Chapter 19: Cards on the table

Tonks groaned, her back aching from her awkward posture on the bed. Her eyes felt tired and they yearned for more sleep. Her face wound felt stiff and fragile, threatening to bleed. Ironically, she'd never slept so well in weeks. She blearily got up, scrambling for anything that told the time but there was none. Instead, she pushed aside the dusty moth eaten curtains to see the afternoon sun glaring at her.

She flinched, letting the curtains fall back into place. Merlin…

Tonks staggered off the bed and blindly reached down to pick up her robe only to feel her fingers wrap around nothing but empty space. She blinked, frustrated as she looked around the floor for her abandoned robe. As she was about to leave the room to see if she left it in the kitchen, she caught sight of it hanging on the hook at the back of the door.

Cautiously, Tonks took it and slipped it on. I remembered throwing it on the floor… Tonks frowned, still deep in thought as she walked down the stairs. As she reached the second landing, she heard a familiar and heartwarming sound.

Clonk clonk…clonk…

Mad-Eye! "Mad-Eye!" She blurted, rushing down the last flight of stairs, "Mad-Eye-"

Bumping into someone, she fell back, landing on her behind in a jarring thud, "Watch it lass!" The gruff voice of her mentor gave her the new-founded strength as she jumped up on her feet, throwing her arms around her old mentor's neck, "Alright alright, what did I say about constant vigilance!" He barked roughly at her but Tonks had known him long enough to hear the little but existent affection in his voice.

She beamed, "It's subjective, if I'm vigilant at all," was her protest. It sounded strong and true enough, Mad-Eye stared at her with his good eye, his magical eye busy whirling in its socket, "what are you doing here?" She asked.

"Checking up on you," Mad-Eye replied bluntly.

"Sometimes, I can't tell if you're just tactful or honest," Tonks rolled her eyes. She slinked her arm though Mad-Eye's, expecting a yell or two from him but there was none, instead he stared at her till she let up sheepishly. Tonks can't help but think he was getting soft hearted on her, "How's retirement fitting you?" She asked casually as they walked to the kitchen.

He turned to her, giving her the look which told her that her attempt has been felt and she should stop at once.

"Okay, jeez," Tonks rolled her eyes again, "I'm just making some conversation."

"You need some incentive to behave…" He muttered and Tonks got the cue, clamping her mouth shut.

The kitchen was empty. Molly wasn't there to cook. To put it simply, the house only had Mad-Eye, Sirius, Remus and herself. Mad-Eye sat down in the chair around the table. To Tonks' surprise, there was actually food on the table even if it's just toasted bread with tea. Remus, as usual, had a half eaten chocolate in his hand.

"So…morning!" Sirius started awkwardly. Tonks didn't miss that he wasn't drinking any firewhiskey. All he had was a cup of hot chocolate.

"Afternoon," Tonks smiled which Sirius beamed at.

"Did I mention that you look exactly like Andie when you're upset?" Sirius leaned forward, instantly more eager in this conversation.

"Do I?" Tonks teased, knowing first hand of being on the wrong end of a 'Black' female's rage. It never is fun.

Sirius nodded, grinning, "I'm always serious," Tonks rolled her eyes, cracking into a grin at that.

"You're leaving already?" Remus asked, just leaving the kitchen after her.

Tonks' breath hitched in her throat, so he's finally talking to me normally again… "I have a meeting with…" she turned to face him. Remus was wearing what he wore last night and Tonks could see some signs of stubble forming. She'd bet her wand that he didn't sleep again.

He nodded knowingly to her answer. Tonks studied him carefully. He was shifting from one foot to the next, his eyes glancing away from hers to meet the wall or the floor, his hands buried deep in his pocket, the signs of a nervous schoolboy… Tonks mused inwardly.

"Be safe," He finally said.

Tonks nodded, trying to hide her disappointment as she turned to leave. It wasn't that she was running late or anything, she just couldn't stand another moment in this house knowing that Remus really didn't feel for her the way she felt for him. It was degrading and hurtful to her Black pride, as much as she hated to admit it. Furthermore, she'd had her fair share of conversation with Sirius and Mad-Eye.

"Alright, see you," She stepped out into the quiet streets; glancing back to see him standing in the doorway, a hesitant expression upon his weathered face.

"Nymphadora," Remus called out and she heard hurried footsteps as he ran after her, "I…can I talk to you?" He stammered just slightly but that awed Tonks. Remus Lupin is finally stammering…finally, I'm not the only bumbling idiot around us two. She hid her smile as they walked.

The setting sun was beautifully in their sight as they walked down the path. Tonks breathed in the evening air, feeling relaxed and finally free. The air seemed staled around her nowadays.

"I'm sorry," He spoke, causing Tonks' inhaling to halt midway.

"For what?" She frowned, genuinely confused.

"For the…the kiss," He finished and Tonks blushed at the reminder, morphing it away promptly.

Great, so now you regret it. I preferred it when you're in denial…Tonks thought sullenly, "Apology accepted…" She mumbled. Now, that wasn't so bad was it? She heard a small voice chided her.

"Nymphadora," and Tonks inwardly cringe at the sound of that name. The sound of his voice quelled the urge to scream at him for that but just barely. "I'm sorry about how I acted after the kiss," Remus said, his speech coming more smoothly now, "it must seem very, very rude of me."

Tonks let out a nervous laugh, "I think we can all forgive rudeness once in a while,"

Remus wasn't amused. In contrast, he seemed very serious about whatever he was saying, "I like you, Nymphadora. A lot…" He said carefully, as if treading along the cliff side.

Tonks froze and her legs stopped functioning. She stood rooted to the spot, halting Remus's progress abruptly as he anxiously watched her reaction.

"I'm just telling you, I thought you want to know," Remus began again, "if you don't feel the same way, if I've read wrong, then it's alright. I understand that too…"

Tonks couldn't stop the smile spreading across her tired face as she looked at his worried expression, "You're babbling." Tonks stated, her smile becoming a wide grin.

"Sorry," Remus blurted. She couldn't let go of how frantic Remus actually looked, probably the first time in his life. Then she saw a glimpse of the Marauder that once was in him. He gulped, watching her, worried, "Nymphadora?"

"Really, stop calling me that," Tonks said, trying to sound stern but the smile was still on her face. Remus tentatively smiled, letting out a nervous chuckle.

"Well?" He looked at her earnestly.

"What?" Tonks raised her brows in surprise, enjoying the moment she actually had to tease and get the better of Remus Lupin. It was probably the once in a lifetime opportunity and she wasn't letting it go for anything. She almost laughed when he seemed worried again.

"What we were talking about, just now," His voice faded into a mutter.

That was it. His expression did it. Tonks let it go, "I love you more than you know," She laughed. Tonks met his eyes and she thought Remus was being ridiculously happy about it. She thought he knew…

His blue eyes brightened up upon her words, his hands hesitating to stay in his pockets anymore.

"But why…" Remus mumbled despite his smile.

"Simple minds like yours wouldn't comprehend that, let it go," Tonks grinned. Leaning forward and standing on her toes, Tonks kissed him gently on his cheek as he stood very still. She withdrew to see him in utter surprise. Biting her bottom lips, Tonks extracted his hand from his pocket by his wrist, slipping her hand into his warmer and larger one. They matched. His hand wrapped around hers nicely whilst hers fit in his.

Gently, Remus laced their fingers together, his hand barely applying pressure on hers whilst Tonks was gripping him so firmly she was sure there was nothing short of cutting off blood circulation going on in his poor hand.

He smiled at her as they walked up and then back just to head to the alley for Tonks' apparition away. The walk was quiet with each of them enjoying the other's company, their touch. Remus' untimely urge to pull out a chocolate bar effectively made her chuckle in amusement.

"You never stop eating chocolate now do you?" She asked incredously.

"Not as long as I can remember," Remus smiled, "It makes everything better. Apart from this one time,"

"When is it?" Tonks asked, curious.

He chewed on the chocolate bar thoughtfully before replying, "When I found out, all this while that you're hurt, I'm just an innocent, naïve friend in your life with not an inkling how you really are. All the chocolate in the world couldn't take that feeling away."

Tonks sighed, opening her mouth to speak but Remus offered her another chocolate bar, halting her reply.

"Don't be sorry," Remus smiled, "that's the least beneficial part of love, it makes us worry,"

For the first time in forever since she discovered her need for the last word, Tonks merely nodded in agreement, finding no words worthy enough to rebuke this man.

Even the Riddle mansion seemed brighter and happier to Tonks. She found herself smiling like an idiot as she walked into the mansion. She heard soft footsteps behind her and turned to see Lucius Malfoy. Tonks rolled her eyes.

"Wotcher Uncle," Tonks grinned. Lucius narrowed his eyes at her.

"I see your wounds have healed," he sneered.

"I'm still standing," Tonks smiled, earning a sharp glare by Lucius.

"Don't be too happy Nymphadora, you have yet to earn the highest honor a death eater could ever attain," Lucius smirked, purposefully adjusting his sleeve buttons.

Tonks' smile faded. She knew exactly what he was talking about. The Dark Mark… Tonks didn't know why Voldemort didn't want to give it to her, not that she wanted it but the absence of the black mark made her worry about the amount of trust Voldemort put in her. Tonks didn't know what she'll do if he did give it to her. She didn't want to be branded as Voldemort's henchman; joining the order didn't require that of her…

"How's work Nymphadora?" Lucius asked coldly, seemingly more eager to make her uncomfortable.

"Great, I can't help but notice your absence at work, Uncle," Tonks said sardonically.

Lucius glared sideways at her. Her uncle was not happy when Voldemort had ordered him not to rat out on her to Scrimgeour. The last thing Voldemort wanted for Tonks is to not be useful as a double agent anymore.

Lucius sneered at her before heading before her, pushing open the doors of the meeting room. Most of the other Death eaters were already there, waiting for the meeting to begin. Tonks glanced to realize that her cousin, Draco Malfoy was there too, looking acutely out of place.

He was stiff and glaring straight ahead at nothing. His hair was combed and gelled back into place much like his father's. He looked like a small boy in the wrong place.

Tonks ignored his wide eyed stare as Draco sees her. Instead, she bowed to the Dark Lord respectfully before filling the seat by his side, where he gestured for her.

"Now," Voldemort spoke as Tonks sat, glaring across the table at Bellatrix who was already seething at her. She smiled as she caught sight of the torn fabric at Bellatrix shoulder and the slight scar on her cheek. Tonks let the Dark Lord's voice fade away. Tonks looked away from Bellatrix; her cheerful Auntie would only ruin her mood.

She could feel the warmth of Remus's hand holding hers protectively. His smile, the way his smile went to his eyes, bringing beautiful sparkles into them, the way he kissed her, his lips-

"My lord, it may be a ploy to get us out into the light! What if the Order-" Tonks recognize Yaxley's deep voice booming across the table.

"We will not achieve what we want by sitting here," Voldemort hissed and beside him, Nagini arched its body up. Instantly, many protests around the table went silent, "I need that prophecy!"

Tonks wanted to scream and jump on the table in protest but nothing came out. She merely sat there, staring. He's going to break into the Ministry and Tonks know it…she'll have to kill again unless she managed to get out of this mess.

"Nymphadora, please, share your opinion," Voldemort turned to her, his serpentine eyes trained on her. Somehow, her gut told her he was testing her.

Tonks took a subtle breath before speaking, "We'll need capable wizards and witches. Harry Potter will not be alone. He will bring friends and the Order will not stand by and watch us kill him," She continued, "They will be informed eventually by any means there is possible, it'll be important to take all the precautions."

"How do you suggest we carry this out?" Voldemort asked, his eyes never leaving her. Tonks swallowed subtlety, he's testing me…

"Two groups perhaps. One to fend off the Order, one to protect the prophecy," Tonks spoke, hating herself as she suggested.

"Yes…" Voldemort nodded, his smile revealing sharp teeth, "Very good, we shall do as you say."

At the side, Bellatrix's glare intensity and she growled in an undertone, "My Lord, let me lead this mission!" She leaned forward eagerly.

"Bellatrix, your loyalty is…admirable but Nymphadora will need her chances to show us what she is truly capable of," Instantly, Bellatrix's smirk faded and she glared at Tonks.

Tonks stopped breathing, "My Lord?"

"Dear Nymphadora, you will lead this mission," he stood and Tonks could've screamed at them, "You will obtain that prophecy for me," He rested a hand on her shoulder. She felt a shiver run down her run.

"My lord, the order might recognize her," Snape pointed it out to Tonks' surprise. Voldemort turned to Snape, contemplating.

"Well, Nymphadora's morphing will come in handy behind the mask," Voldemort replied, "Pick any death eater's form to take,"

"Alastor Moody's eye may see through her morph," Severus brought up and Voldemort turned to him, disturbed. Beside Tonks' chair, Nagini hissed,

No he can't…Tonks thought but Voldemort doesn't need to know that. Tonks suppressed a smile of triumph.

"No he cannot," Lucius snapped, hissing.

"That remains uncertain," Tonks snorted, "he sees through me more than a couple of times,"

"Then if Nymphadora is recognized, she will serve by my side as my faithful death eater. Never to return to the order or the ministry as a spy," Voldemort said in a tone Tonks had come to recognize as a final decision, "what say you, Nymphadora?"

No! I will not serve you…I have too much to sacrifice…Tonks steeled her expression, ready to reply as Nagini suddenly slithered its way up Tonks' lap. She paused, staring as the huge scaly serpent slithered over her. Tonks felt her breath hitched in her throat when the large serpent raised its head to her level, looking her in the eye before going to the floor between her and Severus. Recovering, Tonks looked up to see Bellatrix and a bunch of death eaters smirking at her.

"Sounds excellent my Lord," She managed a small smile that she hoped it looked sinister instead of forced.

Voldemort rounded behind her to stand behind his seat. Tonks glimpse a smile on his serpentine face.

Then Voldemort went on about his plan, infiltrating Harry Potter's dreams successfully for the past few nights.

"I hear, Severus has been asked by that old fool to teach Harry Potter Occlumency," Voldemort brought it up all of a sudden. Tonks was stumped. She had obviously not been told about that. She glanced sideways at him. Severus's pale face was expressionless, "How is it Severus?"

"Harry Potter is not making much progress with his training," Severus replied calmly but stiffly; his tone suggestive of a hidden meaning; probably of why he isn't making progress. Voldemort smirked and turned to the table in general.

"My fellow friends, how do you think will we bring Harry Potter to the Ministry to pick up the prophecy?" Voldemort's trained eyes skimmed over each and every death eater's face.

"My Lord, can't we fetch it ourselves?" A small voice said from the end of the table.

"Fool!" Voldemort hissed, "The Prophecy is made so that only the Boy can retrieve it," The voice reduced to a short squeak before it reduced to nothing, "Wormtail!" He turned to the small man at the corner of the table, "Ideas?" Tonks noticed a hint of amusement slither down the table of seated death eaters as the Dark Lord called upon Pettigrew. Tonks glanced over to see the small man squirming uncomfortably.

"My lord," Tonks found herself speaking on his behalf, "Perhaps a bait. Using the Boy's weakness of friendship and love," She spoke, more calmly this time, "Maybe Sirius Black will do the trick,"

Voldemort's eyes glinted with excitement as he nodded, waiting for her to continue.

"He could have been made to believe we're…torturing Black at the ministry for information of Harry. He will come for his godfather," Tonks finished, biting on her tongue. Oh Merlin…what have I done…I'm sorry Harry. Tonks thought. She was nothing short of hating herself now. She just had to open her big mouth and help Pettigrew out of a moment of pity.

"Good…" Voldemort's words trailed off as he began thinking about her plan, his smile quickly widening into a smirk as it unfold into a success in his mind.

Opposite Tonks, Bellatrix snorted.

"Bellatrix, Lucius, Dolohov, Rowle, Yaxley, Jugson, Rookwood, Dane…" Voldemort's voice trailed off as Tonks' eyes widened at the mention of Jensen.

She'd completely forgotten him! She looked up to search for him and found that overconfident brat was sitting at almost the end of the table, looking as smug as ever. She rolled her eyes as inconspicuously as she can.

"And Nymphadora will take over the rest of the arrangement for this raid," Voldemort turned to her.

"Yes, my lord," Tonks nodded. Without another word, Voldemort stood and left with Nagini slithering behind him.

The moment the door slams shut behind him, the death eaters started moving. Some stood to leave; others remain seated, staring into space. One of them was Draco Malfoy. Tonks stood, smirking at Draco's overly pale face. The innocent boy has no idea. This was one of the least traumatic meetings compared to the last one where a shackled prisoner was tortured by every death eater at the table for just openly announcing his support of Harry Potter in a pub.

As she was leaving the hall, Tonks heard hurried footfalls behind her, catching up fast. Instantly, her wand was in her hand and she spun around, her wand up.

"Whoa!" Jensen Dane's eyes widened before chuckling, "Bloody hell, it's just me!"

Tonks narrowed her eyes, not lowering her wand, "What do you want?" She said coldly.

"Hey…just lower your wand-"

"No. Speak," Tonks interrupted.

Dane eyed her wand nervously, "Alright…I just wanted to say that was really cool of you,"

Tonks stared at him blankly.

"And…if you want to have a drink-"

"No," She replied flatly, turning on her heels and walking down the marble steps.

"Hey! You haven't heard when and where and with whom!" Jensen called after her. I don't want to have a drink unless the sentence comes with Remus… She thought.

"If you would excuse us, Dane," Snape's cold voice was heard right behind them, causing Jensen to jump. Tonks surprised herself when she remained calm and composed. Maybe I'm getting used to it…she mused.

"What do you want Snape?" Jensen snapped in that haughty tone.

"It appears you're not speaking to Nymphadora about anything of great importance," Snape replied.

"Well, it appears so-" Jensen started to protest.

"Leave, Dane," Tonks turned on him, snapping. Jensen glared at Snape before starting to step away.

"I'll contact you, Nymphadora," Jensen said, almost ardently.

"It's Tonks and-" Tonks started but Jensen was already gone out of the door. She sighed.

"Seems like you have an admirer," Snape commented coldly. Tonks snorted, less than lady-like, "Dane is a masochistic fool,"

"He was going for an Auror," Tonks replied, turning to Snape who appeared nonchalant at that, "And thanks for saving me,"

"I got less than that for nursing you back to health," Snape said, his comment dripping with sarcasm, "but I did have to inform you that the time is tonight," He shot her a look which made Tonks know he referred to the Order.

She nodded stiffly but inside, butterflies hoarded her stomach at the thought of having an excuse to meet Remus. They'd have the whole night to themselves afterwards…

"And the Dark Lord expects no less than perfection in this mission," Snape added, sounding like a warning. She nodded again and he swept down the stairs briskly, soundlessly disappearing out of sight. Tonks sighed. Outside, it was still dark, the air cold and chilly.

Tonks huffed, pulling her robes closer around her frame as she shuffled up the door of Grimmauld. She wanted to drop by before she went to work, and maybe catch a nap when she was around Remus. Smiling, Tonks ran up the steps and opened the door. The hallway was dark and the house was quiet.

Tonks quietly shut the door behind her, hanging up her thick robes, it suddenly occurred to her it was just going to be dawn. Remus will of course be asleep… At that thought, Tonks sighed. She could wait for him.

Tonks silently dragged her suddenly tired body to the kitchen. She opened the door to find it dark. Whipping out her wand, she lighted all the lights and slumped down in a chair, sighing.

She made herself a hot tea before settling down again. Tonks quickly counted and found she'll have to wait at least 3 more hours before Remus will wake at 6. That man was like clockwork. Tonks chuckled as she began thinking about how Remus would actually look like when his alarm clock went off.

She thought of his soft tousled brown hair, his bleary eyes, still tired from sleep. Tonks smiled. His voice…it would be husky…

"Tonks?" said the voice she was just thinking about. Tonks jumped, whipping out her wand as she spun around quickly, in the process, kicking over her chair.

Remus stood in the doorway, smiling.

His eyes were twinkling with amusement, his hair tousled. He was still in his pajamas but he'd pull a hand-knitted jumper over it, his wand lowered but in his hand. He looked nice and warm enough for her to want to cuddle up to him.

"Remus," Tonks flushed, lowering her wand instantly.

"What are you doing here?" Remus asked, calmly picking up the chair from the floor.

"I was just visiting, after the meeting," Tonks flushed an even deeper red, "I thought to come see you," Her voice reduced to a whisper.

He smiled. In two strides, Remus wrapped his arms around her waist, enveloping her in a warm and safe sanctuary. Tonks sighed, her arms going around his neck, "I was just thinking about you," His voice breathed into her ear.

Tonks grinned, burying her face deeper into his shoulder. He smelt of the Black library, the musty books, and a hint of the soap he used in the shower. She felt his chest shook as he laughed softly.

"What?" She withdrew, looking up at him.

Remus smiled, "I'm just happy," Tonks chuckled, the Remus she knew never does laugh just because. Both of them stood in each others arms, refusing to move to sit.

"Remus," Tonks mumbled, her voice muffled as she couldn't pluck up the strength to tilt her face away from the lovely spot of being buried in his chest, "Have you always fancied me?" She found herself asking what she wondered.

Remus replied softly, "It has been a while now,"

"Not since you met me?" She asked, her voice not concealing her disappointment.

He laughed, "I first met you when you were 5," He paused to chuckle, "your hair was an offensive green at that time. I genuinely thought I made you sick," Remus' laugh became nervous.

Tonks shifted so her head was resting closer to his neck, "No one could ever feel that way about you…" She mumbled drearily.

"I didn't know I was babysitting a little metamorphagus while Sirius went off to one of his many dates until he brought me to the house and left," Remus continued. She could hear the smile in his voice as he recalled, "You were a handful,"

"I'm sorry," Tonks slurred, her words making less and less sense to her. Remus' words soon string together into nothing that made sense but she only registered his soft velvet voice and felt his gentle hands rubbing soothing circles on the small of her back.

"Moooony!" Little Nymphadora jumped up and down on the sofa, screeching in excitement.

"Nymphadora," Remus peered out from the kitchen to see her where she was. She saw his eyes widened and he practically flew across the room. She screamed as her foot caught on the arm rest, making her lose her balance and send her reeling to the floor. She came to an abrupt stop as she fell into strong firm arms, shaken. Tonks began bawling her eyes out, burying her face into his dark green cotton jumper, "Shh, I'm so sorry Nymphadora…sorry…" His gentle hands rubbed up and down her back soothingly.

"Why are you sorry?" Tonks' curiosity won over and soon she pulled her face away from his chest and looked up at him with puffy and swollen eyes. He looked at her, stunned, "Answer the question Moony!" She huffed.

"I'm sorry for letting you have a scare back there," Remus replied, a little startled by Tonks. His hands were still gently rubbing her arm.

Tonks puffed her chest out, "I'm not scared!" She protested, "I'm going to be an Auror one day!" She rubbed tears away with the back of her hand.

Remus smiled and nodded. Tonks beamed at him, jumping off the sofa, in the process making Remus jerked forward anxiously, but she landed safely on her feet. She dashed off to the room, tripping over the tip of the carpet and the coffee table. She could hear Remus' chuckling as he went after her.

"Nympha-" He started as he entered her room but jumped back as he found a wand tip pointed right at him.

"Silence dark wizard!" Nymphadora was standing on her bed and in her hand, in replacement for the wand which she does not possess, was a plastic toy one which genuinely send colorful sparks out from the end of it, "You will now call me Auror Tonks!"

Remus feigned a startled expression, bowing, "Yes great Auror,"

Tonks giggled, jumping down from the bed, "Put your hands on your head where I can see them! Hurry!" She directed as she'd seen Sirius do when they were role-playing and on the muggle television show.

"Oh yes of course!" Remus played along, playing his hands on his head. He was grinning.

"Stop grinning!" She snapped despite the grin on her face, "Move along now!" She practically giggled out her order.

"Now, now Auror, that's not very auror-like," Remus turned to her with a mischievous grin as he heard her laugh.

Instantly, she dropped the giggle, "Silence! Drop to your knees at once!"

Remus did so, with a smirk hidden as he hung his head. From his peripheral vision, as he saw Tonks about to give another order, he swooped out and envelope her tiny body into his arms. She squealed, dropping her wand.

"Got you," He smiled as she laughed, half giggling, "Now, time for bed,"

Nymphadora pouted, looking up at him. She morphed her hair a flat brown, like his, her grey eyes widened in a plea.

Remus looked sorry for a moment before he steeled himself, "No, go to bed," He stood easily with her in his arms. Nymphadora sullenly allowed him to put her in bed. He pulled the blankets up to her chin.

"Can you read me a story?" Nymphadora asked. Remus nodded, smiling. He sat down on the bed by her side. He recited a story about the brothers Remus and Romulus to her. Midway, little Nymphadora drifted off to sleep with a small bundle of Remus's jumper in her fist.

She didn't feel him pry his jumper gently from her grasp, kiss her on her forehead, switched off the light and left the room…

To be continued…

A/N: Big leap for Tonks/Remus. In case you want to know, I struggled with the choice of words, especially from Remus (him being a refined professor and all, very different from me definitely). I hope it didn't turn out too out of character or cheesy, I wanted a 'cards on the table moment'. I'm definitely eager to hear what you think (this could either go very good with the squeals or very bad with the 'eewwwws' and 'it's too cheesy comments). Either way, I would love to hear from you too.

The meeting was a big reference to the Death Hallows part 1 movie, I noticed Nagini's constant presence and decide for her to harass Tonks a while, just like how Voldemort seems to enjoy doing XD

The last bit with Remus babysitting Tonks was sort of a follow up to the dream she had in the first chapter with Sirius.

Long author's note here! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Again, replies for the amazing reviewers that made me smile! ^^
2lazee2login: Thank you! You've had found out by now but sorry you weren't able to hear them!

AbsurdAnimals: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked it; I thought it would appear OOC. Thanks again!

Microwavable-butterflies: Not a problem (: Thank you! I would try to reel in the 'Harry's aspect' from Tonks' story then! Thank you for the feedback!

Starxedlovers: Thank you! Hahahah, as a Remus-Tonks fan, you ought to ^^ I love writing it! Sorry! I didn't write about it in this chapter but you MIGHT here from it in the next few. As you probably know from his 'not drinking firewhiskey for breakfast', Sirius is too busy reflecting after his gigantic scolding from Tonks to talk to Remus (at least that's what I told myself (: ) hehe, yeah, Mad-Eye is starting to appear like a dad in Tonks' life. Thanks! Mild mention about it again in this chapter! Of course Remus and Tonks will talk about it (when the moment comes). Thanks so much for the lovely review!

Ladylovercsi08: Thanks so much! This is going AU so anything can happen (: A hot scene? Hehe, maybe? This is still K+ though, the ratings MIGHT make a change for that. Thanks again!

LaserT: Thanks so much!

Angelic94: Thank you! I'm glad you saw the resemblance; I didn't want to make it too obvious but hope it was there. Hehe, I'm kinda sick of Sirius being a drunk so there had to be a turn somewhere (in my AU fic at least (: ). You're really a fantastic reviewer! Thank you so much for it!

HammersNStrings: hehe, no, that's not a good thought. (:. No more waiting as you have read, hope you liked it. Well…we do have plenty of time to get into Tonks' dreams next time XD. Thanks so much for the review!