt

Tonks had taking keen to Sirius ever since their last conversation, especially since he promised not to tell anyone about her situation. Fortunately, for that next month they had been spending a lot more time with each other. Every time they had a meeting, she would always show up early just to talk to him. Sometimes she would stop by hoping to say hello. He once caught her lurking on the third floor, and he thought that it was bit strange because even though Tonks said that she was looking for him, she knew his bedroom was on the fourth floor.

It was nice having someone to talk to, since Remus seemed to be hiding from him. He and Lupin had a fight a while ago, but he thought it was ridiculous that Remus had been avoiding him ever since. Lupin had locked himself in his room most of the day and sat as far away from Sirius whenever they had a meeting. Even Tonks noticed that Remus had been scarce for a while.

"I saw Harry on his last Hogsmeade trip." Tonks said as they were waiting at the breakfast table.

"How is he?" Sirius asked.

"He seems to be hanging in there. He's a tough kid."

"He's a lot like his father. More than he would know."

Molly, Mundungus, Bill, Arthur, Moody and Kingsley had all walked into the kitchen one by one.

"No I will not help you pass your food around… I don't see why I have to help you! No one requires you to bring food to these meetings." Mundungus complained.

"Shut up Munungus!" Molly said. Every time Molly was able to make a meeting, she would always bring food over. Although Sirius had the time and means to make food for the meetings, he doubted that anyone would be able to take more than one bite. He wasn't exactly the best cook.

"I actually appreciate the food Molly." Sirius said walking to the end of the table as he prepared his plate for him and Tonks.

Tonks walked up to Sirius and said, "I can make my own plate, Sirius."

"I was just trying to be a gentleman. Make myself useful."

"You are useful. Stop saying you're not." Tonks insisted.

Remus had just walked in and almost immediately placed his head to the ground.

"Hey Remus." Sirius tried to engage Lupin into a conversation. However, Remus barely muttered hello and ran across to the middle of the table. Tonks unexpectedly took her plate quickly and headed off to the end of table.

Typically meetings would start ten minutes or fifteen minutes later than what was planned. Molly had always demanded that everyone would eat before the meeting started. She was hoping that if everyone was full, then they would be less arguing during the meeting.

"You okay?" Sirius asked Tonks who had gone rather quiet and avoiding eye contact with anyone.

"Tired, I guess." She whispered.

"You sure? You look-"

"Yeah… um do you mind passing the salt?" Tonks asked, trying to change the subject.

"Sure, I can get it for you." Sirius looked down and saw that the salt was sitting between Bill and Remus, "Hey do you guys mind passing the salt?" Sirius had asked. Bill was being smothered by his mother, but it had appeared that Remus had not heard him, "can you pass the salt mate?"

"My GOD REMUS!" Tonks voice changed to an angry tone and her hair turned a blood red, "Are you just deaf or inconsiderate! Don't you care about anyone else besides yourself? Or do only care about keeping the salt to yourself?" It seemed that Tonks had a lot more to more to say, but since everyone was now staring at her, she stopped herself, but Sirius swore he heard Tonks whisper , "foul git."

Everyone went dead silent. They were shocked at what just happened, and didn't know what to say. Bill had slowly passed over the salt in fear that Tonks would have another melt down.

Tonks had gotten up and started headed for the door.

"Where do you think you are going?" Moody grunted.

"I'm leaving." Tonks mumbled.

"There's still a meeting!" Moody demanded.

"Like I care." Tonks ran out the door. Sirius saw that Remus looked quite miserable. The strange thing was that Remus had gone completely red by Tonks' yelling; although he was trying to hide it, Remus actually seemed emotionally distracted after Tonks left (although it only Sirius who noticed the change Remus's body language).

"Does my food really taste that bad that its need that much salt?" Molly said depressed.

Chapter 21 review: what happens when Sirius confronts Remus?